The award-winning residential property developer Vivly Living has strengthened its marketing team with the appointment of Joe Murray as trainee marketing executive.

Nineteen-year-old Joe joins Huddersfield-based Vivly from commercial trailer manufacturer Montracon.

Joe, who was educated at New College, Pontefract, explained: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me. Vivly Living is a highly respected and successful residential developer with a strong presence in West Yorkshire.

“I decided to embark on an apprenticeship, rather than go to university, because I prefer to learn while working. My apprenticeship course is designed to last 18 months, but I am hoping, provided I work hard, I can reduce this to 14. I strongly believe that apprenticeships play a key role in career development and I am determined to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

“I am joining a close-knit team where I am hoping that my digital marketing skills, including photography, blog and content writing and social media experience, will be a real asset. Vivly has a tremendously bright future ahead and I am honoured to be part of it.

“I have always been fascinated by both residential and commercial property. My father is an architect and my grandfather was a property developer, so the sector is in my blood. This is a dream job.”

Jen Wass, Vivly’s head of marketing, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Joe to our team. His enthusiasm and his knowledge of digital marketing make him the perfect fit for us as we become busier and busier.

“As a forward-thinking and pro-active residential property developer, we are fully aware of the importance of digital marketing and social media campaigns in helping to sell houses, which is why Joe’s appointment is a significant statement of intent by our marketing team.”

Joe, who lives in Pontefect, enjoys playing and watching football (he is a Sunderland supporter), music and cooking.

Vivly, previously known as Yorkshire Country Properties, has won a host of regional and national awards for its developments in West Yorkshire. The company is currently on site at Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale.

Say hello to our new apprentice, Joe Murray

Say hello to our new apprentice, Joe Murray!

Vivly Living designs exemplary homes, built for longevity. From exterior facades made of natural stone to complementary interior fittings, personalised by you; no detail is spared when it comes to creating places that you can’t wait to go home to. With Vivly Living you’ll have one point of contact right through to completion, and our exceptional aftercare service, meaning a lot more support.

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone and a dream come true for many. But alongside the excitement, it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. From saving for a deposit to setting up your new home, the process can seem daunting. That's why we've created this comprehensive guide to help first-time buyers unlock the door to their dream home. 


# Understanding your financial readiness 

Becoming a homeowner is an exciting milestone, but it's important to ensure that your finances are in order before embarking on this journey. Knowing where you stand financially will help you determine your budget and what type of home you can afford. 

**Assessing your finances**

Start by evaluating your current financial situation, including your income, expenses, savings and any outstanding debts. This is the foundation of your home-buying journey. Consider creating a detailed budget to track your monthly expenses and see how much you can realistically allocate towards a mortgage. 

**Credit score**

One of the most crucial aspects to consider is your credit score. Lenders will use your credit score to determine your loan eligibility and the interest rate you'll qualify for on a mortgage. If your credit score is on the lower end, it's a good idea to take steps to improve it before applying for a mortgage. This may involve paying off outstanding debts, disputing errors in your credit report and making all your payments on time. 

**Debt-to-income ratio**

In addition to your credit score, it's essential to evaluate your debt-to-income ratio. Lenders will want to see that you have a stable source of income and that your debt is manageable, so they'll typically look for a debt-to-income ratio of no more than (approximately) 40%. This means your monthly debt payments shouldn't exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. If your ratio is higher, you may need to work on reducing your debt before applying for a mortgage. 

If the mortgage jargon is already confusing you, fear not! Vivly Living’s trusted independent mortgage broker, David Bussey, wrote a handy guide, ‘Mortgage Mastery by David Bussey - demystifying mortgage jargon: a beginner's guide to understanding terminology’ to break down the definitions of the most popular terminology. 

**The deposit**

One of the biggest financial commitments when buying a home is the deposit. Typically, you’ll need to save between 5-20% of the home’s purchase price. The larger the deposit, the better your mortgage rates will likely be. Start saving as early as possible and explore any government schemes available to first-time buyers. These can sometimes help you get on the property ladder sooner than you’d expect. Also, there are recommended bank accounts that will help boost your savings for a deposit, so it's a good idea to do research into these at this stage of the house buying process.  


# Budgeting beyond the house price 


**Additional costs**

When buying a home, there are a variety of additional costs you’ll need to budget for. These might include solicitor fees, survey costs and insurance. These expenses can add up quickly, so it’s important to factor them into your overall budget early on. 

**Moving day costs**

Moving into your new home comes with its own set of expenses, whether that’s hiring professional movers, renting a van or purchasing packing materials. Start by getting quotes from local movers - consider it an investment in making your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Don’t forget to buy lots of tea, coffee and biscuits for the people that are helping you move - it can be very tiring!   

**Switching over bills**

Once you’ve bought your home, you’ll need to handle the practicalities of moving in, which includes setting up your utilities. This means contacting providers to organise your new accounts for electricity, water, gas, council tax and internet.  

If you’re moving from a rental property, you may be able to just transfer the accounts over to your new home, but you’ll need to check that your providers cover the area you’re moving to. To ensure a seamless transition, schedule the switchover well before your move and inform your current providers of your moving date. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary disruption to your services and make the moving process as smooth as possible. 

Because your Vivly Living property is brand new, you’ll have a bit more to arrange before you arrive as you’ll be the first person to live at the address:   

*Internet:* it often takes a few weeks to arrange for an engineer to visit your property to set up a broadband connection.  

*Bins:* you should contact your local council department to arrange for wheelie bins to be delivered to the property, they may take a couple of weeks to arrive. Find out online when the bin collection days are.  

*Warranty registration:* register the warranty for your appliances, this needs to be done by the homeowner. You will find all the warranty details in your Vivly Living handover pack.  

Additionally, the Vivly Living aftercare team will provide you with details of the current utility providers for gas electricity and water and the final meter readings from the time of the sales completion. We will provide the utility companies with the meter readings and your name as the new homeowner(s), as well as the local authority for Council Tax. 

 


# Preparing for the move 


Moving into your first home is a big step, and with a bit of preparation, you can make the process much easier for yourself. 

**Decluttering before moving**

One of the best ways to streamline your move is by decluttering beforehand. Take this opportunity to go through your belongings and decide what you really need. Items that don’t make the cut, but are still in good condition, can be donated, sold or recycled. Selling these unwanted items on reselling sites like **[Vinted](https://www.vinted.co.uk/)** or **[Depop](https://www.depop.com/gb/)** can make you a bit of passive income. That means more money for your big move!  

**Packing tips**

When it comes to packing, organisation is key. Start packing early and do it one room at a time. A useful tip is to use binbags to pack the clothes from your wardrobe on their hangers (a bit like a suit carrier) - this will reduce packing/unpacking time and will save space in the moving van. Also, consider creating a ‘first-night’ box with essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes and basic kitchen items - don’t forget the kettle for that all important mid-move brew! You’ll thank yourself later as this will save you from rummaging through boxes on the first night in your new home.  


# Settling into your new home 


Once the boxes are unpacked, there are still a few more steps to take to make your new house feel like home. 

**Change of address**

Don’t forget to update your address with important companies. This includes your bank, your employer and any subscription services you use. We recommend setting up a **[postal redirect](https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection)** with Royal Mail to ensure that you receive any post which might go to your old address.  

**Exploring your new area**

Finally, take some time to explore your new area. Discovering local amenities like supermarkets, cafes, parks and restaurants will help you feel more at home. It’s also a great way to meet your new neighbours and start building connections in your community. Why not read our blog about **['Shop Local Month: discover hidden gems in Shepley, Holmfirth, Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe with Kirsty'](https://www.vivlyliving.com/news/celebrating-shop-local-month-discover-hidden-gems-in-shepley-holmfirth-denby-dale-and-skelmanthorpe-with-kirsty)** to get some inspiration on where to start?   


# Stay connected 


To make sure you don’t miss any more home buying tips, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow  **[@vivlyliving](https://www.facebook.com/VivlyLiving/)** on **[social media](https://www.instagram.com/vivlyliving/)**. We’d also love to hear from you - if you have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover, feel free to **[get in touch](https://www.vivlyliving.com/contact)**.  

Remember, the home-buying process can be an emotional rollercoaster, with both highs and lows. As you settle into your new home, remember to take some time to celebrate this exciting milestone. Enjoy the process of making your new house a home, and don't hesitate to **[reach out to us](https://www.vivlyliving.com/contact)** at Vivly Living if you have any questions or concerns along the way. 

Discover our tips for first time buyers, including assessing your finances, moving tips and sorting out your utilities 

Buying a property for the first time? Read our handy guide for first time buyers. 

Unlocking the door to your dream home: a first-time buyer's guide 

In today’s world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. A recent **[survey](https://flowingenergysolutions.co.uk/2024/03/05/3-4-of-people-want-a-sustainable-home-heres-what-that-means/#:~:text=3%2F4%20of%20people%20want,%2D%20Flowing%20Energy)** undertaken by **[Flowing Energy Solutions](https://flowingenergysolutions.co.uk/)** found that three quarters of potential house buyers want a sustainable home. 

Here at Vivly Living, this commitment is clear across our sites in **[Denby Dale](https://www.vivlyliving.com/developments/the-willows)**, **[Skelmanthorpe](https://www.vivlyliving.com/developments/whistle-bell-court)** and **[Shepley](https://www.vivlyliving.com/developments/knowle-grange)**. Among these developments, **[The Willows](https://www.vivlyliving.com/developments/the-willows)** in Denby Dale stands out as many plots on site have recently earned acclaim for its exceptional energy efficiency and environmental impact. 

Our vision extends beyond just creating sustainable homes - it also includes preserving and enhancing the local wildlife and ecosystems around our developments.


## Why are we focusing on sustainability?

Here at Vivly Living, we build people-first homes. We understand that buying a house is likely to be the biggest investment our customers will make in their lives. That is why our houses are made to the highest quality and designed for longevity.
Additionally, we want to keep our customers’ water and energy bill costs as low as possible, which we aspire to achieve by building sustainable and water/energy efficient homes. 



## A benchmark for sustainable living

At Vivly Living, we’re committed to setting the standard for sustainable housing across all our developments. For example, The Willows development in Denby Dale is a model of modern, sustainable living. Comprising 34 new homes, The Willows is designed with both comfort and environmental responsibility in mind. Selected plots at The Willows have recently achieved an A rating under the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), which is a measure of a property’s green credentials. An A rating is the highest accolade in the SAP system, signifying that the homes are energy-efficient and have minimal impact on the environment.

We achieve A ratings through a variety of eco-friendly methods that are tailored to each home. Sometimes we use solar panels to lower environmental impact, while in other homes we opt for energy-efficient gas boilers to help reduce utility costs. Full wall insulation is used for maximum comfort and in others, timber frames are featured to increase thermal performance. Many of our homes also include wastewater heat recovery systems, which recycle heat from wastewater, further enhancing energy savings. By choosing a Vivly Living home, you're making a smart choice that combines comfort, saving money and caring for the planet.

However, sustainability at Vivly Living is more than just energy efficiency. Our commitment includes integrating wildlife and nature into our developments. We prioritise the protection of local wildlife and habitats by implementing measures that ensure our developments make minimal impact to the surrounding environment.



## Integrating wildlife and nature at Vivly Living sites
 
At Vivly Living, we’re all about blending beautifully with the stunning Yorkshire countryside we call home. Our developments are designed to be a safe haven for local wildlife, and we’ve got some clever tricks up our sleeves to make that happen.

For instance, we’ve added “hedgehog highways” to our garden fences - 13cm wide gaps that let these charming creatures roam freely between gardens. After all, hedgehogs love to explore and find friends and food, often traveling a mile each night! That is why we are proud to support the Hedgehog Highway initiative, pioneered by the **[People’s Trust for Endangered Species](https://ptes.org/)** and the **[British Hedgehog Preservation Society](https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/)**.

But we don’t stop there. We work with ecologists to ensure our projects don’t disrupt local habitats. You’ll find bat and bird boxes around our sites, giving our feathered and flying friends cosy spots to call home. Plus, our landscape architects choose native plants and trees that look great while providing food and shelter for wildlife.

So, with Vivly Living, you’re not just getting a beautiful home - you’re also making the world a bit greener and kinder for our furry and feathered neighbours.



# Visit The Willows

If you want to see the beauty of The Willows first hand, there’s no better time than at our Open Day on the 28th of September, running from 11am until 2pm. Come and have a look at this fantastic development for yourself and make your dream home a reality. All available properties will be open for viewing - so pop along, explore our stunning new homes and see the high-quality fit-outs and finishes. Plus, we’re giving away free wood fired pizza for each visitor.* What’s not to love!



## A sustainable future with Vivly Living 

As the world evolves, sustainable house development is increasingly exciting and essential. Vivly Living is leading the way in Yorkshire by building homes that meet the highest standards of energy efficiency and by ensuring that they exist in harmony with local wildlife.
The success of The Willows in Denby Dale is an example of what can be achieved when sustainability is placed at the heart of house building. By prioritising energy efficiency, using sustainable methods and taking proactive steps to protect local wildlife, Vivly Living is setting a new standard for responsible development, now and into the future. 

*While stock lasts. One slice per person. 


Discover how we build sustainable homes and integrate wildlife into our housing developments here.

Interested in sustainable homes? Read about sustainable development and wildlife integration at Vivly Living

Say hello to our new apprentice, Joe Murray

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