0:00:02 > 0:00:03Today we are landlocked in England,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07yet water played an important role in this county's history.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11So, where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45In today's show, I'll be helping a couple start a new life in the country
0:00:45 > 0:00:47and it's all smiles
0:00:47 > 0:00:50as a touch of deja vu sets us off on the right track.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- I think I've been here before. - In this house?- Yes.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56But can our mystery house steal the show?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- So?- Wow!
0:00:58 > 0:01:01That is just beautiful.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Welcome to sunny Northamptonshire.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09At the height of the Industrial Revolution,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13this county was three days by canal boat from London,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16today it's just 50 minutes by train.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22So, understandably, it's becoming increasingly popular with city folk
0:01:22 > 0:01:25who crave the benefits of countryside living.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26Located in the Midlands,
0:01:26 > 0:01:31Northamptonshire is known as the county of spires and squires
0:01:31 > 0:01:34because of the large number of churches and country houses
0:01:34 > 0:01:37that stretch across its landscape.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Its pasture lands and canals are dotted with patches of ancient woodland,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44which once provided deer for the royal hunt.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Beautiful market towns are situated right across the county,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51which also boasts 160 conservation areas.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55So, it's clear why this region is especially appealing
0:01:55 > 0:01:57to house hunters seeking a slice of rural life.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05Today's buyers are looking for a slice of Northamptonshire country life.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11Let's meet them and find out why this county is the perfect escape for them.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Busy professionals Paul, a product manager,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16and Suzy, a business consultant,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19are keen to leave behind their hectic lives
0:02:19 > 0:02:22in search of a more peaceful existence in the country.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26They currently live in Paul's modern home in Fleet, Hampshire,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30which he has owned for 15 years, but with marriage on the cards,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Paul and Suzy are eager to start the next chapter of their lives
0:02:33 > 0:02:37with the purchase of their very first home together.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40We feel that having somewhere that is ours,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43as opposed to mine or Suzy's, is the thing to do.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45For Paul, a move to the country
0:02:45 > 0:02:48means venturing into uncharted territory,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52but Suzy is no stranger to rural living.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54I love waking up and not hearing anything.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57I love going to bed at night and hearing owls hoot
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and looking at the stars, and I miss that.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Suzy's work means she will still need to commute to London,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07but Paul has no such demands on his time as he is due to retire soon
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and he's already got plenty of plans
0:03:10 > 0:03:12to make use of his new-found freedom.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16I think, for me, the interests will be to pick up golf again
0:03:16 > 0:03:20because I've pretty much stopped playing golf at the moment,
0:03:20 > 0:03:25my classic car, which I want to spend more time maintaining and driving,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29and also, if we do get animals, then walking the dog etc
0:03:29 > 0:03:34is going to be part of that relaxed retired lifestyle.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37After a year researching different locations,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41they've finally settled on an area with strong personal connections.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45We want to move to Northamptonshire.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Now, there are many reasons for that,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51one is that Suzy has lived there before, it's a lovely area.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56She still needs to be able to commute into London for work,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58plus her parents live in Birmingham.
0:03:58 > 0:04:05While location is important, they also have very specific requirements for their new country lifestyle.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I use this massage couch for my Reiki healing
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and it would be really lovely if I could have a house
0:04:12 > 0:04:16where there's a room I could have a dedicated healing room.
0:04:16 > 0:04:22We'd be looking for four bedrooms, probably...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26two bathrooms, ideally, maybe one en suite, that would be perfect.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29A good-size kitchen...log fires,
0:04:29 > 0:04:35the whole character bit, garage for Marlene, that's the car...
0:04:35 > 0:04:39And a good-sized garden, but land isn't crucial for us.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43So I would never want to move to a very modern house,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46it goes against everything that I like,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48so, yes, that would be a big no-no for me.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51OK, that all sounds pretty achievable,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53but it's not all they're after.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Food does form quite a large part of our lives.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57We love eating in nice restaurants
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and we love cooking and we love entertaining.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Unfortunately, this kitchen is a little too small
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and we find ourselves tripping over each other.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Cooking up a taste sensation is one thing,
0:05:06 > 0:05:11but their budget will also have to be spot-on
0:05:11 > 0:05:14if they're going to have the perfect ingredients for a new home.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Our current budget for the next property will be £400,000.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26As Paul and Suzy want to be around an hour's journey
0:05:26 > 0:05:28from London and Birmingham,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32we're focusing their house search in the outlying villages in Northamptonshire
0:05:32 > 0:05:35that still give them good transport links.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39We've got some lovely properties to show our buyers,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41but before I tell them how much they cost,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'll be asking them to guess the price.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Then, of course, we have our mystery house,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49which is designed to challenge their preconceptions
0:05:49 > 0:05:53and is my chance to show them something a little off-piste.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Paul and Suzy, welcome to Northamptonshire.- Thank you.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Do you think you're quite united with what you're looking for?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- I think so, I think so, yes. - I think so.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04We're both quite clear about what we want.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Any room for compromise if need be?
0:06:07 > 0:06:11I think that's probably more a question that Suzy needs to answer!
0:06:11 > 0:06:15I'll be aiming that at you then, if I need to further down the line!
0:06:15 > 0:06:17We've three fantastic properties to show you,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- so shall we get started?- Lovely. - Look forward to that.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28Paul and Suzy have £400,000 to spend on their new home in Northamptonshire.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31They want a property with plenty of country features,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34a good-sized entertaining area,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37possible space for Suzy to practise Reiki healing
0:06:37 > 0:06:40and room for the third person in their relationship,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Marlene, Paul's treasured classic car.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Location is paramount, as Suzy needs an easy commute to London
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and also to be close to her mum and dad in Birmingham.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Our first property is situated around seven miles from Northampton
0:07:01 > 0:07:03in the scenic village of Flore.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Steeped in history, the church here dates back to the 13th century,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13plus there are plenty of country walks that attract both locals and tourists alike.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Despite having two front doors,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21this attractive property is not two cottages, but one,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24and that's not the only thing that makes this house unique.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Come on through.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- And this is your first property. - Oh, wow!
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Wow!- Thatch, fantastic!
0:07:33 > 0:07:36THEY LAUGH
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Now, there is some history with this property.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42It was built around the 1600s as a barn,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44but it was converted in 1687
0:07:44 > 0:07:48as the first Quaker meeting house in the area by Thomas Adams.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51There's a bit more history that goes with that
0:07:51 > 0:07:54because he was the grandfather of John Quincy Adams,
0:07:54 > 0:07:55who was the second president of the United States.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59But hopefully today it could possibly be your house.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Shall we start and have a look?- Oh, yes.- Absolutely, look forward to it.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13So, I want to bring you straight through into the sitting room.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18Now, off the hallway you do have a family bathroom straight ahead of you,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20but I wanted to show you this room first.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25- Sweet. Log fire, tick the box.- Yeah? - That's great, yeah, lovely.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- There's PLENTY of exposed beams here!- Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- OK, well, let's keep going.- Super.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Now, I know the kitchen is very important.- Yes.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- So, I'm probably not showing you the largest kitchen in the world.- No.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Love the floor. Floor is lovely. - Floor's nice.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- Yeah, it's great.- And the...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- And the old sink, yeah.- Yeah, we've got the butler sink in there.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Now, the house is unusual and it flows,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57so let's head upstairs and we'll see what I mean.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58- Right.- OK.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05'And the historic quirks of this house continue upstairs in the bedrooms.'
0:09:05 > 0:09:07This cottage has three bedrooms.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Next door is a large single room.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11Right.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Which could perhaps be the perfect healing room for the Reiki
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and this is the master bedroom.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- Lots of character to it. - Yeah.- Lots of character.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24It's very sweet. I love all these doors everywhere, it's just great!
0:09:24 > 0:09:28It kind of gives you the impression, as you walk in, that it's quite small,
0:09:28 > 0:09:33but actually, when you, kind of, take it all in, it's not that small.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- It doesn't have any corridors or hallways...- OK.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40..in that respect, but what you do have through this door
0:09:40 > 0:09:43is a Jack and Jill shower room.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Let's go through and we can talk about it on the other side,
0:09:46 > 0:09:47- it'll make more sense.- OK.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51'The master leads through to a cute little Jack and Jill shower room
0:09:51 > 0:09:54'that also serves the bedroom on the other side.'
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I like it.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I love this open stairwell down.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And that's the other set of stairs that leads back downstairs.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10I've always wanted a house with two staircases! How sad is that?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14'Suzy is clearly overjoyed by this property's unique character,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'which is the continuing theme back downstairs.'
0:10:17 > 0:10:23- And last, but not least, the dining room.- Oh, lovely.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27It has one added little treasure that I want to point out.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- That cupboard at the top is the Bible box.- Ah.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Although the house is listed, that has a listing in its own right.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Oh, my goodness!- And if you look down on the window seat,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- that is the original Bible. - Wow.- It's 300 years old.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- And that comes with the house and has to be looked after? - It comes with the house.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- Yes, and every owner over the centuries has left it.- Passed it on.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Fantastic.- Shall we head outside? - Yes, certainly.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57'Let's see if the compact, south-facing garden
0:10:57 > 0:10:59'will be enough for their needs.'
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So, you've probably noticed by now,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04that that secluded garden is the total garden,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07there's nothing, actually, at the back,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10but you're not overlooked by any of your neighbours
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- and this driveway here does belong to the house as well.- Right.- OK.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16This little outbuilding, with the right planning permission,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I think that's worth considering making that into a garage.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- You've certainly got plenty of space here.- OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Right, time now to guess the price.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29How much do you think this thatched cottage is currently on the market for?
0:11:29 > 0:11:35I think, given that there is no rear land to the property
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and really all you get is this here,
0:11:39 > 0:11:44I'm going to take a stab at around 385,000.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46OK, so, Paul's 385. Suzy?
0:11:46 > 0:11:52That's interesting, I'm going to go for 410.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Right.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58The owners had an offer put in yesterday, which they've refused,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- because they do want the asking price...- Right.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06..which would leave you both £40,000, it's £360,000.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08You're joking!
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Do you fancy going back in and having another look around?- Yes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- Yes, I think so.- Off you go, take your time.- Thanks very much.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20This grade II listed thatched cottage
0:12:20 > 0:12:23is on the market for £360,000
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and includes three bedrooms,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29one of which Suzy could claim as her healing room.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32The sitting and dining room are full of the character features
0:12:32 > 0:12:33they're looking for.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36With a little renovation of the outbuildings
0:12:36 > 0:12:40there's also potential to house Paul's beloved classic car,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44but really it's the provenance that makes this property so special,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47with a separately listed Bible box complete with Bible
0:12:47 > 0:12:50being, for me, the icing on the cake.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55The layout of the house doesn't bother me too much, to be honest.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57I love the idea that there's two staircases,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01quite like the idea of scurrying up one and coming down another.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04For the first property, this is in the right direction
0:13:04 > 0:13:08and certainly the price was quite a nice surprise.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18So you've seen one property.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Has it consolidated in your minds what you're actually after?
0:13:21 > 0:13:26Somewhere to just have a little bit more room when we do get the pets.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28If there were room to keep a few chickens,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30that wouldn't be a bad idea.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Oh! We're adding to the list, now!
0:13:33 > 0:13:35There was me thinking I was safe!
0:13:38 > 0:13:41'We're heading to the lively village of Byfield
0:13:41 > 0:13:43'with a whole host of local activities
0:13:43 > 0:13:48'taking place in and around the cricket and recreation grounds.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52'There's also a popular sports club for avid tennis player Suzy.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'Our second property comes in the form of this detached stone cottage
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'which, as they'll discover, gives them more scope outside.'
0:14:01 > 0:14:03So here is your second property.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Very different from the first cottage that we saw.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- An attractive looking property? - It is, it is.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17First impressions, I know, are important for you both.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- Lovely backdrop with the church, there.- The church, there.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24And location wise, we really are on the edge of a village.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27He's spotted... He's spotted them over there!
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Let me take you inside first. Come on.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34'The rooms on the ground floor are laid out in a horseshoe arrangement
0:14:34 > 0:14:36'and in the middle is the heart of the home.'
0:14:37 > 0:14:41So the entrance leads straight into the kitchen.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Yes. This is very weird.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Why?- I think I've been here before.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- In this house? - Absolutely. Because I remember that.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- This huge trunk? - Absolutely.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58And I remember thinking, "How extraordinary, having a tree trunk in your kitchen."
0:14:58 > 0:15:01So why would you have been in this house before?
0:15:01 > 0:15:03I used to coach tennis in the village
0:15:03 > 0:15:07and the chap that I was liaising with about that lived here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10That's a first. I don't think I've ever done that with anyone.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Have you seen the rest of the house? - No, I haven't.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I remember thinking, "I'd love to see the rest of the house."
0:15:15 > 0:15:18This is very nice as a kitchen. It is.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21And the fact that you've got a really nice, big table in here.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26We probably wouldn't want a table this big so, you know, that would free up...
0:15:26 > 0:15:31I don't know. Well, two things. The table acts as workspace,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34but also it's just a nice feel to have six people sat in the kitchen.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Please bicker.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I'm liking this because it means you're taking it seriously.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43We're going to continue through here. This is a very good sign.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48So we've got a split-level sitting room, here.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- I like that.- Nice.- Yeah.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53And I love the exposed stone, stonework.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Yeah, it's great. It doesn't feel cold, it actually feels quite cosy.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Through that door you've got a downstairs bedroom.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Which, that's how it is used at the moment
0:16:03 > 0:16:07but it could be used as a study, whatever you choose.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11'The other side of the kitchen leads through to a utility area,
0:16:11 > 0:16:13'off which is the family bathroom.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17'This extended downstairs wing also houses the dining room
0:16:17 > 0:16:19'and the second of four possible bedrooms.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22'The other two bedrooms are upstairs,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24'which is where we're heading.'
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Through here is the master bedroom.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Across the landing you've got another large double.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- OK. - What do you think on this for size?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Yes, it's...
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Well, it's quite compact in one way,
0:16:39 > 0:16:44but there's quite a reasonable amount of room here, isn't there?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Yes.- And it has its own en suite. - That's nice. That's good.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51You don't have to go back downstairs in the middle of the night.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55'There are only two bedrooms and one en suite upstairs.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58'But outside there is still more to discover.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01'At the bottom of the garden is a hidden treasure.'
0:17:06 > 0:17:09This is what I wanted to show you.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Now, this is another extension,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15separate from the house.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20It could make the perfect Reiki room/healing room.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22You've got this area here,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26you've got another area next door the size of a large bedroom,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and at the end you've got a shower room.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31So if you did want to have people come to see you,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and didn't want them trudging through the house...
0:17:34 > 0:17:36This is completely self-contained.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38You could run this as part of your business.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40That's a surprise.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44'So that's Suzy's Reiki healing area catered for.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49'Hopefully what I show them next will be received equally well.'
0:17:49 > 0:17:51So you've seen the property.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Now, it doesn't have the largest garden.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59However, you've got the playing fields and cricket green, there,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and surrounded by countryside.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We've found a Reiki healing room for you.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Haven't managed to quite crack the garage for Paul.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I was wondering when we might come to that. OK.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15However, every cloud has a silver lining.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18You muttered about chickens.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22This was added to the wish list at a later date. We do have chickens.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25We could get rid of the chickens,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and with planning permission, you could actually have a garage.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33So, how much do you think this house is currently on the market for?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- I went first last time.- OK.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Are you feeling the pressure, as you know this area?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I am, I am, because I feel I ought to know. I'm going to go lower.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46I'm going to say 390.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- OK.- OK. Erm...
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Give me a figure.- 410.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54410.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Current asking price is...
0:18:56 > 0:18:59£425,000.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Right.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05So it is at the top, top of your budget, a little bit over.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08However, they are very keen to sell.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Do you want to have another look around?- Lovely.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Go on, then.- Thank you. - Catch up with you later.
0:19:14 > 0:19:20'At £425,000, this property is slightly over budget.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22'The large kitchen provides the country style
0:19:22 > 0:19:25'with the cooking and dining space our food lovers want.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30'Plus, there's lots of quirky character to be found in the four bedrooms.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33'There's potential for Suzy's Reiki healing room
0:19:33 > 0:19:34'in the outbuildings
0:19:34 > 0:19:37'and if Paul can bear to sacrifice the chicken coop,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40'there's the opportunity to build a new garage
0:19:40 > 0:19:42'for his classic car.'
0:19:42 > 0:19:44The more you explore the property,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46the more you realise that there are so many different options
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and ways you can use it.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I've only just possibly scratched the surface
0:19:51 > 0:19:52of what is possible here.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57The healing anteroom, whatever, was a complete surprise.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00As I say, I don't know what I thought it was,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03but I wasn't expecting furnished, carpeted space.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06So that has thrown in a really interesting angle on it
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and it frees up some of the rooms here,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11so there's all kinds of possibilities for this property
0:20:11 > 0:20:13so it's actually very interesting.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24'As the day draws to a close over Northamptonshire,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27'our first two properties have certainly given our couple
0:20:27 > 0:20:30'plenty to mull over.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37Today is a new day and it's time for me to show them the mystery house.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Now, they've loved the period properties they've seen so far
0:20:41 > 0:20:45so I think it's time to challenge them.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47'We know a good thing when we see it
0:20:47 > 0:20:49'so we've returned to the village of Byfield,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52'with its village hall and local pub,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54'clear signs of its thriving community spirit.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59'Our mystery property formerly had a congregation of its own,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01'but since being converted in 2002
0:21:01 > 0:21:06'has been completely modernised with not a crooked beam in sight.'
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Here is your mystery property.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- What do you both think? - It's lovely. Yeah, yeah, I like it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14It's certainly different to anything we'd imagined.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Have you ever considered living in a chapel?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- Not really. - We wouldn't rule it out.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21No, no. We wouldn't rule it out at all.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24This one was built in the 1800s.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I think the last service was held in 1999.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Two years later it was converted into a house.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37'On each side of the entrance hall there are two rooms.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41'Either one could make a perfect Reiki healing space for Suzy.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'But I'm heading straight for the star attraction.'
0:21:45 > 0:21:49So here we are in the heart of the chapel. That is the original pulpit.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51OK.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54So they've kept it, which I think is an amazing feature.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59I like the way they've done that mirror within that. That's clever.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Really adds some character. - Fantastic. Doesn't it?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Now, the ceiling is 13ft.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07It was 26.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- So, first impressions as you step inside?- Yeah! Like it. Different.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- Different, yes. It's light and airy and yet it still has character. - Yeah.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19OK. Good. Let's continue through.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- So.- Wow!
0:22:24 > 0:22:27That is just beautiful!
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Is this going to be big enough? - Goodness! That is just a picture.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I think we could just about sneak in, yes.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- That is a kitchen!- And it's such a social part of the house.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I love this. I'm living here.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42And it's nicely segregated so you still have the kitchen area defined
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and you have the dining area defined
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and yet the two are actually communal.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Oh, I think that's fantastic.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I could move into this room just as it is.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Good. Well, on that note, we'll head upstairs.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01'The first floor was added five years ago
0:23:01 > 0:23:03'and provides them with four bright bedrooms,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07'two are large enough to be doubles, and there's a comfortable single.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10'The family bathroom with roll-top bath and stained glass window
0:23:10 > 0:23:14'echo the period character of the downstairs.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16'But it's time to explore where they would sleep.'
0:23:19 > 0:23:23This would be your bedroom.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27You've still got the exposed beams. But that, for me, is the feature.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Yes.- That's nice.- That's lovely.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Do you want to poke your head, because there is an en suite?
0:23:32 > 0:23:36See what you think in there.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37- Oh, that's nice!- Oh, yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42- Yeah. That's lovely. - Yeah. Very functional, very nice.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Nice big shower.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48So you've got two bathrooms upstairs, including your en suite.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Let's head back downstairs into the garden
0:23:50 > 0:23:55and you can start mulling over what it's currently on the market for.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Come out into the sunshine.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10Can't always say that, can we?
0:24:10 > 0:24:12So what do you think of the outside space?
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I like it, actually.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19It's a little bit on the small side but I suspected it would be.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Again, I still don't see a garage.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25No, there is no garage with this property.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28However, a minute away is the local pub
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and next door to the pub is a garage for rent.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34So what do you think the current asking price is?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I'd say about 415,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40given the facilities that you've got here
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and the quality of the inside work.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- Suzy? - I'm going to go a bit higher.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- I'm going to go 425.- OK.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But I've been totally out the last couple, so...
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Current asking price, and it has, it's fresh on the market,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- £380,000.- No!
0:25:01 > 0:25:06I think that's something we're going to have to give some really serious thought to.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Yeah.- OK. Do you fancy having another wander around?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Yeah. I think so. - Go and have a look round the chapel.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16I'll catch up with you in a little while. Thank you.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19'The chapel isn't only fitting for newlyweds,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23'I think it's a great price at £380,000.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26'For this, you get an incredible living room
0:25:26 > 0:25:29with original pulpit and stained-glass windows,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31'four good-sized bedrooms
0:25:31 > 0:25:35'and of course that fabulous kitchen and dining area.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39'There's also space for Suzy's Reiki healing room
0:25:39 > 0:25:42'and just a minute away there are garages to rent
0:25:42 > 0:25:44'for Paul's much-loved classic car.'
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I thought this was a really interesting property
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and it's kind of stopped us in our tracks
0:25:51 > 0:25:58and made us think laterally about whether or not a slightly different style of property would suit us.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00I'm really surprised by my reaction
0:26:00 > 0:26:03because I, and I suppose that is what the mystery house is all about,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05which is great.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I'm actually starting to rethink.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Although I love quirky, I love slopey, I love natural features,
0:26:11 > 0:26:15there could be a compromise in the middle
0:26:15 > 0:26:18where we have the space but we also have the character
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and something like this could well be it.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Paul and Suzy, we've had an interesting few days, haven't we?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32We certainly have.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Shall we start with the first one? What did you think of that thatched cottage?
0:26:37 > 0:26:39It seemed to have quite an impact on you both.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43It took my breath away. Archetypal chocolate-box cottage.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- Beautiful. - Yeah, it was very good.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Inside, the rooms were a little bit small
0:26:48 > 0:26:50and there was a problem with the garage
0:26:50 > 0:26:53but the house itself was absolutely delightful.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57The second property we saw was another cottage, a period cottage.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- That was an interesting one for you too, wasn't it?- No, it was.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03That was quite a surprise, actually,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06in terms of walking into the property and realising I'd been there before.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11But yes, not realising that it had all those options in terms of space.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14That brought a different dimension to the property.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17And our third property was the mystery house,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19or should I say the mystery chapel?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's kind of brought us back a little bit
0:27:22 > 0:27:25to maybe, you know,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27just think harder about
0:27:27 > 0:27:31what we really, really need out of the property.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34The space in that house,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37and the way it could be played with and reconfigured.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40The kitchen was awesome.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Just loved it.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44So, will the mystery chapel get a second viewing?
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I think there's a very good chance that it might.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Suzy, I'm going to be very cheeky. Make sure you get a second viewing, won't you?
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Yes, I think we should. I think we most definitely should.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Listen, both of you, thank you so much.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59- It's been absolutely great.- Superb.
0:28:04 > 0:28:05For Paul and Suzy,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08the firm favourite came out as the mystery house.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And I truly hope that with a second viewing,
0:28:11 > 0:28:12this converted chapel
0:28:12 > 0:28:17will be the perfect place to start their married life.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Until next time, bye-bye.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24'If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:28:24 > 0:28:25'Northern Ireland or England
0:28:25 > 0:28:28'and would like our help, you can apply online.'
0:28:49 > 0:28:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd