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Finding a perfect new home can be a real challenge. For one couple, the search proved to be surprisingly easy. They fell in love with a three bedroom chalet bungalow at The Croft in Bourne as soon as they realised it offered them both financial and lifestyle benefits.

Albert and Rea Sains bought their new Larkfleet Homes property after Mr Sains attended an antiques valuation event held at the development and decided to take a quick tour of the show homes.

Albert, a retired senior manager of a building company and author, explained: “I didn’t originally intend to view the development as we had no plans to move but there was a long queue to see the antiques experts so I decided to take a look.

“I was immediately impressed with the design and standard of the properties and I thought the lifestyle on offer at The Croft was really appealing. I knew immediately that I had to come back with my wife and show her around. When we returned, Rea completely agreed with me and we decided to take the plunge and buy.”

The move from their detached house in Oakham was a big change but the pair are delighted with their decision to move to The Croft. This exclusive development for the over 55’s offers a range of one and two bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom chalet style homes set in attractively landscaped courtyards.

Albert continued: “By downsizing we could not only release some capital which was tied up in our old home but also benefit from having a new home with less maintenance and a more manageable garden. In addition, looking ahead to the future, we could see that buying at The Croft offered us the security of knowing our home would still be suitable for us later on in life and we wouldn’t need to move again.”

The exterior of every property at The Croft is maintained by the estate management team. The service includes regular window cleaning, external repairs and the maintenance of the communal grounds. There is also an estate manager on hand Monday to Friday to help with any queries or problems residents might have.

Although exclusively for the over 55s, The Croft is definitely not a ‘retirement development’ as far as the Sains are concerned, as Albert explained: “The attraction of The Croft wasn’t that it was an over 55’s development, we don’t view ourselves as old and moving here hasn’t changed how we live our lives. We are both very active people, my first book is due to be published shortly and we both have lots of hobbies including painting, cookery, quilting and meditation, which keep us very busy.

“We also enjoy travelling and can be away for several weeks at a time, which makes the secluded and tranquil environment, with no through traffic, coupled with the on-site estate manager who can keep an eye on things for us an added bonus.”

The Croft is built in the grounds of a former manor house which has been fully restored and is now the hub of the development. The manor provides a community facility for residents, where they can relax or take part in events and activities on offer. The building features a stylishly decorated lounge/dinning room with sun terrace, fitted kitchen and a library, as well as a laundry room.

There is also a well-decorated guest suite on the first floor, which residents can hire for their overnight guests, comprising a twin bedded bedroom and a large modern bathroom.

Rea, a retired masseuse, added: “The facilities in the manor house really clinched our decision to buy, as we could downsize but still have the room to have our children and grandchildren stay, which was really important to us. We can also hire out the ground floor and hold family celebrations there, allowing us to continue entertaining, which we love but might have otherwise struggled to do now we have a smaller home.

“The manor also offers a nice facility for us to use in our spare time. I have recently taken up quilting and the light and space in the manor is perfect for me to do my needlework, while at the same time enabling me to socialise with our neighbours.”

Nestled in the market town of Bourne, Lincolnshire, The Croft offers easy access to the local amenities including the town’s bustling centre, with a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants on offer, as well as supermarkets and health centres. Bourne is only 11 miles from historic Stamford and 16 miles from the city of Peterborough, with a wide range of high street shops, a mainline train station and new hospital.

Larkfleet is offering a range of incentive packages at the Croft which can be tailor-made to suit the needs of individual buyers, including shared equity and part exchange options.

For further information on current available properties visit the site on North Road in Bourne, contact the sales team at The Croft on 01778 426995 or visit www.thecroftbourne.co.uk.