Lauren and Josh's story

Buyers: Lauren, 31 and Josh, 33

Occupations: Both work in telecommunications

Move in month: December 2025

Development: Bishop's Quarter, Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds, North Yorkshire

House type: The Baildon, 3 bedroom semi-detached home

Instagram handle: @daysathomex

Tell us a little bit about yourselves:

We’ve been together for just under five years, having met in 2021, and both work for a telecommunications company. I work in PR and am home-based, while Josh works in planning and splits his time between home and the office. Because of this, finding a home that suits both of our working styles has been really important to us.

Outside of work, we enjoy keeping things simple. Long walks - usually with a pub stop along the way - are one of our favourite ways to spend time together. We also love travelling, particularly to the Caribbean. It was during one of our trips last year that we realised it felt like the right time to take the next step and buy a home together.

Last year was especially memorable, as I also completed the London Marathon, raising over £2,200 for Age UK - an achievement I’m incredibly proud of.

What was your living situation before buying with Avant?

We were incredibly lucky before buying our home to be living in a property owned by my parents. Having low rent gave us a real opportunity to save properly, which made a huge difference when it came to taking that next step. It meant that when we were ready to move, we could do it with confidence and excitement.

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

We chose the 3 bedroom Baildon house type and it was an easy decision for us. The size of the bedrooms immediately stood out, but what really sold it was the three-storey living. Having our own space on the top floor with an en-suite felt like a real luxury. We also loved the open-plan kitchen, it's perfect for hosting, socialising, and just spending time together day to day.

Why did you choose Avant Homes over other developers?

We explored a number of developers around the Leeds area, and although we'd heard of Avant before, it wasn't until we discovered Bishops Quarter that things really clicked. We were originally looking near Skelton Lakes but wanted somewhere a bit quieter, just outside the city. From the moment we stepped into the sales office, the experience felt completely different. Our Sales Advisor was patient, approachable, and genuinely happy to answer all our questions, which really stood out compared to other developers we'd visited.

What was your motivation for moving home?

We were living near Leeds city centre in a two-bedroom home, and over time we realised we' d outgrown it. We wanted more space, a quieter setting, and somewhere that felt like it could grow with us and the Baildon ticked all those boxes.

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

We loved the idea of starting with a blank canvas. We didn't want the hassle of moving into a house and immediately needing to renovate or change everything to suit our taste. With a new build, everything is fresh, modern, and ready to go!

Did you make use of any schemes?

First time buyer fund

How did you find the buying process?

The buying process was really positive from start to finish. Communication with Avant was excellent - we received regular updates on the build and always felt in the loop. There was also great coordination between solicitors, which made things run smoothly. Importantly, we never felt pressured to use Avant's recommended mortgage broker or solicitor, which made the whole experience feel much more relaxed and on our terms.

What do you love most about the exterior of your house?

We love our enclosed garden, it's probably one of our favourite features. We're really lucky that our house doesn't back onto any others, so it feels very private and not overlooked. It's a space we can properly relax in and enjoy.

What do you love most about the interior of your house?

The space is what stands out the most. The large living area and open-plan kitchen work really well for how we live day to day. We also love how much natural light comes into the house, especially in the bedrooms, it makes everything feel bright and open.

Did you go for any upgrades from Avant's optional extras range?

Yes, we chose quite a few upgrades to make the house feel right for us from the start. In the kitchen, we went for shaker-style cupboards, spotlights, a quartz worktop, and an appliance package upgrade including the microwave and dishwasher. We also added chrome sockets throughout, a shower over the bath, an alarm system, and outdoor features like a tap, socket, and light. We even opted for Wi-Fi-controlled heating. For us, it made sense to have these things done upfront rather than organising them ourselves later.

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

We were a bit worried our bills would increase as we'd moved into a bigger home, but they've actually stayed around the same as when we were in our two-bedroom house, which has been a really pleasant surprise.

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

We've definitely gained a sense of independence. It's our home, and we can make it exactly how we want it. It's given us the space and freedom to really settle in and start building our future.

What is the community like on your development? Have you made any friends?

A lot of us moved in around the same time, which really helped create a sense of community early on. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming, and we've got both a WhatsApp and Facebook group where people share recommendations, advice, and keep in touch. It makes the whole development feel really connected.

Have you been inspired by Lauren and Josh's buying story?

Are you looking for your perfect 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.

Our locations

Angus Ayrshire Barnsley Bradford Burton On Trent Chesterfield County Durham Derby Derbyshire Doncaster Dundee Dunfermline Durham East Kilbride East Lothian East Midlands Edinburgh Fife Glasgow Huddersfield Kettering Lanarkshire Lancashire Leamington Spa Leeds Leicester Leicestershire Lincolnshire Mansfield Market Harborough Middlesbrough Midlothian Newark-on-Trent Newcastle North East North West North Yorkshire Northamptonshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire Preston Renfrewshire Retford Rutland Scotland Scunthorpe Sheffield Shropshire South Yorkshire Stirlingshire Telford Wakefield Warwick West Lothian West Midlands West Yorkshire York Yorkshire

View all locations

www.avanthomes.co.uk is a site operated by Avant Homes Limited (”Avant”). Avant is registered in England and Wales under company number 03215228 and we have our registered office at Avant House, 6 and 9 Tallys End, Barlborough S43 4WP. Our main trading addresses are listed here. Our VAT number is 181 3492 62.

Lauren and Josh's story

Our locations

Buying with Avant

Why Choose Avant

About Avant

Customer Care

More