Couple in their 20s claim ANYONE can buy their own home… if they’re careful like them
A YOUNG couple who managed to buy a four-bed detached house despite starting out with "bog standard jobs" claim home ownership in your 20s is possible - and want to inspire others to feel it's an achievable goal.
Shanine Land, 22, and Darren Noble, 24, got on the property ladder after paying £263,000 for their first home together in Tiverton, Devon.
Darren, who is a qualified plumbing and heating engineer, met Shanine at school eight years ago.
The couple say they were careful to watch every penny and stuck to a set of strict spending rules, as they hope to inspire others who might aspire to owning their own home.
The childhood sweethearts said it was always their goal to buy a house together and have taken on a mortgage which will last just 20 years – although they could pay it off in as little as 13.
Shanine, who agrees owning a house is not every teenager's immediate aim, said: "When we left school and started college we said one day we want to own a house.
''A lot of people I know they've got cars, phones, gym memberships, credit cards, but the only outgoings we've had is the gym and phone payments nothing else.
"People reading this may think we have high paid jobs but I work in retail.
"It goes to show you can save money and get a mortgage despite starting off with a bog standard job.
"I know Darren has a skilled job but you can do any job and get a mortgage. We both started on minimum wages and when we were saving we both had standard pay jobs."
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Avoiding the temptation of renting a property while they saved their deposit, the newly engaged couple opened joint bank accounts a little over a year ago.
Both brought up in average family homes, Darren and Shanine lived with their families while saving their deposit - but still paid rent to their parents to pay their way.
Although they make sure they still make the most of being in their twenties, they often holiday in Devon, research every good deal, stay debt free and don't spend massive amounts on big nights out.
They watch every penny, research which savings accounts to use, and use apps to do all their budgeting.
Darren said: "We have been saving a decent amount and still having fun, we've been going out but not going on holidays to Florida, not buying fancy cars.
"We'll enjoy the sun down at Dawlish, a night out with friends close to home. If you go out with your mates and you're buying rounds and you get a kebab on the way home you could part with £100 on one night."
Their home is in need of refurbishment - but they plan to do most of the work themselves with friends and family already lending a helping hand.
Darren will be taking care of the plumbing throughout the house.
The couple said they will be concentrating on installing a new kitchen and bathroom, and giving the walls a fresh lick of paint, but keen saver Darren said they will not be rushing out to buy new furniture on credit.
