0:00:02 > 0:00:08Buried deep beneath my feet is a material that's become popular with house owners the world over.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14It was discovered here nearly two centuries ago and is still being mined today with high demand.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18So where am I? Find out in a moment.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51'In today's show, I help a retired couple escape to North Wales.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57'I'm brimming with confidence about our first two properties.'
0:00:57 > 0:01:03- You like it?- Stunning.- A good start! I haven't even got to it yet! - A good early start, believe me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08'But will our mystery house push our buyers over the edge?'
0:01:08 > 0:01:13- It's the worry.- I'm getting into the project but I don't think I'm being pulled in very hard.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20I'm in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23an area famous for its slate.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Below me is the old Meirionydd vein.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30When it was discovered in 1836, it transformed this region
0:01:30 > 0:01:35into an important natural resource in the Victorian industrial age.
0:01:35 > 0:01:42At its peak, North Wales produced four-fifths of all slate quarried in Britain.
0:01:42 > 0:01:49But there's no doubt that today, this part of the country has a lot more to offer than its geology.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56With the Snowdonia National Park to the east and the Lleyn Peninsula to the west,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Gwynedd is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in Britain.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05The coastline offers up mud flats, secluded coves and rocky cliffs
0:02:05 > 0:02:08reaching over 1,100 feet at points.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14Head inland and this scenery gives way to the rugged peaks and valleys of its mountain ranges,
0:02:14 > 0:02:19separating it from the rest of the UK. Traditional cottages and smallholdings,
0:02:19 > 0:02:24built using local limestone and slate, dot the hillside.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30With so much on offer, it's clear why this area is such an attractive proposition.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38Meet our buyers, Jamal and Dee. For the last 15 years,
0:02:38 > 0:02:44they've called this chalet bungalow in North London home. Keen artists and travellers,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49both took early retirement from their careers in accountancy and psychology.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55They're ready to leave the bright lights of London behind them in favour of more sedate surroundings.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01We'd like to move to North Wales, preferably around Snowdonia National Park area
0:03:01 > 0:03:05or the Lleyn Peninsula, an area we know quite well.
0:03:05 > 0:03:12After researching the move on the internet, their yearning to escape is stronger than ever.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16But it's not just countryside that they're after.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21I like old, ancient properties with interesting features, nooks and crannies,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25old floors, panels. That kind of thing is what I like.
0:03:25 > 0:03:32- The wish list doesn't end there. - I'd like to have at least three bedrooms.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38We need two bathrooms... a big reception room, preferably, because we love entertaining.
0:03:38 > 0:03:46- And...- Must have outbuildings so we can have our studios for our darkrooms and paint mixing
0:03:46 > 0:03:54- and our sculpting. All of those things.- 'Two bathrooms and two studios is a tall order,
0:03:54 > 0:03:59'plus Dee loves horse-riding, so ideally they'd like a stable or paddock as well.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05'All of that won't be easy to find, so I'm wondering if they're against getting their hands dirty
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- 'to help make their dream come true.'- The property we'd really like
0:04:10 > 0:04:16should be one that doesn't need a lot of work. We've taken early retirement not to become builders
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- but actually...- And we're useless at DIY, frankly.- Yes.
0:04:21 > 0:04:27'OK, then. That means the financing for the move is all-important.'
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Our budget for this move will be £450,000.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39'We're focusing today's house search in the county of Gwynedd,
0:04:39 > 0:04:45'home to the picturesque Lleyn Peninsula and the wilderness of the Snowdonia National Park.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51'We've got some fantastic houses to show them, but as ever they'll have to guess the price of each property
0:04:51 > 0:04:54'before I reveal it to them.
0:04:54 > 0:05:00'Then, of course, there's our mystery house, which will provide our buyers with new possibilities.'
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Jamal and Diane, lovely to meet you both.- Good to meet you, too.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Now you've both decided you want to make Wales your home.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Wales is known for its beauty, but why this part so much?
0:05:12 > 0:05:17It's just so beautiful. They've got fantastic wild coastlines
0:05:17 > 0:05:23and mountains and although you get to see that around the world, it just draws me back all the time.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30So this is your escape. Are you united in your vision of what you're looking for in a house?
0:05:30 > 0:05:37I think for our dream home, we'll know exactly what it is as soon as we see it. We have no idea
0:05:37 > 0:05:43- what it is going to be. But as soon as we see it, we'll know it. - I'm loving the challenge!
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- Shall we hit the road?- Yes.- Great.
0:05:46 > 0:05:53'To finance their new home, Jamal and Dee have a healthy budget of £450,000.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59'They're quite open-minded, but do know they want a property with plenty of character,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04'two bathrooms, two art studios and room for a pony.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15'We're taking Jamal and Dee directly to their dream destination.
0:06:15 > 0:06:21'The Lleyn Peninsula has it all - dramatic coastlines, tons of local farmland
0:06:21 > 0:06:27'and views of the Snowdonia mountain range. It's hard to find a more striking landscape.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32'Our first property is just under two miles away from the village of Llithfaen.
0:06:32 > 0:06:40'With a tight-knit community, it has a small shop for essentials and at its heart a local pub.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45'I hope this white-stone farmhouse with a barn and extra outbuildings sets us off
0:06:45 > 0:06:47'on the right foot.'
0:06:47 > 0:06:52And this is the set-up. We've got a barn here.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- OK.- Behind us, we've got the pigsties and storage space,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02- which we thought could make fantastic studio space for not one, but two.- Yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08- Definite potential. The setting is just stunning. - You like it?- Stunning.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- What a good early start! - It's a good early start!
0:07:12 > 0:07:18- Believe me. - Ready to step inside?- Definitely. - Yes. Looking forward to it.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- Welcome to the farmstead.- Wow. It's really amazing.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Isn't that gorgeous?
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Oooh!- I like this.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37This is really, really interesting.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- I can see Jamal is taking it all in! - Yes, I'm...- Absorbing.
0:07:41 > 0:07:48- Slowly absorbing.- Keep absorbing. We'll take you to the kitchen now.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52You really do have a proper country kitchen here.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Yeah, definitely. - A real country kitchen.- It is.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02- The windows... - Look how small that one is. - They're so pretty. So cute.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04'So far, so good,
0:08:04 > 0:08:09'but there's still plenty more to see.' Step through here...
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- into, I think, a very cute sitting room.- It is.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18You've got a wood fire burner there, very nice character windows. It's got a nice feel to it.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- It's characterful.- Very.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27'On this level of the house there's also a family bathroom and a double bedroom.
0:08:27 > 0:08:33'The stepladder in the library area leads to another good-size room, currently used for guests.
0:08:33 > 0:08:40'By the main entrance, a second set of stairs takes you to the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45'Back outside, I've got another surprise in store.'
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Now...
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- Step inside the barn.- Oh, wow!
0:08:53 > 0:08:55OK.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58This is really nice. Really nice.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Yes, this could be the big dining area.- Absolutely. - It depends on what else there is.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05If you've got guests.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- You've got a double bedroom through there.- Right.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12And on the other side of the kitchen, in this direction, well, let me show you.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- It's a nice, big room. - It's got a lot of space. - And its own wood burner.
0:09:21 > 0:09:29- Yeah. Very interesting. And the mystery staircase. - It takes you to one other bedroom.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- Ah, I see. - It's a twin at the moment, but could easily take a double bed.
0:09:34 > 0:09:40Through there is another bedroom, so you've got three in total, two here and one at the very end.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44And that's a surprise. The property just goes on.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- It just keeps giving and giving. - It does!
0:09:48 > 0:09:52'Jamal and Dee's responses are all very positive.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55'Surrounding the house is 1.5 acres of land, which includes a paddock,
0:09:55 > 0:10:01'perfect for Dee's aspirations to own a horse. Topping it all off, these glorious views.'
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Is this what you both had in mind?
0:10:05 > 0:10:11- Yes, it's glorious. The setting is really nice.- It really is, actually, more than I was imagining.
0:10:11 > 0:10:18Now you've showed us the extra accommodation, it's just fallen into place, really.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23It's the big question mark now. Guess the price.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- How much is this property currently on the market for? - I'm going to say 450,000
0:10:28 > 0:10:35- because I can't imagine it being really any less than that.- OK.
0:10:35 > 0:10:42- 4...30.- The current asking price is £435,000.
0:10:42 > 0:10:48- £15,000 is quite a few pennies in your pocket.- Yeah. - Go and have another wander.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- Take your time. I'll catch up with you later.- Brilliant. Thanks.
0:10:54 > 0:11:00On the market for £435,000, this 16th-century property certainly has much to offer.
0:11:00 > 0:11:08The homestead is bursting at the seams with character features Jamal and Dee both love.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11The converted barn boasts a magnificent double height ceiling.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14There's plenty of room for guests, with six bedrooms in all.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19And there's the two required bathrooms, which should keep Jamal happy.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22There's also outbuildings and land.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Potentially, this property could be my dream home. It's in a lovely rural setting,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30you've got fantastic scenery.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35It's got a lovely feel to it. I could probably be quite happy here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:42Generally, the feel of the property has been very encouraging. I'm looking forward to the second!
0:11:49 > 0:11:55Our property search has brought us a little further south from the Lleyn Peninsula,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57just a short drive from Llanbedr.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01It boasts a friendly family butcher and other independently-run shops,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04plus there's a church and local pub.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09There are plenty of opportunities lining the streets here.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15With property number one, it was love at first sight for Dee. Jamal played it closer to his chest.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Time to see how our next offering goes down.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Before I explain our second property, what do you think?
0:12:23 > 0:12:28- I love the setting and the fact that it's sitting in a little hollow. - It nestles.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Nestles is the word. - Because at the very beginning,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36you both said to me that you knew straight away if you'd like a house.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41There's always a little trepidation as we walk to a property.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- This is a traditional Grade II Snowdonian house.- Right.
0:12:45 > 0:12:51- Built in 1585.- Wow. - But it was extended around 1650 by Colonel John Jones.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Quite recently, then(!)- Yes!
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- Now he went on to marry Catherine, who was Oliver Cromwell's sister. - Oh, gosh.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04So this property has a pedigree. It was built really as a gentleman's house.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10- Looks good from the outside.- We have to see if we deserve to live in it! - Let's start the tour.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- So quite a narrow corridor.- Right.
0:13:16 > 0:13:22- But it does lead...- Oh, lovely. - ..into this spectacular room.
0:13:22 > 0:13:28- You've got the exposed beams.- Yep. - Huge inglenook fireplace.- Yes. - If you look to the left,
0:13:28 > 0:13:34- that ornate bread oven.- Wonderful. - So for your needs, would this work?
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- Yes. For a living area it's enough for us.- Yeah.- It's what we need.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It's very charming. Definitely.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46'Let's hope they're equally charmed by the other rooms I show them.'
0:13:46 > 0:13:48So up these steps...
0:13:48 > 0:13:50leads through
0:13:50 > 0:13:56- to a very spacious kitchen.- Right. Well, I wasn't expecting this.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- This is rather lovely. - How does this work for you for entertaining space?
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- It works perfectly.- Yeah, it does.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08It's beautifully put together. It's a really good space.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13So up these stairs - fabulous slate flagstones, centuries old -
0:14:13 > 0:14:18- it's actually a study through there. - OK.- But we're going to continue up here.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- So up this staircase is the master bedroom.- Lovely.- Wow.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Yep, this is very nice. Very nice.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31I always like it when you walk into a room and you go, "Wow!"
0:14:31 > 0:14:37- It's got a good space, it's very light.- Look at those wonderful views - It's got fantastic views.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43- Yes.- It's beginning to feel like a gentleman's home and I'm beginning to feel I deserve living here.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48'As befitting any gentleman, this room also has an en-suite bathroom.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51'Next door, there's another spacious double
0:14:51 > 0:14:57'and a short hop across the hall finds a third and fourth bedroom with more of those fabulous beams,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00'but if that's not enough to win their hearts,
0:15:00 > 0:15:04'I've got something special that might just steal the show.'
0:15:04 > 0:15:10There is one further room I want to show you two because this could be the most fantastic studio.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15Now, it's not very lady-like. The things I do to sell a house!
0:15:15 > 0:15:21- Jamal, you might get a good view from where you are, but Diane, follow me through.- I'm through.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- So what do you think? - Wow, my own train set!
0:15:25 > 0:15:32It would be a travesty to take this out. However, if you did, this could make the most amazing space.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- It certainly could.- This'll do me as a studio. What about Dee?
0:15:37 > 0:15:38- Ah!- We'll find something for Dee.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42'So Jamal's pinched the attic for his art studio,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46'but this outbuilding could be a great space for Dee.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49'Round the back of the house are stables
0:15:49 > 0:15:54'and next door there's a paddock which the current owners rent from a local farmer,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57'perfect for Dee's dream of owning a horse.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'Plus, there's a well-tended garden.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:07- So, hopefully, we've covered everything for you with that wish list.- Yeah, you have.- Yes.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Now the question is - how much is it all worth?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I think we're getting there,
0:16:13 > 0:16:18so I think it's going to be £449,999.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22I'm going to go a little bit higher than our budget. I'll say 460,000.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Jamal is close once again.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- Oh, dear(!) - The asking price is £445,000.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I would say for this property it's a very good price.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38A very good price. It's a beautiful location.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40And this property has presence.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Have another look around on your own. There's plenty to explore.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- I'll catch up with you in a little while.- Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:16:49 > 0:16:55At £445,000, this property is towards the top end of Jamal and Dee's budget.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01The reception hall and drawing room both have open beam ceilings, as do the four bedrooms.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05The master bedroom has an en-suite, giving us the two bathrooms,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08which is high on Jamal's wish list.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13There's also potential for art studios and the opportunity to rent the paddock next door.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16We've had a good look at the property.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21There were lots of surprises in the property, as well as in the grounds.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24So all in all, I really do like this property.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28It's a property I could grow into. It's a very charming property.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31There are a few little issues regarding space,
0:17:31 > 0:17:38but generally, um...I think it is a lovely, lovely house.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50'As the sun begins to cast its shadow on the Lleyn Peninsula,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54'the end of our first day's property search draws to a close.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Yesterday was certainly an interesting day -
0:18:00 > 0:18:04two properties and two very positive reactions,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08but I don't think we found something to suit them both.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13Now, Diane, she lost her heart to the first house. With Jamal, it was the second.
0:18:13 > 0:18:19So will our mystery house today be the house that they both fall in love with?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Now, if it's a slice of the Welsh countryside they're after,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26then the mystery property is my trump card,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30but as ever, things are never quite that straightforward.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41'Situated just inside the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park
0:18:41 > 0:18:47'is the popular town of Tremadog with a thriving community full of history and heritage.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53'However, it's also the surrounding countryside that makes our next property extra-special.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56'Secluded in the Cwm Pennant Valley,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00'the dramatic views should get Jamal and Dee's paintbrushes twitching.'
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Well, normally, we would start off with a house tour,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12but how often do you stand in the middle of the Snowdonia National Park with this view?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It is amazing. You could sit here for ever and just look.
0:19:15 > 0:19:21- Yes, you've got the river there. - You're quite taken with this location?- I love it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- We haven't seen the inside of the house yet, but... - We can see the house from here.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28To the left of it you'll notice the barn.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- It would make the most fantastic artist's studio. - It would make a brilliant studio.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35I could see those as studios quite easily.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41'Before we look at the house, I want to show them the glorious back garden.'
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- Would you like to know how much land comes with this property? - Comes WITH it?- Yeah.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Yes.- OK. So you've got Gyfyng Rock that we saw when we first arrived.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- OK.- The whole of the rock to the other side...
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Keep following it down, so it goes back down into the valley.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- Yeah.- There's about three acres of woodland down the bottom.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05That's all yours, so we're still going.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Keep travelling around, follow the stream and then all the way back.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16- All 28 acres.- Wow! - Oh, my goodness! That is unbelievable.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We'll have to buy a lot of sheep.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25Jamal, I haven't shown you the house yet, but what do you think so far?
0:20:25 > 0:20:30- There's a lot to take in. - I think you're going to let me down somewhere.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- That's why you've kept the house till the end.- Would I ever let you down?
0:20:33 > 0:20:36'We'll have to wait and see.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40'I just hope this anti-DIY couple can see past all the renovating
0:20:40 > 0:20:44'and recognise the immense potential this house has.'
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Come into the mystery house.- OK.
0:20:47 > 0:20:53This is a house with fantastic potential, but it's also a project with a capital P.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- Yes, and a capital W for "work". - Yes, definitely.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02'And this is just the start.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06'Either side of the hallway there are two reception rooms
0:21:06 > 0:21:08'and ahead lies the kitchen.'
0:21:08 > 0:21:14- So this is the oldest part of the house.- OK, there is a little bit of potential here.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- A bit of an overhaul.- A bit of an overhaul and quite a lot of work.
0:21:18 > 0:21:25- Next door, there's the bathroom. It gives you an idea of what would need to be done.- Sure, sure.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- However, just standing here, you know what's through that door.- Yeah.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34- That spectacular view. - If you set the house straight,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, basically. It's got fantastic potential.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- Hmm.- Jamal's very quiet.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- He's always very quiet. It's all this...- Pondering.- Pondering.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- I can practically hear the cogs going round. - It's the worry, I think.
0:21:49 > 0:21:55Yes, I'm getting into the project, but I don't think I'm being pulled in very hard right now.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01'But as soon as I'm out of earshot, Dee and Jamal start hatching plans.'
0:22:02 > 0:22:08You see, I was thinking that this could be something like...
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Having the second bathroom in here? - Yeah, exactly, having a bathroom.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16You could walk from that main bedroom into here.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Again you're talking a lot of money, aren't you?
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- And you're giving up a very nice room for a bathroom.- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26'They don't have to sacrifice this room
0:22:26 > 0:22:32'because down the hall there's a toilet that could be transformed into an en-suite for Jamal,
0:22:32 > 0:22:38'plus there are three more light and airy double bedrooms for when guests come to stay,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40'making four bedrooms in total.'
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Ah, happy, smiling faces! Is this a good sign?
0:22:43 > 0:22:47You've seen everything there is to see, so I think time for "guess the price".
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- How much do you think all this is worth?- I think 420.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58I think it's more, but I'll say 400,000 because I'm almost hoping it's going to be something like that.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03Would you be happy if I told you the asking price...
0:23:03 > 0:23:08..is £395,000?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10THEY CHUCKLE
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- That's something to think about very seriously indeed.- Mm-hm.
0:23:14 > 0:23:22- Before I leave you with that thought, there's a second option with this property.- Is there?
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- You could buy the house...- Yes. - ..two and a half acres of land... - Yes.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- ..plus the barn for a different price.- Ah!
0:23:30 > 0:23:33You'd still have the stream running through.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37They are looking at £250,000 for that.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Oh, crikey! Are they?
0:23:40 > 0:23:45- Well, I mean, you know, that's... - Is that good news? That's all I need to know now.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- It's extraordinary news.- Yes.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- It's made your mystery house into our mystery house.- Yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Let's go somewhere quiet where you can gather your thoughts. It's a lot to go through.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01At £395,000, the mystery house fits easily in budget.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06The main house needs work, but there are some lovely original features.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Upstairs, there's room for guests with four bedrooms, plus a toilet,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13providing opportunity for an en-suite,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17meeting that all-important two bathroom requirement.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Finally, there's a massive 28 acres
0:24:20 > 0:24:22of awe-inspiring Welsh countryside,
0:24:22 > 0:24:28but if all that land has them running for the hills, there is a second option.
0:24:28 > 0:24:34£250,000 will buy the house, barn and a more manageable 2.5 acres.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38It needs a lot of work, a lot of work,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41but every time I look out of one of the windows,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45I see the view and I see the river and I can hear the river sometimes
0:24:45 > 0:24:50and I think, "No, there must be a reason why they've brought us here.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54"There must be something that makes this within our reach."
0:24:54 > 0:24:59So I haven't completely lost faith, although I'm not going to tell Nicki that.
0:24:59 > 0:25:06This is an amazing location, but when we walked into the house, I was initially really disappointed
0:25:06 > 0:25:12because we've never done a project before and I wouldn't know where to start, frankly,
0:25:12 > 0:25:17but now knowing the price, we are in such a dilemma
0:25:17 > 0:25:21because it's a fantastic price and we know that we could do the renovation work.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25It's just a question of putting our heads together and doing it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34'I can't wait to find out what they really thought
0:25:34 > 0:25:37'about the three properties I've shown them on this journey.'
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Well, Jamal and Diane, what have you thought of the last couple of days?
0:25:43 > 0:25:49Just fantastic. You've given us more than we actually were expecting, to be honest.
0:25:49 > 0:25:55So the first property that we saw was the cottage with the converted barn right next door.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- You were taken with it straight away.- I was. It had a lovely feel to it,
0:25:58 > 0:26:03just the way the buildings were sort of situated.
0:26:03 > 0:26:09I think when you first took us into the stone cottage, it was really interesting and very pretty.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12What a lovely conversion!
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The second property we showed you was very different from the first.
0:26:15 > 0:26:21We started off with the cottage, then we moved slightly up-scale to the gentleman's house.
0:26:21 > 0:26:27On the whole, the garden, the stream, the hollow in which that property was situated,
0:26:27 > 0:26:31I fell in love with, I really liked that place.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- It was a lovely house. - It was very attractive.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Grade II listed and in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41which brings us on to our mystery house.
0:26:41 > 0:26:47- You did want a little bit of land, you said, when we started this house hunt.- Yes.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51We managed to find you a property with 28 acres.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- But it didn't seem to faze you too much.- Well, it did, I suppose.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58It was quite overwhelming, but it's irresistible.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02The bonus for us was the price you gave us,
0:27:02 > 0:27:07and the lower price option is a very good option because if the sums add up,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10then there is a possibility that we may go for it. I don't know.
0:27:10 > 0:27:17You see, we had promised ourselves when we started on this tour that you've kindly led us on
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- that we would never get involved with a building project. - That's true.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Here we are...- Discussing it. - ..doing the sums.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28So what is the next step going to be for the two of you?
0:27:28 > 0:27:33I think there's sort of a tension between properties one and three.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37That's something we...certainly I would like to take forward.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39I think it's only property three.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44- Have you bought this house already? - In my mind, I have.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Whatever happens, because I know you'll be moving very soon, please keep in touch.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54- I'm glad we've helped get you closer to your dream.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01We've certainly given Jamal and Diane plenty to mull over.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07And I've got a feeling it won't be too long before Diane comes round to Jamal's way of thinking
0:28:07 > 0:28:11and the mystery house is turned into the perfect artists' retreat.
0:28:11 > 0:28:17I certainly hope so. See you next time.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26please apply online at:
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd