Charming encounters with the local wildlife and beautiful lake views mean life in their new home is better than first-time buyers Aaron Draper and Matilda Marsden-Findlay could ever have imagined.
The young couple purchased a three-bedroom house at Bovis Homes’ Priors Hall Park development on the outskirts of Corby and say they can’t believe how lucky they are to be living there.
Aaron, a 23-year-old farm worker, and Matilda, a 21-year-old teaching assistant, were able to buy the home after saving up for a deposit while living at Matilda’s parents’ home in nearby Brigstock and receiving a five per cent contribution from Bovis Homes.
“It is everything we could have wished for,” said Aaron. “When we open our bedroom curtains in the morning, we see the sun rising over the lake. It’s absolutely beautiful.
“We have geese that come up to our house and we feed them bread over the fence. One day we came home and there were four Roe deer outside the front of our house. It’s an amazing setting and the wildlife we get to see here is stunning.”
The couple decided they wanted to buy their own home after Aaron finished a three-month farming stint in Australia in December 2024.
“We really missed each other and decided we would love to have our own place together,” said Aaron. “We loved living with Matilda’s parents but we knew it would be a good investment to get our own place and we wanted our own space.
“I was well-paid for my time in Australia and this gave our savings a real boost, so we started to look seriously for a house.”
The pair spotted the Bovis Homes development at Priors Hall Park and made an appointment at the site.
“When we got there, we were met by Laura, the sales advisor, who was lovely. She showed us a three-bedroom Cypress house, which had been almost finished and was just about ready to move in to.
“When we walked in, we knew it was perfect. As we stood in the living room we could see out across the lake and then when we went upstairs to the main bedroom at the front, the view was even better.
“We were delighted when Laura told us that Bovis Homes would give us an incentive. We matched that and were able to put down a healthy deposit which brought the mortgage payments down to a manageable level. We also got free flooring and upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom.”
The couple reserved the house in June and, along with their pet dog Ivy, a two-year-old Cocker Spaniel, moved into their new home in August.
“The whole house-buying journey was completely stress-free and went as smoothly as clockwork,” said Aaron. “Laura was incredible, as was the site manager George, and the customer service we received from Bovis Homes was the best I have encountered. It was flawless.”
Having initially considered buying an older property, Aaron and Matilda are enjoying life together in their new-build home.
“I was all for buying an older house so I could do it up,” said Aaron. “I had this idea that new-builds might not be as solid as older properties but I have to admit I was wrong. This house is very well built and the standard of finish and specification is incredibly high. I can’t fault it.
“Another benefit is that when I get home after work I don’t have to worry about any DIY jobs, I can just put my feet up or go for a walk with Matilda and Ivy around the green spaces on the development.
“We’ve got a utility room which is fantastic because I can get in, take off my work gear and boots and leave Ivy in there to dry off if she if she is wet and muddy.”
Matilda has claimed the third bedroom as an office where she can study and plan her schoolwork.
“It is great that Matilda has her own dedicated room because it enables her to concentrate on her work and allows her to shut the door when work is finished and leave it there,” he said. “A great benefit for me is that we have a long two-car drive so if I need to bring a trailer home there’s no problem parking up.”
The location of Priors Hall Park is ideal for Aaron and Matilda as it is near her parents and close to all the facilities of Corby.
“It really works for us,” said Aaron. “We are just a 10-minute drive from just about everything we could need. There’s a retail park with an Asda, an M&S Foodhall, a Next, a Boots and a Currys. It’s great to have a good cinema in the town and a direct train link to London if we fancy a day out there.
“This is our dream home and we can’t believe how lucky we are to be living here. When we first walked into the house, it felt right and now we know we could not have found anywhere better.”
There’s currently a selection of three, four and five-bedroom homes available to reserve at Priors Hall Park, with prices starting at £335,000. For more information, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
