A young couple with two young children relocating from Hampshire

Why they came to Stacks

For Mr & Mrs H, time was of the essence:

• Job timings were critical
• There was a need to coincide their sale and this purchase to fit in with school holidays

What they were looking for

The Hs had a clear idea of some of the criteria a new property needed to fulfil.

With regards to the location, they wanted:

• To be within 1 hour commute of Bournemouth
• To be 1.5 hours from grandparents in Somerset
• To retain good access to the south east
• To not be too remote in a town/large village
• Have access to some culture/amenities within their location
• And, most importantly, be in the catchment of several good state schools

With regards to the property, they were keen to find:

• A five bedroom house with a garden; or
• A 4 bedroom house with outbuildings or an annex that could be used as an occasional bedroom/office.
• Their maximum budget was £700,000, but they preferred £650,000

How Stacks helped

After a preliminary discussion about the type of property and the type of location they were looking for, we set to work. We arranged a trial viewing day to give The Hs the opportunity to see various locations and the current properties available within their budget.

This trial day was of great benefit to us all, for it quickly became apparent that with the busy lifestyles The Hs enjoyed, and the limited time they therefore had for school runs, even the larger villages lacked the amenities needed. We also swiftly ascertained that their lack of time also meant that any properties needing more than just a little renovation were not an option either.

What the local area offer could offer

With this new information in mind, we concluded that The Hs would need a property that was a perfect fit from the outset. We narrowed our location search down to Dorchester and Poundbury; the latter being of particular interest because:

• It is a concept town designed by Prince Charles
• It is only one mile from the centre of Dorchester
• It is in the catchment area of several good schools, including Thomas Hardye School (which has an exceptional Ofsted rating)
• It has many new build properties available that have been tastefully designed in a classical style
• It has an extremely well-designed infrastructure

In addition to these points, Poundbury also ticked many other boxes. For example, it is a modern village with traditional feel. Plus it offers well-thought out amenities, independent shops, and great transport links; especially to Bournemouth and west to Somerset. In essence, therefore, Poundbury offered them the lifestyle they were used to plus the opportunity to find a ready-to-move-in property with charm.

The happy outcome

We introduced The Hs to several properties, ensuring a mix of styles were included so they could get a feel for what was available. And then it came along… The One… a bright, airy five bedroomed property with a guide price of £650,000 and no onward chain. We entered into negotiation with the vendor on behalf of our client and it was secured at a 9% reduction. And just as required, we were also delighted to arrange for the completion date to coincide perfectly with the sale of The Hs’ Hampshire home… within the holidays.

How Stacks made a difference

The expertise and knowledge that a Stacks Regional Director brings to any property purchase is invaluable, and this shone through in many ways for The Hs.

• They were able to access an unknown area quickly from afar
• We ensured they saved time by seeing pre-picked properties together, on days that suited them
• We liaised with the estate agents and coordinated everything, including solicitors, surveyors, developers, and cleaners
• We were able to advise them on which locations gave them access to better schools
• Our experience of negotiating a house purchase reduced their purchase price by nearly 10%
• They were able to exchange within 3 weeks

All in all, it was a win/win project for everyone. The Hs are now ensconced in a new home they love, in a location that suits them down to the ground. And we at Stacks had the joy of handing over the keys, once again, to a happy client.