Jo and Adam step up the property ladder in Hornchurch

Happy couple Jo Medhurst and Adam Murray have found the home of their dreams at Harrow Lodge, George Wimpey’s new development in Hornchurch, Essex.

Taking advantage of lower property prices to step up from their one-bedroom flat at Gidea Park in Romford, they chose a fabulous new three-bedroom house, where they plan to settle for several years to come.

“The ‘Manningford’ house we chose is very spacious, and after six months of looking around lots of second-hand and new properties, it was the first one that Adam and I agreed was right for us in every way,” explains 27-year-old Jo.

“We fell in love with the kitchen/dining room which opens through doors to the garden because it offers us plenty of space for entertaining – we’re both from big families – and our home has lovely features, like the bay window to the front of the lounge, as well as an en-suite to the master bedroom, a main bathroom and a downstairs cloakroom.

“Compared with other new-build homes it felt very spacious and the area is ideal for us – the development is set off a nice road that isn’t too busy, there’s a park close by, Romford’s within easy reach, and both our families live in the Hornchurch area. It’s just what we wanted!”

Jo, a marketing communications co-ordinator who works in Basildon, and Adam (28), a barrister’s clerk who commutes to St Paul’s, London, were also thrilled with the incentives they received from George Wimpey to help them move up the property ladder.

“For using their recommended solicitors we not only received an excellent service, but George Wimpey also paid our stamp duty and contributed to our legal fees, saving us more than £9,000,” says Jo.

“Plus, by purchasing our new home now, we’ve taken advantage of lower property prices to secure a good deal before the market picks up.”

Just one three-bedroom ‘Manningford’ home is now available at Harrow Lodge, and like the one Jo and Adam chose it features a light and airy kitchen/dining room spanning the entire width of the property and offering views to the rear garden. The ground floor is completed by a lounge, entrance hallway, guest cloakroom and integral garage.

Upstairs, the landing leads to the master bedroom with en-suite, two further good-size bedrooms and the main bathroom.

Like the range of three and four-bedroom homes currently available at the development, the ‘Manningford’ is finished to a high standard specification and includes a contemporary fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.

Prices at Harrow Lodge start from £295,000.

To make moving easier for its customers, George Wimpey is offering a range of time and money-saving incentives to help people get a foot on the property ladder or sell their existing property.

For example, purchasers can receive help with their deposit, stamp duty and legal fees, while those with a home to sell can benefit from the leading house-builder’s Easymover scheme, through which George Wimpey finds a buyer for their current property, pays the estate agency fees and contributes towards the solicitor’s costs.

Harrow Lodge will comprise just 44 three and four-bedroom properties off Hyland Way, less than a mile from Hornchurch town centre and providing easy access to nearby schools and shops, and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling alley, boating lake, parks and gardens.

For commuters, the nearby mainline stations of Upminster, Gidea Park and Romford put central London just 30 minutes away, while the London Underground tube stations of Elm Park and Upminster Bridge are both less than two miles from the development.

The showhome and Sales Centre at Harrow Lodge are located off Hylands Way and are open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm and Monday 10am to 2pm. Alternatively, log on to georgewimpey.co.uk.