Berkhamstead To Buy or Not to Buy

CLIP-CLOPPING

Halt! Who goes there?

It is I, Ed Hall, son of Mr Hall, king of the house hunt.

I have ridden the length and breadth of this glorious country in search of hidden property gems.

-Ridden? You're using coconuts!

-So?

I've travelled since the snows of winter covered this land, but now it is time to get back

-in the house search saddle. Care to join me?

-Any spare coconuts?

No, sorry. We'll have to share.

In that case, let today's crusade begin.

-It's not working out very well.

-No. Let's put it down.

-OK.

As we embark on another property pilgrimage, finding your dream home isn't like the quest for the Grail.

Hear, hear. With Jonny and I as your cavalry,

the des res of your dreams is only a short canter away.

So, once more into the breach and let us unsheathe a bricks and mortar Excalibur from the stone.

'Coming up: the proximity of a hot beverage could be a crucial factor.'

We're quite keen to have local amenities, so frothy coffee...

Everyone likes a frothy coffee.

'Ed wings it with his local knowledge.'

And whatever this is, which is... It doesn't say on there. Trying to do live research.

I'll go round here...

'But after all is said and done, which will it be?' To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

'It's an unusual start to this morning's show, my chums,

'as today's noble house hunters, Adam and Carly, have, in fact, already found their dream home

'in charming Cheltenham. It's here that Carly tends to her beloved vegetable patch

'and Adam loves to rustle up a fine frothy coffee or two.

'But it would make a pretty rubbishy show without a property search

'and marketing manager Carly is on the brink of being relocated with work to the outskirts of London.

'With a forced move on the horizon, can we help lightning strike twice

'and find them their second dream home?'

Adam and Carly, welcome. Congratulations on making it this far. This is quite exciting, yes?

-It is.

-Very exciting. Now you are sharing your biggest cash outlay with us and the nation,

so we are going to try to aim to make it perfect for you. You're moving from Cheltenham to where?

-Berkhamsted.

-Now you've got a pretty nice place where you've come from so this isn't an easy move to make

-because you're leaving something quite special.

-Yeah, we bought our dream house to do lots of work.

-You've done that already?

-Yes.

-And now you've messed it up!

-But you know what? There are other dream houses out there.

-That's it.

This makes our life easier and possibly harder. You are in your dream house currently

-and I'm guessing you kind of want that, but round here.

-Absolutely.

-So describe it.

The garden's important for me. That'll probably be a big challenge.

Having a garden for barbecues and a vegetable patch.

-So you'll pop a vegetable patch in?

-It's kind of a new hobby in the last year and I quite enjoy it.

-I'd like to continue that.

-It's very rewarding.

-Yes!

What is your key vegetable or salad ingredient you grow currently?

The most successful is the lettuce. The carrots were that big.

OK, so that's the outside space. What about internally?

Em, two to three bedrooms would be ideal. Something with a bit of character as well.

-We love period properties.

-So currently, what period are we talking?

-1901 it was built.

-1901.

OK, so we're liking that. For the proportions? Do you like that age or would you go older?

-Would you ever go newer?

-I think we've got to be flexible. It just needs to have a personality.

-So period features...

-Tall ceilings.

-Yeah.

It is quite a challenge. You've found one dream home. To then find another is quite difficult.

-Are you open to compromise?

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-We've got to be.

-What are the key things you can compromise on? Must it be period?

-That's where we're open-minded.

-Like I say, if the house has got personality and something we like, we'll compromise.

-What personality?

-I don't know. Something quirky...

-Original features.

-Yeah.

Something out of the '60s or even a brand new build would be our idea of... It wouldn't be our ideal.

-What about a cheeky 1960s property?

-A cheeky 1960s... Well, maybe.

-Be careful what you wish for!

-You might find something you like.

-We're going to a 1960s property!

Who knows?! I'm trying to pin you down.

No, of course not, but you want it to have some kind of character. Quirky, individual.

-Yeah.

-And you'll like it.

-Yeah.

-Have you looked at any other parts or has it got to be Berkhamsted?

No, I think we're relatively flexible. It needs to be a reasonable commute to Uxbridge

but we're quite keen to have local amenities, frothy coffee...

-Everyone likes a frothy coffee.

-Cappuccino community.

-I used to scoff at that before this programme,

-but it makes a difference.

-It does.

-Have you two researched the area? Any places that are favourites?

-Or places you want to avoid?

-Em, no.

-No, we're quite flexible.

We don't know the area that well, so we're looking to you guys.

-Your expertise.

-Well,w e have got a legion of property hunters behind us.

We do most of the work, but they are doing some, if not a little bit of the work.

-Is there anything else you want, you need?

-No, we've covered it.

-Do all that and we're doing well.

-So how much have you got to spend?

On the new dream, we said... Well, a maximum of round about 310, 315. Something along those lines.

-Brilliant. OK. 315 it is.

-I've just chucked an extra £5,000 in!

OK, you've got a budget of 315. Are we on a wild goose chase? Is that realistic? What do you think?

We've looked online so that's where we've drawn comparisons from.

We haven't come out to separate areas ourselves.

-Fantastic.

-Quite exciting to get out and get a feel for the areas and try to identify key places.

-Wish us luck and we're off. See you soon.

-Bye!

Today's episode could be subtitled Dream House Part 2: The Sequel.

Unfortunately with sequels, rarely are they better than the first.

Remember The Godfather? Godfather II many say is better than the first.

-Terminator II.

-Well, I don't know...

-I would say.

-But in housing terms that's our focus today.

I'm really focussed on doing it.It's sad they have to leave a dream home,

-so I'm really motivated to...

-Let's not make it sad.

-Exactly.

-In three, two, one - start the show!

In the annals of history, Berkhamsted played an important role as the infamous terminating point

for the Norman invasion of 1066.

After defeating Harold II and accepting the surrender of his successor,

it was here in Berkhamsted where William of Normandy became William the Conqueror.

Berkhamsted today is one of the most charming market towns in Hertfordshire

and with its chic shopping and enticing eateries it has become a popular contender

in the capital's commuter belt.

When it was valued in the Domesday Book of 1086, the whole town would have set you back a staggering £16.

Interestingly, £8 cheaper following the Norman invasion.

But back in these modern ages,

what would Adam and Carly's £315,000 budget buy them in the shadows of other castled conurbations?

First off, north of the border beyond Edinburgh Castle

this spacious modern detached family home sports four bedrooms, a conservatory and garden.

All that for 280 grand.

And only a short arrow flight from Warwick's illustrious castle, another four-bedroom detached home

with a lush garden, conservatory and even a pond.

It could be yours for the price of 275 grand.

Finally, just a short slingshot from Cardiff Castle to Century Wharf,

this spectacular duplex penthouse apartment boasts stunning views,

two double bedrooms and a lounge fit for a king. The price - £309,950.

This is Giles, a local estate agent. Giles has local knowledge and we've just had a walk in the park.

-Giles, thanks a lot.

-Hi.

-OK?

-Not too bad.

Behind me are the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle. It was in its day what Windsor is to our royals.

It housed Richard III and Henry III. Edward the Black, Prince of Wales, honeymooned here

and Geoffrey Chaucer was the castle's clerk.

-What areas could you recommend?

-Well, definitely around here.

You've also got Berkhamsted a bit further down the road, and Chesham.

All local areas where you have good access to London, good country life.

Berkhamsted's most famous literary resident is Graham Greene.

He attended Berkhamsted School where, incidentally, his father, Mr Greene, was the headmaster.

His famous works include The Third Man, Our Man In Havana and The End of The Affair.

Every year they celebrate his work at various parts around here, including Berkhamsted School!

For their budget of £310,000-£315,000, can they expect to find a character property?

Yeah, they will find a character property, but they'd probably be looking at terraced properties,

two-bedroom semi-detached properties, definitely a garden.

They will maybe get off-road parking, but more than likely not.

Many of Greene's works have gone on to be immortalised on celluloid,

some of which can be found here at the British Film Institute's national archive.

For over 75 years, the BFI has housed the world's largest collection of film and television.

Here there are over 200,000 canisters.

The BFI was generously endowed by American-born British philanthropist John Paul Getty.

When he died in 2003, his estimated personal fortune was £1.6 billion.

He also has helped out the British Museum, National Gallery and St Paul's Cathedral to name but a few.

It sounds like we have as much chance of succeeding as failing with the expectations today!

-Do you have places to look at?

-Yeah, I've got a couple in mind.

-Which way's the office?

-That way.

-I think we've done all right today.

-Yes, in theory lightning will strike four times,

including the property of their dreams that they live in. These are three others as lovely.

Property One is in a lovely village on the outskirts of Chesham.

It's a 19th-century cottage, semi-detached. It has all the outside space Carly is looking for

for her vegetable patch. Internally, it is lovely. It's immaculate.

I'm hoping it will make the sacrifice of their dream home that little bit easier to deal with.

I also am near to Chesham. Mine's lovely. Look at that.

That is what they want.

That is even more of what they want and it's in the same house. It's lovely, cute, gorgeous.

-It's character of that era. I love it.

-Happy days.

The third and final property, the Wild Card, is characterful, but in a modern setting.

-It's a little bit controversial.

-It is a little bit.

-But gorgeous.

-We wouldn't be the people we are if we weren't brave and this is kind of brave.

-Look at this.

-That's good.

-It's in Bovingdon. We'd better get cracking. Property One?

-Okey-cokey.

Adam and Carly wanted character, which I've delivered in spades with this gorgeous cottage from 1873.

The rural setting is idyllic and the period features are ample.

With off-road parking and a garden, my confidence is high.

OK, my choice, Property One. Before we get started, I think you two have been a little bit coy, OK?

You're not really revealing to us just how heart-wrenching it must be to leave a dream home,

so I want to make that transition as easy as possible and bring you to this lovely 19th-century cottage.

-First impressions?

-I think it's really lovely.

-It's the kind of period property we're looking for. I'm intrigued by the ram!

-Yes! Any details on that?

Yes, of course. We're halfway between Chesham and Bovingdon and not far from Hemel Hempstead

so your main line train to Euston is not for away.

But it's about being part of a community. You don't want to feel completely isolated.

We've got local pubs, amenities and a fantastic looking property.

-I'm looking forward to seeing it.

-Yeah, to see the inside.

You've got your dream place you're in. Does this kind of meet the requirements? Is it quirkier?

-No, I think it looks lovely. The parking is what you want.

-Yeah.

-And it looks a really well-presented property.

-And the garden you're after!

-I'm intrigued about the back.

-Are you fans of film?

-Yes.

-We are.

-They have a film club in this village. Did you know?

-We didn't.

-For £10, you can have fish and chips with your film.

-Ah!

-There you go. The gift that keeps on giving.

Three, two, one, get in that house.

Let's go.

Oh, wow.

-It's nice. We've got an open fireplace, so you'll be very happy with that.

-Yeah.

Actually, I like the colour. I wouldn't change it. Really nice.

Great start from Carly. A "wow" and a "nice". Excellent.

Oh, nice.

-We've got the kitchen overlooking the garden. Good.

-Fantastic.

-And space for table and chairs.

-All your cooking. Really good.

It's light as well, isn't it? The other room was light.

Yeah, really light. Nice with the back door as well.

They are loving it. It doesn't matter about bedrooms. What it's got downstairs packs a punch.

It's punched them in a lovely way.

-And upstairs... Quite a nice open-plan bit.

-Yeah.

Big.

-So I guess this is one of the bedrooms. It's quite a good size for a double.

-Definitely a good size.

And the wardrobes are good for any space issues.

And again quite a good outlook over the front garden. Pretty.

It's deceiving. This wardrobe space probably makes it feel smaller.

Ah, so we've got the bathroom here.

That's good. A full-size bath. And a shower, which is nice.

-Actually, it's quite a good size again. Got everything you need. It's not crammed in.

-Not at all.

And it's overlooking the garden, but nice and private.

-So this is the final room.

-Second bedroom.

-Cute little room.

-No, it's very nice and I suppose without the cot we could get...

-It would have to be a futon.

-A futon or a single bed.

-You've got to be able to work in here, so probably a futon

-and a desk and you've got the side of the house.

-Plenty of room for deskspace.

-Yeah.

It's the perfect second bedroom. Ideal for guests, doubles as a study. Perfect.

I wish Adam had done some financial advising to see if the room could take it. Some rooms can't.

-Financial advising?

-They just can't take it.

-I think this one has the capacity to handle that.

-I hope so.

-You'd probably be all right here. A futon for when people came to stay.

-Definitely.

OK, Carly, Adam, bearing in mind the closer to the city the more compromises, what did you think?

It was good. It looked bigger from the outside than it was inside.

-It was deceptively unspacious?

-Yeah!

-To put it in a few words, yeah.

-It was a reverse TARDIS!

-That's it.

-"This is...smaller!"

-We haven't seen one of those in a while.

-Never.

From a period style, and the garden, it really ticks the boxes,

but for a living space, I think there's nowhere to really eat...

-It's the entertaining. We do like our friends round.

-If you're watching your weight, it's perfect.

-The kitchen's a good size.

-You are coming from a four-bedroom house, aren't you?

-We are.

-And you're not expecting to replicate that here, are you?

-No, we know we have to compromise.

It's just a bit of an eye-opener. We need to take that on board.

-Are you wondering how much a two-bedroom cottage costs here?

-Absolutely.

-Why don't we play a game?

-Come on. We have a maximum budget of around 315.

-Mm-hm.

So what do you think it's on the market for and who'll go first?

-Will I go?

-OK, Carly, step up! What do you think?

I think it's on for...290.

290 on the nose. Adam?

I was thinking around the same, but I'll go for slightly under that. I'll go for 285.

You fool! You have won, Carly. Well done. It's on the market for just shy of 300.

-It's £299,950.

-Right.

-What do you think of the price versus the space you get?

It's a lot for us to consider. Like I say, it ticks the boxes for period property, beautiful setting.

-We really need to think about what space we need.

-Are you starting to get the feeling that this move

-will necessitate a downsize?

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-I think this is probably the lesson for us.

It's such a beautiful house. We need to bear in mind that we are going to move to somewhere smaller.

-Property Two is even smaller.

-Well...with the concept of downsize ringing in your ears,

let's go to Property Two and see if it is that.

Well, viewers, feast your eyes on my gorgeous Property Two.

Character and charm? Check. Exposed beams and original features? Check.

Three bedrooms? Check. Off-road parking and a split-level garden? Check.

-Oh, yes, Adam and Carly, it could be time to write out a...

-Don't say it.

-..cheque.

-Carly and Adam, have you got any idea where you are?

-Not a Scooby Doo!

-Early on you mentioned the frothy cappuccino factor.

-Yes.

That's up there two miles in Chesham. It's on the Metropolitan Line and it's nice.

We've always enjoyed it. Chesham's good. You've got your lifestyle there, restaurants.

The posh part, Chesham Bois.

But this will be where you'll be living. This is not a reverse TARDIS, but a TARDIS.

-Right.

-Which hopefully would be good news cos it looks quite small from the front.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-So character, quirky, loveliness - has it got it?

-It's got it.

-Yeah.

-Got it?

-The period features. It's a really pretty little cottage.

It has that quintessential English look, roses climbing up the front.

So do we feel that we're scaling down our dreams in any way here?

-Let's look inside.

-Good! Always reserve judgment!

I was on a roll there and maybe taking it a bit far, looking at the white wall outside.

-How tall are you?

-Six...two.

-OK, just mind your bonce in there.

-Mind the head.

-You won't have to crawl, but you might have to duck. Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Cappuccino is up the road.

-There's a pub down there. And if you want it, there's extra parking round there.

-Fantastic.

-Go!

-Ah, this is nice. It's quite a wide hallway, actually.

-It is, yeah.

-Which is brilliant.

-It is bigger than we thought.

-Look at the beams. They're nice.

The one thing this place has is an entrance hall. You don't realise you need them until you don't have one.

-Again, the beams. I like the beams.

-It's bigger than I thought.

-You just have to duck!

-The fireplace is fantastic.

-Yeah.

-A really nice feature.

-Very nice.

-Lots of open fires. I can imagine enjoying that.

-We would.

-It is a gorgeous fireplace.

-It is. The amount of marshmallows that will be toasted in front of that.

-Unimaginable.

-Lots?

-I think you'd break into the thousands.

We eat 20 million ducks a year in this country, so imagine how many marshmallows we consume.

-Ah, you'll be happy with this.

-Oh, yes.

-Nice and big.

-Yeah.

-Oh, fantastic.

-It's surprising.

-It's really good. You've got somewhere to eat and dine and have people here.

-Plenty big enough.

-You've probably got enough work surface. You've got room for a dishwasher here.

-It's a superb kitchen diner.

-A belter.

-That is the entertaining space they were after.

-Yes.

-Really good.

-Nice with the skylights as well.

-I hadn't even seen them!

-Again, it's a small cottage,

-but it's very light.

-I'm pleasantly surprised at how big it is in here.

They could have gone a bit more than, "I'm pleasantly surprised."

-I told them!

-It's the big reveal, that.

-I told them it'd be good!

OK.

-That's actually... There's a few rooms up here. Go into this one?

-Yeah.

This is a nice double room. I'm quite impressed with the space.

-Double bed and your full-on wardrobe.

-It's the way it recesses back into it, round the chimney,

-so you can fit wardrobes in there. And it's tall, tall ceilings.

-And the beams with the character.

-It's really nice.

-Nice.

-And looking out towards the fields, which is a lovely view, really nice.

-They're happy with the size.

-They should be.

-Carly pointed out that the wall has character!

-Well!

The whole place is screaming character at you.

-Ah, it's another bedroom.

-Yeah.

-Which is quite big.

-Yeah, it's fine. It's fine for...

-An office?

-Fine for an office.

-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.

-The low ceilings haven't fazed Adam too much.

-No.

-He's taken it on the chin.

-If he was knocked unconscious,

he could have been rendered dumb!

Ah, the bathroom. Oh.

-It's cosy.

-Yeah.

-Come through.

-Well...

-It's got everything you need. I mean, ideally, I'd like it to be bigger,

but it ticks the boxes and again the character is coming through.

-OK, so final room. Another nice... A deceivingly bigger room than you'd think!

-Yeah.

-This one could fit a double.

-With a nice view of the garden, which is great.

-And storage.

-This could be a wardrobe.

-Good point. A built-in cupboard.

-Ed's choice is deceiving.

-It is.

-It looks smaller, but is bigger on the inside.

-A bit of an opposite to the first one.

-I wonder price-wise if it's more or still within our budget.

-So there's jeopardy.

-Mm.

-They are believing me that it's a TARDIS, but they think it's an expensive one.

Now, I said it was TARDIS-like and you looked at me with questioning eyes. It's kind of, isn't it?

-It is.

-Absolutely.

So, size-wise, we were concerned that we were doing too much of a downsize coming round these parts.

-Is this enough space for you?

-Yeah, this one ticks the boxes, more so than Property One.

-The three bedrooms.

-I'm right here when you're saying that.

-Sorry.

-Ed's choice is the best one.

-If it's true, it's true. And it's true.

OK, so space-wise we're kind of happy. Now character-wise?

-Plenty.

-Lots of character features.

-You nearly hit your head.

-I did.

-It was that packed full of character.

-Yes.

-The fireplace in particular was very nice.

-Really.

And this out the back - the kitchen, dining room space was a lot bigger than anticipated.

That extension off the back of the kitchen opens out that room.

-Does that give you entertaining space?

-Absolutely.

-Definitely.

-That's the real difference. You can see us having people round.

-Yeah.

-And then upstairs you've got an office and a spare room.

-That's it.

It's important, if we can, to separate the office and spare room. It ticks the boxes.

If I could convince you that you're not that far away from civilisation, you could almost be sold, maybe.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-OK, shall we go to the next part of the programme? Everyone loves to play this at home.

-It's guess the price time.

-Now you mentioned with some fear in your voice that because it's bigger,

-how would that affect the price? Do you want to go first?

-You can go first this time.

Em, right. If I'm comparing it to Property One,

the fact that it's on a fairly busy road will affect it, but the space is a lot bigger.

So we've got to go for... A similar price. About 295.

-295, OK.

-And I'll go with 300.

-300.

We were playing with a maximum budget of £315,000.

Carly, you are on the money. It is £300,000.

-So who won last time?

-Me.

-Oh, you've blown it!

You've ruined the competition. Adam, you were terrible!

-Heavens to Betsy!

-Never mind.

-Everyone's favourite part is the Wildcard.

"Could it be any better than this?" I hear you cry. What do you think it might be?

I've got no idea. I've got no idea. I'm keeping...

-I'm keeping my thoughts closed on that.

-OK.

-We could go anywhere with this Wildcard.

-Let's go there now.

-It's this way. Follow us.

Finally, our wildcard is found in the lovely village of Bovingdon,

a stunning cottage which is actually a near-new extension of the original cottages that date from the 1800s.

Built in 2006, it sympathetically adjoins the period buildings, but finished to a high modern standard.

But will Adam and Carly be able to see beyond the vintage facade?

OK, here we are at the Wildcard.

We might have been a little bit rural with the first properties,

so we've brought you to Bovingdon. First impressions, what do you think?

-Fantastic.

-Really nice and we feel like we're in the heart of the village. It looks nice.

-It's really nice.

-Plenty of room for cars as well.

-This is where cars love to live.

I spoke to the vendor's partner and he was telling me that cappuccino central is just down the road.

-Fantastic.

-The sound of frothing can be heard from around 8am.

-Weekends are sorted!

The great thing about this property is that it is modern. OK? It's just under four years old.

I know you didn't want that, but it's been tacked on to a row of cottages

that originally date back to the 1800s. So you get all the benefits of a new build,

-but with all the facade and feel of an old property. Is that OK?

-Yeah. You wouldn't tell.

And because it's not lots of new houses, it looks like it's got character, which we wanted.

-So you are happy with the location?

-Absolutely.

-Appearance?

-Yeah.

-Go and have a look round.

-Good luck!

-I feel nervous because I feel we're the closest we've been today.

-Get this right and we can go home.

-Here we go. It's quite a nice big hall.

-Yeah.

-I guess that's a cupboard, which is useful.

-Golf bag!

-Space for the golf clubs already!

-That's good for coats and stuff.

-Fantastic.

Now what have we got here?

Ah, actually, this is fantastic. A downstairs loo and shower.

-I never expected that.

-That surprised me. A full-on wet room.

-Everybody loves a full-on wet room.

-A sexy wet room!

-Builders will not build them upstairs

because they don't like doing them, but they've done it downstairs as you can't leak onto anything.

-Ah, it's surprised me how big it is.

-Yeah.

-This is a lovely big room.

-And space for the dining room table.

Yeah. And then you've got your French doors out to the garden. No, this is really nice.

-It's strange. We've not been looking at new builds and all of a sudden you can see...

-A better layout.

You can just move in. It's got more space.

Oh, my goodness gracious me. You take a radical gamble and it only pays off!

-"We want character." Then we show them a new build...

-Potentially, they can be converted!

And the garden looks not huge, but probably all you need.

If you look over this back fence, what you can see there is an extra parking space now.

But they could be radical and include that into the rear garden,

-thus increasing the space for an ideal allotment.

-I can only see a fence. They've seen more.

It's the magic of TV. Incredible.

OK, this is actually slightly bigger than I'd think it would be.

-Yeah, it looks bigger than it did on the outside.

-And they've got the washing machine and dryer.

-They've got everything.

-Yeah.

-And all nice and new and tasteful.

-Just no work needed.

-It's a decent space. Not huge, but a decent space.

-Thus far, the Wildcard is going fantastically well. Only one thing can ruin it?

-What?

-A poor upstairs.

It isn't a poor upstairs.

-Oh, actually...

-Upstairs bathroom.

-Nice. A big family bathroom.

-There you go. The shower downstairs is an extra shower, not the only shower.

-Good.

Hotel standard upstairs and downstairs in the washing facilities of these places. Beautiful, lovely.

-Right, so we've got a double bedroom here.

-I guess this is the master bedroom.

-I'm not sure.

I suddenly thought there was no wardrobe, but it looks here... There we go.

-Ah, fantastic. So actually it's got plenty of storage. Your wardrobe...

-YOUR wardrobe.

-My wardrobe.

I don't know where I'm going to go, but it's big enough for yours.

-They're having a great time here.

-That's what they were after.

It's only confirmed now that they should have looked at new builds!

-OK, another bedroom, which could either be your office...

-Yeah.

-..or a spare room.

I think that's the answer. That would have been the master bedroom.

-Second bedroom...

-The wardrobes are great,

but you wouldn't be able to get a double bed,

so I'm hoping the next room is slightly bigger.

OK.

-OK, actually it is bigger.

-Yes!

-So that would be the office.

-"Yes!"

-I'm quite relieved.

-We could easily get a double bed in here.

-Even where the single is now. The Wildcard has come through.

-And a new build! Now for the price.

Considering you started the day wanting an olde worlde house,

-this modern property seems to have ticked a few boxes.

-It has. It's swayed us a little bit.

-I know.

It's taken us by surprise. From the outside, it's an old house. Inside is a good, practical layout

-and more space than the older properties.

-You see? It's the power of television, isn't it?

You like it. We're in the back garden. Is it big enough?

Er, we'd like it bigger in an ideal world, but it's fine.

-It's fine for entertaining.

-That was the only thing that was a slight negative in there,

-but only a whiff of a negative.

-Only slightly.

-There's also the extra space out the back, which could be incorporated, so it's good.

-OK.

If we looked at the boundaries, potentially you could incorporate it

-and increase the size of your yard.

-Guessing the price time now. Maximum budget of...315.

I will give you a clue. This is intriguingly priced. That's all I'm saying.

-Guess the price has been ruined.

-I've won!

-You're 2-0 up.

-So...

-I'll let you go first.

-Just to get it out the way.

For the location as well, which is fantastic, I think it's going to be...

I'm going to go for...310.

-310, OK. You've not taken any of my intriguingly-priced information...

-OK, I'll go for £310,300.

-Good!

-Now you're playing the game.

-I'm going to go for £307,333.

That would be ridiculously priced!

-OK, it's £307,333 versus £310,300.

-300.

-Right.

-She took it a little too far.

OK, it's intriguingly priced a little beyond your budget. It's on the market for £324,450,

-which is quite an unusual number.

-It is. You've won, Adam, so there's dignity.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-Well, it is above our budget, but compared to the others...

Comparing it to the others, we thought it would be more and the location is fantastic.

This has been a fact-finding mission, identifying areas, getting an idea of what size you can get

for the budget you've got available. Very interesting.

You are at the point where you go and make the biggest decision of your adult lives.

-Excited and yet a little bit nervous?

-Absolutely.

-We are.

We've got a team of people preparing coffees round the back there and cakes and everything.

-It's going to be lovely, but do make a decision.

-OK.

-Good luck, and go!

Well, there we go. Here's a reminder of all three lovely cottages for you at home.

The character features were in abundance at my church cottage,

but with only two bedrooms, its size was brought into question. They liked it, but was it enough?

And my gorgeous terraced cottage flexed character galore, but unlike Jonny's mine also boasted

three bedrooms and a terraced garden worthy of any vegetable patch.

If tradition states that everyone loves the Wildcard, then Adam and Carly are traditional folks

-as they certainly did.

-Now converted to the idea of modern living, this amazing new build

proved to be a star and only slightly over-budget.

Carly and Adam, you've chosen to test drive the Wildcard!

As fans of the show, you'll be aware that everyone test drives the Wildcard,

but it's not just that reason alone?

-No.

-Why have you picked this beauty?

-I think the location.

Yeah, the location sold it to us. And the room for the cars. Although it's a new build,

it's done very much in an old style, which is good. It has character.

I didn't want to say you'd wasted half of our day on older properties! This is lovely.

It was really good for us to see that a new build can look old

and it's more functional, has more space, the downstairs loo. It offers much more.

Okey-cokey. Now we have had our surveyor come by and give it a once over.

It is not a legally-binding survey, so if you do want a survey you can't use our one.

-You can't save us any money.

-No, but we could on haggling.

-Right.

-Are you ready? Prepared? Here's the news.

OK, so lovely tree in the front garden, looks fantastic, but trees can spell danger

because of their proximity to houses. But because this is a new build, it's not such a problem.

Building Control will have established where the roots were going and if it would impact.

Either a root barrier will have been established or the footings will go down deep enough

to negate any foreseeable problems. That's something to double check,

-but that is the expectation to have allowed them to build a new house this close to a tree.

-Right.

You want to keep monitoring your tree and enjoying it thoroughly.

You could make it a Christmas tree at Christmas.

-It would give the neighbourhood a nice lift.

-Yes.

It is only four years old, so still has its NHBC with six years left on that,

-so anything that does occur, you're sorted.

-Great.

-And being modern it's all energy-efficient.

-If you wrap it in fairy lights, you'd negate the savings you're making!

-That IS a negative,

but think of the smiles you might generate. What's a smile worth? It's priceless.

-Three, two, one, get in that house.

-OK.

-Thanks.

OK, I am going to go and meet the folk of Bovingdon and see if they would like fairy lights.

I'll check out the frothy coffee.

So let's see just how much they love that downstairs wet room.

-All nice and tiled.

-I like that.

-Oh, yes.

Towel rail is great. Extractor as well!

Quite a lot, then. But luckily there's so much more to this beauty than water features.

A shelf...

And just time for a quick brew before exploring the potential for making a bigger garden.

You and Jonny were talking about extending the garden into this area.

-Even if you could only extend it to here, it would make a big difference.

-It would.

If you were putting a conservatory in, it opens up the garden.

The village of Bovingdon proved a major draw for them and I see why so I think I'll explore with them.

-Babyccino. That sucked me in.

-Free babyccinos.

-What else have we found?

-Whoopee cakes.

-Whoopee cakes.

-And local carrots.

-That are bigger than yours.

-Yes.

-And steak, ostrich burgers.

-Yeah.

And whatever this is. Which is a... It doesn't say.

Trying to do live research. I'll go round here.

I think there was a well under there once.

-I'd never heard of Bovingdon!

-I know.

-Thank goodness Ed has gone and Adam and Carly can enjoy village life in peace.

-Post Office.

-That's the old bank, restaurants...

-Curry house.

-Butcher's.

-You name it. And frothy coffee in the cafe.

Do you know, Jonny? I don't know what more they could possibly want.

This area has definitely got the thumbs up.

The area has indeed, but will the Wildcard get thumbs up as well?

Carly, Adam, you liked the house, but location was the major consideration. Is it what you want?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-I think the butcher's shop was the thing for you!

-Cafes, pubs...

It's lovely. We have enjoyed it as a trio and they are thinking of inviting me to live here.

-The three of you?

-We've done it all.

-I was in the coffee shop.

-We didn't see him.

-No.

-You never tried to call him.

-No.

We did look, but couldn't find you. But there are cupcake making facilities,

if you want an ostrich burger... There's everything.

-And carrots are much bigger than mine.

-Did you get any tips?

-No, I just decided I'd buy them.

-That will mesh you into the community in a lovely way.

-We love the place.

-So the three of you have had a great time.

-Yeah.

We really have. I've picked my bedroom out. It's up the stairs.

-Just got to square that with the wife and child. It's a lovely area.

-How will that go?

-Not very well!

So we've got carried away with that.

-The thing is it's nice.

-Yes.

-And it's a great place.

If we could take you back to the start and you had said what you wanted to look for,

-would you have maybe thought about mentioning new builds?

-We may have contradicted ourselves now.

-What seems the most important thing about the move at the moment?

-I think the location's taken over.

Although this is new build, it's got old features outside.

And it's a great use of space, but the location is probably more of a driving force

-than the house.

-We've heard that about location.

-We have. Often mentioned on other programmes.

-Less said about that the better.

-Well, yeah.

-They haven't got a Wildcard on that show!

-Exactly.

This is where you want to come. So the location is spot on, house is good, it's got commutability.

-So one question...

-Here it comes. Are you ready? I bet you never thought this would happen.

-To buy or not to buy?

-I think we're going to buy.

Get in!

-We're happy.

-This is radical. If we could wind ourselves back, that was never going to happen.

-No, it surprised us.

-We've been on a learning curve.

-It's been emotional.

-A journey of discovery.

-I think you'll fit very well into here.

Congratulations to you. Let us know if you buy it and I'll do the cupcake lessons with you.

-Good luck with the sale of your own place.

-And we will see you soon.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd