When Connor and Brayden started dreaming about their first home, they quickly realised that building – rather than buying – was the best way to create a place that truly reflected them.

With Easystart Homes guiding them through the process, the couple went from living separately – Connor with his parents and Brayden renting in Bunbury – to moving into a home that brings together their love of entertaining, their personal style, and their vision for the future.

“We decided to build with Easystart about two years ago. Prior to this, I was living with my parents and Brayden was renting in Bunbury.”

 

 

Choosing the perfect home design

Connor and Brayden were looking for more than functionality. Their home had to feel open, welcoming, and built for connection — a place where Sunday pasta-making and long evenings with friends could come to life.

That’s why they chose the Aspen design.

“We chose the Aspen design because it was quite open planned. We love to entertain, so we wanted to be able to look out onto the patio area. And then we also added the undermount sinks… We also picked the stone benchtops. Given the good old Italian background, I do a lot of, like, pasta making and stuff.”

But they didn’t stop there. Practical touches like extra tiling for easy clean-ups and converting the fourth bedroom into a theatre made the home work better for their lifestyle. Then came the personal style: bold green fixtures, feature walls, and statement wallpaper that turned their “blank canvas” into something distinctly theirs.

“When we first moved in, it was pretty much just like a blank canvas. So we got to design it how we wanted… That’s why we obviously added all the green fixtures, the green walls, the wallpaper and all that sort of stuff as well, just to give it that lived-in feeling.”

 

Why build, not buy

Baldivis was where they wanted to live, but established homes in the area were out of reach. Building offered the freedom to stay within budget and get exactly what they wanted.

“We decided to build over buying established just because the areas that we were looking at, the prices were just way too expensive at the time. We really wanted to live in Baldivis. So for us, it was just trying to find something that was in this area within our budget at the time.”

Finding the right builder was just as important.

“When we were looking for a builder, we were looking for somebody that we could relate to from the start to the end. Rosie, our consultant, was really helpful with that. She kept by our side the entire process and looked after us until we got the keys on handover day.”

 

The build journey

Every stage of the process brought its own mix of excitement and nerves. From the slab going down to seeing the walls rise and spaces take shape, the journey was one of discovery.

“As soon as walls went up we were able to picture the spaces that were going to be our rooms, the entertaining areas. We could really vision out from there.”

Reaching lock-up was another big milestone – a sign the finish line was near.

“I think the most exciting day in our building journey was when it got to lock-up, because it was only a couple of months before we could actually move in.”

But the moment that really stuck with them was their first night in the home together.

“I think our first night was really strange. It was just a bit odd being like. Oh, this is actually our house now. We had people in and out of the house all day, so it was nice. But  as soon as they left and we had it to ourselves”

 

 

Making it their own

Since moving in, Connor and Brayden have wasted no time turning their house into a home. Hosting friends, decorating with their personal style, and enjoying spaces designed around their lifestyle have all made the journey worthwhile.

“I think being able to make our own space has been the most exciting thing about having our own home. And just being able to have our friends over somewhere that people can stay.”

The kitchen, where Brayden puts their pasta-making skills to use, is the hub of it all. But their upgraded ensuite, has also become a favourite.

“I think our favourite part of the home is the kitchen. It’s the heart of our home. It’s where we spend a lot of our time. And also, master ensuite as we’ve made it a bit more grand by having it as a double shower.”

 

 

Advice for other first-home builders

Having gone through the process themselves, Connor and Brayden have some advice for others starting their building journey – plan ahead.

“The only advice that we would give is add more power points. That was one thing we learned, especially during prestart. Make sure you map out where you put your light switches too, where it will flow the best… And I think having the conduits for your TVs as well in your main living area and theatre room, if you have it, is the best thing to add.”

And when it comes to describing the journey in just three words?

“Easy, efficient and fun. “

 

 

A home that’s truly theirs

Looking back, Connor and Brayden couldn’t be happier with their decision to build with Easystart Homes. From the very first display home visit to the moment they walked through the door with their own set of keys, the journey felt smooth and supported.

“Our whole process with Easystart has been easy. Pretty much from the time that we walked into the first display home to when we actually walked into our home with the keys, it’s just been brilliant.”

What stood out most to them was the consistent communication and care along the way.

“The communication while in construction was really good. We had instant updates from the app, and our site supervisor was always texting us, letting us know what was happening. And our client liaison at the end was amazing as well. She was pretty clear with when we were going for progress and when we were getting keys.”

Their positive experience was so memorable that they’ve already encouraged friends to build with Easystart.

“Yeah, we’ve recommended Easystart to a couple of friends. We had a few friends build with them, and have also had really positive experiences so far.”

For Connor and Brayden, this wasn’t just about building a house—it was about creating a space that feels like them. A place where they can start the next chapter of their lives together, on their terms, in a home that truly reflects who they are.