A cake baker from Luton found all the right ingredients for her dream family home at Bellway’s Brook View development in Wixams.
After spending two years renovating their three-bedroom property in Luton, Stacey Alexis, 36, and her husband Daniel, 38, decided it was time to look for a place in a more rural location.
The couple, along with their two children, Romano, eight, and Rheya, four, were among the first residents to move to Brook View last September after purchasing a new four-bedroom detached house at the development.
Stacey, who runs her own cake-making business, said: “We decided that once we finished renovating our old place we were going to look for a home in a nice new village setting away from Luton.
“Last year, Daniel and I went to visit his work supervisor who lives in Wixams, and we couldn’t help but notice how nice the area and the local community was. We saw that there were a few developments coming up, so we decided to take a look at the properties in the area.
“After doing some research, we found out about Bellway’s Brook View. On the first day the sales office launched we went to have a look at the houses there, and I was absolutely blown away by the show home.
“We had a checklist of features a house needed to have to be perfect for us, which included a nice utility room, a study, and also a big kitchen for my cake-making business. Bellway’s four-bedroom ‘Philosopher’ house type ticked all the boxes - we were instantly sold.”
Stacey and Daniel used the government-backed Help to Buy scheme to secure their new home, which they share with their two dogs Neo and Coco. Under the scheme, which is now only available to first-time buyers, the family were able to purchase their house with just a 5% deposit and 75% mortgage – the remaining 20% being provided as an equity loan which is interest free for the first five years.
Stacey said: “Despite owning properties before, neither me nor Daniel had ever used Help to Buy previously. We would definitely recommend the scheme. The process was very straightforward, and it gave us the boost we needed to secure our new home.
“When we got the keys, it felt like all our Christmases had come at once. I just can’t put into words how good it felt. Our home is the very last house on our road, and because of this it has a very private feel to it.”
Having settled into their new home at Brook View, the family are enjoying all the benefits that the rural location has to offer. Stacey said: “Our living room window has a river view and we can see deers and rabbits from it over the fields. We’re in a lovely position and I find myself looking out of the window at the lovely views whenever I can.
“My favourite room is the kitchen-dining area, as it’s so lengthy and spacious. We’ve upgraded the kitchen to feature a grey gloss look – I never want to make the kitchen messy again when I’m baking because it’s so nice!
“The kids love it too. They are both still waiting to start at their new school due to the lockdown. It was a 60-mile round trip to their old school as we were on a waiting list. We’re now so much closer to their new school, which we are relieved about.”
As well as benefitting from an attractive setting, Brook View is well-connected too.
Stacey added: “Daniel works as an engineer for easyJet at Luton Airport, and Wixams is perfect for his commute because although we’re no longer living in Luton, it takes about the same amount of time as it’s a quick and easy drive down the A6.
“Even though we’re in a nice rural area, we can still benefit from lots of nearby amenities. Interchange Retail Park in Bedford is just up the road and has lots of great facilities, such as a McDonalds and a B&Q.”
Commenting on the couple’s housebuying experience at Brook View, Stacey added: “We found that the customer service from Bellway was absolutely brilliant – every single member of staff was so helpful. Ryan Bates, the assistant site manager, helped to sort out everything straight away no matter how small. They did a wonderful job to reassure us, especially through the complications that lockdown created.
“We still can’t believe the house is ours. We would definitely recommend buying with Bellway.”
For updates on The Alexis family’s new home, you can visit their Instagram page at instagram.com/ bellway_philosopher_rainbow
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