0:00:02 > 0:00:04CLIP-CLOPPING
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Halt! Who goes there?
0:00:10 > 0:00:16It is I, Ed Hall, son of Mr Hall, king of the house hunt.
0:00:16 > 0:00:22I have ridden the length and breadth of this glorious country in search of hidden property gems.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24- Ridden? You're using coconuts!- So?
0:00:24 > 0:00:31I've travelled since the snows of winter covered this land, but now it is time to get back
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- in the house search saddle. Care to join me?- Any spare coconuts?
0:00:34 > 0:00:37No, sorry. We'll have to share.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40In that case, let today's crusade begin.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- It's not working out very well. - No. Let's put it down.- OK.
0:00:59 > 0:01:06As we embark on another property pilgrimage, finding your dream home isn't like the quest for the Grail.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Hear, hear. With Jonny and I as your cavalry,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13the des res of your dreams is only a short canter away.
0:01:13 > 0:01:20So, once more into the breach and let us unsheathe a bricks and mortar Excalibur from the stone.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27'Coming up: the proximity of a hot beverage could be a crucial factor.'
0:01:27 > 0:01:31We're quite keen to have local amenities, so frothy coffee...
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Everyone likes a frothy coffee.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36'Ed wings it with his local knowledge.'
0:01:36 > 0:01:42And whatever this is, which is... It doesn't say on there. Trying to do live research.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45I'll go round here...
0:01:45 > 0:01:51'But after all is said and done, which will it be?' To buy or not to buy, that is the question.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56'It's an unusual start to this morning's show, my chums,
0:01:56 > 0:02:02'as today's noble house hunters, Adam and Carly, have, in fact, already found their dream home
0:02:02 > 0:02:08'in charming Cheltenham. It's here that Carly tends to her beloved vegetable patch
0:02:08 > 0:02:12'and Adam loves to rustle up a fine frothy coffee or two.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16'But it would make a pretty rubbishy show without a property search
0:02:16 > 0:02:22'and marketing manager Carly is on the brink of being relocated with work to the outskirts of London.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26'With a forced move on the horizon, can we help lightning strike twice
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'and find them their second dream home?'
0:02:29 > 0:02:35Adam and Carly, welcome. Congratulations on making it this far. This is quite exciting, yes?
0:02:35 > 0:02:41- It is.- Very exciting. Now you are sharing your biggest cash outlay with us and the nation,
0:02:41 > 0:02:47so we are going to try to aim to make it perfect for you. You're moving from Cheltenham to where?
0:02:47 > 0:02:53- Berkhamsted.- Now you've got a pretty nice place where you've come from so this isn't an easy move to make
0:02:53 > 0:02:59- because you're leaving something quite special.- Yeah, we bought our dream house to do lots of work.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- You've done that already?- Yes. - And now you've messed it up!
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- But you know what? There are other dream houses out there.- That's it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13This makes our life easier and possibly harder. You are in your dream house currently
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- and I'm guessing you kind of want that, but round here.- Absolutely. - So describe it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22The garden's important for me. That'll probably be a big challenge.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Having a garden for barbecues and a vegetable patch.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32- So you'll pop a vegetable patch in? - It's kind of a new hobby in the last year and I quite enjoy it.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- I'd like to continue that. - It's very rewarding.- Yes!
0:03:36 > 0:03:40What is your key vegetable or salad ingredient you grow currently?
0:03:40 > 0:03:44The most successful is the lettuce. The carrots were that big.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48OK, so that's the outside space. What about internally?
0:03:48 > 0:03:54Em, two to three bedrooms would be ideal. Something with a bit of character as well.
0:03:54 > 0:04:01- We love period properties. - So currently, what period are we talking?- 1901 it was built.- 1901.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07OK, so we're liking that. For the proportions? Do you like that age or would you go older?
0:04:07 > 0:04:13- Would you ever go newer? - I think we've got to be flexible. It just needs to have a personality.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- So period features... - Tall ceilings.- Yeah.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23It is quite a challenge. You've found one dream home. To then find another is quite difficult.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28- Are you open to compromise?- Yeah. - Absolutely.- We've got to be.
0:04:28 > 0:04:35- What are the key things you can compromise on? Must it be period? - That's where we're open-minded.
0:04:35 > 0:04:41- Like I say, if the house has got personality and something we like, we'll compromise.- What personality?
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- I don't know. Something quirky... - Original features.- Yeah.
0:04:45 > 0:04:53Something out of the '60s or even a brand new build would be our idea of... It wouldn't be our ideal.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59- What about a cheeky 1960s property? - A cheeky 1960s... Well, maybe. - Be careful what you wish for!
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- You might find something you like. - We're going to a 1960s property!
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Who knows?! I'm trying to pin you down.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11No, of course not, but you want it to have some kind of character. Quirky, individual.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17- Yeah.- And you'll like it.- Yeah. - Have you looked at any other parts or has it got to be Berkhamsted?
0:05:17 > 0:05:22No, I think we're relatively flexible. It needs to be a reasonable commute to Uxbridge
0:05:22 > 0:05:26but we're quite keen to have local amenities, frothy coffee...
0:05:26 > 0:05:32- Everyone likes a frothy coffee. - Cappuccino community.- I used to scoff at that before this programme,
0:05:32 > 0:05:39- but it makes a difference.- It does. - Have you two researched the area? Any places that are favourites?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- Or places you want to avoid? - Em, no.- No, we're quite flexible.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47We don't know the area that well, so we're looking to you guys.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53- Your expertise. - Well,w e have got a legion of property hunters behind us.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59We do most of the work, but they are doing some, if not a little bit of the work.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Is there anything else you want, you need?- No, we've covered it.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- Do all that and we're doing well. - So how much have you got to spend?
0:06:08 > 0:06:14On the new dream, we said... Well, a maximum of round about 310, 315. Something along those lines.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- Brilliant. OK. 315 it is.- I've just chucked an extra £5,000 in!
0:06:19 > 0:06:25OK, you've got a budget of 315. Are we on a wild goose chase? Is that realistic? What do you think?
0:06:25 > 0:06:30We've looked online so that's where we've drawn comparisons from.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35We haven't come out to separate areas ourselves.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41- Fantastic.- Quite exciting to get out and get a feel for the areas and try to identify key places.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- Wish us luck and we're off. See you soon.- Bye!
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Today's episode could be subtitled Dream House Part 2: The Sequel.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Unfortunately with sequels, rarely are they better than the first.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Remember The Godfather? Godfather II many say is better than the first.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- Terminator II.- Well, I don't know... - I would say.- But in housing terms that's our focus today.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10I'm really focussed on doing it.It's sad they have to leave a dream home,
0:07:10 > 0:07:16- so I'm really motivated to... - Let's not make it sad.- Exactly. - In three, two, one - start the show!
0:07:16 > 0:07:23In the annals of history, Berkhamsted played an important role as the infamous terminating point
0:07:23 > 0:07:26for the Norman invasion of 1066.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30After defeating Harold II and accepting the surrender of his successor,
0:07:30 > 0:07:36it was here in Berkhamsted where William of Normandy became William the Conqueror.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41Berkhamsted today is one of the most charming market towns in Hertfordshire
0:07:41 > 0:07:47and with its chic shopping and enticing eateries it has become a popular contender
0:07:47 > 0:07:49in the capital's commuter belt.
0:07:49 > 0:07:56When it was valued in the Domesday Book of 1086, the whole town would have set you back a staggering £16.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Interestingly, £8 cheaper following the Norman invasion.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02But back in these modern ages,
0:08:02 > 0:08:10what would Adam and Carly's £315,000 budget buy them in the shadows of other castled conurbations?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14First off, north of the border beyond Edinburgh Castle
0:08:14 > 0:08:21this spacious modern detached family home sports four bedrooms, a conservatory and garden.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24All that for 280 grand.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30And only a short arrow flight from Warwick's illustrious castle, another four-bedroom detached home
0:08:30 > 0:08:34with a lush garden, conservatory and even a pond.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37It could be yours for the price of 275 grand.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Finally, just a short slingshot from Cardiff Castle to Century Wharf,
0:08:41 > 0:08:46this spectacular duplex penthouse apartment boasts stunning views,
0:08:46 > 0:08:52two double bedrooms and a lounge fit for a king. The price - £309,950.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01This is Giles, a local estate agent. Giles has local knowledge and we've just had a walk in the park.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Giles, thanks a lot.- Hi. - OK?- Not too bad.
0:09:04 > 0:09:11Behind me are the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle. It was in its day what Windsor is to our royals.
0:09:11 > 0:09:18It housed Richard III and Henry III. Edward the Black, Prince of Wales, honeymooned here
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and Geoffrey Chaucer was the castle's clerk.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- What areas could you recommend? - Well, definitely around here.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31You've also got Berkhamsted a bit further down the road, and Chesham.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36All local areas where you have good access to London, good country life.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Berkhamsted's most famous literary resident is Graham Greene.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46He attended Berkhamsted School where, incidentally, his father, Mr Greene, was the headmaster.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51His famous works include The Third Man, Our Man In Havana and The End of The Affair.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57Every year they celebrate his work at various parts around here, including Berkhamsted School!
0:09:57 > 0:10:02For their budget of £310,000-£315,000, can they expect to find a character property?
0:10:02 > 0:10:08Yeah, they will find a character property, but they'd probably be looking at terraced properties,
0:10:08 > 0:10:13two-bedroom semi-detached properties, definitely a garden.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17They will maybe get off-road parking, but more than likely not.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Many of Greene's works have gone on to be immortalised on celluloid,
0:10:25 > 0:10:30some of which can be found here at the British Film Institute's national archive.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36For over 75 years, the BFI has housed the world's largest collection of film and television.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41Here there are over 200,000 canisters.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47The BFI was generously endowed by American-born British philanthropist John Paul Getty.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53When he died in 2003, his estimated personal fortune was £1.6 billion.
0:10:53 > 0:11:00He also has helped out the British Museum, National Gallery and St Paul's Cathedral to name but a few.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06It sounds like we have as much chance of succeeding as failing with the expectations today!
0:11:06 > 0:11:13- Do you have places to look at? - Yeah, I've got a couple in mind. - Which way's the office?- That way.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- I think we've done all right today. - Yes, in theory lightning will strike four times,
0:11:19 > 0:11:25including the property of their dreams that they live in. These are three others as lovely.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Property One is in a lovely village on the outskirts of Chesham.
0:11:29 > 0:11:35It's a 19th-century cottage, semi-detached. It has all the outside space Carly is looking for
0:11:35 > 0:11:40for her vegetable patch. Internally, it is lovely. It's immaculate.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45I'm hoping it will make the sacrifice of their dream home that little bit easier to deal with.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49I also am near to Chesham. Mine's lovely. Look at that.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52That is what they want.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57That is even more of what they want and it's in the same house. It's lovely, cute, gorgeous.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- It's character of that era. I love it.- Happy days.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08The third and final property, the Wild Card, is characterful, but in a modern setting.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- It's a little bit controversial. - It is a little bit.- But gorgeous.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18- We wouldn't be the people we are if we weren't brave and this is kind of brave.- Look at this.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24- That's good.- It's in Bovingdon. We'd better get cracking. Property One?- Okey-cokey.
0:12:27 > 0:12:35Adam and Carly wanted character, which I've delivered in spades with this gorgeous cottage from 1873.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40The rural setting is idyllic and the period features are ample.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43With off-road parking and a garden, my confidence is high.
0:12:43 > 0:12:50OK, my choice, Property One. Before we get started, I think you two have been a little bit coy, OK?
0:12:50 > 0:12:54You're not really revealing to us just how heart-wrenching it must be to leave a dream home,
0:12:54 > 0:13:00so I want to make that transition as easy as possible and bring you to this lovely 19th-century cottage.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- First impressions? - I think it's really lovely.
0:13:04 > 0:13:11- It's the kind of period property we're looking for. I'm intrigued by the ram!- Yes! Any details on that?
0:13:11 > 0:13:18Yes, of course. We're halfway between Chesham and Bovingdon and not far from Hemel Hempstead
0:13:18 > 0:13:22so your main line train to Euston is not for away.
0:13:22 > 0:13:28But it's about being part of a community. You don't want to feel completely isolated.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32We've got local pubs, amenities and a fantastic looking property.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- I'm looking forward to seeing it. - Yeah, to see the inside.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43You've got your dream place you're in. Does this kind of meet the requirements? Is it quirkier?
0:13:43 > 0:13:49- No, I think it looks lovely. The parking is what you want.- Yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:56- And it looks a really well-presented property.- And the garden you're after!- I'm intrigued about the back.
0:13:56 > 0:14:02- Are you fans of film?- Yes.- We are. - They have a film club in this village. Did you know?- We didn't.
0:14:02 > 0:14:08- For £10, you can have fish and chips with your film.- Ah!- There you go. The gift that keeps on giving.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Three, two, one, get in that house.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Let's go.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Oh, wow.
0:14:24 > 0:14:30- It's nice. We've got an open fireplace, so you'll be very happy with that.- Yeah.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Actually, I like the colour. I wouldn't change it. Really nice.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Great start from Carly. A "wow" and a "nice". Excellent.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Oh, nice.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- We've got the kitchen overlooking the garden. Good.- Fantastic.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- And space for table and chairs. - All your cooking. Really good.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54It's light as well, isn't it? The other room was light.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Yeah, really light. Nice with the back door as well.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05They are loving it. It doesn't matter about bedrooms. What it's got downstairs packs a punch.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07It's punched them in a lovely way.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12- And upstairs... Quite a nice open-plan bit.- Yeah.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Big.
0:15:15 > 0:15:22- So I guess this is one of the bedrooms. It's quite a good size for a double.- Definitely a good size.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26And the wardrobes are good for any space issues.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31And again quite a good outlook over the front garden. Pretty.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35It's deceiving. This wardrobe space probably makes it feel smaller.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Ah, so we've got the bathroom here.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43That's good. A full-size bath. And a shower, which is nice.
0:15:43 > 0:15:50- Actually, it's quite a good size again. Got everything you need. It's not crammed in.- Not at all.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And it's overlooking the garden, but nice and private.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- So this is the final room. - Second bedroom.- Cute little room.
0:15:58 > 0:16:05- No, it's very nice and I suppose without the cot we could get... - It would have to be a futon.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- A futon or a single bed.- You've got to be able to work in here, so probably a futon
0:16:10 > 0:16:16- and a desk and you've got the side of the house. - Plenty of room for deskspace.- Yeah.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21It's the perfect second bedroom. Ideal for guests, doubles as a study. Perfect.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26I wish Adam had done some financial advising to see if the room could take it. Some rooms can't.
0:16:26 > 0:16:33- Financial advising?- They just can't take it.- I think this one has the capacity to handle that.- I hope so.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- You'd probably be all right here. A futon for when people came to stay.- Definitely.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47OK, Carly, Adam, bearing in mind the closer to the city the more compromises, what did you think?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51It was good. It looked bigger from the outside than it was inside.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- It was deceptively unspacious?- Yeah!
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- To put it in a few words, yeah. - It was a reverse TARDIS!- That's it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- "This is...smaller!"- We haven't seen one of those in a while.- Never.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07From a period style, and the garden, it really ticks the boxes,
0:17:07 > 0:17:12but for a living space, I think there's nowhere to really eat...
0:17:12 > 0:17:18- It's the entertaining. We do like our friends round.- If you're watching your weight, it's perfect.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24- The kitchen's a good size.- You are coming from a four-bedroom house, aren't you?- We are.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30- And you're not expecting to replicate that here, are you? - No, we know we have to compromise.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35It's just a bit of an eye-opener. We need to take that on board.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- Are you wondering how much a two-bedroom cottage costs here? - Absolutely.
0:17:40 > 0:17:47- Why don't we play a game?- Come on. We have a maximum budget of around 315.- Mm-hm.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50So what do you think it's on the market for and who'll go first?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- Will I go?- OK, Carly, step up! What do you think?
0:17:54 > 0:17:58I think it's on for...290.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00290 on the nose. Adam?
0:18:00 > 0:18:05I was thinking around the same, but I'll go for slightly under that. I'll go for 285.
0:18:05 > 0:18:11You fool! You have won, Carly. Well done. It's on the market for just shy of 300.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- It's £299,950.- Right. - What do you think of the price versus the space you get?
0:18:16 > 0:18:23It's a lot for us to consider. Like I say, it ticks the boxes for period property, beautiful setting.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29- We really need to think about what space we need.- Are you starting to get the feeling that this move
0:18:29 > 0:18:35- will necessitate a downsize? - Absolutely.- Yeah.- I think this is probably the lesson for us.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41It's such a beautiful house. We need to bear in mind that we are going to move to somewhere smaller.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46- Property Two is even smaller. - Well...with the concept of downsize ringing in your ears,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49let's go to Property Two and see if it is that.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Well, viewers, feast your eyes on my gorgeous Property Two.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01Character and charm? Check. Exposed beams and original features? Check.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06Three bedrooms? Check. Off-road parking and a split-level garden? Check.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- Oh, yes, Adam and Carly, it could be time to write out a...- Don't say it. - ..cheque.
0:19:11 > 0:19:17- Carly and Adam, have you got any idea where you are? - Not a Scooby Doo!
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- Early on you mentioned the frothy cappuccino factor.- Yes.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26That's up there two miles in Chesham. It's on the Metropolitan Line and it's nice.
0:19:26 > 0:19:32We've always enjoyed it. Chesham's good. You've got your lifestyle there, restaurants.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34The posh part, Chesham Bois.
0:19:34 > 0:19:41But this will be where you'll be living. This is not a reverse TARDIS, but a TARDIS.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47- Right.- Which hopefully would be good news cos it looks quite small from the front.- Yes.- Yes.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- So character, quirky, loveliness - has it got it?- It's got it.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- Yeah.- Got it?- The period features. It's a really pretty little cottage.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00It has that quintessential English look, roses climbing up the front.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05So do we feel that we're scaling down our dreams in any way here?
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- Let's look inside. - Good! Always reserve judgment!
0:20:09 > 0:20:15I was on a roll there and maybe taking it a bit far, looking at the white wall outside.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21- How tall are you?- Six...two. - OK, just mind your bonce in there. - Mind the head.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27- You won't have to crawl, but you might have to duck. Are you ready? - Yes.- Cappuccino is up the road.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33- There's a pub down there. And if you want it, there's extra parking round there.- Fantastic.- Go!
0:20:39 > 0:20:45- Ah, this is nice. It's quite a wide hallway, actually.- It is, yeah. - Which is brilliant.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- It is bigger than we thought. - Look at the beams. They're nice.
0:20:49 > 0:20:56The one thing this place has is an entrance hall. You don't realise you need them until you don't have one.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01- Again, the beams. I like the beams. - It's bigger than I thought. - You just have to duck!
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- The fireplace is fantastic.- Yeah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- A really nice feature.- Very nice.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- Lots of open fires. I can imagine enjoying that.- We would.
0:21:10 > 0:21:16- It is a gorgeous fireplace.- It is. The amount of marshmallows that will be toasted in front of that.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Unimaginable.- Lots?- I think you'd break into the thousands.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25We eat 20 million ducks a year in this country, so imagine how many marshmallows we consume.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31- Ah, you'll be happy with this. - Oh, yes.- Nice and big.- Yeah. - Oh, fantastic.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37- It's surprising.- It's really good. You've got somewhere to eat and dine and have people here.
0:21:37 > 0:21:44- Plenty big enough.- You've probably got enough work surface. You've got room for a dishwasher here.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- It's a superb kitchen diner. - A belter.- That is the entertaining space they were after.- Yes.
0:21:49 > 0:21:56- Really good.- Nice with the skylights as well.- I hadn't even seen them! - Again, it's a small cottage,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- but it's very light.- I'm pleasantly surprised at how big it is in here.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04They could have gone a bit more than, "I'm pleasantly surprised."
0:22:04 > 0:22:09- I told them!- It's the big reveal, that.- I told them it'd be good!
0:22:09 > 0:22:11OK.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- That's actually... There's a few rooms up here. Go into this one? - Yeah.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20This is a nice double room. I'm quite impressed with the space.
0:22:20 > 0:22:27- Double bed and your full-on wardrobe.- It's the way it recesses back into it, round the chimney,
0:22:27 > 0:22:33- so you can fit wardrobes in there. And it's tall, tall ceilings. - And the beams with the character.
0:22:33 > 0:22:41- It's really nice.- Nice. - And looking out towards the fields, which is a lovely view, really nice.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- They're happy with the size. - They should be.- Carly pointed out that the wall has character!- Well!
0:22:46 > 0:22:50The whole place is screaming character at you.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- Ah, it's another bedroom.- Yeah. - Which is quite big.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Yeah, it's fine. It's fine for... - An office?- Fine for an office.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04- I don't think we'd get it as a double bedroom.- So not a spare room, but as an office it would be good.
0:23:04 > 0:23:11- The low ceilings haven't fazed Adam too much.- No.- He's taken it on the chin.- If he was knocked unconscious,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13he could have been rendered dumb!
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Ah, the bathroom. Oh.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- It's cosy.- Yeah.- Come through.
0:23:22 > 0:23:28- Well...- It's got everything you need. I mean, ideally, I'd like it to be bigger,
0:23:28 > 0:23:33but it ticks the boxes and again the character is coming through.
0:23:33 > 0:23:39- OK, so final room. Another nice... A deceivingly bigger room than you'd think!- Yeah.
0:23:39 > 0:23:45- This one could fit a double. - With a nice view of the garden, which is great.- And storage.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- This could be a wardrobe. - Good point. A built-in cupboard.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55- Ed's choice is deceiving.- It is. - It looks smaller, but is bigger on the inside.
0:23:55 > 0:24:01- A bit of an opposite to the first one.- I wonder price-wise if it's more or still within our budget.
0:24:01 > 0:24:08- So there's jeopardy.- Mm.- They are believing me that it's a TARDIS, but they think it's an expensive one.
0:24:11 > 0:24:17Now, I said it was TARDIS-like and you looked at me with questioning eyes. It's kind of, isn't it?
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- It is.- Absolutely.
0:24:19 > 0:24:26So, size-wise, we were concerned that we were doing too much of a downsize coming round these parts.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32- Is this enough space for you? - Yeah, this one ticks the boxes, more so than Property One.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37- The three bedrooms.- I'm right here when you're saying that.- Sorry.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42- Ed's choice is the best one. - If it's true, it's true. And it's true.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46OK, so space-wise we're kind of happy. Now character-wise?
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- Plenty.- Lots of character features. - You nearly hit your head.- I did.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56- It was that packed full of character.- Yes.- The fireplace in particular was very nice.- Really.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02And this out the back - the kitchen, dining room space was a lot bigger than anticipated.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06That extension off the back of the kitchen opens out that room.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- Does that give you entertaining space?- Absolutely.- Definitely.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15- That's the real difference. You can see us having people round.- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- And then upstairs you've got an office and a spare room.- That's it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24It's important, if we can, to separate the office and spare room. It ticks the boxes.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30If I could convince you that you're not that far away from civilisation, you could almost be sold, maybe.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36- Absolutely.- Yeah.- OK, shall we go to the next part of the programme? Everyone loves to play this at home.
0:25:36 > 0:25:43- It's guess the price time. - Now you mentioned with some fear in your voice that because it's bigger,
0:25:43 > 0:25:48- how would that affect the price? Do you want to go first? - You can go first this time.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Em, right. If I'm comparing it to Property One,
0:25:52 > 0:25:59the fact that it's on a fairly busy road will affect it, but the space is a lot bigger.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03So we've got to go for... A similar price. About 295.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- 295, OK. - And I'll go with 300.- 300.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12We were playing with a maximum budget of £315,000.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Carly, you are on the money. It is £300,000.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20- So who won last time?- Me. - Oh, you've blown it!
0:26:20 > 0:26:23You've ruined the competition. Adam, you were terrible!
0:26:23 > 0:26:28- Heavens to Betsy!- Never mind. - Everyone's favourite part is the Wildcard.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34"Could it be any better than this?" I hear you cry. What do you think it might be?
0:26:34 > 0:26:38I've got no idea. I've got no idea. I'm keeping...
0:26:38 > 0:26:44- I'm keeping my thoughts closed on that.- OK.- We could go anywhere with this Wildcard.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49- Let's go there now. - It's this way. Follow us.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Finally, our wildcard is found in the lovely village of Bovingdon,
0:26:54 > 0:27:00a stunning cottage which is actually a near-new extension of the original cottages that date from the 1800s.
0:27:00 > 0:27:07Built in 2006, it sympathetically adjoins the period buildings, but finished to a high modern standard.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11But will Adam and Carly be able to see beyond the vintage facade?
0:27:12 > 0:27:15OK, here we are at the Wildcard.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19We might have been a little bit rural with the first properties,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23so we've brought you to Bovingdon. First impressions, what do you think?
0:27:23 > 0:27:29- Fantastic.- Really nice and we feel like we're in the heart of the village. It looks nice.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34- It's really nice. - Plenty of room for cars as well. - This is where cars love to live.
0:27:34 > 0:27:40I spoke to the vendor's partner and he was telling me that cappuccino central is just down the road.
0:27:40 > 0:27:46- Fantastic.- The sound of frothing can be heard from around 8am. - Weekends are sorted!
0:27:46 > 0:27:52The great thing about this property is that it is modern. OK? It's just under four years old.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58I know you didn't want that, but it's been tacked on to a row of cottages
0:27:58 > 0:28:03that originally date back to the 1800s. So you get all the benefits of a new build,
0:28:03 > 0:28:09- but with all the facade and feel of an old property. Is that OK? - Yeah. You wouldn't tell.
0:28:09 > 0:28:15And because it's not lots of new houses, it looks like it's got character, which we wanted.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- So you are happy with the location? - Absolutely.- Appearance?- Yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Go and have a look round. - Good luck!
0:28:22 > 0:28:29- I feel nervous because I feel we're the closest we've been today. - Get this right and we can go home.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37- Here we go. It's quite a nice big hall.- Yeah.
0:28:37 > 0:28:43- I guess that's a cupboard, which is useful.- Golf bag! - Space for the golf clubs already!
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- That's good for coats and stuff. - Fantastic.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Now what have we got here?
0:28:49 > 0:28:54Ah, actually, this is fantastic. A downstairs loo and shower.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59- I never expected that.- That surprised me. A full-on wet room.
0:28:59 > 0:29:05- Everybody loves a full-on wet room. - A sexy wet room!- Builders will not build them upstairs
0:29:05 > 0:29:12because they don't like doing them, but they've done it downstairs as you can't leak onto anything.
0:29:12 > 0:29:19- Ah, it's surprised me how big it is. - Yeah.- This is a lovely big room. - And space for the dining room table.
0:29:19 > 0:29:25Yeah. And then you've got your French doors out to the garden. No, this is really nice.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31- It's strange. We've not been looking at new builds and all of a sudden you can see...- A better layout.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35You can just move in. It's got more space.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40Oh, my goodness gracious me. You take a radical gamble and it only pays off!
0:29:40 > 0:29:46- "We want character." Then we show them a new build... - Potentially, they can be converted!
0:29:46 > 0:29:51And the garden looks not huge, but probably all you need.
0:29:51 > 0:29:58If you look over this back fence, what you can see there is an extra parking space now.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02But they could be radical and include that into the rear garden,
0:30:02 > 0:30:08- thus increasing the space for an ideal allotment.- I can only see a fence. They've seen more.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's the magic of TV. Incredible.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16OK, this is actually slightly bigger than I'd think it would be.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21- Yeah, it looks bigger than it did on the outside.- And they've got the washing machine and dryer.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27- They've got everything.- Yeah. - And all nice and new and tasteful.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32- Just no work needed.- It's a decent space. Not huge, but a decent space.
0:30:32 > 0:30:38- Thus far, the Wildcard is going fantastically well. Only one thing can ruin it?- What?- A poor upstairs.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40It isn't a poor upstairs.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- Oh, actually...- Upstairs bathroom. - Nice. A big family bathroom.
0:30:45 > 0:30:51- There you go. The shower downstairs is an extra shower, not the only shower.- Good.
0:30:51 > 0:30:58Hotel standard upstairs and downstairs in the washing facilities of these places. Beautiful, lovely.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05- Right, so we've got a double bedroom here.- I guess this is the master bedroom.- I'm not sure.
0:31:05 > 0:31:11I suddenly thought there was no wardrobe, but it looks here... There we go.
0:31:12 > 0:31:19- Ah, fantastic. So actually it's got plenty of storage. Your wardrobe... - YOUR wardrobe.- My wardrobe.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22I don't know where I'm going to go, but it's big enough for yours.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27- They're having a great time here. - That's what they were after.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30It's only confirmed now that they should have looked at new builds!
0:31:31 > 0:31:38- OK, another bedroom, which could either be your office...- Yeah. - ..or a spare room.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I think that's the answer. That would have been the master bedroom.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- Second bedroom... - The wardrobes are great,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50but you wouldn't be able to get a double bed,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54so I'm hoping the next room is slightly bigger.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55OK.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- OK, actually it is bigger. - Yes!
0:32:00 > 0:32:06- So that would be the office.- "Yes!" - I'm quite relieved.- We could easily get a double bed in here.
0:32:06 > 0:32:13- Even where the single is now. The Wildcard has come through. - And a new build! Now for the price.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Considering you started the day wanting an olde worlde house,
0:32:20 > 0:32:26- this modern property seems to have ticked a few boxes.- It has. It's swayed us a little bit.- I know.
0:32:26 > 0:32:32It's taken us by surprise. From the outside, it's an old house. Inside is a good, practical layout
0:32:32 > 0:32:38- and more space than the older properties.- You see? It's the power of television, isn't it?
0:32:38 > 0:32:42You like it. We're in the back garden. Is it big enough?
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Er, we'd like it bigger in an ideal world, but it's fine.
0:32:46 > 0:32:52- It's fine for entertaining. - That was the only thing that was a slight negative in there,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56- but only a whiff of a negative. - Only slightly.
0:32:56 > 0:33:03- There's also the extra space out the back, which could be incorporated, so it's good.- OK.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08If we looked at the boundaries, potentially you could incorporate it
0:33:08 > 0:33:14- and increase the size of your yard. - Guessing the price time now. Maximum budget of...315.
0:33:14 > 0:33:20I will give you a clue. This is intriguingly priced. That's all I'm saying.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- Guess the price has been ruined. - I've won!- You're 2-0 up.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- So...- I'll let you go first. - Just to get it out the way.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34For the location as well, which is fantastic, I think it's going to be...
0:33:34 > 0:33:36I'm going to go for...310.
0:33:36 > 0:33:42- 310, OK. You've not taken any of my intriguingly-priced information... - OK, I'll go for £310,300.
0:33:42 > 0:33:48- Good!- Now you're playing the game. - I'm going to go for £307,333.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50That would be ridiculously priced!
0:33:50 > 0:33:56- OK, it's £307,333 versus £310,300.- 300.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58- Right.- She took it a little too far.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04OK, it's intriguingly priced a little beyond your budget. It's on the market for £324,450,
0:34:04 > 0:34:10- which is quite an unusual number. - It is. You've won, Adam, so there's dignity.
0:34:10 > 0:34:16- Yeah.- What do you think? - Well, it is above our budget, but compared to the others...
0:34:16 > 0:34:22Comparing it to the others, we thought it would be more and the location is fantastic.
0:34:22 > 0:34:28This has been a fact-finding mission, identifying areas, getting an idea of what size you can get
0:34:28 > 0:34:32for the budget you've got available. Very interesting.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37You are at the point where you go and make the biggest decision of your adult lives.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Excited and yet a little bit nervous?- Absolutely.- We are.
0:34:41 > 0:34:47We've got a team of people preparing coffees round the back there and cakes and everything.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51- It's going to be lovely, but do make a decision.- OK.- Good luck, and go!
0:34:51 > 0:34:57Well, there we go. Here's a reminder of all three lovely cottages for you at home.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02The character features were in abundance at my church cottage,
0:35:02 > 0:35:09but with only two bedrooms, its size was brought into question. They liked it, but was it enough?
0:35:13 > 0:35:19And my gorgeous terraced cottage flexed character galore, but unlike Jonny's mine also boasted
0:35:19 > 0:35:23three bedrooms and a terraced garden worthy of any vegetable patch.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31If tradition states that everyone loves the Wildcard, then Adam and Carly are traditional folks
0:35:31 > 0:35:37- as they certainly did.- Now converted to the idea of modern living, this amazing new build
0:35:37 > 0:35:40proved to be a star and only slightly over-budget.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53Carly and Adam, you've chosen to test drive the Wildcard!
0:35:53 > 0:35:57As fans of the show, you'll be aware that everyone test drives the Wildcard,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00but it's not just that reason alone?
0:36:00 > 0:36:04- No.- Why have you picked this beauty? - I think the location.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10Yeah, the location sold it to us. And the room for the cars. Although it's a new build,
0:36:10 > 0:36:15it's done very much in an old style, which is good. It has character.
0:36:15 > 0:36:21I didn't want to say you'd wasted half of our day on older properties! This is lovely.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25It was really good for us to see that a new build can look old
0:36:25 > 0:36:30and it's more functional, has more space, the downstairs loo. It offers much more.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Okey-cokey. Now we have had our surveyor come by and give it a once over.
0:36:35 > 0:36:43It is not a legally-binding survey, so if you do want a survey you can't use our one.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48- You can't save us any money. - No, but we could on haggling.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- Right.- Are you ready? Prepared? Here's the news.
0:36:52 > 0:36:59OK, so lovely tree in the front garden, looks fantastic, but trees can spell danger
0:36:59 > 0:37:05because of their proximity to houses. But because this is a new build, it's not such a problem.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10Building Control will have established where the roots were going and if it would impact.
0:37:10 > 0:37:16Either a root barrier will have been established or the footings will go down deep enough
0:37:16 > 0:37:20to negate any foreseeable problems. That's something to double check,
0:37:20 > 0:37:27- but that is the expectation to have allowed them to build a new house this close to a tree.- Right.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31You want to keep monitoring your tree and enjoying it thoroughly.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35You could make it a Christmas tree at Christmas.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- It would give the neighbourhood a nice lift.- Yes.
0:37:39 > 0:37:45It is only four years old, so still has its NHBC with six years left on that,
0:37:45 > 0:37:51- so anything that does occur, you're sorted.- Great.- And being modern it's all energy-efficient.
0:37:51 > 0:37:57- If you wrap it in fairy lights, you'd negate the savings you're making!- That IS a negative,
0:37:57 > 0:38:03but think of the smiles you might generate. What's a smile worth? It's priceless.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Three, two, one, get in that house. - OK.- Thanks.
0:38:06 > 0:38:12OK, I am going to go and meet the folk of Bovingdon and see if they would like fairy lights.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15I'll check out the frothy coffee.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22So let's see just how much they love that downstairs wet room.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26- All nice and tiled. - I like that.- Oh, yes.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Towel rail is great. Extractor as well!
0:38:30 > 0:38:36Quite a lot, then. But luckily there's so much more to this beauty than water features.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38A shelf...
0:38:38 > 0:38:44And just time for a quick brew before exploring the potential for making a bigger garden.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48You and Jonny were talking about extending the garden into this area.
0:38:48 > 0:38:53- Even if you could only extend it to here, it would make a big difference.- It would.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57If you were putting a conservatory in, it opens up the garden.
0:38:57 > 0:39:04The village of Bovingdon proved a major draw for them and I see why so I think I'll explore with them.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08- Babyccino. That sucked me in. - Free babyccinos.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13- What else have we found? - Whoopee cakes.- Whoopee cakes.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17- And local carrots. - That are bigger than yours.- Yes.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- And steak, ostrich burgers.- Yeah.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23And whatever this is. Which is a... It doesn't say.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28Trying to do live research. I'll go round here.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31I think there was a well under there once.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- I'd never heard of Bovingdon! - I know.
0:39:34 > 0:39:40- Thank goodness Ed has gone and Adam and Carly can enjoy village life in peace.- Post Office.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45- That's the old bank, restaurants... - Curry house.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- Butcher's.- You name it. And frothy coffee in the cafe.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54Do you know, Jonny? I don't know what more they could possibly want.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59This area has definitely got the thumbs up.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04The area has indeed, but will the Wildcard get thumbs up as well?
0:40:08 > 0:40:14Carly, Adam, you liked the house, but location was the major consideration. Is it what you want?
0:40:14 > 0:40:20- Yeah.- Definitely.- I think the butcher's shop was the thing for you!- Cafes, pubs...
0:40:20 > 0:40:26It's lovely. We have enjoyed it as a trio and they are thinking of inviting me to live here.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- The three of you? - We've done it all.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- I was in the coffee shop. - We didn't see him.- No.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- You never tried to call him.- No.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40We did look, but couldn't find you. But there are cupcake making facilities,
0:40:40 > 0:40:45if you want an ostrich burger... There's everything.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49- And carrots are much bigger than mine.- Did you get any tips?
0:40:49 > 0:40:55- No, I just decided I'd buy them. - That will mesh you into the community in a lovely way.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00- We love the place.- So the three of you have had a great time.- Yeah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04We really have. I've picked my bedroom out. It's up the stairs.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10- Just got to square that with the wife and child. It's a lovely area. - How will that go?- Not very well!
0:41:10 > 0:41:13So we've got carried away with that.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- The thing is it's nice.- Yes. - And it's a great place.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22If we could take you back to the start and you had said what you wanted to look for,
0:41:22 > 0:41:28- would you have maybe thought about mentioning new builds?- We may have contradicted ourselves now.
0:41:28 > 0:41:35- What seems the most important thing about the move at the moment? - I think the location's taken over.
0:41:35 > 0:41:40Although this is new build, it's got old features outside.
0:41:40 > 0:41:46And it's a great use of space, but the location is probably more of a driving force
0:41:46 > 0:41:52- than the house.- We've heard that about location.- We have. Often mentioned on other programmes.
0:41:52 > 0:41:58- Less said about that the better. - Well, yeah.- They haven't got a Wildcard on that show!- Exactly.
0:41:58 > 0:42:05This is where you want to come. So the location is spot on, house is good, it's got commutability.
0:42:05 > 0:42:12- So one question...- Here it comes. Are you ready? I bet you never thought this would happen.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16- To buy or not to buy? - I think we're going to buy.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Get in!
0:42:18 > 0:42:25- We're happy.- This is radical. If we could wind ourselves back, that was never going to happen.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30- No, it surprised us.- We've been on a learning curve.- It's been emotional.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35- A journey of discovery.- I think you'll fit very well into here.
0:42:35 > 0:42:41Congratulations to you. Let us know if you buy it and I'll do the cupcake lessons with you.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46- Good luck with the sale of your own place.- And we will see you soon.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd