0:00:04 > 0:00:09'These days, navigating a difficult market is harder than ever before.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11'Do you plump for the easy option
0:00:11 > 0:00:14'and go for a property with no work needed?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17'Or do you take a chance on a wreck
0:00:17 > 0:00:20'with potential to become your perfect pad?'
0:00:20 > 0:00:24I'm here to prove that a renovation project is the best way
0:00:24 > 0:00:26of getting your dream home.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30I think today's property market is full of great homes
0:00:30 > 0:00:33that are ready to move into.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36It's our job to help house-hunters make up their minds.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Can I dare today's buyers to take on one of my wrecks?
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Or will they play it safe with one of my readies?
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'Today, we're searching in East Sussex, 1066 country
0:00:58 > 0:01:00'around the ancient town of Battle,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold
0:01:03 > 0:01:09'and built this beautiful abbey to commemorate his victory.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13'House prices here are on the up, rising by over 10% on last year...
0:01:20 > 0:01:22'We're here to find a family home
0:01:22 > 0:01:25'for marketing director Geoff and his wife, Claire,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29'who works part time as cabin crew for a long-haul airline.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31'With three-year-old twins Ella and Tristan,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34'they want to get off to a flying start,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38'after the family moved here two years ago.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42'They celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary on the ski slopes
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'and are desperate to go off piste and find a home
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'to spend the next ten years and beyond.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53'They need help widening their search beyond where they live,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'and decided to call in the experts.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- 'Who wants the "doer-upper"? - Who wants the "that'll do nicely"?'
0:02:00 > 0:02:03I'm Claire. I work as cabin crew for a long-haul airline.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07I'm Geoff. I'm a marketing director for a holiday park operator.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12We find that we're taking the children out a lot of the time
0:02:12 > 0:02:14because the garden's not ideal.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It's on three different levels.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20I would love a good size garden
0:02:20 > 0:02:24with a flat level area of lawn where we can kick a ball about.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I think what's going to impress them is land.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31I'd like it to be big enough to justify a ride-on mower.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- What is that about?- It's in our blood. I want a ride-on mower.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37I live in a flat in London.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- I wouldn't consider an ugly property.- Bungalows turn me off.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- It would have to be detached.- Four bedrooms. The bigger the better.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50My main priority is that it's by a good school.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- They want the lot!- They do.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56They want the lot in quite an expensive part of the world.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00They mention what always holds up property prices - good schools.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05That's going to stretch the budget when you're looking at land as well.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07There's going to be compromises today.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13I'd consider a wreck for a number of reasons. Firstly, the potential gain, in terms of value.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I would like something that's quite easy to move in.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I try really hard to make our life stress-free.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26To spend all your time at work, then coming home and living in a mess,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29that would put pressure on me, I think.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Very sensible! It's always the lady who brings it back to reality.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Claire will probably win because she's more sensible than I am.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I think you'll win,
0:03:40 > 0:03:45if Jonnie can find something within budget
0:03:45 > 0:03:48that would let me stay in this house
0:03:48 > 0:03:51while work was done in the wreck. Good luck!
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- She looks like a hard task master. - Certainly does.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01'So, to sum up, Geoff wants a wreck and Claire wants a ready.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03'They're both looking for...
0:04:10 > 0:04:14'..While Claire wants something with a lot of kerb appeal.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19'All that with a budget of £650,000.'
0:04:19 > 0:04:26Finding a ready that's going to beat what they've got? That's what's going to be the toughie here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30'But I can completely understand why Claire wants out of rented
0:04:30 > 0:04:33'and into a home of her own.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36'A wreck with enough potential will come at a cost.'
0:04:36 > 0:04:41We've got a great budget but MASSIVE aspirations for a new home.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44And Claire doesn't want any piece of a wreck.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49'I can't help but think I'm at a disadvantage.
0:04:49 > 0:04:55'Wrecks with enough kerb appeal are hard to come by, but I can only show them what's on the market.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00'So for my first property I'm heading out to Pett,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02'four miles east of Hastings.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05'This place has a charming, sleepy feel to it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09'Unfortunately, there is no school in the village,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13'but it does have great access to this wonderful beach.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16'That sounds great, Jonnie, but what about the house itself?
0:05:16 > 0:05:22'All right! It's a modern five-bed house, on the market for £585,000.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25'That, Jane, is 65 grand under budget.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28'I know it's no oil painting,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32'but that can be improved on and it will definitely need work
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- 'to bring it up to Claire's standards.- Wait a minute, Irwin!
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- 'This house isn't a wreck.- OK, she won't be knocking walls around.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43'It's still a big modernisation job.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46'There are five bedrooms here,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50'plus two bathrooms and an en suite that needs finishing off.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54'Well, almost needs starting, but the main reason I'm excited
0:05:54 > 0:05:56'is the land, two acres of it.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02- 'And a riding school with stabling for that ride-on mower.- Sad.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04'Very sad.'
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Imagine your new house has its own long sweeping drive,
0:06:07 > 0:06:12some gates here to keep the children in, stop them wandering off.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18Then you could pull your cars into this wonderful courtyard space.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25It's...it's not the prettiest of homes but, er...
0:06:25 > 0:06:28The point of a wreck is to try and use your imagination.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30For example, I'm thinking
0:06:30 > 0:06:34a bit more wood on the front, wooden doors on the garage.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40To make it look a bit softer, maybe even a bit more contemporary with a traditional feel.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43It's got potential. Do something with the drive.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47There's a nice centrepiece that we could work with.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51'Not a bad start, Jonnie, but you need bigger reactions than that.'
0:06:51 > 0:06:52- Wow!- It is big, isn't it?
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- Look at the size of this room!- That is a genuine inglenook fireplace.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59You could get either side of that.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The whole thing about this house is
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- I'm not asking you to knock down any walls.- OK.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10This is a refurbishment project. So what do you think so far?
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- It's a brilliant size. - Good proportions. They work for me.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15'How's that for a better reaction?
0:07:15 > 0:07:19'Even Claire seems excited about the potential inside.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'Wait until they see the potential outside!'
0:07:22 > 0:07:25We're moving quite a bit away from the house.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Don't worry, because we're still on your land.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33We could still be on your land right down in that bottom paddock.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Cos that's your boundary!
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- Wow!- Really? - Is that enough for a ride-on mower?
0:07:38 > 0:07:43Somewhere for the kids to play, explore and learn about nature.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Which they don't get at the moment. - We could have family rounders!
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I was quite happy with you being here, Geoff.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53But it's Claire who needs to be convinced.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55What's going through your mind?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Seeing the land there has made me a bit emotional.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04I take the children out so they can run around and play.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07I wouldn't have to leave the house to entertain them!
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Can I rein you in a little bit?
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Just bring you back down to Earth with a bump!
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- There is a lot of work to do.- Yeah.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21Have you thought about the practicalities of doing that with a young family?
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Because there's nothing structural that needs doing to the house,
0:08:25 > 0:08:30we could get a lot of decorating done whilst we're in the rental.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36Bearing in mind your budget of 650. This is on the market at £585,000.
0:08:36 > 0:08:42- Speaking to the agent, he reckons they should be looking to settle at around 550.- No?
0:08:42 > 0:08:46100 grand of decorating? I think you could get that done.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48I could have a nice kitchen!
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Claire's never had a brand new kitchen!
0:08:51 > 0:08:57'Ah, the brand new kitchen! The female equivalent of the ride-on mower!
0:08:57 > 0:08:59'Works every time.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04'Don't underestimate us. It'll take more than a central island to win Claire over!'
0:09:04 > 0:09:09There's not a huge amount of work to do.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13We're talking new kitchen, new bathroom, new windows.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17But if we gave ourselves three months where we are now.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19That's the bulk of it done.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Finishing touches after that, if that would fit within the budget.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27I'm not scared by it. It's just if you add everything up.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32'Geoff is definitely interested, but Claire still needs persuading.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36'My female intuition tells me Claire's not digging it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40'Time to show her something she can get really excited about.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43'Namely, my first gorgeous ready.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49'For that, we're going to the tiny village of Fairlight,
0:09:49 > 0:09:54'nestled in the trees, less than a mile from the sea.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58'It's got a church and a pub
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'and a post office that acts as a village store.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'It's ten minutes by car to Geoff's work in Hastings
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'and six minutes to the local primary school.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11'The property itself is a split-level house...
0:10:15 > 0:10:20'..It's got five spacious bedrooms, a beautiful wrap-around balcony,
0:10:20 > 0:10:25'a pool, a private two-acre garden and knock-out views!
0:10:25 > 0:10:29'But they don't like their split-level garden.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33'What makes you think they'll go for a split-level house?
0:10:33 > 0:10:39'Claire likes kerb appeal! I don't think this was what she was after.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41'Let's see, shall we?'
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- How's this for a grand entrance? - Wow!- Rather marvellous gates.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- What are your first thoughts? - Fantastic! I love the drive.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53I love the gates. I love the trees.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Claire?- House?
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Is it a house? Or is it a bungalow? - I'm hoping it's split-level.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I imagine there's another story.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06'Bingo! Geoff's got it! No. It's not a bungalow, Claire.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09'It's a hidden gem. You'll see.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- You've got a great sized living room with fantastic views.- Yeah.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- Is this working for you, really? - First impression is fantastic.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I can't wait to get outside.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- 'Geoff's loving it. - But Claire's gone ominously silent.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29'I just need to get her out onto the balcony to check out the pool
0:11:29 > 0:11:34'and all the space the twins are going to have to play in.'
0:11:34 > 0:11:37We had just over two acres in your wreck.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- This is just shy of two acres. - Really?
0:11:40 > 0:11:44This view's beautiful. It feels like I'm on holiday.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47But I'm not sure about the house.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I'm gutted cos I LOVE it!
0:11:50 > 0:11:54What's not working for you, Claire?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Probably my first impressions at the front.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01Why don't you head in here? This is the views you'll wake up to.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06This is your master suite with the dressing room and en suite!
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Maybe that'll work for you.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'You're not giving up without a fight.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16'I know what I'm doing. The master suite is my knock-out punch.'
0:12:16 > 0:12:18How can one room change my mind?
0:12:18 > 0:12:23- You're feeling it now, aren't you? - Yeah. I love the view.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- This is perfect. - I've got a good feeling now.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Look at the size of that shower.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- It feels like a lovely holiday home. Nice feel.- I think you're right.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40'You're pulling out all the stops, Jane. Can you persuade Claire?
0:12:40 > 0:12:45'Relax, Jonnie. I think she's already been persuaded.'
0:12:45 > 0:12:48It's got everything they asked for.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It's just on a split level. It doesn't work for everybody.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I'm going to have to show them something a bit more traditional
0:12:57 > 0:12:59from the outset, and also layout.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04Maybe something closer to Hastings, where the kids have something to do.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09And maybe give them something where there's so much room in the budget
0:13:09 > 0:13:12that Claire won't have to lift a finger.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- She's going to be on board by the end of the day! Let's go.- Yeah.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- 'Right, it's every woman... - Or every man.- ..for themselves.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'Claire likes things to be just so. I don't blame her.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29'I won't rest until I've found a home that's just right.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33'I'm finding something that appeals to Claire's desire for aesthetics
0:13:33 > 0:13:36'and Geoff's hunger for a project.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39'If Claire liked the holiday feel in Jane's ready,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42'she'll love the location of my second wreck.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46'Hastings is a bustling seaside town with no shortage of opportunities
0:13:46 > 0:13:50'to dig out the buckets and spades.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- 'Showing them a sand castle, then? - Not quite.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56'It could be a jewel in the crown.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'Geoff and Claire want style and space.'
0:13:59 > 0:14:03It's also just down the road from where they already live.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I reckon they might like it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07'They'll love the price, too.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12'This detached 1930s house, five minutes from the town centre,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14'is 255 grand under budget!
0:14:14 > 0:14:19'It's far from being a total wreck, having been partially renovated.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21'Geoff and Claire can take the reins
0:14:21 > 0:14:26'and transform it into the perfect home without too much hassle.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31'It has four good sized bedrooms, a big family bathroom
0:14:31 > 0:14:33'and the potential to extend upstairs.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37'The main garden space on offer is to the front of the house.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40'More front than Hastings promenade!
0:14:40 > 0:14:44'We'll see who has the last laugh when they see it!'
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Now, for my wreck offering. Come right onto this garden bit.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52This is her. What do you think?
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I don't think it looks like a wreck.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58The garden's at the front, which isn't ideal.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- LAUGHING:- Is that it?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Well let me...- It lacks kerb appeal.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06OK. I'm thinking car parking here.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09You've got gates here, so nobody can see in.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12You've got your garden at the front.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18I have an issue with the garden being at the front. Sitting out here, barbecuing...
0:15:18 > 0:15:21The barbecue would be there. Oh! I don't know!
0:15:21 > 0:15:26'Doesn't sound like Claire wants an audience while she's flipping burgers!
0:15:26 > 0:15:31'Not the sizzle of reaction I was hoping for. I'm flippin' worried.'
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- It's big. - It's, er...bigger than I thought.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Can you see past the neutral-to-sell decor?
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- It's still a bit foggy.- I can.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I just don't know if I can be bothered to.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51I think if it was, from the outside, beautiful on an amazing road,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55my mind would start working, thinking this is a lovely space.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- You're not seeing it?- Not yet.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'Hear that? That's the sound of hope.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05'But that's NOT a happy face. Who's having the last laugh now?'
0:16:08 > 0:16:09LAUGHTER
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Come in the garden. I'll show you what I had in mind.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18In my opinion, the kitchen isn't big enough for the rest of the house.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22My thoughts were, because we had a lot left in the budget,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24to bring it out this way.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29Some form of glass extension, then you've got a long dining-kitchen.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32The kids are out here playing...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36But there's no point going down this road
0:16:36 > 0:16:40if you're not saying, "We like the area. We like parts of the house."
0:16:40 > 0:16:45The house next door, you'd almost offer to paint it for them,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48just to make your outlook nicer.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51You know what? It's not for you. Let's cut it here.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54I have been known to change my mind.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57If I was a betting man, I'd keep my wallet in my pocket.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01'This viewing has literally gone down the pan.
0:17:01 > 0:17:07'Perhaps they'd feel better if they knew how flush they'd be on completion of the work.
0:17:07 > 0:17:14'To finish what's been started and extend out back would cost...
0:17:14 > 0:17:18'Plus eight grand to convert the loft space into a fifth bedroom.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26'I'm fighting a losing battle here.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31- 'Harold would have something to say. - One in the eye for me!'
0:17:31 > 0:17:37- There's not a single redeeming feature. - There's not a single shower!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I can't even imagine it.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- I really can't.- No. It's not for me.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48'Never mind, Jonnie. Allow me to put this house hunt back on track.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51'Your first wreck may not have hit the nail on the head,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- 'but they did like the location. - Glad I can be of SOME use.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00'It's clear that Geoff and Claire judge with their eyes, and not their wallets.'
0:18:00 > 0:18:07I want to show them something they'll fall in love with, something with great kerb appeal.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Maybe a house with a more traditional layout might help.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16'I've gone all out in pretty Pett to find that perfect village home
0:18:16 > 0:18:19'minutes away from good schools and Geoff's work.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26'It has a large level garden for the kids,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28'and stunning sea and country views.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32'It's been extended with the addition of a two-bed annexe.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36'The space is so versatile, they won't need to lift a finger.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- 'Bet it comes at a price! - It's on the market at 625,000.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44'Still nicely within their budget of 650. Eat your words, Jonnie!'
0:18:46 > 0:18:50I think I may well have saved the best till last.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Claire, let me recap.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56You wanted a great area with a good school,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58which is what you're getting here.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02But you also requested from the get-go, you wanted kerb appeal,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05something that looked pretty.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- Are you feeling it?- This is it.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Yeah?- Yeah.- This is it?!
0:19:10 > 0:19:14I need to get through the door, but I almost don't!
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- I love it from the outside. - It says "family", doesn't it?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Look! You're getting even closer!
0:19:21 > 0:19:25'Repeat after me, Jonnie. "This is it."'
0:19:25 > 0:19:27A quick tour.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Kitchen-diner, dining room, conservatory onto the garden.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- Is this a big enough living room for you?- Yes.- Yes. Absolutely.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41I almost like it so much I'm not looking properly.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43It's got a LOVELY feel.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It connects with you on so many levels.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50It's a big downstairs, but you're getting more, a separate annexe.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54It's two-up, two-down.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58With the kitchen and everything. A separate home.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Is this somewhere you feel
0:20:00 > 0:20:03you could lay down your roots and stop for ever?
0:20:03 > 0:20:07So far, it feels like my dream, DREAM home.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Really?- Yeah.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- And you, too?- To get that reaction from Claire is fantastic.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18It's what we were looking for. She's started me off now!
0:20:18 > 0:20:24When you've been looking for a couple of years and you walk into a place that feels right.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29And that you don't... BOTH LAUGH
0:20:29 > 0:20:34- We can't afford this, can we?- Well, I've got to be honest with you.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36It is coming in...
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- quite close to your budget at 625! - No?- Really?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- 'I'm welling up!- I imagine admitting a disastrous defeat IS upsetting.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48'Grab a tissue, cos I think the best is yet to come.'
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- You want to see the rest?- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55We're going to head into the garden cos it has a view to die for.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57OK. There's more.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- Wow!- Oh, God!
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- You can see the sea!- We can!
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Can you imagine sitting out here in the morning, having breakfast,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11with views like that?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- I just love it.- And very private.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17'My work here is almost done.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22'If they see the potential of the annexe, I might have cracked it.'
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Ooh!- Wow!- Oh, my goodness!
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- It's a miniature perfect home! - It's like a little home!
0:21:30 > 0:21:34It's so lovely. Friends that came, it'd be like a little holiday place.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- Upstairs.- Shall we?
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'And finally, it's upstairs to the bedrooms.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Ever think you'd be lucky enough to have a house like this? Seriously?
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Er...no.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51'There's no reason why they couldn't live in a house like this,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'but it wasn't easy getting here.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59'No, we've been searching to show them the best properties available
0:21:59 > 0:22:02'so they can finally get out of rented and into a family home
0:22:02 > 0:22:05'close to Geoff's work, good schools
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'and with a big enough garden for the twins.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12'They loved the land with my first wreck,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16'but Claire wasn't inspired by the prospect of a complete overhaul.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20'Things didn't get off to the right start at my first ready.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24'It did have a pool, though, and fantastic views
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'from a gorgeous master suite.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30'My final wreck was a write-off.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34'Claire couldn't get a garden at the front out of the back of her mind.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38'No wonder they got so emotional in my final ready.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40'It was a fantastic looking house
0:22:40 > 0:22:44'in a great area, with the bonus of an annexe
0:22:44 > 0:22:46'for visiting family and friends.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'Two against one. Will they go for my first wreck?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51'Or one of my readies?'
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- Jane?- I'm here!
0:22:53 > 0:22:55This is nice, isn't it?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It slightly beats my last place.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I had views of, er...a hedge.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- WHISPERS:- She was almost in tears.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- I hear we've had waterworks. - Almost!- This sounds ominous.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- Was it you, Geoff?- Yes, it was. - He almost came to tears as well.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Let's give you the chance to dry your eyes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- First house, what do you think? - The two acres appealed to me.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Sounds like you're thinking fairly positively...
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Speaking positively! Absolutely not, now I've seen this place!
0:23:28 > 0:23:31It would start as a project and still be a project in ten years!
0:23:31 > 0:23:36I decided to take you to something with a little bit more kerb appeal
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and also with the same amount of land.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Your heart wasn't in that when you started.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46The gates were fantastic. It seemed very grand.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Perhaps more like a bungalow, at first.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Then I had a complete turnaround when I saw the garden.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57And the master suite, with those doors just opening up
0:23:57 > 0:23:59to that wonderful view.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02You were on side, even though it was a ready.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08- If you've come round to it, it sounds like a distinct possibility. - Absolutely.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11We left there, clearly, I went wrong!
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Just so we know, when did you write that place off?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- When we arrived. - Walking up the garden.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21I brought you, then, here. What are your thoughts now?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I still absolutely love the place.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28But you're not sure now, now he's seen upstairs.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- I just felt a bit claustrophobic. - JANE GASPS
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- Is it a balance between heart versus head, then?- Absolutely.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42Maybe you should sleep on it and get back to us about which one you want to view again.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47'It's not going to be easy for them. It's all about my two readies.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51'One doesn't have the wow factor but has the space their family needs.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55'The other won them over on style, but is short on space.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'After a night to sleep on it, they call me and Jane.'
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Right, here we go.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06We both fell in love with house number four, particularly Claire.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11But we just felt the dimensions inside weren't suitable for us.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15We'd like to go back and see house number two, the one with the pool.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Ah!
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- You got your own way, Geoff? - Well, yes.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23It was a case of head over heart.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Let me know how you get on. - Thank you.- We will.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29'I'm thrilled to bits. Geoff loved this ready house.
0:25:29 > 0:25:35'It's now all down to whether Claire can see past that bungalow feeling.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:39This is when I changed my mind, when I saw that view.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- Yeah.- It's just beautiful.- Gorgeous.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48- 'All looking quite positive, Jane. - But what's the final verdict?'
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Now I've actually been to the bottom of the garden,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54I like it even more.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58If I'm really honest, I still don't quite feel it in the house.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01But as soon as I step out here...
0:26:01 > 0:26:05I just can imagine Ella and Tristan playing here and that...
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I was about to say the same thing.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10For them to grow up with this,
0:26:10 > 0:26:15- I think they'd just be more rounded children.- Mm.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18I think it's a home to be proud of,
0:26:18 > 0:26:22but from the front, certainly, it hasn't got the...
0:26:22 > 0:26:27- Kerb appeal.- Yeah. The wow factor. I didn't sleep well last night.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29We need to have a really good think about it.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34'Claire never seemed totally convinced by my first ready.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37'Even trying desperately to make it fit,
0:26:37 > 0:26:42'they decided to go for a ready home they found later in Battle,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45'right at the top of their budget.'
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- A win for the readies. Well done, Jane.- Thank you.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55It shows both sides need to make compromises to find a happy home.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00- So join us next time when we show people around wrecks...- or readies.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:21 > 0:27:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk