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“Dreams can be affordable,” says first-time buyer at Graven Hill

Ferial Fattahi found her dream home using the Help to Buy scheme at Graven Hill. Learn more about her custom build journey…

After leaving university in 2014, Ferial Fattahi had been living at home in Oxfordshire with her parents to save money for her own home in Graven Hill. In 2016, she decided it was time to try and take the first step onto the property ladder and visiting show homes soon became a hobby for her. However, nothing felt quite right and over a year later the search continued.

Only 15% of Brits know correct term for integral stair part

Homeowners often don’t think about the correct names of fundamental stair parts until it comes to replacing them, turning an easy task into a frustrating challenge.

A recent survey by Jackson Woodturners revealed that the majority of the British public have been calling the balustrade—a structure made up of a combination of stair parts including a handrail, base rail, spindles and newel post—by the wrong name. In fact, only 15% of the public are aware of its correct term.

This integral part of a staircase was incorrectly referred to as a banister by 68% of those that took part, a further 8% called it a railing and 7% knew it as a handrail.

Why Buy There Unless You Want To Live There?

The three most important things to look for when buying a home are said to be location, location, location. The reasons why you want to live in a particular location vary from person to person: close to work, close to transport, good school catchment areas, near family and friends, it’s the area I know, it’s trendy, up and coming, prices bound to go up in the next few years, handy restaurants, bars and coffee shops…you can add your own reasons why somewhere is the place you really want to live. And if you’ve got enough money you can live there. But if you’re on a budget, then you’re stuck, having to buy where the developers and housing associations offering affordable homes have their new-build properties. Or do you?

Cavanna Homes recognised as best medium housebuilder

Cavanna Homes staff with best medium housebuilder in national industry awards

Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes have picked up one of the top honours in a prestigious national industry awards scheme.

The 2019 Housebuilder Awards saw Cavanna Homes named Medium Housebuilder of the Year, recognising the firm’s strong commitment to “building brilliance” and well-designed high-quality new homes.

The homebuilders’ Primrose Hill development in the seaside town of Torquay was highly commended in the ‘Best Design for Three Storeys or Fewer’ category, with the firm’s vibrant Yarners Mill development in the Devon village of Dartington also shortlisted in this category.

Cavanna Homes successful apprenticeship scheme was shortlisted for ‘Best Training or Recruitment Initiative’ alongside six others.

David Wilson Homes Donates To Local School

David Wilson Homes staff with donation to local school

Leading housebuilder David Wilson Homes South Midlands has donated £250 to Corby Red Kite Special Academy to help launch their after-school provision.

The school has a richly diverse community in which children with many special needs, languages, cultures and religions learn together.

The after-school facility will support the children and enable their parents to work, or spend some time with other siblings, it can also provide much needed respite and therefore it is vital that this opens.

Situated in Northamptonshire, the free school is a vibrant place to learn where children are enthusiastic and motivated to achieve endless possibilities.

How to save hundreds on energy bills this winter

A third (33%) of Brits have NEVER switched energy supplier, and 73% haven’t switched in the last 12 months - despite this being the best way to save money on bills. One in five (20%) spend up to £1,000 a year on gas and electric!
Knowing these top tips and tricks could save you money on heating during the coldest months of the year

One in five (21%) Brits say they are more worried about gas and electricity costs than any other household spending, yet many don’t appear to be taking advice from energy companies to help reduce bills.

Homeowners under-using dining rooms despite space concerns, study suggests

British homeowners are increasingly shunning the traditional purpose of dining rooms and many only use them for entertaining and special occasions, new research suggests.

In an independent survey by lighting specialists LampShopOnline, almost three-fifths of the British public said they use their dining room for everyday meals.

But results suggest this space is being underused in many households, with 30.8% admitting they mostly use their dining room for entertaining or special occasions.

According to research conducted by the Energy Saving Trust, lack of space is the number one bugbear for UK homeowners, a problem easily rectified by making better use of the dining room.

Anglian Home Improvements reveal top tips for securing your home this winter

Anglian Home Improvements - Door locks securing your home this winter

October marks the start of National Home Security Month (NHSM), and homeowners are being reminded to take a few simple steps to enhance home security this winter.

As the clocks go back and the cold winter nights draw in, millions of homes could be left vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.

Fear not, as Anglian Home Improvements has revealed its top tips on how property owners can safeguard their home and stay protected this winter:

1.Appearance matters

Homeowners under-using dining rooms despite space concerns

British homeowners are increasingly shunning the traditional purpose of dining rooms and many only use them for entertaining and special occasions, new research suggests.

In an independent survey by lighting specialists LampShopOnline, almost three-fifths of the British public said they use their dining room for everyday meals.

But results suggest this space is being underused in many households, with 30.8% admitting they mostly use their dining room for entertaining or special occasions.

According to research conducted by the Energy Saving Trust, lack of space is the number one bugbear for UK homeowners, a problem easily rectified by making better use of the dining room.

Buy new & save on energy bills

Houses on a street that have saved on energy bills

David Wilson Homes South Midlands is encouraging homebuyers to consider moving to an energy efficient home after a poll revealed that Brits are reaching for the thermostat as early as October.

Brand new research from Migrate found that Thursday 17th October* will be the date when the UK collectively turns on their heating, making it the peak energy season and when homebuyers will see their bills increase.

George Chalmers, CEO of auto switching service Migrate, which carried out the research, said: “With the nights closing in and the weather getting colder and wetter, time’s running out to switch to a better energy deal before the winter officially arrives.”