0:00:02 > 0:00:08In this stretch of caves behind me, 200 years ago, native rhinoceros and hippopotamus bones were discovered.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Find out when and where these exotic animals roamed in a few moments.
0:00:29 > 0:00:35'On today's show, I'm attempting to help a couple of ex-pats to escape the bush down under
0:00:35 > 0:00:40'and relocate back to home soil. They take a trip down memory lane...'
0:00:40 > 0:00:46- That's great.- It is nice.- Fantastic. - When did you last have one of those? - 20 years ago.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52- 'And send a shiver down my spine.' - How will YOU get out of that bath?! - I don't want to know.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Today I'm in Nottinghamshire at Creswell Crags
0:00:58 > 0:01:04where an excavation proved that the narrow-nosed rhinoceros, a species now extinct,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06lived 120,000 years ago.
0:01:06 > 0:01:12This network of limestone caves was also the most northerly based camp site in the world
0:01:12 > 0:01:19of our Ice Age ancestors. And it's the home of the only known cave art from that period in Britain.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24There seems to be an underground history embedded into this county.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I'll look deeper into that later.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33But first let's not ignore the human history that's played its part in this varied county.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41Forming part of the East Midlands, landlocked Nottinghamshire is bordered by four counties,
0:01:41 > 0:01:46including Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
0:01:47 > 0:01:54The River Trent has shaped this landscape. It runs through the market town of Newark-on-Trent
0:01:54 > 0:01:56making its way to Nottingham.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Nottingham will forever be linked with its literary past.
0:02:00 > 0:02:08Taking inspiration from the natural outlook is Newstead Abbey, ancestral home of Lord Byron.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12With such diverse history and countryside,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16small wonder aspiring escapees are drawn to this county.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Let's find out why today's house buyers want to come here.
0:02:21 > 0:02:28For 20 years, Karen and David have lived abroad, spending the last 18 years in Australia.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34Having sold their house near Perth, they feel now is the time to rediscover their roots.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40We've known each other 22 years and been married for 20. We've never had a life in the UK.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47We're moving from Beeliar, which is a suburb of Perth.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53We had some good neighbours, but it was like a housing estate. Everybody was too close together.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59- And family ties are pulling them back home to Nottinghamshire. - We've got two grandchildren now.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Once a year wasn't doing it for us.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07Whilst they search for a new home, they're staying with Karen's sister Lorraine in Worksop.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13When I told my sister that we'd decided to come home, she said her wish had come true.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19That's the only thing she'd wanted. It makes me cry thinking about it!
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Now to discover the financial details for the new home.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29Our budget for this move is £350,000. We've just had our 20-year holiday.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Now it's time to come home. - Yeah, that's right.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40David and Karen have asked us to concentrate our search in the north of the county,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44to be within reasonable distance of their family in Worksop.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I met up with them to find out more about this radical move.
0:03:48 > 0:03:54Good morning. Welcome, both of you, back to the UK and Nottinghamshire. Good to be here?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Yes, it's marvellous to be back.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Talk me through your ideal house here in the UK.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- I would like a detached.- Mm-hm. - I'd like three or four bedrooms.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I'd like an en-suite, I'd like a large kitchen/diner,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10two reception rooms, utility room,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14a sun room... and a nice big garden.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- Private garden.- OK.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23I was thinking you might not have made your mind up on that plane journey. Sounds like you have!
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- Your Australian house is quite modern.- Very modern, yeah. - So can the house be modern?- Yes.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33- It can be old on the outside.- Right. - But the inside, we must have it modern.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- What are no-nos? What don't you want?- No beams.- Right, OK.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- No low ceilings.- OK. - No dark rooms.- Right.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49The exciting thing from my point of view is you've already made this move over here.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Your furniture is in transit.- Yes. - So you've sold?- Sold.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58- If we find you a property, you can go for it.- We need to move in quick.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02So we shouldn't be wasting any more time here. Let's get on with it.
0:05:02 > 0:05:09'For a budget of £350,000, David and Karen are looking for a detached country retreat
0:05:09 > 0:05:14'with 3-4 bedrooms, a large family kitchen/diner, two reception rooms,
0:05:14 > 0:05:20'a large private garden and not too far away from their family in Worksop.
0:05:20 > 0:05:27'We've got three first-rate houses to show them and I'll be asking them to guess the price.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32'Our final property is the mystery house, which will really pose them a few questions.
0:05:32 > 0:05:39'But with their furniture arriving in a couple of months, it's time to head for the first house.'
0:05:41 > 0:05:47Although we begin our search in the eastern side of the county in the village of Wigsley,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50we're still only around 40 minutes from their family in Worksop.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56The nearby village of Eagle with its leafy lanes is just over the border into Lincolnshire.
0:05:56 > 0:06:04House number one, an extended Victorian cottage, can be found in a secluded spot in Wigsley.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- What are we thinking?- It's gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- Fantastic.- Excellent first house. Excellent first house.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- It's looking real good. - It really is.- Let's go inside.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27'Fantastic first impressions to house number one, but that's just the exterior.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31'Bearing in mind they're used to large, open-plan houses in Australia,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34'are their expectations realistic?
0:06:34 > 0:06:41Now, Karen, you were very prescriptive about what you're after in a kitchen. Let's start in here.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43This kitchen is beautiful.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47It's gorgeous. It's just what I imagined a country kitchen to be like.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52I do like this. It's bright, it's cheerful.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57You've got a nice family room. I think that is really nice. What do you think?
0:06:57 > 0:07:03I like how it leads onto the garden, but just not 100% sure about the kitchen.
0:07:03 > 0:07:10- I like it.- Why is that? - It's not got that modern...feel.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- It might have. I might not be seeing it properly. - I think that's a fair comment.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18It is, as Karen described it, a country kitchen.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- But it's not an old one.- No. - Bespoke units, but it's done in that country style.
0:07:23 > 0:07:29Now living room, you'll need to use your imagination, I think. OK? Follow me.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36Oh, yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43Now I'm going to ask you first, David. I know what you'll say.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Em...
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- Go on.- It's not for me. Not the darkness of it.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Whether or not it could be different if we painted them white.
0:07:54 > 0:08:01One thing you could do is if you plasterboarded over these, you could put downlighters inside.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07- One thing that you wouldn't want in Australia is some open fires. - Yeah, that's great.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- It is nice.- Fantastic. - When's the last time you had one of those?- 20 years ago.
0:08:12 > 0:08:19There's another reception area on the other side of the kitchen and a small office area there.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Let's take a look at the master bedroom. I think you'll like that.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28'The downstairs is completed by a utility room including a shower and WC
0:08:28 > 0:08:33'and the fourth bedroom. So, divided opinions as we head upstairs.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38'There is a study or possible single guest room and two double bedrooms,
0:08:38 > 0:08:44'all served by a modern, stylish family bathroom, including a steam and shower cubicle.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46'But first, the master.'
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Now, three double bedrooms on this floor.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Nice size.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- Nice size. Nice en suite. - A bath and separate shower in there.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Oh, wow! This is nice. - I love the balcony.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- It's cracking, isn't it?- It's like an extension to the bedroom.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- You get the morning sun as well. - Awesome. Very nice.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Awesome is a word I love to hear. Let's go look at the garden.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Start trying to get your head around how much
0:09:15 > 0:09:16this house might be. All right?
0:09:20 > 0:09:24'The secluded lawned garden is at the front of the property
0:09:24 > 0:09:28'and includes a summer house, ornamental pond and a patio area.'
0:09:28 > 0:09:32So.. how much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- You go first, Karen. - I'd say this house is 335.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Thousand.- OK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- I'd say 300.- 300?- 300.
0:09:43 > 0:09:50Well, it's on the market for offers around £329,950.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51See how close?
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Coming in well under budget
0:09:56 > 0:10:00this extended Victorian cottage has the privacy they're looking for
0:10:00 > 0:10:04along with four bedrooms, the master with en suite, a large kitchen/diner,
0:10:04 > 0:10:09a lounge/reception room, all set in a quiet village in the Nottinghamshire countryside.
0:10:09 > 0:10:16- Had a good look around? - Yes. Fantastic.- All right. On to the next one.- Thank you.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26The city of Nottingham is built on a sandstone outcrop
0:10:26 > 0:10:32and this gives it quite a unique architectural heritage below ground.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Underground caves were recorded here as far back as the 13th century
0:10:37 > 0:10:43and today I'm meeting Dr David Strange-Walker from the Nottingham Cave Survey,
0:10:43 > 0:10:50who is mapping some of the 500 man-made caves to encourage the city to appreciate their importance.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55David, here we are, right in the heart of Nottingham city centre.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00- Hustle and bustle everywhere, then this huge sandstone rock. - Sandstone rock, that's right.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06We're looking at three or four of Nottingham's 543 caves that we know about. There's probably more.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- I notice you have a map. - Yes.- What's this?
0:11:10 > 0:11:16This is all the caves that we know about on a map of Nottingham. They spread far out of the city.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21In the city centre, you can see we've got this tremendous density of caves.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Nearly every property has one under it. 500 caves plus.
0:11:25 > 0:11:32- With so many caves littering the city centre, can you access these? - We can. We can see some of them.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- I'll take you next to Peel Street, just up here. Shall we go? - Yes, please.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42'Many of the caves have been used for commercial purposes or visitor attractions.
0:11:42 > 0:11:49'This one at Peel Street, once a sandstone mine and air raid shelter, is not yet open to the public.'
0:11:49 > 0:11:56- So these caves being dry and safe from the weather, they became living places.- Some did.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02Yeah, at the start of the 19th century Nottingham started to industrialise in a massive way.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Unlike a lot of cities, it didn't expand outwards. There were ownership issues with the fields around.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09So it expanded inwards.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14So a lot of the cellar caves that existed from the medieval period started to be used as dwellings
0:12:14 > 0:12:17by families, slum landlords really.
0:12:17 > 0:12:24- It's one of the grimmest bits of Nottingham's history.- So you've got a project on the go of mapping them.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25That's right, yes.
0:12:25 > 0:12:32'By mapping the caves using 3D technology, they aim to record, archive and promote them.
0:12:32 > 0:12:41'We're off to the Salutation Inn, a 13th-century building, to map the medieval caves that lay below.'
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- This is our laser scanner. - Can we see it in action?- We can.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- Right, if you're happy.- Yeah. - Let's press go.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Look at it survey. It's taking beams of laser light
0:12:55 > 0:13:01and then it rotates all the way round so we get a full 360-degree survey.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07- There we are. Done.- So what do you do with this information that's now collected?- Right.
0:13:07 > 0:13:14We download it onto the computer, do a bit of processing and what we end up with is on the laptop.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20This whole process of going into a cave, mapping it all out,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- you can then start to understand more about what they were used for? - That's right, yes.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27We learn a lot more about spatial relationships.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33You've got a lot of important and fascinating work to do. I won't delay you any longer.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It's been a pleasure. Thank you.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42'It's fascinating to experience these caves and we wish David and his team success
0:13:42 > 0:13:46'in opening up Nottinghamshire's underground heritage for all to see.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55For house number two, we travel north-west to Treswell,
0:13:55 > 0:14:00a little closer to their family, about half an hour from Worksop.
0:14:00 > 0:14:06Close by is the village of Rampton, largely a rural farming community with a 15th-century church
0:14:06 > 0:14:08and a country pub.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12House number two is found on the fringes of Treswell
0:14:12 > 0:14:18and is a period country property recently renovated with a mix of contemporary and character features.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23So a converted barn that was finished about 18 months ago.
0:14:23 > 0:14:30- I'm not that keen. - Not keen on barn conversions? - Not keen on looking at it.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35- It don't look what I like. - Right. These are very different reactions to the first property.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- Yeah!- Which is fine. What about you, David?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- I don't mind it!- In a minute, we'll find something you agree on(!)
0:14:43 > 0:14:48Well, let's go inside and see if it grows on you. Come on.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53'Not the reaction I was hoping for, but this is all about managing expectations.
0:14:53 > 0:15:00'A modern interior featured high on their agenda, so is there something to catch their eye inside?'
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- So...- Oh.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07This is different.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13This is more my taste. It's very bright, airy, clean, modern.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- Lots of nice lighting. - This is a cook's paradise.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20You've got a double fan-assisted oven, induction hob.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Do you do much cooking?- No.- Good! - I like it to look like this.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- So you want all this stuff, you're just not going to use it?! - Takeaways!
0:15:30 > 0:15:36- At the moment it's set up as a bit of a day room. Would you keep it the same?- I would.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I probably wouldn't. I'd make it a kitchen/diner.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- Would you?- Kitchen/diner, yeah. - Well, we'll see.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Well, why don't you make your mind up what you'd use this room for after you've seen the living room?
0:15:47 > 0:15:48OK.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Oh. Oh, this is nice. There's the dining room table.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05- Oh.- That could be your dining room. - OK, that's changed things.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11- This would be our end of day. I'd keep a couch in that room. - A night-time room, this one.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Yeah. I like it. I could work with it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16It is nice.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19You said the last place was awesome.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24I get the feeling that this is... OK for you, but not brilliant.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30- This is OK for us, but not brilliant. - Well, let's go and see if the bedroom is "nice", shall we?
0:16:31 > 0:16:38'A utility room and toilet make up the downstairs. So far, we're getting mixed reactions.
0:16:38 > 0:16:45'Upstairs, bedrooms two and three have a modern Jack and Jill bathroom with a stylish double-ended bath.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49'But now it's the master.'
0:16:49 > 0:16:52So the master bedroom.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- Nice, innit?- It is nice.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- It's OK. I think the ceiling's a bit low.- Oh.
0:17:00 > 0:17:07- Yeah.- I thought you'd like this. - Did you?- Yeah, because it was quite light and modern.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- It is light and modern, but there's no feel in it. - What do you think about it?
0:17:12 > 0:17:17You've got a lovely en suite. Have a quick look, actually.
0:17:17 > 0:17:24- Oh, this is fabulous. - I was going to say the great thing is the walk-in wardrobe here.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It could also be a home office.
0:17:27 > 0:17:34- No.- You see that? She's got an en-suite and not even a walk-in wardrobe can woo this lady!
0:17:34 > 0:17:37I don't like the ceiling. I feel as though I'm being crushed.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- Claustrophobic.- Yeah. - You use big words. I prefer crushed.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I could work with this bathroom.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51- You sit in the bath.- How are you going to get out of that bath?
0:17:51 > 0:17:55I don't want to know! Let's go outside and guess the price.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Yeah.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03'David almost seems willing to compromise, but Karen remains unconvinced.
0:18:03 > 0:18:11'As we head out to the lawn and patio area, compromise is the key word, as they wanted privacy.'
0:18:12 > 0:18:15So the garden.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- Mm.- Modestly proportioned.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Small.- Yeah. - There's no character.
0:18:21 > 0:18:27- At all.- There's no privacy at all. - No, it's not what I expected.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33Well, the gamble was to show you the barn conversion, this was the compromise.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- But the barn conversion hasn't paid off, has it?- Not really.- No.
0:18:37 > 0:18:44- And the garden is definitely no good for us.- The garden's put the nail in the coffin for me.- Really?
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- Yep.- Let's look at this house. Let's have a talk about price.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54How much do you think this barn conversion is on the market for?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56299.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Straight in there. David?- 290.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Right.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06Well, it's on the market for offers around £335,000.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09This stylish barn conversion is under budge.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14It gives them three double bedrooms, including master with en suite,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16a modern kitchen with family area,
0:19:16 > 0:19:21a very large lounge and dining room, a contemporary bathroom
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and an edge of village setting with glorious countryside views.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Now then...
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- Seen enough?- Seen enough. - Bit of an up and down day.
0:19:33 > 0:19:38- I'm glad you've seen that. Something to compare the first house with.- Yes, absolutely.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44- It were different. - Good. That's all we're doing today. Let's go back.- OK.
0:19:48 > 0:19:54It's fairly clear David and Karen are keen on retaining their privacy, so we'll run with that theme.
0:19:54 > 0:20:01Looking back on yesterday afternoon, in that second house Karen thought the modern interiors were bland,
0:20:01 > 0:20:06which surprised me because I thought that was exactly what she was after. Modern, clean lines.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11So today at the mystery house, it's here to challenge expectations,
0:20:11 > 0:20:17and I'm going to show them something completely the opposite of property number two.
0:20:17 > 0:20:23Something with bags of character and history that maybe they won't have seen when living in Australia.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29I reckon it will evoke one of two responses. They'll love it or they'll loathe it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Certainly, they won't be thinking it's "nice".
0:20:34 > 0:20:40For the mystery house, we head south to Normanton on Trent, still around half an hour from Worksop.
0:20:41 > 0:20:48The village offers heritage in the shape of a Grade 2-listed church dating back to the 13th century.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54The mystery house is a charming renovated property full of character overlooking the church.
0:20:54 > 0:21:00- Look at this. - Not bad, eh?- Nice.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Nice private garden. Very beautiful.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- Old.- Very old. The original part is from the start of the 1700s.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14The modern extension is 19th-century. So it's period and period.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- First impressions of outside. Karen?- Beautiful. Pretty.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Welcoming.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Very nice garden.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26It is. I'm glad you like it. But it's still private.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30I didn't know what to expect, but it's an excellent start for us.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Good. All right. Let's see what you make of the inside.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39'A cracking start to the mystery house. A thumbs up all round,
0:21:39 > 0:21:46'but - and here's the but - let's see if they will compromise as we head for the kitchen.'
0:21:47 > 0:21:54Now then, straight into the kitchen. What are your first impressions?
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Beams, low ceiling, but a really pretty kitchen.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01It's quite modern. Nice tops.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Love the windows.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09It's very workable. It's got a nice family feel.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- I'm going to kill myself - on that beam, I think!
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- I'll reserve judgment. If everything else was good, I could work with that.- OK.
0:22:18 > 0:22:25'Heading for the lounge, we pass through the dining room with more beams and an inglenook fireplace.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:28So here's your main reception room.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30This is pretty.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32This is cute.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37I say cute, but it's a really nice size, isn't it?
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- This is OK. I can handle one beam no problem.- I didn't notice that!
0:22:42 > 0:22:44It's high enough.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47I do like the beam, actually.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Paint it white.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- I am...I am, actually, taking to it, this house.- Are you?
0:22:54 > 0:23:01- Yes, I am.- Let's go and take a quick sneak peek at what I think could be the master bedroom.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07'Apart from the obvious issue with the beams, I'd say it's so far, so good.
0:23:07 > 0:23:13'Bearing the question of ceiling height in mind, I'm heading for a roomier option for the master.'
0:23:13 > 0:23:16So this is one of the four bedrooms.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Beautiful size.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- Very bright, quite large. - Not the master, though?
0:23:24 > 0:23:28I wanted to show you this room because it was the tallest.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33This is in the 19th-century part, right above the living room.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38You've got lots of natural light, but at the other end of the building,
0:23:38 > 0:23:43you've got a similar-sized room. Slightly smaller, but with an en-suite.
0:23:43 > 0:23:49It could be the master, but that has lower ceilings. Let's have a quick look at it
0:23:49 > 0:23:51and I'll show you what I mean.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- So I don't have to duck. - No, I don't.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02I have to duck. I don't walk like a soldier every day.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06So on this floor you've got two good-sized doubles, which you've seen,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09a small single,
0:24:09 > 0:24:15but then on the second floor there's a really lovely double with storage on either side.
0:24:15 > 0:24:22- Oh, OK.- Let's go back out to the garden and let's start thinking about price.- OK.- After you.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32'The upstairs is completed by a modern family bathroom with double-ended bath.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'As we head outside, I feel if it was down to Karen, we'd have a sale,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39'but David seems yet to be convinced.'
0:24:41 > 0:24:45This is a good spot, really, to have another peek at the house,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49but also see the garden from another angle. So what do you think?
0:24:49 > 0:24:52I think the house is very pretty,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55very homely. It's got a lovely feel about it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57It's pretty awesome, actually.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02I am a little bit colder towards it. There's so much wood.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05With all this in mind, how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- I think it's on our budget. 350. - I'd say it's 330.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- You've always gone in low. - He's tight.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- Do I win one this time? - You're spot on, Karen. 350.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24The mystery house is bang on budget and comes with bags of period features,
0:25:24 > 0:25:29giving them four bedrooms, one with en suite, a kitchen/breakfast room,
0:25:29 > 0:25:34a characterful dining room, a large lounge, a beautiful private garden,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37all in a pretty rural village.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Well, all done in there?- Yes.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Did you bang your head?- No!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Well, that's it then. Let's buy it!
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Right, all done, let's go and have a chat.
0:25:56 > 0:26:03It's been a cracking couple of days, but I'm here to find out what your favourite property is.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- I did like the mystery house. - Why?- It had a nice feel.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12It had got a large living room, the bedrooms were nice.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17The kitchen needed some looking at. It were a bit small for David.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19The low ceilings and beams did it for me.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22How much of a compromise is it for you to have house number one, then?
0:26:22 > 0:26:27You must have seen our faces when we walked on to property one.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30It was just brilliant from the outside. It were perfect.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36And then when we sort of got inside, we started compromising a bit.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I think at the end we just hit one or two compromises too many.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46- Your next step is...?- To investigate the areas you've shown us already.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48And then see what else is on the market.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I wish you both the very best of luck. You're running out of time!
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- How long have you got?- 9-10 weeks.
0:26:54 > 0:27:00- 10 weeks to find somewhere, do a deal and move in. Think you'll do it?- Yeah.- Really?- Yeah.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06- No matter what happens, please let us know where you end up. - We definitely will.- Good luck.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Thanks.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14David and Karen have been nothing but candid throughout this.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20It's funny. In just three viewings Karen's gone from looking for open-plan modern interiors
0:27:20 > 0:27:24to falling in love with a cottage that's centuries old.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30I'm not sure David's quite got there yet, but he'll need to and soon!
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Let's face it, in a couple of months all of their furniture arrives, so they're up against it.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41But when David says he'll do it, I actually believe him. I wish them both the best of luck.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44See you next time.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Whilst David and Karen loved some aspects of house number one and the mystery house,
0:27:48 > 0:27:56the overall package wasn't there, but they've been back and had an offer accepted on a property,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59moving in just in time.
0:27:59 > 0:28:05If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07or maybe even to the continent,
0:28:07 > 0:28:12and need our help, please apply online:
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd