From First Home to Forever: Vanessa & Dean’s Journey
Welcome to Real Stories, Real Homes, where members of the First Time Buyers Ireland (The OG) Facebook group share their personal journeys through the ever-changing property market. Today, Vanessa and Dean reflect on their move from their first home to a new place where they can grow as a family. Their story is one of big decisions, emotional goodbyes, and the ups and downs of buying and selling in today’s market.
"We always knew it was a starter home."
When Vanessa and Dean bought their first home in April 2020, it was everything they needed at the time: a cosy two-bedroom townhouse that fit their budget and lifestyle as a young couple.
"We had in our heads a rough timeline of five years before we’d look at moving up the ladder into a bigger 3/4 bed family home. Towards the end of 2023, we noticed another townhouse in our estate was on the market for quite a bit more than we paid three years ago. Out of curiosity, we arranged a valuation of our own home and were surprised to find that it had increased in value by over 25%."
This unexpected boost in equity, along with a change in the Central Bank rules for second-time buyers, meant they only needed a 10% deposit.
"From there, we decided that since the market was strong, we'd put our home on the market and see how things went."
The Challenge of Buying and Selling Simultaneously
"If you think buying a house is stressful, buying and selling at the same time is double the fun."
Managing the sale of their home while searching for a new one was a huge challenge.
"We almost felt like our bids weren’t being taken seriously, which was really disheartening. At one point, we missed out on a property because the vendor wanted signed contracts in place on our own sale. But that approach would’ve left us potentially homeless if we sold before securing a new place."
After a few setbacks, Vanessa and Dean decided to try something different:
"In the end, we managed to secure a new property off-market. Sometimes, all it takes is a cheeky Facebook post in the right group at the right time. That definitely took the pressure off, and we went sale agreed on both properties within 48 hours of each other."
Lessons From Their First Experience
Their first-time buying experience gave them valuable lessons for the second go-around.
"We understood better the role each professional plays in the transaction, and we didn’t feel the need for as much ‘handholding’ as we did the first time. We knew exactly what documents the bank needed, so we quickly got everything together."
This time, they also took a more laid-back approach:
"The only ‘mistake’ I felt we made the first time was getting too caught up in seeking updates from the solicitor and estate agent. I would stress out if we didn’t hear from them ASAP. What I’ve learned now is that once you’ve chosen the right professionals, you have to take a step back and trust them to do their jobs."
The Hardest Part of Moving
"Leaving our first home was harder than I imagined."
For Vanessa, saying goodbye to their first home was an emotional experience.
"This was the first home we’d ever lived in together. We never rented together before, so that made it even more special. We had so many big moments here—surviving Covid, getting engaged, and even leaving for our wedding from this house. We packed a lot into those few years, so leaving felt bittersweet."
To cope with the change, Vanessa found a way to honor the memories:
"I tried to document each ‘last’ in the house, just like we did with all the ‘firsts’—the last morning we woke up there, the last time we cooked in the kitchen. It helped me process the emotions."
What They Looked for in a Forever Home
Their list of priorities changed over the years.
"We definitely needed more space. At a minimum, we wanted a third bedroom, and ideally a larger kitchen, living room, and garden. Both of us work from home a good portion of the week, so we needed a dedicated office space but still wanted a spare room for guests or future plans."
Location was just as important:
"We were lucky that the location of our first home worked so well for us. We decided to stay in the same area and simply look for a larger home. That way, we could stay close to family, friends, schools, and transport links."
Saying Goodbye to Our First Home
"It was harder than I imagined to say goodbye."
For Vanessa, the process of physically and emotionally moving out of their first home was unexpectedly tough.
"I didn’t realize just how physically and emotionally draining it would be to pack up everything and move it all. Even though everyone around us was excited about our new adventure, it was still difficult to say goodbye to the place that had been the backdrop for so many milestones."
Her advice to others facing a similar situation:
"My advice to anyone selling soon would be to give yourself permission to feel your emotions. You can know deep down that moving is the right thing for you and your family, and still feel that twinge of sadness or regret when it comes time to say goodbye."
Looking Ahead
For Vanessa and Dean, this new chapter brings excitement and gratitude for what’s ahead—and for what they’ve left behind.
"Our wish is that whoever bought our first home makes as many wonderful memories there as we did."
Moving homes is never easy, but Vanessa and Dean’s story shows that with a little patience, trust in the process, and some emotional resilience, the journey can lead to an exciting new chapter. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move up the ladder, their experiences offer some valuable insights for anyone navigating the property market.
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