Burton Upon Trent To Buy or Not to Buy

-Do you know what I love about this programme, Jonny?

-The travel and spending quality time with me?

-No, I certainly wasn't thinking about that.

-Oh, brilliant.

Maybe it's all the beautiful houses we get to go to?

-Yes, but no, I wasn't thinking about that either.

-OK, what is it?

It's the sense of satisfaction

that you get from helping our property-hunters realise their dreams.

-To buy.

-To buy.

-To buy.

Well, I now know what's on your mind most of the time.

I'm a young man, what do you expect? Worry not,

when there's a property challenge to be overcome, I'm focused.

I'm very glad to hear that, because property is my pet subject.

Exactly, and we are a nation of animal-lovers.

A recent study showed that over half of all UK households

have either a four-legged friend of some disguise,

a pampered pooch, a fast feline, or even both.

No, when I said "pet"... It doesn't matter.

Am I guessing there's an animal theme to today, Jonny?

Yes, which means there'll be an unnecessary amount of animal-based puns coming from you.

I beg your pardon.

-Anyway, we'd better get cracking before we end up in the DOG house.

-Brilliant(!)

Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, three's company in the garden...

Hold on, air-traffic control coming through.

I'm getting that as well. Are you getting something funny?

In both ears, yes.

..Affairs for me on To Buy Or Not To Buy...

Loved it, Mr O'Brien.

..And the wild card throws a spanner in the works yet again.

Well, well, well.

Having nearly moved into property two, with no pun intended,

-the wild card has put the cat amongst the pigeons.

-It has.

-Ooh, I like that!

Today's buyers have lived in various locations over the 19 years

of their marriage, from Bahrain to Burton-on-Trent, which is where we will find them today.

Well, one of them, anyway.

Sue Harrison is a veterinary receptionist,

and has a love for all things furry.

Whereas husband Alan has a passion for flying.

He retrained as a pilot 12 years ago,

and now lives his dream, flying all over Europe.

But this couple's next move is all about Sue pursuing her dream,

which will hopefully allow them to change their lifestyle

and spend more quality time together.

As well as with daughter Georgina and granddaughter Brook.

With Alan working unusual hours, and Sue working full time,

I bet they just sometimes feel like suitcases passing each other on the carousel of life.

Give me strength.

Sue, Georgina, Alan can't be with us this morning because he is off...

-Yes, he's been called in flying.

-Not himself, he's a pilot.

-He can't actually fly himself.

-No.

-But that's why we're looking in this area? You've got to be close to East Midlands for his work.

-Yeah.

We've got to be within an hour of his work in case he's called in.

And is that sort of Alan's main requirement?

-The rest of it pretty much comes down to you two, doesn't it?

-Yes, it does.

-Typical.

-So, Georgina, where do you fit into this picture?

-I've got a daughter and I've been living with my mum,

so I just need to find somewhere friendly for her, really, and for some kids maybe.

-Oh, we want neighbours?

-Yes.

So, apart from somewhere that's nice and kid-friendly,

within reach of East Midlands airport, what are we looking for?

-We'd like rural views, a cattery, if possible...

-Pardon?

-A cattery.

-A cattery?

-Yes, I'd like to run a cattery.

From when I was a girl, I always wanted my own kennels or cattery. And it's the time now.

This is exciting, that we're going to help you fulfil your lifelong dream.

-Exactly, yes, it'd be nice.

-An excellent journey to be a part of.

A cattery, within reach of East Midlands airport,

that is very child-friendly.

-Yep.

-How many bedrooms?

-Minimum three.

But if we could get four, it'd be a bonus.

You've got yourself and Alan, you, little girl, so that's the three taken up.

-Yes.

-So one spare?

-If we could.

When you think about the property, what kind of rooms do you imagine yourself having?

Um... Nice-sized lounge,

possibly either a kitchen-diner or a separate dining room.

And then maybe a conservatory. Downstairs toilet.

-Because you've got a conservatory.

-We have.

-I find this - if people have had a conservatory,

they want one, they're so used to having it.

So you like old property, new property? What would be your desire?

-Not too new, not brand new.

-Give us an idea of what sort of places we're looking.

Leicestershire's close by. Is that a consideration?

Yes, North Leicestershire, South Derbyshire, East Staffordshire.

-We're quite open to where we go.

-I like their flexibility.

Anything else that springs to mind before we ask you the rather abrupt question?

Yes, semi-rural, because we need people to come to us to bring their cats,

so we can't be too far out.

-But far enough we're not going to annoy the neighbours.

-Go on, then.

-What's the budget?

How much can you afford to sort of spend?

If we've got a property that needs a cattery built from scratch, then it's probably about 260,000.

If the the cattery's there and up and running, about 280.

We're going to find loads of catteries lying around, aren't we(?)

Yes, of course. Regularly, agents are getting phoned up, "Got a cattery?"

-Bearing in mind, with that budget, you're going to have to incur that 3% stamp duty threshold.

-Yes.

-That's something that you've taken into consideration?

-Yes.

-All done?

-Yep, that's sorted.

-OK, that's just about PURR-fect.

-Shall we go?

-Yes, I'm going. Bye.

Jonny, I know I was being frivolous in there, but I do have one real concern about today.

-You might be able to help me with it.

-OK.

-You used to be an estate agent, right?

-Yep.

If you're buying a house and then you want to open a business on it,

like a cattery, does the contract come with a special CLAUSE?

Stop it, OK? Look, I am a property professional. This is a serious property show,

and those silly jokes are undermining it all, OK?

OK?

Yes, it was just a PAUSE for effect.

Sounds like today's programme will have us

delving into the National Forest, but don't be fooled,

not all the forest is as densely wooded as you might think.

The Forest covers 200 square miles across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire,

all areas that Sue and Alan are interested in living in.

And since its inauguration in 1990,

8 million trees have been planted,

completely transforming the area.

Amongst the acres of woodland accommodating the usual countryside pursuits,

there's also miles of rolling countryside

and evidence of former coalfields.

Nestled amongst this beautiful and varied landscape

are the towns that have supported and grown around the local industries of coal and brewing.

So we shouldn't really have a problem finding Sue and Alan a rural view,

but a house with a cattery? Now, there's a challenge.

But what will a house with animal accommodation cost in other parts of the country?

This three-bed semi-detached property sits within a gated, privately owned complex,

and is just a few minutes' walk from Stratford upon Avon.

A thespian dream, darlings, for £250,000.

That was quite nice.

But how about this beautiful three-bed barn conversion

within an exclusive courtyard development?

-GEORDIE ACCENT:

-A stone's throw from the coast in Newcastle-upon-Tyne

for a quarter of a million pounds, like.

I thought you said it was in Newcastle.

-That was totally Geordie.

-Rubbish.

Moving further south, and on a smaller scale due to its location,

how about this charming two-double-bedroom maisonette

in the glorious surroundings of Kingston-upon-Thames?

Beautifully presented, and complete with its own private garden,

a snip, I tell you, for £259,000.

So it's time for me to hit the streets while Jonny does some pussyfooting around.

Nuts, here, like all cats, has eyes that shine in the dark,

and that is because of a reflective layer known as tapetum,

that acts like a mirror.

Oh, yeah, I've got it. Yeah.

We are a nation of dog-lovers, but cat-lovers aren't too far behind, either,

with an approximate 10.3 million of the little fur balls running round the country.

And that equates to a staggering £550 million

that was spent by Brits on cat food alone last year.

MIAOW!

A successful morning's work, I think.

I really do feel like the cat that's got the cream. Now, where's Jonny?

How have you get on on the hunt for a cattery, Jonny?

The cattery I'm not so sure about, but I've got loads of cat facts... No, forget that.

Right, property number one is my choice today. The historic village of Tutbury.

This property has got fantastic rural views. It's got everything they want downstairs,

-and a gorgeous new four-piece family bathroom upstairs. I think they'll like it.

-Not bad.

Now, then, me, how do I do it?

Hunting for the cattery, well, this property in Midway

might not immediately tell you why there could be a cattery here.

The village might be Midway, but I have gone all the way when it comes to my choice.

It is fabulous. Nothing needs doing here.

-Gorgeous location, rural views, too. That's property two.

-OK, then.

The wildcard today is really how the wildcard goes.

It's interesting, a bit quirky and doesn't obviously show you why we've chosen it,

but once you're inside, all is revealed.

-And it's also in a town. No, we won't tell you the name, are we?

-No.

Let's get cracking. My choice, property number one.

Property one is my choice and I think you'll find I've ticked quite a few boxes

-with this four-bed detached house in Tutbury.

-Really? Where's the cattery, then?

-OK, there's no cattery, but there's space for one.

-And what about views of sheep?

-They're just disguised as horses.

-I get the feeling you're trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

OK, girls, here we are at my choice, property number one.

I think we've done pretty well. I think it'll tick most of your boxes.

-What do you think, ladies?

-Yes, looks OK.

-Looks nice.

-Yes?

-Yeah.

-What do you mean, OK?

-It looks OK.

-Jonny's done his best for you.

-Yes.

Let's move on. We've got some period features.

Real testament to the vendors - Simon and I like character features, original parts of a property -

and they've done that brilliantly. It's all been double-glazed, OK,

apart from that bay window, which has been secondary glazed to maintain that original feature,

-that lovely stained window.

-I like that, that's nice.

And you'll see a lot of original features in there.

-OK.

-I think you'll feel a nice warm feeling when you get inside.

Anyway, enough of this pussyfooting around out here.

-You see what I did so there? You like that, don't you? Get in, and enjoy.

-OK. See you later.

-Oh, that's nice. Wooden floors.

-Mm, very nice.

-I quite like the wood. It's real wood as well, isn't it?

-It's nice.

Jonny, I hate to tell you this, there's only two of us. Why have you set three seats up?

Well, see, I've got myself a new wing man. Come on in, Alan.

-This is Alan, Sue's husband. Hello.

-How do you do?

-Just landed, have you, sir?

-Fresh in.

Listen, they're fresh in, as well. Here we go.

OK, into the lounge. That's a good-sized lounge.

-Yes, I like the alcove bit. At the front, it's a nice shape.

-Yeah.

-Well, there's a view. You can see the horses.

-It's nice.

-Yeah, it's nice.

-Well, it's quiet in here, isn't it? Fireplace.

-That's nice, I like that.

So, Alan, just between us guys out here, you live with three girls.

-Too many.

-Do they gang up?

-Definitely sometimes, yeah.

No wonder you like leaving the country.

I like going to work, believe me.

-It's nice and bright.

-It's really long as well.

-Yes.

Yes, it's nice.

-Oh, this is nice.

-I like this, yeah.

-Yeah, lovely. The garden is nice.

-I like these doors, as well, because you can close them and have some quiet.

-Yeah!

-Yes, it's nice. The views out the back.

-I like that.

-There's horses there, look.

-Yeah.

It's nice they've identified some of the character features.

We've got original doors, stained-glass windows,

lovely oak flooring - in the downstairs hallway, anyway.

And you get that sense of comfort from an older property, don't you?

I wonder if this is...

That's the downstairs toilet, that's handy.

That's quite small, but... That's all you need, really, in a toilet.

Yeah, I like the kitchen, it's nice as well.

-It flows nicely, doesn't it?

-Yes. I quite like the decoration.

The decor as well. It's quite nice, colourful.

-There's a lot of cupboards.

-Yeah, storage.

-I quite like the units, actually.

-Yes, they're nice. It's good.

Now, as they go up the stairs, I guess they'll get to your favourite part of the house?

That'll be the LANDING, that's the bit I prefer.

Quite a nice landing, I like the shape.

It's good.

This is nice.

-It's got a nice view, innit?

-Oh, yeah.

That could be where the cattery goes, there.

Because you won't be using the garage, cos you'd have the cars out the front.

Do you think... Is that big enough to start an enterprise?

I should imagine it would be a good size to start.

-You've got to start somewhere.

-Yeah.

Maybe get half a dozen, ten cats or so in there.

What about the proximity to neighbours? It can put off a bit of a stink, catteries.

You have to keep it clean, hygienic.

I'm not sure if cats make much noise.

I don't think they'd be quite as bad as kennels, but...

-But they're hard to keep tidy. They do tend to leave litter around!

-Yes.

-This is nice as well, the views.

-Yes, nice, bright room as well.

-So are you putting your stamp on this one?

-No.

See what other ones there are.

-This is the bathroom. Oh, I like this.

-Oh, it's lovely.

-Lovely size.

-I like the shower, and the bath's nice as well.

-Yes.

-Yes, shower's lovely.

-Yeah, I do like that.

-I think that's my favourite room so far.

Hold on, air-traffic control coming through.

I'm getting that as well. Are you getting something funny?

In both ears, yes. In both ears.

THEY LAUGH

-Oh, this is master... Again, this is modern.

-Yes.

It shows you what you can do with the rest of the house,

because this is bringing it up more modern.

-Yes.

-I like the wallpaper as well.

-The view's nice again.

-Yeah, this will be our room.

-Definitely.

So you've definitely got the one on the extension.

I've got the view from both, haven't I?

-I've got the front and the back.

-That's right.

-No, this is lovely.

-It is really nice.

-Nice views. Very nice.

Well, they're all nice-sized rooms. I like this one as well.

-Yes, this is nice for Brook, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Get some pink on the wall.

-Yeah.

Yeah, it's the perfect size, really. They're all really spacious, the rooms.

Yeah. They've got high ceilings, as well.

That's nice.

It's all built-in wardrobes. That's nice, as well, for all her stuff.

You really don't notice the traffic, do you?

-No. You can't ever here it, can you, really?

-No. That's good.

-Yeah.

That was a bit of a worry when we first came.

Especially because of Nuts going across the road. You don't want that, with having cats.

Listen, the ladies don't think that road is a problem,

but would it be a for your cat?

No, he doesn't drive(!)

-OK.

-As a rule.

-It's a nice house. I do like it.

-Yeah, I do.

There's enough space. The bedrooms are plenty big enough.

-Yeah.

-Got the lounge, dining room and kitchen...

-Yeah.

I like the bathroom. That's really nice.

It's modern. You could try and fit it into everywhere else. Conservatory's nice. I like that.

Let's go and look in the garden, at the animals.

Having heard Sue and Georgina, do you think that place really took off or was it just terminal?

Alan has managed to tune into air-traffic control on the headphones, so he's happy for a bit.

Let's talk houses, Jonny.

Yes, let's please talk houses. It's bad enough having just Simon,

but with Alan in the mix as well, I've suffered for my craft out here.

I feel for you.

It's been pun horrendous out here. But the house? Let's talk about the property.

When you got in there, you were like, "Look at these high ceilings! It feels airy and spacious."

But, overall, how did it feel for you?

-I liked the bathroom.

-That was my favourite room.

-And then the bedrooms,

-I preferred upstairs to downstairs.

-OK, so what would you change?

-I'd take the carpet up, make it wooden floors all the way through.

-OK.

And maybe, if we could do it, knock the wall through from the kitchen, to make it more of an open-plan type.

-Anyway, that's what Mom thought. What do you think, Georgina?

-I do like it.

The bathroom's really nice. And it's got a real flow upstairs.

The rooms are massive, I like all the bedrooms,

and Brooke's got her room, I've got my room, Mum's got her room, so...

Do you feel you would be gaining?

You want to feel like you're taking a step up. Do you feel, size-wise, that you'd get that?

-The bedrooms are big. I do like the size of the bedrooms.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Let's just talk for a moment on the focus of this move.

-Yes.

-The cattery.

Yep. What I would want to do there is knock that down, the building that's there,

and start from the carport and work back, build a brick building all the way back,

-cos we wouldn't lose the carport.

-Because the footprint there is big enough.

-It is.

Let's talk money, shall we? While we're talking about knocking walls down and rejigging things.

-Your budget - £280,000, if the category is in situ, or 260 without.

-Yep.

-So, how much for Jonny's choice? Who's going to go first?

-I'll go first.

Great - I like it.

-I think it will be 250,000.

-OK.

I will say 257.

257? OK. So we are in Tutbury, historical village,

highly sought-after area, lovely rural views.

It doesn't have the cattery, but I've been fairly kind to you.

-You win, first of all, let's clear that up.

-Right.

-Congratulations. ..Your face!

This place's on the market for £265,000.

-What do you think? 265K - not bad.

-Yes, it's not bad.

-So, a good start, I think?

-Yep.

-But right now, I think we should find Alan and, no more puns, Jonny, I promise...

-Promise?

-Promise.

I'm going to WHISKERS off to property two. It's this way.

Now a property two will be a real contender. I can feel it.

With sweeping views of the Derbyshire countryside and gorgeous contemporary decor,

Sue will be like a cat on a hot tin roof when she sees this.

But she'll never fit a cattery in that manicured back garden.

-May be not but, as always, I am one step ahead, and have a cunning plan.

-We'll see.

OK, ladies, property two, my choice.

I think this place is going to be the CATALYST that inspires the move that you are longing for.

-What are you laughing at?

-Lovely.

-That wasn't a pun. Oh, it was a pun.

-Brilliant! There you go! Property two, what do you think?

-The cat's whiskers! It's lovely. It's lovely.

-Really like it.

-It is nice, I like it.

Is it just me? Is it just me that doesn't get these?

-Yeah.

-OK. You like the look of this place?

-Yeah, I do, I really do.

So the chat we had where you were saying, "I prefer a nice older property,"

so something late '80s, early '90s, ticks that box, does it?

Oh, by the way, Jonny's property, property one, had lovely views. Shall we have a look at these?

-There you go!

-Yay!

-What about that, eh?

-That's brilliant.

-There's the view for you. Shall we turn back again?

-Yay!

I didn't think you'd surpass me on the views, but they are gorgeous.

However, it's all about compromise, isn't it, buying property?

Now, with a modern property, you do get slightly smaller plots.

-I gave you quite a generous one...

-Yep.

-..which I thought was a real contender,

-but you weren't too sure, were you?

-No.

-But this one seems...

-Yeah, definitely.

-It's going well.

-It is.

-Why don't you go in there,

and let's find out if the cat truly has got its cream? Go on, in you go. Go on.

-Oh, this is nice, George.

-I like this.

It's very homely.

It is, it's got a really nice feeling.

OK, Alan, in pilot parlance, let's get this going.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Here we are, cruising at an altitude of two feet.

Let's hope we have smooth flying conditions for our journey today.

-I feel a bit sick, though.

-You never were a good flyer, though, were you?

-No.

-We haven't taken off yet!

-I know!

SIMON LAUGHS

This lounge is a nice size as well.

-Yeah, I like this.

-Very nice.

Look, it's got a proper living gas... wood-burning stove, I meant.

-Oh, I do like this. It's really nice.

-Yeah.

Look at the views.

Oh, this is lovely.

I'm surprised just how much Sue liked this place on the outside.

I'm not. I picked it.

I mean, it's a good house, but everything she told us - we'd like an older property,

and then you bring her to a new house, and it's, like, "Oh, brilliant."

Sometimes, by looking at the outside of a property, you can tell it's done to a high quality. Am I right?

I think you're right. It has a warm, inviting look.

Look at you two, all loved up!

-This is nice, isn't it?

-Yes. Breaking it up.

-Hmm.

-It's high ceilings again.

-It's lovely.

-And the coving.

-That's nice. I like that.

-Oh, it's lovely. Really nice.

-Yeah.

-And here's your conservatory.

It's got everything we want, hasn't it?

It's just the right size, the garden, yeah.

Yes, there's that extra space, but...

This is the dining room now, or is it just like a little...?

You could have it as a dining room.

-You could have it as a little toy room, couldn't you, as well?

-Yeah.

-Brooke will have a separate room, you can read your book.

-Yeah.

-It's nice, might be a dining room.

-Some music.

Oh, I like this. You'll like this.

Look, it's got a dining room. Oh, it's superb, isn't it?

Really nice work surface as well.

Yeah.

I can just see you and Alan in here cooking!

And then just sit here and, like, have dinner. It's just perfect.

It is lovely. The view and everything.

-It's a nice-sized dining room as well.

-It is, yes.

We could fit our dining room suite in here.

-And the window's lovely as well. Really nice.

-Really nice.

I tell you one thing. It's PLANE to see they like this place, isn't it?

-Hey...!

-I can join in. I can join in, too!

That's nice. Isn't it?

It's nice and bright and airy. It's lovely.

Now, is this your room or my room?

-This is your room.

-Yes.

You like this room?

Yes. You've got the view outside.

-Look at the views. Lovely, look.

-Yeah.

Look at that.

Really nice. The rooms are quite big as well.

Wardrobes as well.

-That's handy.

-Really nice.

-Are you listening, Jonny?

-Yes.

-Alan and I are.

Yes, brilliant.

"It's so nice."

-This will be Brooke's room then, I think.

-Oh, yeah.

Lovely, isn't it? Excellent.

-This is the, er, like a study.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely. It's perfect.

-Got fitted wardrobes as well.

-Yeah.

Yeah, do a little pink wallpaper.

-It's lovely.

-I think it's really nice, yeah.

Look out the back there.

Nice garden.

And the bathroom. There's a shower over the bath,

rather than a shower cubicle.

-It's OK, it's a nice corner bath.

-Yeah.

You can imagine Brooke sitting on there. Splash everywhere!

-Yeah, it's nicely-done, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Everything's done.

-It's all really nice.

This will be my room, then.

How many rooms are you having?

-I like this.

-Two rooms!

I like this, I liked the other room as well. I could just have both of them!

-It's nicely-decorated.

-Yeah, it is.

The colours are like our scheme, aren't they? Lovely.

And that... What would you say? Is it that a king-size or a double?

Double, probably.

-You could fit a king-size in.

-Yeah.

So, why are you out here with us when there's a house to look round

with your good lady wife and your daughter?

Just in case for some reason they call me from work

and I may have to go and work.

So you're on stand-by?

I am still on stand-by, yeah.

Ooh! That's exciting, isn't it?

Oh, this is lovely.

This will be your room, definitely.

Yes, it will be, George. The views are lovely.

I like the fitted wardrobes.

What about your bed, though? You've got to fit your bed in.

Yeah. It's a...

Maybe we could take this, some of this out.

Be a shame, but... But I think it probably would.

I can have this room then.

No, I don't think you can have this room!

-Yeah, I think we just have to move that and get it in.

-Yeah.

It is nice, I like the view.

It is lovely. Now we've got to find the garden on this note - perfect!

Right, Alan's taken off again for a moment. Just us four. What did you think of that?

Loved it, Mr O'Brien!

Two thumbs up?

The man. The man. I'm sorry!

-Am I just here for a laugh?

-I think so!

-Brilliant(!)

Judging by your dress sense, yes.

-Oh!

-What were you thinking?

It was nice. I loved the view, and the garden. It's really nice.

Loved the spot, loved the property, loved the views.

Loved the garden, everything!

Apart from the cattery.

Ooh, what a fundamental flaw that is in your plan!

-You were looking for a cattery.

-We were.

-Would I have shown you a house that you would fall in love with and not thought of that?

-Maybe!

-Would we do that to you?

-No.

-We wouldn't do that to you, actually. Look left.

-Yeah.

Now, then. See this fence here?

Just between this fence and the neighbour's fence

is a strip of land, five metres across, and it goes on forever and ever and ever.

The vendors know who owns it.

It's of no use to anyone and they believe they could be interested in selling it.

-That's a great option to have over there, isn't it?

-Yeah, definitely.

So that is a real contender for you

because you have basically moved yourselves into this house.

I have. I'm in. I'm in.

This is great for us because we haven't got to bother with the wild card. Early finish.

Right, it is guess the price time.

It is 1-0 to you, Sue, at the moment.

Your budget is 260 without a cattery, 280 with.

You went first last time, so it is your turn to see how much.

-What do you think?

-Oh, dear.

256.

256? A grand less than the last place.

-No, you can't change it - I'm just repeating.

-Yes.

-What do you think?

I'm going to go a lot lower. I think 249.

-OK, so you're valuing this place less than the last property.

-Yeah.

-Interesting!

-I see.

-The Big reveal to Mr "Two Thumbs Up" O'Brien.

Mr two thumbs up O'Brien. Two thumbs up to you.

You're very close this time.

It's actually on the market for 249,995.

It's sold!

-Can we go home?

-Yes!

This has been excellent.

I tell you what.

I'm going to really let the cat out of the bag.

You know why, Jonny?

It's the wild card. This way, come on.

Today's wild card may not look like their cup of tea from the outside,

but we think this place could be PURR-fect.

Enough already! I agree this four-bed detached property has amazing outside space.

Great for the family and great for the all-important cattery.

Indeed. It may not look like a rural setting from the front,

but the back of this house has a gorgeous garden and its very own brook.

But they've already got a Brooke - their granddaughter, she's three.

Jonny, for goodness sake, "brook" also means a small stream.

Yes, of course.

Get with the flow.

OK, Georgina and Sue, here we are at the wild card,

our third and final property of the day on the edge of the gorgeous National Forest.

-Why is it the wild card, I hear you say?

-Why is it a wild card?

Thank you very much, Simon.

You have been asking for rural views and a rural setting

and this does look a bit like a housing estate.

It does, it does.

But would we be that unfair to you?

Probably!

Before you get in a cat flap, there is another good reason

-why we picked this property.

-There is.

-And that's because it's in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

-Right.

And we just like saying Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

It's a great name, isn't it?

-Have a go, say it!

-Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

It sounds posh, doesn't it?

And it is posh - that's why we brought you here. It's a lovely part of the world.

Impressions, what are you thinking?

It's OK.

THEY LAUGH

Because you loved property number two.

You've got to try to compartmentalise that for a minute.

This is the wild card. This is an excellent property in its own right.

It's a lovely, big, 1970s, spacious, detached family home.

And, on top of all that, it's only had one careful owner since it was built.

Fortunately, it doesn't look that way.

Because that can be a little bit of an issue sometimes.

Honestly, it's been beautifully looked after by a lovely couple

-who live here at the moment, but all this could be yours.

-OK.

You're not really giving us much on the outside

but here's hoping you fall in love with the wild card on the inside.

-Yeah? Get in there. Enjoy.

-Thank you.

-Oh, this is nice.

-Oh, I like this, yeah.

I expected it to go into a staircase. It's really nice.

Like the decoration as well. The flooring is nice as well.

Cabin crew, take your seats for departure. Ping!

I like that, the way the stairs are off...

-not straight in front of the front door.

-It is a big room as well.

It is, yeah. The dining room, that's a really good idea.

-I like it.

-It's really unusual, isn't it? Very nice.

-Nice and bright as well, with the windows.

-I do like it, yeah.

Yeah, I do. It's very nice.

Oh, this is lovely.

-I like this. I love the fireplace. It's lovely.

-Yeah. It's super.

Look at the deep windows. A lot of light will come in. Yeah.

It's nice and square, for your furniture.

-I love this, it's really nice.

-Yeah.

Very nice. Really warm. Cosy, isn't it?

You've done the tour of this house, you've got that lovely big main reception,

huge bay window, loads of natural light lashing in there.

Loads of space. It's very nice.

-Can you see it working for you initially?

-Definitely, yes.

Is it as good as property two, Alan?

Well, I think there could be a bit of turbulence ahead, actually.

-Seat belts on. Ping!

-Ping! Ping!

Again, nice and light. Somewhere to eat in the kitchen.

-I like the little breakfast bar.

-Yeah. An extra area there.

I like this. Everywhere is really bright.

-It seems really...

-I like the ceiling in here as well. It's different.

-It's really nice, yeah.

-Yeah, it's lovely.

Now, they're in your domain, the kitchen/breakfast room.

It's nice to have a kitchen you can eat in.

It is very much in vogue at the moment.

How does that kitchen compare to the other two properties?

It's a nice kitchen, nice views of the garden over the river.

It's a gorgeous garden as well.

-It's lovely.

-Beautiful garden.

-Another window. It's lovely.

I like those glass blocks. I like those glass blocks. They're really nice.

-And a nice landing as well.

-Yeah. It's nice. It's very nice.

-The bedrooms now.

-Oh, I like this. This is really nice.

-It's so bright again.

-Yeah, it is.

That is... look at the view. Amazing!

Ah, that's really nice, yeah.

-Look how far the garden goes back as well.

-It's lovely.

-Very nice.

-Doesn't even look overlooked either. Really nice.

-It is, it is lovely.

-Look at the little pond as well. That's lovely.

It is, it's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

-This is really nice.

-They are good guys, aren't they?

-It's amazing.

-Lovely.

-But back to the house! The garden is lovely.

-I do like this room.

-As you say, I can't get over how light it is.

-Everywhere.

-The decor is nice as well, isn't it?

-The two singles, you would easily get a double in here.

-Yeah.

Lovely. Next bedroom. Oh, this is nice.

This would be ideal for Brooke. Again, another light room.

I can't get over how light it is.

Imagine in the summer. It will be lovely.

Really nice. I wonder if that is a wardrobe. Go and have a look.

I will open it.

That is deep as well. You can fit all our clothes in there.

I hope they don't mind us looking in their wardrobes.

-This is nice. This would be ideal for Brooke.

-This is Brooke's room.

Its quirky, a bit different. It's not conventional in its layout

and that is what makes it appealing.

Going to the bathroom. This is nice. A separate shower.

It's very short actually.

-It's nice. I do like it. It's like separate.

-Nice corner bath. Lovely.

I like this. This is bright in here as well. I love the way it is...

-the decor in here, is lovely.

-You've got the cabinets for your...

-I like the tiles, floor-to-ceiling tiles.

-It's really nice.

-Is lovely, I like this.

-The colour is nice as well, rather than white. Nice.

-It's really nice.

Impressive, this house. It's lovely.

This is the beauty of living in a country, the sounds

of the birds singing, the sun has come out, a gorgeous garden.

-It's gorgeous.

-We always LAND on our feet.

-Let it go. Let it go.

-The study.

-This is nice.

This is like a computer room with a sofa bed. When guests come.

Is that an adjoining door? No, it isn't. A wardrobe.

You could actually have this as Brooke's room,

if you moved it and have that

-as a spare double bedroom.

-Yeah, then you've got the bit

downstairs with your computer downstairs.

It could be all of your family in one area sort of thing.

-This would easily fit a single bed in for Brooke.

-Yeah.

Alan, Ashby-de-la-Zouch is lovely,

-but living on a housing estate, how do you feel about that?

-It's beautiful.

From the front, it looks like a housing estate

but in the back garden, it's secluded.

-It's a real revelation.

-It's like being in the countryside. It's lovely.

-This would be your room then, I think.

-Oh, thanks(!)

-You're having this one, I will have the blue one.

-Oh, are you?

I don't know. I would quite like that room out the back.

It's really nice. They are the same size, aren't they?

They are about the same size though, aren't they, really?

Lovely big window. And the wardrobes.

I can't get over how bright it is. Every single room is really light.

-It's nice.

-We'll have to go outside and explore the garden.

-It looks so nice.

-There's a hidden bit.

I can't wait. That's the main feature, the garden.

Let's go and have a look.

Well, well, well. Having nearly moved into property number two,

with no pun intended,

-the wild card has put the cat amongst the pigeons, hasn't it?

-It has. It has.

-Yeah.

-It truly has, hasn't it?

-It has, big time.

-What was it about this place?

-It just feels really homely.

-It's bright.

-It feels friendly, bright.

-That's the one point

you pick upon straight away. It's so naturally-light.

-The garden is a bonus.

-It's just fantastic, isn't it?

Of course, down the bottom, it continues.

There's a vegetable patch and then fields.

No sheep, but we will have a word with the local farmer

to see if we can sort something out.

Out front, you weren't too impressed.

-You were not enamoured by it.

-It was just a detached house.

-Yeah, it looked like it was on an estate.

-What a revelation.

-The wild card. Everyone loves the wild card!

-Now, then...

-Oh, no!

-Our final guess the price. It is one all.

Your budget, 260, without a cattery

or 280 with the cattery.

So who is going to go first this time?

I'm going to put Mum on the spot.

Right, I think it is...

259.

259, OK. What do you think?

I think I'm going to go 262.

Carry the two...

You win, you win! By £1,000.

This place is bang on that budget of £260,000 without the cattery.

-Which I think is a fantastic price.

-It is.

And also, you've got this lovely big garden, and where the vegetable patch is at the moment.

-Possibilities for...?

-That's where the cattery would go.

-It does break the garden up perfectly.

Keep that out of sight. You've still got a fantastic-sized garden.

But hang on, we're talking as though this is a done deal, and it's not!

We've shown you three very different properties.

You've now got to put your heads together. Find Alan, have a word with him.

-Find out which one you'd like to spend more time in.

-OK.

-We'll see you in a moment.

And while they're off doing that...

-Here's a recap of all three properties for you at home.

-Did you say "re-CAT", then?

See what I have to put up with?!

Anyway, I thought I'd hit the nail on the head with property one -

rural views to the front and back, great living space, and room for a cattery.

I think this property could be ideal for the whole family,

but will Sue and Georgina agree? Rural living for £265,000.

What can I say about property two? It got the double thumbs up from Sue.

Loved it, Mr O'Brien!

The girls really seemed to fall in love with this place,

and were practically moving in before the wild card.

Contemporary living for £249,995.

Now, I hate to say it,

but the wild card really did put the cat amongst the pigeons.

After falling in love with Simon's property, property number two

the girls also seemed to have fallen in love with this 1970s house.

I think the outside space might have had a lot to do with that. Decision time for the girls.

It's on the market for £260,000.

Well, ladies. We are back at the wild card.

The decision made with the assistance of Alan, no doubt, but it must have been a tough choice,

because you loved Simon's house.

It was a big decision, because I loved property two.

That was in the running.

But this one I went for because of the garden, the bigger garden,

whereas the other property, I think I prefer the property, but...

-It's really hard!

-Ooh!

Our surveyor has given the wild card the once-over. He's a real sourpuss.

He's paid to find problems, that's his job.

It's not a legally-binding survey, and if you go any further

-with this house, all your search and survey is done, isn't that right?

-That is correct.

Thank you very much.

Let's look at some things he's picked out. Your drive slopes towards the house.

Now, there is a drainage gully there, but he can't find where it drains to,

and he has spotted a little bit of water ingress in the garage.

-So that needs checking out.

-OK.

-Keep that clear, find out where it drains to. If you look there, see the airbricks?

-Yeah.

Just at the back of the border there. Getting a bit clogged up in places.

You want to keep those free, because this '70s house has wooden floors on the ground floor,

so you need that air movement through the beams, so you don't get rot setting in.

-These little picky things.

-Little thing he mentioned,

being a responsible parent, you've got a brook, a small child, there's a three-foot drop

into the brook, so I'm sure you'll be looking to make measures to make that as safe as possible.

-Get yourself in there, enjoy yourselves, see you in a bit.

-Thanks.

It's the wildcat - sorry, wild card, and here we go.

It didn't take Brooke long to get settled in and find a potential new playhouse!

Or maybe it could double up as a place of refuge for Alan, when it gets too much for him

living with three girls!

His artistic streak is really starting to show now!

But where are the girls?

Aha! They just couldn't wait to start making plans, could they?

This part of the garden really is PURR-fect for Sue's needs.

-You've already used that one.

-Oh, yeah! Sorry!

Then we could have the cages either side.

And we could tell people, there's exits here, here and here.

Careful! There's a dangerous-looking creature running around.

Oh, look! Their first customer. No, don't go!

Look at that view! You really do feel that you're in the middle of the countryside here, don't you?

Well, I think today's test drive has been a ROARING success.

-Whatever you do, do not buy this property.

-Why?

-Because there's a wild creature.

-I think it's a lion!

-It's about yay-high, it's terrifying!

You've spent some more time in the wild card, how was it?

Excellent, really like it. Really do.

Cos there was a bit of a dilemma, you still weren't sure house-wise

between this and number two the garden was clearly a winner.

-Yes.

-George, how are you feeling?

-I love it.

-You loved it straight away.

-Yes.

-My garden... The garden was my favourite bit.

-"My garden"!

-Is it because it's in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, as well? It's a lovely town.

-It is.

But it works, the land is perfect,

you're already owning this place, calling it "mine".

-The major question is, can you see yourselves living here?

-Yeah, definitely.

-All of you?

-Yes.

There's good primary schools in the area, great catchment, commutability for Alan's spot-on.

So we have ticked a lot of boxes.

You have. You are the men.

So good luck.

Assuming you get permission for your cattery down the bottom of the garden,

I'm going to ask the question.

Is it TABBY or not TABBY?

THEY LAUGH

-I thought it was over.

-To be. Or even a TABBY!

-Fantastic!

If we can get the planning permission, I think. It's lovely.

That is a fair enough caveat, because without the cattery, it doesn't work.

-That's right.

-But a gorgeous house, lovely location, you'll agree.

-Yeah, gorgeous.

-There we go, we did good, Jonny! You know what we've got to do now?

-Get out alive.

-There's an animal, prowling.

-Thanks, girls! See you later!

Go, go!

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