East London To Buy or Not to Buy

999...

1,000.

I've just done 1,000 of those for you today, viewers.

Good morning, today we are in the East End of London,

home to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Have you limbered up, have you?

Fully warmed up, the upper half of me. These arms are ready to go.

OK, then, get ready, set, for today's To Buy Or Not To Buy.

-I've not warmed my legs up yet.

-He's out the blocks.

Now, the clever ones amongst you may have realised

that we're not in the brand spanking new Olympic Stadium.

We are in First Division Leyton Orient's football ground.

-Are you OK?

-I thought you limbered up?

I am limbered up. I think I'm limbered up for a different discipline.

I'm limbered up for the Olympic discipline of house hunting.

No, no, no. Today, we've got a triathlon of properties ahead of us.

That's very clever. I see what you've done there with that.

Shall we explain why we're in Leyton Orient Football Ground?

-No, that comes later. Much later.

-All right then.

-Shall we nick off?

-Yeah, OK.

-See you in a bit.

On the starting line, and hoping to find a gold-medal property,

is today's buyer, Ian Morrison.

After leaving his native Scotland, Ian has spent the last 10 years

residing in the Big Smoke, better known as London.

And for most of that time, Ian has been lodging with his friend Lisa.

Lisa also lives with her husband Martin and their daughter Robyn,

so it's a pretty tight squeeze in their Crouch End house.

No surprise, then, that Ian feels

it's time to strike out and find a place of his own.

I'll say! Lisa's too kind. If it had been me,

I'd have booted him out years ago.

You might, but they've got a slightly stronger bond.

What's Ian like as a person? Well...he's indecisive.

Well, has been about house-hunting.

But he's also really warm, and funny, and he's a really good friend.

What's Lisa like as a person?

She's very creative, she's very loyal.

She's funnier than she gives herself credit for,

and she makes a mean gin and tonic.

I think it's a little bit early in the morning to be offering Ian a G&T.

Let's hope today's properties are just the TONIC he needs!

-See what I did, Jonnie?

-Amazing. You can expect a Bafta for that(!)

Lisa and Ian, welcome to East London, home of the 2012 Olympics.

What's attracting you to East London?

Do you want to be part of a scene here? Or...

It's a combination of affordability, great transport links,

and the fact it's that much closer to work and town.

-Great bars, great restaurants.

-Well, OK. Look,

there's going to be a wrench, an emotional break between you two.

What about the property itself? How many beds are we looking for?

-One or two.

-One OR two!?

-One or two.

Big difference in London, one or two?

Huge difference. But I can be flexible.

A two-bed would be great. But I'm being quite realistic that,

given my paltry budget, given my meagre salary,

a one-bed might be that little bit more realistic.

Because we're in London, and property is so expensive,

perhaps we should find out what your budget is.

Have you got a ceiling?

About 160 for a one-bed would be great.

And maybe up to 190 for a two-bed.

This isn't the indecisive man we've had painted out.

Ian can be quite pragmatic in organising his thinking.

At the end of the day, he'll go with his gut about

something which will be interesting, what the wild card is going to be.

Give us parts of East London you're prepared to look at,

or you've looked at or quite like.

Areas I've looked at before, Walthamstow where I did live,

Snaresbrook, Wanstead, South Woodford.

-I looked at Leyton, Leytonstone.

-You sound very open-minded.

-Perhaps we can suggest new areas to you?

-That would be great.

-Lisa, can we do this?

-You can, you've got to.

-We will try. Wish us luck. See you later on.

-OK.

-Bye.

We might be out in the East End of London, but I don't think

we're going to be looking at properties with OLYMPIC proportions.

-With their budget in town, we have a challenge ahead of us.

-OK, yeah.

Lisa talking about the fact he's indecisive.

He doesn't seem it. He knows exactly what he wants. And I know exactly what I'm going to do!

-What are you going to do?

-Call estate agents.

What am I going to do?

I'm sure you'll find something.

Leytonstone is in East London

just nine miles from the centre of the Big Smoke.

It borders Wanstead to the north, Leyton to the south and Forest Gate to the east.

It also stands in the shadows of the new 2012 Olympic Village

which, as you can see, is really beginning to take shape.

It's hoped the Games will completely transform

and regenerate East London.

Economically the whole area should be improved with thousands of jobs becoming available.

Improved transport, shops, bars, cafes

and the world-class sporting facilities.

If you're looking for a home in the next few years, then look no further.

East London is a very savvy place to buy as an investment in the future.

But what properties could you get elsewhere in the UK near sporting landmarks?

In Manchester, there's this stylish two-bed apartment finished

to an excellent standard.

If you're into footy, it's only 10 minutes from Old Trafford.

On the market for £136,950.

Let's stay with football.

How about living close to the Ibrox stadium in Glasgow?

This ground floor apartment has two bedrooms

and beautiful period features. It's on the market for £119,995.

How about actually living in a former football stadium?

Well, you could!

This super two-bed apartment in Arsenal's old South Stand

is up for grabs. Sociable, open-plan living.

Great views of the communal gardens all for 475 grand.

Now back to today's Olympic property mission.

Why was East London chosen for the Olympic Games?

There's huge potential here.

If we were to use the games as a catalyst for regeneration

this is a place for it all to happen.

How much of an impact have the Olympic Games had

on the property market around here?

It's definitely had a positive impact.

It's initiated the growth in the market.

For our guy who is looking to buy, East London is a good place

to look at moving to?

Behind us here we've got a huge chunk of East London

being regenerated. You've got 30 years of regeneration all being

-squeezed into the space of about ten years.

-Wow.

It's not just this big makeover for the Games, this is

serious regeneration and investment.

The Olympics has brought more demand into the area.

It's creating a lot more jobs.

The population in the E15 postcode specifically has increased.

This is going to be a new piece of city

and a new park at the heart of it.

It will still stitch back

into all the surrounding communities in East London.

If you're moving to the east of London it's a sensible thing to do?

It's a place that's got a lot to offer at the moment. Once we've finished here

and have the Olympics, it really will be quite a special place.

You find me worn-out and bedraggled after a house hunt with a mysterious property hunting team.

I'm in the home team's side because I'm finding a home for Ian.

The property I've got, there is a phrase called

"the elephant in the room" where something massive is not mentioned.

On the property details, it does not allude to what

the elephant in the room is.

That will be revealed quickly when we get there. Cryptic! Over to Jonnie.

The mystery property hunting team have responded with a Herculean effort

on property number two.

It doesn't say much, but it's further away

than Ian had hoped for, further up than he had considered on the 4th floor

but it's new, there's nothing to do, it's property number two.

Are we going to explain to our viewers

why we're in the middle of a football stadium?

I'll give a clue. You know sometimes people want to move, they want

a back garden in the house that is a football pitch for their children?

How's about a football pitch as a back garden to a property,

is that too much of a clue?

-I'm confused now.

-I'm confused and

-I

-know where it is.

-Where shall we start the journey?

-Yours.

The beautiful one with the elephant in the room. Remember?

Warming up for the first tour today is my choice.

Ian asked for a top-floor flat so I've given him a top-floor flat.

He also asked for two bedrooms and I'm giving him that as well.

But did he ask to be right next to a train line? I don't think he did.

Top of the list was transport links

and I've not let you down here in Forest Gate.

-Absolutely not.

-Any fool can see a downside here.

It's only a downside to any fool, because you've double glazing there,

we've been in there for a while and trains have rumbled past.

-You can't hear them.

-OK.

-I promise.

-You are ten minutes away from Tube or train.

-Which is great.

What do you think? What's your first impression?

I don't know the area too well.

I know it's between a few train stations.

I know a few people who have lived around here across the years.

Go in there. Look at the size compared with what you can get

for the compromise of the train.

You might think, maybe that's not so bad. Are you ready?

-As we'll ever be.

-OK. Get in there.

Wow.

If you've just tuned in late and you think it's going well,

that "wow" is from Lisa, she's not buying the place, Ian is.

-I need a wow from Ian.

-Nice kitchen.

-Nice kitchen.

I like to try drawers. HE LAUGHS

Watch that!

-That is quality. That's nice.

-What can I say?

I've noticed in the world of kitchen design that the only movement

in the last 40 to 50 years in kitchen design are those

doors that just make your doors close slowly. Nothing else has happened!

-Well, it's kind of...

-It's quite spacious.

-It's a really good size.

You've got space for an actual cabinet there to put

all your stuff in.

-This all looks quite new.

-It does look quite new.

-It's a nice space.

He can make it look smarter and sprucer with that cabinet

he's talking about. Put all his hair gels in.

Wow, this is really cute.

-So, this...

-This must be two bedrooms then. This must be the second.

Not a bad size for a second bedroom.

With it out like that, they're clearly showing this room

for a double bed and still some good space for big furniture.

Cue the train, let's see what they think.

TRAIN RUMBLES BY

Don't exaggerate the train.

They did NOT notice it.

I like actually that it's kind of split level.

-Kind of makes it feel more housey.

-Yeah, more spacious.

-Wow.

-Master bedroom.

For those that have been paying attention, the first wow came from Lisa.

This second wow has taken a while to come but it has come from Ian.

-And in the best room of the flat.

-The bedroom.

Shall we have a look out the window?

I'm still really surprised how quiet it is with the trains.

Yeah, because one went past before and we couldn't hear it.

They're going to be irritating when we get outside about the train noise and the double glazing.

-Be ready for that.

-Totally.

-You're going to love that couch.

-That is my couch! That's nice.

-The furniture is really nice.

They've done it really well. It's not too big for the room.

It's a fairly... It's a really good-sized flat.

Shall we go and let the boys know what we think?

Yeah, let's do that and guess the price.

Just at that bit when they're saying let's go and see the boys.

-A train went past. Did they mention it once?

-No.

-No, they didn't.

So I think the deal is done.

We've seen the property.

Can we get beyond the thing that was our first concern which is outside and over there?

Yes, and no. A few trains passed. It was pretty quiet.

It's a really, really lovely flat. They've done it up really well and quite big.

-Yes.

-Let's guess the price. Who wants to go first?

-Go on, hen.

-185.

-185?

I think this is probably a bit over budget

because of the size of it I'd say probably 195.

The estate agents have done us a range of prices.

So the least they are expecting is 165,995

and the most is 179,995 so you're both way out.

You're closest, Lisa.

It is, let's remember that, very much underneath your budget

and you get two bedrooms with it as well.

I'll be honest. There's two more properties to see. I will keep an open mind.

At that price, it is definitely something I'd consider.

Property number two - mine.

-And the wild card, who knows where we can go?

-What an exciting journey.

-Shall we go?

-Yes.

Now, Ed might have been pretty quick off the mark with his choice today,

but I think my fine athlete of a property will be pushing

-neck and neck all the way to the finish line.

-Oh, you do, do you?!

Well, I'm quietly confident my choice will have no problem

holding off yours all the way to the tape.

Let the race begin.

So then, Ed's house, a house next to a train track

but loads of accommodation.

You don't get a train track here, I'm sorry, but what you do get is an apartment.

Away up there on the 4th floor in the Ilford area.

-Which means it's not even in London. That's Essex.

-Ilford is a part of London.

You've been here before, it's a part of London.

-The London Borough of Redbridge, I think.

-Do you know this area at all?

I have considered living here before, haven't looked at many properties.

-It does have great transport links to central London at the moment.

-Do you think Ian would like it?

He has looked at modern ones before but has come back saying

they're great but there's always a but at the end of it.

Ed and my job is to stand outside in the cold.

Your job is to go inside in the heat and look at that wonderful apartment. Do that now. Enjoy.

Now then, at the top of that elevator ride,

here we come, almost penthouse.

-Quite a wide hallway.

-Yeah.

So this must be the master bedroom,

-I expect. Quite dark.

-Yeah.

Not a massive window. And not sure what way, that's north, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

-Have you got at hand the cost of ground rent and service fees?

Yeah, all in the estate agent's particulars which

I will furnish them with upon exit of this property.

-Is it reasonable?

-Yeah.

-It's all in line with the market.

-Oh, OK, kitchen-lounge.

-Oh, OK.

I know this isn't for me but I don't always like having a kitchen right next to the living room.

I'm not a massive fan, I don't mind.

-Normally you have like, a breakfast bar...

-A separator?

..but it feels like they're actually very close together.

This is a bit of a turn-up for the books.

Normally we're forever hearing from young groovy couples, "Ooh, we like the open-plan."

These two don't, do they?

-Second bedroom.

-OK. Study.

-Not a bad size for a second bedroom. Just feels quite dark.

-Yeah.

-I think Ian has plans for this flat and I don't think they involve him moving in.

-No.

-It's an OK size.

-It's quite big.

-Yeah.

It's nice with the white suite as well.

-It's just kind of, not offensive, is it?

-Yeah.

Lisa is trying. Lisa is a great person to have on a house-hunt.

She's trying, because really, by the sounds of Ian, he's made up his mind.

Fundamentally, what was wrong with this apartment?

It felt like you didn't really like it.

Some bits were big, some bits were small but it seemed to be the wrong way round.

Really big, spacious hall, OK master bedroom and quite small second bedroom.

OK. Just so you know for anything else we look around, the service charge

is about £115 a month and that includes your water rates.

That's not unreasonable, bearing in mind you've got a lift shaft here.

All this stuff needs servicing.

And you've got around six years left of any guarantees.

It's only about four years old. You've got pretty much no hassle, ownership costs here,

which all go towards why we showed it to you.

-We have a maximum budget of 190,000...

-90-ish.

-190-ish.

I would like you to go first, Ian. I think you went second last time.

-I think this is going to be about 187.

-OK.

-160.

-160, OK.

It's on the market for 174,995.

-You're the winner. Well done.

-1-1.

-Are we excited about the wild card?

-Very.

-Shall we go? It's this way.

-Great.

-MATCH OF THE DAY THEME PLAYS

-We've been teasing and tantalising you throughout about this one.

Yes, the beautiful game has much to do with today's wild card property,

as it doesn't just come with the usual mod cons.

This property comes complete with its own season ticket for Leyton Orient FC.

What more could you want?

We are outside Leyton Orient Football Club.

-Are you a fan of Leyton Orient Football Club?

-I've heard of them.

-You could become Leyton Orient's biggest fan by moving to where we're about to show you.

-Really?

Here is the apartment.

What do you think? Have you thought about living next to a football club?

Not next to a football club, but I have looked round this area.

It's got great transport links, near the tube, loads of coffee shops,

-restaurants up and down the main road.

-Is this an audition for our job?!

He's almost mirroring the conversation I've had with an estate agent.

He mentions Leyton as one of the areas that this rippling gentrification will engulf.

He reckons this is a place you play the long game on.

Buy here, you'll be sitting on loads of equity in a few years.

-OK.

-But what about the building itself? It's another new-build,

so there's not going to be any work for you to do. Do you like it?

It looks about the same age as property two. It's a nice-looking building.

One of the advantages of living among this football franchise

is it's always going to be kept tidy because they want to protect their image.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

It's all down to whether you want to live in a football stadium.

-Shall we find out?

-Let's.

-Away you go.

-Enjoy.

Ladies and gentlemen, you join us at Leyton Orient FC.

Today we have the manager of the wild card, Mr Ed Hall. Ed, good morning.

-What are you looking from the house tour?

-I'm expecting a lot today.

I'm expecting the new signings from Crouch End to perform admirably.

I hope Ian will work his magic in the air and I also hope Lisa will perform brilliantly at the back.

-Good luck today.

-Thank you.

-So this is the living room.

-That's nice.

The layout's nice because it's more separate where the kitchen is than the lounge area, isn't it?

Yeah. Do you want to do the drawer test?

Shall we do the drawer test?

DRAWER BANGS SHUT

-Failed.

-Oooh.

They've gone straight into the living room with a wild card. What should they expect from this?

What they shouldn't do is what they've just done, gone for the soft-close doors on the cupboard.

It doesn't have them. It's not a deal-breaker, it's a deal-maker if they buy some.

Look.

-Actually at the football pitch.

-That is quite cool.

I didn't realise we'd be that close.

A little man out mowing the lawn, or turf, field, whatever it is.

It's a really good view.

That's a great view. Look, imagine that.

You could maybe, do you think, rent this balcony out?

I have spoken to the commercial manager of Leyton Orient FC,

and I have been told a corporate package at Leyton Orient is £1,500 for a season.

This is actually better seating than the corporate package,

higher elevation, elevation is what counts.

So, genuinely, he could rent this out, he could.

Well.

-I'm not sure if it's...

-Little bit small, isn't it?

..a master bedroom or a second bedroom.

-Yeah. You would literally only just get a double bed.

-And a side table in.

-Yes.

I'm getting worried. Lisa has been on board.

Every time Ian has said anything negative, she's always rebutted with a positive.

She's looking for a second bedroom. Is she likely to find one, Ed?

-In this flat, no.

-Disappointing.

-Oh, what a shame.

-Cupboard.

-There's not much you can put in it, is there?

-It's quite a big cupboard.

As we approach injury time in this house tour,

the house-hunters have just discovered it's just a one-bedroom flat. Any thoughts?

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed but I'm slightly annoyed they confused the boiler room as a second bedroom.

It is London, it is expectable, so it's not my fault.

You get the football pitch, for goodness sake.

A nice-sized bathroom. I like the way it's done, the tiles and stuff.

It's a good size for a one-bed flat.

-Shall we go and find the boys?

-And see what the price is? Yeah.

Ian and Lisa, as far as wild cards go, this is pretty out there, isn't it?

-It is.

-One of the best wild cards I've seen.

It's certainly an amazing view. It is really special.

You said to us you'd look at a one-bed and a two-bed.

OK, you might have been spoiled with a two-bed.

But is a one-bed still up for grabs?

I think so, yeah. I'd still consider a one-bed.

-Reading between the lines, I think you do want a two-bed.

-I think you're probably right.

If a one-bed had the right sort of wow factor, not that the football pitch isn't a huge wow factor,

I think having two bedrooms, somewhere for friends and family to come and stay.

-I reckon we need to play guess the price.

-Who went first last time?

-I think I did.

-It's 1-1, isn't it?

-It is.

-It's all to play for.

Who's going to go first? I think Ian's going to go first.

-182.

-Oooh.

-Lisa?

-187.

You're the winner.

-Me?

-Yeah, well done.

The actual price is 194,500. We've gone slightly over.

We are at the point in the programme where you have to head off

and make the biggest, the most Olympic decision of your adult life

as to which property you'd like to choose to test drive.

Are you able to do that?

-I think we're going for gold.

-Ooh, I like that!

We'll see you later on. Good luck.

-Which one will they choose, I wonder?

-What will be gold?

Let's give you a reminder of which property will receive gold, silver and bronze today.

Will Ian be going for gold with my fine competitor?

I think he'd be mad not to, considering all the space he gets for the compromise

of living next to the train track.

Let's not forget the price, offers between 165,995 and 179,995.

My offering might not be quite right for Ian,

but it's still a gem of a flat.

A cool and funky open-plan living area and two generous bedrooms,

all cocooned in a stylish apartment block.

On the market for 174,995.

Finally, there was the striking wild card.

-Striking wild card, see what I did there?

-Oh my goodness me, Ed.

Modern living at its best with that fantastic pitch-side view.

Offers in the region of 194,500.

He's gone for gold, Jonnie. They're back at my property.

-Excited about your test drive, then?

-Yeah.

OK, you test drive the house.

I'm going to test drive how long it takes to get to the station.

-I'm going to make tea and cakes.

-Great. See you later.

And she's off!

-I wonder what he's going to bake?

-I do hope it's a Victoria sponge. You can't beat a Victoria sponge.

-All that icing and jam, the perfect crime!

-I think we get the picture!

Maybe that walk of Lisa's will make space for the extra calories Ian's about to inflict on her.

Look at the focus. Well, the walk is over.

Do you know, Jonnie? All this exercise has made me hungry.

What are you talking about? I don't remember you doing any exercise, it was all Lisa.

Think what you like. Come on, grub's up.

Ian, I'm back!

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-Wow. You're actually baking?

-Yes, I have been busy.

-Do you want the cake? Go on.

-Yes, I might have a little pink one.

SHE LAUGHS

Oh, they've got jam in.

-Do you not know it's got jam in? I thought you said you baked them.

-Mmm.

-Bought these.

-You up to your old tricks again, Ian?

-Yeah.

-Good cake, though.

-Brilliant.

-What a day we've had.

-Indeed.

-You've picked my one.

-I have.

-And the elephant in the room which I was referring to earlier,

being the gigantic train line that's there, you factored that in,

you know it's there, but why did you come back?

There's so much property for the money. It's a really big flat,

it's been done really nicely and due to that there old elephant,

I'm getting all this as the pay-off.

This is under a mile to the Olympic zone,

Crossrail's coming to Forest Gate train station, less than half a mile from the house,

and it won't run across the back of the house, that's a local line

which does handily go all the way to Lisa's house.

I tell you what, shall we do it?

Shall we do title of the programme, the big one? Are you ready for it?

-I am.

-To buy or not to buy, Ian?

I think to buy.

Really?

It's huge. There's so much here, I think I'm going to put an offer in.

-That's brilliant news.

-I...I'm speechless.

-How's that for decisiveness?

-Yeah! In your face, Lisa!

-I was wrong all along.

That's the only the reason I came on the show, for her to say she was wrong all along.

You've got it on tape now. It's proof.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you very much.

-Good for you.

-It's been a pleasure to turn you into decisive Mr Ian.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done and good luck.

-We'll see you soon.

-Great. Thank you very much.

Ed, I hold my hands up, congratulations.

-That is a gold-medal finished.

-It really is.

Lord Coe, if you're watching and you need a man to be the standard-bearer

at the 2012 Olympics, because of my work in the East End of London,

I am available. I will be available.

Don't rest on your laurels, Ed. There's always next time,

and if you'd like to be part of next time

and you'd like us to help you find your dream home, do get in touch.

-Otherwise...

-See you soon. Goodbye.

-Goodbye.

I had a great time on the show. We really had a great laugh.

But the huge bonus was, I got a flat out of it.

A couple of days later, I went back, did another viewing

put an offer in, which was accepted two days later.

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