Ironbridge To Buy or Not to Buy

-You know what I love about this job?

-Getting to find people homes.

-That is very satisfying, but not that.

It's getting to visit amazing historic sites like this.

It's a lovely bridge.

A lovely bridge?

This bridge is the first iron bridge ever laid anywhere.

It's a World Heritage Site

and it's also the centre for today's house hunt.

I mean, it's very nice but it's still only a bridge.

Oh, just paddle.

-Right, time for a history lesson.

-Really?

-Yes.

Contrary to popular belief,

this beautiful structure was not designed by Thomas Telford

or Isambard Kingdom Brunel

-but a local man, Thomas Farnolls Pritchard.

-TFP?

Yeah, a largely unknown architect.

It was made using iron and materials right here in the Severn valley.

Think about it! This bridge is crucial to the Industrial Revolution

and it wasn't built in Manchester, Liverpool, London, or the other powerhouses of change,

but here, in a sleepy valley in Shropshire.

You'll agree that was fascinating but we're here to look at houses.

Ah, OK, but I want you to read and digest this

-because I will be testing you on it.

-As if our buyers are going to be interested in any of this!

-One of them is a history buff.

-Ah.

Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, there's no lengths we won't go for our house hunters.

Well, I have to say, Jonny, you're right this is a very secluded place,

-otherwise I probably would have had to put these on.

-Whoa, hey! Oh! Whoa! No.

Things take a turn for the worse.

Jonny, it's very rarely I do this.

Oh, you're not going to listen?

-Oh, that's better.

-You're angry.

'But there's a surprise in store that might save the day.'

-Can we look up?

-Yeah.

-Oh.

-Ooh!

-Oooh!

-Aaah, ooh.

-We like?

-Yes!

-We like.

Steve, Helen, to buy or not to buy?

Today's house hunter, Helen, has been a history teacher for ten years

after changing from a career in business.

She lives with today's other house hunter, Steve, who is also a teacher.

The reason for the move is they want to cut their 40-minute commute to work

but any new home will have to be approved by Helen's music-loving son Frankie.

Frankie is not alone in his love of music as it's also a passion of Steve's

so they'll need plenty of extra hobby space.

The problem is they currently live in an elegant 200-year-old four-bed Shropshire terrace

with all that they require.

It's going to take a pretty special property to make them want to shape up and ship out.

-I'm puzzled.

-Yeah.

-I'm bewildered.

-I know.

You've got a beautiful house. I mean,

a beautiful house in anyone's standards. Why do you want to move?

-It's the wrong shape.

-Yes.

The wrong shape. Having been an estate agent for a number of years

I've never heard anyone say that.

We like the size of the house, it's the size of the rooms that are the problem.

There are a lot of rooms and they are quite small

and we'd like fewer rooms but...

A more contemporary open-plan-feeling place.

Yeah, particularly a big sitting room.

Is it a downsize or not?

We thought it would be...

but when we started thinking about the house, we realised we quite like the space.

We are looking for a larger space for Steve to...

A larger space for me.

Yes, because you like to... This is playing the guitar. This is you.

-That's right.

-You're not even looking. This is what I'm doing for you.

-He needs a man room.

-A man room!

-Somewhere away from the main building if he's going to be making a racket?

-Preferably.

-Yeah, for you.

-That'd be good. And the neighbours.

-Manchester, she's hoping.

-Talking about the era of properties - this is about 200 years old?

-Yeah.

Are you wanting to find another period property

or are you thinking about perhaps a complete change and going modern?

We like the idea of it being period, the beams and so on, it's got a lot of character

and we also feel with a new build, it just wouldn't have the character.

We are both fans of the older property. I think that's fair to say.

Are you then prepared, if we did find an older property - Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian -

-to bash some walls about, open up that space for yourselves?

-Yeah.

Absolutely, yeah. I like to move walls.

I went away for the weekend and she phoned me

-to say she taken a sledgehammer and knocked the wall out.

-Ssh. Ssh!

-There used to be one...

-Not here, not here.

OK, just promise us one thing.

We're going to show you three properties today.

-Until you've bought them, would you not knock any walls out?

-I'll try.

-You're only allowed to look round.

-If you break it, you buy it, that's the rules of the show.

Let's talk about location. We are in Shifnal, a nice area.

Are you looking to stay here, are you looking to relocate elsewhere?

What we found is that whilst we like the town,

we like the area and the convenience,

we are finding the distance to work to be a bit of a challenge, especially in the winter time.

Because the last six miles of our journey is very rural and very dangerous in the ice.

-So we want to try and move east.

-OK.

So without putting it exactly on the map, where is closer? Where do you want to be?

Well, we've got quite a broad strip

from Shrewsbury in the north to Bridgnorth in the south,

-Much Wenlock in the middle.

-OK.

-We are centring our search on Much Wenlock, outwards from there?

-Yes.

-OK, go on, Jonny.

I'll ask the question, shall I?

What is your budget? How much have you got to spend on this house?

£400,000.

That's a pretty healthy budget.

Absolutely fabulous, Much Wenlock and the surrounding area.

-This will be fun.

-See you later.

-See you.

I have a feeling today's going to be a roaring...roaring success.

I'd be lying if I didn't agree with you. Where were we?

It will be an interesting show because our two teachers have got a gorgeous house already.

-We need to find them a nice house...

-What you're saying is we're giving our teachers

-a lesson in how to find property?

-Yes.

-Yeah, go and do your homework.

It may not be far from the Welsh border but this part of Shropshire

along the Severn Valley positively oozes olde English charm.

Oh, yes, the magnificent iron bridge that crosses the River Severn

has become quite the tourist attraction.

The area is popular with visitors and locals

and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to spend lazy afternoons by the river.

But if you fancy something a bit more strenuous,

the green corridors of the Silkin Way

are the ideal pastime for walkers to enjoy this beautiful historical part of the world.

However, if you fancied living near other sites of historical interest in the UK

what could you get for £400,000? In Newport, Shropshire,

you could get this unique three-storey development.

This home is perfect, and all for...

Heading to East Cottingwith on the outskirts of York is this detached four-bedroom cottage.

Rustic charm inside and mature gardens outside. On the market for...

And in Droitwich, Worcester, is this four-bedroom traditional detached house.

With a lovely inglenook and plenty more character,

it seems a bargain at...

Very nice, but as I've got an appointment with an estate agent,

Simon will have to find other people in Ironbridge to talk history to.

If you could live in any era of history,

when would it be? Come on, use your imaginations.

1800s.

Oh! Why, why, why?

When the bridge was built.

-£400,000 is the budget.

-OK.

Ideally, a characterful property with spacious rooms. Help me.

Well, that's going to be a little bit difficult for Much Wenlock, to be honest with you.

Maybe the Neolithic.

Would you? You don't look like a caveman! Why? Go on, why?

Life was more vital then, you had a small...um...

-Just a smaller group of extended family.

-Yeah.

So do you think it is worth our buyers

considering looking at other towns and villages in the surrounding area?

I think so. Probably worth considering one or two neighbouring places,

such as Broseley, for instance, and possibly Ironbridge.

Ironbridge is a bit cheaper than Much Wenlock.

I think probably...

-we're headed towards the '60s.

-Oh, yeah?

-Yeah.

It's the period that I missed out on that my elders and my parents caught.

You're starting to get some of the technological advances after the Second World War.

Just an exciting time. The '60s would be the time?

I've spoken to the estate agent. I've found something ironic -

there ain't much in Much Wenlock, not for their requirements anyway.

-I agree! I decided it should be called Not Much Wenlock, if you know what I mean.

-Very good.

I tell you what else I've discovered - I hope you're going to agree -

they said they wanted a characterful property but with lots of space.

That, as I predicted, has been a real challenge.

-So I've kind of gone for the space.

-Me too, we're scrapping the character.

You are a prophet. My choice - property number one. There it goes.

The plot is fantastic. It's so big it's referred to as a smallholding.

I don't think the interior is going to be everything they want,

but as we know, Helen loves knocking down walls and redefining property layouts.

-The location is what it's all about with my choice.

-OK.

Looks nice. Property two - there are two reasons why it's similar to property one.

I'll tell you why. Location-wise, I think we're not a million miles away,

and also the look of the property. Looks quite similar, doesn't it?

-I'll go with that.

-On the outside. However, on the inside,

I think you'll find that Helen and Steve will find there's nothing to do here.

It's absolutely immaculate.

That's property two. How about the wild card, Jonny?

The wild card. It may just look like an average, standard, modern detached house

but nothing suggests what lies behind that front door.

It is, let's just say, spectacular. So those are our three properties.

-Do you think one of these properties is going to fit their requirements?

-Ooh, there's a bet.

-I'll give you a better bet.

-OK.

-I bet you can't get a cupcake in your mouth all in one go.

-Have you seen this thing?

-Let's do this.

-Let's see.

-Right.

-Piece of cake. Let's start the tour with his choice, property one.

-Mmm!

MUFFLED: It may not be a period property

-but I don't think...

-Jonny!

-Sorry.

CLEAR VOICE: Cake. It may not be a period property, but I don't think Helen and Steve

will have trouble swallowing the idea of living in this detached bungalow.

-What makes you so confident?

-In a word - space. There's plenty on the inside, and even more on the outside.

OK, Steve and Helen, I'm not going to pre-empt you here but I kind of am going to pre-empt you here.

It's not a characterful house, is it, from the outside? BOTH: No.

No! But trying to find a property

that's got the big open spaces that you're after in an older property

is not always that easy. So I've scrapped the character thing,

but what I have provided you with is a phenomenal location for a property.

We are in Broseley, 25 minutes away from your school, so we are closer.

-OK.

-Those last six miles are still going to be an issue. I get that.

Before I wax lyrical about it, what are your first impressions?

-It's a million miles away from what we've got now.

-Yes.

It's so different.

Um...

To be honest, I think if I'd seen it in a newspaper

-I probably wouldn't have asked for the details.

-Yeah.

A common mistake. It really is.

We've found this over the years of doing To Buy -

sometimes you discard stuff and you disregard stuff that might be perfect for you

and I think that's what Jonny's trying to allude to here.

I've got one question. Is that a hot tub?

That is a hot tub! Have you got any trunks?

-Maybe.

-We are going in!

But none of this will even give you the slightest hint as to what lies inside.

Without further ado, get yourselves in there and we'll see you in a bit.

Oh.

-That's an entrance hall.

-Good staircase!

-Quite big, isn't it?

Jonny, I like this property already.

-I just hope they do.

-Mmm.

OK... Oh, yes, I forgot...

-It's a bedroom downstairs.

-It's a bungalow.

It's got stairs.

-Yes, good point.

-OK.

-BOTH LAUGH

-Well, it doesn't have to be, does it? So...

-As a guest room, it's a good size.

-It's not big enough for your music room, is it, really?

-Yeah.

-What, and your model making?

-Yeah, it would be, and you've got the light.

Hey, we're in good company here. Steve hangs out with models.

No, not that kind of model. No, he makes models.

Ooh.

OK.

It's a fairly decent size, isn't it?

-You've got less workspace than you've got at home.

-Yeah.

We don't know yet whether there's a conservatory,

-but obviously it's crying out for a conservatory to be built across the back.

-It is.

There's enough level land.

You'd make this, hopefully, into a much bigger kitchen/dining area or something like that.

-Dining... Ooh.

-Oh, yeah.

-Now, that's nice.

-Yes, actually, it is.

Nice big sitting room. That's what we asked for.

I'd probably put that wall back in, to be honest, and have this as a separate dining area.

Hang on! They wanted open-plan living and now Helen wants to put walls back in? I'm confused.

Or even knock this out and have this as a kitchen/diner, that would make sense.

So put that wall back, take that wall out?

I should have brought my sledgehammer, shouldn't I?

I know! It's so she can knock them down again.

Ah, right, OK. People have the strangest hobbies, don't they?

Again, see, it really does need a garden room off this

to make the most of it.

I think that's a valid point from Helen.

You've got this most amazing garden

but you haven't really got a room that fully emphasises and accentuates the brilliance of it.

-OK, you've got two French windows.

-Yeah.

-Do you need two?

-Oh, well, yes, because I'm thinking

I'd put a conservatory on anyway, so they'd be open most of the summer

and it would just be an extension of this room.

I'm hearing them redesigning the place, but I'm not hearing love.

-There's love, it's coming, it's coming.

-Are you sure?

Oh, wow, it's really nice out here, isn't it?

What a lovely view.

-That's the boundary that you can see there.

-Yeah.

-Everything up to that line and that line.

-It's nice and private.

Well, I have to say, you're right, this is a very secluded place,

-otherwise I probably would have had to put these on.

-Hey, whoa!

Oh, no, no, no! You said...

OK. Bathroom.

Nicely done.

-I could live with this I think.

-But if it's the only bathroom...

-I'd want an en-suite.

-You'd want an en suite.

-Yeah.

Helen, relax. As if that's going to be the only bathroom

in this big five-bedroom house. Just keep looking.

-Another downstairs bedroom.

-The same size as the one at the front.

No, it's a little bit bigger, I think.

-It's fairly featureless, but as a spare room, then...

-Mmm-hmm.

..fine, yeah.

There's another bathroom here. Is this going to be the en-suite?

-No.

-Or could it be the en suite?

-I don't know.

-You'll know if it's the en-suite - it'll be in a bedroom.

And another bedroom. So that's one, two, three bedrooms downstairs.

Again...

just a square.

-All right. Shall we see what's upstairs?

-Yes.

-OK.

Ooh, there's more than one room. That's good. Er...

-In fact, there are three.

-Ah.

Ah. Oh, good.

-The master bedroom.

-That's what you were looking for.

Yes. OK. It's a good size, isn't it?

-Look at that little alcove over there.

-Yes.

-Can you imagine sitting there...?

-Oh, dear, I've had another idea.

That's dangerous. Can you imagine how Steve feels every time Helen says, "I've got an idea?" Terrified.

That's got to go to the floor. It's got to have a balcony outside,

you've got to be able to sit out there, have your breakfast.

Er...

-It's...OK.

-How far does it go?

It's clean and functional and again....

they've done everything very nicely, haven't they?

I don't believe it.

Been banging on about having an en-suite.

Finally gets one, it's like, "Ah, it's...clean."

-Ooh.

-Office space.

-Very small. Ah.

Handy for you.

-No. Model making.

-Model-making zone.

And another room here.

Bedroom number five.

Yeah.

Well, I think obviously we'd use one of the bedrooms for another use.

-I think we've seen everything upstairs.

-Yeah, shall we go and find the boys

-and see if there's anything else they haven't shown us?

-Let's go for it.

-Come on.

OK, I know this is kind of weird for you, it's a little bit strange for me too.

Let's be clear. What's the best thing about this property?

-The hot tub!

-Yeah.

Well, in a different location, possibly.

I think in the driveway is just a little bit...

Ignore him. What's the best thing about this property?

The size of the place. There's a massive amount of space.

Yeah. And the garden and the fact that you're not overlooked.

Exactly. It is that garden, it is that seclusion.

Because, obviously, you're sledgehammer-happy, wanting to knock things down already

but you can always make changes to a property as far as the design and layout are concerned

but to get a spot like this with this kind of garden is very rare.

-Absolutely.

-You were obviously able to identify a room for your model making.

-I did.

-The music room is probably best located in that detached garage over there, really.

-Yeah.

-It's guess-the-price time.

-Oh, dear.

-Who's going to go first?

Your budget is £400,000. Steve immediately points to you, Helen,

-so I'm going to make Steve go first.

-Ah!

Having absolutely no idea, I would say,

just because he probably has budgeted for some alterations...

er....350?

Oh, no, that's what I was going to say.

Again, I have no idea, and I think because I don't look at properties like this

I wouldn't really have a rule of thumb.

So I will go for 365.

OK, I'll offer you a wrinkly paw to shake your hand, very well done.

-Ooh, it's warm!

-ALL LAUGH

It is a big property, it's a huge house -

five bedrooms, an acre of land. It was originally on for £425,000.

-It's been reduced, it's now on for £395,000.

-Ooh.

It is under budget. What do you think of the price?

It's a bit higher than I would have liked

but I think we'll wait and see what else you've got up your sleeve.

Ah! We have got two other properties to go and see.

-I don't know if I can be bothered.

-Nah. Well, it's your choice.

-Shall we just stay here?

-I'll catch up, eh?

Come on, we'll go to property two. Hand me a towel... I need a... Oh, forget it.

OK, the hot tub was fun but when it comes to serious property hunting,

I'm sure this recently renovated three-bed 1930s house

right in the Ironbridge Gorge will tickle their fancy.

Did you say three beds? Because I gave them five and an acre of land.

Jonny, when are you going to learn size isn't everything?

Helen and Steve, I give you property two. My choice.

I'm not going to say anything else. I want your first impressions please, I want you to be frank.

Um... I'm wondering where the Georgian, Victorian big buildings you promised us...?

I didn't promise you anything. We promised to find you properties

which we thought would fit your budget and the location.

OK, we need a bigger budget.

Possibly. So that's you think. Steve, what are you thinking?

It's a big cliff behind it.

It's a wooded area behind it which leads directly onto the Silkin Way.

Do you like walking?

-Yes.

-Miles and miles of beautiful wooded walks, all the way to Telford and back.

-We wouldn't have time because this garden is huge.

-This garden is nowhere near as big as the last one.

-Motorised mower - you'd be over this in a second.

-That one went brilliantly, didn't it?

Let's talk about the location. I think this is fantastic.

It's down a secluded little lane.

-It's very private and you've got a gorgeous garden.

-And you've got access direct to the River Severn.

You too are clearly not that enamoured from the outside. That's plain to see.

-It looks very small, I must admit.

-Do you know what? That's a fair comment as well.

I like you being frank. Honestly. I truly do.

You're right, this would be a downsize,

but I think, on this occasion,

when you look round this property, you will be prepared to downsize.

Now you're intrigued, aren't you?

How can such an unassuming property blow us away?

-Yeah.

-There must be something about it.

-Yeah.

-There's only one way to find out.

-Yeah.

-Get in there and enjoy. We will be listening.

-OK. Thank you.

OK.

-Right...

-OK.

Listen, Jonny, as the negativity disappears.

I think...

we need a bigger budget.

It's no bigger than the one we've got.

But you do match the wallpaper.

Ta-da!

-And the curtains.

-That's good. Stay positive, that's what we need. Right.

That negativity doesn't seem to have waned just yet.

No, and I'm surprised because, I don't know about you,

-but I think that is a beautifully, beautifully appointed room.

-Yeah.

It's a nice setting,

it's a nice space for someone, I think, possibly...

going up the chain but...

Plasterboard.

Yeah, but it doesn't go anywhere, it goes into a hill.

There must have been a door here somewhere.

-Stop knocking the walls.

-There must have been a door because it's...

it's been split into two,

so there was another access originally into this room.

I don't care, I hate it.

-You know what we should get them to do.

-What?

-Walk round with their eyes closed because that's what they are doing anyway.

-Yeah.

Another sitting room. It's pretty similar to what we've got.

-It's very similar.

-Separate rooms and sizes.

Apart from the fact I prefer what we've got.

Again a nice little sitting area but it wouldn't do us any favours.

It obviously hasn't got the character that we've already got.

But it's been done up to look like it has.

-Trying to put the character in.

-Yeah.

Well, in our defence we did ask why you were moving because you have got a lovely house.

That is true. Do you think that could be the issue here?

A little twee conservatory, bless.

Oh, this is quite nice.

That is nice, actually.

Yes, that's a good space. It's done quite nicely, isn't it?

Good square space, it is done nicely.

Have you noticed this?

Yes, two sets of hobs, why?

It's probably best not to ask.

Presumably they like to ring the changes, electric one night, gas another night.

How can you walk into that kitchen and not be blown away by the overall

finish, presentation, the appliances, the materials.

It's got everything you'd want in a modern kitchen.

OK, where's next?

-That's just a little toilet there and that's it.

-Yeah!

-Oh, dear.

-It's not very big on the ground.

No. Maybe...

On the other hand that could be a plus point because if you bought it, you'd take everything out and

would have to redecorate completely, because it's not your taste at all.

Jonny, it's very rarely I do this.

Oh, you're not going to listen.

-Ah, that's better.

-You're angry.

-I'm OK now.

-Sure?

-Yeah. I'll just talk about the quality features in this property.

-So, that means I've got to suffer this on my own, have I?

-If you want.

Oh, this is a very small room.

-A very, very small room.

-This is yours,

do with it what you will.

-OK.

-Not much light though, is there?

-No.

-OK, right.

Oh, this is appears to have an en suite.

Yeah, but that suggests it's the master bedroom and it's very small.

-It's a small master bedroom.

-Oh, there's a walk in wardrobe.

That follows on from that other room, then.

The en suite, OK.

Erm, bijou, but OK.

Done quite recently, I would have thought.

Yep, I quite like the bathrooms.

-Yeah.

-They're obviously...very good at bathrooms.

-Perhaps they sell bathrooms. But...

-This is very nice. Look at it.

-Yeah.

That's similar to the kind of vision we had for the one in our existing house, isn't it?

Yeah, it's good, I like that.

Hurray, they've found a positive - it's only taken us ten minutes.

Again the window's really high, isn't it, what a shame.

-And...

-Two bedrooms like you said.

So, where are Lauren and Gareth going to stay?

Do you think we need to have a word with Simon?

-I think we do - a long word.

-After you.

I'm baffled by their response to this property,

it's one of the finest presented properties we've seen for a long time.

I jest you not, Jonny and I get very competitive about this and I know

-when you saw inside this property you were gutted.

-Yeah, genuinely.

-And now I am gutted.

-It makes no sense.

-Guys, guys, listen.

-I'm speechless.

Give it to me, give it to me, because you know what?

I'm going to stand my corner here with the help of...

You know that's the kind of coward he is but I'm going to stand my corner here.

I truly think that is a beautifully, beautifully appointed house in a fabulous location.

You obviously disagree.

Actually no, it is a lovely little house but could you imagine moving from our house to this house?

That's the thing and when we thought we were going to be getting our dream house, that's quite a shock.

Large sitting room - that was the main thing, where's the large sitting room?

-Property one looked good, didn't it?

-Oh, you're here now, are you?

-Anyway, I think it's kind of... Let's go through the obligatory steps.

-Is everything cool?

-Everything's fine over here, thanks for your back up there.

-Oh, no, I was doing housey stuff.

-Were you?! Can you help out with this bit at least, please?

-Yes.

Guess the price time. Maximum budget £400,000, Helen, you can go first this time.

£370,000.

-Steve.

-Looking at the amount of land, £365,000.

Just under. Well, I've got good news for you because he now can't win.

You've won again. This place is under budget, only by £5,000 though.

£395,000 the place is on the market.

No, good grief.

So, the question I've got. We've now seen two properties, £5,000 just under the maximum

you're prepared to commit to your next property.

What are you thinking now, what are you feeling?

We're thinking we're staying in Shifnal.

That could be an issue but, no, don't think that.

Oh, no, because we've got one last chance, everyone loves the wild card, or do they?

It's this way, come on.

Today's wild card might not look that wild

from the outside but appearances, in this case, can be deceptive.

Yes, because this 1960s detached house is actually where Hugh Hefner

might live if he ever decided to swap LA for Shropshire.

It's also ten minutes down the road from the school where both Helen and Steve work.

Wild and convenient, surely a winning combination?

OK, Steve and Helen here we are at the wild card.

-Now after the memorable property two.

-Let it go, let it go, move on!

-We are in the village of...

-Cressage.

And this is how far from your school?

-About six miles, five miles.

-I think it's closer than that, actually.

-It's over there.

-So, we're getting closer.

-Yeah.

Good, this is getting positive, isn't it?

That's one tick in the box. What about the house?

Again, probably wouldn't have come to view it myself.

-I might have done.

-Ah!

-Like the shape of that.

It is a very handsome-looking place.

And also let's talk about the road here, there's no point dodging it.

You're kind of on the road now so you're not unused to traffic going past.

No, we do tend to live more in the back of the house though,

the terraced part at the front isn't the older part.

Very interesting you say that because there's something incredibly impressive about this house.

-So, we're going to take the radical step of starting this property tour from the rear. Are you up for it?

-OK.

-Follow me.

-Come on, after you.

-Right come and stand next to me.

-There you go. We're in.

OK, look up.

-Can we look up?

-Yeah.

-Oh!

GASPS AND CHUCKLES

-Ooh!

-We like?

-We like.

-Yes, sun we need sun.

It's got an outbuilding.

Listen, look left.

-Oh! That's yours.

-It has a proper outbuilding which at the moment is a snooker room.

So, it's all kitted out and that gives you the dimensions of it. But what do we think of this?

-I wasn't expecting this.

-No!

I tell you something I know for a lot of people swimming pools

-can be quite scary things because they cost money to look after.

-She can't swim.

-I want one!

£600 to £800 a year to keep it heated so it can be used all year round.

-So, location-wise, kind of going the right direction.

-It is.

Well, there's the wow factor. So, bear that in mind.

We're no going to send you in for the conventional wander round this place.

It will need updating, there's no question about that.

But see if you can put your own stamp on it and know that

-once you've done that, this could be yours, all right?

-Mm-hm.

Go on, get in there, enjoy, back the way you came. You can look this time!

-Ah, proper utility room.

-Oh, good.

It's amazing when people really like a place just suddenly what starts appealing to them,

"Oh, it's got a self-contained utility room."

Smashing utility room. All because they know there's a pool here.

OK, nice layout...

-would need changing eventually.

-Yeah.

I think generally just cosmetic stuff, really.

We've cracked it. I think we've finally cracked Helen and Steve.

-Do you think? I will reserve my judgement?

-Yeah.

Again, got the dining area to the side there.

Oh, and another one here, good.

So we're now out the front.

Good size.

This would probably just be an evening special dining area and

you've got another dining area there.

The sitting room.

Mmm, it's a good size. Not massive.

Look at the sofa they've got in it.

-Yeah.

-It's fairly big.

Yeah, I suppose if you kept that kind of layout, it works like that.

Don't like the fire, hate the fire.

Helen, don't be scared. OK the fireplace does provide a focal

point but if you want more space in that lounge, it is a structural job but it can be done, get rid of it.

Again we'd only be in here in the evenings I would imagine, so the road probably...

-OK, can't hear anything - that truck just went by.

-Yes, good, isn't it?

-Jonny.

-Whoa, whoa! Is that? Steve, I love you, thank you. We're done.

It carries on, so this would be...

A little reading room.

Library - let's call it the library.

Library, OK.

Oh, it's a much better size than the one we saw in property two, isn't it? I like the ceiling.

OK, ground floor, outside has gone...

Very well, incredibly well when you cast your mind back to lovely property two.

Hopefully upstairs won't let us down.

The practicalities again bringing beds up and furniture quite easy.

-Very practical.

-Steve.

I loved you downstairs.

I love you upstairs, that is a very valid point, isn't it.

Yes, that's good.

Good size, isn't it?

-Yeah, OK.

-OK.

We'll have to change these doors.

Yes.

Right, what we've got here?

-Bedroom.

-Nice view over the back, would this be the master bedroom?

I don't know. Oh, my goodness, look.

-It's the Wrekin.

-That's lovely isn't it?

-Look at that view.

-Now, that's the Wrekin.

-Doesn't smell.

-No, the hill you can see from the back of the house, it's a local landmark - the Wrekin.

Spare room or...

Could be the office.

That's what they're using it as at the moment.

Another spare room.

Now then, this is over the front.

Sound proofing...

I don't think, this wouldn't be our bedroom so it doesn't really matter, does it?

Oh, now this must be the main bedroom and it's over the front.

Yes.

-Hasn't got secondary glazing on these windows, though.

-No.

-But it's a nice little room.

-It is. I like the...

-shape of that.

-Sweet.

Not just a good-sized bedroom, a great-sized double bedroom that one.

En suite. I tell you what we need, we need the wet room from property number two.

Well, you could put that in.

Again, it's lovely.

Exactly and to go back to your earlier point it's all completely liveable.

Yes, there are improvements you may want to modernise it but as it is,

-it's a four piece en suite.

-Fantastic.

But it's definitely got a lot of character, which you just wouldn't expect.

Because even the rooms which are quite square don't feel dull,

they seem to have something there that you could work with.

There's a nice feeling about the house.

You just have to imagine it with your own stamp on it.

Ahh! That's brightened things up, hasn't it?

-That's better.

-Because we did say before you went in, this place would need some work on it.

But the space, how did the space feel?

-Lovely.

-Yeah.

Nice shape, isn't it?

It flows, doesn't it? The ground floor flows and you've all the space you wanted upstairs.

-Absolutely.

-I'm thrilled that the house works for you space-wise because location,

this is the real benefit to you.

-It gives you that extra time at work which is what you're both really after.

-Sorry, pool.

Exactly, yeah, I told you this.

It's now a shorter commute and the time you save not commuting you're in the pool, aren't you?

-Or the snooker room.

-We'll have to bring the extra curricular things and do them in the garden somehow.

-So, it's guess the price time. Now you, Steve, are just playing for pride.

-I've already lost.

You don't want a whitewash, do you?

OK, your budget - £400,000. How much for this place?

Helen, you've been so good at this I'm going to put Steve on the spot.

Oh, dear...

-£370,000.

-OK.

-Blimey.

-No, I think the pool's going to add a lot.

-Yeah, that's true.

-Ah!

-LAUGHTER DROWNS WORDS

I think this is slightly over budget.

I reckon it's, I'll say £410,000.

I tell you what, you're very good at this game.

It's on the market for £415,000 but the vendor is reluctant to reduce the price because he thinks that has

-negative connotations, but he is very keen to sell and is very willing to consider serious offers.

-OK.

You said there, there is money to spend in there but you could certainly do the main jobs,

the kitchen and the bathroom, and then just change the rest of the place as time goes by.

-That's it - it's liveable.

-Definitely as it is.

-It's comfortable.

-We've now shown you three very different properties.

You've got to decide which one you'd like to spend more time in.

-Take yourselves off, make that decision and we'll see you soon.

-OK.

Mmm, there we go. I think we've pulled this out of the bag.

You think, yeah? While they're off making that tricky decision, here's a recap for you at home.

Will they go for property one?

I found Steve and Helen an extended bungalow with five beds,

a large living area, an acre of land, oh,

and a hot tub. All this could be theirs for...

Or will they plump for property two?

This stylishly renovated 1930s house.

They could live right on the historic Iron Gorge without going

over budget as this too is on the market for...

Finally, will they favour a walk on the wild side?

A short drive to work will leave more time for pool parties. Oh, yes!

This four-bed detached 1960s home is priced at...

Right then, you've decided to test drive the wild card.

Everyone loves the wild card. We did promise you that, didn't we?

What was it about this place?

-Mmm.

-Loved the utility room.

-We did.

-It's those big double bedrooms, wasn't it?

-That had a...

-The views.

Exactly. What are we missing?

-The pool.

-The pool, absolutely, and who could blame you.

Now, our eagle-eyed To Buy Or Not To Buy surveyor has given this place the once over.

It's not a legally binding survey as we always say and, as you know, if

you went forward with this place or any other, get your surveys and searches done.

He's focused on energy, do you want the good or bad news?

-The bad news.

-The bad news, OK. I'll be the deliverer of that.

Now, the heating for this property - both the house and the swimming pool is done on boilers that run on oil.

Oil is an ever increasing commodity as far as cost is concerned, so he did say to ensure

the boilers that you are using in those areas are both up to modern

specifications to ensure that you are getting the best value for money.

Check out your boilers. However, the good news is this place was very recently very well insulated.

All the cavity walls and the loft, so really the energy rating on it is absolutely fabulous.

I know you wanted that characterful house, the lovely old Georgian...

-They are draughty old places, aren't they?

-They are.

So this place is going to rate very well indeed. That's the good news.

-So, the pool might cost a bit to heat but the house won't.

-OK.

Now then, have you got your trunks with you?

-No.

-Haven't you, oh, in that case you can enjoy sitting by the pool.

-Get in there and enjoy the place, go on.

-See you later.

Well, Helen and Steve liked the wild card but will Helen's son Frankie approve?

Well, with a pool and a games room, I think he might.

Steve's not bad on that guitar, I don't know why Helen won't let him play in the house.

Maybe it's because she's got serious teacher work to get on with,

and by the looks of it, she's right at home doing it here.

Look at that glorious pool - is no-one going to get in it?

They probably think it's polite to wait until they actually own it.

Yeah, but that wouldn't stop us, would it?

Right, so you didn't go in the pool, did you?

-No.

-No.

-We looked at it.

Yeah, Kind of longingly! You spent a bit more time in this property now,

it's not just about the pool, how did the house feel?

-It has a really good feel to it.

-Yes, it does.

I like the fact that everything is big but compact and everything is sort of easily accessible.

Yeah, it flows very well, doesn't it?

-But you still have the individual areas.

-Exactly.

Of course Frankie's been along.

What was his impression? I know we're going to get back to the pool.

I think he couldn't wait for us to go away so he could 'look after' the place.

-Rightly so, like any good 20-year-old would do.

-Lawns to cut, trees to prune.

-No, no.

Oh, of course, look after the place.

OK then, on that note, Jonny would you like to ask the question.

Yeah, so bearing in mind where we're at with it all, Steve, Helen, To Buy Or Not To Buy?

I think we're def... we're very, very interested.

We've got to obviously do some sums.

It is going to be over our budget, with all the things that we'd like

to do with it but I think we could make a serious offer.

-So, come on if I pushed you. Go on, I dare you.

-To buy.

That's what we wanted to hear.

And that is brilliant because, OK, we kind of missed the mark,

possibly one, possibly a couple of properties...

Whoa, whoa! Don't drag me down, brother. They were all you! They were three very different properties,

and as you were fair to say, they just weren't quite right for your requirements.

-No.

-But this one is.

-This one is.

-Guys, it's been a pleasure. I hope you've enjoyed the day.

-We have it's been brilliant.

-Brilliant.

-We'll see you soon, cheers now.

-Cheers.

-Bye.

Well, there we go, it looked a little bit ropey early on but we pulled this back today.

You're quite right, another fantastic result for the To Buy team.

-So if you're looking for a new home with its own wet room.

-Hot tub.

-Or swimming pool.

-Do get in touch.

And we'll dive right in!

Waaaah!

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