Harry & Oliver

Radio host and DJ Harry Horrigan (27), and his partner, DJ and Producer, Oliver (27), purchased their first home together at Printmakers Yard in Brentford in September 2025 - a one-bedroom apartment with a terrace for £390,000 and moved into the property within just five weeks of their viewing.

Set on buying a home of their own, when the time came to buy for Harry and Oliver - who had previously been renting and saving in Northwest London for four years - location and community were at the forefront of the couple’s search.

‘Buying a home has always been important to me’, Harry said, ‘With renting it feels as though you’re just handing over money you’ll never see again. We have always been keen to buy to invest money into our future and personalise our own home without constraint.’

Harry wanted to recreate the open, sociable ‘northern’ community feel he grew up with - something he felt had been missing during his time renting in other parts of London - while remaining within budget. ‘I wanted to be somewhere that was in London but feel like I’m almost not in London - not as  ‘cold’ and grey. Somewhere with lots of green space and a strong community feel’, Harry said.

Set on living close to greenery and water, and to escape the noise and relentlessness that inner-city living can bring, Harry and Oliver initially explored waterside developments along the canal in South Wembley.  They needed a location that would allow for a straightforward commute into Central London for work and social life. The couple began searching in Brentford, charmed by the area’s greenery and opportunity for waterside living.

 
After a few visits Harry knew Brentford was the place for him. He said: ‘Brentford feels like where I’m from up north; everyone talks to everyone’. Surprised by the friendliness and village-like charm of the area despite being in London, the couple set their hearts on the area and ramped up their efforts to find a home.

Harry said: ‘We viewed a property around near the canal however it was way out of budget, at nearly £700,000. We began to question whether a waterfront apartment around Brentford was a realistic option.’

Their outlook changed after discovering Fairview’s waterside development, Printmakers Yard, through an online advert. The development’s competitive pricing and vibrant location struck the balance they were looking for: a calmer, greener setting with a strong sense of place, while remaining well connected to Central London.

After viewing the property, the pair decided that the one-bedroom apartment was the perfect fit for them. Harry said, ‘When we viewed the property for the first time, I had a wander up the street and thought, ‘Oh my God, there's so much going on! So many independent shops, cafes, and things to do.’

Harry and Oliver began speaking with the Fairview Sales Team about the buying and moving in process and after conversations with Fairview Sales Manager, Sam, Harry realised that there were things that he, like many first-time buyers, did not know about. Harry said:

 ‘In my head I thought you didn't pay Stamp Duty at all on the first property, and I don't know if that’s changed recently, but I obviously now know that it's over £300,000 that you pay. It was a big shock to the system because when I was initially working out everything I was like ‘oh, we will have plenty and we'll probably have leftover to like, you know, go on holiday! I didn’t know that first time buyers had to pay it.’

Guidance and support on finances were extremely helpful for the couple, in fact, Harry and Oliver received a £12,000 contribution to their deposit as a part of Fairview’s Deposit Top Up scheme. ‘I don't think we could have done it without it, to be honest’, said Harry, ‘I don't think it would have worked. I remember when we went in, we were thinking we could probably get by on a 5% deposit if we didn’t get any help’.

However, after moving in, the couple realised how much pressure the £12,000 alleviated from their home buying journey: ‘Ever since moving in you didn’t realise how much all the little essentials like ironing boards and cutlery add up to cost. So, without our Deposit Top Up I don’t think we would have been able to secure our property.’

With Fairview’s deposit contribution providing them with the confidence to make an offer, Harry and Oliver were accepted and moved into the property within just five weeks. He continued: 'Without the top up we would’ve been held back at least a year, maybe longer. We knew we loved the apartment as well, so we were keen to get the ball rolling on purchasing it.’

Now settled into their new home, Harry and Oliver feel certain that they have made the right decision moving to Printmakers Yard in Brentford.

Harry said: ‘Where I was living in London for 10 years, I’ve felt separated from that warm community feel. Since moving to Brentford, I’ve been able to reconnect with that feeling which so important to me.