From a Leap of Faith to a Dream Home: Helene and Luke’s Graven Hill Journey
For French-born Helene Garnier, life has always been about embracing new challenges. In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she made the bold decision to apply for a job in the UK -despite never having lived or worked outside of France. When she secured a role with Formula 1 as a stress engineer, she relocated to the UK, navigating travel restrictions and securing a flat remotely, without ever setting foot in it beforehand.
It was in F1 where Helene met her partner, Luke, who also worked as a stress engineer. Over time, Luke sold his home and moved into Helene’s flat. But as their relationship developed and hybrid working became the norm, it became clear they needed more space – ideally something they could call their own.
“Luke was already familiar with Bicester and Graven Hill,” Helene recalls. “He previously lived in a four-bed end terrace in Kingsmere, so he knew the area well. I was renting, while Luke had been a homeowner, so we were coming from different starting points.”
Their shared priorities were simple but specific: stay local, find a home with space for two home offices, and enjoy green surroundings with easy access to town. Renting a home in Graven Hill gave them the opportunity to experience the development first-hand.
“We really liked the feel of the area,” Helene says. “The flexibility of our rolling rental contract was ideal while we searched for something permanent.”
After months of looking, they discovered a three-bed, semi-detached home on Austin Way – an “Evenley” house design – offering everything they needed and more.
A Seamless Buying Experience
Helene and Luke’s homebuying journey was refreshingly smooth, aided by recommendations from the Graven Hill sales team. “We used a mortgage broker and legal advisors they suggested, and it made a big difference,” Helene says. “The mortgage broker found deals our previous broker couldn’t access, which made the whole process easier.”
However, the couple did face one significant challenge: the deposit. Because Luke wasn’t a first-time buyer they were liable for higher stamp duty, which quickly would drain their savings. Thankfully, the plot they had set their sights on came with a 5% deposit contribution incentive.
“That made all the difference,” Helene explains. “It meant we could cover the stamp duty and legal fees with our savings, and still move forward with the purchase.”
From looking at the house listing to completing the sale, the whole process only took around two months. “It all felt a bit surreal,” says Helene. “I thought buying a home would be far more complicated.”
Home, Sweet (Fully Fitted) Home
Moving day was pretty easy. Living just a couple of minutes away, they were even able to walk some of their belongings to their new house. Better still, the property came fully equipped—with fitted kitchen and bathrooms, white goods, flooring and wardrobes all included.
“In France, this just doesn’t happen,” said Helene. “When I told my family what came with the house, they couldn’t believe it.”
Spanning more than 1,000 sq. ft., the home boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a downstairs cloakroom, and an open-plan living area perfect for modern life. Natural light fills the space, and there’s plenty of room for both Helene and Luke to work from home. The private garden and dedicated parking for two cars ticked the final boxes.
Part of the Community
Having already lived at Graven Hill for over a year, Helene and Luke were already familiar with the community. From visits to the wine bar and local coffee shop, to informal dining options courtesy of the visiting food trucks, they’re enjoying the balance of peaceful surroundings with convenient town access.
Adding to their sense of belonging, a close friend is moving into an apartment just a few doors down. “It’s lovely to have friends nearby,” says Helene.
A Warm Welcome
Gemma Davis, Customer Experience Director at Graven Hill, shared her delight at welcoming Helene and Luke into their new home:
“We’re so pleased to have helped Helene and Luke take this important step in their journey together. At Graven Hill, we’re passionate about supporting people as they create homes that reflect their needs and lifestyles. Seeing couples like Helene and Luke not just move in – but thrive here – is exactly what Graven Hill is all about. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the community and proud to have played a part in making their dream a reality.”
Find out what other new build homes Graven Hill has to offer at 01869390009