0:00:02 > 0:00:06- Good morning, house hunters.- Hello. - I've got a question for you.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12What do Pride and Prejudice, Dr Who and the greatest ever house hunting programme on the BBC have in common?
0:00:12 > 0:00:18- They're all quality BBC productions? - They are. The BBC only makes quality productions.
0:00:18 > 0:00:25- The answer is they've all been filmed in today's location. - Which is beautiful Warwick.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Not surprising, is it, that so many quality TV dramas
0:00:38 > 0:00:42and the greatest daytime house hunting show known to man
0:00:42 > 0:00:46have chosen to film in Warwick. It's got the beautiful castle,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50many, many tourist attractions and the lovely, gorgeous houses.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55So it's not surprising so many people make this their home.
0:00:55 > 0:01:02Which is why Muggins and I have come here today to find three beautiful houses,
0:01:02 > 0:01:08- one of which will afford today's buyers a unique chance... - To try before they buy.
0:01:08 > 0:01:15Here are today's dynamic duo - Christine and son-in-law Deepak. Christine recently retired.
0:01:15 > 0:01:21She lives in Norfolk, but has decided to move to her native Midlands to be nearer
0:01:21 > 0:01:26to daughter Jo, Deepak's wife, and her adorable grandchildren, Maya and Harry.
0:01:26 > 0:01:32Deepak's been roped in to help out and we hope his knowledge as a local lad will prove handy.
0:01:32 > 0:01:39I feel that today's programme has a dual purpose - one to find Chris her dream home,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43and a chance for us to nab another fan of the show.
0:01:43 > 0:01:49Eduardo, I like your thinking. Chris recently returned from an idyllic trip to Turkey.
0:01:49 > 0:01:56Let's hope we keep the good times going by finding that dream home and making every day like a vacation.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02From your golden tan, you're clearly from Norfolk. What brings you down to Warwick?
0:02:02 > 0:02:09I've retired now and, having been in Norfolk for nearly 40 years, I feel it's time to come home.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13This is where I grew up. Well, in Solihull.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19- It's to do with the grandchildren more than anything else?- Yes.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- I want to be a real grandma.- Oh!
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Hang on. A real grandma? What have you been?
0:02:26 > 0:02:32- A long-distance grandma.- Visiting. - Have you done the old web chat grandma?
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- We tried, but Harry never wants to come and look at the camera!- Really?!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39He will not sit anywhere!
0:02:39 > 0:02:45OK, I'll throw you in at the deep end. Tell me what you think Chris wants from the house.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Something nice with a nice garden. I think that's a big part of it.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53She's also got a dog. That would be very handy.
0:02:53 > 0:03:00- Something close and easy to look after.- Christine's looking for a low-maintenance property?- Yes.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Is that in regards to decor as well? Christine, would you work on it?
0:03:05 > 0:03:12I quite like decorating, but I don't want to have to start rebuilding walls.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18- How many rooms do we need? - Obviously, ideally, I'd like a spare bedroom
0:03:18 > 0:03:24so that I can accommodate the grandchildren and friends who come to see me from Norfolk.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- Hopefully! - Have you done any viewing so far?
0:03:28 > 0:03:33I keep looking at the property pages in the paper,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37but I haven't really done any serious viewing.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42I didn't want to get too excited with my house still on the market.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- How has your own sale been going? - Not very well, really.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52- It's been on the market since February.- It's a sign of the times, really, with the slowdown.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57That could work in your favour with properties you look at.
0:03:57 > 0:04:03- Maybe things that were out of touch budget-wise will be within your grasp.- That was my main concern.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Moving from Norfolk where property prices tend to be lower.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12OK. Deeps, you've experienced the show so far.
0:04:12 > 0:04:19- How's it going?- Yeah, it's not bad. - We normally ask now how much money Chris has to spend on this dream.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23How much money SHOULD she need? You live down here.
0:04:23 > 0:04:29- I'd be very surprised if she can get something for her price range in Warwick.- Go on.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33120,000 is what Chris wants and...
0:04:33 > 0:04:39I know the small terraced houses up the street where I live are 170.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42That's a two-bedroom terrace. It's a box.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48Is 120,000 the maximum? Have we got any more to play with? Stamp duty threshold's moved now.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53I could probably go up to 130, which is not a lot more,
0:04:53 > 0:05:00but with not having the income I used to have, I don't want to end up taking out a bigger mortgage...
0:05:00 > 0:05:06We don't want another credit crunch situation, but we can haggle them back from quite a way.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12You can look at properties a little bit beyond the £120,000 because you can haggle them in
0:05:12 > 0:05:16and get them into your web. Do you think we can do it?
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I think you've got a good chance. You might.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24As the son-in-law, you're treading on pretty dangerous ground.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30- No, I think I'm in a good position! - That's confidence as well.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35I've given her grandchildren! That's all she wanted!
0:05:35 > 0:05:41I feel quite confident, Deeps has agonised over whether the money is enough.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Interesting to see if you manage it. - Who knows? Jonny?- I feel good.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- We will see you later. Wish us luck.- Good luck.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- See you.- Thank you.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- Well, they both seem very nice. - Absolutely lovely.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00We're killing two birds with one stone. Not literally.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Bird one is Deeps. He's never seen the show before.
0:06:04 > 0:06:10If he enjoys the whole process, that's one more viewer. Second bird is Chris.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- Find her the house, she'll be happy and we all win.- I like it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20And along with many others, you'll also like our location today, Jonny boy - Warwickshire -
0:06:20 > 0:06:25where you'll also find some of the most attractive towns in the UK.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31Wherever you are in the county, you can always access major motorway and railway networks,
0:06:31 > 0:06:36which makes this area so attractive to commuters to larger cities.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41Warwick and Leamington Spa are the focus of our search today.
0:06:41 > 0:06:48Warwick is home to Warwick Castle, a spectacular building with construction dating back to 1068.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien was so won over by Warwick and its Mercian connections,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58he took his marriage vows right here in a Catholic church.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Originally, Royal Leamington Spa was known as Leamington Priors.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08Its latter-day name of Leamington Spa gives some clue to the springs that are naturally present here.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12In 1784 locals started building baths around some of them.
0:07:12 > 0:07:18As a result, Leamington's reputation soon spread and the town gained its Royal prefix in 1838,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21granted by Queen Victoria.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25It's time we started searching for a new home for Christine.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30I was enjoying the history lesson. I think I'll find out a bit more.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Hello.- Hello! How are you? - Very good.
0:07:35 > 0:07:42- If we could toss a coin, Warwick or Leamington, you'd be happy?- Yeah, I'd say so. If you're older, Warwick.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47We have got some houses in the price range. Things like this.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- This has got three bedrooms.- Right.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Leamington Spa is a good place to come to?- Yes, it is.
0:07:55 > 0:08:02Especially with the beautiful park. Jephson Gardens. It's really a beautiful garden.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07Potentially, if she's in a good position, there could be deals?
0:08:07 > 0:08:14There might be. It depends if you've already sold your property and you're a good, strong buyer.
0:08:14 > 0:08:21This is Jephson Park, named after Dr Henry Jephson, who recommended that people do some walking.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26It's one of many Victorian parks here with Grade 2 heritage listing.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30It's also surrounded with loads of beautiful properties,
0:08:30 > 0:08:35built to look onto the park to maximise their value.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38They were savvy about house prices!
0:08:38 > 0:08:44Chris thought she couldn't afford a property in Warwick. She can.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Hopefully near the grandchildren. It IS a maisonette,
0:08:48 > 0:08:53but she said she would tackle anything. It's lovely.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55OK, my property is also very nice.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00I've taken us over to Leamington Spa. This place is awesome.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06They've converted the garage, it's got a conservatory, very pretty driveway. Look at that.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- I like it.- That's not bad. And then the Wildcard.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16This one could introduce a smack in our face if it goes badly, or a hug if it goes well.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19We obviously hope for the latter.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- We're not going to show it to you. - It's a secret.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28- Where shall we start the viewings? - Let's go to yours.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34Chris and Deeps have set down a gauntlet to find an affordable property in historic Warwick
0:09:34 > 0:09:40and we have triumphed. This ground floor maisonette is a couple of minutes' walk from the town centre.
0:09:40 > 0:09:47With two bedrooms, a good-size lounge kitchen diner and a garden, it has room for sleepovers.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Okey-cokey. This is Property 1.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55This is the beast that we are backing today. It is here.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It's a ground floor maisonette. You said you didn't mind the style.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03We have gone for location. Deeps, it's your first time on the show.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Gauge how well we have done. - I am shocked.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- I live about 100 yards that way. - You see?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- So...- That spells danger!
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- This is, as locations go...- Good. - And you said we would struggle.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24OK, a ground floor maisonette. Smaller than you've currently got.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- Location-wise, it's pretty good. - Pretty good, yes.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- What do you think?- Yeah, fine.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I don't know if they might think it's a bit too close for comfort!
0:10:35 > 0:10:43- You can always say, "But Ed found it."- Very handy for picking the children up from school.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- You're familiar with the area.- Yes. - He's done all right, hasn't he?
0:10:48 > 0:10:53There's a supermarket about to open in a few weeks here.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56So what more could you want?
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- All right. Three, two, one, check that maisonette out. - Here we go, Chris.- OK.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Good luck.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- Oh, an entrance hall! Something I'm not used to.- Nice floor.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Started off very well for you, Ed.
0:11:15 > 0:11:21If you're making a mental map of Chris's current house, no entrance hall.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- The floor's nice.- Yeah.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29So... Oh, this must be the bedroom.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Oh, yeah.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Can you get a double bed in here? Yeah.- Yeah.
0:11:35 > 0:11:42It'll be interesting to hear Deepak, whether he really wants his mother-in-law this close to him.
0:11:42 > 0:11:48- He's already talking it down. "Can you get a double in there?" - I think you're misreading Deeps.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54I have a child, similar age to his nipper. You cannot get enough help. Being nearer is a good thing.
0:11:54 > 0:12:01- Is it too noisy? Can you hear the outside?- I'm used to that, aren't I? - It would annoy me, I think.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04My bedroom's at the front at home.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07That's onto the main road as well.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- Is it double-glazed? - Yeah, I think so.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Oh! It's the bathroom.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- Wow.- That's not a bad size, is it? And it's got a shower.
0:12:19 > 0:12:26- It's bigger than what you have now. - No.- No?- No, my bathroom is quite big at the moment.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32- Carpets in the bathroom(!) - I've got carpet in mine! For the warmth.
0:12:32 > 0:12:39- It could do with new tiles, couldn't it?- You've got all the basics. All the basics.- Yeah.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44What have we got in here?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- Oh.- A nice bit of storage. That's quite a deep one.
0:12:48 > 0:12:54- It goes back quite a long way. - That's really good.- Yeah. - Could do with an en suite!
0:12:54 > 0:13:00- I think your initial thought that Deeps would not want her nearby is blown out the water.- Completely.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- I made an assumption.- It hasn't panned out.- He's come up trumps.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- This is small.- Yeah.- But...
0:13:09 > 0:13:13You couldn't get a double bed in, but you could get bunk beds.
0:13:13 > 0:13:19Look at that! She loves it. She saw the room, thought it was small, but, "I love the house.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- "Bunk beds. Solution." - Wow. That's a decent size, isn't it?
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- The living room. Yeah. - Back door, straight out.- Oh, yeah.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33Yeah, this is a good size. Bigger than my living room at the moment.
0:13:33 > 0:13:39- There's lots of light in here as well. It's not that dark.- Yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41I wonder if that garden is...
0:13:41 > 0:13:47shared or whether it is just for this place.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I don't know. Someone's redecorated all this recently.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- It looks pretty fresh, doesn't it? - It does.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00The investor, cleverly and wisely, gave it a touch up, refreshed it,
0:14:00 > 0:14:06it looks nice and clean, Christine's really happy. If you're selling, do a bit of painting.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- Yeah, it's good.- No cracks anywhere.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- That's a bit funny - cables going through the air vent.- Yeah.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17I think it's the television aerial, isn't it?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Funny place to put it, though, through the air vent.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I'm no property Mystic Meg,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27but I think they are going to be pleasantly surprised
0:14:27 > 0:14:29when they look into that kitchen.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- OK. That's quite a good kitchen. - Oh, yeah!
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It's a very big kitchen.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I AM a property Mystic Meg!
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- Not exactly the best appliances and stuff, I guess.- No.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- But everything works.- You can replace kitchens quite cheaply.
0:14:49 > 0:14:56- Plenty of room for storage. - And there's room for a little table. - A dining table could go there.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Do you think that's the boiler in that cupboard? Or storage space?
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- Oh.- What is it?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13It's an airing cupboard! That's really exciting!
0:15:13 > 0:15:17There's a way into a lady of a certain age's heart.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And it isn't through Quality Street or chocolate oranges.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Or Daniel O'Donnell records. - Airing cupboards.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27You girls and your airing!
0:15:27 > 0:15:32People think I'm really old-fashioned because I like an airing cupboard,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35but you can't beat an airing cupboard.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Ladies at home are thinking, "If I could climb into that TV!"
0:15:39 > 0:15:45- A lot could be done with this kitchen.- But not too much. You could move in quickly.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Oh, yeah. It's so much bigger than my kitchen now, isn't it?
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- So, right, is that it?- Yeah. - Shall we go and see the boys?
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Chris and Deeps, I think you liked that more than you thought.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Yeah, I did. I was very surprised.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- What surprised you? - The size of the rooms, I think.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16And the fact that something that you think is affordable is so close to where I want to be.
0:16:16 > 0:16:23- How close it is is incredible. - We're in the back garden. This is your back garden.
0:16:23 > 0:16:31If you imagine Jonny is a tree - he is green - you could maybe have a hedge border here.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37Or a fence here. This is yours. So you could fence it off to have your own private area.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- You'd need that with Harvey.- Yes.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45- And also, over yonder, there is a lovely park.- Yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50So you've got the swings and stuff, you've got this. Plenty green space.
0:16:50 > 0:16:56One thing you mentioned was the double glazing inside. Only the windows at the back are.
0:16:56 > 0:17:02The front windows haven't been, but we did some research into this.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07It would be round about £1,500, which is a brilliant price.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12Deepak, you've not seen the show. This part is Guess the Price.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18So, Christine, your budget is £130,000, absolute maximum.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21What do you think this is worth?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Oh...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26A hundred and...
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- twenty-two, nine nine five.- OK. - Specific.- Very specific.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- Considering you're just down the road...- I'd say it's a bit more.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I'm going to go for 133.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- You mean over your budget? - I think so, just for the location.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47OK, well, for the location, we have had to push it.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52The actual price is... 119,995 quid.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Oh!
0:17:55 > 0:18:00Under budget and all those things like double glazing are doable.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- I'm shocked. - How does that feel?
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Yeah, I'm really surprised. Really surprised.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Shall we go to Property 2?
0:18:11 > 0:18:16OK, Ed did well with house one, but I feel I can do better.
0:18:16 > 0:18:22This whole house in Leamington Spa will blow Chris away because it has three bedrooms,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27plenty of room for the grandchildren and the good folk of Norfolk.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Oodles of space downstairs will seal it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35OK, Christine, here we are at Property 2.
0:18:35 > 0:18:42Royal Leamington Spa. 15 minutes away from Warwick, where we were with the first property.
0:18:42 > 0:18:49A slightly different version of what Ed showed you. This is a house. First impressions?
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- Yeah.- It looks all right. Room for parking.- Very handy.- How do you feel about Leamington Spa?
0:18:55 > 0:19:00You're further away from immediate babysitting duties.
0:19:00 > 0:19:07- How does that work for you? - It's not that far.- Compared to Thetford, it's on the doorstep!
0:19:07 > 0:19:13- OK, get yourselves inside, have a look around. See what you think.- After you, Chris.- Right.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- Excited?- Two-storey maisonette. I love it.- I'm excited(!)
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Ooh!- Another hallway.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Another hallway.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34And a kitchen! Wonderful.
0:19:35 > 0:19:42- That's not too bad, is it? - No, it's about the same size as I've got, isn't it?
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- I think it's a little bit bigger. - Maybe.- It's a very nice kitchen,
0:19:46 > 0:19:52but when the appliances get taken out, it leaves gaping holes and makes them look a little scruffy,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54but a nice Shaker-style kitchen.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58The fixtures are nicer than the one that Ed showed us.
0:19:58 > 0:20:05- Yes, they're more modern, aren't they?- And the tiling's all quite nice as well.- Yes.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10- A good start.- Yes.- Let's see what the rest is like.- Yeah, OK.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16- Oh, wow. You should see this, Chris. - Oh!- Now that's big.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- That's a lot bigger. - That is really surprising.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25It's really nice. Plenty of room.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31What a nice little treat for Christine. She thought she'd have to go into a smaller house.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33It's bigger than what she's got.
0:20:33 > 0:20:41- This is really surprising. - And a dining room.- And a bit of a conservatory there.- Oh, my God!
0:20:41 > 0:20:46- So you've got a lot of room here. - Oh, yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- I've always wanted a conservatory! - That's incredible.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57You could have a bed settee in here and have it as a spare bedroom.
0:20:57 > 0:21:03You've got so much room in there, you could have blow-up beds and just stick it on the floor.
0:21:03 > 0:21:10- Downstairs, you've got a lot of room.- Yeah.- Hopefully, upstairs is going to be as good.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- Yes.- It's a good start. Jonny's done all right here.- Yes.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18I'm going to give downstairs a pretty modest 8 out of 10.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24- I think they liked it even more. - Throw a number out there.- Nine.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Oh, so which way?- Let's have a look.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31This is bedroom...two, I would think.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36It's about the same size as the one Ed showed us, isn't it?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Yes.
0:21:38 > 0:21:44- You could still get... - You couldn't get a single in that way, could you?
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Not that way, but that way, maybe.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51It's definitely a comfortable single, possibly a study as well.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56- Now that's a bathroom. - Oh, quite modern.- It's lovely.
0:21:56 > 0:22:03- Look at that mirror.- Wow. Just what you don't want to see when you come out of the shower!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05It could have been full length!
0:22:05 > 0:22:10But actually this all looks quite modern, doesn't it?
0:22:10 > 0:22:16- Quite recently replaced, I would think.- Quite nicely finished off. - Quite neutral, isn't it?
0:22:16 > 0:22:21The beauty of coming house hunting is you get surprises like this.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- Oh!- Oh! Two bedrooms? - There's two bedrooms.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- That's a surprise. - I just assumed that that other one was the second bedroom.
0:22:31 > 0:22:37- Wow. This is a good size. - I'm surprised.- It's really long, actually, isn't it?
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- You could easily have a double bed in here.- Now they know there's three.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48You get lots of these houses where they say 10 foot by 10 foot, but it's an L shape,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- so you can't get into it properly. - That's a real surprise.
0:22:53 > 0:22:59That's a great comment from Deepak. Sometimes they give you measurements into alcoves or recesses.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05- A nice, conventional square room. - I was going to pick up on that whole square thing.
0:23:05 > 0:23:12- He's a clever man, but that's a rectangle.- The other room could be a study, couldn't it?- Yes.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18- No need to worry about squeezing in a little sofa.- And there's space downstairs.- Exactly.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24It's a bit red, isn't it? Oh, wow. Remember what you were saying about those mirrors?
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Oh! My worst nightmare!
0:23:29 > 0:23:36- Floor to ceiling!- A full-length mirror, I think that's great.- You like looking at yourself!- I don't!
0:23:36 > 0:23:40She's a beautiful woman. She shouldn't worry.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Are they built-in cupboards? ..Now that is good.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- That is a wardrobe.- Very good.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52- That is a wardrobe.- All along there? - All the way along, is it?- It must be.
0:23:52 > 0:23:58It's bigger than our house! I could see you in here, Chris.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04Deepak, you see Christine living here, but back it up! Wait until you guess the price.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Hello! How are you all? Do you know what? I feel ill.
0:24:11 > 0:24:17- I think you have fallen in love with this one now and not my one. - That went really well, didn't it?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Extremely well. You did a very good job.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- There is a lot of house. - We are happy about that.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28We're quite shocked, in fact.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33- When you realised there were three bedrooms, you were shocked.- I was.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37You were putting the family in the conservatory!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- It was in here. - But three bedrooms, fantastic.
0:24:41 > 0:24:48- I was really surprised. - The room here, the dining room, that was once the garage.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- Oh, yeah?- It's been converted. Three quarters of this room has been converted into a usable room.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57The front quarter is a utility room, which you didn't spot.
0:24:57 > 0:25:03- Oh!- That's great, isn't it? A utility room.- Excellent.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08- It was a decent width garage - some are quite narrow - so that's perfect.- Really good.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11What's your favourite part of it?
0:25:11 > 0:25:17Well, I think the fact that there were three bedrooms, that was a real shock,
0:25:17 > 0:25:22- but I love this downstairs space. - You wanted a conservatory.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- Yes!- I knew Chris liked it. She went, "I could clean those cobwebs..."
0:25:26 > 0:25:32- Is that the sign?- Yeah. She started to think, "I can do this..."
0:25:32 > 0:25:36The thing is, right, we've got a budget today.
0:25:36 > 0:25:43- Yeah. And that's what concerns me. - £130,000 is the most. You don't even really want to spend that.- No.
0:25:43 > 0:25:50We want to be haggling. Who would like to guess first? Deeps, did you go first last time?
0:25:50 > 0:25:55- Second last time.- You go first. - The first time I got burnt.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00I've got a sneaky feeling that because we're out in the suburbs,
0:26:00 > 0:26:07- this might actually still be in budget. So I'm going to go for 124.- 124? OK.
0:26:08 > 0:26:14- Chris?- I'm going to go with 129,950. - All right.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Crafty.- Give me a high five.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21You win this one, but that was a really bad high five!
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Like you've never done it before!
0:26:24 > 0:26:30I should have gone to you. A high five for losers.
0:26:30 > 0:26:36Good news, bad news. Good news - you won. Bad news - this property is for offers in the region of...
0:26:36 > 0:26:39£135,000.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Stop press! I know what you think. I spoke to the estate agents.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50We've got a very motivated vendor. The property's unoccupied and they need to get it sold.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55They are open to negotiation and they do expect you could get it within your budget.
0:26:55 > 0:27:02- It's at the top end of the budget. - You'll have to push it, but you're getting a lot of house.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07- Bigger than you've currently got. - Yes.- There's a lot to think about there.- Yeah.
0:27:07 > 0:27:13- Are you aware of Chris's favourite part of the show?- The Wildcard.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19- Honestly, statistically... - Everyone goes for it, apparently. - They always love it. Shall we go?
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- Yeah!- This way, I think. - I'm going to be impressed, I think.
0:27:25 > 0:27:32The Wildcard may be Chris's favourite part of the show, but we've raised the bar here
0:27:32 > 0:27:39so it becomes Deep's favourite part, too, proving to him that for us wild really does mean wild.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44This is a two-bedroom park home on the Leamington-Warwick border.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49This is more than just a home. There's a really caring community,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52perfect for a peaceful retirement.
0:27:52 > 0:28:00OK, here we are at the Wildcard. You may have already guessed this by wandering up here
0:28:00 > 0:28:06- that we've brought you to a park home. It's a joint choice. - It certainly is.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11This is probably the house for you in 25 years' time, Chris.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15You've got to be over 55 to get into it.
0:28:15 > 0:28:22- Oh, smooth! - It's going to be a massive problem. So it's maybe for the future,
0:28:22 > 0:28:27when you get to that age. Deeps, you've never experienced this.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31We talked about the Wildcard being exciting.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- It's a bit different.- It is, but after your first two properties
0:28:35 > 0:28:42I was expecting something special. And you might have delivered. Chris's words were, "I'm excited!"
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Oh!- Have you looked at a park home before?- I have.
0:28:45 > 0:28:51- Whereabouts?- Near Solihull.- OK. And how does this location compare?
0:28:51 > 0:28:57Em, it doesn't seem to be as far out from civilisation
0:28:57 > 0:28:59as the others did.
0:28:59 > 0:29:05- Sometimes they're a bit isolated. - Yeah.- We're on the fringe of Leamington Spa and Warwick.
0:29:05 > 0:29:11- It's a really great position. - Nine minutes from home.- Well timed!
0:29:11 > 0:29:16You look buzzing with excitement to get in and check it out.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20She'd have to keep up with the Joneses with the garden!
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Gardening is your big thing.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27This couldn't get more green. Like being permanently on holiday.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30It reminds me of a holiday home.
0:29:30 > 0:29:37There it is. It could be your new actual home and every day could feel like a holiday. Go in there.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39See you after.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- So it's not a caravan park? - No. It's a park home.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50It's a home. I don't even need to say park.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Oh, where are we going?
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Oh, a dining area.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58- It's like a walk-in.- Yeah.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Gosh, this is a good size.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Oh, look at the ceiling. That's nice, isn't it?
0:30:05 > 0:30:09- Beamed.- You don't expect that in a static caravan, do you?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- It's not a caravan, Deeps. - OK. Sorry.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18This is a really good size. You'd get all your stuff in here.
0:30:18 > 0:30:24- Do they get gas here or...? - I think they usually have Calor gas.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- OK.- I think.
0:30:26 > 0:30:34- It has gas, water and electricity. Just like a normal house, but without foundations.- And drainage.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40- I don't know what I expected, but... - You expected a caravan, Deeps!
0:30:40 > 0:30:43I imagined really dodgy holidays.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48- With wheels.- Look at your view. It's nice.- Very nice, yeah.
0:30:48 > 0:30:54- Quiet as well, isn't it? - You're not overlooked from either side or from the rear.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59You get a great sense of privacy, which is what most people look for.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03- That's a good size.- Oh, that is. - That's a very good size.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07It is a pretty good size. It could be a little kitchen/breakfast room.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- Could be.- Pop a little table in.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Nice outlook into the garden.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15I can see you here, Chris, easily.
0:31:15 > 0:31:22- It's a bit dated, but not too bad. You could live with them for a while if you wanted to.- Yeah.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27Units in the kitchen, like with everything, need a bit of upgrading.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- It's not going to be a problem.- No.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- What's that? - It's a hot water tank.- OK.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41- And an airing cupboard.- Ah, that's it! That'll sell it to you.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- You're pleased with this one.- Yes.
0:31:44 > 0:31:50You can do whatever you want. You don't need planning permission. You can break the rooms apart.
0:31:50 > 0:31:56You can do whatever you want, basically. It is a blank canvas, wall-wise, in there.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Right. What else is there?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04- Let's check out the bathroom. - Bathroom.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06It's quite small,
0:32:06 > 0:32:13- but there's a shower. - It's functional. I hate carpets in bathrooms.- I know you do.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18- As a boy, you have to aim very carefully.- Don't go there, Deeps!
0:32:18 > 0:32:23- It could do with brightening up. - Yes.- Just a lick of paint.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27- Very grey.- But you wouldn't change this lot much.- No.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32Check out the bedroom next? Actually, they're not very little.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37- I was expecting a single bed in here!- Yeah, it's good, isn't it?
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- Yeah.- Easily a double bed.
0:32:40 > 0:32:46- And room for drawers... - And you've got all those wardrobes.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Again, nice and bright. Nice outlook.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54- Also, this has the biggest plot out of all three houses today.- Yes.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00Right. This is the other bedroom. I think this is the same size as the other one.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05- It might be a little bit bigger. I don't know.- I'd have this room.
0:33:05 > 0:33:12They're both two very nice, very comfortable double bedrooms. And both have a really nice outlook.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Certainly do.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19- It's just such a lovely outlook. - Yeah. Impressed?- Yes, I am.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24It's just the location that I like. It's so green and quiet.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- Let's see the boys and see what they think.- Yes.
0:33:30 > 0:33:37- Was that the holiday experience we hoped for?- Absolutely.- What came through was Deeps loves it!
0:33:37 > 0:33:44- I'm surprised. I'm shocked. - Christine, how was it for you? Deeps is stealing your limelight.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46It's his first time, bless him.
0:33:46 > 0:33:52- How was it for you? - Good. The location's lovely, the rooms were a decent size,
0:33:52 > 0:33:59- including the kitchen. So, yeah, pleasantly surprised. - Good stuff.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05There's a couple of things of interest. At the moment, you're quite exposed here
0:34:05 > 0:34:13to your neighbours there. If you speak to the residents' committee, you are allowed to plant hedges
0:34:13 > 0:34:18or you can put a fence up to make it a bit more of a domain.
0:34:18 > 0:34:25With a little grandson, you might want that. That's something you can do. Shouldn't be a problem at all.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30With this property, it's leasehold, not freehold property.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35The remaining lease is 38 years. Generally, they're 50 years.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41If you want it topped up, just contact them and they'll sort that out for you.
0:34:41 > 0:34:48- That leads us to Guess the Price time. Deeps, you're only playing for pride here.- Let Chris go first.
0:34:48 > 0:34:54She's been to these places before. She's got a better feel for it and I'll get a sneaky idea.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00So maximum budget £130,000. What do you think for this place?
0:35:03 > 0:35:07I'm struggling. I'm struggling.
0:35:07 > 0:35:13I know what they have been and I know what the prices of the houses are now
0:35:13 > 0:35:19- that we've looked at.- It's the biggest plot of land as well. - Use that knowledge!
0:35:19 > 0:35:2399,950.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25OK. OK.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28And my guess is going to be 100,000!
0:35:28 > 0:35:33Right, well... Very crafty, Deeps.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37You have managed to pluck some semblance of pride.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42- The actual price...- That much. - ..is £120,000.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- OK.- So it's more than you thought. As we always say, haggling is available.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52And it is empty. You've seen all three properties.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57You now have to go away and decide which one to test drive.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Good luck with that. We will see you outside your test drive property.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- See you later. Good luck.- Bye!
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Here's a reminder for you at home.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12Stop one in Warwick was my choice. A ground floor maisonette
0:36:12 > 0:36:19with two bedrooms, good-sized kitchen diner and a garden and the family on the doorstep.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23What more could Christine want?
0:36:25 > 0:36:31She might want my offering, in Royal Leamington Spa and good enough to be endorsed by royalty.
0:36:31 > 0:36:37But will it get Christine's seal of approval? Two storeys and three bedrooms could all be hers.
0:36:39 > 0:36:45And finally we put our heads together and came up with this beauty.
0:36:45 > 0:36:52- An idyllic two-bedroom park home. I'm still not convinced Christine is old enough for it.- Creep.
0:36:59 > 0:37:06- Hello!- There you are. - Normally we would say, "Which one have you decided to test drive?"
0:37:06 > 0:37:12- I think even mice could work out that it's behind us.- Yes. - Why did you go for it?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16I think because the location. It's really quiet.
0:37:16 > 0:37:22The garden's lovely. It's got everything I need inside, really.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26No temptation to move a minute away from Deep's house?
0:37:26 > 0:37:32There's always that temptation, but it's not a million miles away. Not 2.5 hours.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38- We're nine minutes away. - As far as what you had in mind for the property you were looking for,
0:37:38 > 0:37:45- is this ticking the boxes?- Yeah. - You're surprised at how much you can get for your money.- Yes.
0:37:45 > 0:37:51- You were a little unsure. You didn't think you'd find something so close to the family.- No.
0:37:51 > 0:37:58- This was me and Ed.- You've done brilliantly well.- Thank you! We had to beg for that praise.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01OK, you've got this. Well chosen.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06We had our surveyor come round to give it the once over.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10He came up with a couple of cunning things for you to think about.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14It's not legally binding.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19We also suggest you get your own survey done. Jonny?
0:38:19 > 0:38:23With regards to the efficiency, the walls aren't as thick.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27A house would be this thickness and park homes are only this.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33So with regard to the energy ratings, it's worth checking out the Home Information Pack.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38That will have graphs depicting the energy performance.
0:38:38 > 0:38:43It is double-glazed, but doesn't offer the same insulation.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48You can add insulation, but that will cost money.
0:38:48 > 0:38:54- OK.- Because it's a different sort of structure, most mortgage companies will not lend on a property like it,
0:38:54 > 0:38:59although many will. It's a specialist company you'd need.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03As a structure, this won't last as long as a house.
0:39:03 > 0:39:10You'd want to know how long it's been there, and what the life expectancy of a park house would be.
0:39:10 > 0:39:16- Right.- Just things to bear in mind, but there is a very strong local community group here.
0:39:16 > 0:39:21If you do really like it, they'll give you all the information.
0:39:21 > 0:39:27- I think we need to get all generations of the family here. - Good idea.- Ready for that?
0:39:27 > 0:39:32- Then test drive the living daylights out of it.- OK, see you later.
0:39:32 > 0:39:38- What do you want to do? - Number 7 has a cup of tea.- Lovely.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43Here come the troops to give their verdict on Grandma's choice.
0:39:43 > 0:39:50- You can always rely on children to speak their minds. - What's in here? What's this one?
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- Bathroom?- Silent so far, not sure that's a good sign!- Television!
0:39:57 > 0:40:00That's more like it! We're warming up now.
0:40:00 > 0:40:08- Just in time for playtime.- Crikey! Maya doesn't seem too impressed. She's ready for a change of scene...
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- or nappy.- As this was the largest plot of land we showed them today,
0:40:12 > 0:40:16quite right that they check out the garden thoroughly.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20All seems quite content, but Maya still looks dubious.
0:40:20 > 0:40:27This will put a smile on her face. Grandma's doing what grandmas do best - baking cakes.
0:40:27 > 0:40:34- It looks de-licious! Hope they save us some.- Our hopes are dashed. Harry's going for the last piece.
0:40:36 > 0:40:43OK, we'll do a little recap for Deepak's benefit. We started off with three properties to show you.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48You looked round all of them. You had a test drive. How did it go?
0:40:48 > 0:40:53- It went really well.- I like it. - Did you like it, Harry?
0:40:53 > 0:40:59You've experienced the thing. Harry and Maya, you're coming for the grandchildren.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- What do they think? Maya seems very comfortable.- She's having a nap.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09- Could you envision yourself living here?- Yes, I do.
0:41:09 > 0:41:15- And some of the neighbours have been to say hello.- Oh, wow. - They wouldn't live anywhere else.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18That's very reassuring.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22- So...- Sounds very positive.- It does. - Well, let's steady ourselves.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26- Harry, this is the big bit. Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:41:26 > 0:41:32Harry, do you think your grandma should buy or not buy this house?
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Should she buy it?- Yeah.- Yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:42Obviously, Harry can't afford to buy it for you, so, Chris, to buy or not to buy?
0:41:42 > 0:41:47As long as I can sell my house, I would be very happy to buy.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52Let's go right back to the start. You didn't think we could do it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56No, not for the price range, in this area.
0:41:56 > 0:42:03- How was the show for you?- Good. - Going to watch it now? - No, I have work!- Set the recorder!
0:42:03 > 0:42:09Mortgages take a while to come through, so maybe with all those cake crumbs, it sounds harsh,
0:42:09 > 0:42:14but will you vacuum up after Harry before you leave?
0:42:14 > 0:42:19- I think Harry can clean up. - Want to clean the mess up?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22He's going to lick it up!
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- Thank you very much. - High five? ..Look at that!
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd