Jodie and Kyle's story

Buyers: Jodie, 27 and Kyle, 28

Occupations: Clerical Assistant and IT service manager/software developer

Move in month: September 2025

Development: Stewart's Quarter, Rosyth, Fife

House type: The Douglas, 3 bedroom semi-detached home

Instagram handle: @haydenhouseatno.1

Tell us a little bit about yourselves: 

We met at the age of 17 in high school and have now been together for over 10 years. We’ve been married for 3 years and living together for 9. We also share our home with our 15-year-old Maltese dog, Pumpkin, who has been Jodie’s companion since childhood and often features on our home Instagram account.

Kyle works as an IT Service Manager and Software Developer for a consultancy company, while I work as a Clerical Assistant for a local council. Outside of work, we’re both passionate about nature and enjoy spending time outdoors, gradually working our way through climbing Scotland’s Munros.

Although my day job is office-based, I’m also a qualified photographer and enjoy using my creative skills to contribute to our home social media account. We both attended the University of Stirling and graduated with Honours Bachelor’s degrees—Kyle in Computer Science, and me in Criminology and Sociology. Interestingly, we didn’t attend at the same time; we started university five years apart, which meant we were connected to the University of Stirling for almost an entire decade.

Before buying our home with Avant, we were renting a 2-bedroom semi-detached house.

Which house type did you buy and why did you choose it? 

We bought a 3-bedroom semi-detached Douglas. There were several reasons this house type appealed to us. Initially, we were hoping to buy a detached property, but our budget didn’t allow it. The Douglas offered the perfect balance, giving the feeling of a detached home while remaining within the price range of a semi-detached property.

We were also drawn to the design, both inside and out. In our previous home, you had to walk through the living room to reach the kitchen, which wasn’t very practical. This house, however, has a spacious hallway that separates the lounge and kitchen while still maintaining an open, airy feel, making daily life much more convenient.

We love the exterior’s unique appearance as well. From the front, the house appears larger, and it’s only when viewed from the side that you notice it’s semi-detached.

Why did you choose Avant over other developers? 

After looking around multiple developers and reading reviews, we chose Avant for the quality, affordability and their house layouts. When buying, it was important to us to find a developer who takes pride in delivering a high quality homes and effective customer service. At Stewart's Quarter, we have been privileged to have both. 

What was your motivation for moving? 

We were looking to buy our first home together after renting for 8 years.

Why did you choose to buy a new build property over a second-hand home? 

We decided to buy a new build because we loved having the ability to personalise it, from choosing the kitchen to selecting the bathroom tiles. Also, knowing the build would take some time gave us the opportunity to save up and plan for furniture for when we moved in.

How did you find the buying process? 

Overall, our experience was very positive. From visiting the site and reserving our home, through the build process, and right up to completion. We were consistently kept informed about what was needed from us and how the build was progressing. While the build process took a little longer than expected, the Site Manager and customer service team went out of their way to make sure everything ran smoothly and that we felt supported as we prepared to move into our new home.

What do you love most about your home? 

We love our home for its sense of space, privacy, and thoughtful design. The spacious hallway separating the lounge and kitchen makes daily life more convenient and open compared to our previous home. We also love the unique exterior, which gives the impression of a larger, detached home.

Did you go for any upgrades from Avant's optional extras range?

Yes, we made several upgrades to personalise our home. In the kitchen, we chose shaker-style cabinets, a white glass backsplash, replaced the main lights with six spotlights, and added built-in appliances including a microwave, washer-dryer, and dishwasher.

We also upgraded the W/C, main bathroom, and ensuite with enhanced tiles, installed a mounted shower in the main bathroom, and a rainfall shower in the ensuite.

For the back garden, we added a floodlight, an external power socket, and a 6ft fence for privacy.

Have you found your energy bills more affordable since living in an Avant home? 

We moved from a 2-bedroom semi-detached house to our 3-bedroom semi-detached Avant home and have noticed that our bills are lower. We believe this is thanks to the included solar panels and the well-insulated walls, which help retain heat more efficiently. 

How has life changed since you moved into your Avant home? 

Living in our Avant home feels wonderful day-to-day, as it gives us a strong sense of security and comfort. The location is incredibly convenient, everything we need is just a stone’s throw away, and we’re also close to scenic walks and beautiful seaside spots.

What is the community like on your development? 

We love the sense of community in our development, our neighbours are welcoming and approachable. There’s an active Facebook group that most residents joined, which has been a great resource for advice and support. Being one of the first houses built has given us a front-row seat to the community growing around us, and we’ve met other buyers who have already formed close friendships, making it easy to feel part of something special.

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