At just 27, care assistant Beth and her partner Jake, a greenkeeper, are the proud homeowners of a spacious three-bedroom semi-detached house at Greenwell Park in Garforth, West Yorkshire – made possible through the Home Reach Shared Ownership scheme. The couple live with their five-year-old son, enjoying a family home that provides them with long term security.
Before finding their dream home, Beth and Jake’s housing journey had been anything but straightforward. After renting for several years, the couple had to move twice when landlords decided to sell. Eventually, they moved in with Beth’s parents to save money – a move they describe as a necessity in their mission to buy a home.
“We knew that if we didn’t move in with family, we’d never be able to save enough,” Beth explains. “We just couldn’t keep renting forever.”
After a year living with their parents, the family then moved in with Jake’s grandmother, continuing to save and wait for the right opportunity. During that time, they had already registered their interest at Greenwell Park, but Shared Ownership homes weren’t yet available.
“Every time we drove past the site, I’d check for updates. When we saw the sign for Shared Ownership with Home Reach, I got in touch straight away,” Beth says. “At first, we were told it wasn’t an option for another year or so – but then, one morning after dropping our son off at school, we decided to just pop in on the off-chance anything had become available.”
“One of the sales team, Jenny from Bovis, was there and kindly showed us around – and we absolutely fell in love. Home Reach’s Shared Ownership process was clearly explained to us, and we decided this was the best route to homeownership for us.”
Home Reach is a UK Shared Ownership scheme that lets buyers purchase a share of a property, usually 50-75%, while paying rent on the rest. Home Reach provides flexibility to buy more shares over time and helping people get on the property ladder sooner, buying from a leading housebuilder.
The couple viewed a three-bedroom home on the development and instantly knew it was right for them. “It felt so spacious – the layout was amazing,” says Beth. “We’d always known we didn’t want a fully open-plan layout; we wanted a separate living area that would make the home feel cosy, but still have space for family time. This house strikes that perfect balance. It’s so homely and comfortable, but still feels light and roomy. It’s perfect for our lifestyle.”
“We hadn’t planned to view that day and didn’t even have any paperwork or finances sorted yet,” Beth adds, “but once we’d seen it, we knew it was the one. Things started moving straight away after that. We applied that same night and were accepted. It all fell into place so quickly.”
Greenwell Park has quickly become the perfect home for their young family. The development offers a sense of community while backing onto open countryside – something that means a lot to both Beth and Jake. “There are beautiful fields behind our home, and our son’s bedroom overlooks the farms,” Beth says. “In the summer, we could even watch the farmers harvesting in the fields, which our little boy loved. Jake loves it too; as a greenkeeper, he really appreciates the open space and views.”
The family moved in June 2024, just two months after their first visit. They’re now happily settled and already thinking about the future.
“We’d love to staircase and buy more shares in time,” Beth says. “We’ve even thought about converting the loft one day. The landing is so big, there’s so much potential to grow with the house, and we’d have space to grow our family.”
Beth and Jake agree that Shared Ownership has been life changing. “Without Home Reach, we simply couldn’t have bought a house like this,” says Beth. “It gave us a way to get on the property ladder and still live in the area we love. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved – it finally feels like home.”
For more information on Shared Ownership with Home Reach, visit www.homereach.org.uk.
