From Renter to Renovator: My First Home Journey.

Roanna is a first home buyer whose journey with Tommy’s started in 2023 when she began her search. Her goal has always been to get onto the property ladder early and sees the home as an investment into her future. With the trustworthy guidance of her parents and her real estate agent, the year-long search didn’t finish where it initially started for Roanna. As a young 28-year-old buyer, she found the experience daunting at first and kept getting outbid when putting in offers. However, it wasn’t long till she managed to find her bearings and purchase her first property in May 2024 in the sought-after suburb of Crofton Downs, Wellington.

When did you know you had found the right home with Tommy’s?

It was a bit of a journey throughout the year, so by the time I found the ‘right’ home I knew it ticked a lot of boxes.

Initially I had an image in mind of the type of home I wanted a three bedroom and two bathroom house, ready to move into rather than a do-up, which is what I ended up with. The mind shift came when I decided to expand my horizons, and looking wider than my initial criteria meant that my budget could stretch further. When I stepped into the home I purchased, an older house, I knew it had good bones, a great backyard with beautiful existing trees for my dog Kody and I could immediately visualise renovating it. I knew then that it was the right house for me. It’s also in a central location to Wellington CBD with amazing views of the surrounding landscape, and close to public transport so a win win.

What was the most memorable part of your home-buying journey? For me it was the post purchase journey of seeing the renovations transform the house into a proper home that has been the most memorable and rewarding. Every day I’ve seen progress, from the cosmetic changes of tearing down the wallpaper and painting, to doing the landscaping and transforming the outdoors. As soon as the hard work was done and I stepped into the new space with Kody, it felt wonderful and I knew that I had turned the house into our home where we could make many great memories.

How has your life changed since moving into your new home? Life has been a lot more busy! From the moment I began, I had to drastically upskill myself across every aspect of home buying: from learning how to read LIM reports, to making sure my finances could accommodate the renovations I needed to make, and acquiring some DIY skills. By doing all of the leg work myself, I’ve really learned what I want, don’t want and need in a home.

Can you share a special memory or milestone that took place in your new home? A special memory is Kody running into the fully renovated home for the first time and enjoying the new outdoor space. Knowing that he will be able to have the freedom of running around in the new backyard while we enjoy the massive milestone of the completed indoor renovations has been amazing.

What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a home with Tommy’s? Be open-minded, where you start might not be where you end up. This process opened my mind up to the range of houses that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen, considered and in the end what I bought. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised – this process has taught me that what I thought I didn’t want is exactly what I needed. The search can also be a long process so be patient, talk to the agents, as they can provide very useful information tailored to your specific needs.

What did it feel like stepping into your home for the first time? I felt super-excited and accomplished especially after a whole year of trying to find something and completing all the renovations. I’m also proud and grateful for all the support I have received from my parents and Tommy’s throughout the process as I wouldn’t have been able to reach my goal without them.

How has your new home positively impacted your family’s life? Stepping onto the property ladder at a young age and owning something of my own that I’ve worked hard to achieve. I know this will positively impact my relationship with my sister (who’ll be moving in with me), Kody my dog will have a new found freedom and also the memories I’ll create in the new neighbourhood with my friends and family who are only a short distance from my new home.