What were your non-negotiables when you started looking for a new home?

When Ciara and I first started talking about buying our first home, our non-negotiables were good access to central London, but with more of a village vibe. We really wanted two bedrooms, somewhere with lots of natural light, and proximity to golf courses, selfishly for me.

Did you consider second-hand properties before choosing a new build?

Yes, we did. Initially, we looked at some resale properties, but we quickly realised we wanted something hassle-free. As first-time buyers, we wanted a fresh start without the worry of potential maintenance issues or needing to renovate. A new build just made sense for us.

Where did you and Ciara start your research for a new home?

When we first started looking, I was working as an account manager for Rightmove, so naturally, that's where we started off our search. We really hadn't heard of Hanwell, but I'd heard good things about Ealing being a leafy borough. So, this was one of the top locations we were looking at.

How was your searching experience?

Our searching experience was very streamlined, from when we first started looking to buying. That whole process took about three to four months, so we were quite fortunate in that sense. We viewed about five or six different developments in west London.

What particularly appealed to you about Hanwell Square?

Having seen all of them in person, Hanwell really stood out to us. It had great amenities, such as the option to buy a parking space at the development -- a secure location where you can choose to buy one with an electric car charging point. The gym was also a big selling point. It's all state-of-the-art brand-new gym equipment, which is great. There's a Tesco in the building downstairs, and it's nice as well to have a high street that has little boutique coffee shops.

The walk to the Elizabeth line is just under 10 minutes, and then you've also got the option of the Piccadilly Line at Boston Manor Park about 15 minutes away.

What really sold Hanwell Square to us was the abundance of green space. There's a roof terrace that's accessible to all the residents and gives really great views across Hanwell and west London. Plus, being so close to the park was a huge bonus. It's also a short walk or run to the Grand Union Canal, and you can have nice runs along the river there. There are a couple of nice pubs nearby too. One's down by the canal side. It's got a big beer garden and, everyone's friendly around this area.

How did you go about making the final decision?

When it came to making the final decision, we looked at all the factors that were most important to us, such as the location, the price, the finish, the area. Hanwell Square really made the most sense for us and the best value for money, and we're really happy with our decision. We’re really happy living here.

What are your top tips for other homebuyers embarking on their own search?

My advice to first-time buyers is firstly to write down what your non-negotiables are, so you've got a good sense of the key things that you are looking for. Another thing is do lots of viewings. Don't be afraid to do repeat viewings as well for the places that you really love. And just take down lots of notes of what you love about each place that you visit so you can look back and compare easily.



Ready to start your own home-buying journey? Discover the lifestyle that Johnny and Ciara found at Hanwell Square. Download our brochure today or get in touch.