Their journey began with high hopes and an offer on a quaint cottage in Cranbrook, but when the deal fell through, the couple channelled their disappointment into determination and continued the search. During an evening of scrolling through listings, Hillbury Fields caught their eye. “We saw the development and thought, why not take a look?” Ryan says. The idea of a new build became very appealing. “We’d been burnt, so we thought a new build was a much safer bet,” Katie explains.

A visit to Hillbury Fields quickly captivated them: the development offered great amenities, including a local pub and lovely walking trails—perfect for the outdoorsy couple. Plus, it was close to both their jobs and their parents and the practical commute to Cranbrook made it an ideal choice – but what really sealed the deal was the Stamp Duty Paid initiative.

“We had heard about this initiative before and saw a post from Fernham Homes on social media,” says Katie. “It was like a light bulb moment. This could actually make our dream home affordable.” The Stamp Duty Paid initiative was crucial for Katie and Ryan as without the incentive, they wouldn’t have been able to consider a property at Hillbury Fields. “The stamp duty savings made a massive difference,” Ryan emphasised. “It took away a significant financial burden and made the whole process less stressful.”

The savings on stamp duty meant they could afford their must-haves: a small garden, two double bedrooms, and parking. “It allowed us to stretch our budget just that bit further to get everything we wanted,” Katie adds. They decided a one-bedroom wouldn’t cut it and found the perfect two-bedroom home at Hillbury Fields, a development with a small collection of 30 homes, offering just the right balance of community and privacy. “We loved that it was a small, tight-knit community,” Katie explains. “It felt more personal and exclusive.”

They moved in a month ago and already love the area and so far, have already enjoyed the local walks, visited nearby pubs, and appreciated being close to their families. “We’ve already been on all the walks and checked out the local spots,” Ryan says. “It feels like home.” The couple plans to stay here for at least the next five years, soaking up the beautiful surroundings and enjoying their new life together. “It’s the perfect start for us and we couldn’t be happier.”

 Their favourite part of the house is the open-plan downstairs area—ideal for hosting friends and family. “It’s great for entertaining,” Ryan says. “We love having people over and the space works perfectly for that.” They also love the small, quaint, and quiet development. “It’s so peaceful here,” Katie notes. “Exactly what we were looking for.”

Fernham Homes’ customer service, especially from Jen and Paul, has been outstanding, making their move-in experience smooth and enjoyable. “They’ve been amazing,” Katie says. “So friendly and helpful. We couldn’t have asked for better support.”

For more information and availability, visit Hillbury Fields.