Video: 15 Hallforest Drive, Kintore
Couple buy property in five minutes
Published:
ALLY and Frances Greig only went to have a nosy around new homes being built in Kintore – but left having signed on the dotted line.
Part-time receptionist Frances, 27, said: “We were living in a flat in Aberdeen at the time and decided to move into something bigger because we were planning a family.
“We were due to buy a house at Cove but they were never getting released.
“We just came out here for a nosy but when we discovered that one of the houses – which was similar to the one in Cove we liked – would be ready to move into in six weeks, we asked to have a look around.
“It only took five minutes for us to decide we wanted it. We just loved it,” she said.
Another couple were also looking round and seemed very interested.
Not wanting to miss out, Frances and her engineer husband Ally, 32, returned to the sales office and bought the house there and then.
“We didn’t mind changing our plans and moving to Kintore rather than Cove,” Frances said.
“The house was actually better and a cheaper price too.
“Also it made sense to be on this side of town as all our family are in Buckie, and at that time I worked at Arnold Clark in Mastrick.
“The house had been put back on the market as the people planning to buy it couldn’t sell their own property. Everything, including kitchens and bathrooms, had already been picked and fortunately it was to my taste – all except the orange tiles in the kitchen which I replaced.
“Having everything already done really took the stress right out of moving.”
Frances and Ally, who works with M-I Swaco in Aberdeen, moved into their dream home in 2006.
Seventeen months ago their family doubled in size when twins Eva and Callan were born.
The couple were over the moon when they discovered eight weeks into the pregnancy that they were having twins.
Frances said: “We were so surprised as there are no twins at all on either side of our family.
“Ally was actually working in Norway at the time and when I called him at work to give him the good news he was delighted but absolutely flabbergasted.”
This happy little family love their spacious and bright home which offers them flexible living accommodation in a friendly community.
The light and airy lounge overlooking the back garden features an attractive fireplace and wooden flooring.
“When we first saw the house we both loved the kitchen with it’s large dining area,” said Frances.
This family-friendly area is where they spend most of their time together.
It is fitted with a sleek and modern range of base and wall units, appliances and a breakfast bar for informal dining.
Patio doors open on to the back garden.
Next to the kitchen is a utility room with access to the integral double garage and side garden.
“The separate dining room could easily be used as another bedroom or a study,” said Frances.
On the first floor landing is a handy space which is perfect for housing a desk and computer. The spacious master bedroom decorated in cool creams and browns has two built-in wardrobes and en-suite with a double shower cubicle.
The red decor in the guest bedroom makes it feel warm and welcoming.
Frances said: “We were planning to use the third bedroom as the nursery but had to change our plans.
“But because we knew fine and early we were having twins it gave us loads of time to get prepared.”
She has decorated the little ones’ bedrooms in appropriate shades of pink and blue.
The family bathroom is spacious with room to fit a separate shower cubicle.
“Having lived in a flat, getting a garden was fantastic,” said Frances.
“We were so delighted at being able to sit out in our own garden.”
Ally laid a large patio at the back which is ideal for alfresco dining.
“The garden is really well enclosed with fencing all round so it’s safe for the children to run around in.
“Kintore is such a nice place to live and it’s so quiet here. We will miss it.
“The reason we are moving is to go back to Buckie to be closer to grandparents.
“We are in the process of trying to secure a plot of land and build our own house.
“This is something Ally – who is an electrician by trade – has wanted to do for a long time and now we have the opportunity to do it,” Frances said.
