DRIVERS have been part exchanging their cars for years but Taunton couple Rob and Claire Berry are part of a growing number of people interested in part exchanging their homes.

The pair, both teachers, moved into their dream house at David Wilson Homes’ Aginshill Meadow development in Monkton Heathfield within five weeks of setting eyes on it by using part exchange.

Claire, 36, recalls: “We were living at another David Wilson Homes development at the time in Creech St Michael, but had both recently been promoted at work and were looking to move into a bigger house. We heard about Aginshill Meadow and thought we’d just go and have a look while we were taking the dog for a walk over the bank holiday.

“We just fell in love with this house in particular, even though it was only a shell at the time. The area was perfect, being close enough to Taunton which we really like, but just a bit further out so it’s nice and rural. As we were walking the dog along the canal by the new development we just felt we could live here.”

The couple, who married six years ago, reserved straight away and spoke to David Wilson Homes about using its part exchange scheme, which takes the stress of selling your existing home away.

Rob, 37, said: “The part exchange offer they gave us really worked because it reduced the cost of the new house and took away the hassle of selling the old one. It’s the main reason we were able to move so quickly.”

Within five weeks of walking past their dream property Rob and Claire were sat in their new home – a four bedroom ‘Layton’ style detached house. It features an open plan kitchen and diner, lounge, study, downstairs toilet, three double bedrooms with en suites and a spacious master bedroom, which Claire says is the “highlight of the house”. “It’s really big and light,” she says. “The whole house just has everything we need, it’s amazing.”

The couple were keen to buy a new build home having lived in one before. “We looked around quite a few new build communities from different developers when we bought our last house but we felt the quality of finish of the David Wilson Homes was higher than anything else we saw,” Rob said. “That’s why we went with David Wilson Homes again.”

“I like that new houses are warm,” added Claire, who works as assistant vice principal at Holyrood Academy in Chard. “Plus we’re not big DIY-ers so that’s another bonus!”

Now Rob and Claire are settled into their new home they are enjoying being a part of a new community. “The neighbours are really nice,” said Claire. “They’re just lovely and we’ve done lots together. There’s a real sense of community.”

The couple are in good company if they want to talk shop at Aginshill Meadows; the development has proven popular with teachers in particular and David Wilson Homes estimates that around 15 per cent of residents work in education.

Louise Ware, sales director at David Wilson Homes said: “Rob and Claire’s story is a fantastic example of how quickly it’s possible to move into a new home. As well as taking away the stress of selling your hold home, it speeds up the process and is perhaps why part exchanging is becoming increasingly popular.

“We’re thrilled that Rob and Claire are happy in their new home and wish them the very best for the future.”