Dartmouth To Buy or Not to Buy

-Welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy in glorious Dartmouth. Simon is taking me on a boat trip!

-A-har!

-Steady the tiller!

-Is it this one?

-No, it's bigger than that.

-That one there, then?

-No, it's bigger than that! Anchors aweigh!

-What about this?

-It is even bigger than that.

-It's the biggest one here.

-Really? You're the best.

Ah, this is the life, eh, Jonny? The smell of the sea spray, the wind in your hair.

This is the worst yacht ever.

-It's a ferry, isn't it?

-Yes, all our resources went on a property search.

-We can't galavant on super yachts!

-OK, let's get cracking, then.

-OK.

-Em, can you swim?

-Ah.

We've got a moment or two to meet today's house hunter.

Ceramics painter Gilly Chandler has lived in North Devon for 4 years.

Now she's looking to relocate to South Devon and rekindle the nautical passions that waned

-when she sold her 31-foot boat, Meerkat, a few years ago.

-She loves the arty vibe of Dartmouth

and sees potential for her pottery painting business to thrive.

With pal and ex-sister-in-law Julie she's setting us the task of finding her dream home.

Time for her to paint us a picture of what that is.

-Ladies, before we even start, I would like to thank you.

-Why?

-Well, look where you've brought us. How fabulous is this?

-Nowhere better.

-So why Dartmouth?

-Because I'm thinking of moving to Minorca...

-Whoa! We're in Dartmouth!

-Yes, but...

-I like the sound of Minorca!

-Let's go!

-I want a place that I can rent out

that I can have as a bolt hole if I want to come back from Minorca.

And I may decide to stay here anyway because it's so beautiful.

-So it's not knowing quite...

-Umming and ahhing.

-Exactly.

Julie, you've known her that long, you're here for good sound advice?

-Yes. I'm the sensible one. She's the daffy one.

-OK.

-We'll be the judge of that!

-So with your sensible head on, what should Gilly have in mind?

Something a bit quirky, probably. With character.

Internal accommodation - what have you got in mind?

I want more space downstairs. I'd like a nice, big sitting room.

I don't mind a small kitchen because I'm used to a boat kitchen.

A galley! Nautical terms. I'm all over this.

-And a minimum of two bedrooms.

-That's important if you're thinking of renting this place out.

-Yeah.

-You don't want to be restricted.

-What about work on a place? You'd take that on?

-Yeah.

-You were in the property industry yourself?

-Yes, I was. I've worked for a few estate agents.

I'm fascinated by all property things.

-So we've really got the pressure on.

-No pulling the wool over this one!

-Nothing she doesn't know about sailing or property.

-Right.

-OK.

-Budget?

-Right. There's two budgets.

If I was to buy to rent somewhere out as a holiday place and I go and live in Minorca,

-it's up to 250.

-OK.

If I was to stay here and find something really lovely, up to 450.

-All right.

-An interesting twist.

-I like the sound of this.

-It's different.

-Right, ladies, we're going to set sail.

-All the puns are going to come out?

-Yes!

-All day, all day with him.

-Believe me.

-Take your fenders up.

-I didn't know they were down! Shall we go?

-This is a generational thing. I'll see you later!

-Bye!

-Bye!

Jonny, I am not exactly convinced that today will be plain sailing.

-We've got an ex-estate agent, nothing she doesn't know. Tricky day.

-Indeed it is.

Plus we've got two very contrasting properties to look for - primarily a holiday home,

-but if we find something super fantastic, a permanent residence.

-So it's two searches, really.

-We'd better get cracking. I'll go port, you go starboard.

-Brilliant.

Dart Harbour is a trust port in one of the finest natural harbours in the UK.

The deep waters made it an important sea port since the Middle Ages.

In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers rested here before setting sail for America in the Mayflower.

It's still home to the Royal Naval College, set up here in 1901.

And in June, 1944, it was from here that 400 ships assembled ready for the D-Day landings.

These days, the town's primary industry is tourism and Gilly is right to think of a holiday let

-as it's a popular vacation spot.

-But, as always with popularity, there's a price,

-and the area is running about 18% over the national average for house prices.

-Shiver me timbers!

It's time to set sail on a coastal pleasure cruise of other nautical hot spots around the UK.

How about this two-bed apartment in Swansea with its sweeping views?

Or this four-bed detached property near Hayle in Cornwall?

It's beautifully finished and ideal for a holiday let.

Last, but by no means least, this detached property in Tenby.

With five bedrooms, three en suites and an indoor swimming pool,

there's great B&B potential here.

Feels like we're getting our sea legs now so let's get cracking.

What would be the most sought after property in this lovely old town?

One of the last remaining 16th and 17th-century timber frame places?

Surely properties with sea views have got a premium?

30-40% can be added on to a property just because it has a good view.

Or perhaps a brightly-coloured Georgian and Victorian townhouse?

Our buyer today, then - two bedrooms, maximum £250,000, sea view, holiday let potential.

-How realistic is that?

-Tough. Tough with a sea view.

If she gets the sea view, she'll have to compromise on everything else.

Arguably, it would be one of these. Because of the really narrow streets and huge summer influx of tourists,

parking here can be a nightmare. A garage identical to this one

is on the market right now for a fraction under £50,000.

I met Andrew the estate agent. This might come as a surprise -

-properties with a sea view, more expensive!

-Really(?)

-Shocker.

I'll tell you what is even more amazing - I found a property with just that for Property One.

It is absolutely gorgeous. That is the winner, I assure you.

Property Two is further away from the water, where you can get a little bit more value for money.

-It's a gorgeous cottage, loads of period features.

-Away from the sea?

-I know. Controversial.

And so is the Wildcard today.

If Gilly goes for this place, she will not be setting sail for the distant shores of Minorca.

She'll be living right here. It's beautiful. That's the Wildcard.

-Shall we start the property tours?

-Yeah, let's get cracking.

My property today is located just over the bay in Kingswear.

I've certainly delivered on one criteria - the view.

-Will that make up for the rather tricky access?

-We'll see.

-OK, ladies, do come in. There we are.

-My God!

-Ladies AND Jonny.

-My property is this...

-Julie, look at it. Oh, sorry.

-Excuse me!

You're quite right, I know. You are quite right. This is why I chose this property.

-It's amazing.

-I've brought you over the other side of the Dart to Kingswear.

-Right.

What about those steps?

That is a bit of an issue.

-With all these boats and pulleys, surely someone could link it up.

-Absolutely.

Anyway, enough of the steps and enough of the view.

-You wanted somewhere with potential for a holiday let.

-Mm-hm.

-Well, look at this terrace.

-Absolutely.

-Look at the view.

-I think you'd get people coming here.

-I think so, definitely.

-Just as a ballpark figure,

you're looking at around 400 quid low season, going up to nearly £1,000 a week,

but only for a very short period when the regatta is on.

Somewhere between those two is the average.

-There's a good income to be had.

-OK.

Get in there and enjoy it. We'll be listening in.

Right. Don't like that door.

But then it does let light in. I like the feeling of this. It's like being on a ship.

It is! Particularly that staircase.

-A bathroom!

-You've got a downstairs bathroom. It looks like somebody's spent some money on it.

-I like the feel of it, though. It's open-plan, obviously, isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

This would be brilliant as just a holiday place.

There you go. It is open-plan. I think it's ideal for a holiday let. It's exactly what you want.

I normally go for colour, but I like these white walls. It goes well in here.

-Being so small, it does make it look bigger, doesn't it?

-And that view is just amazing.

That's a moving view all the time.

It's just like being on a liner coming up these stairs.

-It's been decorated to sell. It's been modernised, perhaps a bit too much...

-Neutralised.

-Yeah.

-Just two rooms upstairs?

-It's a nice, clean room. It's been freshly painted.

-You'd get a double bed in.

-Yeah.

If you want to sell this property, just move to one side.

Property sold.

-Ah, the same sort of size and it's got that fantastic view in here, Julie.

-The view.

Again, they're both doubles, aren't they? You'd get your double bed in.

I think there might be an attic, actually. Do you think there is? Shall we have a look?

-They're adventurous, these two!

-Yeah, they're game girls.

-Going up!

It's ridiculous!

-I'd have to sort that out.

-Good-sized room.

-Lovely.

With these little cupboards.

It's very practical. You do need storage in a house like this. It's bijou, shall we say?

I couldn't see myself living here, but as a holiday let, I think,

it would certainly be very sought after, I'd have thought.

You said ideal holiday let and then weren't sure about it being a bolthole for you.

-I don't think it's big enough. I like room, you see.

-Ah, but this is the thing.

-Done it, have you?

-Yeah, I put the ladders away.

-So you're the sensible head here.

-I think it's too small.

If you take on a mooring in that lovely harbour below us,

you get free car parking down there, washing facilities.

-The cost of that is £478 per metre, roughly.

-Right.

-For a metre of boat?

-Yeah.

-Guess the price. You offered us a maximum budget of around 250K

if it was just a part-time base.

-Simon's done wonderfully. Did you mention the view?

-Did I?

-Did we mention the view?

-How much do you think?

-I reckon...

250, actually. About 250. Round about that price.

-OK. Bang on the nose. Julie?

-I reckon less.

-235.

-235.

-Interesting.

-Hmm.

-Well, you're closest.

-Right.

-It's on the market

-for £277,500.

-Oh, God. It's funny. I was going to say 275 and then I thought it can't be.

People always say that! "I was going to say within £2,000 of the answer!"

-Of course it's because of the view.

-Want to go and see Property Two?

-Yeah, that would be brilliant.

-Follow me!

I've come away from the coast a little to the village of Blackawton, about two miles inland,

for this two-bed Georgian cottage with lovely countryside views.

Looks gorgeous, but will Gilly be happy with country and not sea views? Did you notice my views?

Right, then, follow me. Here we are outside Property Two.

-I haven't got the coastal views...

-It's so lovely.

-..that Simon offered, but instead we do get

-these glorious countryside views.

-Fantastic.

-And this village, Blackawton, is a fantastic village.

You'll be part of an area. Blackawton - Best Kept Village of the Year, 1998.

-Wow! Whoopy-do!

-What an incredible accolade to have achieved!

-The property is a period cottage. What do you think?

-Very pretty.

-What do you think, Julie?

-It's interesting, yeah.

-It's a very nice property.

-I can't wait to get in there.

-Get yourselves in.

-In you go. We'll see you in a moment.

-This is pretty.

-Oh, yeah.

-I like the beams. It's freshly painted, isn't it, on the walls?

-Yes.

-Come on. What's wrong with you?

-I've got no energy. I feel like there's an anchor weighing me down.

Hold this.

This must be the kitchen. Oh, yes.

-It's a tiny kitchen.

-It's not too bad. You said you wouldn't mind a galley kitchen.

-I did.

Jonny, I think you've really got their style with this place, but I am still hearing doubts.

It's a nice staircase. I like all the artwork on the walls.

Under any normal circumstances, that would be a view worth paying a premium for,

but having seen such a fantastic harbour view earlier, it's not quite cutting it.

-Oh, it is. It is for me.

-Yeah?

-That's nice, the upstairs bathroom.

-Yeah, absolutely.

Whereas with property one, they very much viewed it as a holiday let,

with this one, they've spoken about it more as a potential home.

-So this is the second bedroom.

-My gosh, it's a small bedroom.

-They've got two big pieces of furniture in. I'll lie down.

-Go on then.

I'm five foot, right?

You don't expect, when you walk into the living room and kitchen all in one space,

that upstairs there'll be two good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom.

-This is a nice size.

-That's a big bed. It's wide, isn't it?

-Yeah, it is.

-Julie really likes this place, but Gilly...

-Is not so sure.

-I think it's a nice cottage.

-Yeah.

-It's small. That's the only thing that concerns me.

-But perfectly formed.

-Yes.

-You do get used to being smaller and you've got to think of your budget.

-Yeah, maintenance and everything.

-And thinking, "This is how much my budget will buy."

-Yeah.

-So, property two, Blackawton, what did you think?

-Very nice little cottage.

A bit small, I think, at the moment, but I'm thinking, if I could extend it, it's a possibility.

-With a conservatory.

-Hmm.

-Upstairs, there are two good-sized bedrooms, lovely bathroom.

-I don't mind small bedrooms. A bedroom is just to sleep in.

-You said it was that living space.

-I like the bathroom upstairs.

-Your maximum budget, if we spent everything in the pot, was £450,000.

But we want an enormous amount left for a place in Minorca and a boat.

-Yeah.

-So how much for Jonny's place here?

-Who's winning at the moment? It's one-nil to you, isn't it, Gilly?

-Me.

-You go first, Julie.

I reckon...240.

OK, fair enough rationale.

I'm thinking perhaps a bit more than Julie, actually.

I'm thinking 265?

Oh, interesting! I've just done the maths in my head. It's close, but you are the winner.

-Well done.

-This place is on the market for just underneath that stamp duty level at 249,950.

-That's good.

-So very reasonable, I think.

-Yes.

That leaves a lot of money for that lovely place in Minorca where you have more space.

-And/or a conservatory.

-And a nice boat.

-I wouldn't have any money left if I had to do that as well.

-You could stick a conservatory up for 15 grand.

-That's a big conservatory for 15 grand.

If you want a conservatory for 15 grand, I'll do it.

One more property to look at. It's the wild card. Over the fence?

-No, it's right over those fields.

-Fantastic.

-Over the hills. Come on.

-Sounds interesting.

-Come on.

-OK.

Today's wild card is something special, hand-picked, as we're sure Gilly will love it.

But will it be enough to stop Gilly setting sail for Minorca and stay in Dartmouth full-time?

OK, you lovely ladies, we give up.

We realise the downsize perhaps has been a downsize too far.

-Yeah, I think so.

-So, for the wild card, we've brought you back into the heart of Dartmouth.

-Right.

-To this gorgeous place here. First impressions, please?

-Very nice.

I like the style, I like the age.

-It looks quite small.

-Does it now? There you go already!

-Oh, ye of little faith!

-Calm down. We talked about this. Just relax.

-It is deceptively spacious.

-Yes, I think so.

One thing you said to me that certainly resonated and is present in this property is the feeling

-that when you step into a property, you'll know. This is that kind of property.

-Gives you a fuzzy feeling?

-It is gorgeous. You've got no idea what lies behind that door.

-I can't wait.

You don't have to wait. Ladies, get yourselves in. We know you will enjoy this place as much as we did.

-There you go.

-See you then. Bye.

Oh! This is nice.

I like the entrance, Julie.

Ah, what a view! That's a nice view. It's the first thing that hits you as you come in.

What a lovely room!

-Oh, it's really nice. It goes right round the corner.

-Yes.

-Oh, I like this.

-This room is lovely.

-So there's two fireplaces here, look.

-Yes.

-This is her sort of study bit.

-Very good idea. You've got a separate area.

-Lovely study. And the desk was once owned by...

-Ridley Scott.

-Nice staircase.

-Yes, it's really nice, isn't it?

They're about to head straight into a compact bathroom on the first floor landing.

-But there are alternatives.

-There certainly are.

Small, but perfectly formed. Oh, it is quite wee, but it's nice.

-It looks like a Victorian style...

-Yes, very nice. Bijou. It's very pretty.

This is probably the smallest bathroom of the three properties,

-yet Gilly doesn't mind as I feel she likes this place.

-Absolutely.

Bedroom here...

-It's a nice bedroom, isn't it?

-And another open fire.

-Very pretty.

-It's one of three gorgeous double bedrooms.

-Don't give it away!

-Sorry.

-That's nice. Isn't that a pretty bedroom?

-Yes, it is. Nice and light again.

-Two pretty cupboards.

-Aren't they pretty with the built-in...

-The French "curtainy" bit.

-I like that.

-This is up in the gods, isn't it?

-Yeah. But this is the master bedroom, Gill.

-Oh, wow!

-This is lovely.

-This is super.

-Oh, I like this.

-And lovely views here.

-Look what's on your right!

-Another bathroom. Isn't this nice?

-An en-suite.

-There's a shower in here.

-Nice tiles.

-Very nice.

It's like going down to the cellar.

I suppose it is... Is it like a cellar? Isn't this interesting?

-It must be the kitchen.

-Let's see what's in here.

-Oh, look!

-Oh, a wet room. Wow! I've always wanted a wet room.

-Really nice.

-That wet room really is fantastic.

-You could walk past it without noticing it's there. I did!

-I did!

This is a nice little kitchen, isn't it?

-Very nice.

-This is very nice because it's open, isn't it?

-Yes.

-This is very workable. Just the right size for a kitchen.

-Perfect.

We've got on to our third and final property and we've MASTERED Gilly's property requirements. Let's go.

-Hi.

-So, the question is, did you get that feeling?

-I definitely did.

-Let me just remind you what you said - "It looks a bit small."

-Yes.

-Eat your words, miss.

-Well and truly eaten, yes.

It's difficult building on these hills, but the advantage is you get to step down.

I like all these different levels.

-The wet room and all those things. It's fantastic.

-Fabulous details.

So, beautiful property...

-Yeah. Oh, guess the price?

-Yes, indeed.

-Now, it is a little bit complicated today. It's £450,000 if you decide to stay here full-time.

-Yes.

Or £250,000 if you decide to split your time between here and Minorca.

-Right, so...

-It's definitely on the higher price range.

-Do you think?

-I think so, yes.

-Who's going to go first? It's one-all.

-You were first last time and you won.

-You go first.

-Come on, Gilly.

-Come on, Gilly.

-Right, 465.

-You think we've been that cheeky?

-I think perhaps.

-Julie?

-I think it's more than that.

-Yeah.

-485.

-Do you want to deliver the bad news then?

-Yeah.

-Uh-oh!

-Well...

If you wanted this gorgeous townhouse in the middle of Dartmouth just outside the town centre,

you would have to fork out...

£50 short of £400,000.

-Oh, wow!

-399,950.

-That's fantastic.

-You'd have money left over.

You wouldn't have money left over to go to Minorca, but perhaps a little boat

or I could offer you another alternative.

At the end of this road here, there is a garage for sale for £50,000.

-£50,000?

-Seriously.

-Parking is such a premium in Dartmouth.

-Absolutely.

-I could rent it out.

We've shown you three very different properties.

You've got to decide with the help of your good friend here which one you'd like to spend more time in.

-Take yourselves off and make that decision. We'll see you in a moment.

-See you later.

-See you later.

-It's getting very tense. We'll remind the viewers of all three properties today.

-Here's a recap.

We weighed anchor with my property.

-This two-bed Victorian terrace was bijou.

-Or, in English, "small".

But the views were priceless. Well, not quite.

They cost £277,500 with the cottage thrown in.

Or will Gilly go for my Georgian gem of a cottage?

She liked the period architecture and had to admit the countryside views were stunning.

-Size was an issue.

-But you can extend out the back.

On the market at 249,950.

And last, but certainly not least, was this beautiful Victorian townhouse

just a couple of minutes' walk to the centre of Dartmouth.

Gilly fell in love with the place at 50 grand under her maximum budget.

Will it be special enough to ditch the idea of going to Minorca?

On the market at 399,950.

Well, it looks like Gilly has chosen the wild card.

They're straight in showing off their artistic prowess. They're both artists, don't you know?

-Let's see if they're any good.

-Oh, Julie's off to a strong start.

Look at the size of that bird. It's bigger than the boat!

They call that "naive art", I think. Very fashionable at the moment.

I think that's absolutely brilliant. You are so clever.

With the plates drying, they've nipped out for a walk around Dartmouth.

Gilly's been looking for a potential shop to run here.

-It was a fish and chip shop. I love this place.

-I wonder if she's found it?

I didn't realise she wanted to open up a chippy.

No, she wants somewhere to sell pottery. She can change the decor.

It's such a lovely view, isn't it?

-Fantastic.

-Yeah.

It looks like the view at this one won them over. Who can blame them?

Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?

-Hi.

-You two are having a tough afternoon, aren't you(?)

-Cheers.

-And ours?

-Brilliant, brilliant.

So you seem prepared to sacrifice the Minorcan dream by choosing to test-drive this property.

It is a very nice property. It's in a perfect position, as far as I'm concerned. There's lots going on.

-It seems perfect to me.

-What have you been up to?

A-ha! I have a little surprise for you. Julie and myself have a little surprise for you.

We've been painting plates. Would you like to give yours over?

-This is for you guys.

-This is Dartmouth.

-Great.

That's just fantastic.

-I guess this demonstrates that you felt quite at home and relaxed here?

-It was very relaxing doing that.

I'd be doing a lot more of that here.

Well, to buy or not to buy?

Definitely would like to buy, but I need to sell my house first, of course.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-But I'm definitely very interested.

-So if you were sold...?

-I would.

-She's on the market.

-Yeah. Not personally, but the house.

-Glad you cleared that one up!

-So, yes...

And I am guessing a certain friend will be visiting as much as possible

-in such a lovely place?

-Absolutely. It's fantastic.

-We will leave you to enjoy this gorgeous view. We must get on and take our presents with us.

-Indeed.

We will allow them to dry first. It's been a pleasure.

-Thank you for all your help.

-It's been brilliant.

-We will shake hands. It's been so gorgeous.

-Thank you so much. Hope to see you again.

Possibly when you're buying your next property,

-but we must help some other needy house-buyers.

-Cheers.

-Bye.

-Thank you.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010

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