WELCOME HOME: Justin and Kristy Metcraft with children Gabi and Chloe can’t wait to get settled in their new home. Photos: JUDE KEOGH 0205homeowner1
KRISTY Metcraft says she can’t wait to settle her family into their new home, unperturbed that it’s smack-bang in the middle of Glenroi.
Like many buyers hoping to enter the property market, Mrs Metcraft and her husband Justin have taken advantage of Housing NSW’s decision to sell off a large number of its former rental properties in the troubled Glenroi and Bowen areas.
The Metcrafts made the winning bid of $110,000 on the property that was auctioned off in December last year.
“There were a few of us first-time buyers there ... it was daunting,” Mrs Metcraft said.
The Metcrafts are busy unpacking boxes this week, and both say they couldn’t be happier with their purchase. They urge others looking to buy their first home to consider the Glenroi area.
“I think people should check it out again, it’s not so bad,” Mrs Metcraft said.
Mrs Metcraft’s new house is next door to the house her parents have lived in for the past 17 years, and in the lead-up to buying the house the Metcrafts have been living there too.
“They’ve never been broken into, ever,” Mrs Metcraft said.
“Bad things can happen anywhere, it’s just that the area has a bad reputation.”
Like a lot of people who have bought their first family home via the Housing NSW sell-off, the Metcrafts plan to maintain and upgrade their property.
“I think if you own the place you’re more likely to take better care of it,” Mrs Metcraft said.
“About three of the six places here [in their area] are privately owned.”
Mrs Metcraft was adamant she didn’t want her children to miss out on things just so she and her husband could meet their huge mortgage repayments.
“We never wanted to go in over our heads for our first home,” she said.
“Some people do and I’ve seen them suffer.”
Mrs Metcraft’s mortgage repayments on her new home are $260 a week, only $10 more than the rent she was paying in the private market.
“We’re quite happy to be able to settle down here,” she said.
Mr Metcraft agrees.
“I’m very excited, it’s a good buy for a first-time home buyer,” he said.
He also sees plenty of advantages living next door to his in-laws.
“There’s no dramas there,” he said.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au