North Coventry To Buy or Not to Buy

Do you know, Rani, this program, not unlike yourself, has reached a certain age whereby

if it were a celebrity, not unlike yourself, it would be a perfect time to pen an autobiography.

Hmm, let me see.

A televisual classic, born in 2003 to the BBC.

Accompanying buyers the length and breadth of the UK.

This show peruses all kinds of properties from oast houses to...houseboats,

tumbledown barns to city centre apartments.

Indeed, it flows from the quill, but enough!

Time now to open the current chapter.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy.

If it's an autobiography, we're going to need all the deep, dark secrets and the scandal.

Well, I know there are plenty of those.

Whoa, Simon! Save it for the book!

OK, but there was that one episode in Cornwall...

-Simon!

-Sorry, sorry.

It really is hard to keep it all in.

I will tell you this much though, as always on To Buy,

we'll be finding three properties for our buyers...

And giving them the unique chance to try before they buy.

And today's couple are Jason and Penny Garrett.

Originally from Coventry, they moved over to Lincolnshire for work,

but are now heading back to north Coventry to be near family.

Penny loves autobiographies.

She's read everyone from Fern Britton to Will Young.

A fairly easy-to-accommodate hobby, you'll agree, unlike Jason's little leisure pursuit.

Yes, he goes off road trailing and wants to build a brand new Land Rover

big enough to take the whole family.

Namely Penny and sons Lewis and David, who would like lots of space in their new home, too.

The Garretts are hoping to find a bungalow to make things a little easier for Penny,

who has cerebral palsy, but one-level living's not at the top of the list.

Go on then, Jason, tell us, what's your number one priority?

I want a big garage, just like everybody else does, but hard to find these days.

What do you want a big garage for? Why does everyone want a big garage?

I do motorsports, so I need a place to work on my toys. Aah!

What kind of toys are we talking about here?

Land Rovers mainly. I do a lot of work with them.

-Right.

-All right, then.

-OK, then.

-Penny, is your number one priority the same? I'm guessing not!

-No, no.

-What's your number one priority?

-I need to be by a primary school.

-OK.

-OK, near the primary school.

-So, that's for your oldest boy, is it?

-Yes, yes.

-And how far are we looking?

-Yeah, how close to the primary school?

-Not too far away, really.

-No more than about a mile away.

OK.

I need a wheelchair.

OK, so you're taking the kids while you're in your wheelchair,

so we can work out those distances, just not far.

-But far enough to get a bit of fresh air.

-Yeah.

OK, so, maximum a mile, that's what we're thinking.

OK, then. Now, also, what is your housing situation like at the moment? Tell us what's going on.

Our house is currently on the market in Lincolnshire,

and I've already taken a new job up here,

so we need to get that place sold and get somewhere up here as soon as possible -

we're living with the in-laws in a very crowded house.

-Which of course you absolutely love! You love being there with them!

-We get on like a house on fire!

OK, so we know why we're moving, we know kind of some of the priorities.

Let's focus on the houses themselves.

Penny, preference, modern or old? Where are we going there?

Quite a modern place.

-Modern is your priority on the house.

-Yeah.

-OK, fair enough.

-And do you feel the same on that?

Yeah, I feel the same. I like open-plan living and bigger rooms.

I don't like old fancy moulding and things.

It's too much... They're like clutter and things like that.

-OK.

-And, Penny, you mentioned there you are taking the kids to school

with your wheelchair, so are we hoping to find a place on one level?

-Hopefully.

-Yeah, hopefully.

-Right.

-Is that essential, though?

-No. We've lived in a house for the past eight years...

She's lived in a house all her life and never had a bungalow,

but that would be lovely, but they're really hard to come by, and tend to be quite dated, so...

Talking of which, are you prepared to do a little bit of work,

if the place needed updating? Are you happy to do that?

-Yeah.

-Definitely, not a problem. I'll take anything on, so...

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-So, as well as your toys...

-That's what he says!

He'll be out in the garage, won't he?

-Penny, will he come out of the garage to do some work round the house?

-Hopefully!

Yeah, fingers crossed, eh?

OK, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?

Yeah, now, your property is on the market at the moment, isn't it, in Lincolnshire?

-How long's it been on the market?

-Seven weeks.

Have you had any interest at the moment?

It's had a few people passing by and a few leaflets picked up and one or two viewings,

but not too good at the minute.

Not too good, but, hopefully, fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed, sooner rather than later.

OK, so we've got to ask you the horrible question, then.

-How much are you willing to spend on this new property?

-300,000.

-300? You say that confidently!

-No!

-Penny, do you agree?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-That is the max.

-That's the max. OK, fair enough.

But you said that more confidently than Jason, I have to say! Right, then.

So, we've got 300 grand to play with.

-Shall we go and play with it?

-Yeah, let's play with it.

-See you later!

Now, Coventry is notable for being further inland from the coast than any other city in Britain,

so if you're a sea lover, hearties, hah-hah, then maybe not the place for you.

For land-lovers however, this city is bursting with a fascinating history.

As many of you may know, some 900 years ago,

an occurrence racy even by today's standard is said to have taken place here.

A certain Lady Godiva, veiled only by her long hair,

rode naked through the streets in protest of her husband introducing an oppressive tax on local people.

Incidentally, the protest worked and the tax was abolished.

Radical! Now, did you know, Simon, that the very first five-pound note

-to appear in a worker's wage was paid in Coventry during the 1950s?

-Astounding, Rani!

More significantly, however, Coventry is the birthplace of Britain's motor industry.

The very first factory was founded here by Daimler in a disused cotton mill in 1896.

The rest, they say, is history.

Indeed! Right, if that doesn't tempt you inland to Coventry,

then closer to the coast you could pick up one of these beauties for today's 300 grand budget.

In sunny Weston-super-Mare on the west coast, you could buy this three-bed detached bungalow.

It has views over fields, but more importantly, parking space for 10 cars outside.

Yes, that's 10 cars, Jason! All for 299,950.

I wonder if Penny has ever considered Weston-super-Mare?

Never mind Weston, what about Whitby on the north-east coast?

There you can get this gorgeous Grade II-listed home which has been completely redecorated throughout.

No painting required here.

Jason would love it,

and there's money left over at the great price of 285.

And if that doesn't float your boat either,

you could head to the south coast for this charming two-bedroom bungalow in Ilfracombe, Devon.

It's very modern with a mezzanine level and underfloor heating, and overlooks the local park gardens.

Beautiful!

No surprise then that it's at the top of the budget at 299,995.

But racing back from the coast, it's straight to the estate agents for me for some hard work,

while Rani is... entertaining the locals.

We've got a lovely couple relocating from Lincolnshire.

-We are thinking schools. North Coventry, a good area?

-Definitely.

What's the appeal, because I've got a family who want to move here?

The school, the shops, the buses.

-You can get everywhere.

-I like the way you said that!

If you were going to think of areas in which to move to,

name some off the cuff that you think, ooh, that would be a nice place to live.

Over this side of the city it's really Coundon, Allesley, going over into Keresley, then into Ash Green.

I've just come in to get my hair done quickly, all right?

-Yeah.

-No, I want to have a quick word with you.

-Can I interrupt?

-Course.

-Shall I take a seat?

-Yeah.

We've got a budget of £300,000.

-OK.

-We are looking for a place on one level, so we're focusing on bungalows.

It's not essential, but kind of a priority.

Gossip! You must know all the local gossip! THEY LAUGH

-What do they need to know?

-No, no, you don't pay enough to tell you.

How about if I had a trim? THEY LAUGH

What is it about bungalows that kind of...

Why do they hold their value so well?

Because they can appeal to a lot more of the market.

We've got the older generation that would like a bungalow.

We've got the lazy generation who like a bungalow!

And also we've got people with disabilities.

They actually find it much easier to have a bungalow.

Tell me one other great thing about this place.

I've got to sell it to them.

-Nice pub!

-THEY LAUGH

They all look like interesting properties.

-Shall we pop in and get them?

-We will, thank you.

So, great people, a great place to go out and great schools.

-High five! I'm moving here myself!

-Cheers!

-Top work! Thanks. Have a lovely day!

-Cheers, love.

-How friendly was she?

-Rani, there's something different about you.

-Yeah?

-Have you had your hair done?

-Yeah, you like?

I thought I'd use the local hairdresser's, just to get a feel for the area.

-All in the name of property research!

-Never mind that!

How did you get on with your property hunting when you got round to it?

Well, I've got to say, I am very pleased.

I'm giving them space and also, Simon, it's all on one level.

I think they'll like this.

-It's a bungalow, you mean.

-Yeah, that's what they would like

and were worried they wouldn't get, and I found it.

OK, so you're happy? I'll ask you a question.

When is a bungalow not a bungalow?

I don't know, when is a bungalow not a bungalow?

-When it's a double bungalow!

-Hey! It's not really a gag, is it?

No, it's not, it's a fact. This is a gorgeous property, number two.

And, by the way, yours doesn't look like it's got a garage.

Well, I've given Jason TWO garages with this one.

It's in a lovely quiet location.

Really, really high quality finish.

I'm very pleased with myself. There it is. It is beautiful. Feast your eyes on property two.

OK, then. Well, the joint choice, the wild card.

OK, a bit further afield.

They'll have to travel to this, but there are good schools nearby.

Yeah, but that is half the reason it's the wild card, because it's a bit further afield.

However, there is another reason.

How can I put this?

-If we look at the details, let's say the decoration could need a little bit of TLC.

-A little?

Yes, it has a chequered history as far as decor is concerned.

That's all we're going to tell you about the wild card,

but let's start the tours with Rani's choice, property one.

As with all good stories, we start this one at the beginning,

and what an opening this bungalow is!

There's even white stone lions guarding the entrance of this 1950s home.

Gazing at my choice fills me with pride as I picture the young Garrett family living here.

Jason in the kitchen, whilst Penny relaxes in the lounge with her latest read.

OK then, Penny and Jason, welcome to property number one.

This is the house that I am championing today.

-Now, your other property is in Lincolnshire, isn't it?

-Yes.

So, do you know Ash Green at all?

-Yeah, I used to go to school in Ash Green.

-Ah!

-So did I.

-And so did Penny.

-Her school is quite local to here, as well.

-Do we like this area?

-Love this area.

-You love this area!

That's a relief. Well, Penny, great news for you.

You said a mile away from the school, this is only...

0.3 of a mile, which we've worked out is about six minutes' walk.

-How does that grab you?

-Brilliant.

-Excellent.

-Yeah?

-You thought a bungalow could be nice.

-Yes, definitely.

-Yeah.

I'm giving you a bungalow and four bedrooms.

-Is that enough?

-That's excellent.

-OK.

-I'm feeling very proud of myself.

It's all going very well but, come on, be honest now, first impressions of the house?

-Nice.

-Nice, very nice.

-Yes.

-Yeah. Great potential.

-Are you happy, Penny?

-Yeah, I love it.

OK, it's started very well indeed.

-Yeah!

-That's the area, that's the outside, but will you love the inside as much?

-Hope so.

-There's only one way to find out, isn't there?

-Get in there! Enjoy!

-Let's go!

-Oh, Simon!

-You're feeling full of yourself, aren't you?

I am. Just wait until they find out it hasn't got a garage!

Oh, wow! Look at this.

Oh, you're right, there isn't.

-What's wrong?

-A garage. Anyway, never mind, sorry.

Oh, lovely.

It's very nice.

-Good start.

-Yeah, good start. Very nice.

Oh, the bedroom's at the front.

-Nice. A good-sized double.

-Yeah.

-The view's not too brilliant over the road.

-It's quiet.

-You can't hear the traffic.

-No, it is quite good.

OK, Jason is right, it's not the best view, but I also agree with Penny.

We are set back off the road, so you don't hear that traffic.

No, we don't hear the traffic.

Wow! A downstairs toilet.

The thing is, though, it's going to be a downstairs toilet, isn't it? It's a bungalow!

-Oh...

-What's through here?

Oh, it's back out into the hallway.

A Jack and Jill downstairs toilet.

And a Jack and Jill toilet means?

-Two accesses.

-Exactly.

-You need to make sure you lock the toilet though!

-Yes!

Walk in from the other room!

-This is another double.

-Yeah, another double. That would be great.

We'll have the kids fighting over which room they have at the minute.

-All their games would fit in.

-Yeah, you'd have loads of space. This room is quite small at the minute.

-Ah, they haven't seen the rest of the rooms though, yet.

-No.

Plenty more out the back.

Oh, wow! Massive kitchen!

-Nice. Just what we like, modern.

-And you can get a table in.

-The dining room and the kitchen together.

-It keeps it open.

It flows into one. Nice and modern.

-Yeah.

-That's what I like.

-Yeah, I love it.

Now, it is a good sized kitchen.

The ubiquitous kitchen-diner.

21st-century living as provided by Rani.

Nice worktops.

And good cupboards.

-Yeah, nice handles. Easy for you to open, they are.

-Yeah.

See, good positioning on those cupboards, as well.

Don't you to try and tell me that isn't just coincidence.

Well, nothing's coincidence in this game. You've got to think of most everything.

Oh, this is lovely.

Living room space. Just about get the settee in here, won't we?

-Yeah.

-But will the telly fit?

-Yeah.

-Will it fit? Are you sure?

-I'm not shrinking the telly!

-Is that a fire there?

Yeah, it is, tucked away behind the settee.

-Odd layout in there.

-It is an odd layout,

but there are potentially four bedrooms here. Do they need four?

Where are we going now? Straight on?

Straight on. Oh, isn't it nice?

Another large double bedroom.

-Isn't it lovely?

-This is nice. Again, neutral colour.

-Less decorating to do!

-Yeah.

-Nice big windows.

-Yeah, nice big windows.

-Plenty of light coming in.

-Yeah.

-Excellent.

-Lovely.

He's scrimping out of the decorating already!

-I thought he wanted to do some work!

-No, he wants to work on his cars!

Ah, I think we've got a bathroom.

I like the tiles.

-I love the tiles.

-There's a shower in there.

-There's a shower in the corner as well?

-That's nice.

It's like a walk in wet-room.

-Excellent.

-That would be good for me.

-That would be much easier. No doors to mess about with.

-And the kids.

-Yeah. Oh, God, there'd be water all over the floor!

-At least it will be easy to clean up!

-A nice bath there.

Yeah, a nice big bath. I like big baths.

Oh, he likes a big bath. He can play with all his toys in there!

-I think it's to get cleaned up when he's been making a mess with the cars.

-Probably.

Watch your head!

Oh, that's a bit low.

Another bedroom.

Oh, yeah. Wow! This would be the room for David.

Nice and quiet, out of the way from us being noisy.

-Or then Lewis, he's noisier than David, isn't he?

-Or a computer room.

-Yeah, or that. Yeah, it could be a nice little office.

-What room is this?

-It's the fourth.

-I think the third or fourth, I've lost count! There's too many rooms!

-It's nice.

-It is. Again, neutral colours. I like that.

-Yeah.

-It saves decorating.

They could just move into this place and then slowly put their own touches on to it.

Slowly build a garage, perhaps!

-Yeah.

-I've had enough of decorating for now. It'd be great. Bung the furniture straight in.

-Well, that went well. Just a few issues, wasn't there?

-A couple.

First of all, where does the TV go? I think I can sort that.

And how big's the garage going to be? I can sort that.

Now, Penny, the first property went well. Do you like this place?

-Yeah, love it.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

But would you agree, if there was one room in the house which kind of doesn't make sense,

-it would be this one?

-Yeah.

-It's odd, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-You've got the fireplace covered up over there.

-Yeah.

The television is in front of the window.

-Yeah.

-Do you know why I think this space doesn't work?

-That door.

This door because, look, you've got a door here which is kind of for nothing.

We've got the door through into this lounge, So, you've lost a whole wall in here and the wall in the kitchen.

-Yeah.

-So, is Jason a practical kind of chap?

-Could he get rid of this door and put a wall here instead?

-Yeah.

-If you did that, then you'd end up with two very usable rooms.

-Yeah, yeah.

You can bring your couch in, have a nice area back here and open up that space.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Do you agree?

-Yeah.

-Good.

-I heard you talking in there.

-Yeah.

-You've noticed there is no garage, which you really want.

-No garage.

-I desperately need a garage.

-OK, now, have a look around you.

-A lot of space.

-A lot of space here. This is a big old garden.

-You could put a garage in here.

-Could do. Would Penny let me, that's the question?

-Of course Penny she will.

-Do I give her a choice?

-Well, you're going to have to give her a choice.

Now, the big question is, do you know anything about garages and building garages?

-Yeah, I could do that.

-You can?

-Yeah.

-What about the cost of it?

-The cost is a factor.

Obviously, it depends on the price of the house as to what I'm allowed to put towards a garage.

OK. Well, a brick garage would cost you about 15 grand, and that's with damp course.

-Do you need that?

-Definitely.

-You do.

So, you'll need the more expensive garage. You could go for a wooden one,

-sorry to say, that will cost about five grand.

-I might burn that down!

-Right!

-We'll be playing with fire, then, in the garage?

-Yeah.

You need planning permission for this, and you can't take up -

and this will please you, Penny - more than 50% of the space out here.

Well, I'll have a garage that fills 50% of this. That's fine!

I thought you'd would go a bit less for Penny's sake!

-He's getting a quarter of the garden!

-Are you happy with that?

-Yeah.

-So, you're spending money.

-Yeah.

-Have you left the money to spend with the budget? It's guess the price time.

It is guess the price time.

Who's going to go first? Remind us of our budget.

-Our budget is?

-300,000.

-Thank you, yes.

-The maximum.

The maximum, absolutely the tops.

-Yeah, all right then, who's going to go first?

-You go first? Go on, then.

296,950.

-OK, 296,95...?

-950.

-950. 296,950, OK.

So, you go right to the top end. You obviously think it's worth it.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, I think probably a little bit higher than that.

-Probably around 298.

-So, both near the top end of your budget.

Well, I'm pleased to tell you this, Jason, you're actually the closest.

It's actually 297,950.

Now, I do need to tell you this.

The property has been on the market now for a year, so you are in a very good position for bartering.

-Knock them down a bit.

-You need to save a bit of money if you want an expensive garage in the back.

-So, what does this mean to you, guys? Does that sound good?

-It sounds very good, yeah.

-Well within budget.

-Well within budget.

-A very good start, I think.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

But can I do even better with my choice, property two?

Folks, it's this way. Let's go!

Take the Yellow Brick Road!

Click your heels and follow me. The second chapter of life tends to be when one

settles down and takes life seriously, and I am very serious about house two.

A home perfectly honed to meet all of Penny and Jason's wishes, including a double garage, Rani!

Get ready for exclamations of delight!

Right, for my choice, property two, I've brought you

-to the lovely village of Coundon. Another desirable area, I believe.

-Yeah.

-Yes, it is.

Primary schools are just under half a mile away, or just over a mile away.

They are littered around here. Enough of the area, there it is!

-The garage is lovely!

-Isn't it just fabulous? Marvellous!

-No!

-Double-fronted as well!

-It is, yeah.

It also comes with the property, which is a bonus!

-What do you think about that, Penny?

-Lovely.

-It is lovely, isn't it?

-Yes.

-A nice size from the outside.

-As you can see, there's an upstairs with this one as well.

-Yeah.

-Does that appeal to you, guys?

-Yes, it's a bit of a mix and match.

Ah, OK! So, what do you think about this area?

-We are at the end of a cul-de-sac, lovely and quiet.

-It seems nice.

-Yeah. Starting well?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-I bet you're dying to get in, aren't you?

-Yeah.

-Go on then, get in there.

-Let's go!

-I think they seem quite impressed with it.

-It's going swimmingly today.

Oh, wow!

Hey, daydreamer! Pay attention!

I'm just admiring that marvellous garage which is already here at this property.

Yeah, but what do they think about the inside?

All right.

-Nice.

-Mm. Nice.

Nice flooring.

Beautiful flooring.

Your flooring has a seal of approval from myself.

Thank you very much, Miss Price.

-Oh, open fireplace, lovely!

-Yeah.

-And the TV will fit.

-Yeah, the TV will definitely fit, and the settee.

Excellent. I'm not too sure about these columns and that, though.

Well, that's just decor.

Well, it's a bit more than decor.

-It is of a certain taste, isn't it?

-This has got good size. A good-sized living room.

A very good-sized living room with just those Neoclassical touches.

This is nice.

-Yeah, big room.

-Yeah, it's a nice double size.

-No decorating.

-Yeah, I wouldn't have to decorate.

Bonus!

-A nice view out the back garden.

-Yeah.

It's nice.

-It is nice, though.

-Dark.

It's a bit dark, yeah, but it is a bit gloomy outside as it is,

so it'll probably brighten up in the summertime.

The dark casement on the windows makes it feel a little bit darker.

What is round here?

Oh, a bathroom.

-Oh, and a shower!

-And a shower.

-I like corner baths.

-A corner bath, a jet bath.

-That'd be nice.

-Yeah.

Yeah, it's lovely.

A corner bath is fantastic.

Yes, I agree with you, Penny, everyone should have a corner bath.

When it gets romantic, no-one has the taps in the back of their back!

Through here.

Another downstairs bedroom.

-Yeah. It's very big

-Yeah, we could shove loads in here.

-What's that?

-It's a turtle.

-Oh!

-It's a good job Lewis isn't with us, he'd want to take that home!

-Yeah.

-Good size.

-Yeah, this would be a good size for Lewis.

-He could have his friends stay over in here.

-Yeah.

-I'm starting to worry.

-Why are you worrying?

-We've run out of bedrooms downstairs.

-Oh!

Let's have a look at the kitchen.

-That's nice.

-Isn't it lovely?

-I love this kitchen.

-It's a great kitchen.

Beautiful, beautiful solid oak units

and a really high-quality finish throughout. Solid granite worktop.

I'm not too keen on the worktops.

Very good sink.

Yeah, that's nice. Old style.

-It's not modern, though.

-Yeah.

-I'm not too keen on the kitchen.

-Yeah.

-It's quite old.

But it can be changed.

-It's pretty old.

-Yeah. But it can be changed.

You see, it's an old look and it's not what they like, but, like he said, it can be changed.

You can't rip that out! I won't let them buy it!

It's a solid oak kitchen!

You're not the one cooking in it every day.

-Isn't it nice?

-That's nice.

-A servicery/dining room.

-Yeah.

-It would be good for...

Breakfast would be nice in the mornings. Plenty of sunlight.

-Yes. Really nice, yeah.

-I like this.

-I do, too.

-It does add a bit of extra light to the kitchen.

-Yeah.

-It would be really dark without that.

-Yeah.

I thought that. I love the dining area.

I think it's quite different from the rest of the house, really lets all the light in.

It does, and it gives you that extra space in the kitchen, as well.

Right, we'll go upstairs now.

This is nice, though.

-Yeah, this is nice.

-Yeah.

Wouldn't have to decorate again. We've got a nice view out over the trees over there.

-It's a lovely view.

-Yeah. Don't have to decorate again!

We keep finding places that don't need much decorating.

Jason is now warming to this place because he just realised, once more, he won't have to decorate.

-Up here?

-An upstairs shower room.

-That's nice.

-That's nice.

-Really nice.

-Yeah.

It's low.

Yeah, it is low, but it's only going to be used...

It's not going to be all the time, you've got the main one downstairs.

-Yeah. I like it.

-Just throw the kids in there.

-Yeah.

-Blast them down with a hose pipe!

-Oh, yeah!

I'm not sure they need the shower. I think Jason just wants to hose pipe the kids! He's just said!

Here...

-This must be the master bedroom.

-Yeah.

-This is a good size.

You wouldn't be able to get much storage here though, you'd have to put everything quite low down.

Which bedroom would you have, then?

-I'm not sure.

-Would you have one downstairs?

-Yeah.

-It's probably slightly larger, the one downstairs.

-Let the kids up.

Yeah, it would be nice and quiet, then. Keep them out of the way.

They've had a good look around.

I'm going to get in there quickly before Jason rips out that solid oak kitchen!

Jason, I noted when you went round this house that you said it didn't need decorating.

-Well, it needs a bit.

-But, all in all, I think you'd agree it's very high quality finish in here.

-Yeah, it's liveable.

-Yeah.

-Liveable.

And then I noticed as well you didn't like this kitchen.

-No.

-Come on, fella!

-It's too dark.

-Look at this kitchen. This is not an oak finish!

-This is solid oak.

-Yeah. Well made.

-This is really high-quality finished kitchen.

-Granite composite on top which is really well done. No?

-No.

-You're not convinced.

-You're not winning me with that.

-This is thousands of pounds worth of kitchen.

-It's wasted.

-So, you would...

-You would definitely...

-I'd take this out.

It's too dark and it's just not us.

-So, you really know what you want.

-Yes, definitely. Definitely.

-A modern, clean...

-A modern, clean look, yeah.

-Extraordinary!

I would live with this, cos it's such high quality.

-You could live with it, but I wouldn't want it!

-Fair enough. It's your money we're spending!

-I'm not going to persuade you, am I?

-No, definitely not.

But the rest of the house, you know, you had a few issues with the tiles, maybe?

-Yeah, a few bits, but it could be done over time.

-Yeah.

-It's definitely liveable.

-OK, you've got money to burn, obviously.

-Shall we go and try and burn a bit more with guess the price?

-You can try.

-Let's find the girls.

Jason and I have had a chat about the kitchen, Penny,

and even though it is a fabulous high-quality kitchen,

-it would go if you got this place. Would you agree?

-Yeah.

Good, I'm glad you're in accordance.

But it does demonstrate the kind of the quality of the finish of this place.

I think you'll agree that you could simply just move in.

-You could.

-You've got a double garage, so you can get straight on with knocking your cars about.

-Yeah.

-You've got that lovely back garden there, as well.

-Yeah.

-A lovely, quiet cul-de-sac.

-Which brings us to...

-Is the price right, yeah?

Now, it's time for guess the price.

-Last time you were closest.

-Yeah.

-Well done, you.

So, Penny, you can come back fighting now.

Your maximum budget was 300 grand.

-All right then, what do you think this place is worth?

-I would say 300.

-You're going to go 300 for this one.

-Yeah.

-I think it's over.

-Oh!

-I think it's over. I'm going to go for...310.

-310.

-310.

Well, Penny, you did very well. You were very close.

-Unfortunately, he was closer again.

-Aw!

It's too little, because you're right, you've caught me out.

It's actually on the market for £315,000, but - whoa, whoa, whoa -

we all know it's a buyer's market.

-Yep.

-Yeah, so a bit of give and take.

-A bit of haggling.

-A bit of haggling, I think you might even get this place for bang on your budget.

OK, that's if you went for it.

-Yeah.

-So, that's this property.

So, now you know that price, what's your reaction?

It's something we'd have to think about on this property, wouldn't it?

-Yeah.

-Because it's right on the top of the budget, especially if you want a new kitchen.

-Yeah, yeah.

-I like the way you passed that over to Penny.

You were the one who said you really didn't like it!

Penny, if you want a new kitchen, a new bathroom, we don't have the funds!

-But, guys, there is the wild card.

-Oh, yes!

-Do you want to see it?

-Definitely.

-All right, then.

-Then come with us - that way!

-Let's go!

Well, everyone goes through a wild phase in life

and for the final chapter in today's story, that time has now come.

Excluding the Battenberg paving, this bungalow may at face value look somewhat ordinary.

However, we strayed away from Coventry and into Nuneaton

to explore a little bungalow with a big hidden secret.

Right then, guys, this is property number three. This is the wild card.

Now, the reason it's a wild card, it's a bit further than you asked for.

Do you know this area? Whitestone.

-No.

-Well, Penny, it's about 15 minutes away from your folks,

so not too far, but close enough to go and visit them every day and they can pop over and see you guys.

It is a really nice area. Now, we've also looked into schools for you.

About 0.6 of a mile away from really good schools and it is a sought after area.

-Great.

-A nice little cul-de-sac.

-Nice and quiet.

-Nice and quiet.

-Yeah.

-So, you two can be the loud ones in the area if you like!

-I think we will be!

-First impressions of the house? Be honest.

-It looks OK. The garage is not particularly big.

-Never mind the garage for once. Look at the house.

-Penny, what do you think?

-It's a bungalow.

-You wanted it on one level, you get on one level.

We've also thought of your kids with this place.

I'm not going to tell you why. Get inside and enjoy it.

Bear in mind, this is a sought after area, so can you afford it on your budget?

-Well, you might need a bit of imagination with this place when you are in there.

-OK.

-All right?

-Yeah.

-But I know you've got imagination. Get in and enjoy!

-Let's go!

-Fingers crossed.

-For what?

-Because have they got the imagination?

Right, Rani, this place is a shadow of its former self, but can they see a bright future for it?

No, not a nice porch. I don't like this woodwork.

-No.

-I don't like this door.

-Good positive start, eh?

-I don't like the wallpaper,

or the carpet. Rip the lot out.

Rip out the carpet. Tear down the wallpaper.

That's the point about this place, it's the proverbial blank canvas.

This must be the front room.

-It's little.

-Yeah, this is small.

It is small.

-Lovely wallpaper on the ceiling!

-The carpet would need to go.

Do you think Jason is being slightly sarcastic there?

-"I love the wallpaper on the ceiling!"

-A hint of irony, I think!

I think it would all go. Everything.

Now, that first room, I think that's a bedroom.

Mm-hm. Well, because it's got a bureau in there, you kind of go,

"Could be a little living room," but they've got to wait and see.

This must be a bedroom.

-You could knock this through into that front room and make it bigger.

-Yeah.

-That would be better.

-Yes.

The curtains would have to do stay, I think.

-Yeah!

-They're great!

Oh, the curtains are staying, then!

-I don't think so.

-No.

-No.

This must be the main bedroom.

This is quite small, as well.

You could stick another place on the side if there's enough room.

Yeah.

-We could always go up.

-Yeah.

-Oh!

-They want to go up?

-I think so.

-They want another floor?

-We're turning it into a dorma bungalow already.

This is quite bright.

Nice! Oh! Not nice! What is that?

That would have to go!

-That would come straight out of here.

-And the fire!

What have they spotted that they don't like?

-I think they've spotted the focal point!

-Ah, the chimney breast!

-Yes.

-It would be nice with a conservatory on the back, wouldn't it?

-Yeah.

Plenty of light coming in here.

-The tree is nice.

-Yeah, it's lovely. That'd have to stay. I wouldn't let loose with my chainsaw on that!

-Look how big the garden is!

-It's huge.

-They're starting to understand why we brought them here.

-You could have a lovely big garage out there.

Yeah, I'd take that small garage down and put a bigger one there.

Probably have all over to the path. Full size. Yeah? A triple garage.

No!

There goes half the garden!

Shall we see if we can find the bathroom?

-Yeah.

-This is definitely quite compact and dated.

-Yeah.

-I think we'd have to probably extend this and rip it all out.

-Yeah.

The tiles are definitely not to our taste.

Everything would have to go.

Yeah, definitely.

-We had those tiles in our bathroom when I was little!

-Really?

-So, I can date them exactly.

I would have been six, so that was 19...

-20?

-Stop it!

-Here's the kitchen.

-Let's go through.

Again, this is quite small and dated.

Artex ceilings.

-We don't like that.

-No.

-Much too small for me.

-Yeah.

-We wouldn't get the fridge freezer in!

-No. We would take that lot out.

-You'd have to rip everything out, I think.

-Yeah.

-Extend further back.

-Yeah.

I might lose space for the garage, then!

-Oh!

-OK, Rani, it seems like the bathroom is too small.

-Yeah.

-Kitchen?

-It's too small.

-Living room?

-Too small.

-Bedroom one, two, three?

-Too small.

-Budget?

-Ah!

Hello!

-Do come and join us.

-Hi, guys.

-I said we had the kids in mind when we looked at this place.

-Yeah.

-The garden is fantastic.

-Lovely.

-Yeah?

-It's huge. Fabulous.

A lot of space out here, but before we get on to the garden, what did you think about the inside?

Penny, we were thinking about you, obviously.

Perfect carpets and curtains, you know?

What did you think of the place?

-A lot of potential.

-A lot of potential.

A lot of potential. It would need absolutely gutting, though, and everything doing from scratch.

Yep. I also got the feeling you found a lot of the rooms a little bit small.

Yeah, definitely. I think we'd have to extend either upwards or outwards in some direction to, eh...

-You say that with gusto, as though you'd do both.

-Quite possibly.

-So that's something you'd be willing to take on?

-Definitely.

You've definitely got the space out here if you wanted to go outwards.

-Yeah.

-It's not just about the space, it's about the location with this place.

This is a very, very sought after area, the end of a quiet cul-de-sac,

-so that was the potential we saw. You can see that, can't you?

-Yeah.

It's a beautiful area. So, then, we're talking a lot of extending - upwards, outwards, everything.

-Would you still need a bigger garage?

-Definitely.

-Of course he would!

There isn't a garage big enough in the world for him! Where does that put us with the price?

Now, come on, Penny! It's two-nil to Jason at the moment.

Let's salvage some pride here. Your budget is £300,000 maximum.

How much do you think this place is?

I think it would be about 255.

-255, OK.

-Jason?

I think higher than that because of the area it's in, so I'm going to say around 265.

265 from Jason. 255.

All right, well, the actual price of this property, and I'm pleased to tell you, Penny, you're the closest!

It's 249,950. Well, done, you!

-What do you think of that?

-It's good. That is very good.

We should easily be able to get the work done within budget.

You would, wouldn't you? This place does have -

you hit the nail on the head, Penny - potential.

We've now shown you three very different properties indeed.

It's now time to decide which one you'd like to spend a bit more time in for the test drive.

So, why don't you go away and have a little think about that.

-We'll do that.

-OK, we'll see you in a moment!

We'll see you soon, and whilst they do that, here's a quick reminder for you at home.

-Now, cast your minds right back. In the beginning there was a beautiful bungalow that had everything.

-Huh!

OK, Simon, apart from the garage, but we sorted that.

It did have everything else

and was even a smidgen under budget at 297,950.

On the garage front, I delivered with house two and everything was there, too.

I even threw a set of stairs into the mix which were gratefully received.

I still, however, haven't forgiven

Jason for dismissing my gorgeous kitchen. Just over budget at 315.

And our closing chapter house-wise was our joint choice wild card.

The potential was endless with this one, along with the patterns on the carpets!

True, Jason's garage dreams were growing to ridiculous proportions,

but all possible for the price of 249,950.

Penny and Jason, it's lovely to see you outside property one again.

-Huh!

-Do not sulk, you!

-Sore loser.

-He is a bit, isn't he?

But, of course, we are a team. So, what attracted you to this property?

Ah, it ticked all the right boxes, really.

-The location near the schools.

-Yeah.

Fantastic for you, you've got the school nearby.

Yeah. Everything all on one level. Easy access for Penny.

And a nice big garden with enough space to put up that required garage, if you desire.

-Not too big!

-Yeah! Not too big, quite right, Penny!

-You keep a lid on the size of this garage.

-Fight for your space!

Now, our eagle-eyed surveyor, the mystery surveyor,

has given this place the once over and he's come up with a few points for you.

It's not a legally binding survey, obviously,

and if you do proceed with this property or any other property,

make sure your solicitor does all the full surveys and the searches.

-Yeah.

-What he's come up with is, first of all, Rani.

Well, there are two chimneys up there.

They seem to be disused, but he suggested they need to be capped off properly and to get them vented.

It isn't a big job at the moment, it'd cost around £200 to £300,

but if you don't do it now you could suffer with damp in the future.

-So, you need to get on to that one.

-Definitely.

-A stitch in time, I guess is the phrase.

-You'll also have problems with access here. We've got steps up here for the wheelchair.

-Yeah.

But the good news is, we have plenty of space out here.

The required gradient is one in 15 and you will easily get it in here without interfering with the access.

-Yeah.

-OK. There may also be grants available if you speak to Social Services.

-Yeah.

-So it mightn't cost you a penny, which is a good thing.

-Definitely.

-But, all in all, a lovely, lovely solid house.

-It is.

And we're both very pleased that you chose this one!

-Nothing to really put you off.

-Yeah.

-Still willing to test drive it?

-Definitely.

-Yeah.

-Get in there and enjoy.

-Enjoy it.

-In you go.

-All good with us.

-It certainly was. Well, good with you, I suppose!

And it looks like the Garrett family are quite literally test driving the house.

Even their toy car is huge! You'll need a garage just for that!

Like father, like son, eh? I bet Jason really wants a go.

Me, too! Me, me, me, me!

We could have ram raids!

It looks like there's plenty of space for everyone in the garden.

My go now?

Most importantly, the school is just a short stroll down the road and Penny looks happy with that.

The test drive is about the inside of the property, too, and Penny's dad and Jason's mum are doing that.

-Through there is the main bedroom. Do you want to play with your toys, David?

-David?

So, let's hope that dad Steve likes it as much as we do.

I think it's fine for them. Just the right-sized property, really.

I know Jason will build a garage outside there

and he likes to go up in the attic, but it'd be ideal for them.

Just right for the schools for Penny as well. So, lovely!

And there's a toilet downstairs!

Perfect!

Right, you lovely pair, you've now spent a bit more time in property one, Rani's choice.

-How did it feel?

-Nice.

Plenty of space for the kids to run around, especially in the garden.

-So, it's got the family's seal of approval.

-Yeah.

-Has it got your seal of approval?

-Yeah, definitely.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-You enjoyed the space, the open plan living?

-Yeah.

-I loved the kitchen.

-You've checked the local school?

-Yeah.

-It's nice. Nice and local for us. Not too far for Penny, so...

You said great garden for the kids to run around in.

-Were you thinking, "You won't be running around in that bit, that'll be my garage!"

-Yeah, definitely!

-Were you thinking that?

-I've already paced it out, measured up.

-You have as well, haven't you?

-Yeah.

-You sound very confident about this place, which is fantastic.

-Now, it was within your budget.

-Yeah.

-So, the big question is, To Buy Or Not To Buy?

-I think we are, subject to finances, we're going to buy.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-That is fantastic news!

-Yeah.

-I think we've done a good job here!

Yes, I think we have. I'll join in and bask in your glory!

Brilliant news. We didn't know if it'd be easy to find a bungalow, and we've come up trumps.

You definitely have.

Well, fingers crossed you get your property sold, you get the finances and this could be your new home!

-Great.

-Cheers, both, it's been an absolute pleasure.

-Shall we get out of here?

-Yeah.

-See you! Bye-bye!

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