Co-Own customer Conor: "Owning our home is unbelievable"
How Conor and his family found stability through Co‑Ownership.
For years, Conor and his wife Orla dreamed of owning a home where their children could grow up with stability. But like many families across Northern Ireland, rising rents meant saving for a deposit felt impossible. Living in social housing, the couple worried they might never break out of the renting cycle.
“We felt stuck,” Conor explains. “Paying rent every month meant we just couldn’t get a deposit together. Owning a home seemed completely out of reach.”
Everything changed when Conor attended an information event at Smart Mortgages and heard about Co‑Ownership. Until that day, he didn’t realise an option existed that could make home ownership affordable for his family.
“As soon as I learned about shared ownership, it clicked,” he says. “There was a way for us after all.”
With the support of the Co‑Ownership team, Conor and Orla explored how Co-Ownership works, buying a share of a home they could afford (between 50% and 90%) while paying rent on the remaining share.
“The team explained everything so clearly,” Conor says. “They showed us what share we could manage and what the monthly costs would be. For the first time, it felt doable.”
The couple initially expected to buy a 50% share, but following their application they were thrilled to discover they could afford 60%.
“We were over the moon. It meant we were responsible for more of the house from the start, it felt like a huge step forward.”
Through one of Co‑Ownership’s partner lenders, Conor and his family were able to purchase the four‑bed terraced home they had set their sights on.
“We already knew the area and some of the neighbours, so it felt right straight away,” Conor shares. “And being able to choose the exact property we wanted… that was amazing.”
Moving into their new home brought an immediate sense of relief and belonging.
“Knowing we’re going to be here forever is reassuring. It’s something you don’t always get with renting. We’re happier, calmer — we love being at home now. It’s been a dream come true to give my family this security.”
“Owning our home is unbelievable,” Conor says. “It’s something we hoped for, but never thought would actually happen. Co‑Ownership made it possible.”
