Bournemouth To Buy or Not to Buy

Bonjour! Bienvenue a acheter ou pas acheter!

"Hello, and welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy."

Oggi siamo a bella Bournemouth!

"Today, we're in beautiful Bournemouth. Mwah!"

Bienvenue le bevande sono loggio!

"Welcome, the drinks are over here." Oh, thanks, Rani.

No, no, Simon. I was saying welcome to the beautiful beaches!

Enjoy your coffee, Simon?

Yes, thank you, Rani. Uncommonly generous of you.

You know what? You did ruin the beginning of the show.

Bournemouth is one of the most

glitzy and glamorous towns on the south coast.

It has more language schools than anywhere else except London?

-I wanted to reach out to the international population.

-I was only doing as you told me to!

Anyway, Bournemouth, where the season never ends.

We have seven miles of golden sands to explore and hopefully

we'll find the perfect seaside retreat for out lovely couple

and they will be able to try before they buy.

And here they are.

Nick and Cedric who want to swap the bright lights of London

for the bright lights and sandy beaches of Bournemouth.

Nick manages a casino. And Cedric is, in his words, a house husband.

A little bird tells make that Nick is originally from Bournemouth.

So, I'm sure their return is eagerly awaited by family and friends.

It should make our job a little easier, Simon, because I guess they'll know the area.

And ought to have a good idea of where they want to live.

But I wonder if Cedric is as keen on the move as Nick.

And you're happy to move to Bournemouth?

-Very happy.

-Been here before?

-Yes. I've been trying to get him to move here for years.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-So, why now?

I moved to London 23 years ago for my job. And I like to think I've done well.

But now, you know, your priorities change in life with getting older.

London's only two hours away and it's time to sell up and move back home.

We're at the stage of our life where we think it's the right time to do it.

You don't look that old to me, I've got to be honest.

Too kind!

You say moving back here, are you still going to commute to London, the two-hour journey?

-Yes, I am.

-Is that doing that every day?

-No.

I will stay up there two nights a week. So I only have to do it

-once a week and stay up there two nights a week.

-How about you, Cedric?

-I'll stay at home and look after the dog.

-Ah, there's a dog, is there?

-Yes, Wizzer.

-A little tiny thing, is it? Or a big thing?

-He's quite big.

-He's a German hunting dog, a Weimaraner.

-Oh, they're beautiful.

-Yeah, he's lovely.

-What type of property are we looking for?

Give us a resume.

I'd like a detached with a nice size garden for the dog.

It doesn't matter if it needs work doing to it, but preferably not too much.

-Are you willing to do the work?

-I can do some.

But Dad and Kevin are both builders.

-Right, who's Kevin?

-My brother.

-His brother.

-Family connections.

If there is something we have to do work to,

we'll get them to volunteer to do it for us.

-Quite right!

-You shall volunteer to do this!

We've got detached, a nice big garden.

What kind of style are we looking for?

Definitely not a new property. 1930s and older...

-OK.

-..would be perfect for us.

-Nothing new, something with a bit of character would be lovely.

-Character.

How many rooms are we looking for? Bedrooms, kitchen, living room, what do we want?

We'd like a large kitchen diner because of the family all being near.

Ah, so the family all live round here, do they?

-All of them live here.

-It's nice to have everyone in.

-Larger rooms, rather than lots of small ones.

-I hate sloped ceilings.

You hate sloped ceilings?

And because the house we live in at the moment, it's like a Victorian terrace,

very narrow and long.

So I've got a penchant for square rooms, as opposed to long, narrow rooms.

Because we've lived in this house for 12 years and I just hate the long, narrow rooms.

-So you want to feel the space around you now?

-Absolutely, yeah.

And what about family? They live nearby.

What kind of areas are we looking at?

-What, my family?

-Yeah. Do you want to live near them?

Not specifically.

They're all quite spread around so, wherever we live, we're going to be near some of them.

As long as they're half an hour away, that's nice.

They can come on a Sunday.

You chaps know this area better than we do, so give us some clues. Which areas are we after?

-Cedric?

-Queens Park is very nice.

-Ferndown.

-Ferndown?

-Ferndown's a bit further out.

About five miles out, which is lovely.

So, you know the areas well, so you obviously know the price of the houses round here.

How much are you willing to spend on this three, possibly ten-bedroom, square-roomed house?

With a big garden!

Cedric says 550. I say 600 if we can't walk away from it.

OK, then. 600 it is, marvellous.

We always take the upper estimate, unfortunately.

-Are you happy with that, Cedric?

-Yes. I've been overruled.

-I win again!

-We'll do the best to find something for you, a nice garden, big kitchen.

-Thank you.

-And a workshop.

-What's the workshop for?

-So he can tinker in the garden.

-We'd better go, there's a domestic breaking out.

-All right, guys. See you in a bit.

Right, £600,000 to play with. I'm looking forward to this.

-Lovely sunny day.

-Yeah, it'll be great.

-But I'm a bit worried about finding square rooms.

-You're right, yeah.

-I'm going to "oblong" to the estate agents.

-Great stuff.

That leaves me running around in circles in Bournemouth!

Mind you, it's no hardship as the appeal of Bournemouth is obvious.

The golden, sandy beaches, blue sea and sky and more sunshine hours than anywhere else in England.

Over one million people visit this coastal town every year

and you can work, play and shop here quite happily.

In fact, Westover Road is known as the Bond Street of Bournemouth.

If that doesn't take your fancy, how about a walk on the coastal paths out along the cliffs?

All very appealing. But it was actually the huge amount of pine trees

planted by early landowners that originally drew in the crowds.

The scent of pine, combined with fresh sea air was the draw in Victorian times.

The great and the good flocked here to cure their chest complaints.

With Sandbanks, possibly the most expensive place to live in the world, around the bay,

Bournemouth is clearly a popular place to be. So it's not going to be cheap.

Looking elsewhere, however, what would £600,000 buy you?

Well, along the coast in Sidmouth there's this stunning listed period house.

75 yards from the beach, it has five bedrooms, a luxury kitchen and stunning sea views.

It's on the market for £550,000.

If you're after a rural retreat, how about this four-bedroom beauty near Cockermouth, Cumbria,

with this Italian kitchen and views to die for?

This could be yours for £485,000.

Or how about this Grade 2 listed townhouse in Falmouth, Cornwall?

Five bedrooms, two bathrooms and many of the original features.

This beautiful Cornish house is practically

going for a song at £520,000.

Ah, Sandbanks. The most expensive place to live in the world.

But what's the appeal to live on a coast like this?

Hi, thank you very much indeed for taking time out to see me.

Have you heard of Sandbanks?

-Yes, we've been there.

-What's it like.

-Apparently it's really expensive.

-Ooh!

-Ooh!

Tell me about the people who are living in Bournemouth.

What kind of folk does it attract?

You've got a real mixed bag of people down here.

You've got superstars of football living over the Sandbanks area, through Canford Cliffs.

Students, a lot of students around here now with the university.

A lot of retirees down this way.

A lot of families, good schooling.

-Wonderful place to grow up for children.

-Absolutely.

So, it's a real cross-section of people.

Imagine having this every day, waking up, seeing that sea, seeing that sand.

You could put your red swimming costume on, run along the beach.

You'd be the new Pamela Anderson.

You could go rescue her. Yeah?

-Yes.

-Be quite nice?

-I have to, she can't swim.

-Can't you swim?

-No!

There are plenty of people who are quite happy to, and who would much rather be commuting to London,

some weekly, some daily, and have the facility to live

with the New Forest on your doorstep one way and the beach and the sea.

Six miles of sandy bathing beaches.

-It doesn't get much better.

-It doesn't.

Is it all right to live in Bournemouth?

Or am I always going to want to live in Sandbanks?

-Bournemouth would be fine!

-Are you sure?

Here's a character property but it's more modern, about six years old.

It's the garden that switched me on to that one for you.

It's nice in summer. You get lots of people on the beach.

-Yeah, they want a bit of country living.

-You can go surfing in the winter.

And they're building a reef next year.

-It's been postponed.

-You know all the goss on Bournemouth, don't you?

Lovely character property, unmade road.

Really off the beaten track.

Five bedrooms. It's a wonderful family home.

-There's a lot of things to do.

-Like what?

There's, like, cinema, bowling.

-Coming into town and doing shopping and stuff.

-OK.

Again, the current owners have done a lot of work with the kitchen,

-but they've retained lots of the original features. An old cob cottage.

-Yeah.

-This is this cob built then?

-Yes. Yeah, it is.

I think it was mid-1800s, this one.

A house made of mud, indeed.

Absolutely. And a very nice house made of mud, at that.

And yours for just under half a million pounds.

You could probably sell it better than I would! You've sold this lot to me.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-No problem at all.

-Cheers.

-See you again.

I think my tour around Bournemouth has been successful. How about you?

I think I've shaped up very well, as it happens, on the property hunt.

My choice, property one today, the team and I are really going to test the chaps' resolve

about whether they really do want to leave the bright lights behind

because this place is seclusion and tranquillity itself.

It's not far from Bournemouth centre, but it's set in its own little development

away from all of the world and it's a traditional property.

That's my choice. What about you?

It looks good, but property two gives them square rooms.

They wanted square rooms, I'm giving them square, spacious.

I think they're going to like this one.

Is that a Deco touch there?

That's kind of the '30s touch.

-It's what they wanted.

-It is indeed. Talking of what they wanted, the wildcard today,

if they said they wanted something Victorian, Edwardian, possibly Art Deco, it's not that.

But don't write it off just yet, because it's giving them everything else they want on the inside.

But let's start the tours now with my choice, property one.

So, stop one today is a delightful four-bedroom period farmhouse

set in a quarter of an acre of secluded semi-rural countryside.

Will my gem capture Nick and Cedric's hearts?

Right, then, let's get things started with my choice, property number one.

Now, the mystery team and I have come up with this place because we decided

we wanted to test your will to move away from the bright lights,

the big living of London and head for the rural retreat.

And I think this is what this place is.

It's one of your desired areas, Ferndown, just on the edge of Bournemouth.

But it really feels like you're really out of the way here.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-It's wonderful.

-First impressions.

-You've done well, Simon.

Yes, nice and out of the way, and people won't be able to find us even if they wanted to.

-Is that a good thing?

-Very good thing.

-Excellent.

Cedric, what do you think when you look at this place?

-You're going to be spending a lot of time here.

-I'm looking at the moss on the roof.

It looks as though it needs a...bit of attention.

Yeah, a bit of attention, OK. That's something you could do when you move in here.

-No, it's not, it's something that Kevin and their dad can do.

-Yeah, absolutely!

OK, so that's the outside of the house. How about the inside?

-Can't wait to see it.

-Yeah.

-Can't wait.

-Don't hang around, then. Get in there.

Simon, I hope you haven't given them square rooms with slanted ceilings.

Slanted ceilings? Details, sssh! Come on.

-A lot of money to spend on a mud hut, this, isn't it?

-Mud hut?

This is a traditional cob-built building.

This is cosy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Now then, what have we got in here? Oh.

This is nice.

-Look at all this space.

-That's a good sign.

Oh, it's got your utility.

Look at the... I love the floor.

-The floor's fabulous.

-It's tasteful, not...fussy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

It is a good floor, fantastic floor.

Yeah, I believe that's the original floor which has been lifted

and then a damp course put underneath and then re-laid.

Proper worktops.

Belfast sink, very nice. Rangemaster.

-We're talking pink granite, mmm.

-They're liking it.

Very good, and it's got the utility through here.

Washing machine and what have you.

Oh, perfect for cleaning the dog when he comes in.

After it's come in from the lovely walk on the nature reserve at the back of the garden.

-Did I mention the nature reserve?

-No. Is it the Stour nature reserve?

It is, the Stour Valley, I will be mentioning it many times.

Back in here. Actually, this is a nice dining room size, isn't it?

It's a very good space, and the ceilings aren't too low.

I was just about to think that. OK, and we've got the lounge here.

They are very practical going through, they're not visualising themselves sitting there.

-They're looking at the space.

-Yeah.

Nice.

Nice...fireplace.

-I like the triple aspect, the sash window.

-Yes, that's very nice.

Very nice.

-It's got lots of space, it's cosy.

-Yeah, cosy, and the ceilings aren't too low either.

It's cosy, but spacious all at the same time.

-And the ceilings, they think, aren't too low.

-Do you?

I thought they were slightly low.

-Window seat.

-That's nice.

It's a lovely outlook everywhere.

Secluded, no-one can see you.

-It's very nice.

-It is very secluded, and this garden is a very rare thing.

-Why is that?

-It isn't overlooked by anyone at all, look around.

Nice big landing.

-That's nice.

-It's lovely.

Which one's this?

-Something to do with a baby.

-Yes...

This could be the dog's room, keep him in then.

-Study.

-We could have a study in here.

Yep.

OK, sloping ceilings.

Leave the sloping ceilings alone, it's character!

What's down here?

Oh, this is the master.

Oh, look at this.

-Oh, now I like this.

-Do you?

-It's got your en-suite.

-En-suite.

-Sloping ceilings.

-Simon, I don't think Nick's a fan of sloping ceilings.

-Do you not?

Oh, it's a bathroom.

That's a nice little bath.

Oh, that's lovely.

-Sloping ceilings...

-Are you not a fan of sloping ceilings?

No, I'm not.

Not a fan of sloping ceilings, I'm afraid.

Right!

And, erm...I was all right...

I loved it until we come up the stairs, I'm afraid.

-That's that, then.

-Sorry, Ced.

It is spacious, it is cosy, it's nicely done, but it's got sloping ceilings.

Come on, compromise, come with me here.

Oh, what's that?

-Another bedroom.

-So this is three...well, second sort of bedrooms.

Overlooking the front.

More of your ceilings.

More of my ceilings.

Oh, dear, Simon.

He loved the downstairs, but upstairs it doesn't seem to be going too well.

-What have we got in this one? It's a shower room.

-Shower room.

-That's a shame, we would have liked another one with a bath.

-No, sloping ceiling.

It's very nice, but...

-Cedric, I can't be doing with a sloping ceiling.

-OK.

Sorry! You know, I've got a thing about sloping ceil... And now I've got two!

-Oh, dear, now this is worse.

-OK.

Well, I think that's decided, then, really.

Yeah.

-Got two of them now.

-It's a shame, but there we go.

It would be a fun room for somebody, but not for me.

There you go, a load of sloping ceilings.

-Want to talk to them about it?

-No, I'm just going to slope off.

Before you disregard this place, just look around.

This garden is completely private, it is not overlooked by anyone.

Just on the other side of the fence there

you have the Stour Valley Nature Reserve, so walks with the dog...

I mean, this is rural idyll heaven on the edge of town.

-It is.

-No?

-On the outside.

-On the outside, yes.

-But we'd still go to bed with a sloping ceiling.

-OK!

-What is it with the sloping ceilings?

-I don't know!

Something probably happened when I was a child.

Do you have a problem with sloping ceilings,

or could you see past that if the price was right on this property?

Well, no, I was concerned at the roof from the outside, cos of all that moss.

You can clean that off.

Shall we try and guess the price anyway?

But I've got a feeling that we're going to moving on to property two.

-OK.

-Who's going to go first? You know Bournemouth quite well, you grew up here.

-Yes.

-How much do you think this place is worth?

Erm...549.

549.

-All right, then, Cedric, what's your property knowledge like?

-Er...

Maximum budget 600, if you couldn't walk away from it, you told us.

I'm going for 525.

-525...

-Ooh!

Well, you see, you might be able to see past the sloping ceilings and a bit of moss on the outside

after all, because this place is on the market for £495,000.

-Oh, I won!

-You did, you did indeed, it is 1-0 to you.

We could remove the sloping ceilings!

-So there you go.

-Does that change your opinion of it?

It does, actually. Extend out here and extend up there, you see.

I'm going to be busy, then.

In between walks with the dog, get your sledgehammer out.

-You don't have to make any decisions yet. Do you want to see property number two?

-Yes.

-Follow me.

-OK.

Right, my offering was built in 1927, so it's a little younger than house one.

It's a very spacious and well proportioned home.

Beautifully restored and with four bedrooms, it's got plenty to offer Nick and Cedric.

Right, then, guys, welcome to West Parley for property number two.

Now, as you can see and hear, it's not quite the country retreat that Simon gave you.

It's newer as well, built in 1927. What do you think of the styling?

This is the sort of style we wanted, this is something more that we had in mind.

Yeah, what do you think, Cedric?

Nice big square, yeah.

Nice big square!

-What about the roof?

-Yeah, the roof looks good, actually.

OK, glad about that. And you like a bit of Deco.

Love a bit of Deco, yes.

Hopefully not a sloping ceiling in sight.

Now, I do have to tell you, I am going to give you

a lot of square rooms in here, but I might have thrown in one or two slopes just to mix it up.

You frightened me there!

-I thought a couple of slopes just to see if you could get a feel for them.

-OK.

I just wanted to warn you.

You know, it's a spacious house, as you requested.

-Do you want to go in and find out?

-I'd love to.

-Go on, enjoy.

-Ah, you see, the peace and quiet of the countryside.

-It is a bit quieter back here.

Oh, that's nice. Nice square hallway, isn't it? Nicely done, wooden floor.

They said lovely and spacious when they walked into yours, so I'm not going to get my hopes up.

But you've given them the traditional hallway here,

-mine just had the little port and straight into the living room.

-True. Something more.

Ooh, that's nice!

Isn't that beautiful? Double aspect.

-Nice and square, isn't it?

-Yeah.

High ceilings. Oh, it is nice.

They're happy with the square rooms.

If they're happy, I'm ecstatic.

And if you listen, you can't hear the road.

No. It's very good.

You see, Simon, the double-glazing is working.

Nice views.

-Oh, it's a nice bit of countryside, look.

-Yeah.

-Like that?

-Very good.

-Square rooms, you see.

No sloping ceilings.

Oh, it's nice and bright, isn't it?

Nice and bright. Double aspect again, overlooking... what looks like farmland.

Doors through.

Nice and square.

Beautiful fireplace.

Well done, Rani. This is what we're looking for.

It is. Very nice, isn't it?

Oh, isn't that sweet, Nick?

-"Well done, Rani." I can't take all the credit, of course...

-But you will?

-No.

The mystery property hunting team, you know, have got to take some of the credit.

Nice conservatory-type room. Shall we go through here?

If anyone wants to know how to make an extension work on a property, have a look at this one.

It works fabulously, for me.

It is a solid structure, but you've got the lantern light roof,

so it's flooded with daylight, it's the best of both worlds.

-Oh, I like this ceiling!

-Now, this is more us, isn't it?

Look at this. It's beautiful!

-This is lovely. Very tasteful.

-Absolutely lovely.

-Ooh! Utility.

Oh, that's why you want!

It's all beautifully fitted out.

-And, again, it's quiet.

-It is quiet.

Incredibly quiet.

-Very well done.

-It's our type of kitchen, this.

-Yeah.

-The quality of the finish is fabulous in this place.

Now, is this good for Cedric or not?

-Everything's done, what's he going to be doing in his spare time?

-I think it's good.

-Ooh!

-Oh!

-There's a surprise. Another floor.

It's a nice size bathroom, isn't it?

-Oh, that's beautiful!

-That's nicely done. Nice size.

-Lovely colours.

-Now, this is a good-sized family bathroom.

It is. Separate shower, very important in my book if you've got the space for it.

-Oh, that's a nice room.

-Oh, that's very nice.

Nice double room, isn't it? Fireplace.

Nice view out onto the garden.

-Yeah, very nice.

-Space, isn't it? Nothing...

Nice big square rooms, high ceilings.

I dunno if this is the master bedroom, is it? I suppose we'll find out shortly.

This is a good size, isn't it?

So you've got two very nice sized bedrooms.

Nice big square rooms again.

Our bed would go there, with the "jushy" telly at the end.

-Oh, good idea.

-You can walk round it still, can't you?

-There's so much room everywhere, isn't there?

-Fantastic.

I could see us here, darling.

Two bedrooms...and the baby room.

Oh! This would make a perfect office.

Don't mind that sloping ceiling.

-Is that all right, are you sure?

-Because the reason...

-I know it's got another floor, so I don't mind that one.

-That one's forgiven?

This is perfect for a study.

-He said he doesn't mind that sloping ceiling!

-Oh, I see!

-It's forgiven.

-Oh, I see!

-It's probably because I warned him before he went in.

-Never mind that.

-I like this landing.

-Yeah, I do.

-The staircase extension...

-The staircase extension...

..has been done so beautifully sympathetically with the original Deco...

..to the original Deco stairs.

-With the discus-topped newel posts.

-Oh, absolutely.

And the simple, squared-off balustrades.

I give up with you.

-Now, you know I said I don't like sloping ceilings?

-That's lovely.

But it's something you weren't expecting and it's a bonus room, but it's not...

You know what I mean?

Look at this!

-Absolutely fantastic.

-Lovely.

-It's like a wet room affair, isn't it?

-It is a wet room, yeah.

No, that's very nice.

-See, the slope... I know it sounds a bit contradictory, but...

-Yes?

..but it's a bonus room and it's sort of...

Oh, no, this is lovely.

So I'll have to swallow my words.

Sorry, Simon, from your last house.

No, this is lovely.

-It's beautiful.

-Very nice indeed. And lovely window, looks like it's been there forever, doesn't it?

Very nice.

Neutral canvas to work on.

It's presented really well.

-I like the little landing up there, don't you?

-It is nice.

This is perfect, absolutely perfect.

Well done, Rani. Where is she? I've got to give her a big kiss!

-Well, Rani, I've got to square up to the fact they loved your house.

-They really did.

-Well, then, boys.

-Well, well.

It was lovely hearing you chat inside the house.

Big problem, though. Which bedroom are you going to take?

-Top one.

-What, the one with all those sloping ceilings?!

No further comment. No further comment from me.

-But it's a bonus room, Simon.

-Yes, it is. How did you find the house?

-Lovely. Felt lovely. Lovely.

-Come on, Cedric, give us a bit more.

Erm... Oh, it's all done. You could move in, don't have to do anything. It would suit me fine.

The thing we all found, it's the quality of the finish, isn't it?

-Yes.

-It really is. It's ready to move into, it's just the highest standard throughout.

Attention to detail's really important.

It is. So does that come at a premium, that attention to detail?

It's guess the price time!

It's 1-0 to Cedric.

Are you going to go first this time?

-Shall I?

-Yes.

-Up to you.

Well, I'm forever locked in this...

So I'm hoping...

that it's still just under budget.

-OK.

-So I'm going to go for 585.

-Oh! 585, OK. Remind us, your top budget is 600, isn't it?

-Yes.

You won't go any higher than that?

-No.

-OK.

Purely cos of the fact of where it is, cos it's on a very busy road,

but it's a fabulous house, love it, but purely because of it's location I'm going to say 545.

-545. Cedric, what was yours again?

-585.

-585.

-Oh, I hope I'm right.

-Oh!

Right, OK. I'm pleased to tell you you are the closest.

It's actually on the market, Nick, at 475!

-What do you think of that?!

-We'll have it!

GLEEFUL LAUGHTER

Seriously, what do you think of that? You know, it's quite under budget.

-Quite excited. My stomach sort of... very excited.

-I'm doing that, but I think it's the baby.

-It's extraordinary.

-Obviously, it's a sign of the times as far as the markets go,

-but, all the same, for a house of this quality...

-Very good value for money.

-Yeah.

-Four bedrooms, en-suite...

-Mmm-hmm.

-Downstairs bathroom...

-No mortgage!

Now you're talking! But, anyway, listen. We haven't finished yet.

Hopefully, you're both very pleased, at the moment, we've kept you well under budget with both properties.

-We could change that, couldn't we?

-Yes.

-We've one left to see, the wild card. This way, come on.

-Today's wild card is wild because, you've guessed it, it's a brand new build.

-Ooh, we are tricksy!

We certainly are. In its lovely leafy setting, everything about this place is sparkly and new.

Right, chaps, the wild card, our third property today.

You've already told us that you really like period properties,

you like Victorian, Edwardiana, even as far as the Deco period.

So the wild card today, why is it the wild card? Well, there.

-That's why it's the wild card. It's brand new.

-It's very wild!

Yes, completely brand new. Cedric, we thought you might like this.

You don't have to get your hammer out at all.

-What you thinking?

-What do you think of the roof?

-I've gone very quiet.

-Roof's lovely...

-Oh, it's perfect, isn't it?

-Location is spot-on.

-Yes. Looks very nice, but it's new.

-Mmm.

-Does that put you off?

No, I don't think... No, I don't think so, really.

Not as bad as you thought, a new build?

-Nick?

-But it's a nice new house, though, isn't it?

It's got a nice shape. It's well balanced on the outside.

-It's a nice new house.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-And the road is appealing?

Spot on, very nice. My uncle lives up the road actually.

Ah! Is his house nice? Do you think your house is better?

-Oh, yes. It'd have to be, wouldn't it?

-From the outside, perhaps, but is it better on the inside?

-There's only one way to find out.

-Get in there and enjoy.

-Shall we nip round to his uncle's and have a cup of tea?

-Good thinking.

I don't think Nick's uncle fooled us, he was definitely in.

He was, wasn't he? Oh, well, never mind, better get on with some work.

-It smells in here.

-Look at that.

-I like that.

-That's lovely.

-It's started very well.

-That's lovely.

-Yes.

Utility...garage. That's quite nice, it's like a room, isn't it?

That's very good.

I like this effect, don't you?

-I don't really like new builds, but I rather quite like this.

-I quite like...

-There you go, changing their minds about new builds.

-They are.

-Oh, hello.

-Look at this.

-The island.

-Very nice.

-I like a bit of granite.

-I'd have no work to do at all.

-What are you going to do with yourself?

-Nothing.

I like it, the island, be very nice.

We'd never use it, but it's nice having it.

-This is...

-More doors.

-..a dining room, I reckon.

Bright, isn't it?

Nicely finished.

-Are you changing your mind about new builds.

-I am actually.

-Really?

-Yes.

Is this the dining room, is this the living room?

-I think it's the dining room.

-I think it's the living room.

-Is this the lounge?

-No, I think the last one was the lounge.

What's this then, dining room? It's quite flexible, isn't it?

I prefer that as the lounge, overlooking the garden.

Nice feature fireplace, a beautiful view of your garden, it's the living room.

Do you feel yourself moving in already?

I'm quite surprised actually, because I don't normally like new houses.

But you quite like this? Me too.

I tend to agree with Cedric, I'm not a fan of new builds either.

So, what is it about this place you love?

It's very traditional in its layout.

-Oh!

-That's nice, downstairs shower.

-Nicely done.

-Very good.

That's nice. Power shower. Very nice.

Handy. It's what you need, isn't it, downstairs.

-So, why would you need a power shower downstairs?

-For the dog.

Of course, Tristan, after he's been out for a muddy walk, get him in the shower.

Now, look at this.

Sloping ceiling for you, I think this is fabulous.

It's sweet, isn't it?

Cedric!

Is this the master?

-I don't know.

-Nice doors again.

-I know.

-This is all fitted. That's handy, isn't it?

Through here.

Hope it's a bath. A shower room.

-Perfect!

-Oh, that's nice.

Isn't that...? Tiling is good.

-And you've got those nice skylights.

-That's nice.

-It's not a sloping ceiling, but it's nice.

-A slight curve for you.

Do you think he's overcome sloping ceilings and a fear of new builds all in one house?

-I think so.

-Ooh!

-This is rather lovely.

-I thought that was the main bedroom?

Good heavens, look behind that door.

Come in here.

Look at this!

-Very sloping ceilings. But I could live with this, it's a bathroom.

-It's fantastic.

Seen the view out onto the garden?

No. Oh, that's very nice.

-So we've got two bathrooms up here so far.

-Two en-suites.

Yeah, splendid for a family.

-I do like this.

-Look at this balcony.

-This is what you call a Juliet balcony, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Look at that.

-I like it though, don't you?

-Look at that outlook, all we've got is trees and green.

Our bed would go in here. Bed...

-Put your big TV in.

-That's all we'd need in here, we've got the wardrobes already.

Chaise longue here for the dog.

What?! The dog has a chaise longue?

A big greyhound as well, with its long legs dangling along the chaise longue.

-Feed me biscuits!

-With its kimono on!

-That's fine, study.

-Yes, use this as a study.

-Overlooking the garden again.

-Yeah.

What have we got in here?

-That's a nice size.

-Gosh.

So that's four toilets...

Perfect.

-One, two, three, four...

-Two baths and two showers.

-Three showers.

-Two.

-One downstairs, one here... Three showers?

-Yes.

There's a shower and a bath there.

It's perfect.

We've got no excuse for not being clean, have we?

I like they're all the same, as well, features like this, all nicely finished.

What is in there?

Oh, my God.

It's...what are they called? Jack and Jill, where you can go in twice.

Oh...good heavens!

They call it a Jack and Jill, so you go into it and it is an en-suite.

So every bed has got their own bathroom.

Yeah, so you've got a study and three en-suites

and a cloakroom downstairs, what more do we want?

And it's a nice double size, isn't it?

-I hate to say it, but I actually rather like new houses.

-Oh.

-There's just one slight catch.

-Can we afford it?

Ah, is it a catch, the price?

Let's find out.

Guys, we feel whatever happens today, we've achieved something.

We've overcome your phobia of sloped roofs

and your phobia of modern buildings, but by the looks of it.

-Yes, all in one.

-Very surprised.

-It seemed to go very well that?

-Yes.

A bit too well.

A beautiful house for you. What was it that you loved about it?

I don't like new-build,

but this one, the way it's laid out, the way it's done it's really nice.

And we like the garden as well.

Fantastic garden. Lovely and peaceful.

-The thing is, a beautiful property like this, a great finish

-... And a very desirable area.

Being a very desirable area, how much is it going to cost you?

Um...

-It's one all.

-It is one all at the moment,

the maximum budget is £600,000,

if you can't walk away from it, that's what you told us?

I don't know if this is that type of property?

-Do you want to go first?

-Do you want to go first?

I will up it a little and go to 625.

-625?

-Yes.

OK, we've been very generous on all of the other properties haven't we?

Kept them under budget, this time you think we've gone over budget.

Don't give anything away.

I think because it's the wild card and it's a new house,

that's the reason why it's a wild card, so I reckon it is 595,000.

595, 625.

If we could squeeze it under budget, would you be interested in this?

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

-I'll get emotional if you do.

OK, in that case get ready to give us a big hug,

because this place is actually on the market for £525,000.

-No!

-I'm going to cry.

Is that good news? Yeah?

It's exactly where you want to be, isn't it?

Do you like it? You getting emotional, come here petal!

Give us a hug Cedric. I haven't had a hug yet.

-You haven't bought it just yet.

-I have bought it!

In your head you've bought it and you're moving in.

You like the wild card do you? Bless you.

We're really glad you like it but you have seen two other properties

and we are going to give you the chance to try one before you buy,

but which one do you think it'll be?

I can't imagine but go and put your heads together and have a think about that

-and come back and tell us your decision.

-Will do.

-While they do that...

-Here's a quick reminder for you at home.

-So emotional.

-So am I!

My choice was the delightful farmhouse

set in a quarter of an acre of lovely gardens

but with maybe one too many sloped ceilings for Nick.

An otherwise perfect hideaway, and it's available for £495,000.

But might house two tempt our buyers today?

A fabulous house built in 1927.

Beautifully restored and sympathetically extended to provide

Nick and Cedric with plenty of space and good-sized, square rooms.

Asking price, 475.

Or will our gamble pay off with the wild card?

Can this brand spanking new house with a bathroom for each bedroom,

gorgeous kitchen and a lovely garden win them round

and at a snip of a price, 525,000?

OK then, Nick and Cedric, you've wiped away those tears of joy

and here we are for your test-drive at the wild card.

Need I ask, why have you picked this property?

Well, speechless really, location...

you've calmed my fears of new properties, it is lovely, beautiful.

That's him, him speechless, Cedric, what about you?

I just can't believe, it just seems such good value, fantastic.

It does doesn't it? You are going to spend a bit more time

and our eagle eyed surveyor has given this place the once over.

-Is it legally-binding, Simon?

-I have to say, it is not a legally binding survey,

it's a brand-new house, he loves it and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

He has however come up with one interesting point.

Yes, he has, in the hallway there are sunken halogen bulbs.

You need to get a fire guard over the top of them on the inside,

that's right isn't it?

Absolutely, they are very common these days, they are very popular that sunken lighting in the ceilings

and people do forget they generate an awful lot of heat,

so you just want that metal cover over it.

So, that's the only thing you guys really need to consider.

Apart from that, you need to go in there, weep a little bit more

-and enjoy your property.

-Thank you.

-Shall we? Come on then.

So, here we go. Simon, I can't stand the pressure.

Will the house live up to their expectations now that they're new house converts?

Keep those handkerchiefs handy.

I have no doubt it will.

Especially as they begin their test drive in that super swanky kitchen.

-What's that for?

-Chilled wine rack.

-Oh, I like...

-Handy.

-Oh!

-We'd never use it to cook. So we'll keep it all pristine.

Very nice.

-That's handy.

-Yeah, lovely.

Soft close, they are. They've got a little thing like that.

-Fridge-freezer.

-Fantastic.

Look, seeing as you never cook,

why are you spending so much time in the kitchen? Move on!

Look at that. Fabulous.

Leave them open in the summer.

-And the chaise longue here for the dog.

-Perfect.

They're certainly exploring every inch of the place

and I just knew they'd have to have a go in that Jack and Jill bathroom.

Did they mention a chaise longue for the dog?

-This is a fantastic feature, isn't it?

-Complete with sloping ceilings!

That's especially for you, Nick.

So we've got the big decision now.

The hard part of the day.

What do you think? Is it to buy or not to buy?

Let's decide.

You've now spent a little bit more time

in this gorgeous, brand new house.

What do you feel? What are your feelings for the place?

-Exhilarated and excited, I think. You?

-Cedric, would you second that?

Absolutely, yes. I would. Very surprised, it's lovely.

Still loving the new-build?

-I am, actually.

-Loving it.

It's weird, isn't it? We set out with a very, very definite idea

of what we were looking for.

It was a period property. And here we are.

-It's of a period.

-It's a period.

It is, the 21st century!

But it is somewhere nice and quiet and that's what you wanted.

Nice finishing, not too much work.

But the question is, is there enough for you guys? All right then.

To buy or not to buy?

Well, after lots of heart-wrenching deliberation we think we might...

Cedric?

Buy!

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Yeah, that's great news!

There's going to be more hugging, I can see! I'll come in!

I knew there'd be more hugging in the end. That's fabulous.

That is absolutely brilliant news.

Of course, you've got your property in London.

That's on the market at the moment. So, fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed it'll move and we can start throwing in little offers.

Yes. And a new life down here in Bournemouth.

-Sunny Ferndown, that'd be lovely.

-Home at last.

-Home at last.

Fantastic. It's been an absolute pleasure.

Hope you've enjoyed the journey, we have!

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much indeed.

-Thank you. Take care, bye-bye.

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