Lauren and Jamie Hold have moved into their dream home in Harlow in time for the arrival of their second child – and they only had to walk around the corner to find it.
The couple bought their three-storey dream home at Base at Newhall with the help of a £27,500 incentive from Countryside Homes.
Lauren, a 36-year-old NHS office manager, and Jamie, a 48-year-old project manager, were already living at Base at Newhall. They were delighted to find the “perfect house” – a four-bedroom Byford with a roof terrace – just a few minutes’ walk away from their old home.
Lauren said: “We were living in a two-bedroom house on the development but after Arlie-Jay was born in January 2024, we realised we needed more space. We did tons of research and looked at homes as far afield as Bishop’s Stortford but I wanted to stay as close to Harlow as possible.
“I wanted to stay local as my mum and dad live nearby, I had made some friends on the development and Arlie-Jay seemed settled too. Then we spotted that Countryside Homes had some four-bedroom homes for sale just around the corner.
“We couldn’t believe it. We went along to the sales office and spoke to the sales advisors Nicole and Bex and they were lovely and welcoming. They told us that there was a three-storey four-bedroom house ready to move into.
“We went for a look and immediately fell in love with the house. We thought it would be out of our price bracket but Nicole said they would give us a £27,500 deposit contribution which, with a contribution from my parents, allowed us to be able to afford the house.”
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The couple moved into the £527,500 property in December 2024.
“There is so much to this house that it’s hard to imagine a more ideal place for us to live,” said Lauren. “The ground floor is taken up by a cloakroom and a huge kitchen/living/family area which sweeps through the whole space. It’s incredible and flows through into the back garden through the French doors.
“Outside there is a big back garden with a patio area, a shed and double garage. In summer it is fabulous to be out in that enclosed safe, private space where Arlie-Jay can toddle about.
“On the first floor there is the guest bedroom, the family bathroom, another bedroom, which I am using as my home office, and a spacious living room which has views over the green where a beautiful oak tree stands. It’s such a glorious and calming view.
“Up on the top floor is our bedroom, which is massive and has a fabulous en suite, and there is Arlie-Jay’s bedroom right next to ours.
“However, the space that really gives this house the wow factor is the roof terrace.
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“In summer it’s a real sun trap and it’s amazing. We have sun loungers there but hope to put a pool table and a bar in there this year when the good weather arrives. Everyone who comes to see us is blown away by this roof terrace.”
Less than year after moving in, the couple discovered they are expecting a second child.
“We moved at the right time because I now am pregnant, with the baby due in June,” said Lauren. “It would have been difficult to be in the old house with two young children, but we are here and have got all the space we need.
“This development is a great place to bring up children because there is real mix of people living here which includes children of all ages. We have made some good friends and so has Arlie-Jay.
“Our house is near the oak tree which is framed by lots of grass. The developers have just put a lot of timber play equipment there and it’s a real hit with the youngsters. The slightly older children have sort of adopted Arlie-Jay and look after him when they all play out there. He loves that play area.”
The couple said they feel very settled at their new home.
“This house really does feel like home and I think we might be here for quite a long time to come. The house is so wonderful, it’s almost beyond our wildest dreams. Some days, I can hardly believe that it is actually ours.
“Without the help of my parents and the contribution from Countryside Homes we would never have been able to afford it. We are so grateful to them for allowing us to live our dream.”
There’s currently a choice of three and four-bedroom houses available to reserve at Base at Newhall, with prices starting at £539,995. For more information visit https://www.countrysidehomes.com/.
Couple buy dream home with help of £27,500 incentive from Countryside Homes
