FTB MEETS
20 Questions
Would you prefer to have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower? A sumptuous shower every time. It’s where I do most of my thinking. Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country? The bustling city, definitely. I love visiting the country but I couldn’t live anywhere that didn’t have street lamps. If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home? France.An apartment in Paris, in The Marais in the third or fourth arrondissement.
What room at home is your favourite? The kitchen. I enjoy cooking, and I often have friends over who sit and chat with a glass of wine while I’m making dinner. What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home? My Bose headphones and Soundcore speaker. The latter two are connected so I can listen in private to virtually anything that takes my fancy on Spotify. What colour do you think everyone should have in their home? I’m a big fan of green, preferably the lighter end of the spectrum. Such a relaxing colour. Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests? The Australian singer/songwriter Nick Cave, the British actor Papa Essiedu and the American playwright Annie Baker. Three amazing artists at the top of their game who’d make a stimulating contribution to any housewarming party. What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home? Saturday evening sing-songs with our neighbours. I grew up in Crawley with parents and neighbours who’d moved down from south London.They kept the old London tradition of Saturday evening singalongs in each other’s homes alive, and if it was my parents’ turn I’d be allowed to stay up. My dad was always in demand as an accompanist because he played the accordion. Not surprisingly I know the lyrics to lots of old pub songs. What is your favourite song and why? Stardust by Nat King Cole. A beautiful, elegaic song about remembering and lamenting a lost first love. Would you rather have a garden or a balcony? Definitely a garden, although I’m always amazed at how much can be done with a balcony with a bit of imagination. Do you prefer modern homes or period properties? I like both. My flat is part of a beautiful terraced house built in 1845 and while I love the proportions and high ceilings it does require quite a bit of upkeep. A low maintenance modern property can often seem quite appealing! Would you rather have a library room or media room at home? Definitely a library. I’m an avid reader and I love books.
Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location??
A better location every time. Having lived in some rough areas in the past I speak from experience! What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home? My piano. My parents bought it for me when I graduated from university and I try to play it as often as I can. What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work? A cup of tea and a good novel. I’m currently reading Andrew O’Hagan’s Caledonian Road . What’s your favourite thing about your home? Our courtyard garden. It’s filled with plants and trees and has been wonderfully shady and cool during the hot summer weather we’ve been having.
Mark Bastin
Marketing specialist First Time Buyer Readers' Awards judge
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Mark has worked for national housebuilding companies, marketing agencies and for the past eight years has run his own specialist consultancy, MBA. More recently, Mark has launched fiftyfiveplus, a niche agency specialising in delivering Older Persons’ Shared Ownership sales and marketing fiftyfiveplus.org Shared Ownership is a fantastic way to get on the ladder. It's not just for younger people either
Where did you buy your first home? Baywater, London. I still live in it actually.
What advice would you give to a first time buyer? Don’t buy a property just because you think it might increase in value. Oh, and visit it at different times of the day before you buy to get a feel for the surroundings. What are your views on the Shared Ownership scheme? It’s a fantastic way to get on to the property ladder if buying outright is unaffordable. It’s also not just for younger people either. What are your views on the current property market? It’s undoubtedly been a tough few years but things seem to be stabilising (according to a couple of knowledgeable estate agents I’ve spoken to).
QUICK PICKS
Favourite song
Shower or bath
Favourite gadget
Home
Bayswater, London
Stardust by Nat King Cole
Bose head- phones and Soundcore speaker
Shower
fiftyfiveplus.org
Thanks for reading, see you next issue! firsttimebuyermag.com
114 First Time Buyer October/November 2026
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