When Madusanka and Shanika arrived in the UK from Sri Lanka in 2022 as skilled workers, they had no knowledge of the UK property market. With their deposit tied up at home, the odds felt stacked against them – but the support and guidance from Gail Reid Mortgage Services (GRMS) helped the dreams of a new home become a reality.
“We were renting at first, but it never quite felt like home,” Madusanka shared. “We realised we were putting a lot of money into rent when we could be investing that money into a mortgage instead.”
After discovering Kirkwood Homes, the couple fell in love with a home in the peaceful Blackdog development, just outside Aberdeen. Recognising the unique circumstances the couple faced, a sales advisor at Kirkwood Homes referred them to Gail Reid Mortgage Services for expert guidance and support.
However, the path to homeownership was far from straightforward. “We knew our situation wasn’t typical,” Madusanka said. “Our savings were still in Sri Lanka – at a time when transferring money out of the country was incredibly difficult due to the economic crisis.”
On top of that, the buying process in Scotland was completely unfamiliar to them, but once connected with our Mortgage Broker Laura, they received immediate clarity and reassurance.
Madusanka detailed: “We had so many questions around financial terminology and the steps involved in the home-buying process. Laura was incredibly patient and took the time to explain everything clearly. She would occasionally get in touch to make sure we were okay or to explain something in more detail. She didn’t have to do that, but she did – consistently. She really went the extra mile.”
That personal commitment proved essential when securing their mortgage and helped minimise the ambiguity of a process that wasn’t clean-cut.
Laura also provided crucial support navigating the complexities of insurance and helped the couple co-ordinate with solicitors to handle the legal side.
Today, Madusanka and Shanika are happily settled in their new home in Blackdog. A contrast to their previous home in the largest city in Sri Lanka, they’re enjoying the new found sense of peace. “Colombo is always full of noise and life – it’s where we grew up and it’s all we knew. Blackdog offers a quiet serenity that we’ve really come to love. It truly feels like home.”
Madusanka has already recommended our services to several friends and speaks highly of our team’s dedication, empathy and professionalism. “Without them, I genuinely don’t think this would’ve been possible.”
Thanks to the expertise of Gail Reid Mortgage Services, Madusanka and Shanika were able to navigate the process and overcome obstacles, ahead of finally settling into their dream home.
The mortgage process is different for everyone and with the right guidance and expertise to hand, even the rockiest of home-buying journeys can be smoothed out.
Struggling to make sense of the mortgage process, get in touch with the team to explore your options.