When Lisa and Dave Hutcheson realised that their 1960s home in Colchester no longer met their needs, they set their sights on a brand new, energy efficient property.
With their daughter Rose, aged 10, and their two much-loved cats Merlin and Luna, they were looking for more space, a welcoming community and a lower maintenance lifestyle.
It was by chance that they stumbled across our Ufford Chase development in Great Bentley, after Dave discovered the village during a motorbike meet. Drawn in by the charm of the village, and excellent transport links, they knew they had found the perfect place to call home.
Lisa, a lead medical examiner officer based in Colchester, and Dave, a senior buyer for UK infrastructure projects who commutes into London, needed a location that worked for both their busy schedules. Ufford Chase offered the ideal solution, combining countryside living with great accessibility for commuting and day-to-day life.
Lisa shared: “I grew up in a village and have always wanted that same experience for our daughter. Great Bentley really has the best of both worlds. It has a lovely village atmosphere but also fantastic transport links and amenities. It felt right from the very first visit.”
Their new Larfield house type, a four-bedroom detached family home with two bathrooms and a garage, offered everything they wanted. With a beautifully designed kitchen and family room described as "everything we could ever dream of," the home provides the space and layout that their previous property lacked.
Lisa and Dave were able to move in just two months after first discovering the development, with the ease of their move supported by our Part Exchange service. After years of dealing with the costs and stress of maintaining their old home, Lisa and Dave found the process with us refreshingly straightforward.
Lisa continued: “We were offered Part Exchange, and it made all the difference. Selling and buying can be so stressful but Cala made it simple. Everything was taken care of and the offer we received was fantastic. It was truly the easiest move we have ever had.”
Our Part Exchange service is where we purchase a prospective buyer’s existing property to allow them to move chain-free into their new home. This means buyers have a guaranteed cash buyer and their move is not at risk of the problems or delays that come with being part of a chain.
Lisa and Dave have quickly transformed their new house into a home and have embraced a minimalistic interior style and are looking forward to adding more personal touches.
Lisa added: “A great bonus was that the flooring and carpeting was already complete, free of charge, so we could immediately move in. It only took us two days to unpack everything!”
Energy efficiency played a major role in their decision to buy new. Lisa said: “Our previous home had been expensive to heat as it was poorly insulated which also made it very cold during the winter. However, our new Cala home doesn’t need much heating at all to make it feel really warm and comfortable, something we have already noticed and appreciated through the colder months.”
Lisa and Dave were also impressed with the customer service, Lisa added: “Our experience with the Cala team has been equally as good. Jaye and Heather from sales were on hand to support us every step of the way, and Cala’s recommended mortgage experts and solicitors made the entire buying process even smoother.
“On top of that, the aftercare has been brilliant. Every little thing has been sorted quickly and without fuss. Cala really are in a different league compared to other developers.”
Since moving in, the couple have also been touched by the sense of community in the development.
Lisa said: “Our neighbours have been amazing. Small acts of kindness, like sharing numbers and tips for living in the community, has really helped us feel immediately at home. We are even encouraging my mother, who currently lives in Colchester, to consider relocating to Great Bentley to be closer to us.”
Looking back on their journey, Lisa and Dave could not be happier with their decision. Their new home has not only met but exceeded their expectations, providing the lifestyle they had hoped for and a wonderful place for their family to grow.
Lisa added: “Nobody could offer what Cala offered us, and it really set them apart from other homebuilders. Cala is in a different league in terms of its incentives, customer service, and aftercare and we will absolutely be recommending Cala Homes to our friends and family.”
If you're looking for your dream home in the attractive countryside village of Great Bentley, then discover Ufford Chase.
