Lichfield To Buy or Not to Buy

House hunting - just when you think you've backed the right horse,

you can find yourself back on the merry-go-round.

It's exciting, but it can be full of ups and downs.

Without the help of two handsome chaps, you can go around in circles.

-Who are they, then?

-Us two.

-What?

We're the...!

We pride ourselves on our professional approach,

as we try to match beautiful buyers with perfect properties.

-We're not feeling too professional just now.

-All work and no play!

But when it comes to house-hunting, we are very serious when we put our heads together.

-Whilst also giving our buyers the unique chance to...

-Try before they buy.

So let's meet them. Julie and Mark Edwards.

They've been married a few months and have lived in a rented property

until they find something more permanent.

Mark is mad about motorbikes and Julie is crazy about cookbooks. They both love going to the theatre.

Mark proposed during a performance of Cinderella.

OK, the properties we find them have to have that va-va-voom of high speed travel

and the taste and perfect-ingredient combination of a good meal.

Yeah. And hopefully our search for that fantasy home won't be a right pantomime.

-Since they're a fun-loving couple...

-Oh, no they're not!

-Oh, yes they are!

..let's meet up with them at their local theme park.

Julie and Mark, we are about to embark on the rollercoaster ride of the property hunt.

-What is it you are looking for today?

-Ideally, something with at least four bedrooms.

Easy access for my mum as she's in a wheelchair.

-And more importantly, a parking space and a garage space for my bike.

-You can't say that!

-It can't be more important than Mum, can it, Julie?

-It is for him.

I bet this is a bit of a bone of contention.

It is, because his bike is going to take priority over the garage to my car.

-So, a place with two garages, possibly.

-Two would be fantastic.

-Two would be ideal.

All right. What else? How many bedrooms?

We need four because we have two teenage boys.

We'd like Lichfield, but it may be out of our budget a little bit,

so anywhere within a ten mile radius of there.

OK. What style of property? Obviously, we want a family home, but what design?

We would like detached, we don't mind if it's old or new

but we would like detached, as I think we're a bit noisy.

We make a lot of noise.

Anything else you could think of while we're here?

We'd like a nice kitchen because we both enjoy cooking.

-We're not particularly good at it but we enjoy it!

-We enjoy eating, as you can tell!

We're not fussed about a garden because we're a bit too lazy to do too much gardening.

-A small garden because we have a little dog as well.

-A pet as well?

-Yes.

If not Lichfield, any other areas spring to mind?

Burntwood, borders of Tamworth, Fradley, Longdon, Longdon Green.

-Basically in a radius out from Lichfield?

-Yeah.

A ten-mile radius around Lichfield.

-How are you at doing work, a bit of DIY renovation?

-I enjoy DIY.

-That wasn't the question. Do you enjoy doing it?

-Can we do it?

-I try, yes.

-That makes it fun. That brings us now to the all-important question, your budget.

-How much money have you got to look for today?

-It's around £330,000.

That's OK. That didn't get us screaming, did it?

-No.

-Like everyone else here. But Lichfield is a very desirable area.

-It is.

-Shall we get going? Right, I'm going on the log flume.

-No, we're not.

We're going to be here all day!

-I want to go on the pirate ship. I want to go on it!

-Simon, you're embarrassing yourself, and me.

I want to go on the pirate ship! I hate you!

Well, I love you. Look, you go speak to the estate agent, then you can have a go.

-I'm going to meet the people.

-Promise?

-Of course I do.

You'd better let me now, you promised. Right, nestling in the heart of the countryside,

Lichfield is a super city in Staffordshire, 14 miles north of Birmingham.

It's got so much on its doorstep.

If you want thrills and spills, you can do as we did and visit

the 280 acres of the pleasure that makes up Drayton Manor.

But if that's not your bag, Lichfield itself is steeped with heritage and history,

and simply oozes charm. Some of its medieval street plan still remains.

And Lichfield boasts the country's only medieval cathedral with three spires.

-A cathedral that is over 800 years old is quite something, huh?

-Gosh, you're good with numbers.

But are you good with words? Famous Lichfieldian Samuel Johnson was.

He was the author of the first English dictionary.

The modern day wordsmiths of Lichfield now come in the form of Eurovision hopefuls/wannabes Scooch.

Or Natalie Powers, to be precise, their lead vocalist.

I'm flying the flag for Lichfield. What would a £330k budget get you around the rest of the UK?

Well, set in a fifth of an acre in Cottingham, East Yorkshire,

it could get you this unique, four-bedroomed detached lovely.

Set over three storeys, it's got a conservatory too, and beautiful views

to open countryside to both the front and back.

On the market for £325,000.

You may have charm and character, Jonny, but I have quality and size.

With this church conversion in Elgin, Scotland.

Made of stone and slate and sympathetically restored,

this superb specimen comes complete with four double bedrooms

and a drum room, apparently. It can be yours

for offers over £325,000.

No need to drum up interest for this thatched cottage in Porlock, Somerset though.

Grade II listed, it has two en suites, a new kitchen, four double bedrooms

and it has the potential to make an excellent B&B,

all for the fantastic price of 315 grand.

Listen here, matey, I didn't get to go on the pirate ships, so you don't get to be a pirate.

Now get on with some real work.

They need something bigger than this, so perhaps you can help me, Phil.

-Thanks for joining us.

-Lovely to see you.

-What is fun about living here?

It's lovely here, There's lots to do for people of all ages.

Lichfield is a wonderful city. It combines the medieval heritage,

symbolised by Lichfield Cathedral, of course, with a modern, vibrant city.

If you were looking for a house in this area, what kind of places should we be looking at?

I would say something that's a lovely colour with lots of flowers.

-I've got a lovely couple, in the throes of romance, just married.

-Lovely.

They're want to move to a detached property.

Aim for the rebound, the letters.

Aim for the front, so you spin it.

It should just land in.

Three properties they may be interested in with varying different types.

This is a classic 1960s-built house in a wonderful position.

Here we go, then.

-Oh, unlucky. Never mind. Have another go.

-A little bit above their budget...

-"A little bit above their budget"?!

-I am an estate agent,

-we have to push it a bit!

-No consolation prizes?

-I'm sorry, no.

-Listen, you've been a brilliant help.

I will take these with me. Shall we have a quick go on the roller coaster?

-Why not?

-Come on, let's go.

-Come on, Si, stop sulking.

-This is rubbish. This isn't the log flume, it's boring.

Look how pretty it is. How did you get on?

Talking about that, I did very well indeed. My choice, property number one.

Even better - double garage! Property one, I am very happy about.

Nice work. With my property, we're on the fringes of Lichfield as such.

But, loads of parking.

I've got the double garage Mark's after and the superb kitchen for our budding chefs.

It's a contender as well.

This is boring. Anyway, the Wild Card.

There's nothing boring about the Wild Card. Why is it the Wild Card?

Because we think Mark might be livid when he sees this place. Why?

We're not going to tell you. Let's start with my choice, property one.

Seeing as we are in Samuel Johnson's neck of the woods,

I feel only right to put my literary head on.

My property is perfect because it's so close to "voil" -

that's "town" to you and me - and there's a great "libken" -

-that's a place to sleep - upstairs too.

-You're so clever, Simon(!)

Mark and Julie, I'm afraid I must disagree with you as we start to look around my choice,

-property number one. You said you want four bedrooms.

-Yes.

-And a double garage?

-We did.

-A low maintenance garden?

-Yeah.

-With good communication links, there they are in the background.

-The train.

-That's the train to London.

You didn't think you could afford to live in Lichfield on your budget, you are wrong.

Location-wise, couldn't be better. But what do you think of the property?

-It looks really nice. It's got a double garage, plenty of parking.

-It's really quiet. Yeah.

I'm just wondering where I'm going put the bike.

-How about in one of the double garages?

-ONE of the garages!

Don't start a domestic, come on. You're still in the throes of newlywed love, surely.

-It looks OK. It looks nice.

-"OK? OK?"

Look at that poor man! He was so excited about this place.

We've even got a lovely low-level approach there, easy ramp access.

-That's true.

-I'm thinking of your mother!

-See, bike, first thing in his head.

It was! You were quite right. Your bike is not going inside the house, but you are.

-Enjoy.

-OK. Thank you.

-You know what that is?

-What?

-It's clutching at straws.

-You are so wrong. So wrong.

-Get ready, my friend, for a house full of "adlubescence."

-Adu-what?

-Ask Samuel Johnson.

"Adlubescence" to you, my learned friends, means pleasure, delight.

-Oh, that's a nice hallway.

-It is.

-Nice and light.

-Julie, like Jonny, are you an estate agent? "Light and airy".

-Excellent terminology.

-It's nice.

-It's quite a big room.

It is big. I like the fireplace.

The wallpaper's a bit...'70s.

-It's retro, Mark, it's retro.

-It's funky.

I like this, it's nice access, it's wide door frames.

-It is. Mum would be all right with the wheelchair.

-It's nice through there, look.

Don't you worry about the access, I measured every doorway

to make sure there was plenty of room for a chair.

-This is quite a big room, isn't it?

-That's a nice dining room, isn't it?

-It is nice.

-I can just imagine us having a nice big meal with our friends.

They're imagining enjoying a meal there already, I hope we are invited to dinner.

It's got a conservatory, I wasn't expecting that.

-That's a nice one, isn't it?

-It's huge, isn't it?

Did I mention the conservatory was just a little surprise of mine?

-Always giving.

-We would be able to put more furniture in here.

We wouldn't have to get rid of anything. I like this, it's nice. A nice practical floor as well.

That's one of the great things about tile and wooden floors, easy to clear up any spillages.

This garden is a nice size too.

-It is, easy to maintain.

-Quite well, Julie? I think I did very well with the back garden.

-Low maintenance is what you asked for, and it's what you were given.

-Simon O'Brien - modest.

-Downstairs loo. That's a nice size.

-That's a good size, isn't it?

-Your mum would be able to use that easily.

-Yeah.

-She could walk that far into here. What is that door?

-I wonder what that one is.

-Oh, a cupboard.

-That's useful. Hide all the junk in there.

Yeah. I was gonna say something then, but...!

THEY LAUGH

Harry Potter under the stairs for one of the boys.

-The kitchen. Oh, I like this.

-That's huge, isn't it?

I like the floor as well.

More dining space.

-TV in the kitchen as well.

-That will be good for when I watch you cook the dinner!

In your defence, the kitchen is lovely. They've done a good job.

-Very modern and contemporary.

-I don't need you to help me defend myself.

This is a fabulous house that ticks all the boxes they wanted ticked.

I like these units. Ooh, I wasn't expecting that!

-That's different, isn't it?

-A huge fridge-freezer.

Yeah, you wanted one of those, but we haven't seen anything that would be big enough.

-That's nice, isn't it? I do like this kitchen.

-Is there room for a dishwasher?

Shall we open a cupboard door and have a look?

Open as many as you want, the dishwasher is on the left below the sink.

-A built-in dishwasher.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-I like that.

-Save my hands.

-Another really important thing with this property, is that the decor is superb.

That makes such a difference when people first walk in.

-A nice staircase, you'll get a stair lift on there.

-Yeah.

-Nice and bright again, isn't it?

-It's nice being a straight run for the stairlift as well.

-A boy's bedroom.

-Definitely a boy's bedroom.

-Yeah. Football trophies.

-I like the bike though.

This would do either one of the boys.

As we explore the rockery, we find the rare and unique Scouse gnome.

And the Northampton goblin.

That's a nice little room.

-It is little.

-You can use it as an office, though. Useful for me working from home.

-I like the little bed.

-Nice view of the garden.

-A nice bathroom.

-That's nice. That's nicely done, isn't it?

-There's not a shower.

-No shower.

-No shower.

-There is, there's one on the taps.

-But it's not a proper shower.

-It is very nicely decorated though.

-If they like the bathroom, they'll love the en suite.

This is my property, don't forget.

-I can get involved.

-Don't be gegging in!

-This is a nice bedroom.

-It's nice and bright, isn't it?

-I like this. The second biggest, do you think?

-It must be, I think, yeah.

Executive detached properties are very generous with the sizes.

At least three double bedrooms up there.

If you have teenagers, it cuts out the arguing over who's getting the biggest room.

I love that about you - "executive detached properties".

I didn't realise I'd found an "executive detached property".

-I'm even more pleased with myself.

-Bringing the magic.

-That could be your Mum's room, couldn't it?

-It could, really.

-She'd like that.

-Overlooking the garden.

Yeah, and you get the view of the neighbourhood a bit.

That would make a gorgeous room for Mum at the back of the house. You know what?

I might have something else in mind.

-I like this one, Mark.

-That's definitely our room, this one.

That's really nice. I like the lights. King size bed.

-Yeah.

-Plenty of space.

-Wardrobes again.

-Loads of wardrobes.

-You'll be able to get all of your clothes in there.

We could put yours in the garage with your motorbike(!)

-En suite, that's got a proper shower.

-Ah, that's better.

That's a really nice size en suite, isn't it?

You've got a gorgeous double shower cubicle in your en suite. You really have done well.

-Give me a hug.

-No.

-Hug me!

-Don't touch me.

-I'm going for it!

And more wardrobe space.

-You could put your shoes in that one.

-Yeah.

She's won't use that entire wardrobe for shoes, unless she's Imelda Marcos!

I think possibly you understand women very little obviously, Jonny.

-That's what the second garage is for!

-Simon hasn't done too badly on this.

-Shall we go and have a chat?

-Yeah. Tell him what we think.

-Okey-dokey.

-OK.

-Jonny, I though that went very well indeed, don't you?

-Yeah, brilliant.

The very embodiment of "adlubescence".

-So, I guess you're kind of looking for a bit more space for Mum, really?

-Yes.

We've got a radical idea for you, mate. Don't faint when I say this.

-OK?

-Right.

-We've got two garages out here, don't we?

-Yes.

-OK, we can let you have the bikes in one, but I do have another suggestion.

This space here...

..right next to the house, I think is crying out to be a granny flat.

There's plenty of room in here, there's no issues with the plumbing, and it's quite a deep space.

-Oh.

-So if you just saved one garage for your beloved bikes, you've got adequate parking out here.

For easy access for Mum into her own private space on the ground floor.

It will cost you between five and ten grand.

-It will add to the value of the property. What do you think?

-Would make a nice room.

-It's a good idea.

-Put a nice window in for her.

This garage is underneath the upstairs of the house.

The architecture would balance quite nicely.

You could probably use that cupboard in the hallway as a doorway through to this garage.

Exactly where I was going.

-Yeah.

-What are you thinking?

-I like the idea.

-It's a nice idea.

Which brings us to guess the price? Shall we find Jonny? He's weeping in the conservatory.

-We certainly will.

-So you've been bored to tears by Simon's hints and tips outside.

-It wasn't boring, it was interesting.

-Thank you!

-Quite educational.

-Really? OK, guess the price time. We know your budget is £330,000.

It's only fair that you go first, Julie. What do you think?

-I would think with the location on the outskirts of town, it's around 320.

-OK. Not bad. Mark?

I'd say about 300,000.

-300,000?

-I like a bargain.

-That's taken the wind out of my sails a bit.

Look, we're actually in Lichfield.

You didn't think you could afford here, so properties do come at a premium.

It's a four-bedroom house, it's detached, double garage.

It's actually on the market for £334,950. It's one-nil to Julie.

-You were the closest. In fact, Mark?

-Way out!

-You're just mean!

-THEY LAUGH

Or optimistic, perhaps, is a better word.

What do you think of that price for the house?

It's probably fair but as it's over budget, we couldn't do the garage.

-We'd struggle.

-We wouldn't have the money to convert it.

Ah. Look at that face.

I know what will put a smile on yours. I have a real winner at property two.

-Let's go and check mine out.

-OK. Let's go.

Simon's not only one who has a way with words. I reckon there will be

a huge "odso" when they see what my property has to offer.

"Odso" - exclamation of surprise, of course!

It's in the picturesque village of Fradley. It boasts

a spacious reception hall, gorgeous gardens and a beautiful fireplace.

Don't boast too much, it gets you into trouble!

Well, Julie and Mark, I've brought you to the lovely suburb of Fradley

for my choice, property number two. Let's get straight into it,

-what are your initial impressions?

-Love it.

It's amazing. The size of it is brilliant.

Especially if this is the driveway and that is the house. It looks fantastic.

We love you guys. That's the enthusiasm I'm looking for.

-I'm nearly ready to move in.

-Brilliant! It is a lovely location.

It's nice and quiet, that we can hear.

A beautiful open aspect to the front, which is fantastic.

-You're won't be disappointed on the inside either.

-It looks good.

I don't want to say too much. I want you to experience it first hand yourselves.

Get yourselves in there. Have a look around.

-Go on. Go on.

-Come on now, buddy.

-I'm going off them now.

-I really like them.

-I'm going off them.

Big fans. Big fans.

I have to admit, this place looks fairly stuggy, but will it have the required "eedness?"

I've no idea what he is talking about.

Ooh, that's nice.

-What a big entrance.

-Downstairs toilet there.

That's a big downstairs toilet, actually.

-It's huge.

-Wet room size.

Yeah.

-I like the entrance.

-It's huge, isn't it?

That's so important when you have a lovely reception hall like that,

-it sets the standard for the rest of the property.

-Yada, yada.

-The utility room as well.

-That's excellent, isn't it?

-It's massive.

-That's really huge, the kitchen.

-The kitchen there,

I never spotted the kitchen. That's nice, isn't it?

It's nice and bright. I like the way it's got two windows, on either side,

and the utility room is nicely lit up in there.

That's something else with properties, if they are naturally light, they're immediately appealing.

-Nice and bright?

-Yeah. Unlike you.

-The dining room as well. Look.

-It's wonderful.

-I wasn't expecting having a table in there.

-That's a really nice size, isn't it?

-It's a lovely big dining room.

They said they wanted space for entertaining, they've got it.

-Yada, yada.

-Our furniture should fit in here nicely.

I like this, it's really bright and airy.

Double doors there, leading into the other room.

I love that you've got French doors leading into the lounge.

-From an entertaining point of view, it's superb.

-Wow.

-Wow, look at this!

-I like that fireplace.

-It's huge.

-That is what is great about this lounge, it's a lovely size.

That inglenook fireplace is superb. Sometimes they can be overbearing but this one fits in nicely.

It's also got a solid fuel-burning fire as well.

I like the room again. Two lots of windows, you've got your patio doors there.

-Nice bright window there. It's lovely and bright in here, isn't it?

-It's incredible.

Thinking of the shape of the sofa we've got, it would go either way.

Wow, there's another room.

-Wow, your mum's room.

-This would be ideal for Mum.

-Yeah.

Two rooms. She could have one as a bedroom, and one has a sitting room.

-"Wow, another room!" There's rooms everywhere!

-It's a house.

-This would make a nice sitting room area for her, wouldn't it?

-It would.

-It's a nice size.

Get a settee in here and a TV.

It would be absolutely ideal for her, wouldn't it?

-It's nice being spoilt for choice.

-Oh, stop it.

-That's a nice landing.

-Nice size again.

-That's a nice size bedroom, isn't it?

-It's nice.

You would easily get a double bed or a single for one of the boys.

-Look at that view.

-It's incredible. The field.

-That's lovely.

-Ah!

-A pink room. It's very pink. Built in wardrobes again.

-It's got a double bed in.

-The bedrooms are huge, aren't they?

-Yeah,

-I think that's a nice view. You're not overlooked either.

-No, not at all.

That's nice, because the garden's well established.

This is the smaller room.

-Even then, it's a good size.

-It's very quiet.

Do you think they will cope with us?

-All of the noise we make!

-All the bikes. I like this.

-It's double-glazed everywhere.

-You're not having the bike in the house.

-They've liked the bedrooms so far. They'll love this master bedroom. It's a superb size.

-I like this.

It's just incredible, isn't it?

This is really bright.

-Lo and behold, they do.

-Oh!

-En suite as well.

-You've even got room for your chaise there.

-Have you seen the size of this en suite?

-Isn't that lovely?

-I love the shower.

This is big for an en suite, isn't it?

Yeah, that en suite is a great size as well. This whole property is fab.

-I like this bedroom. I could have my chaise and put it there.

-You could.

-And that new bed we've just ordered.

-Yeah.

About the same size as this. That would fit in lovely.

-Still plenty of room, still got built-in wardrobes.

-A huge window to overlook the garden.

Yeah. This has got to be over budget, hasn't it?

It's got to be more than what we have said.

-I think Jonny is giving us a fishing line with a bit of bait on the end.

-Would I do that to you guys?

Would I give you this and take it all away with an overpriced property?

-No, that's Simon's job.

-Let's go and have a look at the bathroom.

I forgot about that. Everything has overwhelmed me.

Julie is now overwhelmed and I too am overwhelmed with jealousy.

We're a team, remember?

Come on, buddy, smile for me.

-That's a big bathroom, isn't it?

-And a shower as well.

-That would suit the boys.

Yeah. At least it's white, we can make sure they keep it clean.

It's a really big size for a bathroom with everything else so big.

-I'm amazed at the size of the house.

-I think they built it for us.

I think so.

Shall we see the boys then?

-Yeah, shall we tell Jonny what a good job he's done?

-Come on, then.

I think Simon's sacked.

-Oh! Oh!

-I'm going to bathe in glory, my friend.

Sacked am I? Sacked, that's it, then. I'm off home.

OK, Julie and Mark, follow me. You've done the tour and you are very impressed with the place, aren't you?

-Very impressed.

-Extremely.

-It's easy to see why, it's fantastic.

-It's just wonderful. It ticks all our boxes.

-And more.

-That's great news.

-We want to talk about the fact that we've got to look after Mum.

-Definitely.

That downstairs extension lends itself to an annexe for her.

-It's the right size.

-With those two rooms, we could divide one into a bedsit/lounge

and the other one could be a main bedroom. But what about washing facilities?

We've a downstairs toilet which isn't quite big enough to be a wet room.

The utility room could be transformed into one.

But we have planning permission in place here, so you could add a two-storey extension.

That might be overkill, you don't need an extra bedroom upstairs.

A single-storey extension would let you make your kitchen bigger,

replace the utility room which is important, as you would devalue a property

by losing a utility room for a wet room.

That would provide you with everything you needed downstairs.

-And more.

-Due to the size of the property, you could live in it while the work was being done.

-Very easily.

-Like I say, it just ticks all our boxes.

I've got that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. There is more. Follow me out front.

Now, not only have you got all this fantastic parking available to you, which is easily going to accommodate

your three cars, we've also got a double garage for you.

-Absolutely ideal. Somewhere to park the bike as well!

-Obviously, we've got this superb view out the front.

-Where's Simon? He's not gone off sulking, has he?

-Yeah. We had a bit of an issue with Si.

-He was kind of gutted about you saying he didn't do a very good job. He's done one.

-It was a bit rude.

We will press on. It's fine. With all of these boxes ticked,

with it being perfect, it's guess the price time. Mark, you were dreadful last time around.

-That's true.

-We're going to let you gain a bit of pride back.

Your budget is £330,000, what do you reckon this place is on for?

Simon says I'm stingy, I've got to admit this has to be way over our budget.

-I'd say at least 340,000.

-Fair enough. Julie?

Although it's a big house, I'm going go for the budget, I'm going to go for £330,000.

Julie, you are so savvy.

But, it's even better than that.

-I aim to please. Price wise, this is on the market for £315,000.

-Really?

-That's amazing.

-It can't be.

-That's superb.

-It's wonderful. I can't believe it.

-It's fantastic.

I'm gonna give Simon a call.

-ANSWERPHONE:

-The person you are calling has not answered.

He's not answering. I really wanted to gloat.

We'll go and meet him at The Wild Card. Hands in.

-Yes.

-Follow me.

-Oh, yes.

Right, our joint choice today is in Armitage. Home of that well known manufacturer of bathroom ware.

Lichfield Cathedral may have three spires but this architectural delight

has three storeys and bags of original features.

Lets hope our hard work doesn't go down the pan. Pan, get it?

'Trust you to rely on cheap toilet humour.'

All right, smiler?

Hiya. Um, Mark, Julie, Jonny, I'd like to apologise really.

My behaviour was completely out of order. It's only because I care.

Some of the things you said, they hurt.

-I'm sorry.

-No, I am sorry. You have nothing to apologise about.

Can we put it behind us?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-OK. Great. The Wild Card.

Now, why is it The Wild Card, our third choice?

First of all, it's not in Lichfield, we're in Armitage.

-That is still in the radius you gave us?

-It is.

The other reason it's The Wild Card -

Mark, there's something you love that hasn't been thought of here.

-There's no garage.

-I know that, but we love this place, Jonny.

Yeah, we love this property. It's gorgeous inside.

You're going to be big fans of the decor. But there's going to be a compromise on your behalf.

What do you think about the outside?

-It looks nice.

-Yeah.

-We can see it has a third floor.

You're very observant.

-Nice windows.

-Smashing windows.

Yeah, and that is just the outside.

-Get inside. You are going to love it.

-Can't wait.

You let me down, you let Mark and Julie down,

but worst of all, you let yourself down.

-I'm sorry.

-It's fine.

Look, come on, I'm sorry. To prove it, I've got you something.

-Just a little something.

-Yeah?

There you go. Sorry.

-This is different.

-Love all the wood.

-I love the radiator.

-Incredible.

-That's fantastic.

They love the wood and the radiator.

The details in this place are fabulous.

The guys have done a superb job with this place.

-It's very different to what we've seen so far.

-It is.

That's why it's The Wild Card.

That's a nice fireplace.

-It's an incredible fireplace. Is it stone?

-It looks like it.

Yeah. That's nice, isn't it?

I like the floor. It's traditional proper wood flooring.

High ceilings, nice cornices around the ceilings.

-Cornicing. Nice, Julie.

-I'm a big fan of cornicing myself.

-I like coving.

That's a lovely size, isn't it?

-That is a good size dining room.

-Wood flooring everywhere.

This could actually be, if you put doors on here, a downstairs room for your mum.

-It could.

-Because it's big, isn't it? It would be a nice bedsitting room.

There you go. Thinking ahead already. Mum's happy.

-You've got your view of the entire garden.

-It's huge, isn't it?

-This is most different to the other two, isn't it?

-Yeah.

It's completely, completely different.

You'd like the skirting boards, look. Big proper skirting boards. That's what you like.

We've gone crazy with our Wild Card today.

We've gone from two modern, detached properties to a beautiful character, three-storey period home.

Yeah. Full of quirky little details.

Look at the floor.

Parquet flooring.

That's really, really pleasant, isn't it?

That parquet flooring is a real feature in that reception hall.

Yep. Solid floors throughout, but all individual and different.

Gosh, this is a big kitchen. Have you seen the TV?

This is while you're cooking the dinner!

-It's ideal for you, that.

-I wouldn't get much cooking done.

-The kitchen's huge!

-Mark, look at the cooker.

-Oh.

-Look at the sink! Is this not two things we always said we wanted?

-You wanted a big cooker.

-And a Belfast sink!

-A washing up sink each!

-No, they're both yours!

No, one for you and one for me in the back garden.

That kitchen is stunning, isn't it? I love those big kitchen breakfast rooms.

I'm a big fan of a Belfast sink myself.

-This kitchen's amazing. Again, it's that granite work surface.

-Yeah.

Look at the window sill. It's proper stone.

That kitchen is a chef's delight.

Loads of work surface space, beautiful work surfaces and a fantastic cooker.

It follows the theme right through this house - quality.

They've surpassed themselves with this one. I wasn't expecting this.

-They've thrown us a curve ball with this.

-They have a bit.

This is not a curve ball, mate, this is a straight strike.

-Look!

-Downstairs shower and toilet!

-That's easy access for your mum,

-straight from that other room,

-This is brilliant.

That's your mum completely sorted out - her own little wet room.

This is the first property we've shown them

-where that facility is in place for the mother.

-Yeah.

We could be on to a winner here.

What an unusual staircase. What are the spindles made out of?

-They look like they're metal.

-They're really unusual.

-They've been cast.

-Wooden stairs again.

The thought that's gone into this house is superb.

Those cast iron spindles on the staircase are beautiful.

Detail, mate, detail.

-A good tartan theme here.

-I'm not sure about the tartan flooring.

-It's a bit bright.

There we go - crazy staircase for a crazy house.

And crazy carpet. I love that tartan carpet.

That looks like a king size bed, so there's plenty of room in there.

-It's a huge bed.

-You could get a nice double wardrobe in easily.

They've got all the cornicing up everywhere.

That's what I like - nice features around the entire house.

This property is one of those fantastic blends of contemporary and classical design.

Ooh! That's very intelligent for you.

-It's another large bedroom.

-I like the fireplace.

-That's a lovely fireplace.

-Very traditional.

-And a window seat! I just said a window seat in the hall and there's one there.

-That's right.

-And another double bed. This would be a nice room for one of the boys.

-It would.

-They say every house has to have a wow factor.

-Yeah.

This is packed with wow factors. It has wow factors to spare.

Oh, that's the bathroom. Wow! Look at that.

-This is as big as our bedroom.

-I always wanted a bath in the middle of the floor just like that.

Everything is in keeping with the period of this property

and that roll-top, claw-foot bath is a real feature.

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

And it's got a foot wash! That's what the boys are going to think! And another fireplace.

-That shower's amazing.

-And a shower!

-I can't believe this bathroom.

What an amazing bathroom.

That's the great thing about these old houses - they are more unique

than the generic, modern properties that can be like for like.

-That's a nice little room, isn't it?

-It is little.

-Look at the roof.

It's got a single bed in it, though.

But you cannot imagine two boys the same age, one room double size than the other.

-You could have this as the naughty boy room, couldn't you?

-This is yours, then!

A big bedroom. So there is a bedroom equal size each for the boys.

-Yeah.

-Cos that's two double. Is this the fourth bedroom now?

How many have we got? One, two...

-This is the fourth bedroom.

-It's so big, we're losing the plot a bit.

Yes. four bedrooms, plenty of space for the boys and we haven't finished yet.

-Crikey.

-This is very unusual.

-It's like a gallery.

-I forgot there was three floors.

This is gorgeous!

That is possibly one of the finest attic conversions I have ever seen.

It's been so well thought out, beautifully executed

and the character quirkiness of it is sublime.

That is so different.

-I love the window.

-Yeah.

-It's like Play School.

The arch window, the round window...

Quite a romantic little place, isn't it?

We even provide the walk-in wardrobe.

Oh! Look at the size of that!

That's huge. That's like a proper walk-in, dressing-room area.

It's a proper walk-in wardrobe space.

-That attic room is a suite, isn't it?

-It is it's sweet!

-Oh, look at that!

-Another roll top bath for you.

That is beautiful.

-Quite a compact space, but it's very nice.

-Mm-hm.

It needs a little bit of finishing though.

That en suite's not quite finished, is it?

But you can see the quality and the style they're going for.

If it matches the rest of the house, it will be fantastic.

I wasn't expecting this floor to look like this.

I thought it might be like a loft, like that little bit of space you get to put a bit of junk upstairs.

They loved my house, but this one may have mixed it up a bit.

-I think you're right. Shall we find out?

-Yeah.

Mark and Julie, talk about ticking boxes, I think the Wild Card did the trick, didn't it?

-It certainly did.

-It's thrown us now.

-Bedrooms for the boys?

-Yes.

-Plenty of space for Mum?

-Yes.

-Washroom downstairs already in?

-Yeah.

-Gorgeous low-maintenance garden?

-Yeah. Fantastic kitchen.

There's just one beloved thing that was forgotten.

-No garage.

-We know that. We understand that.

But the To Buy team has been busy on your behalf, mate.

-There's room to bring the bikes down the side.

-Yeah.

But nowhere secure to keep them, perhaps.

There are these options, of course. Secure boxes that you can put your bikes in, weatherproof. Yeah?

There's some options for you. Not very pricey either.

-Right.

-Just a few options you could do.

-That's one way of doing it.

-True.

However, we like to provide. You need somewhere for your bikes.

And, as we peer around this corner here, you'll see already in place

is an absolutely superb concealed garden shed down there that's huge.

-Gee whiz!

-We thought this was the end.

-Ah, you see!

-We like to surprise! That's why it's The Wild Card.

-You can't see that from the house.

-It's incredible.

-There you go.

That's thrown a bit more of a spanner in the works.

Indeed it has. So is the price going to throw a spanner in the works?

-That is the question. Did you like that?

-I did.

-Thanks.

Guess the price time. Mark, as we know, you've been embarrassingly poor at this whole game!

-I'll let Julie go first.

-So, Jules, go on.

We know the budget is 330. What is this fantastic property on the market for?

I'm thinking of the area, the lack of garage, but then I'm also thinking of the floors, the rooms.

I'm going to be a bit mean.

I'm going to go for 310.

-Mark?

-I would have said it was more expensive cos it's been really well done.

I'd say 320.

320? You've salvaged a bit of pride, mate.

Because you are the closest, but it is actually slightly over budget, this place.

I think it's the quality of the finish and that beautiful loft conversion. It's gorgeous!

335.

Hmm. That's almost the same price as the first one, but a lot more scope.

-Please stop mentioning the first one!

-Sorry, sorry!

-I've chinned up!

-The first one was a beautiful house.

-Thanks very much.

I hope so. You've loved all three houses in their own way.

You now have to make that big decision - which one do you test drive? Or as we say...

-Try before you buy.

-Indeed.

You don't have to make that decision right now.

Go away, have a little think about it, and come back and tell us.

-Off you go. Put your heads together.

-See you later.

-Thank you.

While they're doing that, here's a recap for you.

First up today was the beautifully presented,

double-garage delight with its great cul-de-sac location,

spacious conservatory and modern, chic kitchen.

This family home could be easily adapted to accommodate Mother, too.

All that for a realistic £334,950.

Property two is mine and I wish it was, with that great green space out front, mature garden out back,

detached double garage to the side, not to mention the masses of rooms in between.

Available for an amazingly low £315,000.

Finally, our joint choice, the one with the huge drive, the two kitchen sinks,

-the three floors...

-Or the three toilets!

-The four downstairs rooms...

-And the five bedrooms!

All for the nice round figure of 335 grand.

Julie and Mark, thank you for choosing my house to go and spend some time in.

Before you go in, we've sent our surveyor to have a look around our prize property.

As you'd expect with a property this age,

there's nothing wrong with it structurally, it's fine.

This isn't a legally binding survey.

We would always advise anyone who's going to buy a house to get a full survey done before proceeding.

We've got this wonderful parking for you.

This driveway that is shared with next door.

Normally that would be seen as a shared driveway. You'd both be expected to maintain it.

But this driveway is owned entirely by yourselves.

The neighbours have a deed of easement - a right of access to go over it.

You're responsible for the upkeep of this entire driveway,

which is not going to be an issue, as it's in sound order.

But once weeds start coming through, you'll have your work cut out.

He did pick up on one serious structural point - this roof isn't finished!

-I said that!

-Don't be like that! It's a lovely feature, isn't it?

-It's lovely!

-It is.

Don't tile that cos you might think it will look nice,

but inside it will make those rooms into caves.

A bit of wisteria.

That will do, to soften those lines a bit.

Inside the house he did pick up on one point.

You've got that lovely stove in there.

It's actually a multi-fuel burner. It is capable of using coal, wood and it's even fitted to burn on gas.

It's a nice job, he thinks. The cowling on top is spot on.

However, he didn't find any evidence of an air brick.

That is his one piece of serious advice - get that checked.

If there isn't one, get one put in. They are quite air hungry if you've got a real fire. All right?

-Fine.

-Apart from that, this is a gorgeous property.

That's all of the boring factual stuff.

-Get in there and test drive it!

-I can't wait.

-Cup of tea?

-Yeah.

Well, Mark wastes no time getting the most important member of the family to the new house.

OK, are we talking about the motorbike or the dog, Amos?

-No! His son Richard, of course!

-OK.

So that's Richard, Mark and Amos. Where's Julie? Has she arrived yet?

I don't know. Oh yes, there she is, reading up on how to furnish the new house. What a good idea.

Mark tries out the new office for size.

It's all food for thought for Julie and Mark. I think this house has really whetted their appetite.

We'd best find out for sure.

-It's an absolutely wonderful house.

-I love it.

-I think my mum will like it.

There they are! Our newly weds!

We'd offer you a glass but I've drunk it all and Mark had the last glass.

Thanks very much. We're still working anyway, Jonny.

Focus, focus. You really, really, it seemed to me, love Jonny's house.

-We do.

-Ticks all the boxes.

I'm sorry if I've been in a mood and been sulky.

-I'm thrilled, that you enjoyed this place.

-We have.

-That was two thrilleds!

-It's down to both of you, though, cos you both put the input in.

-I know you found the house, Jonny, but you both pointed out the good features to us.

-That's true.

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate that.

That brings us to the ultimate question, then.

To buy or not to buy?

I think we've got to get my mum to look over the house, but definitely very interested.

I think we would. And then we would like you all to come back and see what we've done when we've had it.

OK, but before that, get off the fence. We want some commitment!

Mum casts her eye over it, but you are the buyers as such.

-If Mum's happy with it, are we going to be a goer?

-Yes.

-It's a To Buy, my friend!

-Knuckles.

-Well done, Jonny.

-Thanks, mate.

-Cheers, guys.

-You didn't give us any wine.

-Mark drunk it all.

-Another cup of tea.

Enjoy the place. We're going to dash before the rain gets heavier.

-See you later, guys!

-See you, guys.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd