October 2025
The couple were looking for a modern, practical home that could accommodate their love of hosting and their busy lifestyles – and they’re planning to add a pet to the family soon.
We caught up with them to hear what made Hawksley Rise and The Harper stand out, and why they chose a new build with Story Homes.
We got our keys on 16 May and moved in during early June.
We chose Hawksley Rise because it’s in a great location close to lovely areas like Burdon and East Herrington. There are some beautiful walks nearby, and on a clear day we can even see the sea – which is a real bonus!
We chose The Harper. We love hosting, and it gives us a spacious downstairs area to enjoy. On top of that, it was really affordable for our first home, which made it the perfect choice.
Definitely the big downstairs area. We love the kitchen and how much natural light comes in through the large patio doors. In the summer, it’s amazing to open them up and connect the kitchen and garden – it’s perfect for entertaining.
It’s a mix! I work from home, so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen when the weather’s nice. Most evenings we relax in the sitting room – it’s our cosy spot to unwind.
We did look at a few second-hand homes, but every time we loved one, we ended up in a stressful bidding war. Buying a new build cost a bit more than we expected, but it was completely worth it. Seeing the house come together from the very first brick and having everything ready to move in was a huge advantage. Plus, compared to some second-hand homes we saw that needed work, the Harper offered excellent value for money.
We love starting from scratch. It’s our blank canvas – we can make it exactly how we want. We also really enjoy the community vibe at Hawksley Rise. Everyone’s in the same boat, waiting for their homes to be built, so there’s a real buzz online and with new neighbours joining the development.
We did check out other builders during the early-bird stage, and Story really stood out. Other builders made you pay extra for things that Story includes as standard, like grass and outdoor taps. We also loved the quality of the finish – the oak banisters and overall attention to detail were a big factor.
Absolutely. We’ve already recommended Story to a few friends! The buying process was smooth, and our Sales Executive was always there to answer all our questions – even the silly ones! The snagging process was fast and hassle-free. We’re so happy with our first home, and I’d love to buy from Story again when we’re ready to upgrade in the future.
