0:00:02 > 0:00:05Some serious homework is required for today's To Buy Or Not To Buy.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09That explains the foreboding smell of revision that is hanging heavy in the air.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12We need to do that before we meet today's house hunters.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15We are donning our school uniforms. Well, school ties, at least.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18We've been through all the property textbooks.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22We've even got property literature in hand, ready for the show.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27So let the episode or, for today and today only, class, commence.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41Good morning, viewers. Today you find us in the West Midlands, Kings Norton to be precise.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44We found this beautiful old former grammar school, so we thought,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47"What better place for us to come and study in?"
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But why, I hear you ask, are two property gurus, such as Jonnie
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and myself, dressed up like schoolchildren
0:00:54 > 0:00:55and clutching revision?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Why do you think we're wearing the ties?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00You at the back, any answers? Any answers?
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Yes, correct, today's buyers are, in fact, teachers. You're right. Well done.
0:01:05 > 0:01:06So, as you'd expect,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Ed and myself are both feeling quite a bit of pressure
0:01:09 > 0:01:13to make sure the properties we show them today make the grade.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19And the two teachers in question are Stephanie Davis and her soon-to-be husband, Simon Laking.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Both teach at GCSE level, so between them they're not short on the old grey matter.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25But what they are short on is time.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30If they're not busy teaching, they're busy marking, and if they're not marking,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34they're planning their wedding, which leaves them little time to look for their new marital home.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36That's where we come in.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Bearing in mind you are both teachers, I thought I'd start by giving you a nice apple,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- curry a bit of favour!- That's embarrassing, isn't it, I've got...
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- Ah.- There we go. - At least you can eat mine.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50There's a very traditional theme behind you guys, a nice bit
0:01:50 > 0:01:53of background. Tell me about that, Simon?
0:01:53 > 0:01:56We're not married yet. We're getting married early next year.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58So we're not living together.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02And hoping to buy our first kind of marital home.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07- Wow, this is amazing, this. Who came up with the concept for this?- Um...
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- Marriage has been around for... - Not marriage!
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The idea of doing it the proper way. Whose idea was it?
0:02:13 > 0:02:15It's just that's what we want to do.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17What a brilliant idea. Hats off to you.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20You sound like you are born and bred Birmingham. Do you work here?
0:02:20 > 0:02:26No, I don't actually, I work in Sandwell at a school over there.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30I'm a Dudley girl and I work in Dudley. I don't really want to move. I want to move
0:02:30 > 0:02:34over to Birmingham way, but not far from Dudley because my family's there.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- So we're thinking Birmingham. - We're thinking Birmingham, south or southwest.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Cotteridge, Bournville, Kings Norton.
0:02:42 > 0:02:49- I think, ideally, we'd like a three-bed semi.- There's only two of you at the moment.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Does that mean we might be planning?
0:02:51 > 0:02:54I think I might need to stand behind him in case he faints.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- Maybe.- Yeah, we'll get there one day.- One day.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Do you have any desire for your layout downstairs?
0:03:00 > 0:03:04I'm quite fussy, I would prefer a separate dining room.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07You are traditionalists, aren't you?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10This part of the world, there is a lot of housing stock.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13If you're looking at semi-detached properties, you're probably
0:03:13 > 0:03:16looking at post-war semis. Do you like the look of those?
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Absolutely. Being a history teacher, I quite like period features,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24so something not maybe brand new would be something I would particularly like.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27There's some lovely old terraced housing in Birmingham.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Would you push yourself to a terrace?- If it was an end terrace,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33so there's space on the side rather than being boxed in.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35How much money have you got to spend?
0:03:35 > 0:03:42- We have around about £140,000. - OK, because you are sitting pretty, you have nothing to sell,
0:03:42 > 0:03:48- you are ready to go, could I nudge you a bit or could we have a haggle zone, could we go to 145, 150?- Yes.
0:03:48 > 0:03:55- I would say probably below 145. - I think we know what we're looking for then.- OK, wish us luck.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- Wish you luck, best of luck. - Good luck.- You're not going to eat that, are you?- No, no.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Here we are, have a look at that, viewers.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Jonnie shall we have a look at your apple again?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- It's pathetic.- I see these as a vision into the future
0:04:08 > 0:04:11of maybe what the houses are going to be like today.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Mine is going to be brilliant, perfect and massive and yours is going to be...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18If you are going to stick with that metaphor, yours might be big
0:04:18 > 0:04:24but bear in mind yours is a cooking apple, completely un-useable and, therefore, unsuitable.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26INAUDIBLE
0:04:28 > 0:04:29It's not that bad.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Kings Norton is situated in the southwest of Birmingham.- At its heart
0:04:33 > 0:04:36is this pretty green, which is a designated conservation area,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39surrounded by an array of independent shops.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Along with this 13th-century church are the old school and the Saracen's Head,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45helping it retain some of its early-village character.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50One mile down the road is the world's most famous chocolate factory in Bournville,
0:04:50 > 0:04:54making Kings Norton a popular place to live for chocoholics and factory workers.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Enough of Kings Norton for now.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02Myself and Jonnie have swatting up to do if we're going to find three properties which will get top marks.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07Whilst we do that, take a look at these converted schools which are available to buy across the UK.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The first converted school is this two-bed stunner in Bradford.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Buckets of space, all over three floors.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Our second school is this two-bed maisonette in Weston-super-Mare,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22complete with a great kitchen and bathroom.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25And finally, we have this former Victorian school
0:05:25 > 0:05:30in Hilton, Derbyshire, finished to the most exacting standards,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32it could be yours for...
0:05:32 > 0:05:34MUSIC: "Theme from Grange Hill"
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Very good, Hall, very good. Now let's talk properties.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42As you know, choosing the right school is just as important as choosing the right home.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Is a school in a good catchment area is worth more or less than the average home?
0:05:47 > 0:05:48More, sir, more, sir.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- By how much?- 70% more expensive.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Very good, Mr Hall.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Very good, indeed. Now geography.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Where in the country have we got good schooling, what areas?
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Sir, could you have a look over there at the picture I drew earlier on.
0:06:03 > 0:06:10- Altrincham in Cheshire.- Very good. - Hallam near Sheffield and Solihull.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- Very good. One more. - Sorry, no, I don't know.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17- Sutton Coldfield, Hall! - Sorry, I panicked. - What do we call these areas, Hall?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I've got two answers for that.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23I'm going to go with educational super-suburbs, sir.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Very good, Hall, very good indeed. Properties in recession, you've been reading up on that, have you?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31It's a specialist subject of mine, sir.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36Would you say properties close to good schools have suffered more or less in this economic downturn?
0:06:36 > 0:06:43Less, I would say less, sir. To the tune of 16% above the average, for the area, I would say.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48Most impressive. I would say that was nine out of ten and you really are peerless, aren't you?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Top of the class!- I'm just going to get on with my bit of pink.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Now today's show could have been very different, couldn't it?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58These are the properties we could have had a look around
0:06:58 > 0:07:00if they hadn't sold in just a couple of days.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05It's good news for the property market but it's bad news for Steph and Simon.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08This sold. That sold, that sold and that sold,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13but these ones didn't sell and they are still lovely and I think they tick all of their boxes.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Now this is the period property they asked for.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20It has the bedrooms and it's around 40 minutes from where Steph works.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So boxes being ticked, it's eight out of ten at least.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26It is very nice. Now my one...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I've gone character.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31It's full of character. It's characterful, if you will.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35It is very nice and old and has all the stuff Steph likes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38She is a history teacher. I think it's the best location.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Now, the wild card, the wild card, everyone loves a wild card.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Will they love the modern wild card, if they like history?
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Modern is still a period. This is 20 years old.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52The thing about this modern house, it gives them everything they have asked for.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It is still traditional, it's got separate dining areas,
0:07:55 > 0:07:56- but it's got a garage. - BELL RINGS
0:07:56 > 0:08:01- The school bell is ringing, where shall we start?- Property number one. - Jonnie's one.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07As tradition is so important to Steph and Simon, I factored that
0:08:07 > 0:08:11into my choice with a traditional semi, located in Kings Norton.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Here we are at property number one, my choice. Stephanie, I'm focusing on you. You're the one
0:08:16 > 0:08:20making all the compromises, you're the one doing all the travelling.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26At the moment, as we stand, we're around 35 minutes away from the school that you currently teach at.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28OK, 35 minutes is about right.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I've not even thought about your school.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35I've not given it any consideration. The house we're looking at here, it looks post-war semi.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41Quite typical of the area. It's surrounded by period houses. Do you like this style?
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Yeah, definitely. I like some of the old features in the house.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49You've got a bit of lead in the windows and stained glass on your front door there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54I am going to use a term, because I've done a lot of research today, because obviously you're teachers,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- hence the tie. - He's upped his game.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00It's an honest house, I would describe it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05The things within it that, kind of, you know, might need having work doing,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07are not hidden, it is a very honest house.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Keep an open mind and maybe with this new open mind of yours,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15try and see it how it might be after a year's worth of ownership.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Oh, right, OK.- Are you excited?- Yes. - Into the property to bewitch you away from Dudley.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23A nice phrase, isn't it, "honest house".
0:09:23 > 0:09:28Honestly, I think you're talking nonsense.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Well, as honest as this house is, my friend, let's find out who is teacher's pet.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- Let's have a look in here then. - These floors are nice, aren't they?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- This is different.- This is nice.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Very characteristic, isn't it?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I feel like I'm in a very old pub.
0:09:44 > 0:09:50- Do you?- Yeah.- I like this brickwork and it's really light, isn't it, with the big bay window?
0:09:50 > 0:09:54The bay, in my opinion, is probably the most honest part of the house.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- It's quite compact.- Yeah, I suppose they've just got a settee in here, haven't they?- They have.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Would another one fit there?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Well, I don't know, it's quite small.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10Now I know they don't live together, but surely Steph has visited Simon in his flat and in comparison,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14this is going to be a behemoth of a building, compared to the flat.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- What do you think, because you wanted a bigger kitchen, didn't you? - It's liveable, isn't it?
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Definitely.- It's not like you would have to rip it out. It's very retro.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27We're showing them a post-war semi and in a lot of ways, in a very nice way,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29they could have a post-war existence.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33They're living apart, they're going to move in together once they get married.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Oh!- OK.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38A few bedrooms. The bathroom.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Straightaway.- It's quite small, isn't it, the bathroom?- It is small.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- Quite a distinctive bathroom colour, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- It's an honest bathroom. - And honestly, it needs refitting. - It's a very honest bathroom.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56It's liveable. It's not really bad that you couldn't live in it straightaway.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00Again, it could be a long-term project, couldn't it?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Size-wise?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- Erm...- It's not the biggest bedroom in the world?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08But that furniture is quite big, isn't it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12They're saying there's a lot of furniture in these bedrooms. There isn't that much.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Also, Steph hasn't bought a house yet, so she's got NO furniture.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18OK, so this is the third room, isn't it?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- The third and final.- I don't know if you could make it into a bedroom.
0:11:21 > 0:11:27- No, but it could be like a study. - I thought you were going to say "nursery" then, I was thinking,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- "You're brave!" - Well, maybe in the future.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Well, there we go. Just a little bit of positive suggestion from Jonnie
0:11:33 > 0:11:36at the start of the day about the children and it's happening.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Just a slight suggestion. She's showing intent here. Good old Steph.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Shall we find the guys?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Our pupils. - And tell them what we think?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Yes, we'll do that. After you.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54Now going with the whole teacher thing, no-one likes a teacher's pet or blowing your own trumpet but,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56so far, I'm pretty much top of the class.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01They haven't even seen my project yet. I've got them a lovely little thing.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07How did I do? Is this potentially a new family home for you?
0:12:07 > 0:12:12I think there are some issues that the house has come up with.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Yeah. - I think our biggest concern is...
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- Upstairs, isn't it?- ..upstairs.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20It seems a little compact.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24There are a few things that need changing and repairing.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30The repairing, to quote the very-well-respected property guru, Ed Hall,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33"This is an honest house."
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It's honest in as much as it hasn't had any TLC, you can see it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42Now that's good because they've not masked anything, so you can see where the jobs are.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46You look at the stains above this bay, all the windows at the back are shot.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50But you can see it as soon as you walk in, so you know what you're getting.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But this is your first house and it depends how much
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- this work is going to cost, doesn't it?- Yes.- Oh, the guru's here!
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Have you been explaining the things I told you about?- Yes, sir. I hope I did well.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- Who would like to go first in the "guess the price" arena? - I'll go first on this one.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09I'm going to go for 137.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13You think with maybe all the honesty that needs... 137? Okey-dokey. Steph?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I'm going to go higher.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19I think it's 139 maybe...
0:13:19 > 0:13:20and a half.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Right, OK.
0:13:22 > 0:13:30- Well, this house is on the market for £124,000.- Oh, OK!
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Honestly, to make this house a really nice house
0:13:33 > 0:13:39for you guys, you are probably spending up to 140 grand on it, OK?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- So, with that in mind... - It kind of works.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47Well, I would like to bring in, no expense spared, the To Buy Or Not To Buy school-themed grading cards.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Now if you could, just amongst yourselves,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54maybe do a joint grading of how well Jonnie's done.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- How is it looking?- I don't know, they've gone past the A.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59- Is that fair?- Yeah.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Have you made your decision? - We have.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05So, if you'd like to deliver it to Jonnie? Are you ready? Good luck.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- C.- Satisfactory.- That's every school report I've ever had.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- Things haven't got better in my professional life. - I will have the grading cards back.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18Shall we go to property number two, which hopefully will be somewhere nearer the A region?
0:14:18 > 0:14:22That's what it looks like, but you didn't get that. Shall we go?
0:14:24 > 0:14:30If Steph and Simon ever dreamed of living by a chocolate factory, they don't have to dream any more.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32My property is in Bournville, the home of chocolate.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Here we are, end terrace - you asked for that.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40It's a bit older than Jonnie's property. I'm going to go for you, Simon.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42What do you think about this?
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- Interesting.- Ooh! Really? - Come on, Steph, can you give us any more than interesting?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I'm not too sure at the moment.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- I don't think the inside will disappoint you. It is deceptively spacious.- OK.- I'll give you that.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- Is viewing recommended? - It is highly recommended, especially internal viewing.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00- OK, are you ready?- I'm ready.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Are you pumped and excited?
0:15:02 > 0:15:03- I am ready to go.- OK. All right.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Well, this is the house you'll have those children in.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Go!- OK.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12I'm having children. I'm having children over the expression "interesting".
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- I'm worried about what that means. - It is interesting. It's spacious.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Right, Jonnie, here's a test for you.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22School theme. Two words to describe this back garden.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27First word begins with D, the second word begins with S.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Disappointing and shady.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30Deceptively spacious.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35Ah! It's actually a lot bigger than I thought, to be quite honest.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37That is deceptive from the front.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I thought when we looked at it from the front, it was really small.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45That equals they are fooled by its spaciousness.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46That is a good size.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Yeah, I like the size of this living room. You've got an L shape.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- Yeah.- So that's big, isn't it? You could have quite a few people round. - Mm.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57They've got their friends coming round.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02- If they lived in Bournville, they would in trouble, because there are no pubs.- Correct.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03Lots of chocolate but no pubs.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Right, OK, this is nice.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- There's definitely a lot more cupboard space and things in this one.- It looks bigger.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- Yeah, it does. - It looks more inviting.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13They are like teachers.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15They are marking each room as they go.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Yeah, well done, I'm pleased.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21I'm pleased with you so far, room. I like what you done there, well done, A*.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22And we've got a downstairs loo.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Oh, right.- Interesting. - Oh, that's all right, isn't it?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27It's more than a downstairs loo.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Oh, it's got a shower and everything. This might be the bathroom, though.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33We'll have to see upstairs if there is a bathroom.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38OK, the beauty for me is they don't know how the property's laid out.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40They think there's an upstairs bathroom.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42But there isn't one.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47So, let's have a look how upstairs figures out compared to downstairs.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Ooh! Out of breath.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52She's puffing and panting up those stairs.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54She's not very old.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57She needs to move here, this is like a gym, this stairway.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Get those quadriceps pumping. - Ooh, yes.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01This is quite a big room, to be honest.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- It's a good size, isn't it? - It is. Looks good.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09It's better than I thought it would be. I didn't think it would be as large, this room.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Again, the size of space. "It is big, isn't it?"
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Of course it is, it's deceptively spacious this house!
0:17:15 > 0:17:20OK, so I'm thinking that the main bathroom's downstairs, isn't it? Because there isn't one up here.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24However, some people do convert and lose one of their bedrooms upstairs.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26It depends how important it is...
0:17:26 > 0:17:29..to be upstairs. It is nice upstairs, isn't it?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Do you get a food feeling about the house?- Yeah, I do.- Yeah.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I don't get feelings about houses but, yeah, it's nice.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- You could see yourself living here. - I could.- OK.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Steph and Simon, did you not believe me outside?
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Clearly, you didn't believe me when I said the words "deceptively spacious".
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- And you were telling the truth. - It's big, isn't it?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- You were being honest. - Thank you. I'm always honest!
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Do you want to play guess the price?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Go on, then.- I think it's on the market for about 144.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Oh, so you're very impressed with this house, then?
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- Yeah.- You think it's better than the first property?- Yeah.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09I'm going to say 141,500.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13That's a little bit mean. He's just shaving off you there.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Do you want to know who's won?
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- Go on, then.- You. You have won again, because the actual price of this property is 139,950.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Because you're in a good position, you could haggle,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27you could whittle away so you could be getting it for even less.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Shall we get on to this? - You're so keen!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32You know when you've done your homework and you got it in on time,
0:18:32 > 0:18:33you can't wait for your mark.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38That's what Ed's doing at the moment. Here's the cards. Ooh, look, there's a U.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41That probably stands for "upstairs bathroom".
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- My property had, but, you know, it's up to you.- See what you think. - It's not an A.- I'll look away.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- I think we can get rid of that one. - Yeah. Honestly, I'd go for that one.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Would you?- What?! - Shall we give a slash? Got it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Ooh!
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- I was going to go for A, because I thought it was more money than it was.- Thank you.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03Well, I'll take that. I'm going to frame that and keep that forever.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06There is the wildcard and we've still got this left to achieve.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Do you think we can do it with the wildcard?
0:19:08 > 0:19:12It's possible. It's possible. On to the A-plus property.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19There's no tradition and there's no chocolate factory.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21But everyone loves the wildcard.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- Don't they?- Simon and Stephanie, the carousel that is the wildcard
0:19:25 > 0:19:30has stopped spinning, and it's stopped spinning right here in Bartley Green. Do we know it?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- I know it. I used to go to school round the corner.- Ooh!
0:19:33 > 0:19:34What about yourself, Steph?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37I haven't been here before, so it's new to me.
0:19:37 > 0:19:44Well, we've got some good news for you, because where we are at the moment is just 20 minutes
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- from your school where you work.- That's good.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50OK. Now, looking at the property there, it is the wildcard,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54and one of the main reasons it's the wildcard is it's kind of modern.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Yes.- And you like kind of olde-worlde stuff.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- I like modern. - Do you?- I like modern.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- Your favourite period, is probably late '80s, early '90s, yeah?- I would say so, yeah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04Are you excited?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Yes, definitely.- Well, be on your best behaviour.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Remember, it hasn't got the period features.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14So, go! Go! I'm going to go!
0:20:14 > 0:20:16I'm going to go, as well.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Have they started yet?- I think so.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21They're so excited!
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Straight into the living room.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- It's liveable straightaway, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Not our style, but you can do what you want.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- What do you think about the size of the room?- It's not a bad size.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Two settees they've got in here.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- You could probably fit another chair in.- I don't feel squashed.- No.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43I think the size of this room is bigger than the size of the rooms we've shown them up until now.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46It's a separate dining room, which is good, because that's what I wanted.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49This is basically a massive tick list, this house.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52It is modern yet old. It's modern with tradition.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54OK, so this is the kitchen.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- It's a good size, really, and it's got loads of storage, loads of cupboards.- Mm.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02I'm surprised, because I thought Simon would be leading this,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04because he seemed the most enthusiastic.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10- But actually, old Steph.- Well, at the end of the day, Steph sounds like she's the decision-maker.- She is.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Right then, up the stairs we go.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15See what this room holds for us.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17A single bed, I wonder if there is a room bigger than this.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22Yeah, I can't imagine this is the biggest room.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Erm, again, it would just need decorating, wouldn't it, really, to go more with our tastes?
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- Yeah, sure. I'm interested to see if this is the main bedroom. - Oh, I don't think it is.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I think there'll be another one.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Now, I'm concerned.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Steph was our main worry.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43- She now loves it. Simon should love it, but he thinks it's smaller. - The pendulum has swung, Ed.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44It is compact.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Yeah, and it would need a new suite eventually.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- Not room for more than one, though, is there?- Why would you want to share a bathroom with me?
0:21:51 > 0:21:52That's true, yeah.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Hello!- I think that's... What?
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- That's romance there.- They've not lived together, because they're obviously not married yet,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01and they don't know what happens in married life,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04but, you do do a lot of sharing when you live together.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06That's true. That's very true.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- The final room. Is it bigger? - Oh, yeah, it is.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11And again you've got the built-in storage, which is good.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15And you've got... Oh, there you go, a nice little dresser for you. Yeah.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- It's a really good room, I think. - It's a great-sized room, and that, I think,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21because they viewed it last,
0:22:21 > 0:22:22hopefully in the period of time they've got
0:22:22 > 0:22:26between then and when they see us will have influenced their whole...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Put a better spin on it, you think.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- You were supposed to like this.- Yeah.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36From the outside, it looks great.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Uh-huh.- From the inside, it's OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:45- Right...- I think it's a bit on the small side, but I'm maybe just thinking extravagantly.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48As the house goes, this is the biggest of the three.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- But is it the proportions of the rooms, do you think?- It must be that.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57My biggest concern with the house is just the location of it.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00It seems like in the middle of the two places, which is a good compromise,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04but I'm just worried that it's going to isolate us a little bit from...
0:23:04 > 0:23:09Well, that was one of the gambles we thought was worth putting you here and seeing.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Knowing that, we have the final game of guess the price.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Well, I've been doing rubbish at this!- You have been!
0:23:15 > 0:23:17You're playing for pride, Steph, to be fair.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19I think it's 135.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21135? That probably will be the wrong answer.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23I'm going to make it 3-0 here.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27I'm going for higher. I'm going to go for 138,500.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31You've made it 3-0. But you're way off.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36It's 149,950.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39So ten grand over. Yeah...
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Can we give it a grading system, as we're doing the school thing.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44Jonnie, you're nervous.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Which one do you think?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- The wildcard's close to my heart. - OK, we've got it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- Oh, my goodness me.- Yeah. - All right, and the wildcard gets...?
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- B!- That's not so bad. - See, he's happy there.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Right, well, you have to wander away
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and make the decision about which one you wish to test-drive.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Wander off, nevertheless. We'll see you later.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Do you think they'll choose the house that they gave an A to?
0:24:06 > 0:24:10- You never know. They might not like vowels.- They might not.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13So whilst they're deciding, here's a reminder for you people
0:24:13 > 0:24:17back home of today's lesson that was today's three properties.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23I went down the traditional and honest route today with my property, but was it too traditional
0:24:23 > 0:24:28for our Steph and Simon, even with its honest price tag of £124,000?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Maybe, but they seemed to love my offering, the deceptively spacious
0:24:32 > 0:24:36end of terrace in Bournville, on the market for 139,950.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Finally, there was the wildcard in Bartley Green...
0:24:39 > 0:24:42..the modern semi situated half way between their schools
0:24:42 > 0:24:46and their social lives, the price 149,950.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54- In you go.- Well, it looks like I've made the grade today with my choice, property number two.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55All right, all right, don't go on.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Hey, I bet not many couples get to try that before they buy.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02You know what? They're not even married yet!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Straight into the kitchen for Steph, and the clock's ticking.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08That's because look's who's here.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It's Mum and Mum and Dad and Dad.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14And they're off on a mini tour with Simon.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18OK, so this is the living room.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- First impressions? - I think very good.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- Pretty steep stairs.- It is, yeah.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I'll show you through here.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27- Big enough?- Yeah. Very good.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Well, Steph's finished the family feast at last
0:25:30 > 0:25:34and it's off to test-drive the all-important dining room.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Hello! There you go.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46God bless this food, we pray, in Jesus' name, Amen. Amen.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48ALL: Salute!
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Salute, indeed.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56- Now, a phenomenal thing has taken place today, because you've not test-driven the wildcard.- No.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- No.- And everyone always test-drives the wildcard.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01You've test-driven whose house?
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- Your house. - So who's top of the class?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Today it's Ed, I'm afraid.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- I'm the dunce, aren't I? - Well, your words.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13It's all about tradition, really, today, the whole house search and the way you're going to be living.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15We've got a separate dining room here.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18You've been doing a bit of food prep. How did that go?
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- Yeah, it went well.- Was it an Italian smorgasbord of food?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23It was an Italian feast, yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27All being good, subject to survey, To Buy Or Not To Buy?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- To buy.- Yes! Well done. - Best of luck.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Have you had fun today?- Yes.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Very good, yes.- Excellent. Well, good. Thank you very much.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37- We'll see you soon.- Bye.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Well, in educational terms, that, for me, was a lesson learned.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46And for me, it was a lesson passed with flying colours, a lesson passed
0:26:46 > 0:26:50with the grade of an A, I think, and yours was the grade of a...
0:26:50 > 0:26:55- Which essentially is a pass, but I'm sure my mother would think I could do better.- And you could do.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57And what we aim for this in this programme is not As or Cs.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59We aim for A*s.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03A* guys delivering A* properties. We do, don't we?
0:27:03 > 0:27:08What should they do if they're out there kind of wanting to find an A* house with an A* presenting team?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- Should they hesitate? - No, don't hesitate.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Get in touch straightaway by e-mail,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16by phone, by carrier pigeon, any which way you can.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- We'll see you soon. Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:38 > 0:27:41E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk