Couple's Linden Homes Buy Makes Easy Work Of Property Challenge
17 Apr 2014

The househunting challenge facing retired couple Ellis and Sharon Howat in the Cotswolds was tougher than most.

Sharon is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and undergoes dialysis several times a week, so they had to find a property that could fit round her special requirements as well as being close enough to Churchill Hospital where she is treated in Oxford.

But in fact it only took a few weeks’ searching before they “fell in love” with a five-bedroom house at Linden Homes’ Stoneleigh development in the market town of Fairford – complete with a room specially plumbed in free of charge for Sharon’s medical equipment.

Ellis (61), a retired HR director, said: “What we have to do at the moment in our current home is have a machine in the dressing room and another in our bedroom and move them around. It’s far from ideal.

“But with a fifth bedroom we have a proper treatment room so Sharon can have a comfortable seat, watch TV and then, once she’s finished, close the door and forget about it. Thank goodness for Linden Homes – it will make a big difference.”

The couple, who currently live 12 miles away from Stoneleigh in Burford, bought their new home off-plan which has enabled the changes to be made as the house is built.

Buying off-plan was no mystery because the show home was the exact model they wanted, explained Ellis, adding: “I think we fell in love with the house as soon as we got inside and started looking around. It’s really nice and really impressive.

“The fact is that there was virtually nothing of the development there when we first looked. But we could build it up and could go for alternative specifications and changes. For example, we asked to put the boiler in the garage – there’s all sorts of things you can do.”

What made it even simpler was the Part Exchange scheme in which Linden Homes is the guaranteed cash buyer, taking out the hassle and uncertainty of property chains.

Ellis said: “They did three independent surveys and gave us a price. It was a very attractive price we were offered and that made it very hard for us to turn it down. Because of Part Exchange we can stay in this house until the new one is complete.

“The new house will be so much bigger and has much more space than where we are now. It also has an incredible diner and kitchen. Sharon really likes cooking so that was important for her.”

In common with all Linden Homes properties, each house at Stoneleigh comes with integrated kitchen appliances as standard, high specification fixtures and fittings, plus a 10-year NHBC warranty and two-year customer care warranty for peace of mind.

Stoneleigh nestles comfortably where rolling fields meet the thriving market town of Fairford. It’s close to the heart of a self-contained community bursting with hobby and leisure clubs, events, festivals and a centuries-old history as a coaching settlement.

Fairford is conveniently located just eight miles from Cirencester, the largest town in the Cotswold district. For commuters, the regional hub of Swindon is about 30 minutes away by car.

Linden Homes Thames Valley sales and marketing director Steve Garton said: “We were delighted to make Sharon and Ellis’s home as perfect as possible. It shows what can be done for househunters who buy off-plan.”

To find out more, call 0844 488 1561, visit the sales centre which is open Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm.

-ENDS-

For further information, contact Claire McCowan or Claire Bradley at Remarkable Public Relations on 01962 893 893.

References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.

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