What I Own: Property developer Richard, who built his house after buying land

What is the monthly cost of living here now; both mortgage and bills? 

All in, it costs about £2,500 a month. The mortgage is small and the interest rate is low – so we are making overpayments which increases our monthly expenses, but does substantially erode the size of the mortgage.

How did you save up for your deposit? 

Hard work. Taking on additional ‘freelance’ work in addition to our jobs and cutting back on ‘luxuries’ we could do without to ensure we had the money to buy.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging? 

The self-build mortgage to build the house was very challenging.

The lenders don’t want to be left with a half-built house, which they can’t sell on if you fail or abandon the project. Since completion, the house has been remortgaged on a normal domestic product with a known lender and that was very straightforward – I used a broker to source the best deal for my circumstances.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family? 

I lived in North Suffolk and had just finished renovating a 500-year-old listed cottage.

What made you want to buy rather than renting? 

I’ve only ever rented when I first left home aged 21 and was looking for my ‘first time buy.’ I’ve always been a home lover and know that renting wouldn’t allow me to improve a house in a way that I would want to.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it? 

Pure luck and a random internet search. I knew I wanted to move, but also knew I didn’t think I could because my existing home hadn’t sold.

I chose the land because of the location on the edge of a village, by a river, with a flat plot to build my forever home.

How have you made the property feel like home? 

Some of the rooms have been designed to take the furniture I love. I love lots of natural light, so the house is designed to make full use of the sunrise, daylight and sunset.

I’ve learnt that bedrooms should always have fabrics that feel nice on the side of your face (like when you’re sleeping) so the bedrooms especially are furnished with suedes, chenille and faux furs.

What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style? 

Classic and casual. Soft and welcoming. I’m not a fan of overly clinical looks, I like a sofa to be one you can soak into rather than perch upon.

What’s your favourite room and why? 

I’m delighted with how the master bedroom and en-suite bathroom have evolved. They were the last rooms of the build and I wanted to spend a huge amount of time making them just right. Comfortable not cavernous and a space to seriously relax.

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

Absolutely. The house has three bedrooms – it doesn’t need any more space.

Do you have plans to change the property? 

Not the house, attention is now turning to the garden and terrace areas. The house-front has open countryside, a wood and a river. The wildlife is amazing so it’s a real challenge getting any design to be sympathetic.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

Everything is brand new and under warranty so, in a word, no.

What do you want people to know about buying a home? 

It’s not easy and it’s not meant to be easy. If it was straightforward, and people treated buying a house like buying a new coat, the industry and market would be in chaos. Be patient and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.