SOUTH AFRICA TO SURREY
“Like a lot of people, our working lives changed quite dramatically during the pandemic,” reflected Mr Prentice, “We both work in finance, regularly commuting to our offices, and then suddenly virtually overnight, we were working 5 days a week from home.“
He continues, “However, after lockdown eased, we were both back in the office several days a week. Our house was in Haslemere in Surrey, a very nice place to live, but not an ideal location for frequent travel into the City, especially for time-strapped parents with a young child!“
“We decided a move was needed so we sold our home in Haslemere in 2021 and started renting in Cobham, which has a better rail service into London, and gave us breathing space while we started to look around for a house to buy.“
Sean and Michelle had a 3-point wish list:
1. Space – they both required dedicated home offices.
2. Location – their home had to be in Surrey with a good railway services into London.
3. Not a new build – they believed a quality home with lots of space and a bit of character couldn’t be found in a new build home.
The couple started monitoring Rightmove, and after several false starts, including offering on a few houses that needed updating and extending, they came upon the Broadoaks Park website.
Whilst originally dismissed by the Prentices, as newbuild was firmly off their wish list, they kept returning to have another look, drawn to the style of architecture, the environmentally friendly build, and the leafy, open surroundings. The location, West Byfleet, was perfect for them, having an excellent train service into London Waterloo from a station they could walk to. Last and certainly not least, they were excited about the large amount of space offered by the Octagon homes.
Comments Sean “Octagon’s large, light-filled rooms, ample built-in storage, good quality specification, surrounded by wide open green spaces are all the elements we enjoyed back in our former family homes in South Africa.“
“We were not familiar with the Octagon brand, but a work colleague of mine, who when she heard where we were looking, said, “Octagon are the very best, their reputation for quality is unmatched’’.
The Prentices did their first viewing in April 2022, inspecting some of the finished properties which reassured them of the quality build, specification and elegant proportions of an Octagon home. They selected a home off-plan, still just a building site at the time, and made a reservation. In June 2022 they exchanged contracts, and finally, upon completion in April 2023, moved into their new detached home at Broadoaks Park.
Having enjoyed the summer living at Broadoaks Park, Sean and Michelle have particularly appreciated the open plan ground floor living areas and the playroom for their son, as well as a generous guest suite, essential for their frequent guests.
Sean finishes, “I have absolutely no regrets in choosing a new build, because of course, it’s an Octagon home! We are now firmly part of the Broadoaks Park community, getting to know our neighbours by joining in party and picnic gatherings held on our beautiful ‘village green’. Everybody is friendly, helpful to one another, and just as excited as we are to have moved here.“