McCarthy Stone Resales: Mrs Richardson 

Carolyn Richardson, 76, and her husband Bill spent many years as farmers breeding livestock and selling vegetables and homemade jams and chutneys at a weekly farmer’s market near York. 

After Bill suddenly fell ill, they decided to put their 2 bedroom bungalow on the market and downsize to a retirement community where Carolyn could receive help caring for Bill and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. 

They chose McCarthy Stone’s Retirement Living development Hollis Court in nearby Malton, North Yorkshire. 

Carolyn explains: “As soon as I saw the signs go up for Hollis Court in Malton I thought my prayers had been answered. I wanted to live somewhere where I wouldn’t be alone but could benefit from having others around me, and where the nurses could come in and check on Bill. 

“We saw the plans for a beautiful apartment which had stunning views over Malton and The Wolds – a town we were very familiar with, and which looked right across the cornfields so Bill could sit and watch some of his farmer friends at work. It was perfect, and we put a deposit down before it had even been built.”

Carolyn and Bill lived very happily at Hollis Court for over 10 years until Bill sadly passed away two years ago. Carolyn’s daughter Sally felt it was now time Carolyn moved to be closer to her in Southampton where she works as a Senior Sister at Southampton General Hospital. 

Carolyn quickly sold her apartment to another single lady of similar age, and for £6,000 more than the original purchase price she paid. 

“I was delighted”, says Carolyn. “I didn’t want to leave Hollis Court as I had so many amazing friends, but the thought that someone else could benefit from the kind of lifestyle I’d enjoyed there was really pleasing to me, and it was remarkable just how quick the selling process was – it was only on the market for two days!”

Carolyn went on to purchase a second McCarthy Stone apartment – which her daughter found using McCarthy Stone Resales – at Folland Court in Hamble, just outside Southampton. 

“Because I got such a fair price for my previous apartment I was able to make an offer at Folland Court and use the money I’d made to pay for solicitor fees. The apartment was absolutely ideal – a former show apartment it was just two years old, beautifully decorated and needed no work doing to it. Everything felt brand new and it was just five minutes’ walk to the beach and one minute to the shops or Post Office. 

“I knew that such a fantastic opportunity like this didn’t come along every day, especially in Southampton where retirement properties are in really short supply. So I was very fortunate Sally had been aware of McCarthy Stone Resales, otherwise I’m not sure how long I would have been waiting for something suitable.”

Carolyn’s daughter, Sally, explains why the service was so invaluable to her mum: “At first we thought we might struggle to sell mum’s apartment in Malton, but this wasn’t the case at all. We secured a much higher price for it than we ever expected which meant mum was able to move to her new apartment in Hamble smoothly and virtually stress-free.

“People shouldn’t be put off from choosing a second-hand retirement apartment. They can be the perfect solution if you need to move quickly or you have your heart set on a particular location where they aren’t currently building any new apartments, as was the case with mum. 

“It also means you get to move into a ready-made community which has been great for mum as she’s been able to make friends really quickly and blend into life at the development. The social scene is fantastic – she’s almost never at a loose end and everyone rallies round and supports each other which is just so wonderful to see.”

Southampton has become a home from home for Carolyn.  Folland Court is perfectly located with a variety of local shops and amenities on the doorstep, and just ten minutes’ drive from Sally.

“Moving somewhere new was scary”, Carolyn explains. “But because I’d lived at a McCarthy Stone development before, I knew I would settle in fine. Before long I was in the homeowners’ lounge laughing, playing puzzles, and sharing fish and chips. The House Manager, Lauren, has been especially wonderful. She goes out of her way to help us all, including helping me with my change of address paperwork, registering me at the local doctors – the sense of community is second to none.

 “I couldn’t be happier and if, for whatever reason, I had to put my current property on the market, I would choose McCarthy Stone Resales in a heartbeat. 

“At every stage of the process they have been knowledgeable, courteous and the support they’ve given me has gone well beyond the selling process.”

The McCarthy Stone Resales team finds buyers for pre-owned properties built and managed by McCarthy Stone. Combining the market expertise of a dedicated estate agency team that thoroughly understands the retirement sector with the local knowledge of McCarthy Stone’s network of exceptional House Managers, Resales offers existing retirement property owners access to a unique selling service; while those contemplating a purchase are supported through every step of what could otherwise be a daunting process.