Bushey proved the ideal town-country combination for downsizing couple Michael and Karen Neidus. They had decided to move from their three-bedroom townhouse in Edgware, Middlesex into a new two-bedroom apartment, in Stanmore or Bushey.

“We chose The Collection in Bushey as our ultimate dream home,” says Mr Neidus. “It is a small development of only 13 apartments in a beautiful area on Little Bushey Lane. I’m in the music business, so central London must be accessible to me by road or rail. And now we have the added advantage of being just that little bit further out.”

The Collection is for sale through local new homes specialist Preston Bennett. Mrs Neidus had bought a property from this firm before and the couple instructed Preston Bennett to sell their existing house. It went on the market soon after the New Year and after a number of viewings they received offers early in March — a quicker timespan than they had expected, in view of property-market conditions at the time.

“The professionalism of the staff at Preston Bennett was instrumental in our receiving these offers and we knew they had our best interests at heart,” says Mr Neidus. “Daniel Harris helped us in selecting the right buyer and in negotiating a price that was acceptable to us and that would allow us to buy our new home at The Collection without increasing our financial commitment.”

The Neiduses moved into their new home at the end of June.