0:00:02 > 0:00:06Good morning. I'm Ed Hall and I'll be one of your presenters.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11I'm Rani Price, your co-presenter on today's To Buy Or Not To Buy.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17- So return your seats to the upright position.- Stow away your tray tables and prepare for take-off
0:00:17 > 0:00:20to find three fantastic properties.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- One of which, today's buyers can get the chance to try... - ..before they buy.
0:00:40 > 0:00:47We are currently cruising at a rate of one estate agent every ten minutes!
0:00:47 > 0:00:51With a constant speed of three viewings per show!
0:00:51 > 0:00:58- Why are we talking and shouting in aeroplane analogies?- One of our buyers is an airline pilot.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- Clever. Never let anything get in the way of a good theme.- Exactly.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- Some things in life can be black and white.- Like today's buyers?- Yes.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13- His name is Alistair Black. - And her name is Liz White. If they get married, will they become Grey?
0:01:13 > 0:01:18I doubt it! Anyway, Alistair is a real-life airline pilot
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and flies all over the world.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Liz is a musician and works in the marketing department for musicians at the South Bank.
0:01:26 > 0:01:32- She's rather adept at the violin. - But what we need are properties to whet their appetite.
0:01:32 > 0:01:39- Is that so we don't STRING them along?- Enough punnage, Ed, or this duet will be over!
0:01:39 > 0:01:41You seem like go-getters,
0:01:41 > 0:01:47youthful...but why can't you find a house? Why are you struggling?
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Mainly budget.- Location. - Anything else?!
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Laziness!
0:01:53 > 0:01:58I guess you're very busy. Do you feel you need to farm this job out to us?
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- Yes!- Yes!- I in no way led you to that conclusion.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08So you're having problems with your budget and location. So location...
0:02:08 > 0:02:15I want to be quite central into London. I work there. Or an easy commute is important.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20And for me, getting to Heathrow and Gatwick is the compromise.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- Do they not give you a helicopter or landing strip?- Every other day.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- OK.- 50/50. I can see why you want to move.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33What zone do you want? London is broken up into transport zones - zones 1 to 6.
0:02:33 > 0:02:40- Six is out where Heathrow is. - We would look for a Zone 2-4 kind of area.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46- Have you looked at any areas? - Clapham is quite good for us both. It's easily commutable.- Right.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51Wandsworth, that kind of area. Any part of the south-west of London!
0:02:51 > 0:02:56South-west is a good place for us to start. The property itself...
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- How many bedrooms? What are we looking for?- Two would be nice,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03but we're very open to everything.
0:03:03 > 0:03:10OK, so two bedrooms. Do you need a garden? Do you want to be modern? Old? You just really don't mind?
0:03:10 > 0:03:13We're really open to whether it's modern or old.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19Most important is location. A garden would be ideal. We'd eventually like to get a dog.
0:03:19 > 0:03:26We've got the area, we've got the style of property. Now you're a musician.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- Violin, yeah?- Yes. - Do you go to any of the bigger ones?
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- Cello I think he's talking about! - Do we need storage for these things?
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Not really, no. Storage isn't really a problem.
0:03:39 > 0:03:46- OK.- Ally's got a guitar as well. - And you don't have to bring the...home.- No, no.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50So you've had a little look. What would make you go, "Yes!"?
0:03:50 > 0:03:56It would be nice to have somewhere where we could go out, a nice pub, a few bars.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01Is there anything else we need to know before we ask the rudest question, about money?
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- Is there anything else? - Probably not.- I don't think so.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- All right. Do you want to do it? - I don't mind.- It's rude.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- How much have you got to spend? - We're looking between sort of, ideally £185,000-£200,000.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Cos...depending, you know... it's London...
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Could you go any higher?- We could nudge not much further than 200.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- Say, two...- Ten. 210 at a push.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- We'd like to say yes, but... - OK, I'll tell you what we'll do.
0:04:33 > 0:04:40The credit crunch is still happening. You can have a haggle zone for things beyond that.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46- Maybe around 210...- But if you find somewhere for £185,000, you'd do work on that property?
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- Would you be willing to do that? - Yeah.- That may be the situation.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I'd quite like to do that with all this free time I've got(!)
0:04:55 > 0:05:01I think we're quite realistic. We know our budget's limiting. We're open to doing some work.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- OK, wish us luck. See you later. - Good luck.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11We are not going to get two bedrooms plus space for a woof woof. It's not going to happen, Ed.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16No, we need to do the haggle zone. We need at least 225 or 30.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20We need to look up to that and then maybe haggle back.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And if they do some work, we could get it, possibly. It is London.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- So shall we go to Clapham? - Lovely place. We'd be fools not to.
0:05:29 > 0:05:36Clapham is a town in South London and it's famed for having a Common and a Junction.
0:05:36 > 0:05:43- World-renowned for them. - And it has some very famous residents indeed.- Tell me more.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Ainslie Harriott likes to rattle those pots and pans here.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51And when he's not filming New Tricks, Dennis Waterman's here.
0:05:51 > 0:05:58- A real home to the stars, then. - A veritable hotbed, Rani. We'd fit right in.- Won't we just?
0:05:58 > 0:06:02What about Clapham Common? It's just over 200 acres of land
0:06:02 > 0:06:08between Clapham, Battersea and Balham, but it stopped being a common in 1878.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12How uncommon. Clapham Junction is reputed to be
0:06:12 > 0:06:17the busiest train station in Britain with 2,000 trains a day.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23A trainspotter's paradise. However, these are interesting facts but I have to point out
0:06:23 > 0:06:27that Clapham Junction isn't in Clapham - it's in Battersea.
0:06:27 > 0:06:33In 1863, a junction was added to the Battersea line to cope with the trains, but was named after Clapham,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36hence the name Clapham Junction.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- All this train talk has got me thinking.- About what?
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- The prices of houses in the rest of the country!- What?
0:06:45 > 0:06:51Don't look so confused. I meant houses in the rest of the country that are near train stations.
0:06:51 > 0:06:58If you like your stations close - and your airports - this four-bed terrace in Newton, West Lothian,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02would be ideal. The train is 2.9 miles away and the airport 10 miles.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05The price?
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Not bad, Rani, but this two-bed semi-detached bungalow in Cheadle
0:07:13 > 0:07:21is a trifling 1.8 miles to the nearest train station and 2.6 miles to Manchester Airport.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31This three-bed semi in Birmingham is right on the doorstep of the train, just 1.2 miles away,
0:07:31 > 0:07:36and Birmingham International Airport is 3.2 miles away.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- 3.2 miles is an advisable distance to be away from an airport.- Agreed!
0:07:47 > 0:07:54- House prices are on the rise. - And they're being driven up by the resurgence of London.
0:07:54 > 0:08:00In particular, the scrubbed-up suburbs such as Clapham.
0:08:00 > 0:08:06One reason is greater availability of credit. And the estate agents know it!
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Your average house hunter here has the three Cs.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Cash. Clean credit record. Chunk of equity,
0:08:13 > 0:08:20which is technically an E, but it is kind of three Cs - two Cs and an E.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25So lenders are happy to lend and agents put the prices up.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28And Clapham becomes even more desirable.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33Prices are rising, but it could still be a good time for a bargain.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38But our idea of a bargain might not be the same as those estate agents.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43A two-bed maisonette in the old town is on the market at 400 grand.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49- £400,000. And we've only got 200 and a bit. Fingers crossed we can do it.- I'm sure we will.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- So, Ed, was I right? - Well, you were kind of right.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59I've pushed the haggle zone a bit. Remember, this is London.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04£210,000 maximum. It's not a lot. But for London it's nice.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08I am in Battersea for the first one. A lovely little building.
0:09:08 > 0:09:16- Purpose-built apartment block with lots of history.- Nice. - No garden, perfect for them.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Like it?- I actually really like that.- Battersea and Clapham border.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25OK, same area for my property. This one is a bit of a project.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29This is a fantastic opportunity for a first-time buy.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- I love that building. - It's similar.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39OK, the Wild Card. Everyone loves it. A house split into two.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It has two bonus features.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Yes, it does!- I won't tell what they are. Very lovely.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51I think they might like this. Clapham/Brixton borders.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- Where shall we start? - Why not at Property Number One?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- Your choice.- The beauty.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Ladies and gentlemen, Property 1 - my choice.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10This ground-floor flat in Lucas House is screaming out for some first-time buyers to snap it up.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Cabin doors to manual and prepare for viewing.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Ally and Liz, welcome to Property 1.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Look at this oasis in the middle of the Clapham/Battersea zone.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26It's Battersea post code. What do you think?
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- It's amazing.- Very nice. - OK, down there,
0:10:30 > 0:10:35that is the beauty. That is the one we've gone for.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40Ground floor, two bedrooms, this is the most garden I could get.
0:10:40 > 0:10:47It's communal space. And the future dog could cock his leg over any one of these.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Or whatever it would do. You'd have a plastic bag.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55What do you think about the area, the whole idea of living here?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Half a mile from the Tube.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03I think it's nice. Yeah, it looks nice and bright. And quite a nice location.
0:11:03 > 0:11:09- I like it so far. - Liz?- It's perfect to have this little green area on your doorstep.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- And the area seems great. - It's even got cat flaps!
0:11:13 > 0:11:19- If you wanted a cat as well... - Or a little dog.- This is perfect. Enter that dream house.- Thank you.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25- I've got to say, Ed, fantastic location.- Brilliant. - I really like this place.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- You never normally agree. - I love it.- So it IS lovely.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- Good call, Ed, on the location. You're very clever.- Very clever.
0:11:36 > 0:11:43- Why are you being so complimentary? - I just think you've done... I'm just surprised. It's really good.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- I like...- All right! It's lovely.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Mmm.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53OK, nice snug living room in here.
0:11:53 > 0:12:00- Yeah. We could just about get the telly in here.- Yeah. - That'll be that half of the room.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Then we can live in the other half.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08How big is his telly? How big? He's got a TV that is half the size of that room? Ridiculous!
0:12:08 > 0:12:14- I like that Liz has described it as snug. Not the normal cosy, but snug.- Snug.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18It still means "small and I like it".
0:12:18 > 0:12:23Quite small. Not sure when we have friends over. Depends what the rest is like.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27They've got two sofas in, and a table.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Yeah.- And then just the telly.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35They've never lived together properly. We can spot that.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39They don't know what they're talking about! He's an aircraft pilot.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45And she's a lovely musician. But when it comes to moving in together, they know nothing!
0:12:45 > 0:12:51- It would probably need decorating, a bit of a spruce up.- Yeah.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Wooden floorboards.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57OK, right. What have we got here?
0:12:57 > 0:13:01This looks like it might be a good bedroom.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06- Bedroom?- Bedroom number one. - You'd fit a nice double bed in here, I think.- Yeah.
0:13:06 > 0:13:13- It might need a bit of work. - Sprucing up. I don't think there's a lot of work needs doing.
0:13:13 > 0:13:20When they open their Christmas presents, you'd be hard pushed to know what they thought about it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- "Do you like that?"- That's maybe because of what you're showing them.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28I think this is perfect, but they're not revealing much.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Fireplace as well.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We could put in a few shelves.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37It's not a bad size room. In fact, it's a pretty good size.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- A-ha!- Kitchen.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- Right. It's not massive.- No. - But it's not a bad size.
0:13:46 > 0:13:52- I quite like the old school-ness. - Especially the cooker! Can't get more old school.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56So they want the retro-style oven with the grill on top.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- It does look sweet, but no. Really. - It's good for cheese on toast.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07- It IS great!- Cheese on toast. - But you've really got to get your timing right with toast.
0:14:07 > 0:14:14But my grill's underneath, I close it, forget my cheese on toast. Up there I see it happening.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16We'd put a new kitchen in.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21We'd get something nice in here. New cooker, new cabinets.
0:14:21 > 0:14:28- Probably a little breakfast table. - Yeah, that would be nice. - It'd be nice.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- Yeah, but again I don't think it's actually immediate. We could live in it.- We could start here
0:14:33 > 0:14:39- and do it as we go along. - That's nice - the window will overlook the garden.
0:14:39 > 0:14:45- That's the kitchen discussion. - Totally enthusiastic. - Is that enthusiasm?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48It's hard to say with youth these days.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- OK. A little bathroom!- Yeah.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It's not bad. You've got a bath.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- A bath's very important. - Yeah?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Shower.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Actually, the shower looks pretty good.- It would do us for a while.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- It just needs some colour in here, maybe.- Yeah.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- The appliances look OK. - Yeah. It's in very good condition.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- Nice little window.- Yeah. - Good size. Well done. Well done, bathroom.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25Very strange thing to say. I'm sure the bathroom would say, "Thank you very much."
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- A-ha!- Second bedroom.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Two bedrooms.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- What do you think?- I think it could be the master bedroom.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Yeah, it looks bigger to me.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- You did tell them there was a second bedroom?- Yeah!
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- They seem quite excited.- They are.
0:15:47 > 0:15:54- Might be a bit quieter as well. - Yeah, the view's definitely a little nicer than the other one.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00But maybe we could have one of the bedrooms as a dining room where we could all eat.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Or a study? - Hmm. Less keen on that idea.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07That was an uncomfortable moment. Did you hear that?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12Ally just knocked back Liz's suggestion.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16If we twisted the bed that way this would be a master bedroom.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21- It's a great size.- Yeah. - It's a great size.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Again needs a lick of paint.- Yeah.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- Some Arsenal framed pictures. - Yeah.- Would be nice.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- Good.- OK.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- Hello!- Hello.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43- How are you?- Very good. - So you're wandering round the flat, there's really nothing in it.
0:16:43 > 0:16:49An it's probably smaller than you're used to because you've not lived in London together.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- So what do you think? - Really, really like it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- Really? OK.- It's like you said. The living room is quite small,
0:16:58 > 0:17:05the kitchen's quite small, but the two other big rooms counterbalance that.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- It's ideal, really, for us. - I quite liked it. A blank canvas.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16You were talking about doing the front bedroom as the living room. Would that be a possibility?
0:17:16 > 0:17:22- You didn't like that idea. - I like the idea, if we've got the space, of two bedrooms.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28So your maximum budget for your new property is £210,000 at a real push. Right?
0:17:28 > 0:17:34- Yeah.- Are you competitive? Who wants to go first?- Very competitive, but Liz can go first.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38You're forcing her to... Right, go on.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43OK, well, a gut feeling for this is 195.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48- £195,000. Right, Ally? - I was thinking similar,
0:17:48 > 0:17:54but probably just a little bit higher, I think. Maybe 199,950?
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- Playing it safe! - You're being cruel there, Ally.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02You've won it based around Liz's price guessing,
0:18:02 > 0:18:09but you still have won. The actual price, right, you're not that near.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12It's £225,000.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Sob!
0:18:15 > 0:18:22- Sob, indeed!- There's no-one in it. And that would imply someone owns it, with no mortgage or rent.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26So that's a good position to have. And you've got nothing to sell.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29So you could get some money off it.
0:18:29 > 0:18:35- Don't cry too much!- OK.- Tell them Uncle Edward the Haggling Man told you it would be fine!
0:18:35 > 0:18:39OK? Yeah? Do you want to see Property 2 anyway?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Absolutely. - Well, let's go to Property 2.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- And...we're here! This is it. - No, no, mine's there. Can't be.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Ed, Property Number 2.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56The very short journey from Ed's choice leads you to my choice.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01Again a ground-floor flat, but a far more challenging prospect awaits.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05We'll be landing shortly so please prepare yourselves for a viewing.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Right then, Ally and Liz, surprise, surprise!
0:19:09 > 0:19:13I loved Ed's location and the reason being, Ed's property is just there,
0:19:13 > 0:19:18- Property Number 2 is just here. - OK!
0:19:18 > 0:19:21It is still a two-bedroom flat.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- The layout is slightly different. - Just...
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- What do you think of the location? - Brilliant, yeah!
0:19:29 > 0:19:35- Great for you to get to work. What are your thoughts? - It was so fast to get here!
0:19:35 > 0:19:38It's like deja vu a little bit.
0:19:38 > 0:19:45It's a shock, I know, but it is a fantastic little place, so we thought why not show you
0:19:45 > 0:19:49two properties? It's slightly different. OK.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53I can't sell it any more outside. Would you like to look inside?
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- Let's go.- Go on, then! Love it! What a great location!
0:19:58 > 0:20:02They'll like this one so much better. It's so much better.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09We normally show them three properties and they're different.
0:20:09 > 0:20:15- Mine's there. You're showing it again!- No, it's very different on the inside, Ed.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17And it's a fantastic location.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Well done. I love this location.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- Nice red door.- Welcome mat.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- It's a bit different. - Much more of a hallway this time.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- Natural finish.- Shall we look in here?- Let's go for it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36We're like the album cover of a progressive folk band.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- Shall I do this?- I'm wistfully thinking up my next lyric.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- Snug!- Ah, yeah.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- It's quite cosy.- So we've got the bathroom, which is nice.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- Toilet... - It's got a bath. No shower.- No.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- You need a new bathroom.- Yes. - You can do that up, make it lovely.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- It's small. Or we could say it's compact.- Or beautifully formed.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Either way, you've got to spend minimum...400 quid in there.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- It's cosy, but it's got everything we need.- Does the job.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15And again a lick of paint to brighten it up a bit.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17But again it's decent.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22Yeah, I agree. Let's see what else we've got.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Great. Shall we have a look?- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Let's have a look in here.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- A-ha! Kitchen.- Kitchen.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Wow.- Similar size.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37Yeah. It's a bit...disjointed, isn't it?
0:21:37 > 0:21:42It doesn't have much of the... much working surface or anything.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- We'd have to do a lot of work here. - Second World War feel to it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- But actually a good size. - Yeah, not bad.
0:21:50 > 0:21:57We'd have to replace everything and put a nice little kitchen in, but we could live in here.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Yeah. This would need a lot of work.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02The only work you've got to do is put a new kitchen in.
0:22:02 > 0:22:08So far, you've got to buy a new kitchen and new bathroom. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, Rani.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- Really nice view out the window. - Yeah.- We'd have to do a lot of work, invest a lot of money.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19Yeah, it would need a lick of paint and probably a new kitchen unit put in.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- But it's an OK size for us. - Oven, fridge.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- Yeah, OK. Shall we see what else they've got for us?- Yeah, OK.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30OK, after you.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Wow!
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Yeah.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- This is an interesting room. - Living room/library.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41A good way of describing it - the library room.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- An OK size.- Fantastic size. It's really big.- Get the telly in here,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- get some sofas in here comfortably. - Yeah.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Table over there? - Dining table in the corner.
0:22:52 > 0:22:59- This is a really good size for socialising in, you know, having people over.- Yeah.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Yes, thank you, this is a great size living room.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05There's space to entertain, to socialise.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11To read books in. You could have the entire librarian conference of... It's near Battersea and Clapham.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16All the librarians from Battersea and Clapham could fit happily in that room.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- A bit of potential. - A lot of potential, I'd say.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23And nice, open windows that really let the light in.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- Again, could probably do with a clean.- Yeah.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32- He's right. - When you move into a new property, you'd probably give it a clean.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35At least give it a once-over with a brush.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38What else have we got? What's in here?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42OK, we've got a nice bedroom in here.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- A bedroom.- Very nice size.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Again, nice size. Could do with a bit of work.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Yeah.- Not keen on the colour.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53OK, so a lick of paint, definitely.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Are they on a sponsored "lick-of-paint-athon" and a "nice-size-athon" now?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01She's done it in the room. Both of them.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05It's probably some trigger for I don't know what.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Maybe she gets a pound from her friends every time she says it.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14- We've got enough book shelves.- Yeah. We'd obviously put some storage in.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19Good windows. I think there's more work to be done in this place than house number one.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- This room has huge potential.- Yeah.
0:24:21 > 0:24:28- That was the P-word.- It was and it was a "huge P" as well. - Yeah, "huge potential".
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Bigger or smaller than the other ones? Similar size, isn't it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Well, it's more square.
0:24:35 > 0:24:41That's a very good answer to Ally's question. If you don't know the answer, give a different answer.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45"Do you think it's bigger or smaller?" "It's more square."
0:24:45 > 0:24:50"Does that help?" "No, that's not an answer." "It is more square though."
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Right, probably this way if we can get through.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Ah! Or not.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02Yes, it does have dual access, but if you've got a big pile of books next to it,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04it just has singular access.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08And more books!
0:25:08 > 0:25:13- Right.- Incredible.- Another library. I think I've discovered why we couldn't get through the door.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17OK, so this could be a second bedroom. Um...
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- Yeah.- Single bed.- I don't know. I think you'd just get a double in.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25If you put a double that way, it would be against the wall.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I don't think the bedrooms are quite as big in this place.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It's quite an interesting shape, actually.
0:25:32 > 0:25:38- You could have a bed here and have some storage round there. - Imagine it without as many books.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42We need to start collecting books to fill all these bookcases(!)
0:25:42 > 0:25:48Rani, I went to the liberty earlier on of conducting a small competition which we could do now.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54- I'd love a small competition. - It's "guess how many books there are in this property".
0:25:54 > 0:25:58I went round, gave a rough estimate. How many do you think?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- When I go too high, you usually yell at me.- Go on. How many?
0:26:01 > 0:26:05I'm going to say there is 984.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10That's Rani's guess. And you at home, how many would you like to say? Higher or lower?
0:26:10 > 0:26:15They're saying higher. They're right to say higher. 1,200 books in there.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20I'm just thinking maybe if we wanted to not have this as a second bedroom,
0:26:20 > 0:26:24whether we could make this an en-suite kind of bathroom
0:26:24 > 0:26:29- and use that for storage or a small practice room for you. - Yeah, it would be a lot of work.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- Oh, oh, oh! Did you just hear that? - I did hear that.- He's just done it.
0:26:33 > 0:26:39What he could do is turn it into a Jack and Jill bathroom, so it would almost be an en-suite.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- That's a good idea.- Very good idea.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47- We could put a big corner bath in here, a big, nice bathroom in here.- Yeah.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52That's definitely a possibility. That is a bit small for a practice room.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I don't think I'd be able to move in it, but a cupboard definitely.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- Yeah. Shall we see what they've got to say for themselves? - Yeah, excellent.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Ally and Liz, we didn't move too far for property number two.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13- But it's quite a different property. Would you agree?- Yeah. - Definitely, shape-wise.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17It's a different shape. Yes, it does need a new bathroom.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22- Would you agree?- Yes.- And probably a new kitchen and some other work.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27However, Ally, you did say you wanted a project, something to do.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30- Does this interest you? - A little bit. Certainly the floors.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- Lovely floors. - They could be really, really nice.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38With the walls, there isn't too much that needs doing, just a clean.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- Or a lick of paint maybe?- Yeah. - You said that a lot in there.- Yeah.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48- What did you think of it, Liz? - I really liked it. I loved the living room space.- Great space.
0:27:48 > 0:27:54Yeah, fantastic space. I could just see it as... We could have friends over.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57It could be a good place to socialise.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02I liked also how you went from the living room straight into the bedroom.
0:28:02 > 0:28:08Yeah, it does need a lot of work, but the key to that place is the living room and the space.
0:28:08 > 0:28:14- I think you like my one more, Ally. - I think I did.- And Liz, you like this one more?- A bit.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Maybe when you guess the price, you will come to a different conclusion.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22- You have to go first, Ally. - Put the finger away.- Sorry.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25£210,000 to spend... How much?
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- I'm going to say 210,000. - You'll say this is £210,000?- Yeah.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I'm going to say 235.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- 235?!- You really did like this place, didn't you?
0:28:36 > 0:28:42- I was so off last time, I've gone up, I've gone up!- Listen, why not be off in a different way?
0:28:42 > 0:28:47- Liz, the good news is you're £15,000 out, way over the budget.- OK.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50That means, Ally, you're closer, just £10,000 below.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55- This property is on the market at £220,000.- OK.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59- It does need the work which Ally wanted to do.- Yeah.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- That's why I picked it. - This is embarrassing. - He's changed his mind now!
0:29:03 > 0:29:09- Shall we go to the wild card? - Yeah.- I think so. - Which one is it?- None of these.
0:29:11 > 0:29:18Well, if properties one and two were Learjets, then the wild card is a Harrier jump jet.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Why?- Because it goes up.- I see. Then it goes down again?- Yes, it does.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26- In between, there are rooms as well.- Brilliant.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Ally and Lizzie, Lizzie and Ally, many, they say, love the wild card.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33It is often the favourite part of the programme.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39OK, this is a different style of property. It is not the other flat which is the same as the first flat.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42This is a house. What do you think about this style?
0:29:42 > 0:29:46It looks amazing, really nice. Nice pillar outside.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- Nice and old. It's good.- Lovely.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53- What do you think, Ally? - Yeah, it looks nice. Intriguing. - It certainly is.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- Are you ready to enter the wild card?- We certainly are.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01It is everyone's favourite part of the programme, so don't let them down.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Three, two, one, be that wild card!
0:30:04 > 0:30:08You told me there was a special treat about this. What is it?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- It's a garden.- What? Round here?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Here we go, Ed. This is said garden. Are we impressed?
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- This is all of theirs?- Yes. - And that bit up there as well?
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- Yes, that's the roof terrace. - Very posh, isn't it?- Yes.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Wow, that's a bright wall!
0:30:28 > 0:30:33- It certainly is.- That would wake you up in the morning.- Yeah.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Nice sense of mystery and discovery there from Lizzie. "A-ha!"
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Wow, another big room!
0:30:40 > 0:30:44All right, yeah. Again, possibly bedroom?
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Mm-hm.- Possibly living room.
0:30:46 > 0:30:53- Possibly a bedroom, possibly a living room.- Could be a kitchen as well.- Could be a bathroom.- Could be.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55It's got huge potential, this room.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Ah! We've got a view of the prison from here.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00What everyone wants(!)
0:31:00 > 0:31:06- The road doesn't seem too busy, which is good. - And the parking outside.- Yeah.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11OK, let's be honest, we didn't say Brixton Prison is just over there.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17- I could see this working as the living room.- Or the bedroom if we go with next door for the living room.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23I think the bigger front room should be the living room, whereas you think that should be the bedroom.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Room number three.- Oh!- Right...
0:31:26 > 0:31:28A lot smaller.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30And green.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- It is inspiringly green.- It is, but do you know what she hasn't said?
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- What?- It needs a lick of paint. - Because it really, in our world, does.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43But what Lizzie's doing when she says that is painting everything that colour.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47She's not said it there, so that's the colour she likes.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52This would be perfect for, like, well, I don't know...
0:31:52 > 0:31:55a kind of storage area or practice room.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Maybe you'd get a single bed in here.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00A nice little window at the top.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02- It is a little window.- It is.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04And into the kitchen...
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Ah!
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- Wow, it's nice. - Yeah, it's not a bad size.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Really good fittings. Wouldn't have to do a lot of work.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17Washing machine, dishwasher from the looks of it.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19I quite like this.
0:32:19 > 0:32:25- I quite like the fittings.- Really good size, actually.- You could have a table in there.- Definitely.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29In every other property, they've had to change all of the kitchens.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33In my one not so much as your one. Here, they like 'em.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37- Right, there's probably a bathroom round here somewhere.- You'd hope.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Here we go. This must be it here.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43And here's the bathroom.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47- This is a good size.- Yeah, it's OK.
0:32:47 > 0:32:54- Similar size to the others, but it's got a bath, it's got a shower. - Toilet.- This'll do us.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00- Very nice fittings. We could leave these.- I really like it. The purple's lovely, the purple floor.
0:33:00 > 0:33:07- Looks like there's an attic there as well to climb up into, so some storage space upstairs.- Possibly.
0:33:07 > 0:33:13- You look down the street to see if you could go up and extend. No-one has.- They have across the road.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17But not on this strip and sometimes they're a bit pernickety about that,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21but they've got permission to do it within the property.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25They won't pay for them to do it, but they're allowed to do it.
0:33:25 > 0:33:31- Will it be big enough for them? - Enough for a bedroom and an en-suite.- No!
0:33:31 > 0:33:35- Looks like we've got an extra door. - OK. What's through there?
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- Oh, wow!- Wow! Look at this bit out here.- A little balcony.- Yeah.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- This is nice.- It's very sweet, very sweet.- I like this.- Yeah.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49You could have a table out here and have a few drinks in the summer.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54- Yeah, a barbecue out here maybe, a few pot plants. - Yeah, little bit of a garden.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Could do with a bit of work. Probably get rid of the two gnomes.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03- Thank you very much(!)- Are you talking about us? Get down here!
0:34:03 > 0:34:06- All right... - I was looking for gnomes then, Ed.
0:34:09 > 0:34:15- Welcome to your garden.- Thank you. - Is this impressive or what? - It's very impressive. I like it.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20- You've got the roof terrace as well, or balcony as you called it. - Sorry. Very nice.
0:34:20 > 0:34:26- You can call it whatever you like. - If you owned it, you'd want to call it a terrace.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31In London, not many folk have a roof terrace and a garden. Not even Elton John.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35He'll be watching this livid right now! What did you think?
0:34:35 > 0:34:39- Different style of property. How did it go?- I really liked it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I mean, there are two really large rooms.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46The smaller room is a little bit of a problem.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50It's time to find out whether the price might help.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55- Lizzie's really excited about "guess the price". She loves guessing.- I love it.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Your maximum budget, £210,000.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02- I tell you what, I'll say 210,000 again.- 210,000, OK.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04OK, I'll go 225.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- 225... - LAUGHTER
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- I mean, you've kind of lost... - Go again?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Go higher. Just go a lot higher.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16- It doesn't matter because someone's got it right and it's not you.- No.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20It's 210 on the knocker and also, 210, you've got nothing to sell.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24You're in a great position for haggling. And it's empty again.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28- Empty properties, they want to get rid of them quickly.- Yeah.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- So, are you happy about the price? - Very happy.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36- Does that make any difference about the transport links?- No, no...
0:35:36 > 0:35:40- Free parking outside?- You're hard to please.- Get a bus to Victoria?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- The pub nearby was good.- All right.
0:35:43 > 0:35:49You've seen all three properties. You've got to wander off and make the biggest decision of your lives.
0:35:49 > 0:35:55- Use whatever you need to make that decision. Good luck and we'll see you later.- Thank you.- Good luck.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59And here's a quick recap for you at home.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Will it be a simple short haul to my choice, the two-bed flat in Clapham?
0:36:03 > 0:36:07A tiny amount of work, but ready to move into.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10And if you like shiny floorboards, it's got 'em.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Ally and Liz will need to haggle back from £225,000.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Or will they make property two their destination of choice?
0:36:18 > 0:36:24It needs a bit of love and attention, but I'm sure Ally has the inclination to make this flat
0:36:24 > 0:36:26his and Liz's first home together.
0:36:26 > 0:36:31Or will the wild card fly on to their radar? It's a two-bed flat, but in a house conversion
0:36:31 > 0:36:36- and has the added benefit of a garden.- And a roof terrace
0:36:36 > 0:36:39and a more realistic price tag of 210 grand.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- So which one will they test-drive? - I don't know. Let's ask 'em.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51We are at the test-drive point and for the viewers at home, this could be very tense
0:36:51 > 0:36:57- because there are two flats here - Rani's one which is...- Just over here.- And my one, which is...ta-da!
0:36:57 > 0:37:03- OK, which one have you chosen to test-drive?- Which one will it be? Will it be mine, will it be Ed's?
0:37:03 > 0:37:08- Lizzie?- Property number one. - Thank you very much.- Shame, shame!
0:37:08 > 0:37:14How come you've chosen property one when property two was so much better?
0:37:14 > 0:37:18- Ally?- I don't know. We obviously made a mistake! We just preferred the first one.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23- Yeah, so learn from that.- I have learned from that. OK, fair enough.
0:37:23 > 0:37:29We've had our mystery surveyor go round. He's given it a once-over and it's not legally binding.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- But he has picked up on a few points.- OK.- These are quite useful.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37If you look at the roofs on the flats here, they all look fairly nice,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40but they don't look like they've been replaced recently.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44The block of flats over there has got a new roof on.
0:37:44 > 0:37:50Because it is local authority, some people here, if the roof does go on it, they won't have to pay.
0:37:50 > 0:37:56The council will cover that. But if you own the flat, you will have to pay for the roof to be mended.
0:37:56 > 0:38:02He doesn't know if it needs replacing, but you want to look into that because that can stack up.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Find out if the local authority have any plans to do that.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- A good piece of information.- It was a very good piece of information.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13He had a look inside the property.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17He did say the kitchen and bathroom probably could do with a facelift.
0:38:17 > 0:38:23He talked about the electrics. He figured they could need testing to check they're up to regulations.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27There's like a pipe coming out of the light switches.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33They're the wires and all the tubes coming out there, so you would probably need to get them redone.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Best to get them buried in the walls.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40All these things could be seen as negative or as good bargaining tools.
0:38:40 > 0:38:46- Are you still ready to test-drive it?- Yeah.- I think so.- Three, two, one, get in there!- Thank you.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52First up, aisle or window seat?
0:38:52 > 0:38:56We could also have a table here.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58'I'm not sure the bookshelf looks right there.'
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I think we'll move this bookshelf.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03'Told you!'
0:39:03 > 0:39:08- This used to be a fireplace. - There's a fireplace there. - We could get that back.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11'I never knew this could be so complicated.'
0:39:11 > 0:39:15- If we had the sofas there, we could maybe have the TV...- Yeah.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18'No, no, put the TV in the other corner.'
0:39:18 > 0:39:25I'm not sure about the sofa back against the window. It could work with the TV over in this corner.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27That's what I was talking about.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31I think that looks better with less shelves. Definitely looks better.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35'At this rate, they'll end up with the room like it was at the start!'
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- This wouldn't work. - It's a bit tricky for the door.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Actually, this is perfect. - 'Excellent. What next?'
0:39:43 > 0:39:48- I'll go and do some violin practice. See you in a bit. - I'll stay and have a kip.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51PLAYS CLASSICAL PIECE
0:39:54 > 0:39:58'I bet you don't get that on a 747 very often!'
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Lizzie!- Yeah?
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- Can you do the Dam Busters?- Hmm.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14SHE PLAYS "DAM BUSTERS" THEME
0:40:14 > 0:40:19Ah, the Dam Busters! Ed, whenever I hear this tune, it just makes me want to hand over my money.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26'I think they'll need a bigger deposit than that!'
0:40:26 > 0:40:31- Looks like the Wandsworth Road down here. Shall we have a look?- Yeah.
0:40:31 > 0:40:37'They're really checking this place out, Ed. I've got good vibes about today's test flight, I mean, drive.'
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Battersea Power Station in the distance there.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- Wandsworth Road Station. Perfect. - Yeah, it's not far, is it?
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Well, I think it's time to enter the arrival lounge.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53During the test-drive, you've been violining and moving around furniture
0:40:53 > 0:41:00because there was debate as to what room was going to be what. Now you've done that, what do you think?
0:41:00 > 0:41:05Yeah, I'm even happier with this room now. We've moved the furniture around like you said.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10On first appearances, it seemed really small, but this room has a lot of potential.
0:41:10 > 0:41:16- Just the power of placement. - Exactly.- It really is a potent force.- And making it your own.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- What about you, Ally?- Yeah...
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Have you just done what men do?
0:41:21 > 0:41:27- As soon as there's any talk about soft furnishings, you've fallen asleep?- I did what I was told.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30That is the role of the male in a household.
0:41:30 > 0:41:36- Is there enough space in this place for you to get your guitar out and for Lizzie to play her violin?- Yes.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42- It's quite a big flat. - And Tube-wise, do you think this is a good location?
0:41:42 > 0:41:46We looked across all of London. What do you think about this location?
0:41:46 > 0:41:52It's really well located for what we're looking for. It's a good location which was our key thing.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57It sounds really positive. I think you should ask the big question.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- Are you ready?- Yeah.- To buy or not to buy? Don't let the viewers down.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05I think it'll be difficult. We'll go with "maybe buy".
0:42:05 > 0:42:10- A bit more work and maybe we'll look into it.- "To maybe"? - Is that not an answer?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Non-committal.- Can we... - To maybe buy.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19- Give us the factors that would make it a "maybe".- If they come nearer to what we value the property at.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25With the knowledge you've got from the things that could need doing with the wiring and the boiler,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- it's a good negotiation point, isn't it?- It is.
0:42:28 > 0:42:33- If you could bring the price down and we asked you the question again...- Here we go.
0:42:33 > 0:42:39- Don't let the viewers down. - If you get everything you want, to buy or not to buy?- To buy!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Yes!
0:42:50 > 0:42:55We didn't in any way have to force you to do that, which was good.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- Has this got everything you require apart from the price? - Yeah.- It's great.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05- OK, shall we take off? - Yes, up like a plane. See you later. - Thanks very much.- Bye.- Bye.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk