0:00:02 > 0:00:06In today's uncertain market, choosing the right property is more important than ever before.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So, where does the smart money go?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Do you renovate a wreck?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Or do you find a ready made home?
0:00:12 > 0:00:15As a surveyor I've seen countless properties
0:00:15 > 0:00:17that are right for transformation.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20I'm on a mission to hunt down the best wrecks on the market and
0:00:20 > 0:00:23convince our couples that renovation is the way forward.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Renovations are great, but I also know they can be a recipe
0:00:26 > 0:00:32for heartache, so I'm going to try and prove to our house hunters that pristine pads are the way to go.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Will they be adventurous and choose one of my wrecks?
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Or will they take it nice and easy and pick one of my readies? Let the battle commence.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Today we're searching in and around the picturesque city of Lichfield,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56which is less than 20 miles north of Birmingham.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59The property market here is extremely competitive
0:00:59 > 0:01:03and average house prices can be up to 100 grand more expensive
0:01:03 > 0:01:05than the neighbouring areas.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07We're searching for Tony and Pauline
0:01:07 > 0:01:11who have recently sold their five-bedroomed Victorian town house
0:01:11 > 0:01:15and are torn between whether to replace it with a wreck or a ready-made home.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Despite searching for four months, they've only been to see eight houses
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and if they don't get a move on they're going to end up homeless.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27They want to downsize the house itself,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31but get a garden that's up to ten times bigger than their current patch.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35All of this within a commutable distance to Lichfield.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40Tony is passionate about this extra land and he's a keen beekeeper as well as a fanatical gardener.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43He's even got a coop of chickens.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Pauline on the other hand is all about having a large kitchen and
0:01:47 > 0:01:51not being too far away from her work in central Lichfield.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56This is a truly tricky combination for us and finding a house with a large chunk of land
0:01:56 > 0:02:00within a commutable distance of Lichfield is a big ask.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05If that wasn't bad enough, the renovation market has been well and truly sewn up around here.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Finding some decent wrecks is going to be a real struggle.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12No wonder they've called us in to help them with their search.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17Before we can start looking for a new dream home, we need to find out what their criteria is.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22And see who's up for a wreck and who wants a ready.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Tony and Pauline.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27We've been in this house 13 years.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32We've done a lot of work ourselves over the time we've lived here.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- He's handy, then. - Very handy. Good for me.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I would live in a mess for possibly two years.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I do like someone who has done it before.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Then I can show them real wrecks. Get his hands dirty.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Also, she looks like she's living in a bit of a mess whilst it's being done as well.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But it would be nice to have a house that we can move into straight away.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Where we live at the moment we've got a great garden.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01We'd like to have more land because we grow quite a selection of fruit and vegetables.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06We'd like to grow more and to do that you need the space, you need the land to do it on.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Can I just say this is looking very good for you?
0:03:10 > 0:03:14She's quite up for a bit of work and they need lots of outdoor space.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16She's willing to compromise.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Canal side would be nice.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Canal side? A canal side farm.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25We can do that.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29The main thing that I need is to be able to travel to work every day.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I work in Lichfield and I don't want to be spending hours on the road.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35To sum up...
0:03:48 > 0:03:51That includes any renovations needed.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57They've got this dream list, but they haven't had someone
0:03:57 > 0:04:00to sit them down and say, what are the most important things?
0:04:00 > 0:04:04But I think in here are the ingredients to a dream house for them.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08It may well have the ingredients for a dream home, but with their tough
0:04:08 > 0:04:13list of requirements it could also become a nightmare search for us.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I really think I've got my work cut out on this one.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19The house, I think I can get them what they want.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20But it's that outdoor space.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25A gardening plot is one thing, but where are the bees going to go?
0:04:25 > 0:04:27It's lucky I like a challenge.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32It's all to play for today as I reckon they seem quite open-minded.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36I'm worried because even though 350,000 seems like a big pot of cash,
0:04:36 > 0:04:42it's still just under 12,000 less than the average price of a detached house in Lichfield.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Land is in short supply and therefore high demand in these parts.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Prices are reported to have risen by 30% in the past three years.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58Lucky for me they'll be getting more land for their money with a renovation project.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08Our hunt today starts just outside the bustling market town of Eccleshall.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11This three-bedroomed detached farmhouse is all about the land.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17It gives Tony and Pauline just under a quarter of an acre for their many agricultural aspirations.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20It's bursting with potential
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and could offer them everything they need.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Whilst Tony will be chuffed with the land,
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Pauline might not be so happy that the biggest compromise is the distance to her work,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32which is 40 minutes away.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36But the only reason we can get them everything they want
0:05:36 > 0:05:39is because we're outside their search area.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46It leaves them £115,000 to renovate and stay within their budget.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Whilst Jonnie tries to convince Tony and Pauline that his wreck
0:05:52 > 0:05:57is the one for them, I've come along to keep an eye on the competition.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Don't worry, it's the wreck.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02What you think?
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I like it.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I think it's brilliant.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- Very positive.- I'm positive we must remember an umbrella the next time.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Sorry, Tony. Let's get inside.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Unfortunately for me they seem to like it and they aren't put off by the shabby exterior at all,
0:06:22 > 0:06:27but I'm hoping they'll change their tune when they see the rising damp inside.
0:06:27 > 0:06:33I admit it's a big job and to sort out the damp, completely update three bedrooms and refit a new kitchen
0:06:33 > 0:06:35and bathroom would take at least eight to 10 weeks.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39On top of that it could cost around £60,000,
0:06:39 > 0:06:44which means they have a contingency fund of £55,000.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Right, then.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Come right in.
0:06:49 > 0:06:50Here we are.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55It needs a lot of work.
0:06:55 > 0:07:01- Are you daunted at all at the moment? - Not at all. It's almost better when it's as bad as this because
0:07:01 > 0:07:04you'd strip it out and start afresh.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Whereas if it's half-decent, sometimes you're almost thinking shall we leave it?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Don't forget it'll be me who's doing most of the work.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14That's why you're quite positive.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20Absolutely. I do the design, the shopping and Tony does all the work.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I think you might have drawn the short straw on this one, Jane,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25because these two don't seem fazed at all.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I'm really impressed by their reaction.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30They seem to have taken all of this on board.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34This is looking very good for Johnny. I'm not very happy.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Nervous already, Jane?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Tony and Pauline can easily see the potential to add value to this place
0:07:39 > 0:07:45and a local estate agent has said it could be worth around 400 grand once all the work is done.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Next up is that all important plot of land for growing their vegetables and beekeeping.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53If I've got this right it could be curtains for Jane's ready properties here.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Around a quarter of an acre.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Is the plot big enough?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Is it too big? Is it just right?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03It's certainly not too big.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Ideally I'd like a little bit more.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11But trying to marry up a property with a lot more land I know is going to be difficult.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's like pushing string uphill, mate.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17You almost get laughed out the estate agents at this moment in this market.
0:08:17 > 0:08:24We've managed to find a detached house with some land, but it's quite a way from Lichfield, isn't it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- You work there every day.- I do.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30You will be for the foreseeable future. Is that going to work?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Personally I think it's too far to travel.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34It's not a distance I'd want to do every day.
0:08:34 > 0:08:40It's perfect in every other way. To me, the size of the plot is perfect as well.
0:08:40 > 0:08:47The whole feeling is nice but if we could move this so much closer to Pauline's work, it would be great.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51This is really positive for you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53They are not afraid of that at all.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55It's just the distance.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57How far from Lichfield is your place?
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Is it closer?
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- Yes.- Talk me through these shoes. You did know you were going to some wrecks, didn't you?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I'm going to have to get some wellies.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08You expect me to carry you around?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I wouldn't mind having a go at it as a project,
0:09:11 > 0:09:18- but I just can't travel this distance to work every day. - It's too far away.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I think we've established these two definitely aren't fazed by a project,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27but I'm hoping that once they see the classy ready I've found them
0:09:27 > 0:09:30here in the picture-perfect village of Abbot's Bromley,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Johnny's last project will be a grim and distant memory.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I'm also hoping to rack up some serious brownie points
0:09:37 > 0:09:41by getting Pauline more than twice as close to work as Johnny managed
0:09:41 > 0:09:43with a distance of just 12 miles.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48The property itself is an old police station and dates back to 1830.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It's packed with beautiful beams and period features
0:09:51 > 0:09:56and has three double bedrooms, a spacious dining room and a cosy sitting room.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59It's so ready they'll be able to move straight in and enjoy
0:09:59 > 0:10:01a glass of wine in the conservatory,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05which looks out on to the mature and manicured three-tiered garden.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10It looks a bit small for what they need.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Typical man, always talking about size.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16It's what you do with it that counts.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23The vendors have already got their next house lined up,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26so there's some room for manoeuvre.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28What are your first impressions?
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Smallish garden.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38A terraced property wouldn't necessarily be our first choice.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Do you want to go back to mine?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It's too far away, Johnny.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44How much is this place?
0:10:44 > 0:10:50- This is on the market for just over your budget.- It's not detached, it's got a small garden, it's over budget.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Can we have a look inside?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57You're going to love the inside and you're going to eat those words.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59What does that mean, Jane? Shall we go inside?
0:11:03 > 0:11:09It's so nice to have your support, Jonnie, but you'll be eating those words once they see inside.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Basically, you could just move your stuff straight in.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15What's going on here?
0:11:15 > 0:11:19So, Tony, the garden isn't working for you. What about the inside?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23It's beautifully decorated, there's no getting away from it. They're lovely beams.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28Certainly in this part of the room you're very close to them.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Pauline, you're not feeling this, are you?- Not at all.
0:11:32 > 0:11:38There are some really nice features which I like and we really wanted like the wood-burning stove.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43I can't cope with the low ceiling.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Oh, dear, Jane, I don't think that was quite what you were looking for.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Not really, but the alarm bells should be ringing for you too.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57We're running out of time and we've not got a sniff of a compromise from these two.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I think it's right on the location.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03I think it's a lovely house but in a way
0:12:03 > 0:12:09it's very close to what we've got already and it would almost make the move...
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Pointless. Absolutely.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13We need to have an emergency meeting.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- That went well. - Yeah, I'm a bit deflated.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I'm amazed, I thought they would go for the character of the property.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I think Pauline is the one we've both got to please. She wears the trousers here.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31She's the one who has to commute to Lichfield every day.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33That's what put her off property number one.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37I'm going to concentrate on proximity to Lichfield.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I'm going to find something with more land.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I think you need to. Shall we split up? Yes.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49So, at the halfway stage it's neck and neck, but sadly for us not in a good way.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54At least I can take some comfort from the fact that they're definitely not put off by a renovation project.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00But we need to get these guys to be more realistic or they're not going to have a house to move into at all.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04My last project of the day is just outside the village of Barton-under-Needwood.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09I think I might have finally found a house that solves our land and location conundrum.
0:13:09 > 0:13:15It's only 10.5 miles to Pauline's work and has a ramshackle garden that's deceptively large.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20I've really lucked out on this one because if they want more space there's the possibility of renting
0:13:20 > 0:13:25some adjacent farmland which has already got some playmates for Tony's animals.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30The house may currently be a modest, two-bedroom semi-detached cottage, but it's crying out for
0:13:30 > 0:13:38Tony and Pauline to help realise its potential, especially in the tiny rooms it's got upstairs.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And if it wasn't perfect enough already,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42just wait till they hear the price.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43It's half their budget
0:13:43 > 0:13:48and if they wanted to get the wrecking ball out to knock down this 70s extension,
0:13:48 > 0:13:53then they could rebuild a two-storey one in its place for around £60,000.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56This is us.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- What do we get? - You get half of what you see.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02It's a semi. If you let Jane get away with showing you a terrace,
0:14:02 > 0:14:07I thought at least I could show you something with a connection on just one side.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10That's fine.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Jonnie, this is your last chance, so no pressure. - I'm not going to tell you what to do.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17I want to hear what you'd like to do and I'll tell you whether it's possible or not.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21We'd probably just demolish this completely
0:14:21 > 0:14:23and build up two storeys.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28Absolutely, Pauline, and that's exactly what the neighbours next door have done.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30It all costs money.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33It's the price now.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34How much?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36How much would you like it
0:14:36 > 0:14:42- to be? - 275.- 265, something like that.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44You're way out, it's 175 grand.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Is it really?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Ooh, I'm liking it a whole lot more now.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56The reason I was quite excited to show you this place is I know it
0:14:56 > 0:14:59doesn't work for you particularly well at the moment,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01but that's the whole beauty of a wreck.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05You get the chance to make something your own, but, at £175,000 asking price,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- you've got the opportunity to build yourself something fantastic.- Yeah.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Close to where you want to be.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I like that.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18That's the best reaction we've had yet and they haven't even seen the garden.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22I hope you're taking notes Jane, after your last disaster.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Now, the garden is not your average garden, mind your head,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- you've got a little bit of seating area.- Yeah.- You've got a pond.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32It's busy, it's really green.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Which is, which is fine, it needs quite a lot of thinning, thinning out.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- Which again is fine. - What are you thinking, Pauline?
0:15:39 > 0:15:45Erm, I'm just thinking you really can't see the wood for the trees really.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49It's a fantastic project for them, OK, there's the planning process to go through,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53but it could have something that even I didn't think I'd be able to find them.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55The pressure's off me now.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I think it's on Jane, though.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And I've still got an ace up my sleeve.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04This shed at the end of the garden has got Tony's name written all over it.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Oh, wow! Hey, there's room for my toys in here.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Oh, my goodness.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14The trouble is you'd never, you'd just be down here all the time you'd never do anything else.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- Well, we'll have to get a phone installed or something so you can summon me.- And a bed.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- Anyway, come on house is more important, come on.- Who says?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Me!
0:16:27 > 0:16:30This is all going rather well. I think I might give Jane a call.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Hello!- Hello, well this is the sound of a relieved man.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Oh, yeah, what's happened? - They really like it.- Do they?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It's going to be a worry to get Tony out of there,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44I'm going to have to prise him back into the car to send him to you.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45Well done, Jonnie!
0:16:45 > 0:16:51- Thank you very much, well, you know, good luck on yours and I'll see you in a bit.- Thank you. Bye, bye.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Well, let's hope my next property wipes that smile of Jonnie's face.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Well, to me there's loads of possibilities here.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Yes, but you're more looking at the garden.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04No, I' m looking at the house as well. I think the house, you know, we can extend, we can have...
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- I know what you're saying... - ..What we want...
0:17:06 > 0:17:08And for the price of the house,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10for what you could afford to spend on it,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14you could really strip it back and not just concentrate on the garden
0:17:14 > 0:17:17because you see the big plot and your eyes light up.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Hm, well, I think that's you being told, Tony.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27So as we near the end of the day, I've definitely got my work cut out,
0:17:27 > 0:17:32lucky for me my next ready, situated just outside Lichfield in Longdon,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36is a cracking three-bedroomed coach house built in 1780.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Pauline will be pleased that it's only three miles from work and Tony will be tickled by the garden,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43which at two-thirds of an acre, is the biggest of the day.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45And whilst I remember, Jonnie,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50I'll see your shed and raise you two sheds, a double garage and a caravan.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54The biggest compromise here is the road noise at the front of the house,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57but once they see how much space there is around the back,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01they'll feel like all their Christmases have come at once.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04It's 15,000 over budget at 365,000,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07but it's been on the market on and off for two years
0:18:07 > 0:18:10so I think there's a deal to be done.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16Well, well, well, not so fast, Farnham, I see your game it's not a 100% ready, is it?
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Well, it might need a little updating, but it's certainly not a wreck so you couldn't have shown it.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Now this is the closest to your work.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- OK.- And it's got the most land.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- Oh, right. - OK, the only thing is the road.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35It's worth seeing how noisy the road is from the inside really.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39We're talking to hear and voice levels have to be raised a little bit.
0:18:39 > 0:18:45Uh-huh. You have just shocked me all day today, I just can't read you at all, so come on, let's go inside.
0:18:45 > 0:18:52- OK.- This is what I really wanted to show you, the space, look at this for a grand living room.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53The carpet would have to go.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- Easily done, that's no problem at all.- Absolutely.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02I actually quite like it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Um, I was a bit unsure sort of from the outside, but...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09You're almost wanting not to like it aren't you? And then...
0:19:09 > 0:19:11After the last property in a way yeah I was.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13I think it's intriguing and needs to be looked round a bit more,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and I'm surprised how you cannot hear the road from in here.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Hey, that's good, yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Mm, this place seems to be growing on them
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and once they see outside it could be game over for you, Mr Irwin.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Wow, look at those cows.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Aren't they brilliant?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Fabulous.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Yes, I'm loving it more all the time.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38I mean, it's a fantastic place.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Smallholding is the thing that comes to mind
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and we've thought about other livestock, other poultry.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- I want to keep pigs. - Pauline fancies a couple of pigs.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51I'd love to keep pigs and down there is absolutely ideal for a couple of pigs,
0:19:51 > 0:19:58just buy them as weenies, fatten them up and get a bit of crackling. Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Pauline, when we first walked into this house you were just a little bit subdued,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06you weren't very excited and now you look like a different woman.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It's because I've seen the outside space and it's the out...
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- We are outdoor people really.- OK.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- We love to spend our time together outside.- Yeah.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21And it just makes the house a bit more likeable because it's expanding now outside.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I'm going to leave you rather excited pair to have a little look over here, OK.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- OK.- And I'll meet you back up there.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28All right.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I think it's got so much potential, don't you?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Well, it has... - I think it's amazing.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41We could do everything that we want to do in a place like this.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This is everything you've ever wanted.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46You know what, this place is amazing.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50You heard Jonnie on the phone earlier, he was all confident that they were going to go for the wreck,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53but I think this could be a potential winner.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I can't wait to share the good news with Jonnie.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Go on then, Jane, tell all. How'd you get on?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Er, well, you should have seen Pauline's face light up
0:21:02 > 0:21:05when I took her down to the end of the plot of land
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and she seemed very, very in love with it all.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09OK, so you reckon you did OK here?
0:21:09 > 0:21:12I think so, but then you were really confident on the last wreck.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Hold your horses, Jane. They haven't seen upstairs yet.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I don't dislike the position, I can't do with the colour.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- OK, we'll change that.- Yep.- Right.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Oh, it's horrendous.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Oh, dear, right. You know what this reminds me of?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29That cottage we stayed in France.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Oh, no, actually, I was thinking a caravan.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34It's got a bit of that feel about it which...
0:21:34 > 0:21:39I'm almost disappointed actually because the potential from outside,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43you start to get really excited and downstairs,
0:21:43 > 0:21:48I was starting to make that work, but I'm struggling with the upstairs.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Hm, the upstairs is the compromise with this place,
0:21:51 > 0:21:56but with all that outside space on offer it should be worth it.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58We've been trying all day to get Tony and Pauline
0:21:58 > 0:22:02to make the tough decisions that have been slowing this search down.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Hoping now that we have shown them our four properties
0:22:05 > 0:22:07they'll have a better idea of what they really want.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12We started this morning with Jonnie's rural wreck
0:22:12 > 0:22:14that was ruled out for being too far away.
0:22:14 > 0:22:20And then we went over to Jane's place, over budget, not enough land
0:22:20 > 0:22:23and obviously, it was deemed wrong in pretty much every way.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Easy, Jonnie. At least we both had a more successful afternoon.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Yep, my semi-detached cottage could be almost doubled in size and still
0:22:31 > 0:22:36be under budget and let's not forget there's extra land available as well.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Ah, but my final ready.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Well, it's actually almost ready, isn't it, Jane?
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Well, that's still ready.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45My ready is already got all the land they need
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and is the closest house they've seen to Pauline's work.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51However, it does need some money spent on it and it's right at the top
0:22:51 > 0:22:56of their budget, so, technically it's an almost ready, I'd say.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57Oh, whatever you say, Mr Irwin.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01So which one will Tony and Pauline want to take a second look at?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Will it be the Wreck or the Ready?
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- Here they are, looking at the view. - Hello.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08It's a great view, isn't it?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Probably taking a well earned rest, aren't you?
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- We've looked at a lot of properties today, four in total. How's it been? - It's been great. I've loved it.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Um, two of them were definitely not for us,
0:23:17 > 0:23:23- but there are two that possibly are and now we've got a dilemma. - Yeah, we are confused.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Distance-wise, this isn't an issue, it works brilliantly and, of course,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32- you've got that fantastic potential of that plot over there.- Yes.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Downstairs, we could live with.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Upstairs in our view,
0:23:38 > 0:23:43to get it to our taste, it's going to need quite a bit of work doing to it.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44What about Jonnie's wreck?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46The house, it's not suitable as it stands,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50it will need completely gutting inside and rebuilding basically,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53which on the money, you could do and you would do it to your taste
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and you would end up with a beautiful house,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58um, it's just if we are prepared to go down that line and do it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- It's a huge decision.- Absolutely.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05So you know as it's so big and as you're so torn by the sounds of it, why don't you have a sleep on it?
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- Yes.- I think that's a good idea. - Give us a ring tomorrow.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11- We will do.- OK. Well, look, Jane, expect a call if it's a ready then.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Yes.- And I will keep my phone on if it's a wreck.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15OK.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- Just turn yours off.- You reckon?
0:24:20 > 0:24:22With our two properties neck-and-neck,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Tony and Pauline have got a huge decision to make overnight.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29All Jonnie and I can do is wait with baited breath till
0:24:29 > 0:24:33they call us in the morning to find out who is victorious.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Hi, are you both there?- We are!
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Do you want to know who won?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Yes, please!
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- It was you, Jane.- Yes.- Oh!
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- So thank you very much for all your help. - Oh, no you're more than welcome.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50We're going to get a builder to go round and have a look at it
0:24:50 > 0:24:54and help you, give you an idea of the price of the work that you may want to do immediately.
0:24:54 > 0:25:00- A builder! - Yes, a builder, one of those people that help you decorate homes.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04We're going to go now, um, this might be the last time you hear from Jane.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Builder...
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Builder!
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Oh, gosh, such a sore loser.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Yeah, well, maybe I was a little cheeky,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18but I think you're just going to have to take this one on the chin, Jonnie.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24So Tony and Pauline are back with daughter Karen in tow for a second opinion.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28First stop is the major sticking point, the upstairs.
0:25:28 > 0:25:34Well, it's really not your style or your colour it's, um...
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- It's just not me. - Yeah, it's a bit too fancy.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40And whilst the girls talk bathrooms, we've got a builder in for a chat
0:25:40 > 0:25:45with Tony to see if it's possible for them to make all the changes that they need.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49I hope they'll put an offer in, it's you know a nice house and they could be happy here
0:25:49 > 0:25:54and hopefully they will, because, you know, otherwise, they'll be moving in with me.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59So are they going to put an offer in on my almost ready dream home?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Hm, no, sadly not.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06- Well, that's what you get for showing them a house that's not actually ready.- Fair enough.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09One thing I do know for sure is that we've turned it around
0:26:09 > 0:26:11for these guys and breathed new life into their search.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16Now, having spent time with Jane and Jonnie, it has given us renewed vigour and we will
0:26:16 > 0:26:21go out there and we'll go round the estate agents tomorrow and start picking up some new details.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25The thing that it is going to help us with is, you know, is really
0:26:25 > 0:26:29not to become despondent, there's more properties out there
0:26:29 > 0:26:32that we can go for and we really need to get out there and have a look for them.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38We move out in three weeks' time and we are moving into my daughter's house.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41We're going to take all the chickens, the bees,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44the greenhouse, the shed, the plants,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49everything out of Tony's cellar and I'm hoping that she only charges us
0:26:49 > 0:26:52the same rent that we used to charge her.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58So it seems Tony and Pauline are still open-minded as to whether they choose a ready or a project.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02I like to think that we've perhaps broadened their horizons to look in new areas,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- so hopefully, they'll find a home soon.- Join us next time.
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