Moving house often comes with surprises and doesn’t always go as planned, meaning there can be uncertainty over when a purchaser may be able to finally settle into their new home. For Lindsey Patrick, this was even more important as she wanted to complete her move from Auchterader in Perthshire to Benson in time for a very special family occasion.
Fortunately, Cala Homes was on hand with its up to 100% Part Exchange Service, ready to assist Mrs Patrick with her move to Hopefield Grange and guarantee her completion.
Lindsey comments: “I moved to Benson as I wanted to be much closer to my children who live in Oxfordshire and London. Added to this is that my daughter was getting married, and so it was important for me to have settled into my home, in time for this important day.
“The part exchange service offered by Cala Homes was great as it facilitated a quicker move for me in plenty of time for the wedding and created certainty for the move, removing the risk of a broken housing chain. Moving from one house to another - and indeed in my situation, from one country to another involving different legal systems - can be a strain, but the part exchange deal helped cushion the upheaval and eased the way to my new home. I was kept informed regularly of the progress of the purchase and also in the build process which was very exciting, and everything was conducted in a polite, caring and professional way by the Cala team.”
Cala’s Part Exchange service works by the homebuilder effectively acting as a cash buyer for the seller’s existing property, providing them with the peace of mind that the sale will complete in time for the move into their new home. With no estate agent fees, marketing or report costs incurred, the service can also save thousands of pounds on the overall cost of the move. Nationally, Cala Homes has found that almost a third of buyers are now taking advantage of the service, rather than trying to sell on the open market.
Having bought a new build in her previous house purchase, Lindsey was keen to find another similar home within the semi-rural countryside of Oxfordshire. With a flair for style and interiors, Lindsey has enjoyed putting her stamp on the blank canvas offered by a brand new home.
Lindsey adds: “For me, home has to have a certain style to it, and that is the beauty of a Cala home. It had the character of an old cottage with the warmth of the red brick and the assorted roof colours, reflecting the appeal of the surrounding village homes - and yet it had all the modern requirements to make life comfortable, such as the added insulation.
“I have a real passion for home interiors and love the modern styles of new builds, with a selection of the latest high specification fittings which impart a sharp look inside, whilst complementing the traditional and attractive exterior. I adore the French doors which lead from the kitchen to the garden; they allow so much light into the home and make everything look crisp. In fact, my first reaction when I walked into my new home was: ‘Gosh! Isn’t it bright and light?’ That really is what stands out with Cala Homes’ thoughtful design.”
The home that Lindsey Patrick purchased was the three-bedroom semi-detached Hurwick. Off the central hallway, the spacious open-plan kitchen/breakfast room feature French doors leading out to the garden, allowing an abundance of light to flow throughout the room. The separate bay-fronted sitting room offers ample space to entertain friends, and there is a downstairs cloakroom for convenience.
Upstairs, the en suite main bedroom boasts fitted wardrobes, alongside bedroom two, also featuring built-in wardrobes, and bedroom three, which are both served by the impressive family bathroom. There is ample storage space throughout the home, by way of an airing cupboard and additional storage cupboards.
When making the long move down south from Perthshire, Lindsey wanted to ensure she had suitable transport links to visit her family in Oxfordshire and London, and after looking into a number of Cala Homes’ developments, Hopefield Grange in Benson became the perfect choice.
Lindsey continues: “When I came down here I saw that Cala has various sites within the radius I was looking to live, and Hopefield Grange was the second one I visited. As much as the home itself was incredibly important to me, so too was the location as I wanted to be near my children and possibly future grandchildren – I know they’ve already got me lined up to look after them while they’re working! Benson really is a great location for this. It’s prettily positioned near the River Thames, whilst being in a very reasonable proximity to London where my son lives, and it’s easy to get there from the local train station.”
Hopefield Grange is located in the characterful village of Benson and is well-served for amenities, with a number of local shops on its High Street just a short walk from the development. On the edge of the village along the River Thames is Benson Lock for enjoying weekend walks, as well as a boating marina and popular riverside cafe.
For commuters, travelling into London is easily achievable from Didcot Parkway Station, which offers services to London Paddington in less than 45 minutes. Oxford city centre and Reading are also both only a 30 minute drive away.
For families, there is a number of well-regarded schools on the doorstep, including Benson CofE Primary School, RAF Benson Community Primary School and Wallingford Secondary School for older children.
Find out more about Cala's Part Exchange service.
