Fate can play a large part in where you live and that was the case for Maryam and Looqmaan in the Waikato. The couple went to view a lifestyle block that was off market in Pukemoremore, near Hamilton, but couldn’t find it so turned around and went back home.
As fate would have it, a few months later the lifestyle block went on the market and came across their path again – this time they snapped it up.
The couple and their two children, son Rayyan (6) and daughter Nailah (3), moved into their new home on the 2,000sqm lifestyle block in August, and couldn’t be happier with the whole experience.
LOOQMAAN
We always knew that we wanted a bit of land, something around 2000sqm would really suit us. When we started to look, we weren’t too sure of the area, but it had to be near Hamilton and 20 minutes away from the hospital where Maryam works.
Maryam: We were at an open home in Tamahere at the time, and an agent told us about this piece of land, near Hamilton, that wasn’t on the market yet. So, we went for a drive to have a look and we couldn’t find it.
It’s funny because our friend sent us a link to the piece of land when it went on the market, and we ended up buying it without me even seeing it in the end.
MARYAM
We have owned two houses before, in Huntington and Flagstaff. Then after relocating to Auckland and Rotorua for work, and renting for a few years, when we came back to Hamilton to settle, we knew what we wanted out of a home.
When we started looking for a home, we noticed that most didn’t have a lot of land, and that was important to us. There also wasn’t a lot on the market because of the impact of Covid. We also just didn’t see anything that suited us – everything was either too small or outdated.
LOOQMAAN
I’ve always wanted land because that’s what I had when I grew up in Auckland. We want enough room for our kids to be able to play, we want to have a garden and grow our own vegetables, and hopefully get a pool down the track.
MARYAM
We also like the feeling of not being squished alongside other homes. We wanted a bit of the rural life, but the location is eight minutes from Cambridge and 20 minutes from Hamilton, so everything, like going to shops and commuting to work, is easy.
LOOQMAAN
We contacted quite a few home-building companies and met a lot of people through show homes when we started looking. We met Angus on the phone initially when I called Generation Homes, and he told us about some land on the market, but that didn’t suit us, and then he kept in touch with us anytime something came up. He kept looking with us which was quite nice, and he was very approachable and honest which are qualities we value.
MARYAM
We felt like we could talk to him about everything, including our pre-approval situation from the bank, and that was good because then he knew what we could afford.
LOOQMAAN
When we spoke with other companies, they didn’t really ask what our budget was.
MARYAM
Angus used to be a real estate agent, so he’s quite knowledgeable about house prices and schooling zones for instance, which was helpful. He even went out to see about four pieces of land and gave his expert advice.
LOOQMAAN
The fixed price was a big factor for us. I looked at companies offering fixed prices but heard stories from so many people where their budgets had blown out. We’ve had friends with budget blowouts, so we definitely knew a fixed price guarantee was a must. It was a bonus to get the move in date as well. All the fixed dates made it easy with our bank to get payments through.
MARYAM
After meeting with a few of the different generation franchise members in Rotorua, Taupo and Omokoroa, we got the sense that they genuinely wanted to help us.
LOOQMAAN
It was a smooth process and no hiccups along the way.
MARYAM
At times we had a few things we wanted changed, and Angus and his team would respond to us right away and advocate for our changes with the contractors.
MARYAM
We really put our trust in Angus and his team, and we weren’t too nervous about the process. I was more nervous about certain decisions, like what if I made the wrong colour choice and would regret it.
LOOQMAAN
My nervousness comes in when looking at variations and the budget.
MARYAM
When it came to the budget we started with the base quotes and then added variations based on what we could afford. It made it feel like we were adding quality to the house, instead of picking out everything first then having to take it away because the money wasn’t there. By adding variations we could afford as we went through the process, it made us feel like we had more financial control.
MARYAM
Exactly. We knew from the start that there were certain things we didn’t want to compromise on, such as central heating and an alarm system.
MARYAM
The team is very reliable, approachable, and honest. Angus and his team were very practical as well, for instance, if there was something we wanted to upgrade and it cost a phenomenal amount of money, he’d tell us if it was worth it or not and would give us the honest reason.
LOOQMAAN
We feel like the team had our best interests at heart.
LOOQMAAN
We knew how many square meters we wanted and what sort of Generation Homes plan we liked, but we also really liked the layout of our previous house.
We ended up meeting Angus and told him our requirements, such as a big kitchen, four bedroom, lots of storage and we wanted the house north facing. So, it really ended up being a custom plan.
MARYAM
I love it all! I love the indoor outdoor flow and the kitchen. When people visit most people comment on our front entrance light, our bathroom and our laundry.
LOOQMAAN
I love the decking and outside area. The kitchen is great too because we love entertaining people. We have young kids so there’s enough room in the house for our family to grow up in the house will work with young and older kids.
LOOQMAAN
I would highly recommend going for a fixed price. It gives you certainty and then you know what your outgoings are throughout the whole process.
MARYAM
My advice would be to spend your money on structural things you can’t change later. For instance, if you can afford higher-stud ceilings get that because you can’t change that later, whereas nicer carpet you can change that later down the track.
MARYAM
We have gotten hyrdoseeded grass and garden bed curbing. We’ve got a plan for landscaping.
MARYAM
It’s a family home, and it’s very light and bright. It’s modern but still very cosy.
