News Articles & Media Releases

16/04/11
Home a reality for TV couple
Writer: Gemma Nisbet
Publication: The New Homes Guide – The West Australian

Nathan McClymont and Amanda Ecker met in quite extraordinary circumstances, falling in love on the matchmaking TV show The Farmer Wants A Wife while Mr McClymont was working as a drover on a remote cattle station, and getting engaged during the show’s finale in September last year.

When it came to building their own home, however, their concerns were similar to those of any other young couple.

“We wanted to build a new home because we wanted to build what we wanted and get it right the first time,” Mr McClymont said.

Having moved back to Perth about 6 months ago, the pair visited a Homebuyers Centre display, which made them appreciate that building their own home was within their reach.

“We realised we could actually afford to build a house ourselves and that it was easier than we thought,” Mr McClymont said.

The couple’s home is under construction in Ellenbrook and based on the Homebuyers Centre’s four-bedroom, two-bathroom Ultimate Aussie design.

“We liked it because it had all the main features we were wanting – a good living area, a good master bedroom and ensuite and it is big enough in case we want kids,” he said. According to Homebuyers Centre’s marketing manager Jared Stone, this requirement for ample living space was common to many people building their first home as entertaining family and friends tended to be important to them.

Homebuyers Centre has assisted around 30,000 West Australians plan and build their first home over the last 20 years and was currently building over 30 per cent of first-homebuyers’ homes in Perth.

The company’s 3 three-step approach to helping first-homebuyers achieve homeownership had played an essential role in this success, Mr Stone said.

The process started with selecting the best finance option and Homebuyers Centre worked with Resolve Finance to provide access to finance products that no other first-homebuyer company could utilise, he explained.

“These products include ‘no savings’ home loans which have allowed us to help many individuals and couples get into the property market without tackling the near-impossible task of saving tens of thousands of dollars.”

“Step two is choosing the right block,” Mr Stone said.

“Over the years we have forged ongoing relationships with all the major developers, which give us insight into existing and upcoming developments. These relationships mean we can help our clients choose the right block in the right suburb to suit their current and future needs.

“Step three is selecting the prefect home and our talented team of designers are constantly developing new designs that suit West Australian lifestyles.”

Mr Stone said that Homebuyers Centre also has a spec home program, building fully finished homes for buyers who wanted to avoid the construction process.

WISH LIST:

• An easy process: “Brand new to the property market, first-homebuyers want a company that can talk them through the whole process of building their first home and make it an easy and exciting experience,” Mr Stone said.
• Good value: “First-homebuyers may compromise on size if it means they get all the extras that are important to them.”
• Fewer bedrooms, more living areas: “Typically, first-homebuyers are after less bedrooms and larger living spaces.” Theatre rooms were also popular.
• Quality finishes, including a modern kitchen and a spacious main suite with a luxurious ensuite and walk-in robe, and environmentally friendly features where they can be shown to be cost efficient.
• Low maintenance: “Younf buyers are opting for smaller blocks and building homes with no wasted areas.”