Downsizing Dream

Kathryn and Ian Oliver have just made the brave move of selling their “too big for us home” and stepped into the world of downsizing. 

Selling your forever traditional family home can lead to a radical change in lifestyle but bravely, they dared to chase their dream and began to focus on what truly mattered to them.

Kathryn said: “We moved from Essex Gardens in Low Fell to our family home on Limetree Gardens around 36 years ago and spent a fortune on it to get it just as we wanted it. Our daughter Claire was just seven at the time and now she’s 44 with two beautiful girls of her own, Anya age 11 and Edie age 9, so we had a lifetime of family memories inside those four walls.”

Limetree Gardens was perfect for family life but as their family grew up and moved on, the house became too big for them.  The stairs were becoming a concern and they knew that a bungalow would be much more suitable for them in the future. 

Ian said: “We knew it wouldn’t be easy but we weren’t expecting such a turbulent and emotional ride and I have to say, we couldn’t have done it without the amazing staff at Sarah Mains!”

Kathryn said: “It’s been a long journey which actually began back in 2016.  We had our house up for sale with another agent, but we lost out on a bungalow on Flexbury Gardens to a cash buyer so we took it off the market.  In September 2017 we decided to try Sarah Mains and we haven’t regretted it one bit.  Dawn did an excellent job during the valuation and her photographs made the house look stunning!

“One Friday afternoon our first buyers decided not to go ahead but Sales Consultant Donna was an absolute star.  She was straight on the phone contacting other buyers who were looking for a similar type of house and she organised four viewings for the Saturday and a further two on the Sunday and it was sold again by Monday!”

“Disaster struck a second time when the lady selling the bungalow we were hoping to buy on Orchard Gardens pulled out. When this happened and on a few more occasions, the team made emails and phone calls on our behalf out of normal office hours to keep us calm and updated.   They pulled out all the stops and found us another bungalow on the other side of the street which was perfect!”  

Kathryn continued: “Sharon kept me sane and almost counselled me along the way! She works so hard behind the scenes and always has her finger on the pulse and she fed back regular updates from all parties involved with such knowledge and enthusiasm.” 

Ian said: “No matter which member of staff we have dealt with, they have all reacted so quickly and efficiently.  We honestly cannot praise them enough.  The solicitor they recommended, Ashleigh at Mincoffs, was brilliant too! She even rang us when we got this house just to say how pleased she was for us and solicitors don’t normally do that!”

Kathryn said “We’ve only been in our new home a few weeks but we completely love it and feel so settled. We would like to commend the staff on their dedication and communication demonstrated throughout.  We really believe we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the professional, approachable, friendly and helpful staff at Sarah Mains. We would highly recommend them, they are outstanding!”