Downsizers Secure Dream Home in Picturesque Kent Town

From Family Home to Forever Home

Retirees Hugh Holmes and Marie Holmes have found their ideal forever home at Hartley Acres, in Cranbrook, nestled in the picturesque Kent countryside. Having raised their four children in a five-bedroom period home in a remote village in Kent, the married couple were now seeking to downsize to a property that combined quality, convenience, and a welcoming community. Their search led them to Hartley Acres, a collection of beautifully designed homes and, in an extraordinary leap of faith, they secured their four-bedroom detached home without ever viewing it in person.

Marie explained: “Our friends thought we were crazy when we told them we hadn’t seen the house before moving in! But we could tell from the plans, the location, and the feel of the development that it was right for us. When we finally walked through the front door, we were delighted – the rooms are so spacious, especially the bedrooms. It just felt like home straight away.”

The Perfect Balance of Location and Lifestyle

For Hugh and Marie, location was just as important as the home itself. After years of living in a remote village, they wanted the vibrancy of a connected community but with countryside still on their doorstep. The town of Cranbrook offers the perfect balance.

Marie said: “We wanted to live in a place where we could walk everywhere. From our new home, we can stroll to the high street for breakfast, lunch or dinner, head in the other direction and be in the countryside within minutes. It’s exactly what we were looking for.”

Cranbrook’s thriving local area, with its centuries-old high street, has quickly become part of their routine. “We’ve already discovered some great local restaurants,” added Marie. “There’s also a farm shop just up the road and a garden centre nearby that we love visiting.”

For trips further afield, Hartley Acres is exceptionally well-connected. London Bridge is less than an hour away by train, and the couple often travel into the capital to visit family or enjoy days out.

Space for Family and Entertaining

While many downsizers opt for a smaller property, Hugh and Marie were determined to find a home that could still welcome their children and growing number of grandchildren. Hugh explained: “People always warned us not to downsize too much, because the kids and grandkids always come back. We knew we still wanted plenty of space to host family, so a four-bedroom home was the perfect solution. Now when family visits, there’s room for everyone to stay comfortably.”

Marie added: “I love hosting, so having the open-plan kitchen and living area works beautifully. Cooking is my favourite hobby, and now I can prepare meals while still chatting to our guests. The layout has made entertaining so much easier and more enjoyable.”

Low Maintenance, High Comfort

Like many retirees, Hugh and Marie wanted a home that would be easier to maintain than their previous property, without compromising on quality or comfort. Marie explained: “At first, we were sceptical about new builds, but after looking around older homes and realising how much maintenance they needed, we changed our minds. When we discovered Hartley Acres, it was the first development where we said: ‘we could live here!’”

Hugh said: “With energy-efficient design and modern building standards, our home has not only reduced upkeep but lowered our bills—an added benefit for our retirement years.”

A Smooth, Stress-Free Buying Experience

Despite never having stepped foot in their home prior to moving in, the couple say the buying process was stress free thanks to the support of the Hill team. Hugh said: “From the start, the sales team was brilliant. They set everything up efficiently, answered all our questions, and kept us in the loop the whole way through. Even though we hadn’t seen the property, we felt completely reassured. When moving day arrived, everything went smoothly.”

Marie agreed: “We couldn’t do a hard-hat tour while the house was being built, so we relied on the team to keep us updated. They were fantastic, and when we finally walked in, we knew we had made the right decision.”

“We couldn’t be happier. We’ve got the perfect balance of countryside and convenience, a beautiful home that works for our family, and a community we already feel part of. Downsizing has been the best decision we could have made, and buying unseen turned out to be the easiest move of all.”