For Emma, a homeowner at The Elms in Woolpit, recommending Hopkins Homes to her best friend Cathy meant more than simply helping her find a place to call her own. It brought them within walking distance of each other, introduced Cathy to a welcoming new community and allowed them both to benefit from the Hopkins Homes Recommend a Friend scheme.

Helping a friend find her own home

Having moved into her two-bedroom home at The Elms, Emma quickly discovered just how much she enjoyed life on the development.

Although initially unsure about buying a new-build property, the peaceful surroundings, thoughtfully designed homes and friendly neighbourhood soon won her over.

"The community here is unbelievable. Everyone is like one big family. You could go away for a week or two and someone would put your bins out, check on your house or even water your garden if they noticed it was getting dry. It's such a lovely place to live."

It wasn't long before Emma began encouraging her close friend Cathy to consider making The Elms her home, too.

"Cathy is like family to me. We're incredibly close, so I thought having her living nearby would make life even better!"

Cathy was ready to take her first step onto the property ladder, but the prospect of buying her first home felt daunting.

Having already experienced the buying process with Hopkins Homes, Emma was confident she would be in good hands.

"From the moment I first enquired, the whole process was seamless. I knew how supportive the team had been with me, so I kept reassuring Cathy that they'd help her through everything."

Finding the confidence to take the next step

Initially, Cathy had her sights set on a house rather than an apartment. However, after considering the costs involved and viewing several properties, she began to see the advantages of buying a brand-new home.

With encouragement from Emma, Cathy arranged to view one of the apartments at The Elms with Jason, the Hopkins Homes Sales Executive.

It proved to be a turning point.

"She fell in love with it. I think that was the moment she realised buying her own home wasn't as scary as she'd imagined. She started to think, 'Actually, I can do this.'"

The reassurance of a new-build warranty, a home ready to move into and support from the sales team all helped Cathy feel more confident about her decision.

"I wanted to be there to support her, but I also wanted her to experience the process for herself. The sales team were so helpful that she didn't need much assistance from me in the end."

A recommendation with added rewards

As Cathy began her buying journey, the friends discovered that they could both benefit from the Hopkins Homes Recommend a Friend scheme.

The scheme rewards existing Hopkins Homes homeowners for introducing friends or family who go on to purchase an eligible new home.

For Cathy, the additional reward was a welcome bonus, helping towards the cost of furnishing her first home.

"I remember saying to her, 'Look, that's some extra money you can put towards furniture.' When you're moving into your first home, all those additional costs really add up, so it was a lovely extra benefit."

Emma was equally impressed by how straightforward the referral process was.

"It was honestly so simple. I just filled out a form, handed it to Jason and that was it. Once Cathy had completed on her property, I received my reward."

What began as a personal recommendation became an added benefit for both friends.

"It was such a lovely surprise. I didn't have to chase anything or wonder when the money would arrive. It was in my bank account really quickly, and the whole process was incredibly easy."

Best friends, now just moments apart

While the referral reward was a welcome bonus, the greatest benefit was being able to share everyday life with her best friend.

"There's nothing nicer than having someone you know living nearby, but having your best friend literally 40 seconds' walk away is just brilliant."

Since moving in, Cathy has settled into life at The Elms and formed friendships of her own.

She's become part of a close-knit group of neighbours who regularly spend time together, whether that's walking to the local chip shop, enjoying an evening stroll or simply popping into each other's homes.

For Emma and Cathy, living so close has made even the smallest everyday moments more enjoyable.

"We're constantly popping between each other's homes. Sometimes it's just to borrow a couple of eggs, other times we're helping each other move furniture. It's those little everyday things that make having your best friend so close really special."

It's this sense of connection that has made The Elms feel like home for them both.

Would Emma recommend the scheme to others?

For Emma, the answer is simple.

"Absolutely. It's such an easy process, and if you've got a friend or family member who's thinking about buying a home, it's a brilliant opportunity. You both get something out of it, and it's a lovely added bonus."

What started as a conversation between friends has led to Cathy finding her first home, both receiving a referral reward and the opportunity to enjoy life in the same welcoming neighbourhood.

"Having Cathy so close is wonderful. It's helped her settle in, she's made some lovely friends, and we get to see each other all the time. I couldn't be happier with how it's worked out."

Recommend a Friend with Hopkins Homes

Know someone who could find their perfect home with Hopkins Homes?

Our Recommend a Friend scheme is our way of saying thank you to existing homeowners who introduce friends or family to a Hopkins Homes development.

If your recommendation leads to an eligible home purchase, you could both benefit from a reward.

Find out more about our Recommend a Friend scheme and how to get started.

Terms and conditions apply.

This customer received a gift voucher as a token of our appreciation for their time and participation in this case study / testimonial.  If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact us at stories@untypical.co.uk.