Zoe and Sam's story

Buyers: Zoe, 30 and Sam, 26

Occupations: Both work in recruitment

Move in month: February 2024

Development: Barton Point, Kettering

House type: The Nutwood, 4 bedroom detached home

Instagram handle: @zosahome_

Pix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

Tell us a little bit about yourselves:

We got together in 2022, having met each other though our work. We both work in management for a recruitment company, and Sam is also a personal trainer in his spare time. We actually got together just as I was about to start cancer treatment so the first year of our relationship was a bit of a whirlwind. But it has made us who we are today, and we use that experience to now motivate us to raise money for breast cancer charities.

Sam recently ran the London marathon, and I trekked around the Breacon Beacons, with another trekking fundraising trip to Iceland planned for 2025. We also have a sausage dog called Albie, who is such a character and rules the house.

What was your living situation before buying with Avant?

We had previously bought a house together in 2022 – a 3 storey, 3 bedroom new build from another developer.

Which house type did you buy and why did you choose it?

We bought the Nutwood, which was the same as the show home on our development. As soon as we walked into the show home, Sam and I looked at each other and knew this was the house type we wanted. The open-plan kitchen/dining room with a separate snug/living room was perfect for us. I had always wanted a separate utility room and space for an island in the kitchen too. Sam also had his eye on the detached garage to one day turn into a home gym. So it ticked all of our boxes!

Why did you choose Avant Homes over other developers?

We had already lived in an area in Kettering, which has a number of different home builders building there. We would walk Albie round the whole area and Avant always stood out to us. The kerb appeal of the house types and the layout of the homes available matched our requirements perfectly.

What was your motivation for moving home?

We hosted Christmas in 2023 in our old house and it was such a squeeze with both our parents and grandparents. So it was my perfect opportunity to plant the seed of moving with Sam. We had always said our previous house wasn’t our forever home. And then seeing the show home just confirmed it.

Why did you choose to buy a new build property over a second-hand home?

We love the fact that everything is done and ready for you to move in with a new build home. You can also make decisions on your kitchen, bathroom, flooring etc. so that it’s exactly how you want it to look. Having the warranty as well gives you peace of mind.

Did you make use of any schemes?

We initially started by using the My Move Made Easy scheme, but our buyer unfortunately dropped out. So we had a discussion with our Sales Advisor and decided to use Part Exchange for a quick, stress-free move.

How did you find the buying process?

Once we decided to use the Part Exchange scheme the process was so easy, especially because we were able to stay in our old house for a few days, so we had a bit more time to get everything moved. We really enjoyed the option and extras meeting and getting to look at all the variations available. Poppy, who was our Sales Advisor, kept us updated at all stages of the process which was really helpful.

What do you love most your new home?

On the exterior, we love the kerb appeal, the bay window and the good-sized garden. Internally, the open-plan kitchen living area is perfect for us and can fit everyone in for Christmas!

Did you go for any upgrades from Avant’s optional extra range?

We upgraded our kitchen to the shaker style cabinets in graphite, as we had always wanted a dark kitchen. We also upgraded the shower in our en-suite, added an integrated dishwasher, fitted wardrobes and a shower over the bath in the main bathroom.

Have you found your energy bills more affordable since living in an Avant home?

We have just had our first gas and electric bill, and I was shocked, as I was expecting it to be much more expensive than it actually was. A fantastic saving!

How has your life changed since you moved into your Avant Home?

We love this home. It has allowed us to host family and friends easily. It’s our forever home with everything exactly how we want it. Everyone who lives on the development is really friendly too!

Have you been inspired by Zoe and Sam’s buying story? Are you looking for your forever home?

Discover your ideal, affordable home at one of our fantastic developments across the UK.

Click here to find your new home.

Want to share your Avant buying story? Send us a message on Instagram @avant_homes.

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