Hero's welcome - February 14

Homeward bound….Andrew returns to a hero’s welcome and brand new Portford home!

Tears, cheers and celebrations greeted 21 year-old Andrew Lee recently when he returned home from Basra, but along with the hero’s welcome there was also a big surprise in store for the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery soldier…..a brand new home!
After months of searching that involved more than a dozen viewings, Andrew’s girlfriend Lorna Bagnall finally found the couples dream home at Portford Homes’ Ingleton Mews development in Barnsley, and couldn’t wait to put in an offer.
“There was just one problem,” says Lorna “Andrew was still in Iraq and hadn’t actually seen the house other than in photographs I had sent him!”
But despite this minor hurdle, the young couple made an offer on the three-bedroom townhouse and are now looking forward to getting the keys in time to move in for Christmas.
Continues Lorna, a 24 year-old PA: “Having Andrew home for Christmas is the best present ever and we can’t wait to get moved into our first home together. We are calling on the Christmas spirit of our family and friends to coerce them into helping us with the move!”
Believing they could never afford a brand new home, the pair purchased what is considered to be the hottest property for time-poor buyers, an ex-showhome. Confesses Lorna: “I was bitten by the ‘buy the showhome with all the contents" bug as soon as I viewed the house. We don’t have the time to think about DIY and now we have a professionally designed house that is ready to move into….the perfect solution!”
Andrew says he was astonished when Lorna told him she had found ‘the one’. He says: “Lorna has been like wonder woman sorting everything out. Being away from her and my family for over six months was really tough but the thought of us getting our own house helped to keep me going.
“A new home was top of our Christmas wish list but because of the timing - me in Iraq and the market slow down - neither of us expected such a fantastic festive treat. Portford Homes have pulled out all the stops to make sure Lorna and I are spending Christmas day in our brand new home….now all we have to worry about is that Santa knows which chimney to deliver any presents to!”
David Mackintosh, Sales and Marketing Director at Portford Homes explains that despite spring being widely regarded as the most popular time of year to move, the hectic 12-week run-up to Christmas is still a busy period for house buyers.
Says David: “Whilst the current market is challenging following the summer credit squeeze, recent statistics show that nearly one in four buyers are still getting the keys to their new home at this time of year.
“With just 3 weeks until Christmas we are doing all we can to make sure our buyers get the keys to their new Portford home in time to unwrap their presents. And for those shrewd buyers still looking to make a move, we have a sleigh full of new homes and yuletide offers that can mean pounds in the pockets for buyers plus a fantastic brand new home.”
Neighbouring developments, Ingleton Mews and Cypress Heights both have a great choice of new homes to suit all budgets and lifestyles. For more information call Portford Homes on 01226 299815 or log onto www.portford.co.uk
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