This is how 150kr a month became a dream home

In this interview, Amanda talks about how HSB savings became her first rental property when she left home, then became a condominium and now, 28 years later: her dream home!

When did you start working with HSB?

It was my father's initiative when I was around two years old. He wanted to give me good conditions for finding accommodation when it was time to leave home. I'm so glad he was thinking so long-term! Looking back, I know that all my homes over the years, from my first rental apartment to the house I'm building now, are very much thanks to him and my savings in HSB.

How much did you save per month?

When I was little, he saved SEK 150 a month, so it was a small amount, but it was absolutely crucial for me to succeed in getting my first home. When I was in my teens, he increased the amount to SEK 300, and when I got a little older, I also deposited money sporadically. We saved until I was 24 years old, when I chose to use the savings as a cash deposit.

How did home savings help you with your first home?

I was 20 years old and was going to move in with my then boyfriend in a new city. Fortunately, we both had savings in HSB, which made it a lot easier and we were offered a fantastic newly built apartment in Malmö with a view of the sea. So you could say that I got the best possible starting point when I left home thanks to my dad.

What happened to your accommodation afterwards?

I moved back to Stockholm after a while and I still had my savings in HSB. A couple of years later I was ready to buy my first apartment together with my future husband, so I chose to withdraw my home savings and use it as a down payment for our condominium. So you could say that my savings in HSB gave me a head start in the housing market and it is a decision I absolutely do not regret. When we then sold our first apartment, what was originally my home savings had grown to a much larger sum.

What is your current housing situation?

I'm now 30 years old, so my savings in HSB started 28 years ago. It feels pretty crazy when I think about it! Today we are building our dream house with a large garden, the forest right next door and a view of the lake. We will move in during the summer of 2023 and I am actually not sure that it would even have been possible if it weren't for the housing savings that started with a measly SEK 150 a month.

Will you be saving for your children?

Yes, of course! I have two small children aged one and three, both of whom already have an HSB savings plan. I really want to follow in my dad's footsteps and give my girls the same opportunities that I got. I think it's so great that HSB has both rental apartments and condominiums all over the country, so I know that home savings can open up great opportunities when they grow up, wherever they decide to live.

Why should you choose HSB?

Because it's a savings vehicle that opens up such great housing and, of course, financial opportunities. It's a big deal to get your first home once you decide to leave home, but it's not easy and many of us certainly have acquaintances who pay sky-high sums to live in a minimal sublet apartment. With a home savings scheme in HSB you create significantly better conditions for housing. Depending on how much you choose to save, you collect different amounts of points and get priority for HSB's housing. You can also choose the type of savings you want, depending on how much risk you want to take and how long you want to save.

By saving SEK 500 a month, you accumulate a maximum of bospar points, but you can also make one-off deposits in addition to saving monthly. So there is a fairly free framework for savings depending on your circumstances, and they will certainly look completely different from when the children are small until they grow up. Imagine how many home savings points you will have accumulated by the time it is time to leave home! Points that give you priority and that you can collect for your child from newborn while saving for the down payment. You're really giving your child the best chance of finding a future home!

HSB Bospar - smart savings!

HSB's home savings are offered in cooperation with Danske Bank. The savings account has a deposit guarantee. Read more at HSB.