Dorset Coast To Buy or Not to Buy

Hello and welcome to To Buy or Not to Buy.

Today, we are in wet and windswept Weymouth.

We've got a tough challenge today.

It's a chance to turn a dream into reality.

Creating a dream is not the task of a lone male or even lone female.

It is, in fact, a group process.

Yes, it's about people coming together and working in unison.

We've got the mysterious property hunting team out finding three properties.

Don't forget the estate agents.

-Without them and their expertise, where would we be?

-Nowhere.

We've got estate agents and the mysterious property hunting team and us,

-forming a writhing mass of co-operation. It is absolutely beautiful.

-It is teamwork.

-I'm off now.

-Where are you going?

To get a coffee, as everyone else is doing all the work. See you later.

You'll have to get it later, it's time to say hello to our buyers.

-All right, all right.

-Meet Chris and Mike Hill.

They have a dream - a dream of living by the sea.

Which, at the moment, they couldn't be further from.

-How do you mean?

-They live in Welwyn Garden City,

-about as far from the sea as you can get.

-Certainly is a long way.

They are based there because of Mike's job as an industrial software consultant.

But as retirement beckons, they are making plans for a new life together on the south coast.

This is one of those move and never move again missions that we get.

Not to just get a house for the next few years, but for the rest of their lives.

-Could you build this up more? I'm getting nervous.

-I'll hold your hand, Ed.

Are you looking for a holiday type of home

or is this going to be your family home for the rest of your lives?

-Yes, the latter.

-So, what sort of area are you looking for?

As long as it's close to the sea, that's the main thing.

Where we are now is in the countryside and you can't get to the sea.

Can you list the hobbies we're considering taking up and some that we've got?

I'm always told I'm doing too many things in the U3A,

-because I've joined lots of different clubs.

-The U3A is...?

The University of the Third Age, which anyone over 50 can join.

There are 100 groups around the country.

The University of the Third Age encourages you to be more artistic

or is it a bit of everything?

You can do what you like. Members decide what they want to do

and if there isn't one, they can start one.

I started an Italian for Beginners,

even though I don't speak Italian, We taught ourselves.

Now, we've got someone who teaches.

What did you do before the teacher turned up in your Italian class?

Did you just wander around eating pizza? What did you do?

Did you guess Italian words? What did you do?

We put CDs on and followed the course.

What you want to do in Weymouth is far more outdoorsy, by the look of the list.

Yes, I would like to get back to doing something on the water.

-I'd love to crew for somebody with a big cruiser and do water skiing.

-OK.

-Right.

-So some kind of aquatic sport.

You're saying water-skiing. Would you like to have a boat?

I'd like a boat that I could use for water-skiing

and to get to different bays, to go and swim off small bays.

This is amazing.

You're going to have the busiest retirement ever, aren't you?

-Well, that would be nice.

-Yes.

-Keep busy.

And walking, I believe, is one of the things you want to do, Mike, coastal walking?

Walking around areas where it's pretty and nice

and I think the coast is a nice area to walk, just to carry on active sports, as well.

-I like active sports. Something where there's aggression!

-Ooh, aggression action sports!

OK, Chris, what do you want from the house?

Ideally, I'd love a swimming pool.

-A swimming pool?

-I'm hoping the budget's going to be up there.

I don't think it will be.

But you never know. Let's dream a dream.

-Fingers crossed.

-How many bedrooms are you looking at?

Including the studies, we want four.

-Four bedrooms.

-At least three good sized ones.

-Three good sized, because we're going to have relatives to stay?

-Yes. Grandchild.

-Right, yes.

-And a detached property, presumably?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Do we want an elaborate kitchen, a kitchen diner, a separate diner?

How do we want the downstairs?

We'd like a nice sized kitchen,

where we could probably eat in the kitchen as well.

OK. Do we want old, new, do you want a bungalow,

do you not want a bungalow, what do you want?

I don't particularly want a bungalow.

There's a lot around here that will be bungalow-style.

It depends if it's a nice bungalow.

All right then. Do you want to do...?

Well, what sort of budget do you have, then?

With the help of a mortgage,

because we're going to rent it for a couple of years

and we can pay it off when we sell our house,

we thought we could manage about 550.

That's a good amount down here.

Have you looked around, done the internet searches? Have you struggled?

I have struggled.

That's why I came online and asked for your help.

-We're going to remedy that, hopefully.

-Fingers crossed.

Wish us luck, and we'll see you later.

OK.

I've got to admit, Chris has inspired me with her U3A thing

and Italian club. We can start our own house club, almost today.

We could and we can call it U3A2,

because it could stand for Unique Three Abodes.

Perfect, to get our club stripes, what do we need to do?

She wants a swimming pool. I'll be honest, it's not going to happen.

Even though they've got £550,000, they can't get one.

-Four bedrooms, though?

-They can have that. Let's make it happen!

Today's search brings us

to the popular seaside town of Weymouth on the West Dorset coast.

The grand esplanade, built in the Georgian

and Regency period gives some clue to the town's historic heyday as a holiday destination,

when George III used to bathe here during his reign.

It was from this period the English seaside holiday was born.

And with statistically the sunniest climate in the UK,

you can see why holidaymakers have been flocking here ever since.

But soon, the town will be placed firmly on the global map.

The sailing events for the 2012 Olympics are going to be held here and in nearby Portland.

And signs of the boost for the local economy

are already in evidence.

With house prices expected to rise in the run-up to the Olympics,

it's got to be a great time for Mike and Chris to take the plunge

into the local property market.

But the big question is,

what will Chris and Mike's budget of £550,000

get you in other coastal areas of the UK?

If DIY isn't your thing,

check out this detached four-bed in Drayton near Portsmouth.

It's just been completely redone from top to bottom.

The property boasts a luxury kitchen with peninsula breakfast bar

and a high-spec bathroom.

Yours for £485,000.

Or if it's period charm on a grand scale you're after,

this semi-detached Victorian residence in Penzance could be for you.

With five double bedrooms and three large reception rooms,

there's no shortage of space and it's only a short walk to the beach.

On the market for £475,000.

Last, but certainly not least,

this detached house in the Derriford area of Plymouth.

This four-bedroom property is a fine example

of 1930s architecture, set in its own private and established grounds.

The price? £525,000.

That's the rest of the UK taken care of. Now back to Weymouth

and today's search.

Around this area, if you've got half a million quid to spend,

you want four bedrooms, a nice back garden

and you have about 25,000 hobbies,

which our couple do have, where's a good area?

Sutton Points is probably my favourite village.

It's got a great local park, a village pond,

beautiful houses, all sitting at the foot of the White Horse.

So, quite an iconic local landmark, as well.

If they wanted to be, say five or ten minutes from the sea...

-Yes.

-..and they wanted to be able to go on walks

and really have the great outdoors?

-That's possible from Preston.

-Right.

-Yes.

-Is that where you live?

-Near there, yes.

-Right.

So you're biased, aren't you?

THEY LAUGH

-Portland, very nice.

-Yes, fantastic.

-Where's more expensive? Portland or Weymouth?

-Weymouth.

-Portland, so she could get a bit more for her money.

-She could.

Styles of property there, what are they like?

There's been habitation there for about 7,000 years,

largely speaking, based on the quarrying industry.

And you can get really unique stone cutters' cottages.

Lots of people round here go kite surfing,

lots of people go surfing, locally, in local areas, as well.

It's like a year-long holiday, in terms of what you can do.

I've got a job, as well!

THEY LAUGH

Are there lots of clubs and things to do here?

I think it's a Mecca for places like that.

Each village has its own community centre

and really busy calendar of activities.

And what about Portland?

-I work on Portland.

-Do you?

-Portland's also very spectacular.

-You work at the prison?

-I do.

-Aren't I clever?

-Yes.

-If she's a birdwatcher, like me... Are you?

-I'm a twitcher.

People are a little bit fussy about being called twitchers.

I'm a little uncomfortable, but I'm settling into it.

-Do the prisoners get a great sea view?

-Yes, actually, they do!

There are some who have a brilliant view of the Jurassic coast.

Should it be achievable for half a million?

Definitely. They should have money to spare.

-Is there anything you don't know about the area?

-Not really.

The birds, even the stone, everything.

What are you doing?!

I've got a new hobby.

Chris has inspired me with her 7,000 hobbies.

-This is my new one, skateboarding.

-Can I have a go?

No, you can't. It's my hobby.

-Property hunting, how's it gone for you?

-Fantastic.

Four, potentially five-bedroom property.

Part of the property is built in the 18th century

and part in the 20th century.

And it really works and you can hear the sea from one of the windows.

Now, my one caught my eye because of one word,

"Executive." It is a cracker. It's massive.

My concern here is...

I've got them almost too much and within their budget.

It's very near the centre of Weymouth, so not where yours is.

Very lovely, good rental value for their long-distance plan of renting it out.

But the wild card...

-Normally, sometimes, we don't show the viewers.

-No.

We don't want to spoil the surprise, but here, I can show you.

-And I've still not shown you.

-You can't see anything.

It's hidden behind a bush. it's a different style of house.

-Where shall we start?

-My one.

-Property one.

I'm off on my new hobby, I'll see you there later.

For my property, I've gone just over the causeway to Portland,

about three miles south of Weymouth.

This versatile...

Ooh, "versatile", you're getting into the estate agent patter!

Yes, Ed! This versatile five-bedroom detached period cottage

is a real beauty and it's a stone's throw from the sea.

Don't you mean a Portland stone's throw?

So, Chris, Mike, we are on the peninsula of Portland.

What you see in front of you is Portland stone.

Did you enjoy the drive up here? Do you know this area?

We visited once before with friends, but never as far as here,

just to see the monument at the top.

What have you thought so far? The view is spectacular.

-It is.

-Let's hope it is from the house, too.

What can you see ahead of you now?

A lovely stone building, which he will love, he likes stone.

-We're onto a good thing having Portland stone?

-Yes.

Do you want as much character as this? Are we hitting the mark?

Has Nikki found something that's up your alley?

Mike, you're going to like it, but Chris?

Yes, I love character houses, as well. I like modern and character.

I've failed you on one count.

-No swimming pool?

-Correct!

SHE LAUGHS

-I think that could be a theme today.

-Yes, I think it might be.

-Are you ready?

-Any Jacuzzis anywhere? No?

There's always potential for a Jacuzzi, as my old vicar used to tell me.

-In three, two, one, enter the house!

-Enjoy.

-Lovely.

Ooh.

Nice wooden staircase.

Gosh.

-This is the lounge, this is huge.

-Oh, wow. This is a nice lounge.

-This is really nice.

-It's lovely.

-Look at the fireplace.

Is that a real log burner? I think it is.

You said this when you first walked in, it's nice and warm.

I'm getting to an age when I appreciate warmth.

I think it's very cosy at the same time as being quite big,

which is surprising, to have cosy and big.

It's a nice size. we can get our furniture in easily.

Don't do that before you've bought the house, that would be silly.

You would infringe on the rights of the owners.

Always best to buy a house before you move in!

Oh...

Lovely nice, big conservatory,

where you can sit and have your breakfast.

Get your table, sit in the sun.

It's very secluded, anyway.

-Not quite as big a garden as we'd hoped for.

-It's quite nice.

It might be easier to keep when I get a bit older.

Well, now, with the hobbies they're going to have,

which include water-skiing, windsurfing...

-Hang-gliding from the open windows.

-They want a motorbike.

They haven't got time for gardening, quite frankly.

And I notice the back of the garage. looks like it could be used as a workshop,

so I could get back to doing a bit of woodwork if I find a class.

This is another hobby. Woodwork? Did you remember that? Woodwork?

-Oh, it goes round the corner.

-It's quite big.

It looks small at first.

You could sit and eat here, and have a bar stool.

-But I think we'll sit and eat in the conservatory.

-They've got all the white goods.

Nothing fitted in, but it's quite nice.

Gosh, I didn't think there was another room.

It's like a little TARDIS.

This is the breakfast-room, we don't have to eat at the bar.

You've got three areas you can eat here.

Three areas!

Not one, not two...

Also, there's the fourth one, on your lap in front of a telly,

which is what they will do.

-It goes on quite a bit.

-Oh, goodness me.

-It looks quite big.

-We're going this way, shall we?

-That looks like a bathroom.

-Is this the master bedroom?

-Master bedroom.

Oh, goodness me.

It is quite a cosy room, this, it is quite nice.

We have got a basin, but there is no en-suite, as such.

Let's see what the window, what it looks like outside.

Again, you really can't see your neighbours, can you?

Well, now, your neighbours own a castle and, quite frankly,

they have got other things to be doing.

They don't want to overlook, even if they could.

-Don't want to look at the hoi-polloi, do they?

-No.

Oh, a sewing-room-cum-study, lovely.

-This would be quite a nice study.

-Plenty of light.

I need a sewing room and for all my other hobbies.

-Now, here is the noise that we wanted - "Oh!".

-I wanted this noise.

And it has happened. And you know why? That big sewing machine.

Going to look in the cupboard, see what's in here.

Right. Can you see?

-Hot water.

-An airing cupboard.

-Central heating.

And there is another cupboard.

Now, John Craven, he presents a show called...

Countryfile!

If Chris was going to present the show,

it would be Cupboardfile.

She loves cupboards.

It's all she ever talks about.

Right.

Here is the main bathroom.

Has it got a shower? Yes, it has.

That is what we need. We like our showers.

Last room upstairs.

Yet another bedroom.

This is a reasonable sized one.

Can you go out to the outside garden, then?

Now you can actually... You can actually see now...

Is it a castle or what, next door?

It is a castle.

It was built in the 1800s, so it is a very new one, in castle terms.

In any other, it's old, but in castle terms, it's young.

-I think the actual downstairs, I like.

-I love it, yes.

It's just upstairs lacks a couple of features.

It is a lovely lounge, nice conservatory.

Great having the other little dining area as well.

If you look round, nobody is around.

And you have got the garage and the other areas,

so if we have got a camper van, we can put it in there.

I think it all went very well.

Very, very well.

But the problem is hobbies - it is an ever-expanding list.

We are up to about 60.

They have discovered four new ones in this house!

Should we find out the good or the bad news?

-Let's.

-Come on.

So, your impressions of my beautiful five-bedroomed Portland stone home,

with a view of the sea and everything you want.

It's lovely, full of character.

I'd like an en-suite, but I think you can probably pop one in there.

-An en-suite upstairs?

-Yes.

Did you look to the left when you went upstairs?

There is the huge cupboard space.

An en-suite is so easy to plumb in and it wouldn't even cost you

that much money, so don't see that as a negative.

No, it has pretty much everything.

Mike, what did you like?

I like the downstairs very much.

Very comfortable to live in.

I can see myself sitting in the lounge and relaxing.

So you mentally put yourself in an armchair?

I did, it was very cosy and the cats would like it.

You're thinking about getting a camper van or something like that?

Look up there, that is possibly going to be big enough.

And if it isn't, you have got that down there, as well.

I fancy that for my woodworking room.

This is a new hobby again!

How many do you have?

I used to do a course in woodworking, but I'm no good on my own.

If I can find a course, I can do it in there.

Do you want to play guess the price?

We are playing with a budget of £550,000. Mike?

I will say 510.

You said prices have started to go up,

so perhaps a little more, maybe 520.

520? OK.

You're both under, but you're closest, because it is actually 550.

But remember, you are in a great haggling position,

because you've got nothing to sell and they have already moved out,

so there is room for negotiation, I would say.

That said, I don't want you to move into here.

-I want you to move into my one, property two.

-I expect you do.

I am sorry about that. Shall we go and look at it? Come on.

If you are looking for a four-bedroom detached

property in Weymouth, look no further.

It's three storeys of beautifully presented Victorian charm

with a mass of period features. Stunning.

Sorry, did I say four bedrooms? I meant five.

Very nice, very nice,

but it's only Mike and Chris who are going to live here.

That is my only concern - have I given them too much?

Mike and Chris, we are no longer in the Portland Peninsular,

we are here in Weymouth.

Just have a look at that.

That is a house, isn't it?

A house and a half.

The other was near a castle, but this is a house.

You said you wanted four bedrooms, this has got four bedrooms

and then some. Mike?

It seems a nice size to me.

I like the brickwork, it looks nice and modern.

The back garden is huge.

Much bigger than yours, Nikki?

It is, it is.

I have to be honest, this is stunning.

Are you excited to go in?

Yes, I like it.

The good thing is there's nothing that needs to be done,

so you can spend all of your time doing your myriad of hobbies.

Three, two, one - enter that beautiful property!

I love the flooring.

On a rainy day like today, you appreciate that, don't you?

Huge, isn't it? And nice seeing the open staircase.

(We're going to whisper, because they are just there.

(We have to be very, very quiet. But she is right.

(Because it rains an awful lot in this country,

(a tiled entrance is very handy.)

-(And apart from handy, it is absolutely stunning.

-True.

(And handy.)

I think I might have used this as the dining room.

It is quite comfy, I think this would be quite nice with the fire.

I think I would paint the radiators white.

I thought that, I thought I don't want a brown radiator.

It takes me back to my parents' house.

I thought it would.

Did you used to have ceiling roses like that in your old house?

In the hallway, we did. We had the same height ceilings.

There we go, a bit of an emotional journey.

Yes, nostalgia.

It's always quite nice when something is familiar, isn't it?

Oh, goodness. This is the main lounge. Oh, wow.

So I could have that as the dining room -

unless there's a dining room somewhere else, as well!

Wallpaper.

Is it wallpaper? It's painted walls.

I think that would have to go white again.

I like a little bit of red.

Hang on a minute, do you know that show with John Craven?

Oh, Countryfile?

Yeah. I think if Mike was on that show,

it would be called "Paint-a-wall-a-white-a-file".

He just wants to paint everything white.

He wants to paint the radiators white, the walls white.

Ah, look at that garden, Mike.

Isn't that great? It is a long garden.

Nice long depth.

I like the way Mike described that - it's got a "nice long depth".

And it does.

Let's have a look in here.

More wooden floors. Got that lovely flooring through there.

And is this granite? Real granite? I think it is.

It feels like it. Like ours in our kitchen.

-I love granite tops.

-That is nice.

Look, you have got your fridge down here, as well. Washing machine.

Oh, yes. It's all in there.

What I like to call this, Nikki - I don't know

if you have heard this phrase - it is a "loo-tility" area.

A toilet and a utility area - a "loo-tility" area.

I'm trying to get it in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Why isn't it "toi-til.." "Toil-tility" area?

Because you can't say it. "Loo-tility" area.

This is a good size, as well.

Separate dining rooms, that's good.

There is one, two, three, four... Keeps going up.

Let's look in here.

Oh, gosh!

Keep this room nice and warm, two radiators in it. Another fire.

Yes, I like all the fireplaces.

I spotted this, isn't it fabulous?

Old-fashioned bathroom.

Oh, my goodness, is that big enough for you, dear?

-For your shower in the morning?

-A decent shower.

Isn't this wonderful?

Is that what they call a roll-top bath?

-Do you know what it actually is? It is a slipper bath.

-Yes.

-Is that because of the shape?

-Yes.

Old-fashioned toilet as well, a pull chain right in the air.

Oh, yes.

It is a mixture of old and new,

like Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

Another big room.

A lot of bed space there.

It is good for a double room.

A double bed, that is all we need. The loft.

Well, what was the loft, anyway.

-It is quite spacious.

-It is.

Oh, it has got my name on the door - Chris.

Do you know when I went off earlier on and went out to the name shop

-to buy names for doors and I got the name "Chris" screwed on to the door?

-No.

Well, I did and it's paid off. It's made her feel more at home.

Another red room.

You see, I like this, yellow and red together.

It's not so overpowering now, cos it's only a couple of walls.

Look at that window with the red inside and the yellow around it.

It's really sweet.

Space for another double bed.

So that's the third room you can get a double bed in.

Or the fourth, because...

They're all big rooms, you'd get doubles in all of them.

Upstairs, three bedrooms on the top floor.

It's just ridiculous, the amount of bedrooms.

We've been here for hours, the temperature has changed outside.

It is going dark.

I've got to get home for my tea I can't be here much longer.

Into the room called after you, dear.

This is my room, is this where you're going to lock me away?

This is even bigger.

This is my room, thank you.

They have made use of the loft properly. The height again.

You're not going to bump your head.

Normally you are going to bang your head in these things,

but no chance in here.

So these three bedrooms have got a shower. That is lovely.

It is like having a separate en-suite up here.

Mike and Chris, I think this place tickled your fancy, didn't it?

And you loved the bathroom.

What isn't there to love about that bathroom?

My question is, is it too big, almost?

The house or the bathroom?

Everything. The house, the land, is it too big?

I think we can cope with this one quite easily. I quite like it.

I think it is spacious, we can spread out instead of being cramped.

-So we quite fancy the idea of this property?

-I think so.

I think the attic is fantastic.

I have to say, I heard a lot of, "Wow! Love it! Wonderful!"

Some very positive words. What about the garden? Do you like that?

Yes, I think it is laid out nicely, like a garden should be.

-Guess the price time.

-Oh, gosh.

You were the closest last time, Chris.

So who should start?

I think Mike went first last time, so Chris should go.

Maximum budget of £550,000.

The thing is, because I like this one slightly more,

I would put it as more, but perhaps it's not worth more.

Oh, come on, woman.

-I would pay more for this.

-How much?

-560.

I think it would be less, around 540.

You are closest, Mike.

The actual price is £534,950.

It is less than your budget.

Sometimes people value with their heart

because of how much they like it.

You could negotiate on that because of the position you're in.

It's really good, it is lovely, but there is one more to go to.

Do you want to see the wild card or just buy this one?

Ooh, we will have a look at the wild card.

It's this way.

Yes, it is that time again,

the moment you've all been waiting for - the wild card.

It is a beautifully presented four-bedroom detached property

in the upmarket Sutton Points, on the outskirts of Weymouth.

It is located close to the coast

and closer to the Dorset countryside.

If Mike and Chris can get past one key issue,

I think they are going to love it.

So, Mike, Chris, this is the property that, generally,

people get most excited about.

I am very excited.

And they know nothing about it.

And not only that,

you can't really see any of it, can you?

That is my first impression.

You can't see it, which means it is nice and secluded.

So that is a good thing for you? Good.

You saw from the road and you have figured out what, so far?

We think it is a bungalow.

Are you averse to bungalows?

We wanted to see one for the wild card.

We hadn't originally wanted one

and thought it would be nice to be converted.

-People have recommended a bungalow for older age.

-Don't say that!

This does not seem like it is a bungalow for an older generation.

This is really, really quite modern, and fabulous and I like it.

I am excited now.

Now, if it was a lovely day

and we wanted to spend more time outside, the White Horse is

on one of the hills outside here, think it is that way.

You can see that from the house, the owner said in the garden.

I think the chalk has worn off it slightly.

That could be another project for you, another hobby.

Challenge Anneka did it in 1989, that is 20 years ago.

So it could do with a buff-up.

So, knowing that you have got at least one hobby already to add to,

if you move here, and there is a hobby that you will discover,

do you want to enter into the wild card?

-Yes, we definitely do. Enjoy!

-Go!

-This is a nice size.

-Open plan.

-Totally different to the other two that we saw.

-Quite a nice cosy area.

I like that. Put your feet up on that.

I think I have just about finished.

You can take your hat off and come in.

I do quite like the hat.

I have done quite a good job there, haven't I?

It doesn't look a bit like me.

I like the windows, as well.

They're not the normal white, they are nice and brown.

They have got blinds to pull down, blinds and curtains.

And you're sitting here and no-one can see because of the hedges.

Yes, so you can sit in here quite comfortably, not too much of a problem.

Ed, is that inch of it a Van Gogh?

He never wore headphones and presented a property programme.

-He had one ear, though.

-I will give you that.

This is a nice bedroom.

-I think this is the spare bedroom, is it?

-I'm not sure.

I think it might be the main, but who knows?

I don't think it is.

The same windows. Central heating again.

I tell you what - Mike, I don't know how much he talks about heating

and radiators in his normal life, but today, that is his department.

-He is happy with it.

-Instantly.

Oh my goodness, this is a big room.

This is the master bedroom.

It definitely wasn't the master bedroom next door.

-They've got some fabulous furniture.

-Look through here.

Now Chris has fallen in love with the furniture.

You thought they would do.

I did, because it does something for the whole building.

The building is really simple lines, but the way that they have

chosen their furniture, the couple who own it,

it makes it not only a home, but slightly glamorous and exotic.

Let's have a look this way.

-A little television.

-A little one.

-That would be fantastic for the bed.

-Yes, well, what a bed.

-And the front of the house is well sheltered again.

-Yes, it is.

Mike loves privacy - and this house gives you privacy.

Oh, that is nice.

A Jacuzzi bath!

That will keep you happy.

They haven't got me a swimming pool, but at least a Jacuzzi.

Here is the shower.

That is quite a big one.

-That's everything for an en-suite.

-It's just the right size.

Yeah. And I like the floor.

Yeah, I like tiled flooring. Well, this is a walk-in wardrobe.

-Goodness me, it goes all the way down.

-This is huge.

It's fabulous, isn't it? We've never had a walk-in wardrobe.

It goes all the way round the back.

That's incredible.

Let's see what the kitchen looks like, then.

Oh, we could fit my sideboard in quite happily.

-Oh, look at this kitchen.

-Oh, gosh.

They don't do anything by halves, do they?

Oh, you've got a bar to sit at...

A table to sit at, with bar chairs.

-Carpeted, as well.

-Hey, we've got a couple of arches here.

-It's an artist's studio.

-Here we go.

-Isn't this fabulous?

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Don't mind us.

-So, this is definitely a workroom.

OK, let's have a look, back to the kitchen.

These beams are nice.

-Wow.

-This is the living area.

-This is great, isn't it?

Everything, this one. Nice windows.

A huge area for eating here.

Look at the patio area.

I know, I'm dying to... Shame it's not sunny today, isn't it?

-Let's see what we have here.

-An office.

-So, you've bagged the one upstairs, dear.

-And this is yours.

-And this is mine.

It's just the right size.

Oh, you'll love this. It's perfect for you.

-Now, Chris stuck her flagpole in this room.

-She did.

And it wasn't budging for love nor money.

I think Chris was slightly concerned that Mike might not have an office.

She's got one, she's given him the beautiful office.

That's love, isn't it?

-Shall we sit down for a second?

-We can do.

Well, it's two double bedrooms.

-Both reasonable sizes.

-They're good.

-The master bedroom is fantastic.

-Fantastic, yes.

So, Mike and Chris, you have had a look around the wild card.

You saw nothing from the outside

because it was so secluded - your word.

What have you seen inside?

-Open-plan.

-Mm-hm.

-Amazing space.

-Mm-hm.

-An en-suite.

-Ah-hah.

-I heard the word "amazing".

-The first en-suite,

out of all the properties.

The main bedroom is fantastic.

What do you think about bungalow living now?

I think the space in this bungalow

is as much as in a detached house, anyway,

apart from maybe just two bedrooms, as opposed to having four.

That's about the only drawback.

Initially, this is what we were recapping.

You said four bedrooms, but two of them would be used as studies, so we figured this is perfect.

-Yes, it has that.

-We accept that, yes.

Also, you didn't mention it, but the lack of greenery, because one of your passions is gardening.

You have the garden at the front but there are allotments in the area.

The price of an allotment is virtually nothing, it's like 20 quid for a year.

If that's something you felt you would miss out on here,

you won't, you can have an allotment.

Guess the price.

You're even right now, aren't you? 50-50.

This is it, this could cause World War Three here.

-Who'd like to go first?

-I'll go first.

-Come on, then, Mike.

-I think it's around 490.

£490,000.

We have up to £550,000 to spend, so 490. Chris?

475.

Right, I've got to tell you something.

Until today, it was on the market for £495,000,

which would have made you the closest.

-However...

-They've changed their minds today, have they?

It is now on the market for £460,000.

So now, I'm the closest.

Aside from being excited about winning guess the price,

it's nearly £100,000 cheaper than the most expensive one we've shown,

with a possible negotiation because of the position you're in, you don't have to sell anything.

That's all to spend on your hobbies.

You have seen all three properties.

You've got to go away and make the biggest decision of your adult lives about which one to test-drive.

-Are you prepared to do that?

-Yes.

-See you later.

-Choose wisely!

-See you later.

-Bye.

What we need now, almost, is something like a refresher.

-I'd love something like that, something to remind us.

-What a good idea.

While Mike and Chris make the biggest decision of their adult lives so far,

here's a recap for you watching at home.

Will Chris and Mike be tempted by my property?

They seemed lukewarm, but it has the space and seclusion Mike is keen on. And the neighbours

are almost royalty. Well, they own a castle.

On the market for...

Or will they go for my property? There was some question about its size - was it too big?

But that didn't seem to matter to Chris and Mike,

and they loved the space.

I'm certainly in with a strong chance today and it was under budget

at..

Or will it be the wild card? The bungalow.

Beautifully presented and with separate office spaces that Chris and Mike were after.

It has got to be a contender.

But will Mike be able to overcome bungalow issues?

Recently reduced to...

Surprise, surprise, here we are again at the secret entrance

to the bungalow, and this is your choice.

-It is!

-Congratulations, I think it's a very good choice.

What was the deciding factor?

The first deciding factor was the seclusion.

-You love seclusion.

-You do. We've really noticed this.

I like to be secluded from the outside world when sitting in my house.

-OK.

-And I think it's nice, but when we went inside,

we were surprised by the spaciousness and how well laid-out it was.

-The master bedroom was rather...

-It is lovely, isn't it?

OK, now, we've had our mysterious surveyor round to have a look.

A few things he spotted - it's not legally binding

-but if you were to purchase the house, it's a good heads-up. Nikki.

-I'll start.

Behind us there, we have all those lovely green fields.

Nothing can be built on those, so your view will never be spoilt.

That is protected land. so that is very good news.

He looked at the house and didn't find much wrong with it.

This next thing is something to look into -

it's not something that will definitely happen,

but on the patio where it's raised up, and your...

I was going to say greenhouse, but it's not,

it's your posh conservatory, there could be the potential for a huge downfall of rain,

and there could be possible potential for flooding.

It is something he suggested looking into.

Ask if it has ever been a problem.

Maybe put some drainage at the top of the steps.

Sounds sensible.

But that was a worst-case scenario.

-He could find so little wrong with it.

-It's a great house.

-It's tickety-boo.

-Are you excited?

-Yes.

Have you heard anything that has made you not want to test drive it?

-No.

-Nothing at all.

OK, shall you get in there and start driving? Go on, guys.

Right, off we go. I'm pretty sure we are going to see some hobby action.

What you think Chris will go for?

It looks like painting is the order of the day.

I can never decide whether I prefer Renaissance or Impressionism.

After hearing your impressions, you should stick to Renaissance.

I'm talking about art! Never mind.

Anyway, Mike seems to be having a nice look around,

doing a spot of proverbial tyre kicking.

The creative juices seem to be in full flow now.

Chris certainly looks at home, doesn't she?

-OK, Chris, shall we go out and try some new things?

-Right-oh.

They're off out to try some new things, I wonder what they might be?

I wonder.

Looks like the green baize to me.

Jimmy White, eat your heart out.

Ed, it's not snooker, it's bowling!

-What do you mean? She's just about to pot the yellow!

-Oh, I give up.

Right, then.

So, we have been test-driving

and it would seem, accruing more hobbies.

How many are we up to at the moment, hobbies wise?

-I've lost count.

-Well, I can help you -

woodwork, needlework, er, Italian lessons.

-Now you're an artist and you might be a framer.

-And also a bowler.

It is a lot. So how has the test drive gone?

We are here at the wild card, how does it feel?

This is radical living for you, the whole concept of a bungalow.

Does it feel like home? Does it feel strange?

I would say it very much feels like home. I feel comfortable here.

What about you, Chris?

Yes, I like the open plan, the openness of it.

-Nikki, do you want to release the big question?

-I would love to.

-Get it out of your lips.

-To buy or not to buy?

We are seriously considering putting in an offer.

That's fantastic!

And obviously, you've got to do a bit more research about the area.

Are you thinking of haggling?

That would be nice. That would be lovely.

This is staggering, you've never looked at bungalows before.

-No, no.

-But it fits the bill.

So, if you do buy it, and I hope you do, in the future maybe,

one day when we want to come paddling in Weymouth,

could we possibly come and stay as reward for finding this beast?

We might just about let you, yes. We'll put some champagne on ice.

Ooh, that sounds very good.

We should discuss that further, work out the sandwiches and stuff like that

-and work out our organisation. So, shall we say goodbye from the sofa?

-Let's do that.

Bye!

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