Cheshire Escape to the Country


Cheshire

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This Grade I-listed building may look like

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an imposing medieval fortress built to withstand a siege

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but, in fact, its history doesn't go quite that far back.

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Find out where I am in just a moment.

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Today, we're helping an expat couple return to their roots

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and it looks like the welcome home party could soon be in full swing.

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We can have a dance in there.

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That's lovely.

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And another rustic British feature really gets them fired up.

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-It's got a stable door that leads out into the...

-Ah!

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I absolutely adore stable doors.

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Today, I'm in Cheshire and this is Peckforton Castle.

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Built in the style of a medieval castle,

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it's actually a vast Victorian country house

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constructed just 170 years ago by Cheshire's largest landowner,

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Lord John Tollemache.

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This grand design is just one of many highlights

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this beautiful county has to offer.

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The county of Cheshire is situated in the north of England,

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bordered by Derbyshire to the east and Wales to the west,

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and covers an area of some 900 square miles.

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When it comes to the property market here in Cheshire,

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the average price of a detached home here is around £260,000.

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That's about £20,000 below the national figure.

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Prices are by and large more reasonable in the west,

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towards the Welsh border, than in the east, nearer Manchester.

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Move further south, though, away from Manchester's cultural centre,

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towards towns like Sandbach and Congleton

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and your money will go that little bit further.

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So what's luring today's buyers to this lovely county?

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Let's meet them and find out.

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Expats Reynaldo and Trish live in Dusseldorf, Germany,

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and have been married for six years,

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but they're now temporarily back in the UK to begin their house-hunt.

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A well-travelled couple,

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when Reynaldo, who's originally from Scotland, first met Trish,

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they didn't exactly hit it off.

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She worked for a major airline on the bookings desk

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and he was her least favourite frequent flyer.

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For five years, we constantly went out of each other's way.

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One day, I went to book a ticket to go to Scotland.

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I turned around and, lo and behold,

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it was Trish.

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We both sort of looked at it as much to say...

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"Oh, no."

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And then I said the immortal words, "I'm just a pussycat."

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And she said, "You're not a pussycat."

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And, lo and behold, one and a half hours later,

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we're still talking

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and, a year to that day, we got married in Mauritius.

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Trish has lived in Germany for 45 years,

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moving there after holidaying in the country as a student,

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and Reynaldo has spent much of his career in engineering,

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travelling the world,

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but, having both recently retired, they now want to return to UK soil.

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I would be the world's biggest hypocrite

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to say life in Germany is horrible. It isn't.

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There are some very good things about Germany.

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But it really is a mentality thing.

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Even after all this time,

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we don't feel perfectly at home there

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and that's what we really miss.

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And the timing of the move is also due in part

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to Reynaldo's recent spell of ill health.

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2013, I had a big operation for cancer.

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Trish was there holding my hand the whole way

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and I don't think I'd have got through it without her.

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And that's what Trish means to me.

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Everything.

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They've chosen Cheshire for their homecoming

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as it's where Trish spent a happy childhood.

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I have fond memories of my dad coming home on a Friday night,

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putting us in the car and us all going out on a nice summer evening

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for a picnic in the Cheshire countryside.

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I like it also. And, although I'm from north of the border,

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I'm quite happy to come to Cheshire.

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As well as seeing more of their family,

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including Reynaldo's two grown-up sons,

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they hope their relocation to the UK will also allow them

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more time to indulge in their hobbies.

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We want to go and play golf.

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I already play. I've played all around the world.

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But, you know, I have bought Trish's golf clubs.

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We've them in the packaging now for about three years

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and, when we get back, we intend to play golf together in the UK.

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Despite the enormity of the move,

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they're looking forward to making a new home

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in what would be their first shared property purchase.

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I'm really excited about coming home and living a normal life

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with meeting friends, going for a Sunday lunch.

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We want to buy this house together.

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We're looking forward to doing things and planning things together

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for our life back home.

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For work and family commitments,

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our buyers want to be based within an hour of Manchester Airport

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as well as major transport connections to the rest of the UK.

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And we're all meeting up in the county

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to finalise the specifics of their homecoming.

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Lovely to meet you, Trish and Reynaldo.

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-Lovely to meet you too.

-Welcome to Cheshire.

-Thank you.

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Now, what brings you to this part of Great Britain?

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Well, this is the part of the UK that I grew up in,

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so I have really, really fond memories of this particular area.

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And it's actually a halfway house for us,

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because Reynaldo has relatives in Scotland.

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I have... Oh, we both have relatives in the London area,

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so it's a nice halfway house, really.

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And what are you both looking for in a property here in Cheshire?

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Well, what we want is something with kerb appeal.

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Obviously, we'd like it modern inside,

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because that's what we prefer.

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Just a nice-looking property with minimum three bedrooms.

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I'm not averse to large rooms.

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I just think it's more space to breathe.

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Trish, has Reynaldo left anything out?

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Well, I'd like a manageable garden.

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I think Reynaldo would like a little bit more space,

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but I'm going to be the one

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who's going to have to do the work or the gardening, so...

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-So you're being the sensible one?

-Well, that's right.

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That's probably how it's going to be the whole way with us.

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Reynaldo is very much the heart and I'm the head.

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Good to note. Good to know early on.

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-I'm a softie.

-We have actually missed out something.

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It's important to be close to...

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well, within walking distance of a nice pub

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where we can go and have Sunday lunch.

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Now, you talked about a modern interior.

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What about the exterior of the property?

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What kind of style are you looking for?

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For me, anything pre-1930s,

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whether it's Victorian or whatever.

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Whether we're going to get a Georgian mansion for Reynaldo

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-is debatable.

-I don't think so.

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Remind me of your budget. How much have we got to spend?

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Well, our budget is £450,000.

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OK. And how soon can you move?

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-We're ready to move straight away.

-We're ready to go.

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We were ready three years ago.

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Let's not waste any time then.

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-We've got three properties lined up for you. Let's go.

-Wonderful.

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For a top budget of £450,000,

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our challenge is to find Trish and Reynaldo an attractive period home

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with three bedrooms, modern, spacious proportions

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and an easy to maintain garden.

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The location should be nearby to a golf course

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and, after some 40 years living abroad,

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they're particularly keen to be walking distance from a local pub.

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We have a superb variety of homes to serve up,

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but I'll be keeping the price a guessing game

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until we've had a good look around each first.

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Then, to finish up our tour,

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we're turning back time with the Mystery House

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that's full of Cheshire promise but which may well divide the camp.

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So, how is this property hunt going to work?

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Who makes the final decisions?

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We really, really do think the same way.

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It's quite refreshing, actually,

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to find someone that actually thinks the same way as I do myself.

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We don't always agree.

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We're starting our property search right up in the north of the county

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in the small village of Great Budworth.

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Perched on a hill,

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Great Budworth overlooks one of the county's meres, or lakes,

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and is arguably one of Cheshire's prettiest settlements

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with narrow, cobbled streets

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lined with a range of architectural styles.

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Notable landmarks include a charming village pub,

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parts of which date back to 1722,

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and a redundant telephone box

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which has been converted into a book exchange,

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almost certainly the smallest library in the county.

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Our first property is just a five-minute walk away

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from the village centre

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and less than a ten-minute drive from the nearest golf course.

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This is house number one.

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-Oh, very pretty.

-Yeah, that's very nice.

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It's a very good-looking house.

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It was actually built in the 1950s, so not an old house at all.

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And the symmetry of the house,

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it kind of reminded me of a Georgian house.

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-Yes.

-Am I stretching it too far?

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No, it's definitely got the appearance of a Georgian house.

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It's definitely got kerb appeal and that's what I do like.

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Yes, it's very nice and the garden looks absolutely fabulous.

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-Manageable.

-Very manageable for my wife.

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The family have done a really good job with the inside.

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-I can't wait to see it.

-Let's go and have a look.

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Originally a red-brick cottage dating to the 1950s,

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this semidetached property was extended to the side

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around nine years ago, doubling its size.

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It seems we have delivered on that exterior charm Reynaldo was after,

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so let's find out if the interior

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will also match up to their exacting vision.

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Come in.

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Oh. Yeah.

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-This is quite nice and light, isn't it?

-Very nice.

-Yeah.

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I think it's a really nice entertaining space.

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-Very good start.

-It is nice.

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With the French doors straight out onto your garden.

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-That is lovely.

-Yeah.

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Double Belfast sink.

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Could you imagine yourselves in this kitchen?

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-Yes.

-Yes.

-Yes, I think so.

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-Good start, then.

-Very good start.

-On to the lounge.

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-Oh, this is a good size.

-This is nice.

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A little bit dark.

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Yeah, first impressions are a little bit on the dark side.

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-Fabulous fireplace.

-Beautiful.

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They've actually done it up very nice.

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Well, this is an extension added nine years ago.

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-Really?

-You really wouldn't know that, would you?

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No. The house actually finished there, so this is the extension.

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It's been well done, yes.

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I could imagine it could be quite cosy.

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Yes, we could definitely live with this.

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This is quite nice.

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This triple-aspect living room with its high ceiling

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completes the ground floor tour.

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Upstairs there are four bedrooms,

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one more than our couple asked for.

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These include a guest double,

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a smaller double

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and a single room overlooking the front of the house.

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A modern family bathroom serves these bedrooms,

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which just leaves the largest one for our buyers.

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This property comes with a master suite.

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Does that mean it has a dressing room as well?

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Dressing area and an en-suite.

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-Trish would love that.

-Perfect for Reynaldo.

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Now, who wants it the most?

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-Probably me.

-I want it the most, but Reynaldo needs it the most.

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I've got the most clothes.

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And dual-aspect windows in the bedroom.

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It's very, very nice.

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I would have preferred it slightly larger,

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but, because it has the dressing area, it could work.

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Well, you've seen most of the house.

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-Let's see if the garden is to your liking.

-All right.

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-Then we can talk about the price.

-Yes.

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A warm reaction to this extended 1950s cottage,

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although I'm sensing Reynaldo is after a bit more space.

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But, outside, there's parking for two cars

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in a large timber-framed garage.

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Then the garden wraps itself around the house and is mainly lawn,

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with well-stocked beds and mature trees

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offering a high level of privacy.

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Prettily done. Very nice.

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Well, is it worth considering?

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How much is it on the market for?

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Who'd like to guess first?

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Well, I'll go first.

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I was thinking about 410-415.

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Well, I think it's probably going to be a little bit more than that.

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I would go about 435.

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OK.

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It's actually on the market for £375,000.

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That's a surprise.

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-A pleasant surprise.

-That really is a surprise.

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And it makes you look at the house with different eyes.

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Now that you know the price,

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do you want to go and have another look around the house

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-and I'll meet you out the front in a bit?

-All right. Thank you.

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Under budget by a huge £75,000,

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our first house is an extended 1950s cottage-style family home.

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Delivering on traditional character,

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it offers our expat couple

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a spacious kitchen-diner and four bedrooms.

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There's an enclosed, low-maintenance garden

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and the property is located around a five-minute walk

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from a popular English village with that all-important pub.

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Well, I thought it was a good start.

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I was surprised about the price

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and, size-wise, I think it's more than enough for us.

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The garden is good, it's a good size,

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so I'm not going to be spending all my retirement

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doing housework and doing the garden.

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The property is very pretty.

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It's certainly got kerb appeal.

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I think Trish likes it better than I do.

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That's not to say I dislike the property.

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I would have just preferred slightly bigger rooms,

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but it's certainly a nice, little cottage.

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-All done?

-Yes.

-All done.

-Seen everything. Thank you.

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-Let's hit the road.

-Excellent.

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For our second property option,

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we're heading towards the border with Wales

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and to the village of Shocklach.

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The closest village for a range of amenities is Tilston,

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which has a parish church built from red sandstone,

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a traditional country pub and a grocers and convenience store.

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A typical English village complete with medieval stocks,

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it should appeal to our returning expats.

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Our second house is around two miles away back in Shocklach

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and just a 15-minute drive from the nearest golf course.

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And this property really pushes modern to the max,

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as it's only eight years old.

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-Ah, that's nice.

-That's very nice.

-Yeah. That is lovely.

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-I like that.

-I think that's your taste, isn't it?

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That's definitely my taste.

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-It's very pleasing on the eye.

-Nice drive.

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-Well, you like modern, don't you?

-Yeah, I like modern. Yes, I do.

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-Does it do it for you, Trish?

-Yes, I like it very much indeed.

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It is a modern house, but it's done in the traditional style, so yes.

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Shall we see if the inside suits you now?

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Oh, yeah. Looking forward to it.

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It's definitely not Georgian,

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but this handsome, modern, detached property

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with adjoining single garage

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seems to have caught our couple's imagination.

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The interior has been finished to a high standard,

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with oak flooring and character features.

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I thought I'd take you into the lounge, the drawing room, first.

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-That's a nice shape.

-That's a fireplace.

-Square.

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You could have a dance in there.

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That's lovely.

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It's quite nice in there because it gives you that olde worlde feeling,

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-although the house is quite modern.

-Mm.

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-That's beautiful. But I think...

-Love these doors.

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It's not too large but it's cosy.

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-Good. Good start.

-Good start.

-On to the kitchen.

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As well as the living room,

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this side of the house also has a separate dining room,

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again with solid wood floors and a nice aspect to the front.

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We're passing back through the entrance hall

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to check out the kitchen-breakfast room.

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Now, as you can see, the kitchen really continues that oak theme

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the whole house has.

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I know oak isn't necessarily to your taste,

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but I think it's really tasteful.

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I think it's lovely.

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We can paint this white.

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Whether Trish wants to not!

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Trish actually likes white, as well,

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but white would actually go very, very nice with that.

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-It would.

-With the granite.

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But, size-wise, is this big enough for you, Trish, when you're cooking?

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It's a little bit small

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but it's workable.

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It's big enough for me, thank you.

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And, if the kitchen wasn't big enough,

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they'll be pleased to know there's a separate utility room,

0:17:490:17:52

also fitted with natural oak units that could be painted

0:17:520:17:56

should they agree on the colour.

0:17:560:17:58

Upstairs, a half-tiled family bathroom

0:17:580:18:00

serves a total of four good-sized bedrooms,

0:18:000:18:04

all arranged off a central landing.

0:18:040:18:07

They include two double bedrooms

0:18:070:18:09

and a smaller one which is currently being used as a study.

0:18:090:18:12

That leaves the room we've earmarked for Trish and Reynaldo.

0:18:120:18:16

This house has four bedrooms.

0:18:170:18:19

This is the largest, the master.

0:18:190:18:22

Very nice. I can imagine sitting in bed drinking a cup of tea,

0:18:220:18:27

which Reynaldo would bring me...

0:18:270:18:30

-if I'm lucky!

-Which Reynaldo's this?

0:18:300:18:32

In truth, I would like it slightly bigger,

0:18:320:18:35

but this actually is a very, very nice bedroom

0:18:350:18:38

and, yeah, I think it could work.

0:18:380:18:40

Well, the house is in a really lovely setting,

0:18:400:18:43

but you can appreciate it more, I think, from the garden.

0:18:430:18:46

-All right.

-So, let's go.

0:18:460:18:48

Positive reactions from our cash-buying expats

0:18:510:18:54

to a property they could move into straightaway.

0:18:540:18:57

Outside, the landscaped garden is mainly laid to lawn

0:18:570:19:00

and extends to the rear

0:19:000:19:01

with the added bonus of a paved sitting area to one side

0:19:010:19:05

which benefits from some lovely views

0:19:050:19:07

across the neighbouring countryside.

0:19:070:19:09

This would be your garden, Trish.

0:19:090:19:11

This is beautiful and very manageable.

0:19:110:19:13

And what I do like is the open view over the open fields.

0:19:130:19:19

That's really lovely, isn't it?

0:19:190:19:21

Up to now, the house is perfect.

0:19:210:19:23

It is. Mm.

0:19:230:19:25

How much is it going to cost you, though?

0:19:250:19:28

Right, well, I don't mind going first in this again.

0:19:280:19:31

-Oh, yeah.

-Of course he doesn't mind!

0:19:310:19:33

We are closer to Wales.

0:19:330:19:36

I would actually go 415.

0:19:360:19:38

I would say about...

0:19:380:19:40

..445.

0:19:410:19:43

OK.

0:19:430:19:45

Well, Trish is closer this time.

0:19:450:19:47

-Oh, right.

-It's on the market for £435,000,

0:19:470:19:52

leaving you £15,000 from your budget.

0:19:520:19:55

-Yes.

-Is it something you'd be prepared to pay?

0:19:550:19:57

It's something we'd be prepared to consider paying.

0:19:570:20:00

-Great.

-So who knows? Watch this space.

0:20:000:20:03

The house is actually perfect.

0:20:030:20:06

-Go and have another look around. Make yourselves at home.

-Thank you.

0:20:060:20:09

-And I'll meet you out front.

-Thanks a lot.

0:20:090:20:11

£15,000 under budget,

0:20:170:20:19

our second choice is a modern, detached property

0:20:190:20:22

finished to a high standard throughout.

0:20:220:20:25

The ground floor features separate living and dining rooms

0:20:250:20:28

and, upstairs, there are four decent-sized bedrooms.

0:20:280:20:31

The garden is landscaped, enjoying views across farmland,

0:20:310:20:35

and the property is situated a short distance from a vibrant village.

0:20:350:20:40

Ah, now. This is your room, Reynaldo.

0:20:400:20:43

This is what you've always wanted, isn't it?

0:20:430:20:45

-This is really, really nice.

-Very tastefully done.

0:20:450:20:48

You can have some music, I'll serenade you.

0:20:480:20:51

I love this property.

0:20:520:20:53

It's really nice, although it's not originally what I wanted.

0:20:530:20:57

I didn't particularly want a new build,

0:20:570:21:00

but I'm very, very impressed with it.

0:21:000:21:02

It's my type of house. I quite like the new type build.

0:21:020:21:06

But it's actually been built very, very nicely.

0:21:060:21:09

I like the driveway.

0:21:090:21:11

I was a little bit concerned whether my car would fit into the garage,

0:21:110:21:14

but that's not a deal-breaker.

0:21:140:21:16

I really like this house.

0:21:160:21:19

Reynaldo doesn't play his cards to his chest.

0:21:190:21:22

He's overjoyed with this property

0:21:220:21:23

and this is the one he'll be pushing tonight.

0:21:230:21:26

I feel this could really be the one. Could it?

0:21:270:21:31

Well, I think, compared to the last house,

0:21:310:21:34

this is much more to our taste

0:21:340:21:37

and I could see us living here.

0:21:370:21:38

We could definitely live here.

0:21:380:21:40

Fabulous. We don't want to get overexcited,

0:21:400:21:42

-we do have the Mystery House tomorrow.

-Of course.

0:21:420:21:44

But, for now, let's go and get a drink to celebrate.

0:21:440:21:47

-Yes.

-Oh, good idea.

0:21:470:21:48

The mystery property is located in the northern part of the county

0:21:520:21:55

and is set within the rural village of Cuddington.

0:21:550:21:59

Featuring attractive black and white architecture

0:21:590:22:02

and surrounded by open fields,

0:22:020:22:04

Cuddington may be rural but villages are well served by local amenities.

0:22:040:22:09

There's a small parade of shops, a sports club, a pub

0:22:090:22:12

and a couple of places of worship,

0:22:120:22:14

including the local Methodist church,

0:22:140:22:16

which dates back to the mid-19th century

0:22:160:22:19

and lies right next door to our mystery property.

0:22:190:22:23

-Oh.

-What a pretty little cottage.

0:22:230:22:27

That's nice. That's lovely.

0:22:270:22:29

That's really lovely.

0:22:290:22:31

And the location is so pretty.

0:22:310:22:34

Well, this was built around the 1830s.

0:22:340:22:39

-Yeah.

-Wow.

0:22:390:22:40

So it is the traditional look that you thought

0:22:400:22:43

you might have been after,

0:22:430:22:44

but there are lots of quirks.

0:22:440:22:47

For example, it's got a chapel right next to it

0:22:470:22:50

that's used every Sunday for services.

0:22:500:22:52

-Oh, won't have far to go, then, will we?

-No. Exactly.

0:22:520:22:55

And the house itself isn't laid out like a house of that era

0:22:550:23:01

because it was actually two cottages put together.

0:23:010:23:03

-OK.

-No, that's...

0:23:030:23:05

I have high hopes for this one.

0:23:050:23:08

-Really?

-Yes. This is, from the outside, perfect.

0:23:080:23:12

-Really?

-Yes.

0:23:120:23:13

High praise indeed on the location and look of the Mystery House,

0:23:140:23:18

although Reynaldo is holding back a bit for the time being.

0:23:180:23:21

However, next to the gravel driveway,

0:23:210:23:23

there is a large double garage,

0:23:230:23:25

handy for storing all his golfing gear.

0:23:250:23:27

The house itself sits in an elevated position

0:23:270:23:30

with a pretty landscape garden that covers about half an acre

0:23:300:23:34

and lies entirely to the front of the property,

0:23:340:23:37

overlooking neighbouring fields and woodland.

0:23:370:23:39

But, when it comes to the decor as well as the layout of the property,

0:23:390:23:43

our buyers, and particularly Reynaldo,

0:23:430:23:46

may have to use a little imagination.

0:23:460:23:48

So, as you can see,

0:23:490:23:52

no hallway or a big hallway,

0:23:520:23:54

whichever way you'd like to interpret it.

0:23:540:23:55

-Absolutely beautiful.

-Exactly.

0:23:550:23:57

A log fire that serves both the dining room and the sitting room.

0:23:570:24:02

-I love that feature. That's very nice.

-Mm. That's nice.

0:24:020:24:05

I'm not very tall but it does feel a little bit claustrophobic.

0:24:050:24:10

It's high ceilings for a cottage,

0:24:100:24:11

but let's go round the house and we'll see if that feeling continues.

0:24:110:24:16

And, on the other side of that lovely fireplace,

0:24:160:24:19

is the sitting room.

0:24:190:24:20

Oh, that's really cute.

0:24:200:24:23

-And the conservatory's a real sun trap, isn't it?

-Mm.

0:24:230:24:26

-You can see, today, on a day like today...

-Oh, yes.

0:24:260:24:28

You can really see the benefits of it.

0:24:280:24:30

I mean, it would almost get too hot at some times of the year.

0:24:300:24:33

-Never get too hot for me.

-No.

0:24:330:24:35

-Shall I show you the kitchen?

-Please.

0:24:350:24:37

Because a lot of this decor might need updating

0:24:370:24:39

-on this part of the house, but the kitchen definitely doesn't.

-OK.

0:24:390:24:43

This is nice. Now, this is your taste, isn't it?

0:24:510:24:54

It's very pretty and very nice.

0:24:540:24:56

Erm... A little bit small.

0:24:560:24:58

Do you know what I've spied?

0:24:580:25:00

I think it's got a stable door.

0:25:000:25:02

-Ah!

-It's got a stable door that leads out into an allotment.

0:25:020:25:04

I absolutely adore stable doors.

0:25:040:25:09

But it is a bit small.

0:25:090:25:10

-How do you feel in here?

-This is perfectly adequate.

0:25:100:25:13

It's smaller than we would have liked but it's an older property.

0:25:130:25:17

This is fine.

0:25:170:25:19

Got to bear in mind, it's the first time you're walking in here.

0:25:190:25:21

You get used to things, don't you?

0:25:210:25:23

First time you met him, you didn't like him, did you?

0:25:230:25:26

-Five years later, boom.

-There's a reason for that!

0:25:260:25:29

But, yeah, the granite worktops are very, very nice.

0:25:290:25:32

You could move in, five years later, you'll love this place, Reynaldo.

0:25:320:25:36

Watch this space.

0:25:360:25:39

Let's go onwards and upwards.

0:25:390:25:40

When it comes to the bedrooms, there are four in total

0:25:430:25:46

and a neutral, family bathroom serves three of them.

0:25:460:25:49

Two of the bedrooms are comfortably-sized doubles

0:25:490:25:52

and another, currently used as a study,

0:25:520:25:54

features a huge picture window.

0:25:540:25:57

That just leaves the final room, which has its own en suite.

0:25:570:26:01

This would be your master bedroom.

0:26:010:26:03

That's fine. And an en-suite.

0:26:030:26:05

-That's something I didn't expect in a cottage.

-Yes.

-No.

0:26:050:26:10

The ceilings actually are quite nice. Quite high.

0:26:100:26:12

-Built-in wardrobes.

-You haven't spotted the walk-in wardrobe.

0:26:120:26:16

Oh, it's a walk-in.

0:26:160:26:17

Well, there you go, that's my clothes. I'll be all right.

0:26:170:26:20

-I have so many clothes.

-He's moved in already. That's a good sign.

0:26:200:26:23

You've persuaded him on the walk up the stairs.

0:26:230:26:26

-That wasn't too difficult, was it?

-How did you do that?

-Yeah.

0:26:260:26:29

-No...

-Nice.

-It's quite... I like the high ceilings.

0:26:290:26:32

-Very pretty. Yeah.

-It's quite nice.

-I like the shape of the ceilings.

0:26:320:26:35

-Yeah, they are.

-Yeah, they're unusual.

0:26:350:26:37

But the outside space is what you both love the most.

0:26:370:26:39

-Oh, the outside space is...

-That goes without saying.

-..fabulous.

0:26:390:26:43

Let's go and have another look at it.

0:26:430:26:45

It's clear that Trish is quite taken with our mystery property,

0:26:480:26:51

but I think that Reynaldo is really struggling

0:26:510:26:54

to see the potential here.

0:26:540:26:55

Outside, directly off the dining room,

0:26:550:26:58

is a wonderful, sunny paved patio

0:26:580:27:00

where we can once again take in those beautiful country views.

0:27:000:27:04

All of this could be yours.

0:27:070:27:09

It's lovely, isn't it?

0:27:090:27:11

-Ah, it's fabulous.

-Mm. I love it. It's my...

0:27:110:27:14

Not quite perfect, but almost perfect house. Really is.

0:27:140:27:19

So, how much would Trish's almost perfect home cost?

0:27:190:27:24

I'm going to let you go first since you love it so much.

0:27:240:27:26

OK. I think this is about 460.

0:27:260:27:30

Reynaldo?

0:27:300:27:31

I mean, let's say 400,000.

0:27:310:27:34

You're not far off.

0:27:340:27:35

It's on the market for £390,000.

0:27:350:27:38

Oh, Reynaldo.

0:27:380:27:40

-Really?

-And it's only been on the market for six weeks...

-Oh, no.

0:27:400:27:44

..but, in that six weeks, it's been reduced by 30,000.

0:27:440:27:48

The family have already found another house and they want to move.

0:27:480:27:51

So that might work in your favour,

0:27:510:27:54

if, of course, Reynaldo would be happy here.

0:27:540:27:57

-But that's something for you two to work out.

-Mm.

-Yes.

0:27:570:28:00

Yet again under budget at £395,000,

0:28:020:28:06

our mystery proposition is a traditional Victorian property

0:28:060:28:10

that has two reception rooms, a modern country kitchen,

0:28:100:28:14

four bedrooms and a large, bright conservatory

0:28:140:28:17

overlooking the landscape garden.

0:28:170:28:20

The location features far-reaching, rural views

0:28:200:28:23

and let's not forget its close proximity to a golf course.

0:28:230:28:27

Oh, I love this house.

0:28:270:28:29

This house is almost perfect.

0:28:290:28:32

I could see us coming in here, putting her own touches on things.

0:28:320:28:36

I think it's a really cosy house.

0:28:360:28:39

The views are spectacular.

0:28:390:28:42

I would love to live here.

0:28:420:28:44

Oh, this is lovely, isn't it?

0:28:460:28:48

-This takes...

-Oh, yes.

-..full advantage of the views.

0:28:480:28:51

Oh, absolutely gorgeous, these views.

0:28:510:28:53

This is my favourite room.

0:28:530:28:55

Yeah, I don't mind you having this room, Reynaldo.

0:28:550:28:57

Oh, very nice.

0:28:570:28:59

Trish, I know, absolutely loves this house.

0:29:020:29:06

I can just see it in her face.

0:29:060:29:08

It's... She's glowing.

0:29:080:29:11

I just feel that the rooms are a little bit small,

0:29:110:29:15

a little bit claustrophobic.

0:29:150:29:17

I wish the price had been as my wife had guessed.

0:29:170:29:21

I think I'd have been... Had an out there.

0:29:210:29:24

Erm...

0:29:240:29:25

We really have to talk about this and discuss this in great detail

0:29:250:29:28

because this is actually a very good property in a very nice area.

0:29:280:29:34

I have given you both a real dilemma, haven't I?

0:29:360:29:38

-You certainly have.

-Oh, yes, you have.

0:29:380:29:40

-I don't know how we're going to solve this.

-Let's go and try.

0:29:400:29:44

All right.

0:29:440:29:45

Trish and Reynaldo have to find a compromise.

0:29:520:29:55

Time to find out if they've made any progress at all.

0:29:550:29:58

Have you found a solution to your big dilemma?

0:30:060:30:10

We both like houses two and three.

0:30:100:30:13

Erm, I like three 100%, inside and outside.

0:30:130:30:20

Yeah, I mean, I've got to be fair to Trish and also to myself.

0:30:200:30:24

I do love house two.

0:30:240:30:28

We will definitely go back and look at that again

0:30:280:30:32

and we'll definitely go and look at the Mystery House.

0:30:320:30:36

I mean, it had certain things that were really, really nice

0:30:360:30:39

and I know Trish loves it.

0:30:390:30:40

She loves it more than I do, to be fair.

0:30:400:30:43

One of us might have to...

0:30:430:30:46

Not give way, but just maybe come round

0:30:460:30:49

to what the other one is thinking and feeling.

0:30:490:30:53

And that could prove quite difficult.

0:30:530:30:55

Do you think one of you will compromise

0:30:550:30:58

or actually will it have to be another property altogether?

0:30:580:31:01

I'm not sure about that.

0:31:010:31:05

At the end of the day, I don't want to make Reynaldo unhappy

0:31:050:31:08

living in a house he really doesn't feel comfortable in.

0:31:080:31:13

Well, you have some time.

0:31:130:31:15

Take that time. Good luck to you both.

0:31:150:31:18

-Thank you.

-Well, thank you very much for your help. It's been great.

0:31:180:31:22

We'll work this out, won't we?

0:31:220:31:24

Well, it's been quite a week with Trish and Reynaldo.

0:31:270:31:30

To find one property you like is fantastic.

0:31:300:31:34

To find two, well, that should be amazing,

0:31:340:31:37

but, in this case, unfortunately, they each like a different house

0:31:370:31:40

and can't quite see past that yet.

0:31:400:31:43

Personally, I think they'd both be happy in either house

0:31:430:31:46

but let's give them time to find their own compromised solution.

0:31:460:31:49

All I now want is a phone call telling me

0:31:490:31:52

that they've found a house that they both absolutely love,

0:31:520:31:55

even if it's not one of ours.

0:31:550:31:56

Let's hope that phone call comes very soon.

0:31:560:31:58

See you next time on Escape to the Country.

0:31:580:32:01

Trish and Reynaldo did return to the Mystery House after all

0:32:020:32:05

and they put in an offer which, sadly, wasn't accepted,

0:32:050:32:09

so their Cheshire house-hunt continues.

0:32:090:32:12

If you'd like to escape to the country

0:32:120:32:14

in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

0:32:140:32:16

and need our help, then please apply online at...

0:32:160:32:20

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