0:00:02 > 0:00:08- Hello and welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy.- We're casting our property nets far and wide to find a home
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- in the fantastically flat Fens. - You've just given me an idea.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Ah, this is the life, eh, Jonnie?
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Peace and solitude. You can't beat a bit of fishing.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- Caught anything yet?- Not yet, but the big one is on the way.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36More like a tadpole. We do have work to do.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Hang on. I've got a bite! Ho ho!
0:00:40 > 0:00:46And we've also reeled in today Richard and Dot Jones, a retired couple from Pembrokeshire.
0:00:46 > 0:00:53They've been married for a year now and decided it's time to leave rural Wales for a new life in the Fens.
0:00:53 > 0:01:00They like to keep on the move in this fancy motor home, reaching the Outer Hebrides and Morocco.
0:01:00 > 0:01:07But before they head off again, they have a property wish list as long as my fishing rod.
0:01:07 > 0:01:14We deal with some fussy people, but I have to say this 18-point list leaves nothing to the imagination
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- that you've prepared for us. - Some points have two points!- Yes.
0:01:19 > 0:01:27- There's a sub-point as well! - Now it seems to me at the heart of this house hunt is that.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- That has been to Morocco? - Yes. Norway.- North Cap. France.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36With wheels underneath a moving house, why choose just one place?
0:01:36 > 0:01:43- I can't drive it when I'm sleeping, so I have to park it somewhere.- OK! This is a perfect place to sleep?
0:01:43 > 0:01:48- Just wonderful.- The Fens is famed for its waterways. Is that the appeal?
0:01:48 > 0:01:54- Very much so.- We like to think we can have a mooring so on a really nice day we could get on the boat,
0:01:54 > 0:02:01go up the river for a couple of hours, gin and tonic and while away the world.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06So is it the long-term plan to maybe get yourselves a watercraft?
0:02:06 > 0:02:12- Yes.- A narrow boat.- Oh, lovely. - On a waterway where narrow boats can run.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17If we open up what seems to be along the lines of Mark's gospel,
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- you don't want to live on a housing estate.- No.- What do you want?
0:02:22 > 0:02:28- What is your perfect scenario? - When we say housing estate... - That's it there.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33..we don't want executive-type housing, all exactly the same.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39- What would be your preferred style? - A nice detached bungalow on a riverbank
0:02:39 > 0:02:45with plenty of land around it, a little paddock or woodland, river frontage with a mooring...
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- With wildlife.- Wildlife. - I think we can guarantee that here.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- Wildlife?- Yes.- If not, Simon can move next door.
0:02:53 > 0:03:00Thank you very much(!) How much do you know about this area? How much have you looked?
0:03:00 > 0:03:04We've been coming up here on holiday for several years
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and we've always liked the area. We did some research on the internet.
0:03:08 > 0:03:14- We've got a fair idea of what's around.- You have been extensively looking.- Yes.
0:03:14 > 0:03:22The internet is a great first step, but there's nothing like walking in the door to get a feel for it.
0:03:22 > 0:03:29- You cannot tell from estate agents' photos.- We might show you something you have seen on the internet.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33You might well do, but we haven't been inside.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38Let's go back to the list. It says car parking for three cars
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and the beast. So we're looking at...
0:03:42 > 0:03:48Because bungalows are all on one level, that's a large footprint for the bungalow.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- You are asking for quite a lot. - We are.- Yes.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- Any of that you might compromise on? Size? Car parking?- It depends.
0:03:57 > 0:04:05- It depends what you show us.- We could get away with three bedrooms if there's a study downstairs.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- OK. - It could be a house or a bungalow. - That list adds up to perfection.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16Budget. Let's talk about that. How much are you giving our mystery property hunting team to spend?
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- We'd be very happy to come in under £300,000.- I bet you would!
0:04:21 > 0:04:24No, no, let's be realistic.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29If you fulfilled everything on that list, we could find 350-ish.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32What's your max? Let's push that.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38- About 360.- Fantastic! Well done. I think we just went up 70 grand there!
0:04:38 > 0:04:46Now, OK, so 360 is the absolute top end and we would have to be ticking points 1 to 1.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52- Yes.- Yes.- If you're prepared to drive all the way to Morocco in this,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57- we would be prepared to find you a nice bungalow in the Fens.- Yes.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- See you later.- Cheers.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04This is like War And Peace. "Detached bungalow, four bedrooms,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09"car parking for three cars plus space for a motor home."
0:05:09 > 0:05:15To name but a few of the points! I tell you what we'll do - I'll take points 1-9
0:05:15 > 0:05:21- and you take points 10-18. - Oh, great. So I'm responsible for point number 13:
0:05:21 > 0:05:28- "Riverside living with mooring." - All right, I'll swap you 13 for number 5: "No main road noise."
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- I don't think either of us has it easy.- No. That is the main point.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Why not try to get as many of these as possible? Whoever gets that wins.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- I'll get help from the locals.- And I'll get it from the estate agents.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47The Fens countryside is famed for its flatness.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49The big sky landscape stretches across four counties -
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59Farming is the main livelihood and the area is a major agricultural region.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03The Fens are criss-crossed by a myriad of waterways
0:06:03 > 0:06:08so narrow-boating could be perfect for Richard and Dot to explore.
0:06:08 > 0:06:14If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can wander round the market towns of Wisbech and March.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20Property is a mixture of modern and historic, plus a number of waterside homes.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26After doing so well fishing, what price are waterside properties in the UK?
0:06:26 > 0:06:33Well, if you fancy padding about or even paddling about, why not head off to Chertsey
0:06:33 > 0:06:39and this unique two-storey houseboat. It includes a fabulous triple-aspect reception room
0:06:39 > 0:06:44opening onto a large sundeck with some stunning views.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47All this and more for just...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Very nice, indeed.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Or you could weigh anchor and head southwest to the county of Cornwall
0:06:54 > 0:06:59to this fabulous four-bedroom house overlooking the River Fowey.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05It has many original Victorian features, including fireplaces, picture rails and panel doors.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10- The price? A sun-kissed £450,000. - Very nice, Simon.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16Or travel north to Scotland where you could own this four-bedroom villa in Argyll
0:07:16 > 0:07:19with stunning views over the Kyles of Bute.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25It has a fitted kitchen, a newly-refurbished wet room and gorgeous, mature gardens.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29On for offers over...
0:07:29 > 0:07:34'But back to our property hunt and I'm heading to the estate agents'.
0:07:34 > 0:07:40'And I'm off to ask the locals what it's like to live in a flat... part of the country.'
0:07:42 > 0:07:46What's good about the Fens? The people. They're fantastic.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52- The countryside is not beautiful, but it's dramatic.- It is! - It's amazing. I tell you what,
0:07:52 > 0:07:57even in the depths of winter the skyscape is just phenomenal.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- It just blows your mind. - That is the point.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07- This is our equivalent of Montana. - Yeah, like the prairies. The Fen-land prairies.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12You've got new development, older properties, Georgian properties.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18You've got a good selection so anybody coming here, if they wanted new, can have that.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23If they wanted an older character property, they can have that.
0:08:23 > 0:08:30- What's it like to live on the Fens? - I like it. I've always lived here. It's a really nice, friendly place.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33People talk to you when you're out.
0:08:33 > 0:08:41- How much extra are people paying for waterside property?- There is a premium. It depends on location.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45By the river, if it's got a mooring, then you do pay a premium.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Probably 15-20% premium. - Really? As much as that?
0:08:51 > 0:08:56If you come here, you've got the waterways, the boats,
0:08:56 > 0:09:02- and if you hire one of them out for a week...- You could disappear! - You could.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I'm supposed to be talking about property, but I've forgotten that.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11- Here, I've got a bite. - Oh, have you? Get back to it!
0:09:13 > 0:09:18I've had a fabulous day, fishing around for properties
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- and talking to the lovely people. - I met a lovely estate agent called Hannah.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29She told me there's all sorts of property available here.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33There will also be, perhaps. anything they're looking for.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39Property Number One is... a bungalow! It does have all the car parking they need,
0:09:39 > 0:09:46- the exact number of bedrooms and it has a mooring. - Oh, it has, has it?
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Feeling pretty pleased with yourself?- Fairly content.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Property Two also has its own private mooring,
0:09:54 > 0:09:58giving access to the Fens and the Broads.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00From their back garden.
0:10:00 > 0:10:06- When is a bungalow not a bungalow? - When it's a house, by the looks of it!
0:10:06 > 0:10:12Yes, Property Two IS a house. It's detached, but Rich and Dot did say they would prefer a bungalow,
0:10:12 > 0:10:17but would consider a house. I think this is right for them.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23It's perfect. On the edge of March. Everything they need. Now the Wild Card.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28I was daunted by the list, as was the property hunting team,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32but they might have come up trumps. Look at this little beauty.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37It has what is termed an eyelash, peeking over the roofline.
0:10:37 > 0:10:43It's gorgeous, it really is. Why it's the Wild Card, we'll not tell you just yet.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47It differs in one way, but when it comes to grandeur,
0:10:47 > 0:10:52if you want to know what you can get for your money, this will tell you everything.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- Shall we start?- Property Number One.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03My property is a modern three-bed bungalow in Surfleet near Spalding.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07It's in great condition with plenty of space inside and out
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and the River Glen at its door.
0:11:10 > 0:11:17- How many boxes have you ticked? - I think I've ticked them all. - Motor home?- All will be revealed.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23One of your requirements was you didn't want to live on a housing estate with houses all the same.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27You didn't want homogeny. So look around.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Very nice.- This is lovely. There's room for the motor home.
0:11:32 > 0:11:38- Room for the cars. - Room for many cars.- Many cars. - A lovely garden.
0:11:38 > 0:11:45- Never mind the parking, what about the house?! - It looks like a very nice house.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51- And we're hoping...- What about the river?- Well...wait and see.
0:11:51 > 0:11:58Maybe you know about bits and bobs like rivers and bedrooms because you did a search on the internet.
0:11:58 > 0:12:06- Does this ring any bells?- It does. We have seen it on the internet. - Well, had you discounted it?
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- It was on our shortlist. - Oh, good!- Excellent.
0:12:10 > 0:12:17- Thank you for bringing us. - My pleasure. I'm hoping we've got ticks next to a lot of these points.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- So what's the feeling at the moment? - Good.- Very, very good.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Positive!- Positive!
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Well, keep those positive thoughts. There's lots to look around.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33It's spread out. It's a big old house and it's got a few surprises inside.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- Yeah, OK.- Have a great time. - Enjoy. We'll see you in a moment.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- Wow, this is huge. - A good size hall.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Gosh!
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- You could almost park the motor home in the hall!- Yeah, pick a room.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- Look at this. It is huge. - A good-sized room, isn't it?
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Very nicely done. Very neutral, very nice.
0:12:58 > 0:13:05- What we didn't discuss is taste of decor, but they like this. - It seems to be going down very well.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10Somebody's got very nice taste. What a lovely room.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14I'm not keen on a yellow ceiling, but...
0:13:14 > 0:13:20- No, but you can change that. - I can get you paint and a roller. - It's beautifully done.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Neutral carpets. - Fireplace.- Very nice.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I like that.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- And this is this sun lounge. - Oh, gosh! Look at this one.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36Oh, I love the tiles. This is superb.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38These are all very positive.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44We get the measure of any house hunter when they go in. Are they going to be positive for all three?
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- I'm a bit upset by this place. - Why?- Cos it's very, very good.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54I'm looking forward to you getting your list out and all 18 points.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- I've never seen a ceiling quite like that before.- I like it, though.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03- It really looks good.- Layout depends on what you put in it, I suppose.
0:14:03 > 0:14:10Yes, it's a versatile room. I think I might even be inclined to use this as a main lounge.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14You could see the river. That's really nice, isn't it?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17TV in that corner and look out over the river.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I could do a lot with this hall.
0:14:20 > 0:14:26- Well, yes.- And this would be the dining room. It's a nice size, too.- Yes, it is.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- Would it make a better study? - It depends on the kitchen.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35- I wonder if it would stand patio doors.- It would, very much indeed.
0:14:35 > 0:14:42You want as much glass in the back of this building as possible for these beautiful waterside views.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Wow! Now I do like this white.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51- Yes, I like this. - It lightens it up and makes it nice and clean and bright.
0:14:51 > 0:14:57- I do like it.- I'm not struck on the opposing worktops with the sink so far from the cooker.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00You don't do the cooking.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Fair comment. Why should I worry?
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- One area I would think of updating is the kitchen.- Really?
0:15:08 > 0:15:14- A more modern kitchen? - More contemporary.- Patio doors straight out into the garden.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- That's what the dining room needs. - Patio doors? Yeah, you're right.
0:15:18 > 0:15:26- But I could put the dinner on and sit with a gin and tonic.- You could. - Doors open, sun shining.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28They've tiled all the way through.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Right through to the utility.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- Oh, a nice blue bathroom! - What a colour!
0:15:34 > 0:15:39If you're not sure about the loo, wait till you see the bathroom!
0:15:39 > 0:15:41This would be...
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- Bedroom on the left?- Yeah, I'm just wondering which bedroom it is.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- There's a double bed in here. - It's a small bedroom. - Double bed in here.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Yeah. Looks out into the garden.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Another double bed in here.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04This is another spare bedroom. Might even make a painting studio.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- Oh, yeah.- I don't know.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12The living space works so well, the bedrooms are a disappointment.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16They shouldn't be. They're all a good size.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- We could do things with this. - It's a nice bungalow.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- This is...- Yeah.- ..nice.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30- I'd rather have an enclosed shower. - Yeah, I agree.- It's nitpicking on a property like this.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It's a nice home.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Oh, gosh, this is a good size. - This must be bedroom one.
0:16:36 > 0:16:42- It does look out over the drive and not the river.- But that doesn't matter.- It does matter.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46I'd like to look out over the river.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51It would be lovely to wake up in the morning and see this gorgeous view,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55but to make the most of it it's with your living area.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01The living area has to be towards the back. To open this up and take in these beautiful views -
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- not to do that would be a waste. - Yeah, a tragedy.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Ooh, look at this! Wow, this is... And a shower enclosure.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- There we are.- That is an interesting coloured suite, isn't it?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17We could both get in there, no trouble.
0:17:17 > 0:17:24- That sunken bath is a feature. - A bidet!- A bidet.- Haven't seen one of those since we left Spain.
0:17:24 > 0:17:31- I'm not sure I could live with this colour.- Oh, I don't dislike this colour, actually.- No.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36This is a much better room than the main bathroom.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42- The wacky en suite has brightened them up again.- Shall we go and find Jonnie and look at the garden?
0:17:42 > 0:17:43Yes, good idea.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- Now, look - the garden. - It's much bigger than I thought.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- And, lo and behold, the mooring! - Look at that, Rich!
0:17:54 > 0:17:58This is a good-sized garden and I like the mooring.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03Don't get carried away by the boat. You'll have to buy your own.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- The boat doesn't come with the house. - Is that all right?
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- What do we think now? Pretty nice garden.- A good size.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16And you've got a bit of garden where you can grow your veggies.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Oh, right! I didn't know that.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25And if you wanted to go to the coast, this river goes right out to the Wash.
0:18:25 > 0:18:31And they're talking about putting some tributaries on to this to open the whole network.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34What's he confusing you with?
0:18:34 > 0:18:40- He's talking geography. - What do you think? - I think it's a fabulous place.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46It's got a great garden. We were looking for a place that's better than the one we've got. This is.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52Oh, well! It's guess-the-price time. I'm not sure whether this is a bit of a formality today.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57You have peeked on the internet. But we'll put you on the spot.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Jonnie managed to force your budget up to £360,000, tops.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Right? So...
0:19:03 > 0:19:09Rich, you might have been on the internet, so, Dot, I'll ask you first.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15I think I've got an idea of what it was. I would think it's round about 329.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17OK. Rich?
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Well, the last time I looked it was £339,950.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Not quite so fast, actually! Slight indiscretion there.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31It's £339,995. So you're out, I'm afraid.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- £45 out?- £45 out, mate. Sorry.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- That makes it unaffordable. - That's a swim for you.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43So it's a little bit more than you can remember yourselves.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49- We would agree to go up to that, anyway. For something like this. - Hang on a minute!
0:19:49 > 0:19:54- Hang on a minute. We've got two more houses.- You have! You're right!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56And Property Two is this way.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Property Two is my choice and it's big.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09It's near March and sits right on the old River Nene. Four bedrooms, plenty of space downstairs
0:20:09 > 0:20:14and for those water lovers, lots and lots of bathrooms!
0:20:14 > 0:20:19It does need some modernisation, but I think it ticks boxes 1-14.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Right, Property One is out of the way. It went very well.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27For Property Two, we've taken a slow stroll to March. Lovely town.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33I wanted to put you in the community, rather than being slightly isolated.
0:20:33 > 0:20:40So that's why we have chosen this property. There it is. First impressions, please.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- It's a house.- Dot, excellent observation. It IS a house.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I know you said a bungalow,
0:20:47 > 0:20:55- but your list...- We'd prefer a bungalow.- Well, that list, I tore it up and threw it away.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00- What else are we thinking? - Quiet spot.- It looks a nice house.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04I think what we've got here is a really nice community feel.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- You didn't want to be isolated. - No, it's got a lovely feel.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Look down there - all the little cottages.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- It's got a lovely feel.- Walking down is like Hansel and Gretel.
0:21:17 > 0:21:25- Well, that's nice, isn't it? - Hansel and Gretel! I hope you find it made of sweet things.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Get in there and enjoy it. - Thank you.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Here we are.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- This is the hallway.- Nice big hall. - Yeah, good size.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38This is the living room? Yeah.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- Big window.- It's a reasonable size. - Yeah, it's a good size.
0:21:43 > 0:21:49- Got a nice picture window.- Yeah. - Shame there's no view. - Well, it's got a garden.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- Decor's very neutral, but I think I'd have to change it.- I think so.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Yeah, because...- It's nothing special. Just an average lounge.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03Now here's a dining room. A good-sized dining room!
0:22:03 > 0:22:09- Gosh. You could have a party. - As dining room's go, it's a good size.- A very good size.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11A lot of glass!
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- You know that glass in there? Would you keep it?- Why not?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20A lot of people think anything from the '60s or '70s you rip out.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23We go through into...the kitchen.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- Again it's a good size. - Nice kitchen, nicely fitted.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31And it's not dark wood. It's light.
0:22:31 > 0:22:37You could have a little table in the corner, so it's a kitchen breakfast room if you wish.
0:22:37 > 0:22:44- You know I said I ripped up Richard's list?- Good idea. - I didn't throw it away.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- OK.- I think we should piece it back together.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Oh, Rich! Oh!- Yes, dear?
0:22:52 > 0:22:57Look at that lovely garden. You could use this as an office, or a bedroom.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02Yes, if we get too old and frail for the stairs, put a bed in here.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08"Bungalow or chalet bungalow, but houses or...are fine." I've missed a bit there.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13"..as long as they have extra room downstairs for a bedroom."
0:23:13 > 0:23:17One thing this house has in spades is loads of room.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22And I think the ancillary areas could contain a stairlift.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27Right, let's go round and see where the... This is one of the bedrooms.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- Oh, my word! What a size! - Gosh, what a room.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- Big rooms, aren't they? You can see the river from there.- Yes.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42Not my choice of colour again, but a can of paint changes that.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47- Shall we go and have a look... - See what else we can find.- Yes.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Another bedroom.- Interesting wallpaper(!)- That's true.
0:23:51 > 0:23:58- A jolly good size for a spare room or an office.- You could get two single beds in here or a double.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- Good views over the back garden. - Which is pleasant.- Yeah.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Have to find out if that's a shared
0:24:05 > 0:24:10parking space out there or not. We'll come to that in due course.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Yes, you do have a parking space. Plenty of room for your mobile home.
0:24:14 > 0:24:20- Let's see what's round here, shall we?- Is it the bath? - Oh, and it's a green one!
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- And a shower.- Avocado! - Avocado is coming back in.
0:24:25 > 0:24:32- Avocado and prawns was the starter in the period this house was built. - Coloured suites will be fashionable.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- Right. Oh, there is a bathroom! - Oh, gosh, Sun King.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42I haven't seen a Sun King bathroom for ages! Sun King or Dusky Pink?
0:24:42 > 0:24:48- One would act, in effect, as an en suite, but it's separate. - Right.- Not the end of the world.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53No, it's not that far away. Maybe I'd change it to white.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- OK.- See what else we've got here. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Here's another bedroom. They are big bedrooms.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08- You could get a double in here at a push.- You see these new houses with such tiny bedrooms.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10This is really good.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Oh, my goodness, yet another... Another great big room!
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- Isn't it just? - Like ballrooms, aren't they?
0:25:19 > 0:25:25- It's really...- Beautifully clean. - And I think from here... Yes, you can.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- You can see the river. - You can see the river.
0:25:29 > 0:25:35You see? In the bungalow, they lamented that they couldn't get up and see the river.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Not a problem here.- Good point.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43- Oh, that's nice. That's nice. - My goodness! Another en suite!
0:25:43 > 0:25:48This must be bedroom one after all, not the one we looked in first.
0:25:48 > 0:25:55- I'm amazed at how much space is here.- You could shower in a different room every day!
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Shall we go and see Simon? And tell him how well he's done.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07I think you will both agree that there's plenty of room inside the house.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Yes, very spacious. Very clean and very tidy.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15But come stroll with me down through this secret garden.
0:26:15 > 0:26:21- Just across that little lane there this is also your garden. So you've got this space here.- Yes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:28You've got the front garden proper and the rear garden. If things were jigged around a bit,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31there would be plenty of room to park the motor home.
0:26:31 > 0:26:37The place when it was first being built was going to be two semi-detached houses.
0:26:37 > 0:26:44- I looked at that and wondered. - Halfway through, they decided on one big detached house.
0:26:44 > 0:26:51That's why you've got two bathrooms next door to each other. But imagine if you knocked them both through.
0:26:51 > 0:26:58- Absolutely.- So there's potential there. And you know what? I haven't finished yet.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Come with me. One more thing.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05Jonnie's lovely house, his bungalow, had its own private mooring.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- So, not to be outdone, I give you the same.- Lovely.
0:27:09 > 0:27:15- This is excellent.- Beautiful. - One slight difference - this is the River Nene.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20And so, from here, you can navigate to Cambridge, Peterborough, the world.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24This links up with all the other waterways, canals and rivers.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27So there you go. Not bad, eh?
0:27:27 > 0:27:34It seems like you really came round to this. You seemed a little bit hesitant when we got to the house,
0:27:34 > 0:27:39- but you've come round to it.- Yeah. I couldn't see a parking space.
0:27:39 > 0:27:46- He wouldn't let you down. - I ticked all the boxes on the list, which I've torn up.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- But I've still got the pieces. - I thought that was our secret!
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- Have you seen this place before on the interweb?- No.- Yes.
0:27:54 > 0:28:00- No, yes?- Yes, I have.- You have? It's been on the market for a couple of months.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- Right. - How much do you think it is?
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- I would think...289?- 289?
0:28:09 > 0:28:12- OK, then, Rich.- Erm...
0:28:14 > 0:28:18I would have thought about 279, 285, something like that.
0:28:18 > 0:28:25- You would?- I would.- You're wishful thinking, aren't you?- Yes.- A touch, but not far out.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- It's actually on the market for £310,000.- Oh, is it really?
0:28:29 > 0:28:35I'm not surprised, actually. There's a lot of garden, a lot of house and its mooring.
0:28:35 > 0:28:43There's nothing wrong with the house and the garden is fine. It's the location I'm not struck on.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47Look, I know how we can cheer this man up here.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53- Do you know how? Everybody's favourite part of the show - Le Wild Card!- It's that way.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59- Lead the way, Simon.- No, you go that way.- He'll catch us up.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05And I did indeed catch them up for our Wild Card today.
0:29:05 > 0:29:12- It's a converted dormer bungalow near the village of Upwell. - It was an 18th-century lodge.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17The roof has now been converted and modernised with a unique facade.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23It's not just the front that stands out. The space inside is spectacular and the garden simply stunning.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- And we've not forgotten the water. There it is.- Perfect.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32A beautiful village called Upwell. What's going through your mind?
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- Upwell is one of our favourite villages.- Yeah.- Is it?- Beautiful.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Location is most people's priority when they look at a house,
0:29:41 > 0:29:47but if that is a big tick I'm hoping the bricks and mortar will be in line with that.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53- Interesting property.- Different. - It's an odd-looking shape, but not unpleasant.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Aesthetically pleasing.
0:29:56 > 0:30:03Now why is it the Wild Card? The reason why we love this place you will discover when you get inside.
0:30:03 > 0:30:10It is gorgeous. Well, we think so. We'd like you to think the same. We want tell you the rest yet.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15- Enjoy it and discover it. Off you go.- Thank you very much.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Oh!- That's a very nice front door.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Goodness me. This is...different!
0:30:25 > 0:30:31- Really different. Good. - Upwell Palace!
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- It is, isn't it?- Isn't it just?
0:30:33 > 0:30:38They obviously use it as a dining room, so you could use it as that.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43- It opens out and that hallway is spectacular.- Knocked me off my feet.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- It's really different. I really like it.- Yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52Oh, look. A ground floor bedroom. That's good.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- Let's see what's in here. - Ah.- A nice red carpet.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01This is a nice-sized bathroom. It's a nice shower.
0:31:01 > 0:31:08- It is.- I like the tiles.- We could get the whole family in there. - I do like the tiles and the sink.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- It's in keeping. - And a proper cistern.
0:31:12 > 0:31:17- A proper...- Flush.- Instead of push-button things that don't work.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23I'm all for attention to detail, but I think the main feature is the space that this room affords,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26not the flushing style.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30- Another bedroom!- Another? - And again it's fitted wardrobes.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- We'll have to sell ours. - This is nice.- Lovely.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- A lovely big room.- It is nice.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42This is so exceptional, this house, I really am taking to it.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47- Mm. It's cottagey on a grand scale. - Shall we see what else there is?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- We shall.- Yeah?
0:31:49 > 0:31:52I guess this... This is the lounge.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56Oh, now look at that fireplace.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- Wow. That is some fireplace. - Isn't it?- Lovely-sized lounge.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04It is.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08You've got your patio doors there which go onto the garden.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13You've got your two windows here which face the back. Wow.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15This is some garden.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- Oh, the garden looks interesting. - That looks lovely.
0:32:19 > 0:32:25We wanted them to feel the grandeur, the opulence. And they are buying into it.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31- Wow.- Oh, a kitchen diner. - That is a super kitchen. - It is, isn't it?
0:32:31 > 0:32:35I do like this light sort of colour. It's really nice.
0:32:36 > 0:32:42- Isn't it lovely done? I like the terracotta tiles with the contrast.- Yes.
0:32:42 > 0:32:49- They've put terracotta on the carpet down there...- Yeah. - ..to blend with these tiles.
0:32:49 > 0:32:55- It doesn't work for me.- Well, no, that's...- I'd rather pick up on the cream.- You could change that.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00- Oh, yeah, it's only a can of paint. - It's super.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04We might have trouble prising Dot out of this house.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08- It's whether Rich comes with us on this adventure.- Yeah!
0:33:08 > 0:33:13And, oh, yes... Look at this lovely sun room.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19Yeah. I'm not a great lover of this wood effect,
0:33:19 > 0:33:24- but this works well.- This is lovely. And you've got a radiator out here.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- Yes.- This is...
0:33:27 > 0:33:33This is ideal, isn't it? The wood effect out here does work.
0:33:33 > 0:33:39- Got an outbuilding of some sort. - Yeah, looks like it. That could be a potting shed.- Yeah.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- Oh, can you see what I see? - No, because you're in front of me!
0:33:44 > 0:33:47There's a study right ahead of us.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53- It's more than just a landing. It's a room.- It's a room. - A room in itself.- Oh, yes.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58- What a wonderful space again... isn't it?- Isn't it just?
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- You can sit up here. - This is the eyebrow. See the curve?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Yes, it is, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Wonderful views across the field.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- Let's see what we have in here. - Another huge room!- Another bedroom.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17- Yeah, I guess it is. - You'd call this the Yellow Room.
0:34:17 > 0:34:23- There must be another eye window at the back.- But would you rather have the bedroom downstairs?- Yeah.
0:34:23 > 0:34:29- So this becomes a glory hole. - I don't mind that Dot prefers the downstairs bedrooms.
0:34:29 > 0:34:35For me, they wanted essentially a bungalow and I think this makes fantastic guest space.
0:34:35 > 0:34:42Send them up there, use the double bedroom for sleeping and the other one is their walk-in wardrobe.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46A little bit of space there, I would think.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52- And it goes through... Oh, this is the en suite! - It's an on "suet"!- Yes!
0:34:52 > 0:34:59- This is quite different as well, isn't it? This is a real house of intrigue, isn't it?- It is.
0:34:59 > 0:35:05- Yes.- I could come up here and have a bath and you wouldn't even know where I was.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10I'm not a great lover of painted wood panels, but in this house it works.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- It fits the house.- And it's tasteful colours. Colours that suit us.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Yeah, absolutely. This is ideal.
0:35:18 > 0:35:25Well, I think this is... Jonnie and Simon have found something extremely different.
0:35:25 > 0:35:31- Haven't they?- It ticks a lot of boxes.- It does.- They've given us something to think about.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38- We hope you'll agree that is a beautiful, grand house.- We agree.
0:35:38 > 0:35:46And we also hope you'd agree that out here we have a mature, private, very good-sized garden.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51- Yeah, it is great. Wonderful. - Why it's the Wild Card is obvious.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56You wanted to be next to a waterway. Well...this is all you get - this lovely pond
0:35:56 > 0:36:03- with the water feature. - A private waterway.- I did say we wanted a view OR an outlook.
0:36:03 > 0:36:10- This has a terrific outlook. - It does.- The whole house seems to point out to this garden.- It does.
0:36:10 > 0:36:16And you've got a beautiful walled garden and a vegetable patch. It's even got a fig tree.
0:36:16 > 0:36:23And for the motor home, there is the double garage for two cars with parking in front of it.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27- That's where you'd approach the house.- It would be that entrance.
0:36:27 > 0:36:34Something you could experiment with there, whether there's enough space for you there. You can look into it.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40Now guessing the price. I know you've looked at so much property on the internet,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- but are we one each? - One-all at the moment.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Your top budget is £360,000, the very top limit.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54Rich, I'm guessing because you've done an awful lot of research,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58you will have a fairly good idea. Dot, are you so sure?
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- I'm not, not at all.- Good!
0:37:00 > 0:37:07- I'll put you on the spot. You're going first. How much?- Oh, gosh.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- I would... I would say 340. - OK. Rich?
0:37:11 > 0:37:16- Can you remember?- I can. - Then you should do very well here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21- Go on, then.- Well, I would like to let the lady win...
0:37:21 > 0:37:26- But you won't!- That would mean me pricing it at 250.- Oh, right.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29It's 295, I think.
0:37:29 > 0:37:35Well, 295, yeah. Potentially, you're on the money, but it is offers over.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40As I am a gentleman, I think I'll award a dead heat.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- I'll go with that.- Good lad!
0:37:42 > 0:37:48We've now shown you three very different properties. You've got to decide which one to spend time in.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- Why don't you take yourselves off and make that decision?- Thank you.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- Could go either way. - I can't make my mind up.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01Here's a reminder for you of the voyage that was today's three properties.
0:38:01 > 0:38:08Property One is my stunning three-bed bungalow with the lovely mooring at the end of the garden.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10And it's in budget!
0:38:10 > 0:38:15Or will they go for my rather more spacious house? Four bedrooms and three bathrooms
0:38:15 > 0:38:20and it, too, has a lovely mooring. Only the price is smaller.
0:38:22 > 0:38:29Impressive, Simon. Then the Wild Card - a three-bedroom lodge with an eyebrow window.
0:38:29 > 0:38:35It's the cheapest of them all and is an example of what you can get without a waterside premium.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Offers over £295,000, this one.
0:38:43 > 0:38:49- Well, well, well. The Wild Card wins again?- Looks like it, Jonnie. - We can't blame you.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54What a splendid property this is, despite not having a mooring.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59Our eagle-eyed surveyor has given it the once-over.
0:38:59 > 0:39:06It's not legally binding and, if you go ahead, make sure you get all your surveys done.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10- We will.- But he's come up with interesting stuff.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13He's a very, very picky fellow. Right?
0:39:13 > 0:39:18One point he mentioned was some crack on the corner there.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22That may be from the load of the hip joint on the roof,
0:39:22 > 0:39:27but, more than likely, the movement has done all the moving it will do.
0:39:27 > 0:39:33- But as an added precaution, he recommends taking out that small tree.- Yes.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37It's then very important to backfill that hole and not to undermine it.
0:39:37 > 0:39:44- Fair enough.- Another couple of bits... He's been really nitpicky because it's in great condition.
0:39:44 > 0:39:50He thinks the fuse box could do with replacing. It hasn't got a breaker, needs modernising.
0:39:50 > 0:39:58Little bits and pieces like that. Then there's a cracked tile here, little tiny bits.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02But, all in all, in very, very good condition. That's it, really.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08So why don't you get in there and enjoy the place some more? Enjoy it! It's yours!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- Well...- Spot of fishing?
0:40:12 > 0:40:17- What is it with you and fishing? - I'll catch something this time!
0:40:20 > 0:40:26- Richard was very keen to park the motor home to see how it fits. Here he comes.- There you go.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Gently does it, gently does it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Back a bit. Bit more. Keep going, keep going.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35There you go, you see!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Perfect fit.
0:40:37 > 0:40:43Now what's Dot doing? She's checking out the garden and doing her impression of Monet.
0:40:43 > 0:40:50- But will this property be on the Monet? Get it? - You just can't help yourself.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54That does deserve a slap on the wrist. Not the painting hand!
0:40:55 > 0:41:01Time to check out the rooms. It looks like Dot's in the mood for more painting.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06I think they're trying to match the room to Richard's jumper.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11- It's that one.- You think? - I'd go for a whiter shade of pale.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Your jokes give me the Moody Blues, Simon.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Let's find out what THEY think.
0:41:17 > 0:41:24OK, you lovely couple. You've now spent a bit more time here. How did it feel?
0:41:24 > 0:41:30It felt very, very good. It's an exceptional house, beautiful grounds,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34very, very sheltered and the inside is quite stunning.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38I know you've fallen in love with it. That's my instinct.
0:41:38 > 0:41:43But, Richard, you had reservations. You got the motor home parked.
0:41:43 > 0:41:49- But I wouldn't get any cars in! - There's a car next to it now! You KNOW that's true.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- Plenty of room.- I can overcome that.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57Right, we've had some ups and down. Jonnie, ask the big question.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01After this monumentous journey and, hopefully, successful test drive,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05do you now want to buy or not to buy?
0:42:05 > 0:42:11I think it's a good possibility that after a few more enquiries we might buy it.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- Rich?- Well, She Who Must Be Obeyed has spoken.
0:42:15 > 0:42:22- Now we cut to the quick. - I think that's fair comment, mate. Very, very diplomatically put.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27But it sounds very positive, just dotting Is and crossing Ts?
0:42:27 > 0:42:32- I think it is.- Could well be. - It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:32 > 0:42:38- We hope wherever you end up becomes your home for many years. - I hope so.- Thanks for your help.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- See you later.- Cheers.