For Gregg, 33, and Lizzy, 32, Skinsley-Stephens, moving into their dream home with their young children at Whitstable Heights in Whitstable, was nothing short of a perfect match. After nearly two years of searching, exploring countless options across five local developments, and weighing up project houses, they finally found the home that ticked every box. Both this home and their previous one were purchased through shared ownership, a scheme that has been instrumental in helping them move up the property ladder. Their new spacious four bedroom detached house offers not only more room but an ideal location for a dynamic family life.
Fact File
- Property: Four bedroom detached house
- Deposit: £80,000 for a 30% share
- Monthly mortgage: £394
- Monthly rent: £826
- Service charge: £31.41
Shared ownership has made all the difference for Gregg, who works as Head of Partnerships for a company contracting with the Department for Education, and Lizzy, a dedicated teaching assistant. Like many families needing more space but hard pushed by the full market value, their options felt limited.
Shared ownership allowed them to secure a property that suits their growing family’s needs, while offering stability and the potential to increase their stake in the future. This was not just about having more space – it was a chance to secure a long-term family home with good educational opportunities for their children.
“This home is everything we’d hoped for and more,” Gregg said. With their two children, Olivia, eight, and George, three and a half, and their beloved cat Loki settling in, they have truly embraced this new chapter in a place that offers them space to grow. The surrounding Whitstable area offers access to good education and employment for the family. Gregg explains, “It was a strategic move. We weren’t convinced by the local school options near to our previous house in Herne Bay. We wanted to give Olivia the best opportunity to go to a good secondary school nearby that aligns with our values, and Whitstable Heights gives us access to Canterbury-based schools too.”
The move to Whitstable Heights also brings Gregg back to his own roots. He explains, “It’s where I grew up as a child, so it feels like coming back home. I really enjoy taking the kids to the coast and showing them where I used to play as a kid. It really means a lot.”
The development is close to nature reserves and the beach. Lizzy added, “As a family, we’ve always been in touch with nature. We love walking and the children love the beach, and now we’re a few minutes’ drive to the wonderful seaside of Whitstable. The area really caters for a lifestyle that we love. There is also a children’s park straight opposite the house and it’s given our eldest a lot more independence. She often goes across to the park with the daughter of one of our neighbours.”
Living in the four bedroom detached home has also allowed the family to enjoy more space and spectacular views. “We were in a two bedroom terrace, and now we’ve moved into a much bigger, brighter, and more spacious home. We struck gold with the view—we can see the sea, the Isle of Sheppey, windmills, and the show home opposite doesn’t encroach on that. From the kids’ bedrooms on the other side of the house, the view is of the on-going construction and George loves watching the process. He’s obsessed with all the construction vehicles.”
Since moving in, Gregg and Lizzy have been able to quickly integrate into the local community. “Olivia has already made friends and Lizzy was part of the Whitstable Heights residents’ group early on and we formed a WhatsApp group. It was nice to get to know our neighbours even before moving in.”
The sense of community has grown rapidly at Whitstable Heights. “We’ve been so lucky to establish strong relationships with our neighbours, and it’s great to see the children bonding.” Gregg and Lizzy’s weekends are now filled with beach walks and woodland adventures. “The surrounding area is so brilliant, with its beaches and woodlands. We’re very outdoorsy.”
“Shared ownership has worked out really well for us – it enables you to get so much more than you think you can. We have used shared ownership to create a brilliant life for our children”
Gregg and Lizzy opted for a shared ownership route, buying 30% of their home with an £80,000 deposit. “We have to pinch ourselves that we’ve managed to achieve what we have. Two years ago, we never thought we’d be able to say we live in a four bedroom detached house. Shared ownership has worked out really well for us—it enables you to get so much more than you think you can. We have used shared ownership to create a brilliant life for our children.”
They plan to staircase, with the goal of owning their home outright. In Whitstable Heights, they have found not just a house but a home – one that meets their needs now and offers a foundation for the future.
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
