Sidmouth To Buy or Not to Buy

On To Buy Or Not To Buy, we try to help people achieve their dreams.

Whatever the substance - brick, wood or concrete - we've aimed to please.

However, one of our homebuyers today has a dream involving a different substance.

And that substance is a large amount of goose fat!

-Concerned?

-Intrigued?

So are we.

If you hadn't already guessed,

one of today's house-hunters harbours a dream to swim across the Channel.

-Hence the goose fat.

-Indeed.

If you came to any other goose-fat-based conclusions,

shame on you! Shame on you.

Actually, swimming isn't the bravest thing they're trying.

No. That's where we come in with one of our toughest challenges.

Minus, of course, the goose fat.

Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy, the perfect house for the nation's walkers.

-The ergonomics of ramblers.

-The side access.

-In. Toilet. Go!

Ramble. Done. Isn't it?

Jonny faces disappointment in the bedroom department.

Oh, it's small again.

It's a nice little room.

But both bedrooms are on the front.

So you get the noisy road for both bedrooms.

And today's wild card has lofty connections.

It is believed - emphasis on believed -

-that King Charles II once stayed here.

-Right.

-So there you go.

-OK.

-It's royal!

-Exactly. By royal appointment.

Meet today's house-hunting couple, Bunny and Anna.

After renting for the past ten years in various parts of the UK and New Zealand,

they've decided now's the time to get on the property ladder and put roots down.

They're both into the great outdoors,

walking, swimming and kayaking.

So what better place to set up home than by the Jurassic Coast?

Why have you taken so long? Are you terrible at decisions,

do you want perfection? What's the problem?

We've been waiting to get to the sea, pretty much.

Where are you coming from, and why be near the sea?

We just love being at the sea. We love being in the water, kayaking,

walking on coastal paths, and we want to be here now.

We don't want to go, "When I retire, I'll live at the sea." We want it now.

-Do you have your own kayaks?

-I will have, once we move to the sea.

-So storage will be optimum.

-Yep.

-And you're coming here to do something as well.

-Yeah.

I'm going to be running a guided nature walk business as well.

It would be nice to bring clients back afterwards and give them a cup of tea and stuff.

And for Anna's work it would be nice to have a space where she can work with clients.

-What do you do?

-It's therapeutic. Workshops for women around body image and food-related issues.

Like a Scottish Gok Wan!

-If you'd like me to trivialise your job!

-Thank you!

No.

-So you'll need space in the house for that.

-Yes.

Ideally a separate lounge or conservatory or something

that we could allocate to either walking clients or therapy clients.

So you've got a clear idea in your mind.

Talk us through the house. In the front door. How's it going to look?

Hopefully two reception areas, our own lounge and a client lounge.

-A downstairs cloakroom.

-A downstairs loo.

-Essential.

Everyone loves one of them. With your own business, it's good to have one.

Not people traipsing up there seeing what perfumes you got.

-We want to open the curtains and go, "Oh!"

-A brand new vista.

-Yes.

-So if you're living here, you want to be able to see where you are.

-Exactly.

-Ideally seeing this?

-That would be a huge bonus but we know that's unrealistic on our price range!

-But you want something that reflects the area you're living in.

-Exactly.

There are lots of lovely views and the countryside is beautiful.

-OK.

-And a nice kitchen.

-Yes.

Ideally that it's big enough to eat in as well.

I like a nice kitchen where I can do baking. I like cooking and baking.

A garden, not particularly big, necessarily, just a nice space.

Ideally a shed, and upstairs three bedrooms would be great.

I think we've got the idea in our heads.

Areas. What areas can we look at for houses?

Really from Sidmouth here, going west towards Exmouth.

We've narrowed it down quite a bit. We've been looking further west but we like it at this end.

Anna, a little birdie told me that you have a hobby that you wish to do

-that involves goose fat and that out there.

-Yes.

I'm going to swim the Channel before I'm 40.

Will you goose-fat-up on the beach? How are you going to do it?

When you swim the Channel, you can't wear a wetsuit, only a swimsuit.

-You have to be tough.

-How come?

-It's just the rules.

-Rules, right.

-You have to be...

-She's very tough.

-OK. Wow.

-You have to be acclimatised to the cold water.

So you will come down here of a morning, tub of goose fat...

-Will you be sat in the boat going, "That's it! Paddle. Stroke."

-In the kayak, "Keep going!"

-"Good luck! Watch out for that nappy!"

-I'm not going. It's too cold.

-OK.

-Right.

We're at that point. It's the rudest question in daytime TV. We ask it daily.

-How much money have you got for the dream?

-We have a maximum of 250,000.

OK. You've been looking, you've been planning. £250,000.

Will compromises have to be made or can it be achieved?

-We think it's achievable.

-OK.

-Probably not the sea view. Maybe not the sea view. Maybe a sea glimpse from an attic room!

-That works.

I've seen estate agents' details, "..a glimpse of the sea."

We're after a sea glimpse, or a linger on the sea.

Is there anything you categorically do not want?

We don't want to be in a really noisy street,

brightly-lit, lots of night life.

-Good. We needed an idea for the wild card! See you later!

-Bye!

Here is today's fear. Here is today's jeopardy.

These ladies have spent ten years planning their move down here

and a budget of £250,000 isn't going to stretch that far.

Not that far, Jonny. But it will, I confidently believe,

-get them a glimpse of the sea.

-That'll do.

A small glimpse, but a glimpse.

I'm going to meet the folk of Sidmouth, to see if they're into the idea of kayaking and walking

-and therapy and....

-All that.

-See you later.

-See you. I'm going to ask an estate agent if we can make the dream come true.

Sidmouth, as its name suggests, lies at the mouth of the River Sid.

It's edged by the majestic red Jurassic coastlines.

Formerly a small fishing village, Sidmouth grew into a fashionable coastal resort

to both live and visit in the Georgian and Victorian periods.

Numerous Regency villas and mansions were built along the coastline,

which are today used as hotels housing the thousands of tourists who visit Sidmouth each year.

With Britain's longest trail walk on its doorstep, the South West Coast Path,

you get a taste of the rolling countryside and the beautiful sea views.

But before we continue our search in Sidmouth,

here's what else we've got to show you that's available beside the seaside beside the sea.

In Blackpool, this gorgeous period five-bed property.

It has a beautiful Victorian entrance hall and a stunning kitchen/diner.

Or maybe you'd prefer to be in Yarmouth,

where this three-bed bungalow resides.

The two immaculate bathrooms show how the rest of the property could be with a little TLC.

Finally, how about this four-bed detached house in Skegness?

A large kitchen, two bathrooms and plenty of outside space.

Right. I've found the agents. I wonder how Ed's getting on with the locals?

-Mandy. Thank you so much for agreeing to see me. How are you?

-Well, thank you.

-Where are good walks around here?

-Oh, my giddy aunt!

-I just almost bought a book that said...

-What?

-I didn't, in the end!

About the walk all around the coast.

-We have actually walked up the top of that hill.

-Do you know the name of it?

-I think that's Peak Hill.

-If you say it with confidence, it's Peak Hill.

-We have a budget of £250,000.

-Right.

Our buyers today, ideally, like many if you move to Sidmouth,

you want to see the sea.

With 250 grand, wanting three bedrooms,

is that possible?

Chances are they might see sea glimpses.

The majority of the sea front is hotel accommodation.

It's a Regency town and that's why people love it because it is very traditional.

-Can I ask your name?

-Tiffany.

What a lovely name, Tiffany!

Tiffany in the ice cream shop,

what is the most popular ice cream for the people of Sidmouth?

Probably Whippy ice cream and rum and raisin.

-People like a Whippy?

-Yep.

Sidmouth and Exmouth are the areas of consideration.

How far back am I going, and what kind of property can I expect?

Exmouth, you get a lot more for your money, but it isn't, in my opinion, as sought-after.

-I'd like you to give me a lolly...

-RUMBLING

I don't know what's going on in that machine!

Give me a lolly that you think I should have for that pound.

-OK.

-I want you to mind-read me with a lolly.

OK.

With a lolly, I reckon you're a Chunky man!

You think I'm a Chunky? I'll take that as a positive, Tiffany!

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-Lovely, Mandy, cheers.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

Most people come to the promenade, sit in deck chairs and eat ice creams.

Ed and I, though, like to look at laminated property details!

We're working very hard. And I believe we've done quite well.

-Go on.

-Property One, my choice.

Bunny and Anna have lived in bungalows, flats, terraces.

How about a detached house?

-Ooh!

-A dream style home. It has the two receptions they want,

a conservatory, a downstairs toilet that Anna has always wanted,

although the third bedroom is a bit controversial,

but we'll discuss that later.

One question. Glimpse of the sea or not?

-That's a negative.

-I could talk about this beautiful three-storey property with four bedrooms,

a lovely back garden, and that it's half a mile from Sidmouth.

I'm not going to mention those things. But I will mention that it has a glimpse of the sea!

Thank you very much. They are glimpsing the sea.

-That means that will win.

-OK.

The wild card, sadly, does not have a glimpse of the sea. But it's lovely. It's Grade II listed

-with three to four bedrooms. Have a look.

-It looks great. If it had a glimpse of the sea, it could win.

But let's face it. Do they really want a glimpse of the sea?

That is the key to the show today.

-But it has two useful timber sheds, which, if you're a kayaker...

-Manna from heaven.

-Those are the houses. Where shall we start?

-My choice, Property One.

The girls asked for detached. I'm giving them detached.

They asked for separate downstairs living space, I'm giving them it.

But ideally, they want to be in Sidmouth.

You're not giving them that, are you?

Ladies, here we are, Property One, in Exmouth.

-That was on the list, right?

-Yep.

-This is fine.

Wonderful commuter links and accessibility here. The road is there. A positive.

-I'm here. I'm not now.

-Exactly. So this is working for us.

A detached house.

Before I tell you about the inside, what do you think from outside?

-It's lovely.

-Yep. Very sweet.

-Pretty.

-It looks really nice.

-That's a relief because it's a pressure journey for Ed and I.

Ten years you've been planning this move. We've only got a day.

Let's deal with the elephant in the room - the road. Is it an elephant?

-It depends. I'm paranoid about noisy roads.

-A sign

for your new business, planted here.

-The busier the road, the better!

-Jolly good.

-Let's talk inside. There's a downstairs toilet.

-Fantastic.

A box ticked.

This property really is more about the business side of things.

It's very practically laid out

as far as getting in and making it work straightaway.

It's not technically a three-bedroomed house, though.

There's two double bedrooms, then a study in the loft.

It's not technically a bedroom, but can be used as one.

-You've escaped yourself out of that. Are you excited and intrigued about going in?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-This is the beginning of your new life and business. Three, two, one. Go in!

So this is where Anna and Bunny have their business. Any potential ideas?

-I've got some great names which I'll reveal later. One will knock their socks off.

-Yeah?

Wow.

Oh, I like the staircase.

It's nice, isn't it?

-And it's much quieter when you come in off the road.

-Yep.

-Which is good.

I will echo their quiet comment.

Earlier, I thought the road would be the elephant in the room. It isn't. It's a positive.

So there's this sort of lounge bit, with a fire.

Fire.

OK.

And then... This comes through here. That's really nice.

-That's really light, isn't it?

-It's a good size.

-It's fab.

-Wow.

-Wow, look at that.

That's fantastic.

I am saying that is the therapy room.

I've come up with a name for the therapy thing earlier on.

So Anna's doing the therapy thing. I said she was a bit like Gok Wan.

Anna's from Scotland.

"Jock Ann Therapy."

-It's exactly the kind of thing we talked about.

-Yes.

A space for the workshop.

-It's brilliant.

-You can picture a circle of people in here.

And look at the garden! That's fab.

-And really manageable, as well.

-Yeah.

I don't think they expected much of a garden, but this is.

I can imagine a kayak lying down here.

-Or over there.

-Three bicycles scattered across there.

-Easily achievable.

-What they lack in sea glimpses, they gain in plot sizes.

-Bicycle zones.

And this I like.

I like having the separate dining area. That's really good.

Yeah. And they're using that little bit as a study area,

which is quite nice.

Plenty of room, more than we've ever had before in terms of a kitchen.

-And the kitchen.

-Ooh, nice cooker!

Hooray, look. A nice cooker for baking. It's gas.

-There's plenty of space.

-You can sit and chat if people come round.

-And a utility room.

-Wow.

-Amazing.

-Brilliant.

-That's really nice. It feels grown-up, like a proper house!

-It is, isn't it?

This is the moment that Anna has been waiting for.

The other rooms will pale into insignificance when she sees the downstairs toilet.

There's something else which I've been looking for. The downstairs loo!

There, are you happy now?

I am. And it's really nice and modern

and functional. Everything you need just there.

And people can come straight in from the back door here

-or from the conservatory without coming through the house.

-The back of the house could be client space.

Yes, Anna, that's exactly what it's all about.

Working out the ergonomics of ramblers. In. Toilet. Go.

Ramble. Done. Isn't it?

Man alive! Would they have rambling rights over the side access cos ramblers are a legal nightmare.

-I wouldn't like to speculate.

-You'd want to check that out.

-Oh, that's quite sweet.

-Yeah.

-Do you think it's the main one?

-Well, it's a double bedroom.

It's definitely a double room and there's built-in storage, which is good.

It's nice. It's a bit small.

A tiny bit small, but yeah.

In the bedroom department, it would seem you've let these ladies down.

Thus far, that's what is suggests.

But if they just hold their horses, another bedroom will reveal itself.

Will it be bigger like they want it to be?

Let's see what we've got here.

So...bathroom.

That's a nice big size bathroom.

It's a better size than the bedroom.

-And to have the separate bath and shower is really nice.

-It's good, that.

I guess it's just a functional room, really, but I like the fact there's more space in it.

Which is good. So I wonder if the other bedroom is the biggest room.

-We'll see.

-I'm a bit underwhelmed by size of bedroom.

-See what the other one's like.

If they've seen the bigger bedroom and they say "We hope there's a bigger bedroom",

this journey will end in disappointment.

-But...

-If it's the other way round...

-It's happy.

-Happy ending.

-Ooh, it's small.

-Small again.

-It's a nice little room.

-But both bedrooms are at the front.

-You're going to get the noisy road for both bedrooms.

-Exactly. It is quieter,

but you and I would like to have that really quiet sanctuary bedroom thing going on.

-It's like being in a tower!

-I know!

Mind your head!

Oh, this is very sweet, but again, it's just small.

-It's tiny.

-It's small.

It's a shame cos I really like the downstairs space.

I can see us having groups there, using the dining area, the conservatory,

-the downstairs loo.

-The garden. It's beautiful. But it gets so tiny up here.

-Yeah.

Jonny, I'd say you've gone from an entrance of "Wow!"

to an exit of a "Hmm".

Yeah. Brilliant.

So, you loved the downstairs,

you wanted two double bedrooms and a single room/study.

That's exactly what you got. Therefore this place is perfect, yes?

-Almost.

-Almost.

-Almost. Come on in!

We do really love the downstairs.

It's fantastic and we can see how we would use it.

We could put in a nice curtain or screen to section off the conservatory from the lounge.

It really works. But it just felt as we went upstairs, it got smaller and smaller.

What can we learn from it? This downstairs area, you were sold on.

This is what we're after, yes?

Yes. And the garden's brilliant and the space is more than we needed.

-And parking.

-Parking is great.

-It's light. Really lovely downstairs.

Are you prepared to make a compromise to get the business side of things going?

-You see, I would say the home has to come first.

-OK.

-Right.

-Which is good. It helps us to understand ourselves better what is of paramount importance

and what we could give up and couldn't give up.

Shall we play guess the price?

If not for fun. Maybe the price might help us. Maybe it won't.

Who'd like to go first? £250,000 to play with.

-Who wants to play first?

-I'll go first.

-OK. Very brave.

Right, then.

-242.

-242 from Anna.

Bunny, are you going to hop over or under?

-I was thinking 240.

-So you're going under.

-Slightly under.

-240 versus 242.

You've gone lower, well, you've gone the wrong way.

You've steamed into the lead. It's a tickle over your maximum budget.

-It's on for 254,950.

-OK.

-What do you think of that price versus the location,

the size of the house, the plot?

-Do you think that's fair?

-I think so, given it's a detached house,

which is one of our desirables, so yeah, it's fair.

-OK.

-Can we do better?

-Yes, of course you can! Of course!

-Go out that door

and we'll go to Property Two.

Open her up and we'll leave. It's lovely, a good choice, but move on.

Back in Sidmouth is this Victorian end-of-terrace.

I know the girls would love a sea view, but their budget won't stretch to that.

So instead of a view of the sea, they've got a glimpse.

Bunny and Anna, we're back, by the magic of TV, in Sidmouth.

Now, this is a beauty. And I'm only going to say one thing.

I'll say others, but this is the main thing,

if you stick your head out of the top window, which I have done,

-there is a glimpse of the sea.

-Wow!

-For that alone, it's fitting.

-That's fine. We don't need to see anything!

So, we are end terrace. Have you lived in a property like this before?

-Similar.

-Yes.

-I wanted something different, and it's got a glimmer of the sea.

-That's different.

Now, Jonny's one looked big from the outside but was small on the inside.

This one, what do you think?

Well, knowing that terraces are often quite deceptive and they get bigger as they go back.

-I'm optimistic.

-I can't avoid the road. It's here. But down that road, ten minutes' walk,

-you are by the sea.

-Wonderful.

-You're at the beach. Ten minutes.

A question for each of you. Bunny, is the ten-minute drag OK for the kayak?

Anna, first impressions. What do you think?

-Kayak, OK. Maybe I could find somewhere to put it at the beach.

-OK.

-First impressions of the outside, it looks really sweet.

-They're lovely these period properties.

The property is arranged intriguingly.

It's not as immediately open for business prospects as Jonny's was.

But as a house for people it works well. But you could marry the two.

If you can't do it, it's your fault. It is achievable.

I have a brilliant plan, but I won't tell you it now. I'll see what you think.

-Are you prepared for that?

-Oh, yes.

-Absolutely.

-See you later.

How far out of the window do you have to lean to see the sea?

-About a foot.

-A foot.

-But it's safe. It is safe. But about a foot.

-That counts.

This way.

Oh, I like that, cos it's got the two-room idea again.

Yeah. That's nice and light.

It's a huge space. It's very brown, isn't it?

Solution one. If they don't like the brownness of the house, go to the paint shop!

Tick!

They've got that as a dining room, but we could do what we want.

-You could have one big lounge.

-That doesn't have to be separate.

It could be a bigger lounge.

Here's the kitchen.

-Oh, that's nice. Got nice new modern units in it.

-Yep.

-And nice and plain.

-And it's a nice size for us.

-It's a nice big utility room.

-That makes a big difference.

-When you've got the utility room, you don't need the washing machine in the kitchen.

-Exactly.

You can't really see the garden at the moment, but it looks a low-maintenance garden.

-Not a lot of lawn.

-It's quite exciting, the different levels and the sheds up there. I like that.

-That's going to be a bigger outdoor therapy room.

-To the sound of running water.

-Yes.

-There's a pond just there.

-And a toilet there.

-It's outside, the industry.

-That would also be the sound of running water!

-Can I go in this one?

-Yeah.

-Oh, that's much bigger.

-That's better, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-And lighter.

-Yeah.

-This is a good-sized bedroom. And there's a balcony!

-So there is! Wow!

-Look at that! That's a bit special!

-That's inspired, isn't it?

-That's extremely inspired.

-A little sun trap. Bliss!

That wasn't even on our list, a sun trap. It's fantastic.

This has really made them drink the house in.

I didn't like the whole, "Look how bright it is. This is more like it. It's much bigger."

Don't see that as negative to you. That's positive for all of us.

They like the decor, they like the lifestyle. This is good.

The bathroom. Again,

really nice and modern.

Not what you would have expected on the face of it downstairs.

A lovely corner shower. That looks new.

-And a nice bath.

-They've obviously spent all their time doing up the top.

Yeah. It's lovely.

Do you go for the contemporary bathroom suite or classic?

-We mix the twain.

-Do you?

-We do. We mix between the two.

Another good-sized room.

-It's amazing. This period of house has much better sizes.

-Yeah.

I know it's on the front, but it's got a really nice view to the hill.

That's lovely, actually.

It's a much better space. Look at the big bay.

They've got a big chest there, but you don't have to have something big.

Loads of room.

-So the 1930s house they felt offered them smaller rooms.

-Uh-huh.

But the Victorian/Edwardian style period, perfect.

All the dimensions they're after.

-This is a much better size.

-It's more of a dormer, isn't it?

I don't think I could have this as a bedroom. It would be too small

-and too oppressive with the ceiling.

-Yeah. But with that view,

-if you had your desk looking out, it would be great.

-Yes.

If you stick your head out about a foot

from one of the windows, you can see the sea. I promised the sea, I found the sea.

So this is the last little room.

That's onto the front.

Gosh, you're high up here, aren't you?

Again, it's perfectly adequate as an office or a study.

We could have one each and shout to each other through the wall! Have a knocking code.

Man alive! People of Sidmouth, get yourself excited.

You're getting a new therapy den and a walking business.

Happening. Exmouth has just lost that!

We all realised it had lost it when we were outside.

So it's close to town, it's got a lot of space, you can see the sea.

I don't know if we can afford it.

-I'm going to go and find out.

-Let's find out. OK.

Bunny and Anna. What do you think of the whole thing?

Really mixed, actually, cos the downstairs didn't grab me at all

then we came up here and I really like this and the attic conversion as well. It has potential.

And a glimpse of the sea, which you've all seen now.

-Let's not forget that!

-And a good glimpse, it wasn't too awkward.

Two glimpses. One on this level from the front and upstairs, what a glimpse you get!

-You get a good glimpse.

-So how much would you have to pay to get a glimpse of the sea in Sidmouth?

Your budget is around £250,000.

Anna, you scraped through with a win on Property One.

Bunny, how much do you think on this place?

I think it's over budget because of the space, and it's pretty central and you can see the sea.

So I'm going to say 260.

I think it's going to be even more

because of the location, primarily.

We're so close to the town centre and so close to the sea.

I'm going to say 270.

It's Bunny. You're closest. You have levelled it. And you're not that close!

This is cheaper than the first one.

£245,000.

-Wow!

-Wow!

-It certainly throws up more ideas.

-We would need a budget to do stuff.

We couldn't just buy it. We'd have to have some spare cash.

My wagging finger is out. That's pre-haggling as well.

-Exactly.

-So imagine all of these thoughts, and more.

-It's possible, achievable, for your budget, you could do it.

-Yeah.

It could happen here.

-Do you want to go to the wild card, though?

-Oh, yes!

-Everyone always does.

-We still do.

-Fine.

-You never know.

-That's true.

You have to look at at least three and then buy one of them.

-That's how the show works!

-This way.

Moving to Sidford, we've taken a short drive inland to the wild card.

We've taken the girls further away from what's most important to them, the sea.

But what they're sacrificing in distance, they're gaining in size.

Anna,

Bunny, welcome to your wild card.

We've come to Sidford, a couple of miles away from Sidmouth,

to demonstrate just how much more for your money you can get if you pull yourself away from the coast.

-What do you think? A gorgeous thatched cottage.

-It's very sweet. Yeah, it looks lovely.

-It does.

15th century. To be honest, builders in the 15th century

had a real lack of foresight because there's no off-road parking!

-Yes.

-That is a shortcoming of theirs.

But as far as property goes, we can use some of our favourite words including TARDIS-like

and deceptively spacious.

-Wonderful.

-It certainly is. Now, Anna,

the thatch, I believe, is relatively new. That's thousands of pounds saved.

It lasts quite a while, so good news. And there's some history to this.

Kind of. It is believed, emphasis on believed,

that King Charles II once stayed here.

-So there you go.

-OK.

-It's royal!

-Exactly. By royal appointment!

I'm really keen to get in and see what it's like.

Yes, it's different.

-They don't build them like this any more!

-No.

I'm not sure they built them like this in those days!

Watch out for the elephant in the room, this massive road.

We cannot avoid the roads today. OK. Are you excited?

-Yes.

-In three, two, one, obey the Green Cross Code and go into the wild card. Go!

Here we are. Back garden. I have a question.

Can you hear the elephant in the room from here?

-Can't hear nothing.

-No. We're set well back, here.

-Wow!

-Gosh!

How much bigger is that in size.

-Beams. Very nice.

-Nice beams.

-Oh, look!

-I'm surprised... What have you seen?

-It's a hutch.

-A hutch! It's got a bunny in it!

Look!

-It's a little house rabbit.

-Fantastic.

-Think it comes with the house?

-Probably not.

-Hello!

-We have to look at the house.

-Yay! It's a house bunny!

-It's a house bunny for Bunny!

-Here we go.

-If we were being even more daring we could put Bunny in it!

-I can see that.

-That is the test drive we'd want to see!

We don't want to see that. But it would be exciting.

-We could put her in that one as well.

-Trying to get her in the hutch!

-It's two-fold.

-It's got a lovely little fireplace.

-That is lovely.

-Really nice.

-Nice old wooden floor.

Yep. And surprisingly light.

Yeah, cos I thought small, dark, but it's sweet.

Oh, wow!

-This is a proper country cottage kitchen, isn't it?

-Nice.

It's so nice. Look at that.

That's great. I really like having space for a table in the kitchen.

That's quite a big one. You wouldn't need to have such a big one.

And it's got a nice little... Again, it's still quite light.

It's another great start.

But based on previous experiences of these two,

-they start very well...

-Then tail off.

-Yeah.

-They tail off.

Keep it together.

Oh, this is good. A nice sort of cloakroom space.

-It's actually quite a big space.

-Let's have a look.

-Look.

-Ah!

I wonder if this could be the downstairs loo.

Absolutely.

Again, then you've got all the downstairs area for workshops and clients.

That comes in off the front, doesn't it?

What's in here?

Oh! There's a downstairs loo!

Marvellous!

-There you go.

-Brilliant.

-Brilliant.

Wow, it just goes on and on.

Oh, this is great.

-There's a stable door.

-That's a nice entrance/exit point.

Oh, wow, a double bedroom.

Oh, fantastic.

-It would be lovely as a guest room.

-It could be a nice guest bedroom.

-Or study, depending.

-A little library space.

-Or a therapy room.

-Fantastic.

There's a certain cosiness with properties that are this old.

They just resonate something.

King Charles II could have stayed anywhere in the country.

-He's got how many castles?

-Dozens.

-Loads.

But he stayed here. Right here.

Oh, wow, look.

-It's all open plan.

-Wow.

I didn't expect that at all.

That's really, really nice.

Though I automatically think workshop.

A lovely place for us, but a brilliant light.

-And look at the view!

-A view of the hills.

-The hill.

-Lovely.

It's really great.

'I really like that room,'

but I'm not sure I'd want to use it for the treatment. I'd want that for myself.

It's not happening 24/7, so I think that would be great,

cos you'd want it to have a wow factor for people because it's your income.

Do that, then once they've been healed and cleansed...

-I suppose the room, in its layout, is therapeutic.

-It is.

-So where are we now? Is this the front?

-At the front,

so over the entrance, I guess.

And this is a bigger bedroom, cos this is a king size bed.

-It's nice.

-It's a nice room. I wouldn't want it as our main bedroom cos of...

-Road noise.

-Yes.

-But it's a really nice sized room again.

-Yep.

So as a guest room or study room, it's fine. A really good size.

Amazingly.

Another nice bedroom.

-Oh, wow!

-Big wardrobes.

-Big wardrobes.

Again a nice high ceiling.

They're huge, so it's easily a double. It's a good double.

You could get a double in, and furniture.

-Yep.

-Or, again, study.

Those wardrobes are gigantic, right? That room, without them, is even bigger.

Not technically, it doesn't make it bigger, but there would be more space.

So they're all big, aren't they?

You can't remove wardrobes and it becomes a bigger room,

it will feel bigger but the room remains the same size.

And into the bathroom,

which is interesting.

We might want a redo in here.

I think we might want to refit.

Definitely.

It's OK, but I'd definitely want to redo it.

Oh, tiny!

-But...

-It's on the back. It's like the one downstairs.

-It is, but it's lighter and quieter.

-Yeah.

It may be a small room, but with four to choose from, that's the least of your concerns.

They only asked for three,

so this one, no matter what size it is, is a bonus. Deal with it!

It's really quite... I'm really taken with this.

-It has the feel and the look and the useful space that we could live with.

-Definitely.

-I'm just amazed at the amount of space, actually.

-I know!

-Hello.

-Hello!

This is one of the joys of that living room,

-coming down the stairs into your gorgeous garden.

-Lovely.

We think you like this place.

-Yes.

-We do.

There wasn't a room in there that you didn't describe as lovely, cute, homely, gorgeous, fantastic

and brilliant. Which is a relief, cos this was a gamble.

It has a wow factor. There's something about it. It's homely, the kind of place we could live

-and have our home.

-Thing is,

-how much does it cost?

-This is it.

-£250,000 to spend.

-Yep.

It would be impossible to guess the price of this, but we'll force you to.

Who's going first? We're neck and neck. It's the decider.

-I'm going to play it safe and say 249 pounds, 950.

-Thousand.

-I think you mean thousand pounds!

-So 50 quid off the top price.

-50 quid off top price. OK.

Come on, then, Bunny.

I was going to say not very different. I would say 250.

-You can say 250.

-Yes, I am.

OK.

-OK, OK.

-Shall I do the reveal?

-Go on.

You are both wrong, but you are the winner.

-Ooh!

-It's 242,500.

-242,500?!

-Wow!

-Bloomin' heck!

-This is a stunned face.

We don't need to say you're happy with that price.

Can you see the benefits of moving a couple of miles away from Sidmouth?

Just how much property you can get within your budget, under your budget.

-Absolutely.

-It's opened your eyes to...

It does. It's that whole thing about... It's the nicest big road we've seen, anyway!

It's there, but that allows you to get a property of this size, that road.

And is that enough - is that an OK compromise or is it too much?

You're at the point where you have to make the biggest decision of your adult lives.

Which one to test drive. So thrash around all those thoughts.

-We'll see you later. Good luck.

-Thank you.

-I don't know which one you'll pick. My money's there,

but it probably is mine as well. Maybe not yours. They're off.

-Why do you always rule mine out?

-I don't know. It's a common theme.

-It's never failed me.

-While they decide not to choose my property, here's a recap of all three.

Viewed first was my choice, the three-bed detached 1930s house in Exmouth.

I think it's perfect for Bunny and Anna to work from,

but I'm not sure they feel the same.

Up second was my Victorian end-of-terrace.

Loads of space across three floors and a bedroom with its own balcony.

But will it be tranquil enough for Bunny? Five grand under budget.

Finally, we took Bunny and Anna a few miles inland

to Sidford, to show them the wild card,

the gorgeous thatched mid-terrace.

Good enough for King Charles II, but is it good enough for the girls,

the largest and cheapest of today's properties.

-Ladies, you've surprised us all by going for the wild card!

-Unbelievable!

Before we start talking about your reactions and reasons,

-you are armed with some interesting material.

-Definitely.

There's something edible in there. And something non-edible.

-That's the plan, anyway.

-You're going to do it later on.

-Yep.

-Goodness me. We're not going to do it.

-No, we're not.

If you want to know what Anna is going to do, stay tuned.

-It's worth watching!

-It is!

And Bunny, you're going for the bake-off?

I am. I'm going to make some nice scones to take down to the beach

-to sample later.

-Lovely.

We've had our surveyor come round and give it a once-over.

It's not legally binding, so you should get your own survey.

But it's good for haggling and information before committing to a purchase.

-Do you want to know what he said?

-Yes.

-It's some good stuff. As we alluded to earlier,

this is the elephant in the room. The road noise is a problem.

Because of the original sash windows to the front of the property,

it does resonate a bit more than it would if you had double glazing.

Because it's a Grade II listed property, you're restricted to what you can do about that.

Secondary glazing is an option, but it can look unsightly.

If you went for like-for-like replacements of the sash windows,

the surveyor reckons you're looking at about £1,000 a pop to get them done.

But this house is so far under your budget you can afford to get loads of windows!

The thatch. I earlier said it looked like it was newly thatched. I wasn't necessarily correct!

-The surveyor believes it is maybe a bit old.

-OK.

He's not a thatching expert,

so you should have an expert look at it.

-But the owner has said around 20 years left in the thatch.

-Yep.

So 20 years isn't that bad, really. The thing is,

when it does run out, it's around 20 to £30,000.

-OK.

-So there's a lot to think about. Go in there,

test drive it, see how that feels and see if you're prepared to commit to it

-and we'll see you on the beach later.

-Great.

-Good luck, and mind the road!

-Thanks.

-Happy baking!

Right, shall we goose fat up and give it a go before they turn up?

-Oh, for the swimming! I thought you meant...

-No! Never for that.

-Sorry.

Right. In we come.

-Wonderful!

-Let's get baking!

I, for one, can't wait to taste these scones, Jonny.

-Are you always thinking about your stomach?

-I don't know what you mean!

That said, I'm quite peckish.

Anna's got the right idea. Sit back and let Bunny do all the work!

She's very good, isn't she? Look at the way she rolls that.

-That's one for me...

-And nine for me! Brilliant.

Look at that - perfect! The magic of television.

Mmmm!

What's she putting on top of them now?

Goose fat?!

Ah, that'll be what the goose fat is for!

It's Channel swim time.

But where's the beautiful blue sky gone?

I don't think it's going to happen now.

Well, it's not quite what I'd anticipated.

If this was a Channel swim day, they wouldn't let me go, either.

I've decided not to do it today.

-Well, here we are!

-Lovely, isn't it?

Isn't it? Balmy. British summer time!

We came down here hoping to see you swimming. Covered in goose fat!

But the weather's taken a turn against us.

You've spent some time in the house. You've not gone in the sea.

Do you think we'll push the limits to 41, 42, crossing the Channel?

Or is it going to be 40?

No, it's going to be 40. I'll just start earlier in the summer, next time!

I recommend a month beginning with J, but not January!

-Yep.

-That would be good.

-Tell us about the house. Does it work? Is the kitchen nice?

-The kitchen's great. Good for making scones.

-A lot to think about.

Ten years in the making, we've looked at a range of properties.

Older ones, newer ones, some needing more work than others.

Has it helped you to make your decision more final as to what to go for and what not?

Definitely.

It's been a great experience in terms of just seeing the variety

not just in location, but the type of house as well.

Really helpful.

The wild card was Sidford, not Sidmouth, a bit further away.

Is that a consideration because of how much you get for your money?

Yes. It was lovely. The scenery was beautiful, you could see the hills and the countryside around us.

We felt very much at home there.

We could imagine ourselves living there, which was lovely.

We have to ask you the big question. Are you prepared?

To buy or not to buy? Ten years in the making. That is the question.

On this occasion, not to buy.

Not to buy?! Can I... Is it to do with the thatching?

It's partly the thatch.

And the road.

It was a trick we played three times.

But the thing we've learned is you can get what you want for your money.

You just have to look around.

Softening the blow of it not being a "to buy", we've got scones!

We should say goodbye from here and stuff our faces!

We've had a lovely day. And we'll have a lovely day tomorrow.

-We'll find a house for someone. We promise to.

-We will win.

Until then, we'll stuff our faces. Shall we say goodbye? Bye!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd