0:00:02 > 0:00:05SONG: "The Sound Of Music"
0:00:10 > 0:00:12# The... #
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- What are you doing?- Nothing.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16- HE MOUTHS:- What?!
0:00:16 > 0:00:20On To Buy Or Not To Buy today, we are aiming to prove
0:00:20 > 0:00:23that a small budget shouldn't necessarily mean small expectations.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27We're going to be helping a young mum upgrade her family's life
0:00:27 > 0:00:29by moving them into a picture-postcard home.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Can you hear that music?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32- Do you want me to sing? - No, I do not.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45One day, Rani, if you're very, very good,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49all of this could be yours.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Really? The Clent Hills in the West Midlands?
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Yes, the Clent Hills, within commutable distance of Birmingham.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- It is an absolutely beautiful place. - Lovely, isn't it?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02And, hang on, speaking of beauty, is that today's house buyer?
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- It is. Hi!- Where?- Wave, Ed. Hi!
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Wave in what direction? - She's waving back. Hi!
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Yes, today's beautiful house hunter is Christel Woods
0:01:11 > 0:01:15who has been living in her current home in Tipton for the last seven years.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20She lives together with her partner Craig and their five-month-old daughter Casey.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- Their dream is to find the perfect family home.- But that, of course, comes at a cost.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27So while Craig's trying to raise extra funds, Christel has called in
0:01:27 > 0:01:30reinforcements in the shape of her Aunt Debbie.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32And Aunt Debbie is not only an expert
0:01:32 > 0:01:36sorting out houses, she's also a dab hand at painting and decorating.
0:01:36 > 0:01:42- While Christel has a passion for poetry.- Painting and poetry - what more could we want?
0:01:42 > 0:01:48Now, Christel, I believe you are somewhat of a keen poet.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Yeah, you know, when it's someone's birthday or a special occasion,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56I can sort of put pen to paper and make a little ditty for them.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- I like it!- Most people give up doing things like that.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Christel, in the world of houses, you have a picture in your mind,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06a very specific picture as to what type of property you want.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- I have. A doll's house.- Right.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13A door in the middle, two windows at the bottom and two at the top.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17So you're talking about a kid's drawing of a house with the little windows there
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- and the windows there and the little door there and the chimney doing that?- Yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24It sounds like a perfect beautiful house.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28The property you're in at the moment, what's the problem? Why do you want to move?
0:02:28 > 0:02:31It's only a two-bedroom property, so we need a three-bedroom.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36Really, I just think it's somewhere better for the kids than where they live now.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41So are we talking about local parks, the actual property itself, schools, or is it the whole package?
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- The whole package. - Debbie, what do you think that we need inside the house?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48A nice-sized living room, because they like large living rooms.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51The kitchen isn't a problem. It can be small, big...
0:02:51 > 0:02:53That isn't a problem - they don't cook.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55THEY LAUGH
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- Hang on, Debbie!- You can't say that on national television!
0:02:58 > 0:03:01So you're saying no cooking. Christel, your comeback is?
0:03:01 > 0:03:06I do cook and with the right kitchen, I'm planning on cooking more.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- So you're building up towards cooking?- I am.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Is there any kind of food that you might one day wish to cook?
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- Toast.- I can cook some stuff. - Anything.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I can cook some stuff. Deb's lying.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20So it's a terribly rude question, but here it comes.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22What is the budget?
0:03:22 > 0:03:27At the moment, unfortunately, due to Craig being out of work, the budget is around £80,000.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30If Craig gets in work, which obviously, he's looking,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34we could stretch to maybe £100,000, maybe a little more.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38All right, so we'll play within the parameters of between £80,000 and £100,000.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41There's nothing like the pressure of a house to make things happen.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- We'll do that. Is that good? - Yeah, that's great.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- All right, wish us luck. - Good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- See you later on.- Bye.- Bye.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54Ed, Christel - she has a lovely dream. I just wish she had a bigger budget.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Rani, she's got enough money, trust me.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59If you don't believe it, go to the estate agents and find out.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- I will do.- I'm going to go and talk to some people.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Today's search area encompasses the Black Country.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07But what is the Black Country?
0:04:07 > 0:04:10You won't find it on any map, but it's generally assumed to be
0:04:10 > 0:04:14the area west of Birmingham and centred around Dudley.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16The name is thought to be a description of the landscape
0:04:16 > 0:04:20which was rendered dark by the vast coal deposits in the soil.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26The area has suffered economically in recent times, but the character of the people remains strong.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31They are fiercely proud of their heritage and unique dialect.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33So, with the ACCENT on choice,
0:04:33 > 0:04:38what would a budget of 80-100K buy you in other regions of the UK?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43In Liverpool this three-bedroom terraced house has been furnished
0:04:43 > 0:04:47to a high standard and offers ample kitchen and bathroom space.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50On the market for £90,000.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55This rather quirky middling-terrace house in Newcastle upon Tyne
0:04:55 > 0:04:58has a lovely living room, three bedrooms and even has a conservatory.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03For sale at offers over £100,000.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09But if that's a bit too much for your budget, how about this town house in West Yorkshire?
0:05:09 > 0:05:12It's still got the three bedrooms and a decent amount of space,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17but the best thing is it's on the market for £78,000.
0:05:17 > 0:05:25Inspired by Christel's poetry, I have come to Halesowen to craft a poem of my very own.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29But I shall be using the people of this fair town.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30Finding a house is bad enough
0:05:30 > 0:05:32The credit crunch has made things tough...
0:05:32 > 0:05:36To Buy Or Not To Buy is the best show ever
0:05:38 > 0:05:41They house the nation whatever the weather...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Rain, snow, hail or sleet
0:05:43 > 0:05:46They know what's available on your street...
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- Thank you very much. You want "The most handsome one is called Ed Hall..."- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I think I can just about...
0:05:52 > 0:05:57The handsome one...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59is Eddie Ball.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- And then what's after that now? - "Propertywise, he's on the ball."
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Propertywise, he's on the ball...
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- Go.- So if you're in need why not try the brilliant show...
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Called Buy Or Not To Buy.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12TO Buy Or Not To Buy!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Amateurs.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- How have you got on? - Really well, actually.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20I've found a property in Halesowen, because that's somewhere she mentioned.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I've got to say, a brilliant-size garden.
0:06:22 > 0:06:29However, the house itself, it's got the space, but it definitely needs a lot of work.
0:06:29 > 0:06:35Now, my property is in Sedgley, which is very near to Tipton, where Christel currently is,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and most importantly, very near Auntie Debbie, which is lovely.
0:06:38 > 0:06:44The house... I don't want to say too much about it, but I think it's everything they want.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47It really is lovely. The garden is lovely, it's lovely.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- OK, well, it sounds excellent. - They don't need to do any work.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54OK, then of course there's the wild card, which is our joint choice.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59Now, it has got everything and more than they require currently at this moment in their life.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02And it's in the lovely area of cuddly Dudley.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05So where should we start the property hunt today?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Should we start with the project? - The one of Rani's that means that
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- Debbie will never ever, ever, ever, ever have any free time in her life again?- That's the one!
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Property one is situated in Halesowen.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25With a nature reserve next door and a quaint Victorian facade, this should be a winner.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I said "should be". There's work to be done.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31OK, welcome to property number one.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35This one is MY choice. This is Halesowen.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Now, you said you had a really clear picture of a house that was kind of detached.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41OK, it's not perfectly-detached,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44but there is a little alleyway on that side
0:07:44 > 0:07:51and there is a little alleyway on half of that side. Does that work?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It may do.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55I think we'll see what's inside.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Why the word "may"?
0:07:57 > 0:08:02I think it's probably not what I would have chosen initially, just from the looks from outside.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Mainly just probably because it's still terraced.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09But obviously, like you said, it is sort of like an end terrace,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- so I'm not ruling it out. - OK, fair enough.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Debbie, looking at the property, what do you think?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- I don't like it.- Go on, explain. Why is it not for you?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21I think it looks old-old.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23OK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- But that's just the exterior. - The street,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29I think it's too built-up with cars.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Have an open mind and think about the space and the location.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Halesowen, this is somewhere you want to be.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38All right, I'm going to hold my breath and you go in there and have a look around.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Good luck. Enjoy.- Thank you.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Right.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- OK. - I didn't expect that bed to be there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Big room.- Yeah, it is a big room.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Good potential, really.- OK, let's have a look at another room.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I just didn't expect a bedroom.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Yeah, well, they can have this as their living room.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Or a bedroom downstairs, should they wish it.- They don't need it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- They've got space upstairs. - That's better.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Yeah, this one looks a bit better, doesn't it?- Yeah.- I like that window.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- I like that it's bright.- Yeah, I like this one, Chris. I like this room.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Oh!- Oh, my giddy granny!
0:09:17 > 0:09:19OK. It is strange.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20I've never seen anything like it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22It is very strange.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25That's cute, isn't it?
0:09:25 > 0:09:27I do like that window.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I always say it would be nice to wash up and have something to look out at.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's quirky, isn't it?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Yeah.- Oh! Kitchen to the...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36OK.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Right, tiny bathroom. I think it's a bit strange
0:09:39 > 0:09:41to be so close to the kitchen, where you're cooking.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45No, I wouldn't like that.
0:09:45 > 0:09:51- There isn't space, if they're going to have three bedrooms, for a full upstairs bathroom. However...- What?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- There is one really big room and that can have an en suite. - Well, if the adults are happy...
0:09:56 > 0:10:00OK. Would you say this was the main bedroom, maybe?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Do you think?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- This is big.- It is a big size.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- I do like the fire.- The fire's nice.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09It's only decorating-wise.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10Just decorating, you'd have to do.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15What was interesting there, the little dynamic that kicked in, Debbie threw the positive.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Unusual shape, isn't it, actually?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- This I could see probably Casey's room.- Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Because of the size of it.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I like the window. That's a big window.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Let's have a look what you can see out of it.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33Wow! Huge garden, it looks like, Deb.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37We are in that "wow", aren't we? We're in it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39This wouldn't be the master bedroom, would it?
0:10:39 > 0:10:42To be fair, it's a good-sized room, actually.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Obviously bunk beds would fit there.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48The lads would have some place to play because obviously this wouldn't be there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53But I'm still thinking two lads in a room, it's not that big, is it?
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Well, you could fit bunk beds in this room.- You could.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You would be better off to have then in the bigger room.
0:10:58 > 0:10:59I think you're being very generous there.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- I like the garden.- Yeah, I think there's definitely
0:11:03 > 0:11:06potential if you needed to expand.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08I don't think you'd have to, but I do like...
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- It just boils down to the amount of work you'd have to do.- Yeah.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18So, Debbie, I'm going to ask you what did you think of the house?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Lovely features, fantastic features.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23The old features, the fireplace.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It still would need a bit of work but it's just brilliant, the size of it. It seems nice and peaceful.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31So, yeah, it does require a lot of work to the property, but it might
0:11:31 > 0:11:35be worth doing because it looks good. The sizes are kind of right?
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- Yeah, the sizes are OK.- And from the outside you were less sure but now you've looked at the whole thing...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Yeah, it's OK. That can be done.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Shall we play guess the price?- Yep.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Because that is quite important, I think.- It is, definitely.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53So we were playing between £80,000 and £100,000 with our budget.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Who wants to go first?
0:11:55 > 0:11:59I'll just have to give it a guess at maybe £73,000.
0:11:59 > 0:12:07That may be too low because there's the potential garden, the size of it and that. But a lot of work, I think.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10£73,000 you're sticking with, but you're unsure.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13That's good, you've covered all your bases there. Debbie?
0:12:13 > 0:12:16£76,000.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22- OK. It originally went on the market at £99,000.- You're joking! - That's high, isn't it?
0:12:22 > 0:12:25That was five months ago.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27The price has actually come down
0:12:27 > 0:12:31and it's on the market now at £92,950.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36I know the price is a bit of a shock but, just to let you know, a property just down the road
0:12:36 > 0:12:40has all been completely renovated and that's just gone for £125,000.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- See? That's good.- We don't just show one house on this programme.- Really?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48We don't. We show three daily. They're all exciting, they're all lovely, and my one is next.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Shall we go?- Yes. - Come on then.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Christel said she wanted a child's drawing of a house.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03Property two could well be that place. It's in Sedgley, a garden suburb with a real village feel.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I think our search could end here.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Christel and Debbie, walk towards this property here and,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14is it just me, or does that not look like a child's drawing of a house?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- It does. It's spot on.- It's bang on.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18You've got all the windows in the right place there.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23So, from the outside, Debbie, you were hard to be pleased at Rani's property. What do you reckon here?
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- Brilliant.- We're in Sedgley. Now, Sedgley's not that far away from where you are now, is it?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- No, it's not.- So do you know the area kind of at all?
0:13:30 > 0:13:34I've got a couple of friends who live over this way, so that's OK.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36So what are your thoughts on this property?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- I really like it.- Is this the dream? - It looks lovely, yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42So sizewise it's good.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- You like the character of it? - Yeah, I do. It looks nice.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46So this is like a 1930s.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50That, I was led to believe once, was when building and building materials
0:13:50 > 0:13:53came together in perfect harmony to form the greatest houses.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Whether that's true or not is another thing.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57Any reservations, Debbie?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- No.- None? None whatsoever?
0:14:00 > 0:14:01- No.- You like this?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Yeah. I like the feel of this one.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Good. It is about feel.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Are you ready to go and feel your way around the inside of a house?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Definitely. - OK.- Keep your eyes open, though. - In 3, 2, 1, enjoy that house.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- Good luck.- Thank you.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Oh!- I like this. I like this. It's nice, isn't it?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Yeah, this is nice.- Have that! What did they say in you're one?
0:14:22 > 0:14:27"I can't believe there's a bedroom here." This, "I like this" echoed.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- Really nice. Wow!- Oh, yes.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Isn't that nice?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It's absolutely... It's brilliant, isn't it?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40You don't need nothing done to it at all.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42And French doors in the living room. Perfect.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47I like them in a kitchen, but in a living room that's even nicer.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51Oh, my God!
0:14:51 > 0:14:52That's to die for.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Oh, that's beautiful!
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Very smart. - It is, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Very smart, yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04I really like this. That's really good.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07There's nothing to do in here apart from a change of colour.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I like that, somewhere you could put a picture or a mirror.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13- What's in there?- I don't know.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Let's have a look. It's the bathroom.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19That's a good size, isn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- Tiled.- It isn't big big.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24It's not big but it's no smaller than my own at home.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I would say the upstairs is where maybe you could
0:15:27 > 0:15:33get some kind of joy at my expense, because the upstairs is a little bit smaller than even YOUR house.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36This would be Casey's bedroom because it's small and its yellow.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39This is lovely, isn't it, as well? It's a perfect size, isn't it?
0:15:39 > 0:15:43You could fit a cot in here easily and a wardrobe, obviously.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- And a bed when she's bigger. - That'd happy, that's good.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- That's good. All sorted.- Tick.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Next room, please.- Next room.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- OK.- That might be a problem.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Yeah. I think the only problem that there is, though.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Will it have room for two boys?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02I mean, you could probably maybe get...
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Even if you've got bunk beds, you're still going to have a problem with all the toys.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11You know how much stuff's in Leyton's room. You're not going to do it.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12It was going so well up until now.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15And Debbie's come with the harsh reality.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- She's probably right.- Hang on... - The room is a little bit smaller.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22That's nice, isn't it?
0:16:22 > 0:16:26I was thinking this looked a little bit small compared to my own bedroom,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30but when you think, obviously, that's your wardrobe all fitted, and a double bed.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Perfect. - You won't have a cot in your room. - Casey would have her own room.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Lovely, lovely house.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Really nice. Nicely done.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- OK, shall we have a look outside and go and talk about a price?- Yeah.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48So I think that was very interesting.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53My favourite part of it is you worked very well together, because you're the logic, Debbie.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57No matter how much you said, "Don't you think it's a bit small?"
0:16:57 > 0:17:00You found a solution to every single element of it,
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- which would lead me to believe that you like it quite a lot.- Yeah, it's lovely, it's beautiful.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Just everything about it, really.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Nothing needs doing, other than the bedroom.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14That's the one thing, the only downside.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18The garden's fantastic. It seems a nice area.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20I just can't believe it's spot on.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- All right then.- We think it's way above budget.- Yeah, OK.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Well, let's get on to the budget.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29So you're saying your budget is between £80,000 and £100,000,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31depending on the situation with work and everything.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34You were closest last time, weren't you, Debbie?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Would you like to go first this time?
0:17:36 > 0:17:40OK. 125-126.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42You think I would have gone that far over?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Way over budget, then.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- Yeah.- I would say maybe 115.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- 115, 126?- Yeah.- OK, Ed.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Someone is bang on. And it's you, Christel.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57I don't believe it.
0:17:57 > 0:18:03So it is £115,000 on the market. It's been on for a while and we've been led to believe that they will
0:18:03 > 0:18:08take an offer, which is why we thought it was worth showing you. Are you excited about the wild card?
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I am, yeah. I just can't think what it might be, but it is exciting.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15OK, let's go to that, think about that and Rani's. This is exciting.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- OK, it's this way.- Come on, then.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Right then, Ed. When you want the perfect house, what do you do?
0:18:25 > 0:18:31- I don't know, compromise?- Well, you only buy half of it, of course. - Ah, that makes perfect sense.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37On the face of it, this house does look beyond today's budget, but where there's a will, there's a way.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Right then, Christel, it's now time to show you the wild card.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43All right. First up, we're in Dudley.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46I want first impressions straight away.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52First impressions... I reckon it might be sort of a percentage share in the house, possibly.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54It just looks very nice, the area,
0:18:54 > 0:19:00- very quiet and possibly over budget, but sharing it.- OK, you are right.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02This is shared ownership.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Now, have you looked at shared ownership before? - I have looked at a few, yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10I think, you know, obviously because of our budget it would make sense financially.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14It's an interesting way of doing it because you can basically buy 50%.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18So you take the mortgage out on 50% of the property and you pay rent, so
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- you get a chance to get a mortgage on a property that's really quite big.- Yeah, that's good. Good idea.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24So you're happy with that?
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- Yeah, definitely.- So now we've got that all cleared up, Debbie,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- is this a beautiful property or is this a beautiful property? - Yeah, it is.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- You like it?- Yeah.- There it is.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- Go through the door and welcome to a new world. Enjoy.- Good luck.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47This is nice. I like the fact you've got a big space in the hallway.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48That looks really nice, actually.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I like that wallpaper.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Now, this is really nice.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- Your settee.- Yeah, my settee would fit there perfectly.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Same kind, isn't it? - I like this, Chris.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Big size as well, nice and bright.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Colours you need. You won't even have to change anything.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08No, not really. Now, this is lovely.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Oh yeah, this is better.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Yeah, this is really nice, isn't it? - This is definitely better.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Dining table, so that's good. I could fit my own dining table in there.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20And I wouldn't need to change the kitchen at all.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- No.- Not one bit.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25There we go, good job. Kitchen, fantastic.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Good size.- They shouldn't change it.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Nice garden, Deb.- Yeah.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Not massive but it's good and tidy. It's lovely, that is.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- And you are not overlooked. - No, I'm not.- That's all right.- Yeah, that's really nice.
0:20:36 > 0:20:42Showing this garden after my one, really, was never, ever going to generate a real whoop.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48OK, this room's smaller than I thought but perfect for the baby, obviously.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49Yeah, for Casey.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- Yeah, it's nice for Casey.- Ideal.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Ideal for Leyton and Bradley.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57This is fantastic. Yeah, they'd love this.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Bunk beds as well, which is good.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01And you've got all this space.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Yeah, Rani, do you know a fact about that bunk bed room? Too slow!
0:21:05 > 0:21:09That bunk bed room is, in fact, the biggest room of the house.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Is that true? Is that bigger than the master bedroom?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Let's look at what's in here.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16A good-sized bathroom as well.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Smells like a sauna.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21No, it's a good size, though, isn't it?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23This is nice, isn't it?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26This is a good size as well.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Pretty.- Very girly.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I like that painting, the way they've done that design on the wall.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33That's really pretty, isn't it, for a little girl?
0:21:33 > 0:21:37You'll have the small room, then, and Casey can have the big room.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39No, she wouldn't need this room. Too big.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43What they're thinking is that this is only a three-bedroom house, aren't they?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Their judging everything by, like, every room has to be occupied by a child, in their mind.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Oh, that's good.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52A study!
0:21:52 > 0:21:53No, that's really nice.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Play room, games room. Brilliant.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04So then, Debbie, do you think there's a lot of work to be done in this house?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- No.- You don't have to get your paintbrush out, then?- No.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- What did you think of it? - I think it's ideal for her.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Well, this is good news. And there was no real debate there, whereas in the last one, my one,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15it was, "I couldn't cram into this room."
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Anyway, Christel, you're the one who's buying it. What do you think?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Practically, the size and that, you can't beat this one.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24The garden's a little bit smaller than what I would have liked.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Sizewise, it was brilliant having the extra bedroom.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29That was a shock and it was a nice shock.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32And also the kitchen, fantastic.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34You can tell it's a family home.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37The area seems lovely, nice and quiet. So, yeah, it's good.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Now, of course, we did mention outside this is a shared ownership, so when we do guess the price now
0:22:42 > 0:22:48we are actually only doing it on 50% of the property because that is all that is up for sale, OK?
0:22:48 > 0:22:53How much do you think this property is up for grabs for, only, of course, the part you can buy? OK.
0:22:53 > 0:23:00- I think around £95,000.- £95,000?
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Yeah, I think.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05OK, all right. Debbie?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I think it's deceiving so I'm going to say £63,000.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11£63,000.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Congratulations, Christel.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It's £85,000.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18So not as much as you thought but way over what you thought.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- I'm silly.- It boils down to sums, this one, really, doesn't it?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24In terms of what you can get your mortgage for.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Can you get it for a little bit more then maybe kind of help you out paying the rental aspect.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33With the rental aspect you can actually buy the whole house, so you can pay it off in chunks.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35So it's not that you'll only for ever own 50% of it,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38you can actually buy the whole thing but you can buy it at your own pace.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- Yeah, that's good. - You're at the point where you have to go away and make the biggest
0:23:42 > 0:23:46decision of your adult lives about which one you wish to test drive.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Are you ready and capable, and able?
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Yeah, we are.- All right, wander off that way and we will see you inside
0:23:51 > 0:23:54your chosen vehicle later on. Good luck. See you in a bit.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00Good luck with that. While they do that, he has a quick recap of the properties for you at home.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Property one left Christel and Debbie a little bemused,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05but it warrants further consideration.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Get past the obvious shortcomings
0:24:08 > 0:24:12and it could be a great investment at £92,950.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I'm confident property two will win today.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19It had everything they asked for, from its kerb appeal at the front
0:24:19 > 0:24:21to that super-sized garden around the back.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24But it was over budget at £115,000.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28But for Christel and Debbie it fell down on the bedroom sizes,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30something the wild card addressed.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35If you can make the figures work, part ownership could be the answer,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38though not everyone qualifies, so check with your local authority.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43A 50% stake in today's wild card is £85,000.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- Christel has decided to test drive the wild card.- Our shared choice.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Is that poetic justice, then?
0:24:55 > 0:24:57She's drawn inspiration from the place.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59For one of her poems, you mean.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I'm getting all emotional, Ed.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I've chosen the wild card.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06It's a 50% share but I can imagine my family in there.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15The kitchen is fabulous, it's well worth looking.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It may even tempt me to get into cooking.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24The bedrooms are ace, an extra one, too.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28The decor is perfect, there's no work to do.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30She's not wrong there.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36Butterflies and flowers on the pink room wall.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I really quite like it, this house has it all.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Have we got our answer? Let's find out.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48Christel and Debbie, you have test driven the wild card, the question I want to know is why?
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Well, I did love number two. Absolutely loved that property.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- It was lovely, wasn't it? - It was beautiful.- But...
0:25:55 > 0:25:58But practically, the rooms weren't big enough.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01So, Debbie, has Christel picked the right one, would you say?
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Yes. Sizewise, yep. Definitely.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08This one has inspired you to write poetry as well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13A nice little ditty you wrote. I was very impressed with that. I can't write any poetry.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16We've often been inspired but we've fallen flat at the first hurdle.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And a property-based poem as well.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20We should hire you on a daily rate for this.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Yeah, we could take you on. - Only speak in poetry.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25The big question, then.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28To buy or not to buy?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- To buy.- To buy?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33That is absolutely brilliant news.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- So you think you could make this work, then?- Definitely, yes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41Right, we're going to leave you here outside your new home and then we'll wander off into the distance.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45- Lovely to meet you both.- Thank you so much for coming on the show. - Thank you.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:06 > 0:27:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk