Our Story
Dan’s story
It was a discussion with my Dad that first made me realise how much the UK needs better homes for life after the kids have gone and through retirement. He and Mum are keen golfers and gardeners — still active and healthy. But in their 70s they’re seeking to reduce the workload of looking after the house and thinking ahead about the next 10–20 years.
My parents had looked for and failed to find a house that would give them what one of their friends in America has: a beautiful, low maintenance modern house; by the golf course; a couple of really generous bedroom suites, big living space, and room for their possessions. My question about whether they’d consider building it themselves drew a chuckle and comment on “not needing that level of stress…”
When I did a bit of research myself — the UK housing options designed for older people all felt compromised. A few looked great but came with astronomical costs. Many seemed best-suited to those who are ready to give up their independence; and the overwhelming sense was of reinforcing being old rather than helping people stay young and live the life they aspire to!
I thought we must be able to do better! And that was the genesis of Hebe Homes (Hebe is the Greek goddess of youth).
My career has taken me into the property industry several times — including for a housebuilder — so I had the knowledge and contacts to bring that side of Hebe together. I was really pleased when Jason, an old friend, was also excited about the concept. He brings to Hebe customer and technology approaches that are so often sorely missing in the property industry.
By focusing on customers’ needs, enabling cost-efficient tailoring of designs and fit-outs, and treating everybody as I would want for my own family, I think we can deliver the better homes that people are after.
Jason’s story
In 2022, my family and I moved from Seattle to Hampshire, and we immediately missed the comfort and ease of our American home. So when Dan shared the problem and his early design thinking, I got it instantly — he was describing our last home!
While researching Hebe, I spoke to dozens of people in their 60s, 70s and 80s who live in large houses. The same themes kept coming up: they love their neighbourhood but the house has become more work than it’s worth. They want somewhere warm, comfortable and easy to look after — with enough space to live properly, not a compromise. Many are thinking ahead too, wanting features like a lift so they can stay put for good. But the idea of managing a self-build project puts them off completely.
What surprised me was how little the housing industry offers these people. Most new-builds are designed for young families — small rooms, rigid layouts, stairs everywhere. Developments aimed at older buyers tend to feel institutional, or come with eye-watering price tags and service charges. Nobody seemed to be building the kind of home that the people I’d spoken to were looking for.
That’s the gap Dan and I are determined to fill. He brings deep property and housebuilding experience; I bring a background in customer experience, technology and operations. Between us, we have what it takes — and more importantly, we both care about getting it right for the same personal reasons.
I can’t wait to live in a Hebe home myself. How many other developers can say that about their own homes?
What Drives Us
We started Hebe because we think people deserve better than the current choices.
A home that’s designed around how you actually live today. That gives you the confidence to move once and not worry about having to move again. That you can shape to suit your life — without years of disruption.
We treat every customer the way we’d want our own families to be treated. And we’re building homes that we want to live in ourselves — because we believe that’s the only way to get it right.
Dan Rees and Jason Merron, Co-founders