0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello and welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy. Today's all about research and facts.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- Fantastic. It's what I've been waiting for. - Property fact number one.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14House-hunters will look at, on average, five properties before settling on their dream pad.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Fact number two ties in with that. They spend six weeks doing that.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- Unbelievable, isn't it? - Unbelievable.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24But today, one lucky house-hunter's going to spend 45 minutes looking at three houses
0:00:24 > 0:00:30- to hopefully complete their property journey today.- They need six weeks, I just told you. This'll never work.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Today we're trying to get inside the mindset of property buyers.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Are you legally allowed to do that? Are you inside someone's mind now.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- Is this legal? - I'm back. No, it's fine.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Our lady today compiles government statistics.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- You know those facts we did earlier? - Yes.- Probably came from her.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00So this would be a thank you. If we found her a house, we've given something back. Reciprocal.
0:01:00 > 0:01:06- She helps us, we help her.- Exactly. - OK. And what would our statistical chances be of succeeding?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- Slim to middling, I think.- Good.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12'Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, we indulge in a bit of mind-reading.'
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- What do you think I think? - I think you think...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- Ohh!- Unbelievable.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- This was Jonny's, wasn't it? - Jonny's.- Not good. - We'll have to have words.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27'Things clearly don't get off to a great start for me.'
0:01:27 > 0:01:32- Is this Ed's choice?- Yes. - The man's got taste.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35'But things don't look so bad for me.'
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Could get us a slap around the face or a massive big hug and a thank you for being so clever.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45'Oh, yes, today we're hoping for a big hug and a thank you from today's buyer, Eileen Dunston,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49'who works as a government researcher. Also lending a helping hand and mind
0:01:49 > 0:01:52'is her psychologist daughter, Anne-Marie.'
0:01:52 > 0:01:54'After selling her family home of 25 years,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59'Eileen is now lodging with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Bradley and Joel,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01'while she's searching for a new home of her own.'
0:02:01 > 0:02:07'Anne-Marie might be able to read minds, but I dread to think what's running through her head.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10'I think this couple are in need of our help fast.'
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Eileen, Anne-Marie, your lovely daughter,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16you are a hot buyer. You're in the perfect buying position.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- I hope so.- So you're sold, you're living with daughter.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22I sold a couple of months ago,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27thought all I had to do was just pick up the property pages, find somewhere to live and move in.
0:02:27 > 0:02:33- Not that easy, is it?- I arranged to move in with Anne-Marie and David, her husband, and the children
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- for a few weeks.- And how has that been?- Two months ago.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- Oh, right. - At the moment, we're still speaking to each other, but I need to move.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- That's where we come in. - Is that in your mind?
0:02:43 > 0:02:46You want to get out for your own self or for Anne-Marie?
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- It's both. We both need our space. - I'm not arguing.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- All right, that's fair enough. - It's only fair, really.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59So, obviously, you've had trouble finding somewhere. Why have you had trouble?
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- She's fussy.- Fussy, right, OK. - OK.- High value, low money.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10Let's go through the areas of fussiness. Where is your mother most fussy?
0:03:10 > 0:03:17- Erm, size of the lounge, because she's got a dining table and chairs that's non-negotiable.- Really?
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- Are you that buyer?- Cos we say this daily on the programme.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25Don't buy a place based on your furniture, unless your furniture cost the same as the house.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Definitely not.- But we can't negotiate around these at all?- No.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33- OK. That's a challenge in itself. - Fussy point number one. What's fussy point number two?
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- En suite.- Right. Has to be one? - Yes.- OK.
0:03:38 > 0:03:45- Fussy point number three.- Needs to be, ideally, on the top floor so you don't get noise from people above.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48And this is my fussy point for her, actually.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- Right.- But, because of people who can't use stairs that will be visiting, she needs to have a lift.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58- OK. Do you want to see if there's a fussy point number four? - I'm not sure.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03You'd prefer to be on the top floor for noise, but on the ground floor for access. You need a bungalow.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09Then you'd have to do the garden, which means my brothers and my husband will have to do the garden.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- So that's potentially fussy point number four. No garden.- Yes.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- Do we have any more fussy points? I've lost count.- No. - No more fussy points?
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Cos I've spotted a couple of fussy points in the front room. Two birds.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- Oh, yes.- Right. - How could we forget them?
0:04:25 > 0:04:30As I walked in this morning, you could hear them chirping away. Santa and Pecksy.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Are they coming, as well? - My two cockatiels.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Somehow I...- Yes! - Yes, they're coming!
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I can't leave them behind.
0:04:38 > 0:04:45- Where do we want to be? - I'd like to be between Solihull and Dickens Heath, Earlswood.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48So, southwest.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52You've got an idea of the apartment. Do we care about the style,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56whether it is oldy-worldy, character features, modern? We don't mind?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Don't mind at all. - Low maintenance rules the roost.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- Maisonettes will be considered? - Look at that face! No! - No.- No, it won't.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- Another swing and a miss. - Anne-Marie will have it, though. - Anything will do.- Get rid! Get rid!
0:05:09 > 0:05:14We're tantalisingly close to knowing everything, apart from one thing,
0:05:14 > 0:05:21and probably why you've been looking for so long and it's been a bit of a struggle. Go on, how much money?
0:05:21 > 0:05:28- 180.- Where did that come from?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- THEY LAUGH - How much do you really want to spend?
0:05:31 > 0:05:36I had thoughts and discussions and we're looking at around about 180.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39You want to spend 180 but that means that you can look over and above.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Anne-Marie's looking surprised cos I said all along 170 for my limit.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Oh, I pushed you up even higher! You can haggle.
0:05:46 > 0:05:53- Because nothing was coming out at 170, I realised I've got to start looking higher.- That's a good stance.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58All right, wish us luck and we'll see you later. Bye-bye.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I don't know if it was me or I've got a better reading of people,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05but I sensed a little bit of tension between mother and daughter
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- about what mother wants and what daughter wants. - You couldn't fail to feel it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13So, therefore, I am very, very nervous about this one.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17But it's Eileen's money, so ultimately, she'll have the final say.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- Us kids, we always think we know best.- True. And, eventually, we do know best.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- But, that said, Eileen knows best today. I'm going to talk to an estate agent.- See you later.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30I'll find out some information from the local people of Solihull.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33'Solihull, on the outskirts of Birmingham, translates to soily hill.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39'But there's not much dirt around here any more. It's scrubbed up well and is very desirable.'
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Solihull covers an area of approximately 69 square miles,
0:06:43 > 0:06:4770 percent of which is designated green belt, which is pretty impressive.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49'It may be in the suburbs, but it's not sleepy,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53'with a vibrant nightlife and a state-of-the-art shopping complex.'
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Another benefit to living in Solihull is the introduction of the new high-speed rail link
0:06:57 > 0:07:02that's going to cut journey times between London and Birmingham International down to 45 minutes.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06By the time you've finished watching this show, you could be in London!
0:07:06 > 0:07:10'However, good transport links and a desirable postcode come at a price,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15'and I don't need to be a mind-reader to know that this could make today's house-hunting tricky.'
0:07:15 > 0:07:20'But what else could you get for 180K and a tad more in some of the UK's other large cities?'
0:07:20 > 0:07:26'In Didsbury, on the outskirts of Manchester, this two-bedroom first-floor apartment is stunning.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29'Its open-plan lounge, high-quality kitchen and spacious bedrooms
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- 'could be yours for £199,950.' - 'A bargain, I'm sure you'll agree.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38'Further north, on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is this Victorian ground-floor flat.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42'With two bedrooms, modern kitchen and a rather large lounge,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46'it seems a steal at £189,950.'
0:07:46 > 0:07:51'And on the outskirts of Liverpool, this two-bedroom apartment blends old and new seamlessly.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55'With a state-of-the-art kitchen, uber-modern lounge and a quirky bathroom,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59'this place is a catch at £184,995.'
0:08:04 > 0:08:09- What's the best thing about living in Solihull?- Erm, I think it's got a lovely town centre,
0:08:09 > 0:08:14farmer's market once a month, it's small so you can get round everything, everybody's friendly.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19- Now, our lady, she loves Dorridge. Thinks it's brilliant.- Superb.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- She wants to ideally spend about 180.- Knowle and Dorridge tend to be more expensive areas.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26There are a great range of properties there.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30For what she's looking for, she's probably downsizing a bit,
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- she probably wants to get that bit of space. Knowle and Dorridge, you may not get that.- OK.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Probably better looking at Solihull.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42I have a ground-floor two-bedroom flat and they're quite reasonably priced. More so than bungalows.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Now, this one, ground floor.
0:08:44 > 0:08:50Nice size lounge, so plenty of space for her dining room table and plenty of space for the parrots.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- You had a lovely trip to the estate agents.- I did. I met an old friend who has helped me out.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Well, he's explained a massive difficulty.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03What Eileen essentially wants is very, very hard.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07And the areas that she wants to live in, it's nigh-on impossible.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10And because she wants a ground-floor flat or a lift,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14with her budget, we have done it, but there have been compromises.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17A popular term on the show. Compromise.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19So, my choice, property one.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23It's all about a maintenance-free life for Eileen. That's what she's after.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29I've gone for the ground-floor option, and a compact apartment with a delightful cul-de-sac location.
0:09:29 > 0:09:36- Property one, it's OK. - OK? Well, we can get better than OK. We can get nigh-on perfect.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Property two is the wildcard today.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43We have shifted it around. It's our joint choice and it's the wildcard.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- It's a radical option. - It is.- When you look at it,
0:09:46 > 0:09:51it doesn't look that radical, but the concept is quite wild for Eileen
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- because it's kind of like an 18 to 30s holiday.- Yep.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Essentially, if you're under 55 years of age, you cannot live there.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03So there could be a slight stigma attached to that for Eileen,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07but the property is not like you would imagine it.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11It's a very nice property. It's a flat. It's her own property.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- And I think she won't have considered something like this before.- OK.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20My property is a cracker. Now, there are two schools of thought in Solihull.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24You either call it "Solly-hull" or "Soley-hull". Living in this part,
0:10:24 > 0:10:29you would use the word "Soley-hull" because it is very, very nice. It's modern, it's gorgeous,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32it's renovated within an inch of its life, it's fantastic.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37It is everything she wants and it's spacious and it's a ground-floor and I can't do any better than that.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42- And therefore, it must be the B91 postcode. - It is the B91 postcode.- Marvellous.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Where should we start the journey? - Let's go here, property one.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52'Property one today is my offering. It's been chosen to allow Eileen
0:10:52 > 0:10:56'maximum time to enjoy herself, as it requires minimum maintenance.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01'It's also only a short distance from the centre of Solihull and, as if that isn't good enough,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06'there's another big bonus that Eileen and her bank manager will no doubt be pleased about.'
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Well, Eileen, Anne-Marie, here we are at my choice, property number one.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13It is a lovely ground-floor flat, two bedrooms,
0:11:13 > 0:11:18none of the maintenance issues that you were trying to avoid with some of the other properties,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- and I think it's going to be great for you. - It's not an area I've looked at.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25I actually kept pointing out this road and these flats
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- and Mum kept saying, "No, don't want to go there."- Tension.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- You are a terrible double act. So... - I thought it was a bit too far out.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36OK. We've done some local transport research.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38You are very near buses, very near trains.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43You can walk 15 minutes, I believe, into Solihull. You should've listened to Anne-Marie
0:11:43 > 0:11:50rather than saying, "No, it's too far!" Anne-Marie, are you happy that we've managed to drag you
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- to this part of the world? - Having had two flats myself,
0:11:53 > 0:12:00the combination of ground floor and new build normally means you can hear the neighbours above.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05- So I'm thinking that. - This is one of your issues.- I'm so glad you're off to a positive start!
0:12:05 > 0:12:09We could myth-bust here or we could prove a point.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15- Let's hope we myth-bust. Are you ready to go in?- Yep.- Good luck. Enjoy. Fingers crossed.- See you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Now, Anne-Marie is a psychologist
0:12:25 > 0:12:31and we have gone to literally no expense in playing upon that fact.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36We're going to use whiteboards and perform our own experiments out here
0:12:36 > 0:12:39to see whether or not we have got some kind of telepathy.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Bedroom.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I wonder if this is the master bedroom, cos it's a bit small, isn't it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- This is what I think Anne-Marie's thinking. See if you can get inside Anne-Marie's mind.- OK.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Nice and light, though. Good windows. - Perfectly functional. Fits a bed, fits a wardrobe.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- There's plenty of room for wardrobes. - Yeah.- Space for what you need.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02What do you think Anne-Marie is thinking?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I love it.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Ohh!- Unbelievable.- The opposite. - It's the exact opposite.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12You like to watch TV in bed, don't you?
0:13:12 > 0:13:17And there is nowhere for you to put a TV, unless you hang it from the light, maybe.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Hm. Up there somewhere. Let's see what else there is.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23One of the major problems here, Jonny, a subtle undercurrent,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- that is the biggest bedroom and they think it's a bit small.- Yes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Which means bedroom two is going to further compound that disappointment.- Yes.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I think we know the answer, Mum, on this one.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36This is very small.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41He did say it was small, but this is...munchkin size.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Being really practical, if you've got the boys coming to stop
0:13:45 > 0:13:49and you wanted to even, say, put them in bunk beds,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52the bunk beds would be overhanging the window.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55It's compact, this apartment, I'd say.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Yeah, compact and bijou, but bunk beds are very, very, very fun.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Oh, it's a bathroom.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10I'm now tapping into Anne-Marie's mind. We're doing the bathroom here.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- This is fine. - This is everything that you want.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- I think she's going to love it. - HE LAUGHS
0:14:15 > 0:14:17It just made me realise, there's no en suite.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Oh, yes.- Only one bathroom.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Come on, Eileen, deal with it. You're not going to get an en suite in there.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Erm, good size. It's... Yeah.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We would fit in here. I would.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Well, there we go. Eileen likes the size of the lounge. Anne-Marie, less so.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Anne-Marie, currently, that's her feelings about the lounge.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Although, Eileen's feelings... That.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Oh! Again, functional.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Dishwasher?- Dishwasher?
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- No dishwasher. No good. - EILEEN LAUGHS
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- What? No!- They never said this! - Wash by hand!- Exactly!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Don't do washing dishes. - I think it's a no, Mum.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07It's basic.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- Right, what do you think they're thinking?- Excellent choice.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Whose choice was this?
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- This was... - Jonny's, wasn't it?- Jonny's. - Not good.- We'll have to have words.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28Well, I think I've found your dream home. It sounded marvellous outside.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- You...- No, no.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- OK, let's be honest. - The headphones do work.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35SHE LAUGHS
0:15:35 > 0:15:41Let's go through it. What is the right size and what is the wrong size? Or is everything wrong?
0:15:41 > 0:15:46I'm just reflecting. We're thinking that we're finding a home for Mum, she's got to move out,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50so it might not be that bad after all. You might be able to give and take on some things.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53OK. So what is not right in here?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- Bedrooms are far too small. - Both of them?- Both of them.- Why?
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- Because you only sleep in your bedroom. Or do you do more? - I do more than sleep.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- OK. This is daytime, but go as far as you can.- I do relax
0:16:06 > 0:16:11and I like to read and, as Anne-Marie said, I like to watch television at night.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16- Wall-mounted television.- True.- So that gets you round a certain size.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18But you need a little bit bigger than that?
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Yes, just a little bit of elbow room.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Let's not forget, we're buying this apartment around a dining table.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- So how is the reception area? Is this big enough, are we close? - This is not bad.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It's not bad at all in size.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36It's at the smallest end of the scale.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- And I don't know where we'd put the birds.- True.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Yeah, the birds... Why not go the radical route and just let them fly free?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45THEY LAUGH
0:16:45 > 0:16:47All right, so, I think we've got an idea.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The gamble was, this might be a bit too small.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53I guess we thought we'd show you this as an option
0:16:53 > 0:16:56and we know that maybe it's a little bit dinky.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01As you were hoping for with an apartment, it's got the usual things, maintenance costs...
0:17:01 > 0:17:07- Something else to worry about.- But it's nothing to worry about for you. All the grounds are sorted out,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11windows are cleaned, the communal areas out the front are dealt with.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15So you've got no worries apart from what's inside here. And that costs £850 a year,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- which is fairly reasonable, I think. - Yeah.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Not bad at all. - OK, shall we play Guess The Price
0:17:21 > 0:17:28- and see if that makes us warm more toward the house or ice over? - You go first.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- How much do you think it's on the market for?- I would say,
0:17:32 > 0:17:39given size, location and lack of en suite,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43it's got to be at the bottom end of the scale. I would say 165.
0:17:43 > 0:17:51- 165, OK.- So it's now about winning, and I don't know if it's about beating Mum or accuracy.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53You've got to decide.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I've got two figures in my head. 157 and 162,500.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I'm going to go with 157.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- Well, either one of them would've given you the win. Congratulations! - Thank you.- Good skills.
0:18:05 > 0:18:11You two are pros, though, cos you were both pretty close. It's on the market for beneath that, 149,950.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- Wow.- So it's just under 150, which is excellent value for money!
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- It is.- Knowing that it is that price, and it's a great price,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24does that make you warm to it any more? Does that make a compromise occur or not?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27I'd rather see what else is on offer first.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- OK. That's good.- Very shrewd. - We do have two more. Would you like to come to the wildcard?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- Hm!- That's exciting, isn't it?- Yes.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- OK, shall we go? - I'm excited about the wildcard.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46'And here is that said wildcard. The location is fantastic,
0:18:46 > 0:18:51'the apartment and the community are fantastic, so surely there's nothing to worry about.'
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'Just the minor detail that Eileen needs to be of a certain age to live here,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58'and you should never mention a lady's age. I'm nervous about this
0:18:58 > 0:19:04'and I don't think Anne-Marie will need to read my mind. She will see fear written all over my face.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:10Anne-Marie and Eileen, the wildcard, the wildcard, everyone normally loves the wildcard.
0:19:10 > 0:19:18And this one could get us a slap round the face or a massive big hug and a thank you for being so clever.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22So you know where we are? Any ideas, ladies?
0:19:22 > 0:19:27I've driven up and down this road many times, never looked at this.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- Anne-Marie, anything up your sleeve? You look like...- I'm pretty sure I saw this in the paper
0:19:32 > 0:19:36and pointed it out to Mum and said, "Go and have a look" and she said, "No".
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- I can't remember. - It's for more mature people.- Yes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44There is an age restriction here, rather like an 18 to 30 holiday,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48which are cruel, because if you're 17 or 31, you can't go.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Here, 55s and under are not allowed.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- But...- You've just scraped in. Does that include for babysitting? - You're allowed to stay briefly
0:19:58 > 0:20:02and then you're drummed out... No. You have got a first-floor apartment,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06because Anne-Marie was saying ground floor, noisy neighbours,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09so we've given you a first-floor apartment here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14Because you are part of this community, people might think, "Oh, no, you're aging me before my time!"
0:20:14 > 0:20:19You would never need to be knowing that you were living in this because you've got your own door
0:20:19 > 0:20:23and it's your own flat. There's a couple of other reasons why we've shown you it. Jonny.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28You did point out earlier that your friends' access is limited.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30That has been addressed in there already.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- Vroom! Straight up the stairs, no problem. I've had a go, it's phenomenal.- Brilliant!
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- What do you think? - From the outside, it looks lovely.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44- From what I can see of the inside, it does look... There's an impression of space.- OK.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- OK. Do you want to explore that impression?- Yes, please. - Let's talk no more.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Go in, experience and see what you think. Enjoy!
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Oh! SHE LAUGHS
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Well! - That's what they were talking about!
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Which is useful for Eileen's mum and Eileen's friend.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- And also a great thing for her grandchildren to play on.- Well...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- There you go.- The children's favourite toy when they visit Nana.
0:21:13 > 0:21:20- SHE LAUGHS - You could put your shopping on there.- That's a good idea!
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- I'm now going to try and get inside Eileen's mind.- Ooh, OK.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Right, so... What's this one here?
0:21:29 > 0:21:34Oh, gosh, that's a good size, isn't it? Very nice!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37What do you think Eileen is thinking about you, Jonny,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41for showing her this property and this being your idea?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Oh, grab rails. It does remind you of your age, doesn't it?
0:21:45 > 0:21:49What she thinks of me? Erm...
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Considerate young man.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Oh.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Again, a good size. Lots of storage.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01That was one of the concerns in property one,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- bedroom one was a bit on the small side.- We've dealt with that.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Ah!- It is a cupboard! What did you think it was?- Not an en suite.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- It's not an en suite.- I thought they may have ticked another box.
0:22:13 > 0:22:19It ain't going to happen. That is the easiest compromise to make if you want the majority of things.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22It's surprisingly quiet. You can't hear any traffic out there.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- No, that's true. - So a good spot for a bedroom.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30And she is thinking, "Best wildcard ever".
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- It's not so bad, actually. - I think that's what she's thinking!
0:22:35 > 0:22:42- Oh, yep.- You'd fit a small double in here.- Or two singles, perhaps. - Yeah, you would.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- There's your loft hatch.- Oh, so you've got loft access.- There you go.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52They've been very naughty, finding this, really.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57- Why?- Because it has got a lot of good points, apart from the Stannah stairlift.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Ooh! Did you see that? She's given with one hand and taken with another.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04We are being described as naughty, but in a good way,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07as in giving a massive banana sundae to someone.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So, does it feel the one?
0:23:10 > 0:23:16No, I'm not saying that, but it's... Yeah, it's a good size.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- I agree with her. - I'm going to go with "love it".
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Yes!
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Yeah, no problem getting furniture in here.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30- No, definitely not.- So let's see what the kitchen's like.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Good. Good.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38So, fridge freezer, done.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- Er...- Washing machine.- More storage.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45You could get a dishwasher in.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48I think you'd want to put a new kitchen in.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Oh, Anne-Marie! If she can't say something positive,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53she shouldn't say anything. She was doing really well.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Perfectly good little kitchen and you get to shut the door on the smell. That used to be your worry.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03- Yes, this is true, compared to the modern open-plan ones.- Have we checked out all these cupboards?
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- Anne-Marie is a cupboard obsessive. - She's a fiend for a cupboard! - She is!
0:24:07 > 0:24:11- Boiler cupboard. Loads of storage. - Oh, yeah. Yeah.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15So, not bad for space.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Very good for location.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23She's within touching distance of the local shopping centre, called Touchwood.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27- See what I've done there? - You said... - Touching distance of Touchwood.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30It's up to you, Mum. Good for image, too. Not.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Yes, good for image! Yes. SHE LAUGHS
0:24:34 > 0:24:38I know what you're thinking. I know what they're thinking. I know what you're thinking.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Yes!
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Ed and I have been trying to get inside your minds on this tour
0:24:46 > 0:24:51and we've come to the conclusion that the joint property, the wildcard, actually went pretty well.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56- Better than I expected it to. - We'll take that. That's fine.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Well, you exclaimed it! You hit a point in here and it was like,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03"You know what? This is all right!"
0:25:03 > 0:25:06In Jonny's one, there was a list of things that were wrong.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Room sizes too small, the dishwasher wasn't there.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11What about here? What was right about here?
0:25:11 > 0:25:18Definitely the size of the rooms. The bedrooms are not massive, but they're a good size, just about right.
0:25:18 > 0:25:25- Definitely this room, this lounge, is easily big enough to take my furniture.- Mm-hm.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30I've stumbled across this. If there's a negative in a house, then Anne-Marie's...
0:25:30 > 0:25:33But you've got an idea of what you want your mum to live in.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Do you always house-hunt together? Is this why it's a bit tricky?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Not by choice. You do insist on me coming along.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43But you're a good double act here.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46What is it that's not working here?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Maybe, secretly, Anne-Marie doesn't want her mum to move out
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and is constantly knocking every property she sees. Look at Anne-Marie's face.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- That's probably a no, then. - One thing we haven't done yet is play Guess The Price.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03All of these feelings may be given smiles once we've played Guess The Price.
0:26:03 > 0:26:09Anne-Marie, you go first, even though you are in the lead. You could win the victory here.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13There are some properties like this up the road towards Olton
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and they're all 225-plus.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21And I'm pretty sure I saw another one nearer Solihull
0:26:21 > 0:26:26and I said, "Mum, it's amazing," there was even a guest suite for people to stop in
0:26:26 > 0:26:30and I'm sure it was something crazy like 129,950.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33So I'm going to say 130.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38You're saying 130, based on the fact that you might have already seen the price of this? OK. 130.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43- I think I may have done. - Are you going with this ruse? Is this some kind of gamesmanship?
0:26:43 > 0:26:48Absolutely not! I think I'm going to win this time, no matter what I say.
0:26:48 > 0:26:54I'm going to say, as it's close to Solihull and in such a good location, I'd say 190.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- 190?- Mm-hm!- Gosh!
0:26:57 > 0:27:00OK. And we were playing with a maximum budget of around £200,000,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03but we didn't want to spend all of that, about 170, 180.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- So...- The answer is...- The reveal is, Eileen, you're back in the game.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Ah!- Nice. Very well played, madam.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Your logic, throw it out of that double-glazed window.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17This property is on the market for £179,950.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- Oh, wow!- So asking price, top of what you're prepared to spend.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- Yes.- With a bit of haggling, you could get new kitchen, new bathroom,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28lovely redecorated apartment, it'd be perfect for you, forget this one.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- What do you think of that price? - That is a consideration.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37I like it! OK! That's good. That's the word we were searching for. A consideration.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42We have one more for your consideration, which is my choice. Are we excited and tantalised?
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- Cannot wait.- Very. - Let's go to it. Come on!- Over there.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54'My property is on one of the poshest roads in Solihull
0:27:54 > 0:27:58'and is just a few minutes' walk into the town centre. It was built in the 1960s
0:27:58 > 0:28:02'and is a perfect blank canvas, but most importantly, I hope we get this one right,
0:28:02 > 0:28:09'as the future of a mother-daughter relationship is reliant on us finding Eileen her dream home fast.'
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Anne-Marie and Eileen, I would like you to walk toward this beauty.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17This is the third property, and I think this is the last one. This is it.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- We're on Hampton Lane. Have you heard of it?- Yes, I have.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- It's very posh.- Very.- We could be playing a cruel trick here
0:28:23 > 0:28:28- and showing you something way out of your price bracket. - That's why we haven't looked.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- It wouldn't be beyond us. - No, it wouldn't be, but it would also be cruel.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- How did it feel to arrive here through the electric gates? - Very grand.- OK.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- Very grand indeed. - And you're smiling.- Yes. - And seem quite positive.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Absolutely. It's a lovely part of Solihull.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47We haven't looked over here at all so far, so, yeah.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53- Had you discounted it because it was out of your price range? - Never occurred to us to look here.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Excellent. And it still may well be. We don't know.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59The mysterious property-hunting team are very good.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02You have got the ground floor one with the for sale sign.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07It's completely empty. It's been renovated within an inch of its life, so it's lovely.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09Low maintenance is the key.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13All the grounds are sorted out for you. It's very nice.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16There is no reason to not buy it. Really.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- So your mum will finally move out. - Yes!
0:29:19 > 0:29:24- Don't sound so happy! - And your parrots can be in there enjoying themselves.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Cockatiels! - They're all the same thing!
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- The issues have been size, really. - Mm.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- I think we've nailed it with this one.- Don't say we!
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- Oh, yeah. - Thank you! You had your go.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39I'm trying to get a bit of the glory with this one!
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Not only has the apartment been completely renovated, the management company that own the block
0:29:44 > 0:29:46are doing a full refurbishment on the outside.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51So all these shabby-looking fascias will all be refreshed,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55improved and they're going to follow the theme of these lovely manicured gardens.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59That's the standard they'll bring it up to. So it'll look great.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04You're not only going to have these wonderful gates, you'll have a flash building, as well.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09- I can't believe I might buy an apartment because of electric gates. - That's a good thing!
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- It is!- People have bought places for crazier reasons than that.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- Are you ready to go and buy an apartment with electric gates? - Yes.- Go on.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Very nice.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Oh.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Now, I wonder what room this is meant to be.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- Ah. Now, because there's no furniture in there, the confusion is obvious.- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Bedroom is what it should be.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It's a blank canvas. You could make it whatever you want.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Yeah.- It's a very good size.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- It's a blank canvas.- Very much so. The person has designed it that way.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52He had tenants in there. He stopped them and now it's on the market to be sold.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55So I would say Eileen, if she likes it, could get a deal on this.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Are you not going to say anything?
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- I'm going to let them wonder what I'm thinking. - SHE LAUGHS
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Anne-Marie, if she's got nothing nasty to say, she doesn't say very much.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10I've given too much away so far. I'll just... Hmm.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14I have managed to use Anne-Marie's skills, I've contacted what's inside her mind.
0:31:14 > 0:31:20- This is what she's thinking. What do you believe she's thinking?- Inside Anne-Marie's mind?- Yeah.- I love it.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22- Oh!- That's what she's thinking.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- OK, I'm getting a sense now. - Oh, right.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- This is the small bedroom. - Master bedroom, second bedroom.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Cupboards.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Amazing what some snazzy little handles can do to a normal wardrobe.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39I like those handles. I've never seen those before.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44They are the original 60s cupboards, but it's completely modernised them by changing the handles.
0:31:44 > 0:31:50If you've bought yourself a cheap jacket, change the buttons, it'll be lovely. Look what Jonny's done.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Bit of spare carpet,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55just in case.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00- Good storage. Would you get two single beds in here?- Erm, you could,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05- but I would be moving that radiator. - I don't think that's an option.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07You could put that under the window
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- and then you'd be able... - Unless we get the one you've been trying to talk me into,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14the guest bed with the stow-away.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Very nice plan, that, with the old bed that...
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Or she could get the old futon bed. That's the hand signal for that.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- A range of options. - Or one that comes down from the wall. She could do that.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Or one that comes up from the ground. I think I might have just invented those.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33- Wow, you've got plenty of storage, that's for certain.- Oh, yes.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- Which is a good thing.- Yeah.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42- Definitely a lot of cupboards. - You can declutter. I still have an awful lot of stuff in storage.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- Is that more?- More. - Oh, wow! That's good.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Eileen might be doing the old downsize business here,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53but she needs her storage and she has mentioned that in every house.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Storage here, covered.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00- Really very nicely done, isn't it? - How trendy is this?- Oh, wow!
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Either Anne-Marie's just looked out of the window at my outfit
0:33:03 > 0:33:06or she's referring to the kitchen.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11Let's think about this. You've got your oven, washing machine.
0:33:11 > 0:33:18- Electric hobs. - Yep. Room for dishwasher, but very limited kitchen storage.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22You would have to use the hall storage for your kitchen.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25You're never going to get a sprawling kitchen in an apartment.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Anne-Marie says that as a negative, but it's a great kitchen.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- Small but elegant, like Ronnie Corbett.- Small and perfectly formed.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Wow. You wouldn't have to do anything with this.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- Is this Ed's choice?- Yes.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42The man's got taste.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Has it only just dawned on her? Eileen, I told you that outside the house!
0:33:46 > 0:33:50- Because I was trying to squeeze in on your glory.- Yes.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Me and the mysterious property-hunting team. Thank you.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- This is good.- He's certainly done a better job than Jonny.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01SHE LAUGHS This is lovely. I do like this.
0:34:01 > 0:34:06- Is this one of these shorter baths? - Well, that suits us, doesn't it? SHE LAUGHS
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Now, I felt I could take the liberty of providing a slightly smaller bath
0:34:10 > 0:34:15because I don't think it's cruel, but Eileen could be a jockey. She is...
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Ohh! Yes!
0:34:19 > 0:34:22The furniture's going to fit in here beautifully.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26And it's so light and bright! Look at the big windows!
0:34:26 > 0:34:30This is by far the best reaction we've had to all three properties.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- It is.- And it's all Ed.- Thank you.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Hello. This is a strange sensation in many ways. It's a bit like Romeo and Juliet
0:34:40 > 0:34:45- and you're taller than us for once. - Yes.- We like this. - I feel very uncomfortable.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48OK, let's get to business. This is great, isn't it?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I'm not asking you first. Eileen, this is a great place.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55This is a lovely place. Super storage.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00- Beautifully done. Very nicely finished. - It's in excellent condition.- Yes.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- We like their taste.- Good.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Anne-Marie, what do you think? Cos you have been...- Challenging?
0:35:05 > 0:35:10Yes, the tricky one. Do you like it? In terms of size, space, what do you think?
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- What do you think I think?- I think you think it's surprisingly good.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18- I think it is.- Good! - I think it's lovely!
0:35:18 > 0:35:23- I told you! I'm in there! It's good, though, isn't it? And the room sizes are good.- Very good.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26The living space is good. It's good.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- Is the price good? That's the question.- Quite.- Brilliant.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32- You put that together nicely. So it's one-all.- It is.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36- Absolutely!- This is the decider. But before we do Guess The Price,
0:35:36 > 0:35:41you know I mentioned the maintenance company are going to be sorting out the outside?
0:35:41 > 0:35:46There are maintenance charges. So do factor this is. £1,200 per year,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- which I don't think is too bad. - No.- About standard, yes.
0:35:49 > 0:35:56They look after all the outside, you're responsible for inside your apartment. I think it's phenomenal.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- We're still not going to give you any clues as to what the price is. - No.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04£180,000 is what you want to spend at the absolute max. Who's going to go first?
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Right, 199,950.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10- Really?- Wow.- Oh-ho-ho! OK.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13I would say 185.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Come on, Eileen. You've won.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19- No!- It is...
0:36:19 > 0:36:21It is 177,500.
0:36:21 > 0:36:27- Really?- So we've all won, haven't we? - Yes!- You've lost massively, but think of the positives,
0:36:27 > 0:36:31- we've potentially found a place for your mum to live in. - Potentially.- 177,500.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Knowing everything, what do you think now?
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- I think it's a contender.- Good!
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Now, the biggest decision of your adult lives - which one to test drive?
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Rummage and ruminate over all of it and we'll see you later.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- Good luck.- Ciao. Jump out of there. You all right?- Yes, thank you.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- I'm an old man. - So, three interesting properties for them to consider.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57While they make that decision, here's a reminder for you.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02'So, will it be my choice, a ground-floor apartment in a very quiet cul-de-sac?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'It had all the basics Eileen required and a price to please everyone,
0:37:05 > 0:37:10'including the bank manager, on the market for £149,950.'
0:37:11 > 0:37:16'Or will it be our joint choice, the wildcard, this over-55s only apartment?
0:37:16 > 0:37:20'We managed to escape a slap around the face, but will it get us
0:37:20 > 0:37:23'a pat on the back? Eileen's for £179,950.'
0:37:23 > 0:37:27'Or, finally, will it be my choice, this 1960s ground-floor flat,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31'currently in the throes of external renovation? Eileen seemed happy,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34'Anne-Marie seemed happy, and I'm sure the birds would be happy,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'all for £177,500.'
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Eileen, Anne-Marie, you have chosen as your test drive vehicle my one.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48And a brilliant choice it was, too. Why have you gone for this?
0:37:48 > 0:37:52Er, predominantly because it's in such a wonderful location.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55I didn't expect to find anything in this location.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59And also because it is such a beautifully-finished apartment. It's very well done.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03You're clever to pick it. Any of the others, you'd have been a fool.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Well, it would be much easier to move in here than any of the others.
0:38:07 > 0:38:13Good news. Now, we have had our mysterious surveyor come round.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18It's not a legally-binding survey, but it's a good heads-up if you wish to buy the property.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23You have to get your own one done. There's a couple of areas he's mentioned. Jonny, deliver the news.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26OK, it's actually all pretty positive. It's quite mundane
0:38:26 > 0:38:30but it's stuff that, because it has been refurbished, you'd have to ensure
0:38:30 > 0:38:35all the guarantees and certificates were in place, particularly electrics and the windows.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38It's the FENSA certificate you want to ensure is in place,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40cos as you would've noticed from the outside,
0:38:40 > 0:38:45this is one of the few apartments that has double glazing. It stands out
0:38:45 > 0:38:47and it does lift this apartment greatly.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52Another thing, with the balcony out there, the gap in the balcony
0:38:52 > 0:38:55is currently six inches. It should be four inches,
0:38:55 > 0:39:00- because little people could... - Big heads. - Yes. So it should be four inches.
0:39:00 > 0:39:07A simple solution is to put a sheet of Perspex down, so it's still clear, problem solved.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12- Or wait until the kids' heads are too big to fit through. - Before they come.- They already are.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15That is a long time to wait. So, there is nothing wrong with it.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20- It's lovely.- Very nice.- Do you still wish to test drive it?- Yes, please.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26- We're going to leave you to do it. You're here. We'll just... - Yeah. See you later.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- Have fun.- Do whatever you want to do. See you in a bit.- Bye.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36'And today's test drive requires us to resolve a burning issue.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43'Looks like Eileen's measuring up for the dining room table.'
0:39:43 > 0:39:48- 'And Anne-Marie.'- What am I? - 'Blimey! She's teaching the kids to mind-read already!'
0:39:48 > 0:39:51- A chicken!- 'What?'
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Right, we are going to do the feet test up here,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03see whether or not... they can hear any rumbling.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06I can't hear anything.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09The biggest concern is the noise of their children.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12You can't hear much except for this one.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17'And not convinced about our concerns about the railings,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21'Bradley's putting them to the test. Call the fire brigade.'
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Keep your head out. That's it. Well done.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32So, you have spent time here, the children have left and we're now at a moment of calm.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36What do you think of the property? What did they think?
0:40:36 > 0:40:41- They loved it.- Yep. Good space. - They settled in very comfortably.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44So Bradley and Joel are giving it the thumbs-up.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48What do we all think now there's a little bit more time spent here?
0:40:48 > 0:40:55Does it work? Has the concept of no dishwasher irked you to a certain degree?
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Are there any other problems or do you like it more?
0:40:58 > 0:41:00The biggest drawback is that small kitchen.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05- Mm-hm.- Which is something that I've just escaped from
0:41:05 > 0:41:07and I don't really want to go back to.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12I think it's lovely, I think the location's perfect and I think, with all the extra storage,
0:41:12 > 0:41:17- there are ways you can make it work. - We are very near the big point
0:41:17 > 0:41:22and because we've run with the theme of trying to mind-read you throughout the programme,
0:41:22 > 0:41:27I'm now less confident. I mind-read you before this bit and I wish I could change it.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30But this is what we think you will say to the question.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35- Oh.- I've just seen what he's drawn. Should've...
0:41:35 > 0:41:41- Are we ready for the big question? Do you want to ask it, seeing as you've blown that already?- Yeah.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- Eileen, to buy or not to buy? - Not to buy.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Ed went for...- Sorry.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52- Ohh.- And I didn't realise that was what we were doing and I drew a picture of a young Jimmy Hill.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- THEY LAUGH - So I feel like a fool.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Well, now, I have "to buy-ish" which gave me some moving room.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02- I think ish is fair. - There is an ish.
0:42:02 > 0:42:08Anne-Marie, we failed. Your mum's still going to be living at your house. Can you push the ish?
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Quite. Exactly, there's a few people at home that'll have a few more words.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17- It's... - Right, this sounds like a great time for us to get out of here!
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Do really think about this. It is worth having a look round.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24From what we've looked at, this is a really good option.
0:42:24 > 0:42:30Unless you force yourself to spend more money, this is pretty good. That's a depressing end to the show.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- Have you enjoyed yourselves? - Very much.- Good.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- Wonderful.- And would you recommend us as being quite good at this?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- I'd give you a reference any day. - Fantastic.
0:42:40 > 0:42:46We're going to leave you. As you're not buying it, give it five minutes, then walk out. See you soon.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Bye.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd