Hatton To Buy or Not to Buy

As the old saying goes, Jonny, an Englishman's home is his castle.

Yeah. When they finish this place off, it's going to be great, man.

According to this, this place has played host to "many a regal figure"

and on To Buy Or Not To Buy we pride ourselves in making our homebuyers kings of their own castle.

So we've got to find three castles for our buyers?

That is not going to be easy.

No, no. An Englishman's home is... It doesn't matter.

Today, we'll be wandering through the rolling countryside

and visiting tiny villages on the Derbyshire Staffordshire border.

It's an area with a rich agricultural backdrop and we want

to find the perfect family home for our green-fingered buyers.

We'll be finding them the pick of the crop, and show them three properties,

one of which we hope will flourish into their new family home.

And once we've done that, we'll give them a much sought-after

opportunity, the chance to try before they buy.

And wanting the taste of the good life today are Tom and Barbara, of course.

They met two years ago and love nothing more than

getting dirt under their fingernails and enjoying a spot of home-grown.

Tom and Barbara currently live in separate villages a few miles apart,

but they embrace their country lifestyle with Wellies at the ready,

which is perfect considering the spare time they have together is spent outdoors

taking in the fresh country air and tending to their ever-budding garden.

With three children completing the family line-up and a blossoming future ahead,

it's time to bring both houses together and begin the search for a new family home.

So, with Amy, Nick and Dan to consider in their plans, and not forgetting dog Lucky,

what exactly are they looking for? Let's find out.

So, then, Barbara and Tom, two worlds, two lives

and two households are coming together for this show, is that right?

-Yes, that's right.

-So tell us what we're after and what's going on.

Basically, we've been going out for over two years now...

-You've been dating?

-Yes.

-Nice.

He's got a house. I've got a house.

Tom's got two children.

I've got one and a dog. We want to bring everything together really.

Cos it's hard work sometimes.

If I spend time at Tom's house, it's leaving Amy behind and vice versa.

So when you say you've got home and families, how many people are we talking about moving in all?

Five of us altogether.

Thanks, Tom. Barbara's going, "Ooh, I don't know."

We were going to try and lose one somewhere along the way.

-So five altogether?

-Five altogether, yeah.

Bedrooms then. You've got three kids between you.

Are we going to be sharing any rooms or does everybody want their own room?

Four bedrooms would be ideal, but we would settle for three bedrooms,

as long as there's somewhere within the house which we can convert into a fourth bedroom.

-OK. So are you quite handy then? When it comes to properties, development work?

-Yeah.

-Apart from the major building work, most of the rest of the things.

-You've both got skills?

-Yeah.

-It's nice to put your own stamp on it.

-So you're comfortable to get stuck in?

-Yes, definitely.

-Right. And where are we looking?

We're looking sort of within, to stay within this area, within perhaps a ten-mile radius.

Looking at preferably villages.

So we're looking at Hatton, Hilton, Etwall, Willington, Findern, Rolleston, Stretton possibly.

-So one of these gorgeous villages you've found around the heart of England?

-Yes, that's right.

OK, and what style of property are you looking for?

-What have you got in mind?

-Style doesn't matter too much.

It's more the location of the property's probably the priority.

So you don't mind what style of property, but you keep focusing on location.

Give me your ideal location. Little village, what else?

Little village, big garden, or preferably good-size garden,

not overlooked from the back.

Preferably quiet.

-Plenty of room.

-So you'd like your own privacy?

Yeah, I like the privacy.

Large garden, what's that going to be for? Is it just for the dog?

-Looking possibly in the future, having chickens as well.

-Nice.

-Fantastic. Brilliant.

So we've got Tom and Barbara, big gardens,

doing vegetables, keeping chickens.

Looking for the good life.

Exactly that, isn't it?

How much will the good life cost?

What have we got? What's our budget?

We're looking, the top budget, 250.

-Yeah. Preferably less, but...

-We do like our holidays.

-We can push 250.

-It's always preferably less.

You've got no chance with us though.

Having spoken to the research team and had a look around, we'll probably have to push you right up

to the top of your budget to get what you're looking for.

-Are you prepared to spend that?

-If it's the right property.

For the right property, yeah, the push is definitely worth it.

-Great.

-Right, OK. Right, OK.

Tom, Barbara, the good life we will find you. Come on, let's go.

-Ah, the Good Life, eh?

-HE MUMBLES

Penelope Keith in Wellington boots. What are you doing?

I'm trying to remember the names of all those villages.

We have to put in some leg work if we're going to find the perfect pad

for Tom and Barbara on what is quite a tight budget.

This is a gorgeous part of the world though, see you later.

I'm going to see what our estate agents think of our budget and hopefully find a decent house.

Here's hoping. Now the rolling hills of the north Staffordshire border are home to the River Dove.

With one bank in Derbyshire and one in Staffordshire,

it forms an aquatic boundary with several picturesque villages surrounding either bank.

Many brooks and streams meander through these villages,

and it's easy to see why property in this area is much sought after.

Dominating the sky line in the area is Tutbury Castle.

Recordings of the castle date back to 1071 and it's best known as the prison of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Although how she couldn't escape from that old wreck I don't know.

I jest. It was destroyed by an Act of Parliament.

Its remaining structures still push above the surrounding villages,

giving property in this area a highly desirable view.

No wonder Tom and Barbara want to stay local.

But let's take a look at some of the charming properties

that could afford them the good life elsewhere.

Well, first off, feast your eyes on this end of terrace sandstone cottage in Kirkby Thore, Penrith.

A rustic garden sits alongside a contemporary interior.

It's beautifully presented and on the market for £210,000.

In Norfolk, there's this period, detached cottage dating back to 1720.

It still boasts many original features. It has two bedrooms,

a couple of reception rooms and a pleasant country kitchen.

The walled garden even has the added bonus of a detached, one-bed annexe,

a pretty picking at offers over £250,000.

How about this semi-detached property in Grimsby?

It has a country feel on the outside, but a distinctly '50s influenced flavour on the inside.

Four bedrooms, a stylish feature bathroom and simply a great living space.

A great opportunity at only £229,950.

Time for us to think about Tom and Barbara and whilst Jonny's taking

the estate agent route, I'm asking the people in the know, the locals.

I'd like these carrot seeds, please.

-Big garden's a must.

-Yes.

Three or four bedrooms, four ideally.

-OK.

-It's two families coming together.

What is fabulous about village life?

Village life, the community.

A village, semi-rural location, but a budget of £250,000, which I'm slightly concerned about.

What have we got? Are we going to be able to meet that?

We have got a selection of details. You are going to struggle, I think,

up to 250 to be able to get something maybe with character, with a large garden.

I've got teenagers who live in this village.

They can go to Derby, Birmingham, Burton on Trent.

They've got town, city life and then they've got the safe and secure...

-Environment they can have here.

-Yeah.

It's a spacious bungalow and you've also got the benefit of being able to convert the loft to make extra room.

-Also garages.

-Yeah, you could convert those, subject to planning.

-Also it's got a lovely garden.

-It's got potential.

-Definitely.

A lovely river. A lovely castle, you can't actually see behind

the trees at the moment, but there's a lovely castle over there.

And I'll think you'll find a nice, friendly atmosphere

and somewhere where you'd be glad to call your home.

-They're quite nice character properties, two-bedroomed and a three-bed.

-Right.

You could extend them both, subject to planning again.

They've also got large gardens.

Local communities, different things going on.

River, fishing, countryside.

-Middle of the country.

-Sounds ideal.

Not far to get to the sea. Yeah, brilliant. Super place.

-Lovely. Nice to meet you.

-You, too.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-How have you got on? OK?

-Yeah.

-I've done the best. Property number one. My choice.

It is perfect. Tom and Barbara wanted four-bedroomed, I've given them five.

I found a property. She's big, she's beautiful, she was built in the '80s.

Not Madonna, people, property number two. Four-bedroom detached,

-she's a winner.

-And the wild card, our joint choice.

Well, they wanted rural living. They're not getting it with the wild card,

but what they are getting is stunning, stunning views.

-Don't tell 'em too much.

-OK, that's all you're getting. Let's start with property one.

So I'm putting my vote on the first of the day, of course, my choice.

I'm taking Tom and Barbara to the Derbyshire side of the border and the village of Hilton.

Well remembered. Hilton was one of the villages on Tom's list.

Yes, I know and it's an absolute golden carrot of a property,

-but you need to keep one thing in mind, Jonny.

-What's that?

Never judge a book by its cover.

Property number one, my choice. Now, then,

-your teenage kids, do they all get on well?

-They get on very well.

-Fine.

I'm glad, cos they've got to squeeze into this bungalow.

That's all I'm going to say about it.

We've just come the other side of the border into Derbyshire.

But it is one of your desired villages, Hilton, yeah?

-Yup, that's right.

-OK. First impressions?

-Er, it's a bungalow.

-It's a dormer bungalow.

Dormer bungalow. It looks nice enough.

-It does.

-Mm-hm, what are you thinking?

I like the road. I liked walking up the road.

-Yeah, nice, quiet cul de sac.

-Yes, yes.

-Looks quite nice.

I can see houses at the back.

It's not as bad as you think. But, of course, reserve these judgments until you've been inside.

-Go and have a look round.

-Thank you.

-Go on, in you go.

-Thank you.

It's all about kerb appeal, my friend.

Let's make the most of this fine summer's day, shall we?

Yeah, absolutely.

That's more like it.

-This is bigger inside than outside.

-It certainly is.

What have we got here? Utility?

Oh, lovely. That would be really useful.

-I've never had a utility. Always wanted one.

-Washing machine.

-Yep.

-Dishwasher.

All mod cons. Utility room they've just spotted.

-Yep.

-Important when you've got teenagers.

-Very handy with a dog as well.

-Absolutely.

-Huge.

-That is lovely.

-Isn't it just?

I like the work surfaces.

Nice and smooth.

It looks all brand new virtually.

-It certainly does.

-It is brand new.

-I could just see me cooking vegetables on that stove.

-Yes, very nice.

Preparing all their home-grown produce in that large kitchen.

You see, I've already sold this place to them.

-Right.

-Dining room off the kitchen.

Yep. Get a nice table,

-nice big table.

-A big new table in there.

Six chairs, if not eight.

Yep. Plenty of room.

-I like it. Yeah.

-Could you please put the brolly up?

Oh, come on. Why? HE PRETENDS TO CRY

-I don't like it.

-OK.

-I wanna go home.

-I suppose so. There you go. All right?

-Ah!

Lounge.

Yep.

-Nice and bright.

-Nice and bright.

Not over big in comparison with the kitchen and the dining room, but...

Do you think that's cos there's not any furniture in here?

-Yeah, possibly.

-Could we bring any of our furniture in here?

This is why I provided them with an unfurnished house. Cos they've now got two houses.

They have to get all the furniture out, choose which pieces to keep and get them in. Blank canvas, my friend.

This is the conservatory.

I've never seen a conservatory look so much like a room.

-No, it's a sort of half conservatory.

-Yes.

-It's very nice.

-Very nice.

-I like that.

This would have to be our room, with access to the garden.

-Definitely.

-That would be nice.

I think a conservatory would probably not be the fairest

description for it, because it's only got one main glazed wall.

-Go on, then, estate agent.

-I'd refer to this as a sun lounge.

Liking it.

Yeah. You're in the sun lounge!

-This must be...

-Bedroom. Bedroom one.

-Bedroom.

-It's a nice size.

-Yeah.

-Get a double or a single in here.

Outlook to the front, that's fine.

Yep, this must be one of the original bedrooms.

Yes, looks like it.

It's a nice, quiet street, isn't it?

-It is.

-This is the good life, my friend.

This is the opposite of the good life.

This is fine.

-British summertime, we love it.

-Oh!

-Must be...

-Bedroom two.

Bedroom two. I imagine this is going to be the smallest one.

-Yes.

-I would have thought.

Been used as a study by the looks of it.

That's the last of the bedrooms downstairs. Two bedrooms downstairs.

I haven't finished yet though, my friend.

Right and... Oh, mirrors.

-Another bedroom.

-Another bedroom.

-That's quirky.

-It is.

-Small.

-You could get a single bed down there.

-Possibly an office.

-Yeah.

-Very pleasant with the sloping roof.

-Put your own colour on it.

The great thing about bungalows when you go up into the roof is all the living accommodation

is on one floor, so you get a much bigger foot print. When you go

upstairs, you end up with a bigger house than you'd get if you were...

Yeah, that's why I brought them here.

Oh, and the bathroom.

-That's nice. Good size again, in't it?

-It is.

-Very spacious.

-Yes, it is. Very.

Bath is very nice. Unusual.

-But I do like that.

-Mm.

Yes, I like it.

I like the bathroom, and the skylight in it, it's a quirky shape.

-There is room there to put in a free-standing shower if it was rearranged a bit.

-Yeah. OK.

This is another bedroom. That's four.

-It's the fourth so far.

-It didn't look big enough outside.

No, it didn't. You were talking about three.

Again, it's not a massive room, but it's certainly adequate size

-and the view on to the garden is very nice.

-Oh, it is, isn't it?

There may be houses at the back, but it's...

Yeah, it's very private with the mature gardens.

Yes, that's right and the shrubbery.

It may seem overlooked from the front, out back here you've got a good degree of privacy.

Yeah, and I agree that at least part of the garden is mature.

A fifth bedroom.

-Five?

-That's going to be the master then, isn't it? That's got to be ours.

-Yes. I think this would be our room.

-Yeah, yeah.

Probably not as big as I'd like for the master bedroom,

but it is certainly big enough. Yeah, certainly big enough, yeah.

-It is.

-Some wardrobes down there on the back wall...

-That's right.

-About here.

-Yep.

And nice big window.

I should imagine the sun comes up from that direction. Nice and bright in the morning.

-That would be really nice.

-Yeah, wake you up.

-Yep.

-Talking about the garden, I'm itching to get out in there, I really am. Can we have a look?

Yeah, course you can look.

I got the feeling Tom and Barbara were really keen on the downstairs,

but then the enthusiasm waned a bit as they got upstairs.

-You'll have to go and throw some of your suggestions at them.

-Yes, I need to offer them a carrot or two.

I think you were pleasantly surprised.

-Very.

-Very pleasantly surprised actually, yes.

It's quite a revelation this place, isn't it?

-Yes, it's like Doctor Who's TARDIS. It's bigger inside than outside.

-Much.

Being honest, if you've come down here and seen the for-sale sign, from the outside would you have viewed?

-No.

-No, not at all, no.

-This is what we do, my friend.

-Never judge a book by its cover.

-Your other misgiving was the thought it might be overlooked at the back.

-I know, I know.

Yes, but the garden's lovely. It's certainly private enough, easily, yeah.

Gorgeous, mature garden. Plenty of room for your vegetable patch.

Just one other thing to tell you as well.

Ha-ha! I've always got another thing up my sleeve.

Over here there is planning permission to put a double garage and a summer house behind it,

so I am talking the poshest chicken coop you've ever thought of in your life.

Which brings us nicely to...

Guess the price time. So we know your budget is £250,000.

Tom, you go first.

It's five bedroom. It's a very nice kitchen, bathroom,

so I reckon it's certainly pushing the top end of the budget.

I will go for 245.

OK. Barbara?

255.

-255?

-Yeah.

-Ooh!

Well, I have to say that Tom has edged it by a short nose,

because it's actually on the market bang on your budget for 249,950.

-Right.

-So right in the middle of your two guesses there, but 50 quid closer, mate.

So it's 1-0 to you. What do you think of that?

About the price I'd expect.

Do you mean, it's a fair reflection of the property?

-Yes.

-Yes, definitely.

-I'm feeling very pleased with myself.

OK. Well, let's see what you think of my choice, property number two. Let's go.

For my property proposition, we're heading back over the border

into Staffordshire.

We've crossed the River Trent and arrived into the area of Winshill.

Jonny, was Winshill on Tom's list?

Stop it! I may have strayed a bit there, but I'm confident

I've more than made up for it as far as the good life is concerned.

-And I've been thinking of the kids.

-Yeah, whatever.

Right then, Tom and Babs.

In the property world, he who dares, "Wins" hill.

Yes, I've brought you to Winshill across the river to my property choice number two.

Hang on a second. Tom, can you just list those villages you talked about before?

-Hatton, Hilton, Willington, Findern...

-Winshill.

Yeah, really?

-I told you.

-He didn't mention Winshill, Jonny.

-You're a Winshill fan, aren't you?

-I don't mind. I'll have a look.

Right, first impressions of this lovely family home.

It looks very large. It looks nice.

It does look very large.

But it is what we call "over the water".

Oh! Over the water, Jonny!

-Is that where the troll lives underneath the bridge?

-That sort of thing, yes.

-Explain.

Er, people who live on the other side of the Trent,

the Derbyshire side, consider the area round here as over the water.

There's got to be a bit of compromise with property hunting.

I know the area's not quite what you're after, but so far as

commutability, access to college, work, etc, this should be much more convenient for you.

So with that in mind, get yourselves in there, have a look around.

-Thank you.

-We'll be listening.

That's nice and roomy.

Right, let's hope this property builds a bridge

-over Tom's troubled water.

-I'm just going with the flow.

Lounge. It's huge, wow.

-That is a big room.

-It is, isn't it?

Very big, yeah. Take some filling with furniture.

-Fireplace is quite nice.

-Yes, that's nice. Yes.

Wouldn't want to change that really.

It's a very, very big room. Plenty of entertainment room.

-It's family sized living accommodation, that is, Si.

-Is it?

-That's what it's called.

-Thanks very much.

Dining area.

That's nice.

A nice-size room.

Plenty of room for all of us there.

Perhaps we'd go for a bigger table to fit all of us comfortably.

-Shut it off with these doors.

-Yes, yes.

-Who do you reckon's the chef out of the two?

-I think they take it in turns.

-Yeah?

-Yes. I think Tom and Barbara would.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. So Tom and Barbara will.

The Good Life.

-Kitchen and dining room for eating too.

-Oh, that's nice.

Not sure about the...

-Colour scheme.

-Or the doors.

-The doors. It's the doors, isn't it?

I think that is a great kitchen. Family kitchen to sit down

-and eat in. Lovely range cooker in there. Superb.

-Lovely.

-Lovely.

Utility room... that would be really useful.

I like that.

Oh, look at that.

Oh, gosh, that's very useful.

This property's quite unassuming from the outside, cos it's been heavily extended.

The dining room is part of one of the two-storey extensions.

And the utility room forms part of the other extension.

Into...

A bathroom toilet. A toilet room.

And a shower.

That would be useful having what presumably is the second toilet.

-It's good though.

-Functional.

-Yes, very.

Functional.

After a busy day in the garden or the gardening plot, into the shower.

And that's where the garage was converted, which makes a great

-extra reception room downstairs.

-An annexe.

-If you like.

-Ooh.

-Another room.

-What would this be?

-This would be...

Play room. We could turn it into...

It would have potential for another bedroom if needed.

Depending again on what's upstairs.

The great thing about that extra room is, it's on completely the other side of the house,

so kids can have their own wing, adults in the other.

That's a nice view at the top of the stairs, isn't it?

-That's lovely, that is.

-When you get to the top.

Nice window.

One of the great things about this house is every day you walk up those stairs, you've got that window

-on the landing that looks out on to the beautiful fields beyond.

-It is. The rolling English countryside.

Bedroom one. It's a good size.

It's not bad.

-It's reasonable.

-Very reasonable.

Get a double in here as well, wouldn't you?

-Lot of brown woodwork. I think I need a bit of white paint.

-Hm.

Tom-Tom, get your brush out, sunshine, you can change wood to any colour you want.

-He just said, white paint.

-Yeah.

-You said you wanted something to do, this could be the place.

Second bedroom.

It's a good size.

Very good size, isn't it?

Yeah, make a nice room for Daniel, that would.

Yes, it would, wouldn't it? I was thinking that.

-A bit more room to spread his rubbish.

-Yes.

The difference is your house is a dormer bungalow that's been converted,

so the upstairs didn't quite complement the downstairs size-wise.

Where this property is as big upstairs as down.

That's a nice, bright room.

It's nice.

-Again good size, isn't it?

-Yes, it's bigger than the last one, is that.

Definitely one of the girls' rooms, don't you think?

-A room for one of the girls.

-Yes.

-Oh, definitely. Double window.

-Mm.

Both open. A nice through draught.

Perhaps we'll have this room.

-A nice through draught?

-That wasn't on the list at all, was it?

-I don't think it was on the list.

Oh, that's a nice bathroom.

Oh, it would be nice to have a shower in here.

Not over sure about the corner bath either really, but it's nothing that couldn't be, er...

-No.

-I think there is actually room to put a shower in here.

Plenty of space, I think.

-Shower and a bath.

-Yeah.

People want a shower and a bath in a modern bathroom.

Yeah, but the bathroom is a great size. It can always be re-jigged.

You can have everything you want in there.

You're determined to make use of their handiwork.

-This will be the master bedroom surely.

-Yes.

Oh, an extended master bedroom.

So, that's your dressing room area.

Surprised somebody hasn't made that into an en suite actually,

-but it's nice as it is.

-Possibility for the future.

-Yes.

-It's a good-size room.

-A very good-size room.

-It is.

-Windows front and rear open.

The windows get a nice lovely through draught there.

Great size, dual aspect room, scope for en suite that would add significant value.

-Yeah!

-Here he goes again.

There's four bedrooms up here. So that leaves that room downstairs quite free.

I would probably put the computer downstairs.

Yes, yes, that would be nice.

So at least we know there's four upstairs and it could be

a guest room and a computer room downstairs, that last room we saw.

I'm going to go out on a limb.

This property is versatile.

It is versatile. It is. It's just the wrong side of the river, mate.

Yes, yes, a nice four bedrooms.

-It is.

-Two toilets, so more or less what...

Good size. Good-size house.

So let's go outside and...

-See the boys.

-See about the price.

-See the garden.

I don't think this was a patch on my place, and I'm not talking vegetable patch.

OK, then, Babs, Tom.

I've given you a view to die for.

Four double bedrooms, three reception rooms, two toilets

and a partridge in a pear tree

and yet I'm not feeling the love for this house.

What is going on?

The house itself in terms of its size and the bedrooms is very good.

In particular, the upstairs bedrooms were really good. Not quite so keen on the downstairs.

-OK, explain why.

-I don't know. It's just a feeling you get, the layout.

It just doesn't quite work for me. The views again are spectacular.

-Do you agree with that, Barbara?

-Yes, I do.

You just can't explain, but it's just a feel you've got.

I've got a preference for the last house we saw so far.

So the property's not grabbing you. Is the house price going to influence you?

Yeah? Come on, so you've got views to die for.

What value could you put on those views? OK, we are over the water.

So "guess the price" time.

-Ladies first, Barbara.

-I'll go first this time.

Erm...245.

-OK.

-I think, 233.

233. Well, I can say, Tom,

2-0 to you. It's placed on the market offers over £225,000,

so well beneath your budget.

-But does that have any positive influence on you at all?

-Er...

Be nice to have something the lower the better obviously,

but it's got to be the right house.

But look with that much to spare on your budget,

you could do any cosmetic changes, you wanted to this place.

Yeah, that is true, but...

Is it the fact that it's over the water?

-Is that what it comes down to, Tom?

-It may have a slight inkling on it.

It just needs to have the right feel and I don't altogether get it.

OK. Well, here's hoping the wild card is back across the river then.

-Shall we find out?

-Let's.

-Come with us.

And so the wild card brings us to the historic village of Tutbury in Staffordshire.

Now we are on the right side of the water, aren't we?

Yes, we are. Our joint choice is nicely nestled in the shadow of the castle

and offers plenty of potential for all the family.

After your weedy effort, let's find out if Tom and Barbara could take root here.

OK, Tom and Barbara, our joint choice, the wild card today,

first of all, Tom, you'll be pleased to know we are back over the water.

-That's fine.

-Are you feeling more comfortable?

-Yes, a lot more at home.

-Right, now why is it the wild card? First of all you said you wanted

that kind of rural living feeling.

Well, we've brought you slap bang into urban life.

-Well, not too urban, the village of Tutbury. That's one reason it's the wild card.

-Not exactly urban.

The other reason it could be is this beautiful elevated position

that we've given to what is a detached, single-storey dwelling.

So how does it grab you? What are initial impressions, guys?

-I like the view.

-It's a bungalow on a hill.

-Yes.

-I love your enthusiasm, Tom.

Succinctly put, Tom. Now can we have some more descriptive words, please?

-What are you thinking?

-You mentioned the view on the hill.

Yes, yes, I noticed that walking up. It's nice.

-And you see it even more from up there, I guess.

-The ruins on the hill.

-The ruins on the hill. It's lovely.

-It looks quite nice, actually.

-Yes.

-It looks quite big.

-Tucked away. It's different.

You're getting there, Tom. That's why it's the wild card. Come on.

-Come with us on this journey. Be enthusiastic.

-I'm with you.

-Good lad! We're on the right side of the water.

-This is true. It's true.

So after the beating you gave mine with your words and your looks,

-it's the least you could do to show a bit of enthusiasm.

-OK?

Looking all right from the outside, but what's it like on the inside?

-Could we have a look?

-Yes. Get in there. Enjoy.

-It's like being up a creek without a paddle.

-Absolutely.

At least the right side of the water up the creek though.

Oh, a bit of maintenance work there.

Wild card, ding ding ding ding. # Is it amazing? #

-Conservatory again. Very nice.

-It's an extended conservatory, isn't it?

It's unusual, but nice. Extra room on the end there.

So that's the back door in then through the conservatory.

-Two doors by the looks of it. In there or in there.

-It's unusual.

-That's nice.

-Way in and out.

-Yes, it is.

That's a great conservatory. Big enough to be used as another reception.

I'm not sure on the plumbing there.

That's for a washing machine, but in the conservatory?

Oh, no.

-Deal with that.

-Washing machine plumbing.

Nice table in there would be quite nice.

It's a bit...

..faced by that house for a conservatory if you want to...

-A few shrubs and...

-Plants.

In pots and screen that off a bit.

-True.

-Possibly even...

-Blinds round.

-Possibly even put the fence higher.

-Yes.

Very bright and light.

It's a nice room.

Oh, look at that view.

Oh, right. It's where the castle...

-Oh, that's nice.

-It's a real...

-That's nice. Nice view.

-Straight to the church picture window.

-Mm.

That's why we brought you here, Tom and Barbara, the views.

-This will be the lounge, won't it, anyway?

-The lounge, yeah.

Fireplace is quite nice.

It is, isn't it? I like that brick effect.

-Why has no-one looked down at the floor yet?

-Not had one comment about it.

The best feature of this property, as far as I'm concerned,

apart from the views, is the gorgeous, gorgeous block floor.

Top of the world, looking down.

Takes us into the kitchen.

-Another...

-Oh, it's quite nice. Nice and bright.

Exit to the conservatory.

Very roomy. Lots of room.

-We could have a small table there for...

-Yes, yeah.

-For eating.

All the rooms are big, but because you are elevated, you don't get

any problems from the road noise from the high street below.

-Oh! That's quite intelligent.

-Yeah.

-Oh.

-Bedroom number one.

I like the floor. Almost an original floor, isn't it?

Possibly. The windows are huge.

Lots of windows to the property, aren't there?

Thing with the double windows, where do you put your bed,

your wardrobes? You do lose some of that wall space.

What, windows take up a lot of wall space? You could get rid of them.

-Yeah.

-It would be a bit darker, wouldn't it?

-I love a good cell, me.

-THEY CHUCKLE

Oh, look. It will be a bedroom. Got an en suite.

-Shower room.

-En suite shower room.

-That's a big shower.

-It is.

It's very big, isn't it?

Ah, there we go, a double shower in the en suite.

I'm not so sure about the flooring as you.

Oh, no, I quite like the old floors.

You could almost... Well, you could put almost a wall-to-wall rug...

A wall-to-wall rug or more commonly referred to as a carpet.

This is bedroom two.

Yep.

Not over big if it's the second bedroom

-and the view leaves quite a lot to be desired.

-Oh!

Oh, come on. A rendered wall outside your window, what more do you want?

-Bathroom...

-The bathroom.

Reasonably sized.

Needs a bit of tarting up, but...

Yeah. Soon put a new bathroom suite in.

There you go. Tom's starting to warm to the place.

He's starting to fit a shower into the bathroom.

Bedroom number three.

-Bedroom three.

-Is that the same size as the other room?

No, I think it's a bit bigger.

Bit bigger. Only just a bit.

You've got the bed along there or there,

and I suppose the wardrobe there.

-Bed, wardrobe.

-Dressing table there.

That's the last... Is that it? Three bedrooms.

I think it is, isn't it?

-Nice view to the garden.

-Yep.

-Right.

-See if we can find another room.

We're going to be looking for compromise from them,

cos we've only given them three bedrooms with the wild card,

but they did say the girls were prepared to share.

Well, we shall see. TAs often say one thing, but mean the other.

That would seem to be it, doesn't it?

-So...

-For the wild card there's bound to be something else they've got under their sleeve.

I think we ought to find the boys.

Ah! They think we've got something up our sleeves. What have you got up your sleeve?

A bus ticket out of here, mate, I think.

OK, you lovely couple, you've had a good look round the inside of our wild card.

You also noticed this patio area out here, but let's just talk about the garden a bit more.

We are south facing.

-How good would this be to grow all those lovely vegetables?

-Absolutely.

-The rhubarb's already started there.

-It has.

-So you've got the lovely garden out here too.

But how was it for you inside? I mean, what did you feel?

Smaller than it looked on the outside. It was quite disappointing.

The size of the bedrooms isn't over good. They're adequate, but there's only three of them.

-Right. So...

-There's no real room to convert or alter any of the bedrooms into a fourth.

Or so you think, Tom, my friend.

I have an idea that may inspire you.

-No, I've got an idea.

-OK, Tom, you come with me.

I've got a better idea, Barbara, come with me.

OK, Tom, my little plan is in here.

Now we've got this double garage.

-You didn't specifically say you needed a double as such.

-No.

So if you could split this garage down the middle, we've already got a divider.

Obviously subject to planning and the necessary building consents,

you convert this into a fourth bedroom for one of the older teenagers,

having an elaborate spiral staircase coming down from the patio above.

Yeah, I can see that would be a possibility.

-It's an option.

-It is an option, yes.

It's quite an extensive amount of work I would have thought, but...

The foundations are here. The building is already in place. A partition would be easy.

The biggest thing would be getting a staircase down here.

-You could easily put a window in the door.

-Oh, yes.

OK, so we have thought about this and there are options available

to make the most of the space.

-Yes.

-To satisfy your demands.

Let's go and see what Simon and Barbara are talking about. Come on.

Barbara, I know what Jonny is saying to Tom.

He's down in that double garage saying his idea is to convert

-one of the garages into another bedroom and get that missing bedroom.

-Right.

-OK?

-Yes.

But I think there's a thinking man's answer to this, a better answer.

What is the best thing about this property?

The location, the height and the views.

-The views. So I would go up.

-Up.

-I've been up in the loft.

You've got a good pitch on the roof there.

There's ample room for an extra bedroom and an en suite up there.

-I like that idea.

-It can be tricky sometimes to get planning permission to break a roof line.

-A precedent has to have been set on the street.

-Yeah.

But if you look along, dormer windows have been put in plenty of the roofs, so I don't think it's an issue.

-OK.

-No, that's fine.

-What do you think?

-I like that idea.

-Better than doing it in the garage, isn't it?

-I think so. The master bedroom up there.

Yeah, master bedroom and think of the fantastic, endless views you'd get.

-You'd be way over the roofs.

-Yep.

-Yeah?

-Definitely.

-OK, I've sold that idea to you. Cost a few bob though.

-Yes, it would.

-Shall we go and find the others, then, for guess the price?

-Yeah.

Any chance of doing some work?

-Who was winning by the way?

-Two nil.

-Ah-ha, Tom, Tom, Tom!

-Anyway, you're 2-0 up on "guess the price", aren't you?

-I am.

-Barbara loved my idea.

-I did.

-Tom was pretty keen on mine too.

You can discuss that between yourselves, though,

but as we said, it is "guess the price" time.

So, Barbara, opportunity for you to get a little bit of pride back.

Budget is £250,000. That's the maximum we're taking it to. So what do you think?

247.

OK. Tom?

It's a bit of a unique property, so quite difficult, but I think 220.

-220? You've gone right low there, haven't ya?

-Yup.

Barbara, you've salvaged that pride. You've salvaged it very well indeed,

cos this again is right at the top end of your budget.

It's on the market for 249,950.

-Yeah, you were close.

-I was.

You don't care about the price, do you? You've got some pride back there.

-Yep.

-But what's your reaction to that?

Er, for the fact that we would probably need to do some work

-to convert it, it's probably a bit too much.

-Mm.

Well, it's a very unusual property, very nice in some ways.

-And those views are spectacular, aren't they?

-The views are unbelievable.

-Well, it's time to think about which property you want to test drive, or...

-Try before you buy.

But before you do that, go away and have a little think about it.

-So off you go.

-And, Barbara, tell him my idea was better than Jonny's.

And while they do that, here's a quick reminder for you at home.

Will it be property one that triumphs through to the test drive?

A five-bedroom, converted bungalow in the village of Hilton.

I can just see them cooking their home-grown veg in that kitchen while the kids kick back in the sun lounge.

A beauty at 249,950.

Or maybe the open aspect views of my choice, property two, will win them over?

OK, being in Winshill it may be the wrong side of the water for Tommy boy,

but the space inside more than makes up for it. With four bedrooms and the annexe area,

this property is a perfect family home at offers over 225.

Or maybe even choose our joint wild card,

a single-storey dwelling high on a hill in Tutbury.

OK, it might only have three bedrooms at present,

but all it takes is a bit of imagination.

With those views of the castle, it's as pretty as a picture

at 249,950.

What do you think? Let's see.

Tom and Barbara, you were very, very wise.

You've decided to test drive my property, property number one.

-And you've brought your gorgeous daughters, Nicky and Amy, with you. How are you, girls?

-Fine, thanks.

And a lovely dog Lucky as well. Hello, Lucky.

Why this place?

It really did tick all the boxes and more.

Ha ha ha! Are you listening, mate?

-I thought my house was pretty good. What was the issue?

-It was.

-Oh, it was the water thing.

Don't start that again. Don't start that again, Tom.

Now, our eagle-eyed peruser of properties has given this place the once over.

-This is just a good, solid house.

-Good.

-Couple of little things he picked up on. See that black line there?

-Yeah.

That's Bitumastic damp coursing, which he thinks might be starting to perish,

so you might need a new damp course put in at some point.

That can be easily remedied. We also spoke about the garage,

and the planning's in place to replace that and put a large unit in instead.

The roof's asbestos, so ensure you use a specialist to make sure they dispose of it correctly.

And this is not a legally binding survey. We would recommend anyone

-who's going to buy a house to get a full survey done.

-We will.

-All right?

-Mm-hm.

-But it's a lovely place.

-It is.

-What do you think, girls?

-Yeah, it's nice.

-Yeah, looking good, innit?

And Lucky is licking his lips. Let those people in.

Yeah, go on, in you go.

-Jealous?

-No, but I love that dog.

-You are jealous, aren't you?

-Genuinely love the dog.

So with daughters Amy and Nicky in tow,

Tom and Barbara are wasting no time making themselves feel at home.

Tom's straight outside to find out what Lucky makes of the garden.

Judging by the look on Lucky's face, I think it gets the seal of approval.

Oh, and Babs is straight into the kitchen with her vegetables.

You know, Jonny, home-grown veg always tastes the best.

And the girls are quick to have a nosy round the house themselves.

Heading upstairs, time to check out the bedrooms.

It could be, like, a cinema room, I don't know.

-If you had like a big TV there and perhaps a sofa.

-Plasma screen.

-Yeah.

I am loving your thinking, girls. A cinema room, get in.

But I knew it, Tom and Barbara just can't stay out of the garden

and I reckon they are setting out plans for a chicken coop.

Do you know what, Jonny? I have a good feeling about this one.

I think I agree. Best go and ask them for ourselves.

OK, Barbara and Tom, you've had a chance to spend some time in Simon's wonderful house. How was it for you?

-Did you enjoy yourselves?

-Yes, very much so.

I felt very much at home there.

-I really did.

-And Tom?

Very homely house. It's got a good feel about it.

-Right side of the water?

-Right side of the water.

That's the main thing, Jonny. It's all about location.

So that brings us to the ultimate question then, to buy or not to buy?

I think at the moment, although it is more or less what we are looking for,

I think we need to perhaps go out and look at a few more properties before making a final decision.

I think at the moment it's a not to buy.

I think we're going to end up coming back here.

-Do you think?

-I do. We just owe it to ourselves really.

This is one of three first properties that we've looked at,

so I think we owe it to ourselves to have a look around.

That's fair enough. You've got to have a look around.

-Yes.

-You need something to compare it to.

-Yes.

-But it's a contender?

-Yes.

I have bought you a present to get yourself started here. No, I'm keeping them now.

But we hope we've sown the seeds of the kind of property you want.

-Definitely.

-Yes, you have.

-But also having looked around,

-maybe ruled out the properties you don't want to be looking for too.

-Certainly.

I think there's a good chance, after we've looked round, we will be back to have another look.

-Do you hear that? Do you hear that?

-Well done.

-Well, all right.

I take some solace in that. I'm going to get out of the rain. It's been on and off all day.

Let's go. It's been great fun. See you.

-OK, thank you. Bye.

-Thank you.

OK, we didn't find Tom and Barbara their perfect house, but this is a bit harsh, isn't it?

This punishment far exceeds the crime, but we can redeem ourselves

by helping you find your dream home, so get in touch.

Yeah, do. All right, you can let us out now!

He-e-e-elp!

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