Chloe and James' story

Buyers: Chloe, 20 and James, 25

Occupations: Teaching Assistant and Quantity Surveyor

Move in month: June 2025

Development: Hackett Grange, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire

House type: The Ripon, 3 bedroom mid-terrace home

Tell us a little bit about yourselves: 

Chloe and I have been together for around 18 months. I work as a Quantity Surveyor, and Chloe has recently started a new role as a Teaching Assistant in Radcliffe. Since moving in together, we’ve welcomed a cocker spaniel puppy named Ruby into our lives.

Before moving in together, we were both living with our parents—Chloe in Cotgrave, just down the road, and me in Colwick, right by the River Trent. We didn’t live far from Radcliffe previously, so the area has always felt familiar to us.

Radcliffe is a wonderful place to live, especially for walking the dog. It offers beautiful landscapes and surrounding cliffs, making it perfect for exploring with our puppy and spending time outdoors together.

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

We chose the Ripon, a 3 bedroom mid-terrace home. Having three bedrooms was particularly important to us, as it gives us the extra space we need and means we can see ourselves living here comfortably for many years to come. The property was within our price range and offers everything we were looking for in a home. An added bonus is the 3 toilets/bathrooms, which provide extra convenience and flexibility.

Why did you choose Avant over other developers? 

Avant offered a deposit contribution, which was ideal for our financial situation and made getting onto the property ladder much more achievable for us. It gave us the extra support we needed to move forward with buying our first home. We were also reassured by the fact that family members have previously purchased with Avant and had a positive experience.

The location of the development was another major factor in our decision. Radcliffe on Trent is somewhere we have both always wanted to live, and this development gave us the perfect opportunity to make that a reality.

Did you know any family or friends that already lived in an Avant home? 

My dad moved into an Avant home in Retford a few years ago.

What was your motivation for moving? 

Chloe and I both felt ready to move out of our parents’ homes and have a place of our own. We were certain that we wanted to buy rather than rent, as we were keen to invest in our future and have a space we could truly call our own.

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

We loved the idea of being the first and only owners of the property. The warranty provided added reassurance, giving us confidence that any issues would be addressed quickly and efficiently. The modern interior was also very appealing, and it was a relief to know that minimal work would be needed before we could move in.

How did you find the buying process? 

We found the buying process to be relatively smooth. From reserving our home to completing the purchase, it took less than 2 months, making it a very quick process for us. With no chain involved, the process was even simpler than we had initially anticipated.

What do you love most about your home? 

We really love the ensuite, especially with its stylish fittings. The landing height has a surprisingly appealing feel, and the master bedroom offers a comfortable, generous space.

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

This is our first time managing bills ourselves, so we don’t have any previous experience to compare it to, but so far, we’ve found it to be very affordable.

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

Massively! Moving into our first home has been an amazing experience. We’ve already created so many wonderful memories, and having a space that’s truly our own is priceless.

What is the community like on your development? 

We live in a row of three Ripons, and both of our neighbours are lovely. We feel over the moon about who we have next door, as having good neighbours is so important. Our experiences with others on the development have been positive as well.

Do you have any tips for anyone looking to buy with Avant Homes? 

Be sure to explore all the available schemes and incentives to check if you’re eligible.

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