A Race Against Time – The Hills Drive Moving Story

At Willmott & Lake, we pride ourselves on making moving as smooth and stress-free as possible for our clients. Every home has a story, and the recent move at Hills Drive, Newport, was certainly one to remember.

Our sellers were keen to move before the stamp duty change on April 1st, which meant every step of the process had to be executed with precision and efficiency. With our signature professional marketing—including high-quality photography and a 4K video tour—we showcased the home at its absolute best. The results were phenomenal: the video alone reached over 20,000 people on Facebook, ensuring incredible exposure for the property.

An offer was agreed on February 4th at 99.3% of the asking price to a lovely, chain-free couple. With the buyers using our recommended solicitor, Cunningtons in Braintree, the race was on to complete within a tight but achievable timescale. Fortunately, our seller’s onward purchase was already nearing build completion, meaning that, with good communication and persistence, everything was possible.

Of course, no move is without its challenges. The biggest hurdle? Finding a removal company with availability before the stamp duty deadline. With so many buyers and sellers rushing to complete, options were limited. Eventually, a company was secured with just one available date—March 24th. That became our target, as missing it would mean rolling into April and costing both the buyers and sellers thousands of pounds in extra tax and storage costs.

Moving day arrived, and with lorries packed and keys ready, the final pieces fell into place. By lunchtime, contracts had been exchanged, and just two hours later, completion was confirmed. Both buyer and seller could move on to their next chapter without a hitch.

Reflecting on the experience, our seller kindly shared this testimonial:

"We would like to thank the team at Willmott & Lake for their excellent work through the whole process—amazing marketing, regular updates, fantastic communication, and always on hand to answer any questions. Nothing was too much for this team. We would recommend them to anyone looking for a truly proactive estate agent."

Completing a sale in 48 days—especially with two properties, three people in the chain, a management company involved, and a legal system under immense pressure with lots of people looking to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday—was a fantastic result. It’s a testament to what can be achieved with great teamwork, strong communication, and proactive estate agency support.

Since launching, we’ve been incredibly grateful for the support of local residents in Bishop’s Stortford, Stansted Mountfitchet, Takeley, Elsenham, Great Dunmow, Newport, and surrounding villages. We look forward to continuing to help more people move in the place we proudly call home.

Thinking of moving? Get in touch—we’d love to help you make your next move as smooth as possible.