Couple take a peek inside new Calverton property that’s designed as a ‘forever home’
A couple who are due to get married in July 2025 have been to look at the new under-construction house they are buying together and hope to move into this May. But when the sale of Tom Cunnington’s existing house fell through, he and Jodie Smith thought their “forever home” in Calverton might not happen.
The pair, who met in 2022 and have four sons, aged five to 11, are buying a four-bedroom detached house at Bellway’s Willow Rise development. They loved the design of the Guilder property, but when Tom’s house sale fell through, they thought they might not be able to get everything in place to buy at Willow Rise – especially as the houses were getting snapped up and the number available at the time went from three to just one.
Jodie said: “All the way through we were talking to Ellie at the sales office who was always positive and kept communication going and in time everything fell into place.” It will be the start of a new life for the couple as it is their first home together.
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The property, in the Guilder design, has been constructed as a Lifetime Home, which means that Bellway has included extra touches that would make life easier for residents with mobility difficulties, with the idea that it futureproofs a home for people as they get older just in case those measures are needed one day.
These include wider doorways that can accommodate a wheelchair and a downstairs cloakroom that is designed with the space and layout that would make a conversion to a wet room possible in future years.
While Tom, 39, and Jodie, 43, were not seeking out those measures when they began their hunt for a new home, Jodie said that they did know that they wanted this to be their forever home She said: “So, since no one knows what the future holds, these design elements were a bonus. It was just an extra, and it’s nice to know that you’ve got that.”
The couple paid £349,950 for the house and will have a mortgage payment of around £1,100 a month.
The layout and design of the property was a major attraction, with an open-plan kitchen/dining space and separate living room – both with French doors leading out to the garden. There is a separate dining room in the house, but the couple think this will work better for their family if they use it as a games room or snug.
With a wedding on the horizon to plan and pay for the couple were keen to purchase a new-build home because it would be a known cost with no unexpected extras.
Jodie said: “That’s why we chose new build. We thought we will have so much to save up for and this way it’s all done and all paid and that’s one less thing to worry about.”
Buying new also meant the couple could choose their fixtures and finishes for the bathroom and kitchen and flooring. “I liked picking the options,” said Jodie. “I’d never done it before, and Bellway has really good choices. That’s great because you have an idea in your head of what you would like, and when we went to choose, everything that we wanted was there. And moving into a new build means everything is all fresh and brand new and energy efficient.”
The couple liked the village location of Willow Rise, where there is a lot of open space and cafes in the village. The pair commute and wanted something handy for their work – Jodie has her own business, Hair and Beauty @115 in Mansfield, and Tom works as an HR manager for commercial landscaping company Carrier Landscapes in Melton Mowbray.
Being able to look around the property ahead of it being finished with sales advisor Ellie Homes and site manager Jordan Williams was a great opportunity to step inside for the first time.
During the visit, the couple found out about the electrics, insulation and security and safety measures. They were also able to have the thermostat moved to a better position for them.
Just two homes remain for sale at Willow Rise – the four-bedroom detached Farrier at £348,500 and the four-bedroom detached Scrivener showhome for £379,950.
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