Retired Cash Buyers Choose Manningtree Park for Hassle-Free Move

As recent data from Marc Da Silva1 reveals that the average property transaction in the South East now takes take a total of 222 days to complete, homebuyers seeking a straightforward sale are looking at ways to shortcut the process to move more quickly. One such example is new homeowners David and Joanne Evans (aged 61 and 60 respectively), who decided to move ahead with a home purchase at City & Country’s Manningtree Park development before completing on the sale of their previous property.

The couple, now mortgage-free on both properties, decided to move following David’s early retirement from his role in healthcare construction and operations during the height of the pandemic. “After building and running hospitals through COVID, I knew there wasn’t going to be a bigger challenge than that.” says David, “It was time for something new.” Joanne, who continues to work part-time in financial services, shared their long-term goal: to simplify their lifestyle, move closer to the coast and find a home suited to this new chapter.

With no children or pets to consider, they had more flexibility than most but remained determined not to compromise on what they wanted. After over a year researching homes across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, they kept returning to the idea of living near the sea.

“We were drawn to coastal areas,” David says. “But the reality didn’t match the fantasy. Crowds, congestion, too much repainting and upkeep due to the salty air – we started to feel like we didn’t want the full-on seaside life, just proximity to it.”

That’s when they discovered Manningtree Park, a heritage-inspired development by City & Country, just a ten-minute walk from the tidal estuary in Manningtree, Essex. “We saw everything from mass-market developers to niche builders,” Joanne adds. “But this one clicked. The show home really helped us visualise it. The minute we walked in, it just felt right.”

Having found the ideal home, a smaller house that retained the familiarity of their old property, the couple weren’t prepared to lose it. The only issue was that their existing home, nearly an hour away hadn’t yet sold.

To secure their chosen home, David and Joanne paid a 10% deposit– before their existing property was under offer. David and Joanne completed the purchase choosing to hold onto their previous home temporarily.

Purchasing a new home before selling an existing one does incur a 3% stamp duty surcharge, but under current HMRC rules, this can be reclaimed if the former main residence is sold within 36 months. For David and Joanne, this was a manageable part of their broader financial and retirement planning.

“More than anything, we just wanted to be in our new home.” David adds, “We weren’t willing to wait and risk losing it just because our other property hadn’t sold yet.”

Shelley West, Group Sales and Marketing Director at City & Country, comments: “We’re seeing a growing number of buyers, particularly those downsizing or planning for retirement, take steps to secure their next home ahead of selling their current one. With the ability to reclaim the stamp duty surcharge within 36 months, and the current pace of transactions extending well beyond pre-pandemic timelines, many are choosing to act early. At Manningtree Park, we welcome this kind of forward planning and work closely with our buyers to provide the flexibility they need to make informed decisions.”

Their mortgage-free status added further flexibility. “We’ve been mortgage-free for ten years,” says David. “That gave us freedom to make decisions on our terms.”

David and Joanne’s new home at Manningtree Park is part of a development that blends traditional Essex architecture with modern design. Brick façades, faux attic windows and sash-style frames reflect the area’s heritage, while interiors are clean and contemporary. Their favourite feature, though? The Manningtree Park sheep. “There’s a paddock with curly-haired sheep just beyond our street,” laughs David. “They’re such a unique and unusual feature, it’s a lovely see them as we set off on our walks.”

The couple don’t expect to move again. “We were in our last house far longer than planned,” adds Joanne. “But this feels like a proper next chapter. We did our homework, and it’s nice to be somewhere where the whole community is still taking shape.”

“Everyone’s new,” David adds. “No cliques, and there is a Facebook group where we share tips and recommendations. It’s nice to feel like we’re all starting over, together.”

Set in a peaceful corner of north Essex, Manningtree Park combines rural surroundings with strong transport links and modern amenities. Just over a mile from Manningtree station, residents enjoy direct trains to London in under an hour, alongside improved local roads, footpaths and cycleways. With green spaces, a planned farm shop and café, and easy access to the River Stour and Dedham Vale, it offers the best of village living with city connections.

Homes currently available at Manningtree Park start at £200,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £350,000 for a two-bedroom home.