Llanelli To Buy or Not to Buy

-Welcome to the garden of Wales.

-Today, we're in Llanelli

where rolling countryside meets the Carmarthenshire coastline.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is To Buy Or Not To Buy.

Today, we're not just hunting for houses, oh no,

we are also looking for a first marital home.

Yes, today is about more than bricks and mortar.

It's about a place to settle.

A place to put down roots.

A place to make your own.

Not only will we throw three property options at our happy house hunters,

we will give them the unique opportunity

-to try...

-BOTH: ..before they buy.

Today's plucky property hunters are Martin and Helen.

Martin works for local government in Cardiff

and Helen is a nurse in Llanelli.

With a wedding in a few weeks' time, the pressure is on to find them

their dream property and first matrimonial home.

Helen and Martin, thank you very much for inviting us down to Llanelli Beach.

-Did I do that well?

-Well done. Thank you. It's gorgeous down here.

-It is.

-I can see why you want to move. Or do you live here already?

I live here already but Martin lives in Cardiff.

-Are we selling two houses?

-I've sold mine in Cardiff.

-Congratulations!

-That's part of it done. We're looking to put Helen's on the market imminently.

We're getting married in four weeks, so looking to move as soon as possible after that.

Some planning! We've got to find a new marital home. That's what we've got to do.

Why do I feel pressure, when he mentioned that, to find a place here?

You're moving to Llanelli from Cardiff.

-Llan-eckli.

-Llan-eckli, from Cardiff.

Is this the only place we're looking? Is there anywhere closer to Cardiff, in between?

No, it's really Llanelli and the surrounding areas.

Can you give us any idea of village names?

Yes. Lovely surrounding areas

are Llangennith, Bryn, Llannon, Five Roads. Yeah.

So, given the choice, are you townies at heart or country folk?

Oh, you're a townie, I'm country.

I'm a townie but getting converted. This is a transition of my life.

We're open to either really, it's about the house, I think. Yeah.

Is it just the two of you we're considering?

Most of the time, yes, but I've got two children who live in London who stay with us regularly -

school holidays, so we need space for them as they enter their teenage years.

-A room each then for them?

-Probably.

Any other rooms that are very important to you?

-We'd like a big kitchen-diner.

-OK.

We like having people round and entertaining, so a space for that would be good.

What type of property are we looking for?

Old, new, borrowed, blue? Leave that!

I think we're open to either, but what we're really clear about is if it's old,

we want it to be old and in keeping with the character inside and outside.

If it's new, similarly, let it be contemporary.

-I see. So you don't want something built in the 90s with a nice mock Tudor interior? No?

-No.

-OK.

What about renovations?

Are you happy to take on a project?

Not a big project, no, we don't mind decorative work. No, nothing major.

-You've got the wedding to think about.

-Exactly!

-One or two things.

You've sold up, so you're in a great position. Yours is about to go on the market.

I'm guessing that we might end up with quite a decent budget altogether. What is it?

Hopefully between £250,000 and £300,000 is the range we'd be looking at.

-Have you been looking? Do you know the market?

-Yeah, we think that's fairly realistic.

There are things around, we're confident we'll get something in that range.

-Helen you'd agree?

-Yes, we've been looking and, yes, in that price range we should find something.

-You're confident and putting your trust in us?

-We are.

-We'd better get going.

-Come on, then. See you guys later.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Simon, this is going to be a hard job.

-No, I disagree. We've got a good budget

-and we kind of know what they want, I'm thinking somewhere in town.

-In the countryside.

-I'm thinking somewhere old, period property.

-I'm thinking modern.

Listen, lucky we're not getting married. We can agree on one thing.

-The house is sold, so they're in a good position.

-ONE house is sold.

-Lucky we're not getting married.

-Are you proposing?

-No, I'm proposing that YOU go and speak

-to the people of Llanelli, I'm off to the estate agents.

-Fair enough.

Yeah, dream on, Rani. Today we find ourselves in Llanelli, the largest town in Carmarthenshire,

-the garden of Wales.

-Lying to the west of the Gower peninsula, Llanelli's surrounding coastline

has been greatly improved and re-developed.

The Millennium Coastal Park and cycle path

attract over a million visitors a year

and offers staggering views across the bay.

Yes, I've ridden it myself, so make that a million and one.

This is a town with a rugby union tradition,

but there's big change in the air, as the local team Llanelli Scarlets

close the Llanelli - close the gates on Stradley Park -

and move to the impressive new stadium, the Parc Y Scarlets.

If you're on the move like the Scarlets,

here's what £250- to 300 grand would get you around the rest of the UK.

To start with, on the edge of the New Forest,

in a picturesque village, this charming semi-detached property

with loads of living space and a lovely garden,

worth every penny of £275,000.

Situated within easy reach of Leeds and Bradford,

there's this stone built link-detached place

with exposed stonework and beamed ceilings.

It's a steal at 285 grand.

What about this one in the village of Porlock on the edge of Exmoor,

with two en suite bedrooms and a beautiful cottage garden,

it's at the top end of the budget, though.

Phew! After that whistle-stop tour around our fair isle, it's time to get looking in Llanelli.

-Hi, is it Nicky?

-Yes.

-Thank you ever so much for taking time out to see me. It's Simon.

-What's so great about living here?

-I brought my eight-year-old son up here

and it's beautiful to be by the coast and surrounding areas,

it's an up-and-coming place.

I don't know this part of the country very well, so go on, sell Llanelli to me.

Largest town in the county of Carmarthenshire,

offering coastal walks, fantastic countryside.

What else is here? What else can they look forward to?

Something for Martin, maybe?

-Scarlets rugby ground.

-Everyone's into rugby here, aren't they?

A lot of new construction in the area, bringing people off the M4 corridor,

more people moving into the area.

-How long have you been living here?

-26 years.

-26 years! What happened?

-Did you pop down one day for an ice cream and just stay?

-Basically.

We came for years for holidays and then decided we could move so we got away from London.

We're looking for hopefully a detached house, four bedrooms, another room for an office.

They are real social people so they're looking for a nice place with a big kitchen-diner.

Their budget is 250,000 to 300,000. Is that realistic?

-Yes.

-What have you got, come on?

Tell me more about about this lifestyle?

It's much more laid back, very few traffic jams,

six cars and we think we're in a jam.

Here's an interesting property.

Am I right...just guessing, looking at this,

it looks like a gorgeous place in a fabulous location?

Lovely, adaptable spacious accommodation,

fabulous elevated plot,

views across the valley,

easy commuting and definitely worth a look.

Apart from the beach, one more thing.

I reckon you're a rugby fan.

-Yes, I am.

-Is that what's also great, or anything else?

-Oh, yes.

You've been an absolute star. Thank you very much for your time.

-I'll leave you to now. Cheers.

-Thank you. Bye bye.

Tell you what, that was hard work, but I enjoyed meeting the folks.

-Did you now? Actually, I found it very easy.

-Really?

-I did.

-Have you found some great properties?

-I'm feeling very pleased today.

We have come up with a gorgeous property number one.

Our couple said they didn't mind which kind of period property

they wanted, I just love Edwardian so that's what they're getting.

They weren't sure about town or country.

Well, for me, they're in the heart of the town of Llanelli. Look at that - gorgeous!

Simon, I am so happy you've chosen that property because I've gone completely the opposite.

I have gone for something new and a little bit more rural

because I thought that's what Helen wanted.

Now, I hope they're not going to be too scared by this,

but I do think it is what they want

and I am giving them four bedrooms and a nice big kitchen.

OK, fair enough.

Right, we're doing well so far.

And the wild card, well, what can we say about the wild card?

They're going to need imagination for this. That's why it's the wild card.

On the positive side, it's a fabulous location, isn't it, Rani?

It's good, I'm liking it. So, where shall we start?

That's fairly obvious, my choice, property one.

Here we go then. They said they wanted old to be old and this is a perfect example.

Packed with period features and finished immaculately.

I agree, it's simply beautiful. Understatedly elegant, a timeless classic.

-I could live here myself.

-You like my property? Do I owe you money?!

Right, Helen and Martin, let's get this show on the road with my choice, property one.

I have to say the team and I have done particularly well here.

I love this period of property.

It's this gorgeous Edwardian pile in the heart of Llanelli town.

-What do you think?

-It's very nice.

I like the look of the house, but I'm not sure about the road.

What do you mean? Look at the outlook!

-This gorgeous leafy suburb.

-I'm open-minded, yes.

OK. You'd better stay open minded.

-Martin?

-Similar in a way, not 100% sure about location, but looks a very nice house, substantial.

I'd like to have a look inside.

Forget about the location for a second, focus on the property itself. Do you like this period?

Yes, the house looks very nice, yeah.

A few original features there, original windows, nice porch.

-You did say it was very important for the outside to match the inside.

-Definitely.

So has the heart of this place been ripped out?

-Can we go and see?

-Yeah, go and find out. In you go!

OK, I felt that they had reservations about the outside, but don't you worry.

As soon as they see the inside of this place, they will disappear.

Simon, I'm convinced, but will will they be?

-That's nice.

-It is, isn't it?

-I like the two front doors.

-Yes.

Here we go. First impressions are everything in an Edwardian house.

That's what they want, when people came round, you walked in and went,

"Wow, this is grand!" Here we go, Helen and Martin.

-Very nice. The TV would go there.

-Yes!

Plenty of space to put it.

-I love the windows.

-Oh gosh, yeah!

-Yes.

-Actually, even though the road is there, it's still nice, you can see trees. Yeah.

Tall ceilings.

-Very nice.

-Quite neutral decor, original doors. It's nice.

I was blown away by this place and I haven't got that from Helen and Martin.

Oh, this is nice.

This is a lovely sunny room.

Quite sunny. Yeah, really nice.

-Good fireplace.

-Ooh, yeah.

-Do you think that's a real fire?

-I don't know.

-It's a good feature anyway.

-Yeah.

They wanted features, this place is full of them.

-That's nice. Different.

-I like the stairs.

A bit of character there.

Oh, the dining room.

-Kind of dining-cum-kitchen.

-Yeah.

That's just the dining room, guys, beautifully appointed.

It is a dining room but it has got a fridge in there so that would make it dining room/kitchen.

A bit strange - a bit of a hybrid room.

Different to the rest of the house, isn't it?

Yeah. But then modern kitchen's OK.

-I'm not sure if it flows with the rest of the house.

-Maybe not.

Let's go and see the kitchen.

So, what do you think of this?

It's nice. I like it but it's a bit...

-Small, compared to the rest of the house.

-It is a bit small.

I took a chance with with this property, the size of the kitchen.

But it's compensated for in the rest of the space.

-Maybe you could open the whole thing up really.

-Yeah, maybe.

-One or two rooms become one.

-Yeah.

I like it being separate, but I'm not sure with the kitchen

and the freezer being stuck in the dining room.

It's very nicely done though.

-Shall we...

-Go upstairs?

-Let's.

Perhaps it's just me, but I was expecting more from this place.

I thought it would bowl them over with its original features and glorious space.

Ooh, bathroom.

OK.

-Walk-in shower.

-That's good.

-Yeah.

-Yeah,

it's a bathroom. Quite tasteful. White suite.

-Bigger than mine at the moment, yeah.

-Yeah.

-A good sized bathroom.

-A family bathroom. It's what you need in a house like this.

Presumably there are some bedrooms.

This is nice, how the stairs here and the stairs going up there.

-Yes, a split landing effect.

-That's the word, split landing.

-I like a landing.

-Yeah, you need a landing in a house like this.

-I like to have a landing.

Otherwise, you couldn't get into the rooms.

-Oh, nice!

-A pretty substantial one.

-Quite big, isn't it?

-Fireplace again.

You will find that in this property. The original features are not confined to the ground floor.

It's definitely big. All the rooms have a spacious feel.

-Yeah.

-'There you go, Simon.

Substantial bedrooms for a substantial property.

Now we're getting there. Come on, more of that! Come on!

-Another bedroom.

-This must be the master bedroom at the front, obviously. Bay window.

I like a bay window in a bedroom.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-I do, actually.

-Really?

I love about Edwardian design.

They've put the bay windows on the north side of the house

so if you're lacking a bit of daylight,

with the bay windows, it floods on in.

-Another little room.

-It's a study.

-This could be the study, couldn't it?

-Yes.

-So that room could be...

-Guest room.

Children's room, our room, office.

-Yeah.

-This is good. And again, it's fine, yeah, nothing untasteful about it, nice window.

-Of course it's tasteful, what do you expect? It's my property.

-Ooh!

It is nice though, the wood.

All the doors are matching and the staircase, it's very nice.

Beautiful original doors throughout and, in my opinion, stripped, not dipped.

Does that make a difference?

A massive difference. If you dip a door, it can break down the original horse bone glue

and they become very rickety.

So it's very important, strip them, don't dip them.

-Gosh.

-Wow. This is not your normal attic space, is it?

It's big. And still high ceilings.

-They're getting quite excited up on the top floor.

-That's because they've suddenly realised

I haven't given them three bedrooms, I haven't given them four bedrooms, nor five.

-Have you by any chance given them six bedrooms?

-Yes, indeed.

-Oh look, this could be the girls' room, up here.

-Oh yeah, the pink is in place already.

-They'd love this, wouldn't they?

-Yeah, or maybe one of them.

-Yes.

-Obviously, this makes another bedroom, they can have one each.

Right, so, final bedroom.

Yeah, this is nice. Yeah.

Spacious again, isn't it? Plenty of room. The girls could have this whole floor, then?

-They could have a room each and they've got space there to do what they want.

-Out of the way!

-Yes! At the top of the house.

-Which we would all like.

-And it frees space downstairs as well.

-Yes, brilliant.

This space is brilliant, isn't it?

Oh, it is. It is a veritable TARDIS, definitely.

So what do you think, generally? This is Simon's choice. What do you reckon?

I think he's done well, I think he has done well.

Yeah, the mixture of old and new, I'm not sure of, with the dining room downstairs.

-But the space of the house is brilliant, yeah.

-I feel positive.

-Yeah.

-Shall we go and join them for a chat?

-Yes, OK.

Hang on! Mixture of the old and new?

This is a ten-room house. Because one room has been modernised, I've given them a mixture? I'm not happy.

-I need a word, come on.

-Come on, you.

Helen and Martin, when you looked round this place,

I don't know, you weren't as blown away by the original features as I was.

I mean, look at the gorgeous panelling, the running cornice,

we have the picture rails, original doors.

We've even got...

-..the bell to call the servants.

-I know, I love the original features,

I think they're brilliant, but I just don't think the space works.

-The space?!

-I know it's massive!

I only gave you six bedrooms!

The upstairs is fantastic

but I just don't think the kitchen and dining room in particular, I just don't see...

It didn't just work for me.

OK. Martin, do you feel the same?

A bit. The character is there, you're right, but I'm master of understatement,

hence not seeming bowled over, but love all the original doors, wood, fireplaces, that kind of thing.

It's great. I suppose for me, a few surprising things like one bathroom in a house this size,

practical considerations like that. But, you know, a lot going for it.

It's got character, its big, its central, it's in Llanelli.

-A lot of positives there.

-A lot of ticks.

-But is the price be positive?

Let's find out. Ready to guess the price?

-Yes.

-It's all right, it doesn't matter if you get it wrong.

-Who would like to go first?

-Helen, of course.

-I'll go first.

-You're going to go first?

-Yes.

-OK, so your budget is 250, possibly 300 if the house is right?

-Yes.

So, how much is this place worth?

This huge, spacious place.

I would say... 275?

275? OK. Martin?

Do you know what? I think I'd go slightly higher,

with all the features it got and the size, I'd put it somewhere around 284.

-284?

-OK, then.

-Simon.

Perhaps I can bowl you over with how much this place costs cos, Helen, you're 1-0 up, you were the closest,

but it is actually on the market for £5 short of £265,000 - £264,995.

-That's a good price.

-That's a good price.

-Come on, this is a buyer's market.

But, you know what? Property number two could be the perfect house.

-That's what we want to find out, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Shall we go and see it?

-Yes.

-Come on then, folks.

Compared with the age of house one, my choice today is new.

Actually, it's not just new, it's really new. Really, really new.

Rani, I hate to tell you, it's not even finished yet.

-I don't know whether you knew.

-Ah, exactly, Simon.

So you know what, it's even newer than new!

OK, then, Martin and Helen, this is property number two, this is my choice.

I've brought you out to rural Llanelli, to Five Roads. Do you know this village at all?

We do, yeah, we really like this area. Yeah, it's a lovely area.

Oh, well that's a good start. OK, this is the property we've chosen for you.

Now, you wanted a detached one, I'm giving you that, and also quite modern.

-So what do you think of it, then, Helen?

-I like the look of it, very different from the last one.

-But that's good, it's different, yeah.

-Different is good. What do you think, Martin?

So far, so good, I like it.

It's new, but it's got a bit of character,

a bit of exposed stonework.

Looks like it could be interesting.

Yeah, well, it could be interesting.

Now, with Simon's property, he'd given you a great Edwardian property and

the inside matched the out and you said you were really keen on that.

Well, this is very modern on the outside, but how much it matches on

-the inside is down to you guys.

-Right.

-So, there's a clue there, you really need to use your imagination once you get in there.

-OK.

-All right, good luck with it.

-In you go, enjoy.

-Thank you.

-Simon, I think this place is a sight for sore eyes.

-It's a site, all right, it's a building site.

Ooh!

Smell of plaster! It's nice.

Ooh, it's interesting.

-They like the smell of plaster. That is a good start!

-I hope they like the smell of plaster!

-I think this would be the hall.

-Really, you think?! OK.

You said it, Rani, this place will really test their imagination.

-Right, I've absolutely no idea.

-I think we're going to have to see the whole place

to get a feel of what every room is going to be.

-Something tells me it could be a study.

-Yeah.

-Could be a study.

Well, it wouldn't be kitchen, would it?

That is the study, how could he tell it was the study? It's a bare room.

It's just the perfect size for a study, and where it's positioned.

It's all built very well.

Toilet.

-That is just begging for a toilet.

-That's handy, downstairs toilet.

That's begging out for a toilet!

It is the downstairs toilet. The plumbing... This whole place is done. The first fix is complete.

Oh my gosh, look at all these rooms.

-Utility room.

-Do you think?

-Toilet, utility room.

-It's all falling into place.

-Right, OK. Back door.

You see, they've said more about my place than than about your place.

Martin could be an architect.

-Kitchen.

-Kitchen.

We're probably completely wrong on all of this.

-Probably!

-I think this could well be a kitchen stopcock, that's a clue. There's clues around everywhere.

-Is there a stopcock?

-Yes.

-I don't know what it is.

-I'm making it up!

Simon, I'm really impressed. They used their imagination straight away,

picturing things, "That's the bathroom, that's the kitchen."

See, it doesn't have to be scary.

what's around the corner here?

Ooh.

A sort of dining bit, maybe, if that's the kitchen.

-This could be the dining area.

-Those are just French doors then, are they?

-How would you get down?

-You jump!

SHE LAUGHS

OK!

Right, so, what we're saying, we may be wrong, but

utility, kitchen, dining.

-Living room...

-More formal sort of dining...

-..Or reception room.

It is spacious, cos new houses are usually a lot smaller.

-They are right, there's a lot of space.

-I agree with you, Rani, I have to admit this much.

For a new build, a fantastic footprint.

OK. Hmm...

Fair-sized landing.

Yes, there is a nice space.

My guess would be that this is probably a bedroom.

-You've got a choice upstairs, bedroom...

-Or bathroom.

-Or bathroom!

Or bedroom. Or bathroom.

OK, so that's one room.

-So there's how many rooms?

-One, two, three, four.

Four bedrooms and a bathroom. What did they ask for?

Four bedrooms and a bathroom.

I wonder if there's going to be an en suite.

-There could be an en suite, there's potential.

-But is there one designed?

-There is one designed.

-Is there?

-Yeah, there is.

So this must be another...

Smaller... but... OK.

But still, it could be a guest room, couldn't it?

-A spare room.

-Yeah, you could get a double bed in here?

-Yes.

And again, Rani, as with downstairs, because the builder gave this place a good footprint,

all the bedrooms are double bedrooms, a rare thing in modern houses.

Right, so, frosted window, pipe work, suggests bathroom.

Frosted windows, pipe work, hmm, this must be the bathroom.

Elementary, my dear Watson.

-It's not that big, but if there's an en suite...

-IF there's an en suite...

-..it wouldn't be so bad.

They never mentioned an en suite, but all of a sudden, they want and en suite.

OK, this is another room.

A little bedroom again, not a bad size, maybe for the girls, sharing, you could get two beds.

And there's a lovely...

-There's a lovely view.

-Panoramic.

-Yeah.

-It's nice.

It's not too overlooked, from the back. Because there's not loads of houses.

I'm getting a good feel.

-Yeah. Do you know what? I think Rani's done very well, yes.

-Well, she would, she's a woman.

-Obviously.

Oh, Rani's done well, done very, very well!

Obviously, I did have help from the mystery property hunting team, it wasn't me on my own.

Oh, that's very big of you.

This must be the last bedroom. What's that, there?

The last, but the biggest.

-Is there an en suite?!

-Darling, I think you've got your en suite.

Either that or a walk in wardrobe. But it's not big enough.

That would be fine!

-And it would appear there's a shower.

-Oh, that's good. Good, isn't it?

Ah!

It's such a beautiful sound, to hear her so happy.

It is just an empty plasterboard box, and Helen is very excited!

She's got her en suite that she wanted, that she didn't even know she wanted before this.

I wonder what it looks like, though.

It would be interesting to see it with everything finished, with floors and furniture.

I think that's probably when you can get a sense of the actual space, when there's furniture in it.

So yeah, it would be interesting to see it like that.

It would be interesting to see it like that, wouldn't it?

-Can you help, Rani?

-You know what? I believe I can.

-Now then, you two, the last place, no fixtures, no fittings, but you seemed to like it, am I right?

-Yes.

-You're right.

-We really liked it.

-Yes.

-Yeah, you were very upbeat, I was very impressed.

Well, I don't think you should use your imagination any more.

How would you like to see that property with all the bits added to it?

-Yes please.

-Yes. Thank you.

Come on in then.

So, before, you said you loved the smell of plaster.

This is it with paint, with flooring, with cupboards, with sink, with everything.

-Yeah.

-It's nice.

-What do you think of it?

-It's really nice, yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

It's very different, isn't it?

Because obviously there you've just got all the bare walls.

It's really nice to see it finished, and yeah.

You can open these cupboards, good quality, they spent a lot of time on them,

all these fixtures and fittings, but you can choose those, that's the beauty of it.

You could choose the floor, you can choose the cupboards.

Do you want to see what the bathroom looks like?

-Yes.

-Come on.

This is what your bathroom could look like.

-Da da da!

-That's nice.

-It's tasteful, isn't it? Good quality.

-Yeah.

It is very good quality in here, and a nice romantic corner bath.

No one has to fight over the end, who's going to have the tap end!

-Do you get the candles?

-No, you don't, but I might get you some as a wedding gift.

-What do you think?

-Yes.

-It's nice.

-Yeah.

-Just some ideas for you, you know?

You don't have to go with all of these, but it's just an idea

-of how it would look, how things can fit into place.

-Nice shower.

You've got the shower and everything.

That's lovely in the mirror as well, oh, that's me! Come on, let's play guess the price.

And this is what the outside could look quite.

As you see, we've already got it all set up out here.

You've got a grassy area next to your garage, you got

an area for a barbecue and a place to have your G&Ts in the summer.

-Look good?

-Yeah.

Ah ha! There you are. Now then, I have to say at this juncture that I can be very critical of new builds.

I think sometimes they rush through the finish.

But I've been doing a bit of investigation and I found out

that this place has been done by a very small firm with all in-house

builders, so no sub-contractor, and that's reflected in the finish.

Does this quality of finish come at a premium?

You know what time it is, it's guess the price time.

Your budget is 250 to 300,000.

Who's going to go first? It was Helen last time, Martin, come on.

-OK, right, as you say, it's high quality. It's a class place.

-Yep.

For that reason, I'm going to go for 285.

-You can tell I have taste.

-You do.

I'm going to go slightly lower, 280.

-280.

-Mmm hmm.

OK, I have to say...

..congratulations, Helen, you are closest!

-The actual property we showed you is worth 275.

-Mmm hmm, that's good.

See, it's a buyer's market, come on!

-Good value, good value.

-Yeah. Impressive, eh?

-It is.

But, think about this, if Rani just showed you an empty

shell as her choice, what on earth could the wild-card be like? Shall we find out?

-Yes.

-It's this way, come on.

-Come on.

So, Martin and Helen said they wanted either a new or old property,

so that's why the wild card today is, erm, this 70s classic.

The thing to note is, it's a beauty.

Loads of space, set in the tranquillity of rural

Carmarthenshire, and with cracking views and an indoor pool to boot.

Right, Martin and Helen, the wild card, our joint choice.

We've brought you to another rural setting, we're a couple of miles from Llanelli.

We're showing you a gorgeous...

-Simon, sorry. Sorry.

-Oh dear.

We've got to confess, we've got to confess, we've seen this house.

Whoa, whoa, excuse me...

Did the property team ask you for a list of properties you've already seen?

-You're right.

-This wasn't on that list.

That's your fault.

-It's my fault.

-It is his fault.

And, there's a lot going on at the moment.

-Yeah, we're very busy, were planning a wedding.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-Ooh, good excuses.

You saw this probably a long time ago?

Yeah, it was months ago, it was the first house we saw, so we didn't

seriously consider it at that time because we thought we'd look around and see what else was available.

-So, maybe we could look at it with fresh eyes.

-Yeah, yeah.

Here's an idea. Here's an idea. How about, OK...

How about... Because I do love this property, it's got potential.

How about, Helen, if I go and tour with you, and Martin,

you can listen in on the headphones to the words of wisdom

that we espouse as we wander around, how about that?

-Sounds great.

-Is that a plan? OK?

-OK.

-Yeah?

-You better send us in, then, hadn't you?

All right then, you two.

Ooh, look out for the surprise at the back of the house! Hope you enjoy it.

-I think I know what it is, yes! Come on.

-Off you go, then.

OK, Martin. here you go.

Headphones, cherish these.

Now, then - what will Helen think of the house with a fresh pair of eyes?

Ooh, this is very exciting.

I've never done this before.

-Oh, this is nice.

-Oh, this is nice.

-Oh!

-It's nice.

-Nice.

Does that surprise you? It's nice.

What are your thoughts about this space?

I think, with this house, if I remember, the space is really good.

It just needs a bit of updating.

-Decor's not a problem for you guys, is it?

-It depends.

It depends what extreme we're talking about, but probably not.

See, I like the space, it's got lovely...

you know, the views, and it's a really light room.

And also, the other thing I like this room is that you don't really notice the road.

That road was busy, but because we are raised up and the double glazing...

-You can't... it's very peaceful.

-Very peaceful indeed.

-Yeah.

-We can kind of hear the road from here.

-Yeah, yeah.

-It's not too bad.

-No.

-I said it's not too bad!

You said you liked entertaining.

-Yes.

-Well...

-Yeah, it's a dining space here, isn't it?

But not attached to the kitchen, are we?

No.

Do you... Would you prefer that?

No, I'd rather...

-You would like the kitchen to be part of the dining room?

-Yes. Yeah.

I wonder if that's possible.

-Could, you know?

-I don't know, is it?

Listen, there's nothing you can't change about a house.

-It just depends on how expensive it is.

-Exactly, yeah.

You'd have to check if that's a structural wall, I guess.

If it isn't, maybe... Is the kitchen on the other side of that?

-I can't remember.

-I can't remember now, actually.

Shall we go and find out?! Come on, let's wander through!

-OK.

-So we're now giving it a second look...

-I'd forgotten about the conservatory.

-You see.

I had forgotten. Yeah.

Ah, actually, there's more space there than I remember.

-So, Martin, when you saw this place...

-Yes?

Was this quite early on in your hunt?

It was very early on. It was probably just about the first one we saw.

-Really?

-Yeah, yeah.

-So it didn't quite jump out at you then, did it?

-Not really, no. No.

-Would you say you maybe had some blinkers on, you

were kind of not really seeing it for what it could potentially be?

Now, this was obviously one of the main reasons this was the wild card.

This would have been a surprise if we hadn't seen it.

It certainly is a surprise. Let's go in.

There you go!

Now, there's something you don't get every day with a house, isn't it?

Yeah. It's a nice size, isn't it?

It certainly is a nice size.

And it's great quality. But, I dunno, did you ever consider having a swimming pool?

-No. No, it just wouldn't have been on our list of criteria, but it's a lovely bonus.

-It certainly is.

So what do you think, Martin - if you had the pool, would you use it?

Yeah, after the four mile run every morning, you know?

Bit of a dip before going down the gym and onto work. Sure I would.

I'm sure you'd have plenty of time!

-And into the kitchen.

-Mmm-hmm.

Yes.

Go on, be straight.

It's just a bit dark, isn't it?

-It is dark, I don't think the dark wood helps.

-Dated.

It's very dated, I agree.

When we came here first, we saw is you've got to

rip out the kitchen, you've got to do every room, but actually...

Yet we showed you a property earlier that didn't even have a toilet,

a bathroom, a sink, inner units and you went,

-"Oh, yeah. That's fine!"

-What kind of thing's she looking for?

Helen's ideal kitchen will be one that I feel comfortable in.

My perfect kitchen would be, I'd knock that wall down, there would be a large kitchen diner.

So we'd be cooking here and a table where everybody could sit round and, you know, enjoy...

And the chef is socialising with the guests.

So Martin's cooking, I'm socialising and drinking wine.

Wine rack, yes. Forgot that.

An integrated dishwasher's very important, I love my dishwasher.

Dishwasher is a must.

Integrated dishwasher? Isn't he sitting outside with headphones on?

Yeah! I never thought of him in that way, but you're right.

-Exactly, that's all he is, isn't he?

-That's right!

-We've planned the kitchen, shall we go and see the rest of the grounds?

-Yes.

I think she, you know, she likes me in the kitchen.

-I would be possibly, maybe considering some chap who's sitting outside with headphones on.

-Yeah?

-For this room.

-Oh, right. Yeah.

No, you'd forgotten all about him already.

Does he need another room? I mean...

What does he need?

-A study!

-I'm trying, Martin.

I'm trying, Martin.

But it depends on how many of the rooms that there... How many bedrooms.

It depends on how many bedrooms there are.

So, would you have a bedroom downstairs?

Downstairs? It would be different.

Is this the only bathroom?

I don't know.

But, you know, we've got shower, you know? And if this is...

There's no bath, though, is there? If this is the only bathroom.

-But if this is just the downstairs kind of shower room, what a great space.

-Yes.

So, bear that in mind.

And if there is another bathroom this is a real bonus with a bit of modernisation.

-With a bit of... Yeah.

-There's a lot of the M word, isn't there?

-Modernisation.

-Oh! Forget my idea about the front room.

-This is a study.

-We have a study for Martin.

Quite a modern man, you'd like a treadmill in your study as well?

Definitely, and an en suite!

-What would Martin want in a study?

-What does he need?

He needs a desk, chair, a laptop.

Need a television, of course, to watch To Buy or Not to Buy.

-Yeah, of course.

-What else do you need in a study? I don't know.

A bottle of wine, wine rack...

-So you want a bit of man space, do you think?

-Yeah, it's important.

Up these gorgeous 70s stairs, which I love so much.

-You love, yes.

-I do, you know? I really do.

-OK.

-Bedroom.

One upstairs, it's the second bedroom we've come across so far.

-Nice size.

-It's a great size.

-It is, a nice space.

-And look at the view!

-I know, it's lovely.

-She's looking at the view.

You do have a great view.

Ooh, carpet! OK!

Looking past the carpet and the wardrobe, and I'm looking at the view!

Look at that view again from here, isn't it gorgeous?!

So you knew the area, are we looking across...

That's the Black Mountains, towards there?

Bit of a haze today, but must be magnificent on a clear day?

-Oh, yeah, it's lovely. Yeah.

-Gorgeous.

-Yeah.

-That is the feature of this house, you can see...

That's why we came to see it in the first place, because it's in such a great location.

Is this a good place for you guys to live?

I think it is. It's one that we'd seriously consider.

-What about that?!

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

-And then, also, when you put into context that shower room downstairs...

-Yes.

That is a brilliant addition, isn't it?

You have a downstairs shower room and a massive bathroom up here.

I think the bath is OK, I think the fittings are OK.

I would do something, I don't know, do something with that.

-Oh, you don't like a fitted mirrored wardrobe in the bathroom?

-Funnily enough, no.

Are we looking at it now with fresh eyes?

I am. I have seen it with fresh eyes, yeah. I have.

Do we think that Martin will be listening to it with fresh ears?

I don't know. Wait and see.

-Shall we go and find out?

-Let's go and find out.

So, you sounded like you were having a good time around the property. Did you enjoy it?

-We did.

-It was really exciting.

-Really good fun.

-Enough about you, Simon - Helen.

Fresh pair of eyes going round it again, what did you think?

-You sounded positive to us out here.

-I did, yeah.

I did see it with fresh eyes, I could definitely see the potential.

We dismissed it before, but to see it again, we could see past the

-work that needed doing, with a bit of help, yeah.

-Thank you.

-It was good.

-And Martin got to see it through your eyes as well, didn't you?

I did. I think potential is an emerging theme.

-And, yeah, you certainly seemed quite positive.

-Yeah.

-Compared to last time.

-That moves on to guess the price time.

It's 2-0 to Helen, it's not worth playing anyway because, you know,

you must have an idea that this place is on the market for just five quid short of £270,000.

-Right.

-Right? So 269,995.

Bearing in mind what it would cost to bring up to the

-standards that you need, a lot to consider there.

-It's a lot to think about.

-We've shown you three different properties.

-We certainly have.

-Yes.

-You've got to decide which one you'd like to test drive.

-So take yourself off.

-Go on, you guys. Have a little think about it.

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

So we started our Welsh adventure with my choice, a fantastic example of Edwardian splendour -

three floors, six bedrooms and an abundance of original features

epitomising the Edwardian era, and a real bargain at:

For my offering, we headed out of town and to a wonderful new build.

What it lacked in fixtures and fittings, it made up for with the

great footprint and the opportunity to personally design the interior.

Just add a splash of imagination and it's a beautiful home for 275 grand.

And after something old and something new,

we borrowed a bit of the '70s for our joint wildcard choice.

With loads of living space, bags of potential and an indoor swimming pool,

the question is, will it leave Martin and Helen feeling blue?

On for:

Martin and Helen, what a surprise!

You've decided to test drive property number three, the wildcard,

-a property you had already viewed and kind of dismissed.

-Yes.

-That's right, yeah.

-Strange world.

-It really is.

-And we like a twist to the tail.

-Yeah.

-Now, before you spend a bit more time in this place,

the To Buy or Not to Buy surveyor has given this place the once over.

It's not a legally-binding survey and we always say if you did go

any further with this property, do get all the full surveys done.

-But he's come up with a few interesting points.

-Yeah.

The first thing he mentioned is if you take a look up,

the dormer roof is actually covered in felt.

Now, felt has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, so he did say if you were going to go ahead with this

property, just to get the condition of that checked out.

And the only other thing he noted is that are a few little cracks in the property.

It's quite common in a property of this age.

But the one thing he did really advise is we're in a mining area, so, again, if you did proceed with

his property, make sure you get a full coal-mining search done, just to be on the safe side.

But apart from that, he said this is a fantastic property.

-He agrees with us.

-So, are you ready to test-drive this baby?

-Oh, we are.

-Get in there and enjoy it!

-Off you go!

-Ooh, shall we go for a stroll through the countryside?

-I thought you'd never ask!

-Come on.

So, after giving Helen the house viewing of her life, it's up to her

to remind Martin of just how good this property really is.

And it looks like his memory has been jogged somewhat.

-Now, this bit here is bigger than I remember.

-It is.

Last time it seemed a lot more enclosed.

Last time it seemed like you stepped out of there straight

into it, but it's more spacious than I remember.

-Room for barbie, room for lots of friends.

-Yes.

How could they ever have dismissed this beauty so early on in their original search?

On the upside, it looks like Martin is starting to become convinced,

but will Helen's family and friends give it their seal of approval?

I reckon they'll be pretty impressed.

How could you afford it?!

Don't you worry about that, young man!

If Auntie Helen wants it, then Martin will just have to get his chequebook out.

And, of course, the piece de resistance - the swimming pool.

How could anyone fail to be impressed by that?

Martin, you've now had a look round this place again, you know?

-Helen had the tour earlier.

-Yeah.

What's your thoughts, having giving it a second once over?

Do you know, it's probably more positive than the first time.

Back a few months ago, didn't quite grab me in

-the way it has today, so yeah, certainly more interested.

-Mmm-hmm.

-Good.

-So what has grabbed you about the property now?

I think... I think when we came first, the decor just

overwhelmed us, but actually to look past that and see the space and...

Yeah, it just seems bigger an area and not as, oh, in-your-face as it did the first time.

OK. And, you know, you have said to us all along it is all about the house, isn't it?

-The right house. And does this place have a good feeling?

-Yes.

-Yeah, I think it does.

-Yeah, I think it does, yes.

-Yeah.

Anyway, never mind you two, what did the family think?

So important.

-They were quite enthusiastic.

-Yeah.

Seal of approval of my future mother-in-law, which always helps.

OK, then. So, that all sounds very, very positive.

It brings us, then, to the ultimate question in our journey.

To buy or not to buy?

Well... You have pointed out a few things that we

need to check first, obviously we take that quite seriously.

I think we need to do a bit of thinking and a little chat with the bank manager.

Come on, then. To buy or not to buy?

-We'll buy.

-It's a to buy!

Excellent result!

Is that a good one?

-Yes!

-Just checking, just checking. Well, that's fantastic news!

Really, really good. Really positive, new start.

-We better get going, then.

-What's the rush?

You need a new frock, I need a new suit for the big day.

-Of course.

-Yeah?

Good luck with the wedding day. We'll see you there.

-Fingers crossed.

-We expect an invite! See you later.

-Take care!

-Bye!

-Aah!

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