For Claire Pekcan, 63, moving back to the south to be closer to friends and familiar surroundings had been a long-held ambition, but one that felt increasingly out of reach after several years living in the north-west. That changed when she discovered our Knightwood Chase development in Fordingbridge.
“I’d been trying to move back down south for years,” said Claire. “I loved my old house, but it just wasn’t in the right place for my life anymore. When I saw Knightwood Chase, something immediately clicked and I knew I’d found the development that I wanted to call home.”
Claire, who works part-time as a Client Relationship Manager and lives with her two dogs, Poppy and Rosie, moved into her two-bedroom Aspen semi-detached home in September 2025, having reserved the property earlier in the summer. The home’s traditional design and distinctive black cladding were what first caught her attention.
“I’ve always loved character properties, and this house doesn’t feel like a modern box,” she explained. “The black cladding gives it so much charm, and the proportions are just right, it feels cosy but not cramped.”
Having struggled to sell her previous Grade II listed cottage in the Wirral, Claire opted for our Part Exchange service, a route she hadn’t initially planned to take.“I would have preferred to sell privately, but the house just wasn’t moving,” she said. “Part Exchange took all that pressure away. Knowing I had a guaranteed buyer, and no chain made the whole move possible.”
Our Part Exchange scheme offers homeowners the reassurance of a secure sale, removing estate agent fees, chains and uncertainty from the process. For Claire, it proved to be a turning point.
“Cala gave me a fair offer, helped with stamp duty, and suddenly everything fell into place,” she added. “It meant I could focus on the move itself rather than worrying about whether my house would ever sell.”
After decades in an older property that required constant upkeep, moving into a brand-new home has been a welcome change.
“The biggest luxury is not having to fix anything,” said Claire. “In my old house there was always another job to do or another bill to pay. Here, it’s warm, energy-efficient, and everything just works making it completely stress-free.”
Life in Fordingbridge has also exceeded expectations. Previously unfamiliar with the town, Claire has quickly fallen in love with its character and convenience.
“It’s got everything you need from independent shops to cafés and pubs, and so much history,” she said. “I can walk into town in ten minutes, sit by the river with friends, or head straight into the New Forest with the dogs. It genuinely feels like being on holiday sometimes.”
Now settled, Claire says the move has had a hugely positive impact on her quality of life, particularly as she looks ahead to retirement.
“I’m close to friends again and rarely have a weekend to myself,” she said. “Being part of a community again has made such a difference to my day-to-day life.”
Reflecting on the journey, Claire added: “From the sales team to the site staff, everyone at Cala has been so supportive. I’d absolutely recommend both Cala and Part Exchange to anyone who feels stuck. Sometimes you just need the right opportunity to make a fresh start.”
