20 Questions

Suzy Hollins is Head of Sales at Plumlife Homes, part of Great Places Housing Group, and leads on delivering the group’s new homes sales programme across the North West, as well as shared ownership resales and Plumlife’s range of sales agency services. Having worked in the affordable housing sector for two decades, Suzy has particular expertise in shared ownership and is passionate about delivering a brilliant customer experience at all stages of the sales journey

With Suzy Hollins

What room at home is your favourite?

Usually I’d say our living room as that’s where we get cosy as a family, however I’ve finally got my own office (after years of working at the kitchen table) which overlooks the garden, so I can see birds, trees, flowers and bees while I’m working – it’s a novelty so it’s my favourite room right now!

What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home?

I spend so much time on the laptop during the day that I tend to stay away from tech in my downtime, but it would have to be my phone.

What colour do you think everyone should have in their home?

I love green and pink right now, lots of green plants and different shades of pink for warmth, optimism and prettiness.

Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests?

I live far away from most of my family and good friends who live on the south coast. I don’t see enough of them so it would be three of them – although my seven-year-old daughter loves Ed Sheeran so if I had to choose a celebrity guest it would probably need to be him!

What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home?

Sharing a bedroom with my younger sister, we were always laughing and having fun together.

What is your favourite song and why?

That’s tricky because I have so many favourites, but I grew up in the 80s and one song I love is Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan and Rufus – it takes me back to school disco days and dancing around the bedroom.

Would you rather have a garden or a balcony?

A garden, I need room to roam, and enjoy gardening and seeing birds and squirrels hopping about.

Do you prefer modern homes or period properties?

I love the character of older, period homes, but also appreciate the clean lines, modern specification and open-plan design of newer homes.

Would you rather have a library room or media room at home?

I’m a book worm so it would be a library room for me.

Would you prefer your home to have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower?

The bathtub would get taken over by my daughter’s bath toys in no time, so I’d prefer a sumptuous shower.

Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country?

The country, but with a bustling city within an hour’s travel so you can have the best of both.

If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home?

Sydney is my favourite city but too far away from loved ones, so it would probably be Italy or Portugal.

Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location?

Location is really important but with a family having enough space is essential, so a bigger property.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home?

The kettle. I can’t be without cups of tea!

What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work?

Pottering round the garden or a bit of yoga if I can fit it in.

What’s your favourite thing about your home?

We have a 1970s house with large windows and a south-facing garden. I love the light we get into the house and the outlook.

Where did you buy your first home?

Technically I’ve only just bought a home for the first time, as our previous house was one my husband bought in his early 20s – it’s in Congleton, Cheshire.

What advice would you give a first time buyer?

If you are struggling to afford the deposit to buy a home on the open market, do consider shared ownership. It’s not right for everyone but for many it the perfect way to get on to the ladder sooner, in a way that’s affordable.

What are your views on shared ownership?

I’m a fan of shared ownership – I’ve worked with it for two decades and seen the impact it’s had on people’s lives, not just in helping first time buyers afford a home, but also for those going through a relationship breakdown who can’t afford to buy again just by themselves. It’s really important that any potential buyers do their research to understand how the scheme works though before taking the decision to buy a shared ownership home.

What are your views on the property market?

The property market is still strong and we’re experiencing high demand across our range of developments, however there’s speculation that we may see a slowdown as the year progresses with households coming under more financial pressure as the cost of living increases and real wage growth falls. I envisage a broader range of households looking to affordable homeownership schemes like shared ownership and First Homes to help them realise their homebuying ambitions.