Serena, a 41-year-old Safety Manager, and her husband Mattia, a 38-year-old Postman for Royal Mail, bought their first home at Fairview New Homes’ Park Quarter development in New Barnet in autumn 2024.

With their hearts set on staying in London, the couple is now settled in their two-bed apartment with their cats, and while they took their time to save, they were quick to make the jump once they found the perfect turn-key home. 

The house hunt was focused on location, location, location, “We were always set on London; we have been here for 14 years, and all our friends are here, we feel really rooted to the capital. Also, we wanted to make an investment that with time would become an asset, particularly in a city like London.” said Serena.

“Before buying, we had rented a one-bedroom flat in Harringay, just north of Finsbury Park, and while we would have loved to stay there it was too expensive for the space we wanted. All of the properties in that area within our budget would have required extensive investment to refurbish them, so we decided to prioritise quality – which is what Park Quarter offered - and so we went for it. We viewed the flat for the first time at the beginning of July, we completed at the end of September and moved in mid October.” 

“We had been planning on buying for some time, saving for at least five years. We didn’t want to rush the process though; we saved as much as we could, but we were set on investing in a home when the time was right.” said Serena, “however, once we found the perfect home, we loved how quickly we were able to move, Fairview helped us complete and move in within three months – the process of buying a new build is so smooth!”

Desperate to have their own space, like many renters there were financial motivators at play too. “We just really wanted to start paying our own mortgage, rather than someone else’s! Owning a home offers stability and the freedom to stay in one place without the risk of having to move because of a landlord’s decision. We also longed to have the freedom of personalising our own space and calling it home.”

Previously paying £1,365 per month in rent for their one-bed flat in Harringay, the couple now pay £1,926 per month, an increase of £561. However, the benefit of extra space made the increase worth it, “We love having the additional bedroom, which we use when working from home, which I do for most of the week, and for exercise, it’s also great for when we have guests come to stay – something we couldn’t do before.”  

Their house purchase was well-timed ahead of the Stamp Duty Threshold change in April 2025. Having bought for £436,400, they paid just £570 in Stamp Duty, but if the purchase had happened after 31st March 2025, they would have had to pay £6,820, which would have required them to save for longer before buying. With a 10% deposit, the couple opted for a five-year fixed mortgage on a 28-year term, four years less than the average first-time buyer in 2024. 

In addition to the speed of completion which new builds offer, Park Quarter met additional requirements for the couple. “We were looking for a modern flat, I wanted something in good condition, ready to move into so we could start living, without the hassle of refurbishing the place. We also wanted our home to be really close to transport links, and it is! We’re less than five-minute walk to New Barnet train station, and a 10-minute bus journey to High Barnet and Cockfosters.” 

Having only lived in New Barnet for a few months, Serena and Mattias are enjoying exploring what’s on their doorstep. “We have been exploring the area up to Enfield since we moved in, I really like Chipping Barnet, it’s a lovely spot for breakfast and a walk on a Sunday morning.”

“I love the quietness of the area too and the fact that, as I mainly work from home, I can easily walk in Victoria Recreational Ground. I also swim regularly, and the local pool is less than 5 minutes' walk away. 

When asked to give advice to fellow first-time buyers, Serena said: “Buying a home is such a big step! If you’re new to an area, spend time exploring it - visit local parks, restaurants, shops, and talk to neighbours if possible. Feeling comfortable in the community can be just as important as loving the home.”