Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
This week, we’re in Weston-super-Mare meeting married couple Joe and Robert, who picked up the keys to their £360,000 three-bedroom home in August 2024.
After living in a two-bedroom flat close by, the pair moved for more space — but their new home has also come with the added benefit of being energy efficient.
While the typical energy bill for a three to four-bedroom home averages out at £154.10 per month, Joe and Robert currently pay around £107, which is a £47.10 saving.
With a unique interior design style that’s inspired by Joe’s time working in Las Vegas, as well as their love for Lady Gaga, their personalities certainly shine through. Their home features the vinyl cover of every single album the popstar has ever released. Did someone say Abracadabra?
And yes, there’s a disco ball.
Here’s what Joe had to say about their property journey…
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Tell us about yourself!
I’m Joe, and I’m 44 years old. I was originally born in Derby but relocated to Weston-super-Mare for work. I work as a lecturer in performing arts.
My husband, Robert, is 32 and was born in Manchester, but also moved here to work as an advanced nurse practitioner.
Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?
Our home is based on a Keepmoat development called Winterstoke Gate, located in Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare.
Robert and I love the area as it is quiet and peaceful, close to a range of amenities such as our work, shops, and there’s nightlife too.
We’re also close to the motorway which is really handy, but far enough away to avoid the traffic.
When did you move in?
We moved into our home in August 2024.
How much does your property cost?
Our property cost £360,000.
How much was your deposit?
We put down a deposit of £35,000.
What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?
As our home is fitted with energy-saving technology, we’ve found our energy bills have reduced dramatically.
We have our air source heat pump, which is a type of low-carbon central heating. It takes warmth from the air outside to supply our home’s heating and hot water.
It means that even when we go away, we can leave it on, rather than turning it on and off, which actually costs more. We also have EV charging points and solar panels.
Our monthly energy bills cost an average of £107, and our mortgage costs £1,750.
How did you save up for your deposit?
Prior to owning this property, we lived in a two-bedroom flat in Weston-super-Mare, which we also owned and are now renting out.
We also have two other properties, which we remortgaged, one also in Weston-super-Mare and the other in Derby, my hometown. I also used to own a condo in America, which I sold when I moved back to the UK.
Winterstoke Gate is now the third home we own together. We worked hard to save up for the deposit while living in our old flat.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?
We found the process of getting a mortgage straightforward, and it’s something we have dealt with before.
One of our friends is a mortgage advisor, so they helped us find the best rates and advised us on remortgaging our other properties on interest only.
Keepmoat also recommended someone who supported us through the process. Overall, we found it to be smooth sailing, which we are very pleased about.
Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?
Our mortgage is currently on a five-year, fixed-rate term.
What made you want to buy rather than rent?
Robert and I have preferred buying a home rather than renting because we view it as an investment in our future.
We were keen to buy a home, rather than another flat, because we’ve previously felt restricted due to fees such as maintenance, which are not a concern when owning a house.
How did you find this property? What made you choose it?
Moving into a new build has been a long-awaited dream for both of us, and the whole process has been smooth and seamless. We’re absolutely delighted with our new home.
Since we first got on the property ladder, we’ve always aimed for a sustainable forever home, as we always try to do our bit for the environment. Energy efficiency wasn’t essential for us, but a bonus.
The savings we’ve already seen on energy costs have been amazing, and the added space to host our family has been an incredible bonus.
LGBTQ+ statistics on housing
June might mark Pride Month, but the reality is that LGBTQ+ people still face issues accessing housing.
Research from Stonewall shows that almost one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness; these statistics increase to 25% of all trans people.
The majority of these cases are caused by direct rejection from families over their LGBTQ+ identity, too, as 77% of people surveyed by akt said that ‘family rejection, abuse or being asked to leave home’ was the cause of their homelessness.
Shortly before becoming homeless, more than 50% had their family members force them to stop expressing their LGBTQ+ identity, figures which rise to 64% for trans people and 55% for disabled people.
The University of Stirling also finds that LGBTQ+ people have poorer housing outcomes than their straight and cis counterparts, too.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual people specifically are less likely to own their own homes, while throughout the 1980s and 1990s, there were instances of gay and bisexual men having their mortgage applications refused because of the stigma tied to the HIV/AIDS crisis.
How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?
We’re huge fans of colour and emulating the luxury feel we have experienced in hotels. With our interior, we wanted to create a classy, luxurious feel, with a splash of colour.
Robert and I spent our honeymoon in Las Vegas, and I also used to perform there, so it’s a really special place for us. We have incorporated elements of this into our home to remind us of our trips.
In our flat, we had blue as the main colour, so in our current home, we opted for sage green for the primary palette.
We wanted to ensure it was subtle, so we used the colour on a feature wall and then incorporated accents such as vases and frames, which tie it all together and carry the scheme through our home.
What’s your favourite room and why?
It would have to be the kitchen! It really is the heart of our home as we host here, we have a bar set up, it’s vibrant and colourful, but also very personal. Robert and I are huge Lady Gaga fans, so we have her vinyl records on show beside neon lights, which really brightens the room.
We also love the garden as this is something we never had when living in a flat. It’s been enjoyable to be able to decorate and experiment with planting and style. We’ve transformed it into a fun and functional space.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Definitely. Living in a flat compared to a house is very different.
We have more space for friends and family to stay, which was key for us. We also have a garden, garage and dedicated parking, which is something we didn’t have before and has really benefited us.
Do you have plans to change the property?
Not right now, but never say never! We liked that Keepmoat let us pick our preferred choices for a lot of furnishings in our home, for example, the flooring.
We have an air source heat pump, solar panels, EV charger, and energy efficient appliances such as an integrated cooker and washing machine, which are great features.
We have spent a lot of time and money putting our own personal touch on the interior, and we’re really pleased with how our home looks, so we don’t have plans to change it anytime in the near future.
Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?
Aside from a couple of small tweaks in the garden, which are being sorted, it’s been a really smooth process, and the property was finished to an excellent standard.
What do you want people to know about buying a home?
Energy-efficient homes can lead to significant savings on energy bills, particularly if, like us, you learn as much as you can about the tech and make the most of the features and systems. For us, those savings were immediate.
Although the initial cost of purchasing an energy-efficient home is slightly higher, it’s worth it due to the benefits and cost savings which you can experience very quickly.
What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?
For the moment, we are happy where we are and don’t have any plans to leave. We’ve invested time and money into our property, and we’re proud to live here.
Shall we take a look around?
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
