First time buyers Saila Sheetal and Tafsir Islam have found the ideal home to support their love of hosting friends and family at Ashberry Homes’ Victoria Place development in Stafford.
Saila, an education advisor, and her husband Tafsir, a control and automation engineer, both 28 years old, had been living in a small one-bedroom studio apartment in Stafford town centre since moving to the UK from Bangladesh in December 2021. Although the location was convenient, the limited space was a major drawback.
“Hosting has always been a big part of our lives,” said Saila. “We love sharing meals, celebrating milestones and having friends stay over — but in our old apartment, it just wasn’t feasible. We knew we needed a home that was brighter, bigger and practical for the lifestyle we wanted.”
The couple initially explored renting a larger property but were surprised to find that three-bedroom homes with gardens regularly exceeded £1,000 per month. That prompted them to consider buying — although they assumed a new build would be out of reach.
After researching the local market and hearing positive recommendations, they visited Victoria Place and were immediately drawn to the three-storey, three bedroom Tulip house type.
“We went along for a look and were delighted with what we saw,” said Saila. “The sales advisor, Dawn, was fantastic. She understood exactly what we were looking for and showed us a beautiful show home that really inspired us. She then took us to see a three-storey corner-plot Tulip house that was nearly complete.”
The moment they stepped inside, the couple knew they had found the right home.
“The layout just felt perfect,” said Saila. “The open-plan kitchen and dining area opens directly onto the garden, which is ideal for gatherings. We could instantly picture hosting dinners, summer barbecues and inviting friends to stay. And the fact that all three bedrooms are doubles with their own en suites — giving us three bathrooms and a downstairs cloakroom in total — was nothing short of a dream.”
Dawn also explained the advantages of buying a new build, and the incentives offered by Ashberry Homes such as a deposit contribution and upgraded kitchen features.
The couple moved into their new home in May 2025, securing it with a 10 per cent deposit, supported by a three per cent contribution from Ashberry Homes – a gesture that Saila said made their new-build purchasing experience exceptionally positive.
One of their favourite spaces is the top-floor bedroom, complete with an en suite and dressing area.
“Anyone who visits our home is always fascinated by the top floor,” Saila said. “Even though we still have a lot of decorating left to do, it feels wonderful to finally have a home where we can welcome everyone properly when they visit.”
Location was another major factor in their decision. With Tafsir working for GE Vernova which is based in Stafford and Saila commuting to Birmingham, Victoria Place offered convenience without compromising on comfort.
“We’re close to everything,” said Saila. “My husband’s workplace is just a 10-minute drive away, and for me the train station is within walking distance — as is the town centre. I also love how this development sits between two major retail parks, giving us easy access to great amenities and shops like Home Bargains, KFC and Taco Bell — and I can even see Starbucks from our window. It’s the perfect balance of peaceful living and great connections.”
Looking ahead, the couple see Victoria Place as a long-term home where they can build their future.
Saila said: “We wanted somewhere we could grow into, not grow out of. This home gives us the space, layout and lifestyle we were looking for. We’re excited for all the memories we’ll make here.”
There is currently a choice of two, three and four bedroom new homes available to reserve at Victoria Place, with prices starting at £236,500.
To find out more, call 01785 508678 or visit https://www.ashberryhomes.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/victoria-place.
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.
