Barnstaple To Buy or Not to Buy

Simon, house-hunting is a bit like exploring

the scrumptious food emporiums of north Devon.

It's lovely to go window shopping, but it can be a bit frustrating

-when you can't quite pick what you fancy.

-Exactly.

Although what keeps you going is not knowing what's waiting for you around the corner!

Ooh! And now it's time for the real icing on the cake

with a cherry in the middle.

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

Ooh, fresh sea food, Devon cream teas and scrumpy!

We'll have a fabulous time here in Barnstaple, Rani.

We're not here on holiday.

We're here to find our house-buyers three Devon delectable delights.

I'm forgetting the key ingredients.

Three properties, three tours and one unique opportunity to...

BOTH: ..try before you buy!

You realise you've got to buy that before you try it!

Same applies to you! Now, let's meet today's couple.

Here they are, Richard and Alison Scott.

Alison, I'm not sure how to phrase this politely,

she's a fish-wife!

That's very rude. You've only just met the lady!

To be precise, she manages the fish department at a large store in Barnstaple.

She's a dab hand at scaling, chopping and gutting. Best not get on the wrong side of Alison!

Richard has been a self-employed builder since he was 15

and certainly has his head screwed on house-wise.

He'll be climbing the walls if we don't find him a building project!

They currently live in a modern three-bed property on a new estate,

but have called on us to find them their dream home.

We'd better find them something good or Alison will be gutted if it's not right!

And Richard will come down on us like a tonne of bricks!

Especially if you don't stop using these awful puns, Simon!

Richard and Alison, you already have a gorgeous house. Why move?

-We're looking to start a family.

-Right.

We want to be able to have a bigger private area, not linked to another house.

And a bit more room inside would be nice.

Is it a big family you're after there?

-Do you know about this, Alison?

-Yeah,

I didn't know what I was signing up for when we got married!

-So how many bedrooms are you looking for in this new property?

-Four would be nice.

You've got no children yet, but I hear we've got to house something hairy as well.

-Yeah, it's our best friend.

-What me?

-Not you!

-Something a bit cuter!

-OK.

It's Sidney, our silverback.

Does Sidney need his own room?

He's quite a size, so I'd say so, yeah.

-He's bigger than a baby!

-That'll be in the baby's room to start, until you get your real baby!

This is all getting surreal!

Alison, before you start the family, what kind of property are you after? What style?

Well, nothing too old.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Is it basically anything Richard can build?

-Is that what you'd be happy with?

-Yeah.

We don't like terraced or anything like that.

We wouldn't want anything too old. Um...

If it was detached and possible to do something with it.

-To extend or double garage.

-You're just dying to build!

-Is that what you want,

to create the place yourself?

Yeah, because then you get what you want.

Where would you prefer to be if everything was ideal?

We're not blinkered on a set area. A 20-mile radius of Barnstaple.

Are we looking detached in a rural position

or semi-rural, edge of town?

We would like something preferably in a little bit of land.

Not acres and acres,

but something we've got room to manoeuvre in.

You mean so he's got space to build more!

-Yeah!

-Pretty much, cos we do want to take over the world!

Fair enough!

Are you up to it? You've been a builder since you were 15.

Is it something you could do, and really want to take on?

Are you beating round the bush to say, "Are you any good?"

-Kind of!

-You could ask my mum!

-Have you done work for your mum?

-We built her extension.

-What have you done in here?

-Just the conservatory.

Can we have a look?

-Sure.

-We don't want to go and find you something

and you go, "I don't know what I'm doing now! Just a lick of paint!"

Well, this is impressive!

-I'm liking this!

-You don't do things by half, do you?

-Get it right first time.

-You certainly have. Lovely job. Nice finish and everything.

-We're pleased with it.

-We are.

So you know what you're doing.

Tell us what we're doing - budget. How much do we have to play with?

-230, we'd said.

-Tops, yeah. 230 tops.

-230,000 is the absolute top of your budget.

-Yes.

-This'll put us to the test.

-I know.

Cos they know what they're doing.

-And we don't!

-Yes, we do! We'll prove we do. See you later!

Wish us luck!

Rani, despite the weather, I'm very excited.

We've got 230 grand to play with and I love finding a good project.

You won't say that when you find out properties here are around 250.

We'd better get our skates on, then!

-I'm going to check out what's on telly in Barnstaple.

-Eh?

-OK, I'll do the market!

If it's golden beaches, spectacular coastline, cliffs, secret coves,

quaint villages and lush rolling hills you're after,

then look no further than delightful Devon.

It's a friendly, laid-back part of the country

and with the surge in popularity of British seaside resorts, Devon is on the map.

Barnstaple itself is an impressive historic market town

in the north of the county

with a Royal Charter dating back to 930 AD.

It's the main shopping centre for the area

and it's claimed it's the oldest borough in the United Kingdom.

I love Butchers Row, open-fronted shops

bursting with gorgeous local and speciality produce.

If it's bargains and banter you fancy, get down to Pannier Market,

a splendid Victorian market hall.

It's twinned with Barnstable in Massachusetts, USA.

Can't be as good as our Barnstaple.

True. But talking of other areas,

let's see what 230 grand would buy you elsewhere.

If you have a taste for a terrace, what about this Victorian home in Bristol,

with high ceilings, cornices and stained-glass windows.

It has three double bedrooms, three receptions and is close to a great local park.

If you're set on a semi,

consider this beautifully restored example in York.

As well as three bedrooms, garage and workshop,

it has a stylish kitchen with granite worktops and a utility room.

But if you have skill and vision,

what about building your own?

This plot in Gloucestershire has full planning permission

to build a three-bed detached house with a good-sized garden.

Apart from the foundations,

you won't have to dig too deep.

-Mmm! These look good!

-Now back to Barnstaple.

While Rani is more interested in cakes, I'm doing some real work!

-Hi.

-Thanks so much for seeing me.

-You're welcome.

-Hiya, love.

-Hello!

I've come to get some veg to make a little salad.

One pound of tomatoes, please.

Tell me about Barnstaple, about this area of the north Devon coast.

Barnstaple is the regional centre for north Devon.

If north Devon were a county, Barnstaple would be the county town.

I'm trying to find a house for a gorilla.

And a few other people who want to move to north Devon.

-What do you think? Will these be good?

-They'll be fine.

-Sorry, madam. These bananas are going like hot cakes!

-They are.

The budget we've got, lovely couple, is £230,000.

They're hopefully looking detached, three to four bedrooms. How realistic is that?

That's entirely realistic.

It's much more realistic if one considers a three-bedroom house.

What do you think of growing your own fruit and veg?

-You've got great weather here.

-Right.

-He's going to tell me something now!

This has made me grow some in my little garden.

-Really?

-I grew beans last year. Runner beans.

-Baked beans?

Not baked beans! Runner beans!

I tried baked beans - the tin got rusty.

So I grew runner beans.

I'm not joking. They were beautiful.

The chap involved is a builder. Very keen builder, very handy.

He's done major renovations himself so not scared of getting his hands dirty.

You'd better pick your cabbage before they go off.

I have. What do you think?

-Looks green to me!

-A heart as good as you!

Aw!

This old lodge house is owned by the local authority and used as offices until fairly recently.

It's now surplus to their needs.

-I'll swap you this hat for that hat.

-No.

-Just try it on.

-No.

-Please try it on.

-I'll try it on.

See you later!

I think you might have found me a little gem here.

You've been a gem yourself. Thank you for your time.

Thanks for all your inside knowledge. I'll get on the road.

What's this?

I've got to phone my friends and tell them I've found something unusual!

Wow! You can go in it and everything!

-Finished eating yet?

-Yep.

It's "scone"! "Scone"!

Shall we get on with how we've got on?

-Go on, then.

-OK.

-How did you do?

I've done very well. My choice, property number one,

I think is a fabulous renovation project.

It's gorgeous. Normally I'm reticent about showing people this kind of place

but I think Richard and Alison have the imagination and the skills required

to make this into a beautiful detached home.

It's right here in Barnstaple. It's gorgeous!

That's property one. What have you got?

They don't have to use their imagination as much as that one.

This is my choice. Have a look at this.

It's quite nicely decorated.

-Richard said willing to go 20 miles away.

-They both did.

Alison wasn't as keen.

So I'm going about 20 minutes away, 30 minutes.

Ilfracombe. This is nice, a private road!

And, wait for it, he mentioned his cars.

-I'm giving him somewhere to park 'em.

-Very nice.

-Is that nice views, as well?

-Yes, it's got sea views.

-They'll like this.

-We shall see! We shall see!

-All right.

For our wild card, we're off to Swimbridge,

which is slightly closer to Barnstaple.

So that will please Alison.

Why is it the wild card, Rani?

Why is it the wild card? It's not the detached property they wanted.

It's not a detached property.

They also wanted four bedrooms. It's not that, either!

But it is absolutely gorgeous.

We love it, couldn't resist it. That's the wild card.

Let's start with my choice, Property One.

This lovely lodge house really is my kind of project.

Built in 1849 on a generous plot, it has two floors, two sheds and two toilets.

But will Richard and Alison guess this is not an ordinary house sale?

Alison and Richard, Property One today is my choice.

It's an old lodge. First impressions?

-It's huge!

-Yes.

-Massive.

-Looks like it's got potential.

That is exactly the right word I was hoping you'd say.

It's detached, in its own grounds.

Got this massive garden behind us.

Now, Richard, you've got obviously, great skills.

You'll need to put them to use in this property.

-You'll need to use your imaginations, but you've got bundles.

-OK.

-So get in there and enjoy.

-Thank you very much.

We'll stay out here with the brollies!

I know a little place we can hide. This way, quick.

Oh!

It's huge!

-"It's hu-u-u-uge!"

-Yes, it is.

You could have a party in the hall.

She wants to have a party in the hall and sing her heart out!

It's an empty room.

Strange shape.

-I'm loving the windows.

-View of Barnstaple.

Nice bit of land there for me to do something with.

-You're thinking double garage already!

-Yes, I am.

-I know!

-He's already building.

-And she knows it!

Oh, wow!

This is huge!

That's what this place is about. Space, proportions.

-We could knock that through. An archway.

-Have a dining room.

-Possibility.

-I can't get over the size of this room.

It's enormous!

Oh, I love this kitchen. I'll go all girly and woo-hoo about the kitchen.

I love this! The plaster's falling off the walls,

there's nothing in there.

That's the beauty of having Richard as a husband.

She's got complete faith in him and she said he's quite humble with what he can achieve.

Oh, gosh! It's like a utility here so we wouldn't have to have anything in there.

-They're letting this place flow for them.

-Mmm.

-Ooh.

-Downstairs toilet. Always handy.

Muddy boots. Children.

-Yes.

-And you. Workman. Workman, yes. Definitely. That's not too bad.

That's about the size of ours already.

-What's in there?

-No way!

His and hers toilets!

There's a novel idea! His and hers toilets!

-It's a shower.

-OK.

-What a strange place to have a shower!

-I don't think we'd keep that.

-That's done. Knock that out.

Richard's just got his sledgehammer out. "It's all going!"

Oh, gosh!

This is another huge room.

-Gotta be the front room.

-Yeah.

But looking outside...

See, I'm thinking...extend across that way.

Get a bigger room, garage, maybe.

It is the best part about developing a project like this.

-Knocking it down!

-Yeah?

-It's great!

-Don't like that there.

-No.

Not so keen on the old swirly wallpaper, either!

We've shown them round a completely empty building

with tiles falling off the walls, leaks everywhere, the windows are shot,

and Alison's not keen on the swirly wallpaper!

-Oh, wow!

-OK.

More kitchen worktop!

Perhaps they're people obsessed with kitchens!

-Maybe.

-Hmm.

This is obviously going to be a bedroom, or would you rip out the walls as well?

Let's see what's on the other side!

-I'll wait to see what's on the other side of the walls...before I knock them down!

-You know he wants to!

Perfect for a nursery room!

-Do you think?

-Yes!

-Has that made you all squidgy now?

-It has!

Aw! This is really lovely!

Alison's fallen in love with this place!

-Oh!

-That's your bedroom!

Is this for when I'm naughty?

This could be a walk-in wardrobe.

There's potential to pinch space out of another room and make that the family bathroom.

The ceiling's very low here.

-It is.

-Don't you think?

-Feels enclosed.

-Yes, it is quite a low room in this bathroom.

-I like it, though.

-And I'm only 'ickle.

-It's quirky, though.

One bedroom, two bedrooms, three bedrooms.

Right.

So, therefore, you have to build a fourth bedroom.

I'd already of thought of that when I said about extending out that way.

You could have a room over the garage, I was thinking.

So there's method to his madness. That's why he wants to extend downstairs

so he can extend upstairs and get his fourth bedroom.

It's actually a fab sized room. I could have my party in this room!

Alison's having another party upstairs now!

No bathroom upstairs.

That's a good point.

No bathroom, no toilet. It's all downstairs.

I see.

They've spotted it! There's no bathroom!

-The smallest room would have to be the bathroom.

-Yeah.

Turn that into the bathroom and perhaps have three double bedrooms.

-Correct! Now you're with it! Yes.

-He's thinking!

-Interesting?

-Yes, very.

-Definitely.

Yeah, um, liking the two toilets downstairs!

-Male and female - sorted!

-We like the "his and hers" idea!

You did very well stopping Richard wanting to remove every single wall!

It's difficult when he wants to take the whole thing down and rebuild something different!

-Yeah.

-One thing you didn't pick up on is that it's not actually a house at the moment.

-No.

-Did you notice that?

I noticed it, but it must be living with him too long!

You think he'll change everything.

Bring down a wall and make what we want.

That's brilliant. Really positive.

The house is registered and is being sold as a day care centre.

-Right.

-That's shocked you, hasn't it?

That's relevant because it means if you bought it

you would actually buy it as a day care centre

and you'd then have to apply to have it re-registered as a private dwelling.

It's something to bear in mind that you're not buying a house

if you went ahead with it.

-But a gorgeous old place. Beautiful.

-Yes.

-Definitely.

How beautiful did you think it was?

We'll have a little quiz.

You being a builder, and all!

Would you say this was a load of rubble, this place for you,

or would you say it was a bit of a palace?

-A bit of a palace.

-A bit of a palace?

Potential to be a palace!

We've got one for you, Alison. Was it a load of rotten old fish,

or was it a beautiful piece of grilled Dover sole?

Hmm. I think I would go for the Dover sole over the rotten fish. Maybe a bit in-between.

I see. OK. Fair enough, yeah.

It is kind of sitting in that grey area, isn't it?

OK, what about the price of this place?

-Who wants to go first?

-You should.

-OK.

-I would think 180.

-180.

-OK.

-Richard?

-I'll go 185.

-185.

-185.

Simon, how close are they?

Neither of you are far off. It's one-nil to Richard, though.

No!

Why are you so upset by that?

Never mind. You'll win the next one.

I'd like to upset you a bit more, now,

-because it's actually on for £200,000.

-Right.

It's a buyers' market anyway, so people are open to offers.

Yeah.

Don't worry too much cos there's still Property Two.

-The one I'm championing today. Want to see it?

-Definitely.

Let's get the umbrellas and get out there.

House two is in the popular seaside town of Ilfracombe,

which has a gorgeous harbour and is close to award-winning beaches.

The question is, will my choice make waves or just be a wet fish?

I've brought you out to Ilfracombe. Do you know the area at all?

-Yes.

-Yeah, vaguely.

-Vaguely.

What do you think of this area?

I like it.

"I like it", says Alison!

"I like it." What do you think of it, Richard?

-It's OK.

-What's wrong with it?

-It's a bit hilly for me.

A bit too hilly. We thought you'd want to be out a bit more.

Countrified, getting away from everything, you were saying.

That's why I brought you here. We are on a hill. Down there

we've got the quayside and the harbour.

This is your property. This is the one I've picked for you.

-OK.

-It's interesting!

-I've heard that before!

-It is interesting.

I'm not hearing the word you like to use, which is "potential".

The main reason we're here, you'll see once you're inside.

We're raised above Ilfracombe, so you know what the views will be.

That's what you'll find here.

It's for sitting and admiring the beauty of the north Devon coast.

You've got to make your way up those stairs. No running that way!

-Go in and have a look.

-Go on. Enjoy.

Thank you!

-Oh, dear!

-As they climb the stairs, you might be on an uphill struggle!

Rani, as we know something about this house that they don't,

shouldn't we do this like this?

Wow, quite a bit of space in the hallway.

Yeah.

-You said this place would turn their world upside-down!

-I did.

Wow!

Oh, it's an upside-down house! It must be!

Yay! It's an upside-down house!

This wouldn't be the master bedroom, would it? Surely not?

I'm not commenting yet.

Yes, that's right, Richard. Don't comment yet.

-Reserve judgement.

-Yes.

We have a purple boys' room.

OK.

I hate to say this, but we haven't the excitement in their voices like at my property.

No, and what worries me even more

-is that Richard hasn't even threatened to knock down a wall, yet!

-True.

Are we thinking possibly a nursery for this room?

-That would be all right for this.

-That would be lovely.

Picking the nursery. Things are looking up!

So we have a third bedroom.

Quite an odd shape!

However, I quite like it.

Listen to those seagulls, Simon.

-That's what it's all about, living by the sea.

-It is.

-This would be better as an office.

-Yeah.

-Cos there's so many windows.

-Yeah, definitely.

-Plus you've got a bit of a view.

-What is it they call it? "Double aspect".

-Yeah.

Great views of the sea here.

Oh, well - it's bigger than ours!

Taps in the middle. That's good!

That is worth any money!

Definitely room for two in that bath.

-Yeah.

-And I wouldn't have to go at the tap end any more!

This is bliss! I've suddenly fallen in love with the house!

I'm glad YOU have!

Alison has just said she's fallen in love with the house.

She hated it from the outside.

Now, this is odd!

Having laminate upstairs.

-That's a surprise.

-Yeah.

I didn't expect the living room to be this large, actually.

-That's a pleasant surprise.

-Mm-hmm.

The living room is bigger than she thought.

A lot of surprises for you, Alison.

-There's a good view.

-Probably better on a sunny day!

-Yes.

It's why this house is laid out as it is.

As you walk in the living room, the first thing that strikes you is the amazing ocean views.

If you extended on the bottom floor and put a veranda on top,

-you could sit out there and look out.

-Wow!

That's the thing.

Yeah, have a veranda!

There, he's decided to get the sledgehammer out, he's knocking out the front wall for a picture window.

Wow!

The toilet upstairs.

It's a rather tiny toilet!

As the house is topsy-turvy, they've just got a downstairs loo upstairs.

-Wow.

-That's more like it.

A great kitchen.

I like the whole... It's a lovely new kitchen as well, isn't it?

Perfect size kitchen for us.

Definitely.

See, they like the kitchen.

-They like the decor. They like the space.

-It's a good-sized kitchen/diner.

I'm loving the fact you can have a dining table in the kitchen as well.

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-A family round there.

-A family of how many?

Four?

That's two kids. Excellent!

We'd better go and find Rani, hadn't we?

Has she done well or has she not? Hmm!

Have you done well or haven't you, Rani?

Who are they to judge me?

That's the idea, to make them happy! Rani!

Come and join us. Listen, just before you pass judgement on Rani,

can you just pop round and give us a hand, please?

It's a bit rusty, this.

-Oops, out the way!

-Do you actually use a garage? Would you?

-Yes, I do.

-Yeah?

-You do?

This place comes with a garage and through that doorway there

there's a utility room and another storage room. So a lot of space here.

So your house could become a third as big again.

-This is very useful space, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Potential three storeys!

It's a nice size for my car, so...

You and your cars!

Store my tools, as well.

Alison, is that any good to you, a place to store his car and tools?

As long as it keeps him quiet!

Come with me. I've got a plan for you. Lower the garage.

I'm hitting go

to show you something to make you a bit happier, Richard.

-Wow!

-Wow!

-Do we get the cars?

No, the cars don't come with the garage.

-You mentioned cars. Do you need space for motor vehicles?

-Yes.

-How does this grab you? A double garage.

-I like that!

There's that smile!

So it's all looking good. You were nervous about going in before.

-That's brilliant!

-Brilliant. He loves that.

I'll let you play with the buttons!

You've seen Rani's topsy-turvy house in all its glory.

It's guess-the-price time for this one.

Your budget is £230,000. Who's going first this time, Richard?

I would say 215.

-OK. Alison?

-200.

-200.

Do you know Ilfracombe at all?

What properties are worth round here? Any ideas?

-Yeah...

-I thought I did, but obviously not!

I'm sorry to tell you this, Alison, it is now two-nil.

Don't storm off!

The actual price of this property is 235.

-Wow!

-Which is five grand over your budget, but as we said,

it's a buyers' market. You could get it down a bit, hopefully.

Hmm.

-Still not convinced?

-No.

There's one other fact about Ilfracombe.

It's the northernmost point of the Devon coast-to-coast cycle route.

-Not cycle number 27?

-That's it, route number 27.

With that in mind, let's get on our bikes and go see the wild card.

Can you close the garage for me?

Let's hope our delightful duo are dazzled by the wild card.

Which, incidentally, is nine minutes, or 3.2 miles,

-from cycle route number 27.

-You're such a mine of information!

It's in the beautiful village of Swimbridge.

This former tannery cottage is cute and cosy

and has an extra surprise which Richard and Alison may find hard to resist!

What's that? It's close to cycle route 28 as well?!

Don't be sarky!

We've brought you to the Postman Pat picture-perfect village of Swimbridge.

It's splitting the difference between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.

15 minutes from work for you

-and we get that semi-rural idyll that you were after.

-Ideal.

A bit of information about Swimbridge for you.

Down the road is a pub called the Jack Russell, with good reason.

Reverend Jack Russell lived here and came up with a breed of dog called Parson Jack Russell.

And if you don't agree on this one and it turns into a tug of war,

-you could be in the right village cos every Boxing Day they have a tug of war over the stream!

-Great!

A bit of background for you. Enough of that.

The property. First impressions?

-I like it.

-It's got character.

-Definitely.

-It's not detached. We know you wanted detached.

The good news is, the walls are really thick.

-So far, so good, definitely.

-Nice area as well.

-Do you know the area at all?

-Yes.

-What's good about this area for you?

It's quiet and not too far out of town.

-And I spied a school just up the road.

-You and babies already!

You'd better get in and look round.

Good job they've got thick walls!

We'll be listening! Behave yourself! Get in there!

-In you go!

-I don't think I want to listen!

Ooh, I say!

-Shall we?

-They will behave themselves, won't they?

Only one way to find out!

I'm curious, anyway.

Ooh!

-Oh, wow!

-Very cosy!

-Cosy, yeah!

I love the fireplace.

Yeah. And it's on, as well!

Lovely! Perfect time of year to be viewing this property, I think!

Do you know, it's really spacious.

-Lovely living room.

-It is. You come in and just feel warmth.

-You want to move in. It's homely.

-You want to be there at Christmas!

Fantastic. Lots of little nooks and crannies as well.

Fantastic.

-They're liking the character, aren't they?

-This place is full of it.

-Dining room.

-Yeah. This looks great. Plenty of room for our table.

-Yep.

-Oh, I do like this. Very much.

They've got a separate dining room here. They like that.

Do you know what this means? It means I'd have to cook proper food!

We can't do the take-out five nights a week, can we?

-It's not a microwave.

-No, it's not a microwave!

-This kitchen is scaring Alison.

-She'll have to do more than pick up the phone!

Into the main bit, I suppose.

Do you think they'll leave the fridge?

Probably not!

You can bring your own fridge! Don't be so mean!

-It's brilliant, isn't it?

-Loads of worktop.

-Look how deep it is!

-I know!

-I'm not sure about the shelves, though.

-No.

You know what I'm like, swinging around with pots and pans -

when I ever do some cooking!

-Oh...

-This feels a bit high. Do you think, where we stepped up?

I'd want to drop it down to that level. I don't want to take a wall out!

I could take that wall out.

-Oh, look out!

-Richard's found something to take out already!

-Here go the walls!

Oh, look! It's a downstairs bathroom.

That is different.

-Does that mean there's not one upstairs?

-Yes, possibly.

Downstairs bathroom.

It's the only bathroom.

If there is one upstairs,

we could take that whole wall out

and make a bigger kitchen space.

I love Richard. Just knock down that wall. Just knock it down!

-Very steep stairs, aren't they?

-Yeah.

-Concerning for me, that is.

-Yeah.

-Now let's get the party started. Let's take them up to the bedrooms!

-I'm nervous now!

-Low ceilings, aren't they?

-Yeah.

My head touches it.

-Wow, you look tall now!

-I'm tall!

You do feel like a giant in some of the rooms in this house.

-Even me!

-Yes!

-There's a lot of character to the place.

-Would our bed fit in here?

Cos someone ordered one too large for our room!

Who could have ordered a bed that was too big for the room?

-It wasn't Alison.

-It wasn't Alison.

-Was it Sid?

-No, it wouldn't be Sid the gorilla.

I think it was Richard. He thought if he got a big bed it was an excuse to knock a wall down!

Oh. Now, do you know what I was thinking?

Somebody who we've forgotten, who's very important.

-More important than a baby, in fact!

-Oh, Sid!

-Sid.

This could possibly be Sid's room.

It's a warm, sumptuous room!

Brilliant. I like this.

This would be lovely.

-Thinking nursery again?

-Of course! Of course!

Oh, my goodness!

Oh, wow!

Once you get up here, it's actually really groovy!

I love that room!

-I like that room.

-It's really quirky.

But the stairs would put me off.

-Office? Could be an office?

-No way, Jose!

I'll be in the shed for my office!

Look! A little corner thing with cushions!

Brilliant!

That could be the kids' naughty seat, or something!

I think they really love this place. I foresee one problem, though.

Richard hasn't got reason to use his building skills.

You're forgetting the magic word.

-Possibilities.

-Oh, yes.

So, then, folks. What did you think of the house?

I loved it. Absolutely loved it. It's beautiful.

-Beautiful!

-Cutable!

-I love the character of it.

We were a bit worried about you cos you weren't talking about knocking down walls.

I thought I could rip this out and put a garage here, maybe.

Do you know what? Funny you should say that.

The current owners did apply for outline planning permission

-to extend out this way.

-OK.

It wasn't suitable for their needs cos they need to be all on one level.

The only restriction was the roof-line had to be lower than it is now so you'd need a step down.

So you could, in principle, extend out this way.

So there is something to do here for you! Don't you worry!

Get that sledgehammer out!

-Now, as well as that...

-Listen to this.

You said you wanted a bit more space, a bit of land.

-How does six acres grab you?

-Wow!

-Yeah?

-You're joking!

-Is it that hill?

Not far off, about the size of that hill!

This property does come, for an additional cost,

with an extra six acres of land.

That includes three stables, two sheds, a pond, a wood...

-A stream, a vegetable patch, it could all be yours!

-Yeah.

-Sounds good!

-Sounds good, but it all depends how much this baby is!

So guess the price.

To make this fair on you, Alison, cos you're not doing very well,

we're going to do two guess-the-prices.

-One without the plot of land, and one with.

-Yep.

-OK?

-So we'll go first without.

-Without.

-Just for this gorgeous house.

-Yep, OK.

Your maximum budget is 230 grand.

I'm thinking it's near the top already.

I would say...220.

220.

-220.

-Richard?

A bit less than that. Just the house, I'll go 170.

That's a lot less!

-Ever the optimist!

-I've already got my coat!

You have come fighting right back into this. You've restored some pride.

You're not far off at all.

Without the land, this place is on the market for £215,000.

So that makes it two-one!

So, Alison,

if we now include the six acres of land, you can draw level here.

So, how much would this place be with that six acres of land we mentioned?

You go first, Richard.

-265.

-265 for the extra six acres.

-OK.

-Alison?

-I'll go 270, then.

-270.

OK. If only you'd just gone the other way a bit.

It's three-one to Richard, I'm afraid. Cos actually,

this place, if you wanted that package of six acres of land as well,

you'd get the whole lot for 249,950.

-Wow!

-Hmm!

-Wow! That's a nice surprise, isn't it?

-It is!

-If you didn't want to use the land and you did buy it,

you could rent it out and get about £50 per week for it.

-So potential there to make a bit of money back as well.

-Yeah.

You'd probably just want to build on it, though!

Loads of garages, have your own car park or something!

OK to me!

Is that what you want to do?

So, three properties there, guys. Three very different properties. Three different prices.

It's time for you to decide which one you'd like to test drive.

Why don't you take yourselves off and give it some thought. See you in a while.

-OK. Thank you.

-All right, then.

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

Will they be up for the challenge of Property One,

the detached lodge in Barnstaple with plenty of room for parties and scope for improvement?

Or will they opt for house two, my choice,

the upside-down house in Ilfracombe with fab views,

a great workshop and two garages.

-And close to cycle route 27.

-OK, Simon!

Or will the chocolate-box beauty with two options

tickle their taste buds?

Lot one - the warm and welcoming cottage with three bedrooms

and heaps of original features.

Or lot two - the same cottage, plus six acres of lovely land.

So, here we are, back in the wild card.

-Why have you picked it, guys?

-We love the location.

-Yeah.

-Definitely. It's got a bit of a wow about it.

Our sleuth-like surveyor gave it the once over.

It's not a legally-binding survey and we always advise if you buy this property

get your own independent survey done.

But some of the points are fairly interesting.

You mentioned character. This is a very old property - 250 years old.

If you look out back, you can see the shale that the walls are built out of.

It is compacted shale that's dried out over time.

It works very well in two ways. It works well insulation-wise

and it's also usually very dry.

The only time you get a damp issue with this kind of property

is when the ground level outside is higher than ground level inside.

That is the case in this property, so damp can be an issue.

However, he did say because it's heated by a multi-fuel burner

and as the walls are so thick, it cancels out the damp effect.

The extension. Simon mentioned it would have to be a bit lower than the property already is.

He also said it would have to be a little bit set back as well, not to the edge of the road.

But this is good news for you, because he said you'd have to leave a car parking place

-so you might need your garage after all!

-Yes.

Again, it has to be slightly set back.

-But all in all, we know this is a gorgeous, gorgeous cottage.

-Yes.

Hopefully loads of space for Sid the gorilla to test out.

I see he's popped along today.

-He's come to join us.

-He's already donned the country gent look!

-Shall we make ourselves scarce?

-I think so.

-Let the three of them enjoy this place.

-Yes.

Crikey! Alison and Richard have wasted no time

in making sure there's room for Sid.

-He looks good, doesn't he? He's at home here, I think.

-Is the room big enough for him?

Stop monkeying around, you two!

Sid might be sorted, but where are you two going to sleep?

-This is our spare.

-Our guest room.

Sid's got his room. Guest room.

-And we're at the top?

-Yeah, definitely.

Now off to lot two.

Let's see what they get for their money.

MUSIC: "COUNTRY HOUSE" by Blur

It certainly looks like they've settled down to country life!

Will Alison now be wanting a horse, chickens and a goat as well as the gorilla?

Oh, love's young dream!

So, guys, I'm liking the muddy wellies!

They've been having a test drive!

-Just a bit, yeah.

-Doesn't quite go with the outfit!

-I didn't think about that properly!

-How was it?

-It was absolutely amazing up on the hill.

-Yeah. And the views are fabulous.

-Yes?

-Apart from Rich wanting to bulldoze half of it and get a JCB in there!

-Why does that not surprise us?

-A house right on the top and the views

that just keep going. It would be brilliant, but there you go.

-A good space to build for you?

-Not ideal cos it's a bit hilly!

Don't encourage him to build on the gorgeous north Devon countryside!

It's just a little project!

Give me a digger and I'll be away!

You've spent a bit more time in the house.

-Hope you didn't leave muddy footprints!

-Tried not to!

How does the place feel now you've had more time to get to know it?

-It is lovely.

-It is.

-Absolutely gorgeous.

-Like a dream, really.

-Character cottage type feel to it. Great.

You know what question is coming your way. To buy or not to buy?

Well, unfortunately, it's going to be not to buy

because the sale of our house fell through so we're not in a position to buy.

However, this is like a dream home so it's definitely top of the list.

So say you got a buyer tomorrow, and who knows...

-You never know. Hopefully.

-..you'd be back, would you?

-Definitely.

-Yeah?

-To barter, not to scarper!

Wa-hey! Well, that is good news. I'm really sorry to hear about your house falling through.

Fingers crossed you get another buyer very soon.

-And you and Sid the gorilla and the little one...

-Ones!

Little ones! Oh, Rich, I think you'd better stay sitting down!

-That means more wellies!

-You stay sitting down, we'll get going.

-Lovely meeting you guys.

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much.

-Bye!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd