East Grinstead

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0:00:00 > 0:00:04Ah, the joys, Nikki, of this green and soggy land.

0:00:04 > 0:00:08- Isn't it beautiful? - Yes, and somewhere out there, Ed,

0:00:08 > 0:00:11in the wild, wet West Sussex countryside, are two homebuyers

0:00:11 > 0:00:15hoping that we will find them the perfect property.

0:00:15 > 0:00:18They want to move here for the countryside

0:00:18 > 0:00:21and we're getting the moist version of countryside today.

0:00:21 > 0:00:25- Yes, but that won't stop us. - No, it won't.- Because...- What?

0:00:25 > 0:00:29- This is To Buy Or Not To Buy. - It is. Watch out for the...

0:00:29 > 0:00:32- Oh, sorry.- Oh!- The puddle.- Ugh!

0:00:40 > 0:00:44The Meridian Line runs right through this stone,

0:00:44 > 0:00:45which is here in East Grinstead.

0:00:45 > 0:00:50Nikki, over here, is straddling a certain hemisphere

0:00:50 > 0:00:53and I over here am straddling a completely different hemisphere.

0:00:53 > 0:00:56Actually, you are an East End boy today

0:00:56 > 0:00:58and I'm a West End girl, or eastern, western hemisphere.

0:00:58 > 0:01:02You don't see that very often. "Pease touch."

0:01:02 > 0:01:04They're a friendly bunch, these folk,

0:01:04 > 0:01:08which why our house hunters want to live here. Have a rub of their stone.

0:01:08 > 0:01:13Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, have we fallen at the first hurdle?

0:01:13 > 0:01:15It's not the country living that you had in mind, is it?

0:01:15 > 0:01:18- No.- No.- No.

0:01:18 > 0:01:21'Things get a little heated outside a property.'

0:01:21 > 0:01:26I'm beginning to feel that I might be a little bit annoyed with you two.

0:01:26 > 0:01:28'But is there a silver lining?'

0:01:28 > 0:01:33- I like it. I really like it.- OK. - It's that emotional feeling.

0:01:33 > 0:01:37I almost can walk around this house, picturing us living here and the kids running round.

0:01:37 > 0:01:40Let's meet today's house hunters.

0:01:40 > 0:01:44They are Robin and Claire Watts, who met at work.

0:01:44 > 0:01:48Claire is a detective sergeant and Robin, who retired from the police,

0:01:48 > 0:01:49is a freelance trainer.

0:01:49 > 0:01:52They both have children from previous relationships.

0:01:52 > 0:01:54Claire has two and Robin has three,

0:01:54 > 0:01:57so it's pretty busy when they all get together.

0:01:57 > 0:01:58They've not been married long,

0:01:58 > 0:02:02so finding a place that all the family can fit into is more important than ever.

0:02:03 > 0:02:07Robin, Claire, what's the bottle, is my first question?

0:02:07 > 0:02:10- I think I'll leave this one to you. - Oh, OK.

0:02:10 > 0:02:14The bottle's there because Claire and I met on a truth or dare game.

0:02:14 > 0:02:20We were playing in a pub in Victoria and the bottle spun to me and I just said, "Truth."

0:02:20 > 0:02:25So Claire said to me, "Is there anybody at all in the office that you fancy?"

0:02:25 > 0:02:30- I had this idea of matchmaking him. - But not with you, then?

0:02:30 > 0:02:34No, no, no. I'd always thought he was a nice guy but I really wasn't...

0:02:34 > 0:02:38- Who were you going to pass him off on to, then?- I'd had a few drinks, what can I say?

0:02:39 > 0:02:43OK, so we've got spin the bottle at the heart of our relationship.

0:02:43 > 0:02:46- Shall we start with the first question?- Yeah.

0:02:46 > 0:02:47OK, let's see.

0:02:47 > 0:02:51- Oh, look, it's gone to you, Claire. - As if by magic!

0:02:51 > 0:02:54Claire, what do we want?

0:02:54 > 0:02:57We want four bedrooms, we're looking for space.

0:02:57 > 0:03:02We're looking to move out from an urban area into a more countrified area.

0:03:02 > 0:03:04Certain things are important.

0:03:04 > 0:03:07I like the way a house looks. It's got to be right for me.

0:03:07 > 0:03:10- What your term? It's got to have a nice face.- A nice face.

0:03:10 > 0:03:12- What is a nice face, though? - That's not silly.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14A lot of people want a nice-faced house.

0:03:14 > 0:03:17I think double aspect would be good,

0:03:17 > 0:03:20certainly a front garden, a driveway,

0:03:20 > 0:03:23- and also the surrounding area. - A garage.- A garage.

0:03:23 > 0:03:27- What was that out the side of your mouth?- Garage.- It's not your turn.

0:03:27 > 0:03:30Now it's your turn.

0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Robin?- I'd like a double garage. We haven't got one at the moment.

0:03:34 > 0:03:37One of my old passions was just doing up old cars.

0:03:37 > 0:03:41- The other thing that's important is to have a panic room.- A panic room.

0:03:41 > 0:03:44- So this is from the police world? - No.- I've seen the film.

0:03:44 > 0:03:49I know what happens when intruders get into the house, you lock down. Is that what you want?

0:03:49 > 0:03:50- No.- No.- No.

0:03:50 > 0:03:54You'll see that I've got quite a formidable daughter now,

0:03:54 > 0:03:57- a three-year-old. - She gives him a hard time.

0:03:57 > 0:04:01- I've got a formidable mother-in-law...- Uh-huh. - ..and a formidable wife.

0:04:01 > 0:04:04So when the three are there, I need to leg it.

0:04:04 > 0:04:07I suppose another word for it would be a study.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11Areas that we're looking in. We're kind of East Grinstead-ish.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14Give us reasons why we're staying in East Grinstead.

0:04:14 > 0:04:18It seemed like the best place because it has to be close to London

0:04:18 > 0:04:21because I work in London and I need those transport links.

0:04:21 > 0:04:26But because I work, my mum looks after my children a couple of days a week

0:04:26 > 0:04:29and she lives in Biggin Hill and she needs to be able to...

0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Get here easily. - ..get here fairly easily.- OK.

0:04:35 > 0:04:39Now, one of the vital things that you're not mentioning that will define our area.

0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Yeah, schools.- There you go.

0:04:41 > 0:04:45My boy, he's started primary school and he's really happy

0:04:45 > 0:04:49and that's the one thing about this move that causes me anxiety.

0:04:49 > 0:04:52There are some very good schools in this area, that much we know.

0:04:52 > 0:04:56So we've now got to find out how much money we've got to spend

0:04:56 > 0:05:01on this here dream. Let's see where it stops. Round and round it goes.

0:05:01 > 0:05:05It's pointing at you, Claire. What is the budget?

0:05:05 > 0:05:08Say, about 450,000.

0:05:08 > 0:05:14If we found the absolute dream house, there's room for manoeuvre, up to about 475,

0:05:14 > 0:05:17- but that would be pushing us. - OK, wish us luck.

0:05:17 > 0:05:20- Good luck.- Good luck. - We'll see you later.- Thank you.

0:05:20 > 0:05:23So, Claire and Robin, a lovely couple.

0:05:23 > 0:05:27And who would have thought this could have brought them together?

0:05:27 > 0:05:31Now, I'm going to use the bottle to define who does the next bit,

0:05:31 > 0:05:36which is the most important part of the programme, setting up what we're about to do. OK.

0:05:36 > 0:05:39Wouldn't want this kind of pressure on me. It's stopped on you, Nikki.

0:05:39 > 0:05:41Oh, well, I can take pressure.

0:05:41 > 0:05:46Their budget is £450,000. They could sneak up to £475,000.

0:05:46 > 0:05:50They want four bedrooms, garden, double garage if possible

0:05:50 > 0:05:53and within 20 miles of East Grinstead.

0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Can that be achieved? Also with a panic room.- Oh, yes.

0:05:56 > 0:06:00OK. The next bit of pressure is who's going to go for property number one?

0:06:00 > 0:06:03I don't mind pressure but, Nikki, it's pointing at you.

0:06:03 > 0:06:08- It isn't, because there's an extra spin.- So I'm starting with property number one.

0:06:08 > 0:06:12But before that, let's find out more about the local area.

0:06:12 > 0:06:16East Grinstead lies in the middle of the Weald,

0:06:16 > 0:06:18halfway between London and the south coast.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's surrounded by beautiful countryside,

0:06:21 > 0:06:25which includes Ashdown Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28Not all animals there are natives, though.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32If countryside rambling sounds a tad energetic,

0:06:32 > 0:06:34then visitors can watch the scenery go by

0:06:34 > 0:06:37from the Bluebell steam railway.

0:06:37 > 0:06:42While East Grinstead is a popular place to live for those commuting to London,

0:06:42 > 0:06:45it has avoided becoming purely a dormitory town

0:06:45 > 0:06:48and retains a community feeling, along with charm and character.

0:06:48 > 0:06:54The High Street is home to one of the longest rows of 14th-century timber-framed buildings in the UK,

0:06:54 > 0:06:58as well as Sackville College, a Jacobean almshouse.

0:06:58 > 0:07:04The average price for a detached house here is £447,041,

0:07:04 > 0:07:10which is higher than the national average of £379,950.

0:07:10 > 0:07:15But what could today's budget of £450,000 buy you

0:07:15 > 0:07:19in other areas that are within commutable distance of London?

0:07:19 > 0:07:24Well, how about this barn-style property to the north of London

0:07:24 > 0:07:25in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire?

0:07:25 > 0:07:28It offers flexible accommodation over two floors

0:07:28 > 0:07:30and has a mature landscaped garden.

0:07:30 > 0:07:35It's on the market for £469,950.

0:07:35 > 0:07:38East of London in Hastingwood, Essex,

0:07:38 > 0:07:41is this five bedroom, end-of-terrace cottage.

0:07:41 > 0:07:45It's stylishly decorated with a very well-kept garden

0:07:45 > 0:07:49and is under today's budget at £445,000.

0:07:49 > 0:07:53To the west of London in Marlow is this detached property.

0:07:53 > 0:07:58Modern, with clean lines, a conservatory and good-sized garden,

0:07:58 > 0:08:02it's on the market at £469,950.

0:08:05 > 0:08:10East Grinstead is not just attractive to today's house hunters, Robin and Claire - oh, no.

0:08:10 > 0:08:13It is incredibly popular for commuters

0:08:13 > 0:08:16wishing to use this little beauty to go in and out of London.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20That's because there are 1,000 people who travel from here

0:08:20 > 0:08:22to London during peak hours every day.

0:08:22 > 0:08:25- There are six trains an hour... - Really?

0:08:25 > 0:08:28- ..and they only take 58 minutes. - That is amazing.

0:08:32 > 0:08:37House prices within the London commuter belt have proven to be more robust during the economic downturn.

0:08:37 > 0:08:40In fact, during the latter part of 2009,

0:08:40 > 0:08:42house prices actually rose.

0:08:44 > 0:08:47With upgraded railway lines and faster trains,

0:08:47 > 0:08:50the commuter belt is spreading outwards.

0:08:50 > 0:08:55A new high-speed link is making east Kent a new commuter hotspot.

0:08:55 > 0:09:01In fact, some estate agents are predicting a 14% rise in house prices in certain areas

0:09:01 > 0:09:05and would you ever have thought of commuting from Somerset to London?

0:09:05 > 0:09:09A high-speed rail link now means

0:09:09 > 0:09:11that house prices are rising there, too.

0:09:13 > 0:09:15The so-called perceived wisdom

0:09:15 > 0:09:19that you can get more for your money by moving out to the country doesn't hold water

0:09:19 > 0:09:21in the commuter belt.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24And in fact a survey has shown that here in West Sussex,

0:09:24 > 0:09:27you actually get more value by buying in town

0:09:27 > 0:09:29than you do in the rural areas

0:09:29 > 0:09:32because people looking for a bolt-hole push those prices up.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35Ladies and gentlemen, there is even a website

0:09:35 > 0:09:38for people who wish to move out to the countryside

0:09:38 > 0:09:40but still work in the Big Smoke.

0:09:40 > 0:09:42This country!

0:09:43 > 0:09:45We're back from the station.

0:09:45 > 0:09:48I've learned a lot about East Grinstead. You've learned a bit.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52- I've learned a bit. I've laughed a little.- You've laughed a lot.

0:09:52 > 0:09:56We have enjoyed ourselves but I think from their budget

0:09:56 > 0:10:00of nearing £475,000 we should be kind of OK.

0:10:00 > 0:10:04I don't think there's going to be too many compromises.

0:10:04 > 0:10:09But I have made a compromise with the mysterious property hunting team on property one.

0:10:09 > 0:10:12But I think it's a compromise worth making

0:10:12 > 0:10:17because within that property is everything, everything they want.

0:10:17 > 0:10:20But the compromise, I think they'll get by it, I really do.

0:10:20 > 0:10:24- I'm not going to say what the compromise is.- OK. I was going to ask but I shan't.

0:10:24 > 0:10:27I've think I've come up with something superb

0:10:27 > 0:10:30because not only has this got five bedrooms,

0:10:30 > 0:10:33so one bedroom more than they thought they were going to get,

0:10:33 > 0:10:38double garage, incredible country views - it's super.

0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Have you made any compromises? - I don't believe in compromises, Ed.

0:10:42 > 0:10:47All right, ladies and gentlemen, today's wild card is a cracker.

0:10:47 > 0:10:50We've played very much the period features.

0:10:50 > 0:10:53This is the oldest of the lot, it's Victorian.

0:10:53 > 0:10:55It's quirky, I think they like quirky.

0:10:55 > 0:10:59It's more of a kind of central location, a townie location.

0:10:59 > 0:11:02I don't want to give too much more away

0:11:02 > 0:11:05but they could commute by train very easily into London.

0:11:05 > 0:11:09Shall we start with property number one, the one with the compromise?

0:11:09 > 0:11:10You'll understand when you see it.

0:11:13 > 0:11:17Today's first property, my one, is a stylish and modern family home,

0:11:17 > 0:11:20with all the rooms which Claire is looking for,

0:11:20 > 0:11:24plus a place for Robin to tinker with cars to his heart's delight.

0:11:24 > 0:11:27But will it have them spinning around?

0:11:27 > 0:11:32Robin and Claire, walk towards what I believe could be your future home,

0:11:32 > 0:11:35what I hope will be your future home.

0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Now...- Do you hear any of that above the noise of the traffic?

0:11:39 > 0:11:43LAUGHTER All right, that was a particularly loud one.

0:11:44 > 0:11:48There is the elephant in said room, the busy road.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51It is double glazed. What do you think about the road?

0:11:51 > 0:11:54Erm, the road is an issue for me, I have to say,

0:11:54 > 0:11:56but I'm keeping an open mind

0:11:56 > 0:12:00because there's a lot of bonuses to this place already.

0:12:00 > 0:12:02I like the look of it. I like the garden,

0:12:02 > 0:12:05the fact that it's got parking for a least two cars.

0:12:05 > 0:12:10- And gated.- It's gated, yeah.- Very safe.- The snob in me loves that.

0:12:10 > 0:12:14- It's gone quiet, as well.- You see? - Temporary relapse.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18So my first impressions are mixed but I like the look of the house.

0:12:18 > 0:12:21I like it. From the outside, I like it.

0:12:21 > 0:12:24Single garage. I would have preferred a double garage

0:12:24 > 0:12:26but it looks really nice.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29The reason the lady moved here was for the schools.

0:12:29 > 0:12:33You are two miles from East Grinstead train station.

0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Are you ready?- We're ready. - We're ready.

0:12:35 > 0:12:36Hold your breath and go in.

0:12:40 > 0:12:41Mm, OK.

0:12:45 > 0:12:48- I like the bay window. - I like the bay window, as well.

0:12:48 > 0:12:49- Yeah.- OK, all right.

0:12:49 > 0:12:54- What do you think about the road? - I can hear it a little bit.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57You can, more than I would have thought.

0:12:57 > 0:12:59It's going to get annoying, isn't it?

0:12:59 > 0:13:02- That's with windows shut, as well. - I don't know. Possibly.

0:13:02 > 0:13:05I could see beyond it, depending on the rest of the house.

0:13:05 > 0:13:08Think less about the road and more about the house.

0:13:08 > 0:13:10The people who live here are very happy.

0:13:10 > 0:13:15Ed, no matter what you do, they don't like the road.

0:13:15 > 0:13:18They're not really buying into your little fantasy here.

0:13:18 > 0:13:21Can we hear the road now? Can we hear the road now? No.

0:13:22 > 0:13:24Let's see what's in here.

0:13:25 > 0:13:29- An office.- It's a pretty good size. - Panic room.

0:13:29 > 0:13:33Right, he's found it. That is the panic room slash study

0:13:33 > 0:13:35- slash dog house.- It's the dog house. - Call it what you will.

0:13:35 > 0:13:38That is Robin's zone. And, good news, Robin,

0:13:38 > 0:13:41it's the furthest one away from the road that you don't like.

0:13:41 > 0:13:44- Right. What's this?- The kitchen.

0:13:44 > 0:13:45Ah!

0:13:45 > 0:13:50- OK. Smaller than I thought. - It's a bit small, isn't it?

0:13:50 > 0:13:54I like the silver look. You're a bit of a silver person, aren't you?

0:13:54 > 0:13:57- I am a silver person. - Can we see out into the garden?

0:13:58 > 0:14:01Ed, if there's ever an advocate for black-and-white television,

0:14:01 > 0:14:04wearing what he's wearing there is it, isn't it?

0:14:04 > 0:14:06He said what about my jacket?

0:14:06 > 0:14:11I think he said it was a call for black-and-white television if ever he saw one.

0:14:11 > 0:14:12Well...

0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Dining room. - It's not bad. It's very regular.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17Every room is very regular.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21- Yeah. Square? - Square, yeah.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24There's nothing quirky, for me.

0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Your face is giving it away. - I know, I know.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30I can't really fault it. I can't say there's anything bad with the place

0:14:30 > 0:14:34but it's just... There's no kind of little surprises.

0:14:34 > 0:14:39Well, it's modern. I'll tell you what the no surprises are - you don't have to rewire it.

0:14:39 > 0:14:43"Oh, my pipes are leaking." There's no surprises like that. It's lovely.

0:14:43 > 0:14:47- I like the banisters. - No, I think they need to be white.

0:14:47 > 0:14:49- No!- Yeah.- No!

0:14:49 > 0:14:52No, no. Bedroom. One of the bedrooms.

0:14:52 > 0:14:54Oh, this is nice.

0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Pretty. Anna's room.- Anna's room.

0:14:56 > 0:14:58- Anna's room.- Pink. Absolutely.

0:14:58 > 0:15:00Do you know what my problem is again?

0:15:00 > 0:15:03That everything's so regular. Square.

0:15:04 > 0:15:07Do you know what comes with square, right? Functionality.

0:15:07 > 0:15:11Yes? Thank you. This is a very functional house.

0:15:11 > 0:15:13OK.

0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Jacob's room.- Jacob's room. It's a bit smaller than the other one.

0:15:16 > 0:15:19It is smaller than the other one. That's a tiny little bed, isn't it?

0:15:19 > 0:15:23- Oh, that is. That is wee. - It's a really small bed.

0:15:25 > 0:15:28- What do you think? - Is this the master bedroom?- Yeah.

0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Or a guest bedroom? - I would think master.

0:15:31 > 0:15:34- It's an en-suite.- Oh, OK.

0:15:34 > 0:15:36- With a shower. That's good. - That's for me, then.

0:15:36 > 0:15:39You're not a shower person, I am.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42It's a bit small, isn't it, this room?

0:15:42 > 0:15:46I'm beginning to get a sense that this place isn't really for me.

0:15:47 > 0:15:51- The best thing about this house for me was the outside, looking at it.- Yeah.

0:15:51 > 0:15:54And the gates. I did like those.

0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Did you hear that, Ed? - Unfortunately, yes.

0:15:56 > 0:16:00The best thing about the place is the outside and the gate.

0:16:00 > 0:16:04- What about the square rooms? - Well, it's not that, is it?

0:16:04 > 0:16:06- The bathroom.- The bathroom.

0:16:08 > 0:16:11- OK.- Yeah, it's OK. I'd want to change it.

0:16:11 > 0:16:14It's OK but it's just a little bit old fashioned.

0:16:17 > 0:16:19Ah, this is the master bedroom.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Ah, wow.- Ooh, blimey.

0:16:22 > 0:16:24- Yes.- Another en-suite, with a bath.

0:16:24 > 0:16:29- Ah.- Yes.- Ah, he got us there, didn't he?- Yeah.

0:16:29 > 0:16:33This is a classic case of if I could rewind the day and start again,

0:16:33 > 0:16:35I'd put a ladder up outside the front of the house,

0:16:35 > 0:16:39- I'd make them come in through the master bedroom...- They'd go, "Wow!"

0:16:39 > 0:16:41They'd have this brilliant feeling

0:16:41 > 0:16:44and then just push them through the rooms that they don't like.

0:16:44 > 0:16:46Hang on, though.

0:16:46 > 0:16:47TRAFFIC ROARS

0:16:47 > 0:16:51- It's not really the county living that you had in mind, is it?- No.- No.

0:16:51 > 0:16:53No.

0:16:53 > 0:16:56OK. I like this room. It's not square. I can't call this one square.

0:16:56 > 0:16:59Yeah, yeah. This one's got a bit more about it for me.

0:16:59 > 0:17:01- It's got everything we've asked for. - It has.

0:17:01 > 0:17:04It has everything it's just not got that X-factor.

0:17:07 > 0:17:12Now, Robin and Claire, I have never heard the like of which before.

0:17:12 > 0:17:14Neither of you came out glowing from this.

0:17:14 > 0:17:18We heard one "wow" and we heard a lot of "squares".

0:17:18 > 0:17:21I think I can see beyond things that aren't on our checklist

0:17:21 > 0:17:23as long as I feel that pull to a house

0:17:23 > 0:17:25and I just didn't get it with this place.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28- Did you feel the same, Robin? - Yeah, I did.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31There is something lacking. I do like the house.

0:17:31 > 0:17:35I think it's one that, if push comes to shove, I could live in.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38We can still play guess the price, though.

0:17:38 > 0:17:42Right, because of your earlier tale about spinning the bottle,

0:17:42 > 0:17:45let's use the bottle to define who goes first.

0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Oh.- Ah!- In no way was that at all fudged by me.

0:17:51 > 0:17:54Robin... you have to go first.

0:17:54 > 0:17:58You've got a maximum budget of up to £475,000, isn't it?

0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, 450, but maybe 475.

0:18:01 > 0:18:05I think, taking into consideration the road, 450.

0:18:05 > 0:18:09OK. I'd probably go a little bit under it but not a lot.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12Erm... 440, I think.

0:18:12 > 0:18:13- Mm.- Nah.

0:18:13 > 0:18:16Right, then, now, estate agents are doing this fancy thing,

0:18:16 > 0:18:20where they are doing a spread of prices between one and another,

0:18:20 > 0:18:23so this property is marketed in that way.

0:18:23 > 0:18:27I'm going to ask you, Claire. How would you like to choose?

0:18:27 > 0:18:32Shall I find the nearest person to the lowest point or the highest point?

0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Highest. Go highest.- Lowest, then.

0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Lowest. We can't do what the men tell us.- Exactly.

0:18:38 > 0:18:41- We'll go lowest, please. - Right, so you choose lowest?

0:18:41 > 0:18:45- Lowest, definitely.- You, in that case, are the winner.- Oh, no!

0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Thank you.- Fixed, that was, wasn't it, Robin?- That's not fair.

0:18:48 > 0:18:52Right, this house is marketed between 440 and 500,000.

0:18:52 > 0:18:57440 to 500. So what's... It's bigger money on the top.

0:18:57 > 0:18:59- No, you heard the rules. - No, this isn't...

0:18:59 > 0:19:02- I win, I win. - Robin, don't be a bad loser.

0:19:02 > 0:19:05You're embarrassing yourself on national television.

0:19:05 > 0:19:07But we've got two more goes at this.

0:19:07 > 0:19:11- We could all have really fallen out by the end of this.- Yeah!

0:19:11 > 0:19:14- Shall we go to Nikki's?- Let's go. - Let's go to mine.

0:19:14 > 0:19:15OK, lead out that way.

0:19:18 > 0:19:23My property is a pristine family home that I think they'll love.

0:19:23 > 0:19:26It's got loads of great living space

0:19:26 > 0:19:28and an extra-large play room for Robin

0:19:28 > 0:19:31and I dare them not to like it.

0:19:31 > 0:19:36So, Robin, Claire, we are now in the Hurston Clay area

0:19:36 > 0:19:38of East Grinstead.

0:19:38 > 0:19:41On the drive up here you'll have realised it's quiet.

0:19:41 > 0:19:46- There's one car going past. - Let's say quieter. - It's very different.

0:19:46 > 0:19:48It's not a main road. Residential.

0:19:48 > 0:19:53Just to let you know that East Grinstead is a ten-minute walk from here, that's it.

0:19:53 > 0:19:55- To the train station, anyway. - Perfect.

0:19:55 > 0:19:58Eight minutes to a wonderful primary school

0:19:58 > 0:20:01and here is property number two - my house.

0:20:01 > 0:20:04From the outside, what do you think?

0:20:04 > 0:20:08- I like it.- I do. I like the area. - First impressions are good. Nice garage.

0:20:08 > 0:20:10- The road's brilliant.- Exactly.

0:20:10 > 0:20:14- This is cruel. Some kind of fix has gone on here.- Not a fix.

0:20:14 > 0:20:18Robin, you pointed out that it's a double garage.

0:20:18 > 0:20:20- A double garage, yeah. - Evil.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23- Fields beyond the house. - You've spotted that.

0:20:23 > 0:20:27I was not going to say anything. I was going to wait until you went in

0:20:27 > 0:20:31and we heard you go, "Oooh, ahh, look at those views."

0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's really lovely. I think I've covered everything that you need.

0:20:34 > 0:20:37OK. First impressions are really good.

0:20:37 > 0:20:42Are you prepared to walk into this house, enter through its door mouth

0:20:42 > 0:20:45and rummage round its house brain?

0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Three, two, one, go!- Enjoy.

0:20:52 > 0:20:54- Oh, OK, it looks good.- It's nice.

0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Yeah, first impressions. - Look at the floor.

0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Yeah, it's lovely, isn't it? - That's gorgeous.

0:20:59 > 0:21:01This is really nice.

0:21:03 > 0:21:06Come and be a pony with me, Ed.

0:21:06 > 0:21:08Nay.

0:21:08 > 0:21:12- This is lovely.- Mm. - This is really, really nice.

0:21:12 > 0:21:16- I really like the fireplace. - It's absolutely gorgeous.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18This is really nice. I really like this.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21Nice shape, as well. It's not square, is it?

0:21:21 > 0:21:24- No. It's not square. And look at that view.- Oh, wow.

0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Oh, that is gorgeous.- Yeah, it is.

0:21:27 > 0:21:29It's absolutely pristine, as well.

0:21:29 > 0:21:31Yeah, there's a lot of care taken.

0:21:31 > 0:21:33First impressions, Ed.

0:21:33 > 0:21:37What a difference from the way they entered property number one.

0:21:37 > 0:21:38Speechless.

0:21:38 > 0:21:40- Dining room.- Lovely.

0:21:40 > 0:21:44Nice. Square, though. It's not L-shaped, this one, is it?

0:21:44 > 0:21:47- It's not sort of square, it is square.- But it's quirky.

0:21:47 > 0:21:50- But it is square.- It's a quirky square.- It is a square.

0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Quirky square?- A quirky square.

0:21:53 > 0:21:57- I like this window.- I really like this house so far. Lovely.

0:21:57 > 0:22:00- I'm excited to look at the rest of it.- Me, too.

0:22:00 > 0:22:03- Where are we going now?- The kitchen.

0:22:03 > 0:22:05Ah.

0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Oh, wow.- Oh, OK.

0:22:07 > 0:22:10It's a lot bigger than I thought it was from outside.

0:22:10 > 0:22:14- Mm? It's quite galley-ish. - It is, it is.

0:22:14 > 0:22:18But I don't know. I'm not that keen on the units but I kind of...

0:22:18 > 0:22:22I don't know. I know it's not a massive kitchen

0:22:22 > 0:22:25but you've got this extra space at the end of the room.

0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Perfect for the kids, that. - Absolutely.

0:22:27 > 0:22:30Nice breakfast room. TV, there, which I'd keep.

0:22:30 > 0:22:34- They're seeing a future. - And they're having breakfast in that future.- Yeah.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37What have we got here? Ah. A bedroom.

0:22:37 > 0:22:42- What do you reckon? A guest bedroom? - Very nice.- Smallish but, yeah.

0:22:42 > 0:22:46- It is small. Again, beautiful view. - Oh, yeah, this wonderful view.

0:22:46 > 0:22:48Very nice.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51Is this the en suite? Oh, no, another bedroom.

0:22:51 > 0:22:55- Yeah.- It's a nice size. Jacob/Anna size.- Yeah.

0:22:55 > 0:22:56It's good.

0:22:56 > 0:22:59We're hoping it's not the master. I presume it's not.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02- And again, if you look outside. - Square.

0:23:02 > 0:23:04It is square, yeah.

0:23:04 > 0:23:06But there's a nice view. Listen.

0:23:06 > 0:23:07SILENCE

0:23:07 > 0:23:12I know. It's lovely. It is just such a nice neighbourhood.

0:23:12 > 0:23:16Nikki, do you know the name of the street they currently live on?

0:23:16 > 0:23:17No.

0:23:17 > 0:23:20They currently live at 999 Letsby Avenue.

0:23:22 > 0:23:24- Bathroom.- Bathroom.

0:23:24 > 0:23:27- Nice.- That's OK. - It's not big but not small.

0:23:27 > 0:23:29Yeah. It would do me.

0:23:29 > 0:23:32- I've just seen something that I find a bit strange.- What?

0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Ah, they've got a blind up but... - Oh, I see.

0:23:37 > 0:23:40The last thing I want to see in the morning is you doing your ablutions!

0:23:40 > 0:23:43Can you remember to pull that down?

0:23:43 > 0:23:46You can see through this window as well. It's not frosted.

0:23:46 > 0:23:48Yeah. No-one overlooks you.

0:23:48 > 0:23:51And if you're that worried, you can pull the blinds down.

0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Yeah.- There you go.

0:23:54 > 0:23:55I quite like it.

0:23:55 > 0:23:57And thankfully, the blind is there

0:23:57 > 0:24:00and, thankfully, for everyone's dignity,

0:24:00 > 0:24:01even the neighbours'.

0:24:01 > 0:24:04They don't seem to have a problem with it being just one bathroom.

0:24:04 > 0:24:05They haven't realised.

0:24:05 > 0:24:08Oh, mauve.

0:24:09 > 0:24:11- Oh.- Yeah.

0:24:11 > 0:24:15- Yeah.- Third bedroom?- Third bedroom. - Smaller size.- OK sizes.

0:24:15 > 0:24:18- I like the bed. - That is good, actually.

0:24:18 > 0:24:20It's a very purple room.

0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Ah.- Oh, wow.- This is the master bedroom, then.- Yes.

0:24:25 > 0:24:28- That's brilliant, yeah. - It's a nice size.- It's really nice.

0:24:28 > 0:24:30We could have fitted wardrobes.

0:24:30 > 0:24:34I don't like have a cramped bedroom and this wouldn't be,

0:24:34 > 0:24:37even with fitted wardrobes. Yeah, I like it.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40So, again, I'm referring it back to my property.

0:24:40 > 0:24:43What does Claire say when she walks into that room?

0:24:43 > 0:24:46"We could fit some fitted wardrobes in there." Mine had them!

0:24:46 > 0:24:51- Ah!- We have got a study. - Your bunker. Yeah.- OK.

0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Size wise? - It's smaller than the other one

0:24:54 > 0:24:58but it's in a house that I like more, quite simply.

0:24:58 > 0:25:02- Would you be happy in this space? - Yeah, and I like it being upstairs

0:25:02 > 0:25:06because when the kids are downstairs playing around, it disturbs me.

0:25:06 > 0:25:10- I like it. I really like it.- OK. - Again, it's that emotional feel.

0:25:10 > 0:25:15I can almost walk around this house picturing us living here and the kids running round.

0:25:15 > 0:25:19It just feels like a warm, nice place to be in.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24So, Claire, Robin, I get the feeling

0:25:24 > 0:25:27that you rather warmed to this particular property -

0:25:27 > 0:25:28my property.

0:25:28 > 0:25:30I thought it was lovely, to be honest.

0:25:30 > 0:25:33I love the hall and that's a good starter.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37Then that living room has so much space, that lovely wood burner,

0:25:37 > 0:25:39the fireplace.

0:25:39 > 0:25:43I think the difference was I was imagining my kids running round

0:25:43 > 0:25:47- and I didn't do that in the other place. - No, unfortunately for me, you didn't.

0:25:47 > 0:25:51But what happened was, because as you said, you get a feeling, a sensation,

0:25:51 > 0:25:52you're there and you know it.

0:25:52 > 0:25:56- What about yourself? - Yeah. I got the feeling that Claire liked it from the start

0:25:56 > 0:25:58and her heart opened.

0:25:58 > 0:26:00Do I like it? Yeah, I really do.

0:26:00 > 0:26:02But do you connect with it on the same level?

0:26:02 > 0:26:06- No, and I can see some negatives. - Let's hear those, then.

0:26:06 > 0:26:09- Well, the kitchen.- Yeah. - It's smaller than what I'm used to.

0:26:09 > 0:26:12But, Robin, your concerned with the smaller kitchen

0:26:12 > 0:26:14and there is something that you can do.

0:26:14 > 0:26:16First of all, you could extend out.

0:26:16 > 0:26:21The other houses have done that. That's with planning permission.

0:26:21 > 0:26:25- And did you have a look at the hatch and the loft?- I saw the hatch.

0:26:25 > 0:26:28Once again, with the right planning permission,

0:26:28 > 0:26:32- you may be able to put two rooms up there.- Mm, OK.

0:26:32 > 0:26:35- The current owners did think about that.- It depends on the price.

0:26:35 > 0:26:38Well, you see, it all does and with the mention of the price,

0:26:38 > 0:26:41I shall bring out the trusty bottle,

0:26:41 > 0:26:44the bottle that has formed love between you.

0:26:44 > 0:26:47Be careful with it because that was our destiny, that bottle.

0:26:47 > 0:26:49Where it stops, no-one knows

0:26:49 > 0:26:52but who it points at, the first who goes.

0:26:52 > 0:26:54Ooh!

0:26:54 > 0:26:56It's a fix.

0:26:56 > 0:27:00Now, maximum budget £475,000 to play with.

0:27:00 > 0:27:02What do you believe this is on the market for?

0:27:02 > 0:27:06I don't know. 470. I'm going to go 470.

0:27:06 > 0:27:07Robin?

0:27:07 > 0:27:11OK, well, I must say, it's nice to get back to 1-1 at last.

0:27:11 > 0:27:12Not that I care about that

0:27:12 > 0:27:16but I would say that this place is on the market for 475.

0:27:16 > 0:27:19Once again, we've got a price range from the estate agents.

0:27:19 > 0:27:22Do we take it from who is closest to the lowest price?

0:27:22 > 0:27:27We take it so that I win, so whatever way you want to do it.

0:27:27 > 0:27:30Because you fitted me up last time, all three of you.

0:27:30 > 0:27:33Well, in fact, Robin, you are the closest

0:27:33 > 0:27:36because it's on the market for a price range

0:27:36 > 0:27:41of between £480,000 and £525,000,

0:27:41 > 0:27:44which is above your budget

0:27:44 > 0:27:47but that doesn't mean that you can't start lower.

0:27:47 > 0:27:50- It's clever, what they're doing here.- Haggle zone.- Yeah. - It's a haggle zone.

0:27:50 > 0:27:54But we have one more house with which to negotiate,

0:27:54 > 0:27:58a house which will destroy your relationship with guess the price,

0:27:58 > 0:28:01cos someone will win and someone will lose.

0:28:01 > 0:28:04- He'll be unbearable if he wins. - No, no, no, no.

0:28:04 > 0:28:08- Shall we go to the wild card?- Let's. - I'll let the bottle decide where...

0:28:08 > 0:28:10Ooh, it's... Ooh!

0:28:15 > 0:28:19Today's wild card is a cosy family home with loads of period qualities.

0:28:19 > 0:28:23But like all our wild cards, it's got something extra, too.

0:28:23 > 0:28:28Now, Robin and Claire, the wild card, the wild card, everyone loves the wild card,

0:28:28 > 0:28:30walk towards the wild card.

0:28:30 > 0:28:33We have played one fundamental error here, haven't we?

0:28:33 > 0:28:36- We've got a road, again.- Yes. - But look at what we've found you.

0:28:36 > 0:28:38This is the oldest of all the properties.

0:28:38 > 0:28:43This is the character you want but, and this is why we've done it,

0:28:43 > 0:28:48in commuter belts, it's genuinely cheaper in towns.

0:28:48 > 0:28:53People who come out to commuter belts go out to the green areas.

0:28:53 > 0:28:54And they push up the prices there.

0:28:54 > 0:28:57So to get something this size and this lovely,

0:28:57 > 0:28:59that's why we're in the town.

0:28:59 > 0:29:03- Yes.- It's beautiful from the outside. I love it. - Has it got the face you want?

0:29:03 > 0:29:06It's got the face, the door and the bell.

0:29:06 > 0:29:08It's a really nice-looking house

0:29:08 > 0:29:11but, a big but, totally wrong location for me.

0:29:11 > 0:29:13OK, but here comes the thing.

0:29:13 > 0:29:17Where it's located, you've got a choice of very good primary schools.

0:29:17 > 0:29:21You are probably less than ten minutes' walk to the train station,

0:29:21 > 0:29:24so we've got those positives. Any of that help? What are we thinking?

0:29:24 > 0:29:27Yeah, I'm beginning to feel

0:29:27 > 0:29:31- that I might be a little bit annoyed with you two.- Go on.

0:29:31 > 0:29:35Well, I actually really like it from the outside. I agree with Claire.

0:29:35 > 0:29:39The road and the area, the location,

0:29:39 > 0:29:42may not be what we would want

0:29:42 > 0:29:46and there's something, I think, from the outside, that's lacking for me, as well.

0:29:46 > 0:29:50- Oh, it could be a double garage. - Look what they're doing.

0:29:50 > 0:29:52- They've covered it with tarpaulin. - Yeah.

0:29:52 > 0:29:55I can't work under that!

0:29:56 > 0:29:57Have an umbrella.

0:29:57 > 0:30:00Now, go in there and see what you think about it.

0:30:00 > 0:30:04- I think you might be pleasantly surprised.- I think so, too.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08So be positive, go in the house and be on your best behaviour.

0:30:08 > 0:30:09Three, two, one, go.

0:30:11 > 0:30:15- Oh. What do you think? - I think it's quite nice.

0:30:15 > 0:30:19- What do you think of that? - That's lovely. It's a real feature.

0:30:19 > 0:30:22It's what they feared was going to happen.

0:30:22 > 0:30:24They've fallen in love with it.

0:30:24 > 0:30:26- Nice.- Yeah, really nice.

0:30:26 > 0:30:30- I like the floor.- Nice big space. Needs a bit of work, I think.

0:30:30 > 0:30:33- Yeah, yeah. Cosmetic?- Yeah.

0:30:33 > 0:30:36But it's a nice big space. The bay window is gorgeous.

0:30:36 > 0:30:41- It is. And, in fairness...- It is. I know what you're going to say.

0:30:41 > 0:30:44- It's not that noisy. - There's no cars at the moment.

0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Yes, there is, look.- That's one. - One big one.- That's one car.

0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Look, two.- Here's number two.

0:30:51 > 0:30:53MUFFLED ENGINE

0:30:53 > 0:30:55Yeah, it's pretty good, I have to say.

0:30:55 > 0:30:57They're loving it.

0:30:57 > 0:31:00He's saying the road's not noisy. She's saying, "Ooh..."

0:31:00 > 0:31:02- Ooh.- Oh, wow.

0:31:02 > 0:31:04Blimey. This is really big, isn't it?

0:31:04 > 0:31:06Nice sort of area.

0:31:07 > 0:31:09I'm not that keen on the kitchen, though.

0:31:09 > 0:31:12It's just not my sort of style.

0:31:12 > 0:31:16- I'm happy with it. It's got a country-cottage feel to me.- It is.

0:31:20 > 0:31:22- Oh.- Oh.- OK.

0:31:22 > 0:31:24- Not the garden.- This is strange.

0:31:24 > 0:31:27Utility area. Oh, blimey, it keeps going.

0:31:27 > 0:31:29Oh, OK.

0:31:30 > 0:31:32A bedroom. A panic room.

0:31:32 > 0:31:34That's nice and peaceful, actually.

0:31:34 > 0:31:38This would be ideal. You'd be away from the noise of the kids.

0:31:38 > 0:31:41Yeah, it's starting to grow on me.

0:31:41 > 0:31:42Is it just me, right,

0:31:42 > 0:31:46or do you think Robin is digging this one more than Claire?

0:31:46 > 0:31:48So far, I think he is

0:31:48 > 0:31:51and not just because he's being pleasant,

0:31:51 > 0:31:53he's genuinely responding, isn't he?

0:31:53 > 0:31:55I'm not sure what this room's going to be.

0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Dining room, maybe?- Library.

0:31:59 > 0:32:02- Oh.- Oh, wow. - Another office-type room.

0:32:02 > 0:32:07- Nice.- Or a play room, even. - A play room would be nice.- It would.

0:32:07 > 0:32:11- I can't get my head round the layout of this house yet.- No.

0:32:11 > 0:32:13- It's huge.- But you did want quirky.

0:32:15 > 0:32:18- Right, let's have a look upstairs. - There's a bit of height there.

0:32:18 > 0:32:21Lovely high ceilings everywhere. Really nice.

0:32:21 > 0:32:24I like it. I think it's really nice.

0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Bathroom.- Yeah, this is nice.

0:32:26 > 0:32:29- Yeah.- Yeah. I like the bath.- That's nice.

0:32:29 > 0:32:31Yeah. The suite is good.

0:32:31 > 0:32:35- It's got one of them, lovely new roll-top...- "One of them"?

0:32:35 > 0:32:38- I tapped it, it is actually... - One of those.- Either way.

0:32:38 > 0:32:43I tapped it. Listen, I'm a televisual estate agent.

0:32:43 > 0:32:45It's not about what we say, it's how we say it.

0:32:45 > 0:32:48A bedroom.

0:32:48 > 0:32:51- A big bedroom.- A big bedroom.

0:32:51 > 0:32:52It is, yeah.

0:32:52 > 0:32:55- Have you seen the view? - Let's have a look.

0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's not so good.

0:32:57 > 0:32:59- Ah. Bricks. - That is a builder's yard.

0:32:59 > 0:33:01I wonder how noisy that will get, there?

0:33:02 > 0:33:04Ah, OK.

0:33:04 > 0:33:07- Oh, the master. Nice size.- Big.

0:33:07 > 0:33:09Again, a bay window.

0:33:09 > 0:33:12We've definitely got the size that we wanted.

0:33:12 > 0:33:15And it's a big bed, so if you think of the size of the room,

0:33:15 > 0:33:17it doesn't seem to affect the size at all.

0:33:17 > 0:33:22But it's the sort of size we're looking for the master bedroom,

0:33:22 > 0:33:24so it's nice, I like it.

0:33:24 > 0:33:27- Yeah, bedroom. - Again, really big.

0:33:27 > 0:33:30- Front to back.- Oh, right, yeah.

0:33:30 > 0:33:33I've had a count up. There's only three bedrooms up here,

0:33:33 > 0:33:37so the one we thought could be the study at the back of the house,

0:33:37 > 0:33:39that is your fourth bedroom.

0:33:39 > 0:33:41That's a problem, for me. What do you think?

0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Who's going to sleep down there? - My mother.

0:33:44 > 0:33:46OK.

0:33:46 > 0:33:49- "If only it had a fourth bedroom, we'd like it," right?- Yes.- Yeah?

0:33:49 > 0:33:51- Yes.- Watch this.

0:33:55 > 0:33:59Claire and Robin, do you feel you've seen the entire house?

0:33:59 > 0:34:03- We think so.- Yeah. - Think so? Right, OK.

0:34:03 > 0:34:05Follow me down this way and there is one key area

0:34:05 > 0:34:09which I think will make you look at it in a different light.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12Don't be scared or you can be slightly scared because...

0:34:12 > 0:34:13it's down here.

0:34:13 > 0:34:16Right then, follow me.

0:34:16 > 0:34:18Is anyone scared of ghosts or cellars?

0:34:18 > 0:34:21I don't like cellars. They're very, very spooky.

0:34:21 > 0:34:30Come. Now, as cellars go, be honest, it's in a flux state at the moment,

0:34:30 > 0:34:32but it ain't that bad, is it?

0:34:32 > 0:34:35It doesn't feel like a scary cellar. Or does it, Claire?

0:34:35 > 0:34:38I just find them... I'm just not...

0:34:38 > 0:34:41- I thought it was a broom cupboard, for a start.- Right.

0:34:41 > 0:34:44It's a cellar and I just find them creepy.

0:34:44 > 0:34:49- But you will never come down here because this is man space.- It is.

0:34:49 > 0:34:52Now, I think this does look like a panic room,

0:34:52 > 0:34:54- as you called it earlier.- I agree.

0:34:54 > 0:34:57A work in progress but I'm with you.

0:34:57 > 0:35:01There was a reason we came here to this property in town - because of the price.

0:35:01 > 0:35:04Shall we play guess the price? You want to play guess the price.

0:35:05 > 0:35:09- Yeah.- Let's not do it now. Let's go upstairs and see Nikki.- OK.

0:35:09 > 0:35:12Let's get out of this scary cellar. I love it.

0:35:14 > 0:35:16- Ah, hello.- Well, hello.

0:35:16 > 0:35:19Ah, Robin and Claire.

0:35:19 > 0:35:21- We know what that means, don't we? - We do.- Mm.

0:35:21 > 0:35:26This will decide who guesses the price this time.

0:35:26 > 0:35:29- Oh!- And it's me.

0:35:29 > 0:35:33- Erm, 435.- £435,000.

0:35:33 > 0:35:36OK, so you think we've spent that.

0:35:36 > 0:35:39We could have spent up to £475,000, your maximum budget, couldn't we?

0:35:39 > 0:35:41- OK.- That's what you've done. - All right.

0:35:42 > 0:35:46- Your go, Robin.- I'll go for it. 436.

0:35:46 > 0:35:47Oh, no!

0:35:47 > 0:35:49You're saying 436. OK.

0:35:49 > 0:35:52- It's neck and neck at the moment, isn't it?- Yes.

0:35:52 > 0:35:55This is quite important. How much does winning matter to you?

0:35:55 > 0:35:58If I won, it would be good, yes.

0:35:58 > 0:36:02And, Robin, if you won, it would be really good as well?

0:36:02 > 0:36:05I just want to be able to live with her if she's won.

0:36:05 > 0:36:07Go on, then. Put us out of our misery.

0:36:09 > 0:36:12- Claire.- Oh!- Congratulations.

0:36:12 > 0:36:17- The actual price, and you've won twice, here, it's 429,950.- Oh, blimey.

0:36:17 > 0:36:19You were down the right path.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22This is proof that you get character and you get a lot of house

0:36:22 > 0:36:26and you get it cheaper the nearer you are to the town in the commuter belt.

0:36:26 > 0:36:30So you get this and the cellar and everything else.

0:36:30 > 0:36:32And you've lost.

0:36:33 > 0:36:36What you've got to do now, though, you've got to go off

0:36:36 > 0:36:39and decide which one you wish to test drive.

0:36:39 > 0:36:42- OK.- Are you able to do that? - I think we are.

0:36:42 > 0:36:45OK, wander off that way and we will see you later on.

0:36:45 > 0:36:48- You can rub it in about the competition now.- Absolutely.

0:36:48 > 0:36:51- Wish us good luck on this bit. - Good luck, then!- Cheers.

0:36:51 > 0:36:57- Right.- And while they do that, here's a recap of all of today's properties.

0:36:57 > 0:37:02I'm daring to hope that they will choose my property, number one,

0:37:02 > 0:37:05the modern four-bedroom house in the gated development.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08It was within budget, being marketed in the price range

0:37:08 > 0:37:10of £440,000 to £500,000

0:37:10 > 0:37:13but will they be able to see beyond the road?

0:37:14 > 0:37:18Or will they go with their true feelings and choose property number two,

0:37:18 > 0:37:20which is mine,

0:37:20 > 0:37:22the five-bedroom home with loads of space

0:37:22 > 0:37:24and countryside views that made them coo?

0:37:24 > 0:37:30It's on the market in the price range of £480-525,000.

0:37:30 > 0:37:33The wild card is always good for those who have the bottle

0:37:33 > 0:37:35to go for something different.

0:37:35 > 0:37:39Well, they loved today's, the Victorian family home,

0:37:39 > 0:37:41but will the location make them bottle out?

0:37:41 > 0:37:46It's on the market for £429,950.

0:37:53 > 0:37:58So, Claire, Robin, here we are again, property number two -

0:37:58 > 0:38:00- my property.- Good, well done.

0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Ah, thanks.- No, no.- I wasn't going to gloat.- No, don't.

0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Us women never gloat. - It's unbecoming of a person, I feel.

0:38:06 > 0:38:08- Absolutely.- It really is.

0:38:08 > 0:38:12Why have you chosen this for your test drive?

0:38:12 > 0:38:15Well, it probably would seem like it was an easy decision

0:38:15 > 0:38:16but it wasn't

0:38:16 > 0:38:19because we did rule out one quite quick

0:38:19 > 0:38:23- but number three gave us a little bit of a problem.- Mm.

0:38:23 > 0:38:27The bedroom downstairs, and you do get more for your money.

0:38:27 > 0:38:29That said, you have picked Nikki's property

0:38:29 > 0:38:34and we have had our mysterious To Buy Or Not To Buy surveyor give it a once over.

0:38:34 > 0:38:37It isn't legally binding, I must stress that,

0:38:37 > 0:38:41but it's a heads-up as to what you could get yourself into.

0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Now, have you ever heard of the term spalling?- No.

0:38:44 > 0:38:46- Is to do with pantiles?- Yes!

0:38:46 > 0:38:48It's something to do with tiles.

0:38:48 > 0:38:53You have evidence of spalling on some of the tiles on the roof.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56Not that many. Spalling is where the frost has got the tiles.

0:38:56 > 0:38:59It's not life-changing. You don't have to replace the roof.

0:38:59 > 0:39:01That is not a problem.

0:39:01 > 0:39:04And according to our mystery surveyor,

0:39:04 > 0:39:05you see these bushes here?

0:39:05 > 0:39:09- They're planted very close to the damp course.- Oh.

0:39:09 > 0:39:12Pull them up and put flowers in there,

0:39:12 > 0:39:15or put shingle down because mud can be a problem,

0:39:15 > 0:39:18and that problem will be sorted if there was ever to be one.

0:39:18 > 0:39:22You can see the damp course. You shouldn't get above the damp course.

0:39:22 > 0:39:24- Exactly.- OK. - And so there you go.

0:39:24 > 0:39:27You don't want to change your mind and go back to my one?

0:39:28 > 0:39:30- No!- No.- I will take that as a no.

0:39:30 > 0:39:34- In three, two, one, commence your test drive. Go!- Enjoy!

0:39:37 > 0:39:41Blimey! How many people does it take to play spin the bottle?

0:39:41 > 0:39:43Looks like it's all too much for Robin and Jacob.

0:39:47 > 0:39:50Now Claire's hot-footing it out of there, too.

0:39:50 > 0:39:54Maybe they've sent in the undercover mob to check out things for them.

0:39:55 > 0:39:59They don't look much like undercover cops to me.

0:39:59 > 0:40:00What a fantastic view.

0:40:00 > 0:40:03You can see all the fields round the back, can't you?

0:40:03 > 0:40:05You can picture the kids running round.

0:40:05 > 0:40:08Never fear, the wanderers have returned.

0:40:08 > 0:40:12Nikki, did you see that? They've made Robin and Claire disappear.

0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Who said Britain hasn't got talent? - I think that's just you, Ed.

0:40:15 > 0:40:20Here we are. Hello. Have a nice long walk?

0:40:20 > 0:40:23- How far's the train station, then? - About ten minutes.

0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Ten minutes.- Yeah and probably the primary school the same.

0:40:26 > 0:40:29Time for the judges' decision.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34So has the outside face that you described,

0:40:34 > 0:40:37and the emotional connection you felt,

0:40:37 > 0:40:40has it actually translated into a good test drive for you both?

0:40:40 > 0:40:44Yeah, it has. Having come back here and sitting here,

0:40:44 > 0:40:45it feels like home.

0:40:45 > 0:40:51- You look very at home.- Yeah, and it's still got that nice feel.

0:40:51 > 0:40:55I can imagine myself being here and the kids living here.

0:40:55 > 0:40:58It's definitely got an emotional connection with me.

0:40:58 > 0:41:01- And Robin? - Yeah, I really like the house.

0:41:01 > 0:41:04I really like the area that it's in.

0:41:04 > 0:41:05There's some things to think about.

0:41:05 > 0:41:09- I could hear that in your voice. - Hesitancy.

0:41:09 > 0:41:12So, in order for us to come to a conclusion,

0:41:12 > 0:41:16shall we revert to the bottle that enabled you to meet in life

0:41:16 > 0:41:18and use it to work out whether or not to buy the house?

0:41:18 > 0:41:21- Are you ready for this answer, Nikki? - Yes, I am.

0:41:21 > 0:41:23Robin, let's have it.

0:41:27 > 0:41:29- That's the reason I did it like that.- Ah!

0:41:29 > 0:41:32You have gone for the centre line.

0:41:32 > 0:41:34We have. We're sitting on the fence.

0:41:34 > 0:41:36What is your reason for going for the middle?

0:41:36 > 0:41:40The reason is, do we like the house? Yeah.

0:41:40 > 0:41:45We really like the house, the area, the views, everything you got for us was right.

0:41:45 > 0:41:49But... And the "but" doesn't mean it's not to buy,

0:41:49 > 0:41:54so we were talking about doing the attic, weren't we?

0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Mm.- Putting a bedroom en-suite up in the attic

0:41:57 > 0:42:03and then the office would be in the form of a Scandinavian-style shed in the garden.

0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Excellent.- In keeping with the picturesque garden.

0:42:06 > 0:42:09- These are real, huge improvements. - They are.

0:42:09 > 0:42:14And that's why we're there because the price of the property

0:42:14 > 0:42:15was higher than our budget.

0:42:15 > 0:42:20So we want to give it some serious thought to get it right.

0:42:20 > 0:42:24You are allowed to hedge around the middle of our expensive game-show board.

0:42:24 > 0:42:28- It's a sensible thing to do. Thank you very much.- Thank you.

0:42:28 > 0:42:30Would you say we have invaluably helped you?

0:42:30 > 0:42:34- Yeah, you have. - Has it been illuminating?- It has.

0:42:34 > 0:42:37- Even the wild card made us think. - Yeah.

0:42:37 > 0:42:41- And did you have fun? - Yeah.- It's been brilliant fun.

0:42:41 > 0:42:44- Thank you. It's been great fun. - You'll see you later. Thank you.

0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Take care. Bye.- Bye, now.

0:42:55 > 0:43:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:35 > 0:43:37Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:37 > 0:43:39E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk