Property Seeking Couple Find Fresh Start Worth Waiting For In Norfolk

A couple on the hunt for a fresh start in Horsford have found their dream home, having spent six months in an Airbnb to ensure they got the house they wanted.

Vivienne Faughnan and Anthony Wiggins (both 62) made the move to David Wilson Homes’ Kingfisher Meadow development to upsize in a more rural setting, but to achieve this, the couple first had to set up camp in an Airbnb whilst eagerly awaiting the completion of their new home.

Vivienne said: “The reason Tony and I stayed in an Airbnb was to ensure we had no chain. We decided to put our apartment up for sale when we knew we had about eight months before our new house would be ready, and the first people who viewed our property made an offer that we accepted.

“We were willing to move as soon as possible and were happy to rent until our house was ready. I’d recommend anyone in the position to do the same, to go for it.

“In staying in the Airbnb close to the house we were purchasing, it also enabled us to familiarise ourselves with the local area, and learn the best way to commute into London two days a week. This proved really helpful when it came to transitioning into our new home.”

The couple, a Finance Officer and an Architect respectively, previously owned a two bedroom new build apartment in Harold Wood in Essex, before progressing on the property ladder in a more picturesque setting.

Vivienne continued: “A friend of ours is living at Bure Valley and told us about Kingfisher Meadow. We really liked the development, and Horsford as a whole.

“The area is great, largely due to the local shops, community centre and surgery, and we’re not too far from Norwich either.

“For anyone considering a move, our advice would be to save hard, and definitely look at new build developments because many of them will have offers, such as Stamp Duty paid.”

Vivienne and Anthony were able to purchase their new home through a mix of equity from their previous property, dipping into savings, taking out a smaller mortgage and limiting changes in their daily routine.

They bought a four bedroom Avondale style home, which ticked a box in their aim to upsize, but has also given them a low-maintenance home with no DIY required.

Vivienne said: “We love the layout of our home, and we have a fantastic outlook.

“We wanted another new build property because of the specification, particularly surrounding energy efficiency and the ability to choose our own finishes in the house.

“So far, we’ve found the house to be energy efficient and we’re looking forward to seeing how it performs in the winter.”

In July’s Home Builders Federation (HBF) ‘Watt a Save’ report, it was discovered that, typically, new homes use 55% less energy and emit 60% less carbon than older counterparts.

Vivienne added: “Overall, the experience has been really positive. The sales and site team at Kingfisher Meadow have been fantastic, nothing was ever too much trouble for them.”

Horsford offers its residents a traditional village feel and, surrounded by farmland and woodland, provides a tranquil retreat to call home.

There is currently a selection of three and four bedroom properties available at Kingfisher Meadow with prices starting from £305,995. For more information about any developments, call the sales team on 03308 187 788 or visit the website at David Wilson Homes in Norfolk.