Couple make a smooth move to Hollybush

Pamela (61) and Philip Ingleby (57) have up-sized at a time when many of their generation are down-sizing. The couple bought a five-bedroom detached house in September 2008 at David Wilson Homes’ Hollybush development of just five executive homes in Burghfield Common, Reading; their third home in the village. Key to purchasing their new home was being able to part-exchange their old one.

Pamela, a retired teacher, says: “We’ve lived in Burghfield Common for 26 years and have had three new homes over that time; each bigger than the last. We wanted a five-bedroom house this time as our family is expanding; we have four grown up children and a three month old granddaughter. We wanted a house where they could all come and stay for family gatherings.

“However, we decided we’d only move if we could find the perfect house where part-exchange would be available. We didn’t want all the stress associated with selling our old home and as it turned out, we are so relieved to have gone down the part-exchange route. David Wilson Homes bought our house and sold it within a few weeks; however, the chain collapsed, meaning they had to start all over again. We didn’t have to worry about any of this though; instead, we simply got on with our move to Hollybush.”

David Wilson Homes reduced the price of Pamela and Philip’s new home, saving them £25,000. They also had their estate agent’s fees, stamp duty and legal fees paid, saving them a further £36,000.

The couple were able to have blinds, carpets and curtains fitted before they moved in. Pamela adds: “We did the move in two days and immediately felt at home. We then had four generations of our family to stay for Christmas.”

The homes at Hollybush have a very high specification with superb fixtures and fittings. Impressive open-plan kitchens, with both family sitting and breakfast areas, have gleaming granite worktops, smart integrated appliances – including a range cooker – and ceramic flooring throughout. The breakfast area and separate living room both have French doors opening onto the garden. The Inglebys particularly like the fact they now have a utility room and a study, unlike their last home. Pamela adds: “I fell in love with the house, from the moment I walked in; the staircase is absolutely wonderful.”

The elegant staircase leads up to a galleried landing. All the bedrooms have fitted wardrobes; the master and second bedrooms each have an en suite shower room and a generously-sized family bathroom serves the other three bedrooms.

Pamela says: “As we bought the house while it was still being built, we were able to change a few things to suit our needs. The main alteration was to have the wall in the sitting room that would normally have double-doors through to the breakfast room left as a solid wall, so we could put our sofa against it. We still have plenty of light from the French doors, glazed double doors opening into the dining room and another set opening into the hall; so this has worked really well.”

Pamela recommends part-exchange saying: “People think you don’t get what your house is really worth from a housebuilder with part-exchange, but we got a fair price, especially when you consider all the money we might have spent on searches and marketing; we’d have lost a lot of cash when the chain collapsed. Also, it is very reassuring to know exactly what your costs will be, having a fixed price offer from the housebuilder for your old home that wouldn’t go down, and a price for your new home that wouldn’t go up during negotiations. There were no hidden extras so we knew exactly where we were with our finances; the whole process was very easy.”

The location of Hollybush has much to offer those who like a country lifestyle but equally enjoy having town facilities nearby. There’s a good choice of local schools and easy access to the M4 at Junction 12; Theale railway station is only three and a half miles from the development.

Pamela says: “We’re in a great spot for Reading, Basingstoke and Newbury. My husband Philip, a company director, works in Farnborough, but also travels to London via the M4. We couldn’t be better placed and intend to stay in our new home at Hollybush for around 15 years.”

Prices for two of the remaining five-bedroom houses at Hollybush are £675,000 for Oak House and £725,000 for Oak Apple House; David Wilson Homes’ Home-Exchange service is available.

For more information, visit Dwh.co.uk .