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Everything you need to know for a hassle-free move

Moving home is an exciting time, but navigating your way through the process can leave a lot to think about. From booking a removals company to switching over your utility bills, the moving home checklist can seem never ending! However, with some forward planning and expert tips, moving into your dream home can be just a few simple steps away. Here’s everything you need to know for a hassle-free move.

Get to Know Your New Home

You’ve secured your dream home and now it’s time to get ready for the big move. When moving into a new-build home a new home demonstration will be arranged which will give you the opportunity to walk through your home to ensure you understand how everything works and provide useful information about maintenance.

Plan Your Move

Once you’ve confirmed your move-in date, get comparative quotes from removal companies and remember to book this well in advance. If you’re packing yourself, start early and tackle one room at a time. Dismantling large furniture can be time consuming so it’s worth starting that well ahead in the weeks leading up to moving day.

Inform Others

With a new home comes a new address, so it’s a good idea to start making a list of the friends, companies and utility suppliers you’ll need to notify of this change. It’s worth putting in place a postal redirection service for the first couple of months in case anything has slipped through the net. Don’t forget to take final meter readings so you don’t end up paying for more than you’ve used.

Prepare for Moving Day

Think about what you’ll need for the first couple of days after you move in and make sure you pack a separate box with all the essentials and individual bags with everything the family will need before you get chance to unpack. Make sure you have easy access to important documents, pack drinks and snacks and don’t forget medication, bedding, phone chargers, electronic devices and anything else the family might need.

If you have children or pets, it’s a good idea to arrange for someone else to look after them on moving day to ensure the day is as stress-free as possible for everyone.

Get to Know Your Neighbours

When you’re moving into a new-build home, you’ll be joining a brand-new community where everyone is in the same boat! Knowing your neighbours helps foster community spirit, can start new friendships and create a support network in an emergency. Once you’ve settled in, why not introduce yourself to your immediate neighbours or even arrange a coffee morning for others who have recently moved in?

Find out more about the range of Deanfield properties currently available in exceptional village locations across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.  

Deanfield Homes has officially launched the show home at Deanfield Green in the Oxfordshire village of East Hagbourne, providing house hunters with interior design inspiration and the opportunity to see first-hand the high-quality collection of properties available on this well-located development.

This traditional collection of two to five-bedroom homes, situated on the outskirts of this aspirational village, offers residents a semi-rural location with access to good local amenities.  Set amongst public open space, Deanfield Green will also benefit from a children’s play area and links to pedestrian and cycle routes.

The striking 5-bedroom Gillingham is a superb showcase of the spacious layout and superior finish of properties at Deanfield Green. Typical of the larger family homes on the development, it offers a light and spacious kitchen/dining room with separate utility, a large living room with feature fireplace and French doors leading to the patio and rear garden. A further reception room can be used as a formal dining room or a TV/family room and the ground floor also benefits from a bright and welcoming hallway and a cloakroom. Upstairs, there are four spacious double bedrooms, two with en suites and fitted wardrobes, a further bedroom and a family bathroom.

Homes at Deanfield Green feature a superior specification, including professionally designed kitchens with integrated modern appliances and contemporary bathrooms. All properties are highly energy efficient, low maintenance and include EV charging points as standard.

Interior designers Lifestyle Interiors styled the five-bedroom detached show home to create a practical family home with a luxury finish. A classic neutral colour palette of soft grey and teal tones has been combined to create contrast and interest throughout. The use of textures through wallpaper, fabrics and artwork adds layers of depth throughout the home.

The two children’s bedrooms are full of character, with one having an Alice in Wonderland theme, the perfect whimsical space for a youngster’s imagination and the other being designed for a photography enthusiast, which portrays a number of different interests all captured through a creative lens.

Annette Gaskell, sales and marketing manager at Deanfield Homes, comments: “We are delighted to officially open the Gillingham show home to prospective purchasers. We have had a really positive response since launching the first homes for sale and have now sold or reserved over 20% of properties on the development.

“East Hagbourne really is the perfect place to call home, with the local area providing such a peaceful setting with picturesque views and great local amenities. The nearby A34 provides easy access to the region’s road network and the city of Oxford, while the village itself is home to a community shop, village hall and primary school. There has been a lot of pent-up interest in anticipation of the show home launch and it’s exciting to welcome prospective purchasers to experience the quality product that Deanfield Homes prides itself on delivering.”

Currently available at Deanfield Green is a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes priced from £390,000. For further information, visit the marketing suite which is open Thursday through to Monday from 10am – 5pm, visit www.deanfieldhomes.co.uk/deanfield-green or call 01865 269010.

Bledlow is a pretty village in Buckinghamshire just two miles southwest of Princes Risborough, with a rich history, picturesque countryside views and plenty of amenities on the doorstep. With properties at our Deanfield Gate development now available to reserve off-plan, here are just some of the benefits of life in beautiful Bledlow…

1. A strong sense of community

Bledlow is a close-knit village with a great community spirit and a range of facilities on its doorstep. It has an active parish council and a village hall, right next door to the Deanfield Gate development, hosting various events throughout the year. With Bledlow Village Cricket Club just half a mile from the development, those looking to be a part of a community sports team can join this premier village club. For those who enjoy a social drink or dining out, there is a variety of local pubs and restaurants including the Lions of Bledlow, a traditional 16^th century Free House.

2. Amenities aplenty

Bledlow neighbours a number of beautiful villages with a whole range of amenities available. Nearby Chinnor offers a selection of shops, cafes, a post office and a salon which all line the pretty high street. The village is home to numerous landmarks, including the beehive lime kiln and Chinnor Windmill which includes an on-site café.

Slightly further afield is Princes Risborough and the market town of Thame – full of independent and high street stores, coffee shops and restaurants waiting to be explored. The beautiful city of Oxford is less than 30 miles away, with its prestigious university, architectural heritage and wealth of shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.

There is a wide range of schools in the area from pre-school to sixth form and college level education, including Bledlow pre-school, Bledlow Ridge Primary School, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow and John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe.

3. Rich in History

The village is home to the Manor House Gardens and the Lyde Garden, both offering a quiet oasis and open to the public on selected days of the year. Bledlow also has many well-preserved, historical buildings including the Holy Trinity Church which overlooks the Vale of Aylesbury and dates back to the 12^th and 13^th centuries.

4. Easy Travel Connections

Bledlow is well placed for commuters, with junction 6 of the M40 just a 15-minute drive away. Oxford, Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon are all easily accessible and Heathrow Airport is less than 40 minutes by car.  Nearby Princes Risborough provides direct rail services into London, Aylesbury and Oxford. The village also has a local bus service with regular services to Princes Risborough.

5. Picturesque Countryside on your Doorstep

One of the most stunning features of the village is its location on the edge of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It provides the perfect base for lovers of the outdoors and has been a popular filming location for TV series Midsomer Murders. The local area offers a plethora of rural walking and cycling routes, including the Phoenix Trail which offers a gentle introduction to the local landscape. For breath-taking vistas across the Vale of Aylesbury and a clear view of the Bledlow Cross carved into the chalky hillside, keen walkers can follow the footpaths through Great Woods and over Bledlow Ridge – the perfect setting for a scenic trek.

If Bledlow sounds like your perfect place to call home, you can now register your interest in Deanfield Gate, an attractive collection of five three and four-bedroom character homes.

For many, moving home involves hours browsing property websites, visiting estate agents and viewing houses for sale. Buying a new-build home is a different experience as the home may not have been built before the purchase is made. However, buying off-plan can open up a host of opportunities, giving you the chance to get in early with the pick of the plots, have your say on options and finishes and to really make it your own.

Here we answer your questions on what it means to buy off-plan…

1. What does buying off-plan mean?

Buying a home off-plan simply means purchasing the house before it has been built or completed, sometimes before construction has even started. You’ll be able to view brochures and plans and ask questions about your potential new home. In return for a relatively small deposit, you can secure a brand-new home and often get a say in the interior finishes.

2. Can I choose my preferred plot location?

Absolutely, by reserving your home early, subject to availability, you have the freedom to choose your preferred position within the development. From your ideal layout and garden size to the best views, getting in early means you can pick the property that is perfect for you.  When buying off-plan you are in the rare position of being able to view the key milestones as your new home comes to life.

3. Am I able to have a say in fixtures and fittings?

Depending on the build stage of your chosen home, you will have a degree of flexibility on the fixtures and fittings, including kitchen colours and worksurfaces, different flooring options and bathroom styles. In addition, you may be able to select certain upgrades, usually at your cost, ensuring that your chosen home feels like your home, not just any home, when you move in.

4. Are there other advantages to buying early?

One of the benefits of buying a home off-plan is that the purchase price is agreed at the outset. This means you’ll have complete peace of mind knowing that the cost of your home won’t change and could result in it being worth more by the time you move in. Most mortgage offers last between three and six months, however, it always best to check with your provider in advance to ensure that they can accommodate the time scale.

Deanfield Homes is a registered developer of the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB), an independent body tasked with developing a framework to improve the quality of new homes, to provide more protection for homeowners and to ensure developers provide a better customer experience, so when you buy with us, you can buy with confidence. Our  new homes also come with the reassurance of an independent ten-year NHBC warranty and our Customer Service team are on hand to provide extra  peace of mind for 2 years from completion of purchase.

Deanfield Homes currently have off-plan homes available at Deanfield Green, East Hagbourne and Deanfield Gate, Bledlow.

Continuing the strong partnership with social enterprise RAW, regional housebuilder Deanfield Homes has donated a picnic bench to Stanton Harcourt C of E Primary School, which sits within proximity of its Deanfields development. With intent to build further on the community bond in Stanton Harcourt, Deanfield Homes values giving back to the communities and continues to strengthen relationships in the locations where they build.

RAW is an Oxford-based social enterprise that delivers sustainable site recycling services and transforms wood waste into furniture and products for local communities. The picnic bench donated to Stanton Harcourt C of E Primary School was made from leftover recycled wood that RAW collects across various sites within the Oxfordshire area, creating a sustainable solution of the wood for the school to enjoy, with nothing left over going to waste.

Supporting those who have faced previous challenges in life, RAW employ and train young adults within the community and with every purchase made, the money is invested back into RAW to employ and support more adults. The donation of the bench from Deanfield homes generated 8 social impact hours which will be used to further provide employment and training.

Annette Gaskell, Sales & Marketing Manager at Deanfield Homes, said: “We are delighted to have been able to provide the picnic bench and know it will be well used by the school, especially as we start to enter the spring and summer seasons. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with RAW which allows us to use its recycling services and positively support the local communities that we create and in which we build.”

Deanfields is less than an hour away from two further developments in sought-after villages. These include, Deanfield Park in the village of Ickford, and Deanfield Green in East Hagbourne, where off-plan reservations are now being taken. Both developments highlight the thoughtful design and high-quality build seen in all Deanfield homes.

As we look forward to lighter evenings and the first signs of spring start to appear, we caught up with interior design experts Lifestyle Interiors to discover the top interior trends set to make a big statement this season…

Introduce Vivid Colours

Pantone’s colour of the year for 2023, Viva Magenta, is the perfect shade for the new season. The nuanced crimson red tone presents a balance between warm and cool allowing you to add pops of colour into your home and update the neutral palettes of greys and monochrome which have been popular for some time. The key decorating trend is to be more daring and expressive than ever before, make bolder colour choices, embrace more patterns and don’t be afraid to mix your styles.

Get Creative and DIY

Since the pandemic, we’ve seen more and more people get creative with their home interiors. One trend set to continue into 2023 is wall panelling; an effective and affordable way to transform your home. Wall panelling works perfectly in new builds as it helps to add character and feature elements. The opportunities are endless here – choose to keep it neutral or go bold with colour to create a feature wall.

Bring The Outside In

Houseplants are the perfect way bring a sense of calm to your space. With a pop of colour, greenery is a brilliant way to brighten up a space without resorting to manmade materials. From tall leafy plants in your living room to smaller herbs in the kitchen, you can help to purify the air and add a little extra flavour to your cooking.

Add Some Texture

Spring 2023 will see calm, natural materials and soft neutral textures. By introducing wood and natural elements to your styling you can create a calm space that’s sophisticated and on trend. Extend your entertaining space at home and make it cosy with natural textures such as linens, jute and wools. And as temperatures start to warm up, don’t be afraid to jazz up your outdoor space with a show-stopping rug, plush cushions and soft, warm blankets.

Interior design can be factored into many aspects of your home, and it really is what adds personality and character. By creating mood boards and understanding what you want to achieve you will be well on your way to creating your dream home.

For more interior design tips and regular inspiration from our professionally designed show homes follow us on Instagram @deanfield_homes_ltd

Buying new can come with a whole host of benefits and with energy prices set to rise again in the spring, recent research by the HBF states that the average new-build household could save £3,100* per year. The ‘Watt a Save’ report published this week, also revealed that 85% of new builds have an A or B EPC rating, while just 4% of older properties achieve the same standards.

With modern building techniques, new properties are proven to use far less energy than older homes, emitting just 1.4 tonnes of carbon a year, compared to 3.6 tonnes from existing properties. With built environment contributing 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, choosing new is the greener choice – now and for future generations.

This week is National New Homes Week and to celebrate we’re pleased to share our top five reasons to buy new…

1. The Green Option

From the high levels of cavity wall and roof insulation to the double-glazed, thermally efficient windows, your home will feel warm and cosier in the winter and cooler in the summer. With homes fitted with A-rated boilers and many future homes to include air source heat pumps, your new home will offer the very latest in green heating technology.

2. Low Maintenance

Buying new comes with peace of mind. With brand new kitchens and bathrooms, newly installed plumbing and electrics and a fresh coat of paint throughout the house, you’ll be able to spend your spare time doing the things you love, not putting right other people’s DIY disasters!

3. Community Feel

There’s a unique sense of community on a new homes development, with your neighbours all moving in at a similar time. At Deanfield Homes, we build in village locations with a good range of local amenities, so our homeowners also become part of an established wider community.

4. Stress-free move

Because you’re buying your home directly from Deanfield, there is no upward chain when you buy new. So, with a shorter, or chain-free move, your house purchase should progress more quickly, smoothly and with less stress.

5. Ten Year Warranty

When you buy new, you buy with confidence. All new homes come with the reassurance of an independent ten-year NHBC warranty and our Customer Service team are on hand to provide extra  peace of mind for 2 years from completion of purchase. .

*According to research by HBF which compared average EPC ratings of new build homes vs older properties.

Since the launch of Deanfield Park in October 2021, over 80% of homes are now sold, and more than half are already occupied, resulting in a growing sense of community around the development.

This collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, set on the outskirts of Ickford village, has been sensitively designed with a mix of house styles and sizes, finished in traditional materials including brick, tile-hung and render, creating a varied street scene and adding to the village appeal. The community feel will be enhanced with a footpath around the open spaces and a children’s play area, to be incorporated as the development nears completion.

Deanfield Park combines modern energy-efficiency with the character you’d expect to find in a traditional village setting. All offer a superior specification, including quality branded kitchens, bathrooms and appliances, underfloor heating to the ground floor, fitted carpets throughout and built-in wardrobes. All homes have either a garage, carport or off-road parking, with electric vehicle charging points provided as standard.

Currently remaining at Deanfield Park is a small selection of two, three- and four-bedroom homes with prices starting from £390,000 and ready to move into this summer. With interest remaining high, homebuyers considering a move to Ickford are urged to visit the Fitzroy show home and see first-hand the quality of design and finish offered by a Deanfield home.

Annette Gaskell, sales and marketing manager at Deanfield Homes, comments: “Ickford is a charming village which offers a range of local amenities and is extremely well connected. We have been delighted with the success since launch and the development is now a well-established new community with many purchasers already moved in and calling Deanfield Park home. With just a handful of properties remaining, we would encourage interested buyers to move quickly to avoid missing out.”

Ickford has no shortage of beautiful views and local countryside walks. The village boasts a host of local facilities including a well-regarded primary school, idyllic countryside on the doorstep and easy access to Oxford. Ickord is ideal for commuters, close to the M40 and A40. Haddenham and Thame Parkway rail station, just seven miles away, offers regular and direct services to London Marylebone.

For further information, visit the marketing suite which is open Thursday to Monday 10am until 5pm

Buying your first home can be both exciting and daunting. There are many decisions to make, from the type of house and its location to understanding what’s affordable for you. Our handy guide outlines the top 5 costs you’ll need to consider, plus a bonus tip for ongoing expenses…

1) Deposit

Arguably the most well-known cost for any first-time buyer is the deposit. This is the amount you pay upfront towards your new home, with your mortgage covering the difference. For a mortgage in the UK, you’ll need to save at least a 5% deposit although if you can, it’s wise to save more as it gives you access to a wider range of mortgages with lower interest rates.

2) Mortgage

The size of deposit you’re able to save will determine the loan to value ratio (LTV) of your mortgage. For example, if you have a £20,000 deposit for a property worth £200,000, your deposit covers 10% of the value, therefore your LTV is 90%. For first-time buyers, 95% LTV mortgages are available with many high street lenders, but do your research as these can have higher interest rates and lower loan amounts. You can use a mortgage calculator to understand how much you can borrow.

Remember to always seek independent financial advice to understand the different types of mortgages available to you, plus any arrangement fees and whether the valuation fee (to check the property is worth the amount you wish to borrow) is included or additional. 

3) Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty is the tax you pay when buying a property, however the good news for all first-time buyers is there’s an exemption! If you’re buying your first home and its value is less than £425,000 then you won’t have to pay Stamp Duty. For properties between £425,001 and £625,000 in value, a 5% tax applies on the difference. The government has a helpful Stamp Duty calculator to work out any tax owed.

4) Conveyancing

Your conveyancing solicitor will handle the legal transfer of ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer, aka you! This includes drafting the contract, organising any surveys, checking mortgage terms, exchanging contracts, transferring funds and legally completing. Research by really moving suggests first-time buyers can expect to pay on average £1,432 in conveyancing fees in 2023.

5) Insurance

There are two types of insurance it’s sensible to take out when buying your first home. The first is buildings and contents, which is usually bought as a joint policy although can be sourced separately. This covers repairs or replacements to your home and belongings in the event of extreme weather, burglary or fire/water damage, and it’s compulsory if you have a mortgage.

The other is life insurance, which acts as a mortgage protection for your family, meaning if the worst happens, it will pay a lump sum to help them clear the mortgage. As with any insurance policy, shop around for the right level of cover.

So there you have it, our top five budgeting tips to get you firmly on your way to home ownership. But we did promise a bonus for your full financial checklist, so…

6) Moving Day & Monthly Bills

Other costs to bear in mind are any removal services you might use to simplify your moving day, and a review of your likely monthly outgoings e.g. council tax, energy, water, mobile phone and broadband bills. Don’t forget to include any luxuries such as TV/streaming packages or gym membership too!

For more first-time buyer advice, including our exclusive benefits and initiatives to help you move into your dream home sooner than you think, please ask your sales advisor or email us at info@deanfieldhomes.co.uk.

Deanfield Homes is launching a collection of character properties in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Sibford Ferris. Set to launch in early 2024, Deanfield Heights, a development of 25 homes, will feature a range of two to five-bedroom properties, all traditional in design, in keeping with the development’s rural location.

The larger homes, which will be the most substantial properties Deanfield Homes has delivered to date, will feature exceptional quality specification, boasting additional studio accommodation above detached double garages. In keeping with the local architecture, many of the homes will be constructed in ironstone, with sash windows, stone cills and slate roofs. For those looking to improve their green credentials, the homes will also feature air source heat pumps, electrical vehicle charging points, highly rated kitchen appliances and low energy lighting.

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, the homes will provide beautiful views of far-reaching open countryside, perfect for picturesque walks. Renowned for sensitive development in rural locations, the development will also boast a large area of open meadow and an ecological area to encourage wildlife and biodiversity.

The aspirational rural village of Sibford Ferris, is one of three neighbouring villages. Alongside Sibford Gower and Burdrop the three make up the ‘The Sibfords’, benefiting from a host of local amenities, including a village hall, the Wykham Arms pub, a village shop and post office and the historic Holy Trinity church. For those with children there are a number of highly rated schools including Sibford Gower Primary School and Sibford School, an independent school for ages 3-18.

The village lies approximately six and half miles west of Banbury on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds, with easy access to the M40. The popular market towns of Chipping Norton and Shipston-on-Stour are less than 20 minutes by car.

Construction is expected to commence on site in Spring 2023 with the first homes to be released for sale in early 2024. Peter Blades, Managing Director at Deanfield Homes, comments: “We are delighted to be building on our strong track record in Oxfordshire with another high-quality development in a prime village location. Sibford Ferris offers purchasers a peaceful rural setting and we’re proud to provide another beautiful development, including sustainable new homes which will sit at the heart of the local community.”

Deanfield Homes is an experienced housebuilder specialising in small to medium developments in rural village locations. It has completed a number of successful sites across the region and is proud to continue to invest in homes across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.