Chesham To Buy or Not to Buy


Chesham

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Transcript


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Welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy, the programme

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that goes the extra mile to buy the property of your dreams.

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We tramp up hill and down dale.

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Climb every mountain, ford every stream.

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River deep, mountain high.

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To find you the best possible properties. Why do we bother?

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Well, because we care, Ed.

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-Massively.

-We really do.

-We genuinely care.

-We care.

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We care too much, sometimes.

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We don't mess around, do we, Rani, not really.

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Except for today when we'll be messing around on the river.

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It's true. In a minute we'll be heading over there

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to meet today's buyers to explain why we've come over all watery.

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Ed, we are still looking for houses, aren't we, not boats?

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Usual rules apply. We show them three houses

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and hopefully one of them will float... Float their boat!

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They'll get to try it before they buy it.

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I get it, Ed.

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Sorry. Anyway, our property hunters today are Doug and Laura Silverstone

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who spend their time living on a narrowboat,

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-enjoying life on the water.

-They certainly do.

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But now Laura is expecting, and with the clock ticking,

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our couple have decided they need more space before the new arrival.

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Yep. Buggies and barges really don't mix.

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Laura's mum lives in Chorleywood and Doug's also got roots there,

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so it's no surprise that they've chosen the surrounding area to moor up and settle down.

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Well, let's see if we can make a splash,

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but not on the water, obviously.

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Now, Doug and Laura, we're not on your barge, narrowboat, riverboat,

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whatever we call it, because that's in Kings Cross,

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in the centre of London. We're in the Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire borders, where you want to be.

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We could've got your boat here, but it would have taken us till next year.

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-About that.

-So you want to leave London. Whereabouts, exactly, do you want to live?

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-We were thinking Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Chesham area.

-Oh, Chesham.

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-Yeah.

-What is so nice about Chesham?

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Well, I mean, we both grew up around Hertfordshire, so we're both

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from this area, but my mum lives in Chorleywood which is quite close, but slightly expensive.

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And we want to keep the countryside

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somewhere near it cos you kind of feel like

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you're in the countryside on the boat.

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We want some sort of green space, some sort of, I don't know,

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garden of some description.

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You're quite the allotment fan.

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-Yeah.

-And has this always been a passion with you?

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I like growing my vegetables. I like vegetables that I've grown

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and knowing what I'm cooking with and eating,

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and growing your vegetables is part of that.

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I mean, we grow carrots and things on top of the boat,

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but they're about that size carrots.

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So what's the type of property we're after? Olde-worlde?

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Are we after the cornicing word and all that kind of stuff?

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If we think of our ideal property, we get the picture of

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like an old Victorian kind of cottage in the middle of the country.

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-Fireplaces.

-Really?

-Yeah.

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-And kind of iron-cast baths and all that kind of feel.

-Yeah.

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-Yeah. Yeah.

-What about doing work on the property?

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-I'd get my brother over to do things.

-Is he a handy guy?

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-He says he'd fit kitchens and bathrooms.

-That's excellent.

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As they say, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses.

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Is there anything else we're looking for because is it right you've got two cats already?

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Yeah, we have, so we need a garden for them

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and preferably not a big main road for the cats.

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-They've dealt with living on a boat though, yeah.

-Yeah. They have.

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-Yeah. They swim. Yeah.

-They swim?

-Yeah.

-Do you need a pool for them?

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I don't know if they actually like swimming.

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-But they're prepared to do it?

-Yeah.

-OK.

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Well, we're at the point where it can either seem

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a very easy day for us or a very tricky one,

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and that is based around the budget.

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Ideally, we want to spend about 220,

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but probably go up to about 250 if we need to.

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-OK. So you're looking up to 250 and maybe haggling back, possibly.

-Yeah.

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The way the market is as well, you know, it's worth doing.

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-Yeah.

-I tell you what, I think we can achieve this.

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-I think we will. Fingers crossed.

-Fingers crossed.

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We're going to swim off to the estate agent's and see the local folk. See you later.

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-Wish us luck.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

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I think finding them a two-bedroom property

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isn't going to be a problem,

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but teaching cats to cross roads, Ed, it's going to be tough.

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They can already swim so that's half the battle solved.

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Also, an interesting thing about their cats -

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they're called Rosie and Jim, so we're moving Rosie and Jim off the barge.

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If there are children watching, stop crying, we're not stopping Rosie and Jim.

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They're cats called Rosie and Jim.

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-Ed.

-Sorry. Sorry, what?

-Go and speak to an estate agent.

-Sorry.

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Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are both home counties,

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where you can find some really lovely greenbelt countryside.

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New towns like Stevenage and garden cities such as Welwyn and Letchworth,

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have sprung up to help accommodate the rising populations

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created by the ever-increasing London sprawl.

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Chesham, one of Doug and Laura's choices,

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is set in the rolling Chilterns and is a simply gorgeous market town.

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Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are relatively wealthy

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and historically they have low unemployment and a high salary level.

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Did you say historical?

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Well, we might be hysterical because the high salaries

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and low unemployment could make it difficult

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to find a period property on their 250 grand budget.

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But what could you find elsewhere?

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Well, just take a look at this beauty near Norwich.

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It's splendid Victoriana with three bedrooms and a modern twist.

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Available for...

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Glorious Snowdonia is the setting

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for this historic restored coach house.

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It's Edwardian stone and timber, has panoramic views and the price

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includes fishing rights on the River Dovey...

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You just knew we were going to show you a boat, didn't you?

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And here it is, painted in grand union green, burgundy and cream,

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with high shine black and chrome kitchen and bathroom.

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You could buy three of these for Doug and Laura's budget.

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A boating bargain at...

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Right. Enough of this messing about on the water.

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Time to get back on the property search.

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If you were going to move here and you were moving from a barge,

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you were used to life in a very small area,

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but you wanted a whiff of the countryside, you wanted maybe

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an allotment, maybe a canal, what kind of areas would you look at?

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Living on a boat can be cheaper than living in a house

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and it can also be environmentally friendly.

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Ideally, the old town.

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It's steeped in history.

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Church Street, for instance, was the original high street.

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Most of the houses there were formerly shops

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and you can see the larger windows which have been bricked up now.

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You'll be getting economical with your water cos if you're not connected

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to the mains and have to fill up your tank,

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you'll think twice before switching on your tap.

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In the old town in particular, there are properties

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-merely just three bedrooms which sell for in excess of 500,000.

-Right.

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-There are terraced properties which fetch over a million.

-OK.

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And it's quite a special location.

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Also, you can save on your bills because your engine

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can heat up your hot water and you can cook with bottled gas.

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Ourselves and the mysterious property-hunting team have had a lovely time.

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I've gone for a property - it is cusping Chesham Bois,

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or "Chesham Boyz", depending on how you pronounce it.

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Very nice. It is near water.

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It is near an allotment.

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Rani, it is near perfect.

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Ed, yours may be near perfect whereas mine is perfect.

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Take a look at this.

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It's a Victorian property, absolutely beautiful. Mark,

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that's Doug's brother, won't need to pick up any tools because inside it has been beautifully renovated.

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It's all perfect, near a park and near the Tube line for them.

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-So, Rani, what have you got for the wildcard?

-Ah, now the wildcard.

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I did find them a perfect place in Chesham old town.

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Gorgeous building, however,

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there's been a problem and we can't actually show it to them today.

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Now it is still on the market,

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it is within their budget, but not for today.

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So, Ed, what are we going to do?

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As luck would have it, I have a back up property

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which is in the old town part of Chesham.

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It is more expensive than their budget and is also one more bedroom,

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but if they can look at it and imagine it minus one bedroom,

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they might get a feel for the size of the property that they can't see today,

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but they'll get a feel for the area and that's the most important thing.

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Those are the properties. Very different wildcard today.

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Where shall we start the journey?

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I always like to start at property number one.

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Really. My one. Near water.

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Picture the scene, if you dare.

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A cute terraced cottage nestling alongside a river,

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chickens over the road and a touch of the good life on their doorstep.

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Doug and Laura can't fail to absolutely love it.

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You're sounding very confident, Ed.

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Rani, the only chickens coming home to roost

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will be the ones laying eggs for our couple to sell.

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Doug and Laura, take some steps on dry land with me to look at

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what could be your new houseboat, but as we call it, a house.

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It is lovely. It is in Chesham Bois

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or "Chesham Boyz". Do you know the area?

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A little bit. My sister lives just down the road.

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-Really?

-Yes.

-Well, in which case, tell me something about the area.

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Well, we only know this street really.

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I'll tell you a little bit extra. You've got a nursery behind you.

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There's very good primary schools and secondary schools for the impending baby.

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Look over there. What can you see, Doug?

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-Is it an allotment?

-It is an allotment.

-It certainly is.

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It is. That's irrelevant though. What do you think about this, Laura?

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-First impressions.

-Yeah. It looks really nice.

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Is that a beehive in there?

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It is a beehive, but strangely they don't keep bees in it.

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For some unknown reason, or unknown to me, they keep eggs in it.

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-Right.

-The guy owns an allotment and he keeps chickens

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on the allotment so that's where he puts his eggs.

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The allotment's his then?

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Well, the allotment does belong to the man there,

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but hold your horses because he owns a very large part of it.

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He may or may not be willing to, and able to, sell half of it potentially to yourself

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to get the lease on it, but they're hotly fought after properties, allotments.

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So, we don't know, but there's a window, there's a sniff,

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a nibble of an allotment and if there's a nibble, there's a chance.

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-Are you ready to go in?

-Yeah.

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-Yeah.

-All right. Three, two, one. Enjoy it.

-Thank you.

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21 years in Cub Scouts taught me one thing -

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I think it's going to rain, so always be prepared.

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Umbrella...up.

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It's a nice little room this side of it, isn't it?

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Yeah. That's really nice.

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Quite open-plan.

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Nice fireplace. It's really good.

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-I like the recess things there, too.

-Yeah. That's good.

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Nice little country cottage, fireplace...

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They said they wanted character and this is what they described.

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That's quite nice. Space for a table and everything.

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Yeah... Dining room, kind of thing, here.

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Nice high ceilings.

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-Yeah. Yeah.

-That's good.

-Higher than the boat.

-Yeah.

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We could easily get a table in properly, dining room round here.

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Yeah. That's good.

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They're so used to living on a boat,

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that everything's about size and space.

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They must be excited, they can probably stand up straight!

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-Kitchen's quite big as well...

-It's not too bad. Yeah.

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For a house this size....

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We could change all the worktops if we wanted to, couldn't we?

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But it's new, it doesn't look that bad, does it?

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I think you'll forgive us -

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got slightly distracted, stealing the cameraman's umbrella

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and sheltering from it. They liked it.

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Right. It's a bedroom. Oh, nice.

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-It's the main bedroom, is it?

-Yeah.

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It's got the beams and the things and stuff. And the fireplace.

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-Yeah. That's good.

-Two wardrobes.

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-They're nice fitted wardrobes.

-Are they're fitted, are they?

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Yeah. Yeah. Think so.

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It's stopped. Who would have thought that we have gone from a Noah-esque flood to this.

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-Second bedroom.

-Yeah.

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An England fan.

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Yeah. It's quite a nice size though, isn't it?

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Oh, an upstairs bathroom.

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-That's good.

-That's rare.

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It's big, as well. It's really nice.

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It is good. What's that over there? That might be the shower there.

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-No. I think it's the hot water, isn't it? I'm not sure.

-It could be.

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Do you think you could fit in there?

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-I don't know. Shall I try?

-You'd better not cos you'll get the nice white bath all dirty.

-Oh, yeah.

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They don't need to worry about whether Doug can fit under there

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because before every show I measure each contestant and then turn it into piece of string.

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So, I've got Doug in my left pocket,

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that piece of string, and I've got Laura in my right, so I went up there,

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took a piece of string out of my right pocket, measured it under there and Doug will fit perfectly.

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Right was Laura.

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-I think it'll be all right.

-Yeah.

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-He's done well on this house.

-Yeah. I like it.

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Yeah. There's a couple of bits where the headroom's a bit...

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I almost hit myself on the stairs, but I can get used to that.

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I like the wood and yeah, I like the style of it.

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-The style is perfect, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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-What did you think of it?

-Yeah.

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I really liked it. I really did. I liked the wood and things like that.

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-French oak, a lot of French oak was in there, I believe.

-Yeah.

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Very posh. He knows his wood, the guy who owns this.

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I really like that bit of it. Yeah.

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-That's good.

-It's got to be guess the price time.

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Yeah. So who wants to go first?

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Who knows their property?

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Doug's better at it.

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Go on then, Doug. How much do you think this property's worth?

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You said you'd be willing to spend 220, maybe 250, if it was the right property.

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Well, I reckon 225, 230.

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-Come on, man.

-237?

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237?! You've gone from 225...

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-227, sorry!

-227.

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OK. 227. A ludicrous price of 227.

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I think it might be a little bit more so I'm going for 230.

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-OK.

-230. 227.

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Right. Well, surprisingly, no-one's got it right.

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The closest is...

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Doug. The actual price is £220,000.

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It's less than you both thought.

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And in this current economic climate,

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I would imagine there could be a bit

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of haggling to be going on because obviously, you want the allotment

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over there as well and you'll want a bit of a leverage on that.

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-Shall we just end the show here?

-No. I think not.

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We should dry off and check out property number two which is my choice.

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-So, Doug, we're going to follow you.

-OK.

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I can do charm and character too, you know.

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We're talking Victorian terrace, exposed brickwork,

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roll-top bath and fireplaces a go-go.

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And all combined with some seriously sassy styling.

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But Rani, where will the chickens live?

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Well, Ed, I'm sure I can hatch a plan for that one.

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Rani, that's pun-thetic.

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OK, then, Doug and Laura. Welcome to property number two.

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Now, we're still in Chesham and like Ed,

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I have also given you a Victorian terrace.

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What are your first impressions of this place.

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It's not as pretty as the last one.

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-Yeah. It doesn't fill me with confidence.

-Not is it, really?

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-Where's the allotment from here? Where's the river?

-Hang on.

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Back up, Ed. Let's find out what you think first.

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-Yeah. I mean, it hasn't got the allotment, has it?

-No.

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I like the bricks. The brickwork's nice.

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-Yes.

-It's right in town, this one, so it's a different place.

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Now, the other thing is... Ed did give you two bedrooms.

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I am also giving you two bedrooms.

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But there's also something a little bit special as well

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in there for you. A little surprise.

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Is the allotment upstairs, is it? Or maybe the river?

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-We've got a great garden.

-OK.

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-That's what you need to know.

-OK.

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Are you interested enough to go inside to see behind the brickwork?

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Let's look at the negatives.

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It's got no river nearby. If you want to go in, it doesn't really bother me.

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-It's about to rain in a minute.

-Go in out of the rain.

0:14:560:14:58

Go in. Have a look around.

0:14:580:14:59

-Make the best of it.

-Enjoy the bricks. Have a feel of the bricks.

0:14:590:15:03

-Yeah.

-Lovely bricks.

0:15:030:15:04

-So this must be the dining room, then.

-Yeah.

0:15:080:15:10

It's a bit strange having a dining room here. But it's quite nice.

0:15:100:15:13

I like the fireplace.

0:15:130:15:15

-Is that thing, the stereo thing, under the...?

-That's funny.

0:15:150:15:18

-Original, isn't it?

-It's quite clever. Yeah.

0:15:180:15:21

-It's not a car.

-It's not a car. And it's not a car stereo.

0:15:210:15:24

-It's just a stereo.

-Just jammed in the wall?

0:15:240:15:26

-Wow!

-This is....

0:15:260:15:28

-Look at the fireplace.

-Two fireplaces.

0:15:280:15:30

Yeah. That's really nice.

0:15:300:15:31

It's a nice living room though.

0:15:310:15:34

Yeah. Yeah. It is.

0:15:340:15:35

It's lovely. Really light.

0:15:350:15:37

-Yeah.

-It's modern.

0:15:370:15:38

It's bigger. I like the trolley thing,

0:15:380:15:40

you can put something in like a breakfast bar or something.

0:15:400:15:43

-Yeah.

-It's a lot of light coming in

0:15:430:15:45

from that window up there, isn't it.

0:15:450:15:47

It bathes the whole kitchen.

0:15:470:15:49

This is true about this kitchen.

0:15:490:15:50

It's really nice and light. The front room's really light.

0:15:500:15:53

The second room, maybe not as light, but this one...

0:15:530:15:56

it feels clean, it feels new.

0:15:560:15:58

There must be a bathroom through here.

0:15:580:16:00

Yeah. A downstairs bathroom.

0:16:000:16:04

Oh, just a shower. So has it got a bath anywhere, do you think?

0:16:040:16:07

Don't know if there's one upstairs.

0:16:070:16:09

They think that's the only bathroom. That could cloud their judgement.

0:16:090:16:13

-Oh, OK.

-Bigger bedroom.

-Yeah.

0:16:150:16:19

-It's much bigger, isn't it.

-Yeah.

0:16:190:16:21

Like the bedroom. I've seen in there as well.

0:16:210:16:24

What's that?

0:16:240:16:25

-That's a nice bath.

-Yeah. It is, isn't it.

0:16:250:16:28

That's really good cos you've got a shower room downstairs

0:16:280:16:31

and a bathroom upstairs.

0:16:310:16:33

They've got an extra bathroom with a tank. That's safe.

0:16:330:16:36

-Second bedroom?

-Yeah.

0:16:360:16:39

That's quite a good size.

0:16:390:16:41

We'd fit everything we need for the baby in here,

0:16:410:16:43

-Yeah. They have those shutters. I do like those shutters.

-Yeah.

0:16:430:16:47

-That's nice.

-So, cupboard.

0:16:470:16:49

-Yeah.

-Must be a wardrobe.

0:16:490:16:52

Ooh, stairs.

0:16:520:16:55

And they are quite steep stairs, aren't they, Rani?

0:16:550:16:57

They are quite steep stairs. They're very cleverly designed.

0:16:570:17:01

Oh, this is really pretty.

0:17:010:17:03

They're using it as like a kid's bedroom.

0:17:060:17:09

It's really nice.

0:17:090:17:11

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:17:110:17:12

Brickwork again. I'll take that.

0:17:120:17:14

Yeah. You could... I mean, if we to start with, put an office thing up here, I could work from home a bit.

0:17:140:17:21

I said it was a two-bedroom because of fire regulations, you can't say

0:17:210:17:24

the attic room is a third bedroom,

0:17:240:17:26

so you have it as a hobby room, or maybe a kids' playroom.

0:17:260:17:29

You could sleep in there, you just can't sell it as a third bedroom.

0:17:290:17:33

Hey, yeah, Rani's done well on it, I think.

0:17:330:17:36

Perhaps not the location I thought of, but you've

0:17:360:17:38

got much more in the house, you know, a bit more exciting.

0:17:380:17:42

-There's certainly more inside than I was expecting.

-Yeah. That's right.

0:17:420:17:46

Now, when you first went into the house, I was slightly worried,

0:17:490:17:52

but by the end of the tour, you seemed to have perked up a bit.

0:17:520:17:55

Yeah. Lots of surprises in there. Yeah.

0:17:550:17:58

-Good surprises?

-Yeah. Yeah.

0:17:580:17:59

It was certainly a lot nicer than I thought it would be.

0:17:590:18:02

We weren't expecting much, to be honest.

0:18:020:18:05

OK. It's beautiful.

0:18:050:18:07

It's over three floors.

0:18:070:18:08

-It is two and a bit bedrooms.

-You couldn't call it a bedroom.

0:18:080:18:11

Maximum budget of £250,000. You went first last time, didn't you, Doug?

0:18:110:18:15

So, Laura, you go first this time.

0:18:150:18:17

-I think it's more than the last one, so I'm going to say 230.

-Right. OK.

0:18:170:18:22

I was going to go 230 as well, so I'm going to go a little bit higher.

0:18:220:18:26

I'll go 235.

0:18:260:18:27

235. Right then, Doug, it looks like you're closest again.

0:18:270:18:31

This property is on the market currently at 239,950.

0:18:310:18:36

So it's still under your budget, but it's been finished fantastically.

0:18:360:18:39

So that's what you're going to be paying for.

0:18:390:18:42

The next house is everyone's favourite part of the show.

0:18:420:18:44

-It is the wildcard. Are you excited?

-Very.

-Very.

0:18:440:18:47

To take part in your own wildcard episode?

0:18:470:18:49

-Yeah.

-It's this way. Let's go.

0:18:490:18:51

Right. Today's wildcard.

0:18:540:18:56

It's wilder than usual, Rani, but not for any of the normal reasons.

0:18:560:19:00

Well, I'll let you do the explaining to Doug and Laura then,

0:19:000:19:03

because this wildcard, it's totally confusing me.

0:19:030:19:06

Doug and Laura, walk tantalisingly toward

0:19:060:19:08

everyone's favourite part of the programme, the wildcard.

0:19:080:19:12

Now, it's wild for many reasons today.

0:19:120:19:14

The viewers know one of the reasons, we had a wildcard already and that fell through.

0:19:140:19:18

We can't go to see that. Very short notice, we found you this.

0:19:180:19:22

And the reason we found you this is because it's like the one that has fallen through.

0:19:220:19:26

It's not sold - you could still buy it.

0:19:260:19:28

The reason we're here in Chesham old town

0:19:280:19:30

is because the wildcard that fell through is in Chesham old town.

0:19:300:19:34

And I want you to know what it's like. Have you been here before?

0:19:340:19:37

-No, we haven't.

-Do you like the feel of Chesham old town?

0:19:370:19:40

-I really like the old-style houses.

-Well, that's good news.

0:19:400:19:43

Now, the one that we're going to look at today is there,

0:19:430:19:46

-the yellow-doored one.

-Right.

0:19:460:19:48

It's got three bedrooms.

0:19:480:19:49

The one you could buy, that we can't get into today,

0:19:490:19:52

has got two bedrooms.

0:19:520:19:53

So imagine this one minus a bedroom.

0:19:530:19:55

-Right.

-So, Doug, what are your thoughts?

0:19:550:19:57

I think it's lovely. I think the town around here looks a beautiful little town.

0:19:570:20:01

So hopefully the house is as nice.

0:20:010:20:05

Are you ready to go in?

0:20:050:20:06

-Yes.

-OK. Imagine it has two bedrooms.

0:20:060:20:08

-Remember that. Are you ready?

-Yeah.

0:20:080:20:11

Get in it.

0:20:110:20:12

-It's lovely.

-Straight into the kitchen.

0:20:170:20:21

Just to recap, do you understand what's going on?

0:20:210:20:23

-Absolutely.

-Go on then.

-The property we found,

0:20:230:20:26

-the wildcard, fell through.

-Right.

0:20:260:20:28

We've got them another wildcard.

0:20:280:20:29

They get a feel of the location and the style of property.

0:20:290:20:32

Unfortunately, they can't afford it.

0:20:320:20:34

It's got a kind of villagey-cottage feel to it, hasn't it?

0:20:340:20:38

With all these shelves behind us here, as well.

0:20:380:20:41

-Lovely kitchen, isn't it?

-Yeah. I really like this kitchen.

0:20:410:20:45

Yes. It is. I like the curve of it, as well.

0:20:450:20:47

-Yeah. It's a nice shape, isn't it?

-Feels kind of homely.

0:20:470:20:50

That's the beauty of the old town though.

0:20:500:20:52

I think that's what Laura likes about...

0:20:520:20:55

That's what she would like about this area.

0:20:550:20:57

-Lovely. Look at this.

-Oh, wow.

-All the oak beams.

0:20:570:21:00

-Is that oak? OK.

-Yeah.

0:21:000:21:02

Lovely, that is. I love all this under here.

0:21:020:21:05

It's the kind of alcove-y bits.

0:21:050:21:09

-There's the door to the garden with...

-A cat flap. Yay.

0:21:090:21:13

-That's good.

-That's done it, hasn't it?

0:21:130:21:15

That's made them think, "Right, we have to move here,

0:21:150:21:18

"we have to move here because of the cat flap."

0:21:180:21:21

Wow, look at the bathroom.

0:21:210:21:25

Bathroom. Proper bath, again.

0:21:250:21:27

I like that bath. Look at the shower.

0:21:270:21:28

The shower's lovely, isn't it?

0:21:280:21:30

That's sweet. It's big enough, isn't it?

0:21:300:21:33

-Sweet bedroom.

-It is, isn't it?

0:21:350:21:37

-Yeah.

-Lots of nice shapes...

0:21:370:21:40

The beams... Yeah. It's nice.

0:21:400:21:41

You've got all the bulging walls here between the beams.

0:21:410:21:45

-Yeah.

-Maybe it was two houses before.

0:21:450:21:48

It's a combination of a 1930s infill, which is there,

0:21:480:21:52

and then the whatever building age this bit is,

0:21:520:21:55

but they're in the 1930s bit.

0:21:550:21:57

Cunning. They've worked that out.

0:21:570:21:59

This is another bedroom here, isn't it?

0:21:590:22:01

-That's nice.

-You could get a double bed in here.

-You can.

0:22:010:22:05

-Nice little window in the corner.

-It's quite bright in here.

0:22:050:22:08

Yeah. OK. I guess round here, into the third bedroom that doesn't exist.

0:22:080:22:13

Yet. Baby's room. Definitely.

0:22:130:22:15

Again, you've got the window over.

0:22:150:22:17

-I guess maybe the same window coming through.

-Yeah.

0:22:170:22:20

Nice and bright again.

0:22:200:22:22

I like the way Doug has chosen the smallest room not to exist

0:22:220:22:25

because maybe it would have been one of the bigger rooms that didn't exist.

0:22:250:22:28

So I think the mystery choice is...

0:22:280:22:31

-Just have to work out if we can afford it.

-Yeah.

0:22:310:22:33

I love the character. I love all the beams and everything

0:22:330:22:36

although your head might be a bit of a problem.

0:22:360:22:39

Laura and Doug, you've had a good look round the place.

0:22:420:22:45

Now, what we gave you in extra bedroom,

0:22:450:22:47

we've taken away in the garden.

0:22:470:22:49

Yeah. We can see that.

0:22:490:22:51

-What do you think of the place?

-Oh, it's lovely.

0:22:510:22:54

I love the character and the kitchen was gorgeous.

0:22:540:22:57

Everything, like the sinks and things like that.

0:22:570:23:00

The character's lovely. It was a bit small head rooms in a few places.

0:23:000:23:04

How are you on a narrowboat though?

0:23:040:23:06

Narrowboats are taller than some of those beams.

0:23:060:23:08

It's got about half an inch above my head, and there's no stairs.

0:23:080:23:12

And you're used to that tolerance level, you really are.

0:23:120:23:16

OK, then. We might as well guess the price. Doug, you've won.

0:23:160:23:19

You've been closest both times.

0:23:190:23:21

-Is it all right if Doug goes first again?

-Yeah.

0:23:210:23:23

We said your maximum budget was 250.

0:23:230:23:25

You wanted to spend around 220.

0:23:250:23:29

We have gone over your maximum budget.

0:23:290:23:31

-We'll be clear about that. What do you think this property's on the market for?

-I don't know.

0:23:310:23:36

I think, maybe, 270, maybe.

0:23:360:23:39

270. Laura?

0:23:390:23:41

-I'll go maybe a little bit lower this time. 265.

-265.

-Yeah.

0:23:410:23:46

The price of the property in Chesham old town is £290,000.

0:23:460:23:52

Laura, you are nothing if not consistent.

0:23:520:23:54

You have lost all three which in a way is a triumph really, I think.

0:23:540:23:58

-Be proud.

-And Doug, you're a little bit out.

0:23:580:24:01

Now, the purpose of this was because to see if you like the style of it.

0:24:010:24:04

Now, the property we couldn't get into today is £235,000

0:24:040:24:08

and obviously there might be a bit of movement on that.

0:24:080:24:11

So that's within your budget. So if you do like this style and character,

0:24:110:24:15

it is available within your budget.

0:24:150:24:17

So that is something to think about whilst you head off

0:24:170:24:20

and make the decision about which one you wish to test drive.

0:24:200:24:24

-Right.

-OK. Good luck with that. We will see you later.

0:24:240:24:27

Off you guys go, and whilst they do that,

0:24:270:24:29

here's a quick reminder for you guys at home.

0:24:290:24:32

Will the location and allotment perfection of property number one

0:24:320:24:36

cajole them back for a test drive?

0:24:360:24:38

Just down the road from Laura's sister,

0:24:380:24:39

it was familiar territory and a bargain for...

0:24:390:24:43

Or will the gorgeous brickwork

0:24:430:24:45

and bathroom bliss of my property tempt them?

0:24:450:24:48

Don't forget that extra bedroom, sorry, hobby room.

0:24:480:24:50

And all that for...

0:24:500:24:53

Or will they speak to the bank manager and decide on the wildcard.

0:24:530:24:57

Gorgeous location, gorgeous interiors,

0:24:570:25:00

but eye-wateringly over their budget at...

0:25:000:25:03

Laura's mum Lindy's here and where is here?

0:25:080:25:11

My property, number one, of course.

0:25:110:25:14

This is lovely, darling. Isn't this super?

0:25:140:25:17

Yes. It is lovely, Ed.

0:25:170:25:20

Oh, Doug's escaped already

0:25:220:25:24

and there was me thinking he actually liked my property.

0:25:240:25:27

-This would be the baby's room.

-Oh, that's lovely.

0:25:290:25:32

Yes. I think that's just about right.

0:25:320:25:35

The girls are having a lovely time talking about babies and nurseries.

0:25:350:25:39

No wonder Doug has left them to it.

0:25:390:25:42

-Ah, here he is.

-Hi, Doug.

-Hiya.

0:25:420:25:44

Welcome to the allotments.

0:25:440:25:46

Can't keep a man away from his shed.

0:25:460:25:48

Will Doug's carrots measure up to those?

0:25:480:25:51

Laura's getting creative here. What lovely cards.

0:25:510:25:55

How are you doing there? I think it's lovely here. Lovely view.

0:25:560:26:00

They're looking right at home, Ed.

0:26:000:26:03

Back at the allotment and Doug's finally getting stuck in.

0:26:030:26:07

I think the good life could just be around the corner.

0:26:070:26:11

Doug and Laura, firstly, congratulations. You picked my one.

0:26:110:26:15

And secondly, and this is probably for Rani's benefit,

0:26:150:26:18

are you listening? Why did you go for my one?

0:26:180:26:20

The location, I suppose.

0:26:200:26:22

I like the garden where it's not quite on the edge of a road.

0:26:220:26:26

You've got quite a bit more space, it seems.

0:26:260:26:28

It feels more enclosed here.

0:26:280:26:30

This is it. Very important. Child on its way.

0:26:300:26:33

I can't build this up enough.

0:26:330:26:35

To Buy Or Not To Buy, Doug and Laura. That is the question.

0:26:350:26:39

Buy.

0:26:390:26:41

BOTH: Really?!

0:26:410:26:43

Yes!

0:26:430:26:45

We've had a lovely day.

0:26:450:26:46

And congratulations. This is it. Well done and good luck with baby.

0:26:460:26:51

We'll see you soon. OK. And let us know if you do move in.

0:26:510:26:53

-And send us pictures of the baby as well.

-Oh, yeah.

0:26:530:26:56

-See you later.

-Thank you.

0:26:560:26:58

-That's great.

-Lovely people.

0:26:580:27:00

Who were they(?)

0:27:000:27:02

Well, Ed, I can't believe you actually did it.

0:27:020:27:05

You brought Laura and Doug to land safely.

0:27:050:27:07

I certainly did. Rani, in many way, in fact actually, entirely,

0:27:070:27:11

I'm very much like a property lifesaver,

0:27:110:27:13

a property life ring.

0:27:130:27:15

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0:27:200:27:23

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0:27:230:27:26

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