Stacey Mercer has fulfilled a childhood dream by buying her own home and moving back to Bishop’s Stortford.
The 26-year-old emergency medical technician has purchased a two-bedroom Hawthorn home at Bovis Homes’ Stortford Fields location, off Newland Avenue in the Hertfordshire town.
Stacey grew up in Bishop’s Stortford, and although she moved away to share a house in Harlow in 2020, she promised herself that one day she would buy a place in her home town so she could be close to family and friends.
She said: “I had always said to my mum and dad that I loved Bishop’s Stortford so much that I wanted to buy a house there and live near them when I grew up.”
Stacey searched the internet for new homes in the area but then noticed the Stortford Fields development as she drove around the town.
“I went along with my dad and as soon as we drove in, I loved the look of the place,” she said. “The house in Harlow was new-build too but the development was nowhere near as nicely laid out as the Bovis Homes one. This felt like a proper neighbourhood, a nice place to live where people look out for each other.
“I looked at a three-bedroom show home on the development, which was fabulous, but I knew would be out of my price range. However, when we got back to the office, the sales advisor gave me an online tour of a two-bedroom house which I could afford. It was exactly what I wanted and I was incredibly excited. I came back the next day and reserved my new home.”
Stacey said the customer service she received from the Bovis Homes sales team was excellent.
“During my house-buying journey, I was helped by the sales team which included Hope, Sophie, Sasha, Rebecca and Emma were all very patient and helpful and allowed me to visit my house and see inside during various stages of the build. The site management team of Ben and Declan went above and beyond the call of duty throughout the process, including after I had moved in.
“This was brilliant because I was able to measure up rooms for blinds and furniture and was easily able to visualise just how the house would look with my possessions inside. Also, because I had reserved off-plan I was able to choose a lot of the fixtures and fittings.
“I got to select the worktops and kitchen cupboards, I upgraded to an induction hob, I chose the flooring and carpets throughout, the tiling in the bathroom and went for half-height tiling in the downstairs cloakroom. All of this allowed me to make sure the interior reflects my personality and it really looks and feels like my house.”
Stacey moved into her new home in December 2022.
“I am busy with work and studying and hope to qualify as a paramedic next year so it is lovely to be able to come home after a long shift and just totally switch off and enioy the peace and quiet,” she said. “I don’t have to consider anyone else. I can eat what I want, when I want, watch what I want on TV and just please myself.
“The house really works because I love the open-plan downstairs which gives me distinct spaces to cook in, to sit down to eat at the dining table and to chill out and relax in front of the TV. My favourite room is my bedroom which is big enough for a king-sized bed and still have space to fit in a large chest of drawers. I use the spare bedroom as my dressing room which feels so indulgent. It’s great.
“I never thought I would say this, but I love having a garage. It offers so much valuable space which allows me to keep the inside of the house really clean and clutter-free, which is a look I want to have.
“I have fulfilled my childhood dream and am living in my own fabulous new home in my beloved Bishop’s Stortford, close to my sister and brother and just a five-minute drive from my parents. I feel so lucky, I have to pinch myself sometimes just to make sure I am not dreaming.”
Bovis Homes is part of the Vistry Group, which was formed in 2020.
There’s currently a choice of two, three and four-bedroom homes available to reserve at Stortford Fields, with prices starting at £374,995. For more information on the development, visit bovishomes.co.uk.
