Episode 5 Wreck or Ready?

Choosing the right property in a difficult market is harder than ever before.

So do you pay top dollar for a perfect pad?

I believe it's worth paying the extra

in order to find your dream home.

Or do you take a chance and renovate a ruin?

I think the smart move in today's market

can be to buy a wreck and add the value yourself.

It's a tricky decision and there are no second chances.

So will today's buyers be brave and opt for one of my wrecks?

Or will they play it safe and go for one of my readies?

Today, we're searching in and around the ancient market town of Woodbridge in Suffolk.

It's on the River Devon, just nine miles from the sea.

The property market here on the coast is stronger than in neighbouring areas,

but the average detached house costs 317 grand,

which is 8.1% cheaper than the national average.

We're looking for a home for civil servant, Tony, and his wife, Sharon,

and their two daughters, Rachel and Helen.

12 years ago, they bought this two-bedroomed house in North London as a wreck to do it up.

They've outgrown it now, so they've sold up and are looking for

a better lifestyle for them and their girls in the country.

Tony fell in love with Woodbridge on a visit a few years ago, and now the whole family have caught the bug.

-I love the country, really.

-If we get a bigger house, we can have our own room.

Sometimes you need your own personal space. And to get a couple of dogs.

And that's basically why I want to move to Suffolk.

But before we can start looking for a new dream home,

we need to find out exactly what they're looking for.

And see who's up for a wreck, and who wants a ready.

Right then, what's the mission today?

Let's find out.

-Start that video.

-'My name's Sharon.'

And I'm Tony, I'm a civil servant, for 22 years in length.

I tend to be the more cautious one in the relationship,

but I would much prefer to move into a house that is ready to move into,

life is easy, just plop myself down, move the children in...

-Blinkers.

-'..put the clothes in the wardrobe.'

Whereas I'm a believer if you see an opportunity, grab it.

I believe there's one big wreck left in us yet to conquer.

-You're all right, then.

-'When the work was being done,'

we had threadbare carpets, this wall here was just a bit of cardboard,

-so we had to get somebody in to re-plaster it, to make it obviously all smooth.

-Cardboard wall!

-Yeah, it was miserable.

-Renovations aren't that fun, are they?

What are you talking about? Look what they've got now!

The results are lovely and I'm glad I went through it now.

-Proof of the pudding?

-Yes, OK.

We need to move now, so we get the timings right

for applying for a secondary school for our eldest daughter.

'We have, you know, quite tight time constraints.'

-Yeah.

-The budget is maximum 450.

-Plus a little more.

-Yes!

-But there's room.

-There isn't a little bit of leeway.

450ish.

Land would be very good.

Neighbours not too close is quite important for me.

Large kitchen, if I could have a utility room as well.

It would be lovely to have four bedrooms, maybe four bedrooms and a study.

Detached. And outbuildings would be nice, wouldn't it?

Something tells me, he's not to be trifled with.

I want to tinker around with a classic car, that's my dream.

They've got a good wreck behind them, they've done a beautiful refurbishment project

and they've done very well on it price-wise.

The area that they're moving into is actually very expensive.

-They want a lot of property, four bedrooms and a study.

-Yeah.

So maybe it's a big house that's a bit tired, maybe that's a refurbishment.

Yeah, so is that a wreck or is that a ready?

You know what I'm like, if I start seeing walls getting knocked down, I get very upset.

Oh, Jonnie, don't get upset.

'So to sum up, Tony wants a wreck and Sharon wants a ready.'

But they're both looking for a detached house with four bedrooms in a peaceful semi-rural location.

They also want a large garden and ideally, a garage for that classic car that Tony wants to tinker with.

And all that for a budget of £450,000.

Their number one priority is to be close to a good secondary school for their daughters.

Their preferred choice is Farmingay School in Woodbridge, so, ideally,

we want to find them a house within that catchment.

Our biggest headache will be getting them what they want within such a narrow search area.

We're at the mercy of the market and there's not a lot around at the moment.

It'll be a tough one today.

This estate agent reckons they've only got 30 instructions.

If they get a wreck that comes on the market, they've got a whole host of buyers ready to snap it up.

I've got a couple of options that I found earlier,

just hope they're good enough.

For my first fixer upper, I've had to go a bit further afield to

the pretty market town of Saxmundham,

which is about 20 minutes north of Woodbridge and means

its too far away to qualify for their number one choice of school.

But there are two other good options in the area.

There's also great rail links to London and, by the looks of it,

a few fantastic wrecks just waiting to be brought to life.

A bit like my first property.

What, are you joking?

Hold your horses, Jane, the caravan's just an added extra.

I'm talking about this sleeping beauty,

a detached 19th century cottage on the market for £250,000.

There's only three bedrooms and the kitchen's a bit

on the small side, but there's plenty of scope to expand.

As requested by Tony and the girls, there's a fabulous one-acre garden.

-Plenty of room for dogs, chickens, ponies and llamas.

-OK, OK, I get it.

It's a big garden. Anything else?

Well, there is one drawback.

-Have I discussed the view with you at all?

-Ah!

That looks like a council gritting depot to me!

Well, don't worry yourself, Jane, it's all under control.

This I have got to see. While Jonnie tries to convince Tony and Pauline

that he's found their rural bliss, I'm going to tag along to keep an eye on the competition.

Right then.

-Dah-dah!

-Yes, indeed.

-Well, this is my wreck for you.

-Hmm.

-Right.

OK. Now I know, Tony, you're more of the wreck. Sharon, you're more the ready.

-Yes, I am.

-What's your first reactions, then?

It's a wreck.

-Definitely is a wreck.

-It's a lot of work.

I take it this is the main living space?

I can see it leads to a room through there, which will be interesting.

It was adapted for elderly people, so you've got a downstairs shower room.

Well, it's pretty much a wet room down there.

I suppose the first question is more about location.

I like where it is down the country roads. It's just opposite,

where there's a large garage and lorries and things like that.

At least you're the first ones to get your roads gritted!

That is the silver lining, my friend. I like that.

There's always a silver lining on everything!

'Good old Tony, looking on the bright side.'

'But Sharon's not having any of it.'

'Don't worry yourself Jane, I'm a man with a plan and they haven't seen what's out back yet.'

You can forget all about that depot there, because look at this.

You've got about an acre.

-Oh, this is lovely.

-Crikey.

-This is really lovely.

-It's something else, isn't it?

-This is something else.

-What a surprise on the back of that!

-Yeah. This is gorgeous.

-The girls would love running around here.

-That depot,

it might put some people off when they first get here,

-but if you've got the vision for this house...

-Oh, yes.

-..this is what it's all about, OK?

-Yeah.

My suggestion is to bring it all this way, have the house facing this way.

In conversation with the planning department, they'd be open to sympathetic ideas

of extending the house. Come out on the gable end a little bit

and come back a little bit, similar to what they've done next door.

That way, you get to build a massive open kitchen/dining room,

-you could put a good-sized master bedroom en-suite above it.

-Mm.

Builders have quoted us around £70,000, which sounds reasonable.

-Yeah.

-But, if you want it all singing and dancing, complete refurbish of the whole lot,

you've got the £70,000 for the extension, plus a new roof, complete new plastering,

everything done for you - that will be an extra 95 grand.

-That's for it all to be done, you not to do a thing.

-Mm-hmm.

Well, I think what you both really need to know, before we go any further, is the price on this one.

This house is on the market for 250 grand.

-Wow.

-That IS something to consider.

-Yeah.

-That makes it very attractive, eh?

It's not been on the market long, it's been about three weeks.

-It's had 30-odd viewings and a couple of offers underneath 250 grand.

-Right.

By the sounds of that, it means you can get it for less than 250, which

means on a saving of stamp duty, you've got instantly £9,000 cash.

-Yes.

-Yeah, yeah.

But think about this, with the works that we've had a builder price up, to do nothing yourself,

to get the builder to refurb, put a new roof on, put the extension on and buy it at 250...

420, you've not done anything

-and you've rented a place in the meantime, though.

-Yes.

-250,000.

And with all this big garden and land with it.

Didn't I tell you, Jane? They're loving my vision.

I think this place has great potential, but they need to think hard about what they'd be taking on.

The extension alone will set them back around 70 grand.

But it'll take over a year to renovate the main house and cost another £95,000.

That's a grand total of £165,000,

but it's still 35 grand under their budget of 450.

Yeah, but can Sharon deal with all that grit?

What do you think? I mean, it's you know, this sort of room is...

My gut reaction, it's just too much,

with the road, the gritting lorries out front, everything else.

I might have to agree with you on this one.

As I say, if the rooms had the size in it,

I think that would have given me the extra persuasion.

-But even with rejigging this, it takes a lot of rejigging.

-Yeah.

Because the room sizes anywhere just don't work.

Well, it looks like it's a project too far for Tony and Sharon.

The readies are back in the running.

For my first offering, I'm taking us to the picture perfect village of Eyke.

It sits on the edge of the historic Rendlesham Forest,

so lots of walking and riding opportunities for the girls.

The village itself has plenty of local amenities

and it's only four miles north-east of Woodbridge,

so it's well within the catchment area for their favourite school.

I'm going to show them a detached new build house, on the market for £420,000.

There are only three bedrooms, but it's got some very natty bathrooms

and absolutely no work needed, just turn the key and walk right in.

However don't forget Tony. We know he loves a project.

But Sharon doesn't. And after the last wreck you showed them,

this could be just the tonic she needs.

-I like the look of this already.

-It's very pretty, isn't it?

Yeah, very pretty.

It's kind of quirky. Positive vibes already.

Good, I'm glad.

-Tony?

-Certainly quirky.

Land certainly seems to be filled up, but there seems to be

bits and pieces, so I'm reserving judgment for it for the moment.

You do that, cos I've got lots to tell you about this place.

-Oh, lovely.

-But let's go inside, we're going to go in the back way.

-Oh, smashing.

We're coming in the back way through a rather large utility there.

It looks lovely, that really does.

Lovely big kitchen.

Already, it's very appealing on the eye. So, I'm quite excited.

-This place is almost gift-wrapped, Put a ribbon round it!

-Absolutely.

-But there's nothing for you to do here.

-No, this is a fantastic space.

You walk in here, it really is. Ticks all the boxes for Sharon,

it's got all the space that you need for the kids.

You could have a little dining room area, floor's fantastic,

cooker range, space, it's all there.

-It really does tick those boxes.

-Tony, do you give up that easily?

-THEY LAUGH

-Trust me!

He lives in a house with women, of course he does!

-You've got no chance.

-It's the land around it,

Jonnie, that I reserve judgment, because it looks great, as it is,

but I'm sensing, you know, that we could be a bit closed in here.

I need to see the rest of it, I'm not quite sure yet.

What sort of price are we looking at?

It's on the market for 420, so it's still within budget.

-That's brilliant, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

With some money left over as well.

The price is right, Sharon's keen.

But my boy Tony seems to have a few reservations about the lack of space.

Wait until I wow them with this beautiful conservatory

and get a load of those blissful rural views!

A bit too peaceful for you though, Jonnie, without the rumble of those grit lorries.

The garden area is small, and it's smaller than we have at the moment.

But the positive side of that garden is, if you licked the back of it,

-you could put it on an envelope and send it to someone.

-THEY LAUGH

-Oh, he's so mean!

-He is.

OK, it's not a 100ft garden, but if they want to live in this village,

qualify for their first-choice school and avoid the hassle of a wreck,

this is the best ready on the market.

What do you think, size-wise?

If this is the main bedroom,

I'm not sure.

-The thing is, we'd have to get wardrobes in here somehow.

-Yeah.

-But this is what we're learning, isn't it?

-Yes.

-To compromise.

-Absolutely.

-The ready is going to have smaller space.

-Yeah.

And the wreck is where you're going to have the chance to expand and...

-Yes.

-..get the space you want. This is the problem.

It's a quandary, isn't it? Because downstairs is perfect, but you come upstairs and you think,

if we're going to be here for another ten years or so, as we say,

-the girls will be nearly 6ft!

-Where do you expand?

This is the problem with readies, my friend, there's no room to improve.

And it sounds like the one thing they're not prepared to compromise on is space.

True, but they didn't go for your spacious wreck and its year-long building project either.

This search is a toughie,

because this area is really popular and house prices reflect that.

I can get them a house within their search area

and within the school catchment that they want,

but finding one with four beds may be pushing it slightly.

Right, it's every man, or woman, for themselves.

I'm going to comb the area for any last minute readies on the market.

Now I know that wrecks are Tony's thing, but I need to conquer Sharon's fear of a project.

Luckily, the perfect place

is just around the corner in the same village.

It's a five bed, five bath house

with a 100ft garden and it's on the market for £375,000.

Unfortunately for the girls, the labrador's not included.

But the good news for Sharon is that the main rooms are good to go.

Hang on a minute, that's not a wreck!

I'm warning you, Jonnie, stay out of my territory.

What do you mean? It needs a refurb and there's potential to convert the attic.

Besides, what the client wants, the client will get.

-Site and situation, tingling's good.

-Really? We're tingling?

Yeah, we're tingling.

Well done, Jonnie. Now let's see you get a buzz out of Sharon!

I'm looking forward to seeing a certain lady's reaction to this kitchen.

Oh, this is lovely.

Can you see yourself in here?

-Oh, I love this. I do love it, yeah.

-Do you?

I do like the kitchen, the living area, the eating area.

It's an impressive first room.

The size of the house is just lovely and astounding.

And it's what we want, a bigger house.

Did you hear that, Jane? Astounding.

Yeah, yeah, of course she likes the kitchen, it's ready!

She hasn't seen the work that needs doing in the bathrooms.

Tired they may be, but this is all about potential and space.

And in my opinion, this place has got the lot.

So the master bedroom.

-Big, isn't it?

-It is.

-This is a good size.

-It's a lovely size.

Well, this in a previous incarnation was a B&B.

-Hm.

-So the bedrooms you've got have all got en-suites.

-Right.

-Oh yeah, right.

-Now, you won't want to keep this as is.

-Have a quick butchers.

-No.

But it's just... Imagine what this could be like.

Now what I haven't told you is there's another bedroom upstairs,

bedroom number five.

-But the entire rest of the top floor is unconverted.

-Yeah.

But, in time, you could put another at least two bedrooms up there.

You know what you're doing, you know your way around a refurb project.

You can live in this house now and do up the rest of the rooms

over the next few years, that's your hobby.

-Mm.

-And every room you do up and every improvement you make,

you make an improvement to the value and the saleability of this property.

I can't argue about the space. It's got all the space you require.

And I can certainly see a resale on this house, which would be very good.

Also, I've got the room to concentrate on certain areas,

get them done, get them squared away, then the girls can move in.

You've certainly got the site and situation as regards to schooling, main roads into town.

A nice location and, again, it's a property that's got a lot of potential.

'Looking good. I think these two should check out the garden.'

I'm really chuffed.

Tony can see the endless, endless possibilities for this house,

and I think Sharon's come round to it a little bit.

OK, I think she still wants to find a ready, but she can move in here.

And just imagine, five or six years of ownership,

what Tony could do to this place.

It could be a really, really beautiful home.

Tony can really see the potential for this place.

All it needs is five new bathrooms at an estimated cost of 20 grand,

and it's up and running.

Then in the future, there's the possibility of the attic conversion to create even more space.

But is even that too much work for Sharon?

-Overall, it's a stunning house.

-It is.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done and even if,

you know, for the price of the house and what we'd have left over,

compared to what we've spent already on our own present home,

we're just not going to have enough.

Well, I've done my bit. I've provided them with a cracking opportunity.

-It's up to my man Tony now to win Sharon over.

-Once bitten, twice shy.

I'm telling you, Sharon is not up for another building project.

Well, we'll see about that, won't we? She didn't much like your ready.

-Not enough space, not enough land...

-Until now!

Call off the dogs, Jonnie, the hunt is over.

My last-minute search has turned up a gorgeous ready that's just come onto the market.

This old cowman's cottage is for sale at 450 grand,

right at the top of their budget.

But it's got rural bliss written all over it,

and it's still in the catchment for their favourite school.

It's in the tiny hamlet of Tunstall, eight miles north of Woodbridge.

It's just 500 yards from the famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall,

founded by composer Benjamin Britten

and home of the internationally famous Aldeburgh Festival.

Nice, culture right on their doorstep. What's the house like?

Quite simply, Jonnie, I think it could be their dream family home.

Large, airy, well-proportioned rooms, peaceful rural views,

outbuildings, a garden with plenty of space for dogs and chickens,

and there's even a garage and parking for Tony's classic car.

Well, that sounds almost TOO perfect.

So what's the catch, then?

Typical! Always looking for the downside.

Well, since you ask, there are only three bedrooms.

But that would still give the girls a room each.

-Site and situation is spot on.

-Yeah, spot on.

-It is lovely.

-Yeah.

-Good so far, then.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-Sort of semi-rural.

-Character as well.

It's pretty much everything you asked for.

OK, so...the hallway, obviously.

-Sharon, first reaction?

-It's lovely.

-It looks lovely.

-Yeah?

-Really nice.

-Tony, you're looking pretty impressed too.

I have to admit. What can't you say about this?

-This is absolutely stunning.

-It's beautiful.

It's light, airy, it's beautiful.

OK, let's go straight through to this rather lovely sized living room

with the most fantastic views.

-Oh yeah, it's just amazing!

-Look at the smiles on your faces!

-Amazing.

-Oh, you're sending goosebumps up my arm!

-I can't believe that.

-You can't fault a view like that.

-No, that's just gorgeous.

-Absolutely.

-It's three beds.

-Right...OK.

You wanted four, in an ideal world, but we knew there was going to be a compromise somewhere.

But what's really important here is that the bedrooms are all huge.

-Right.

-And they've all got their own bathrooms.

-Oh, lovely.

-With three girls in your house, Tony, I'm sure you'd appreciate that.

Absolutely, it would, yeah. I could actually sit in my own bathroom for a change.

Yeah, it'd be marvellous.

-I can't fault this so far.

-Lovely.

-Obviously, we've got more to see.

-Of course.

-But so far, this is stunning.

Wow, how are you feeling there, Jonnie? A bit worried?

No, I'm fine thanks, Jane.

Tony is just humouring Sharon,

he's not going to forget my five-bed fixer-upper in a hurry.

Wow, this is lovely.

Oh, this is nice and big.

Master bedroom.

-Crikey, look at the windows, plenty of windows.

-Yeah.

-Big square room.

-Yeah.

-And look here, there's a little en-suite again.

Plenty of room though.

Lovely views.

But would you compromise?

I think I probably would.

We'd have to chat later and talk through it again.

Definitely. It's a lot to take on, isn't it?

It's a lot to think about, but you could definitely see yourself compromising.

Did you hear that, Jonnie?

She loves it. It looks like I'm back in the game.

Only having three bedrooms is the compromise with this place,

but the rooms are large so the space flows and the garden is to die for. So it should be worth it.

We've been trying to find Tony and Sharon's semi-rural dream home.

I started the day with my bargain 19th century cottage,

complete with a caravan.

And gritting depot!

Yes, thank you, Jane. Either way, they didn't go for it.

No. Then we went to my new build, which was close to

their favourite school, but the rooms and the garden were too small.

At least we had a more successful afternoon, didn't we, Jane?

Yep, I'm pinning my hopes on my five-bedroom five-bathroom house,

complete with massive garden.

It's Tony's dream project, and could be the ideal family home

for them and the all-important girls.

But don't forget my final ready, the cowman's cottage.

Right location, right style, practically perfect in every way.

Yes, perfect apart from having only three bedrooms, of course.

'We've done all we can. Time for me to catch up with Jane before we hear

'the final verdict from Tony and Sharon.'

I'm blown away by their reaction, actually.

I am, they really like it. Sorry.

-You shouldn't be surprised.

-I know, but...

-It's your choice!

-They are making a compromise,

there's one less bedroom than they wanted.

I hear your last wreck went well, and that was huge!

Yeah, I never know with wrecks, wrecks can inspire great emotions.

But then people think, ooh, can be a bit scared. But I'm pretty positive.

-Hm-hmm.

-And I'm dying to find out what they think.

-Yeah.

-Shall we?

Yeah, let's do it.

So which one will Tony and Sharon want to take a second look at?

-Will it be my final wreck?

-Or maybe my final ready?

Your last one, Jonnie, I thought, this is the one.

There is a project here, but it can be achieved.

-Over a long period of time, mind you.

-Mmm.

The funny thing was, you almost did too well,

because there was so much space I think we'd never utilise it all!

Yeah! It was marvellous.

And Jane, when you showed this property, the second ready,

I must admit site and situation, bang on.

As soon as we walked up the driveway,

looked at the house, it just had that really nice, warm feel about it.

The bedroom sizes for the girls, perfect, something we always wanted.

You can get the tables in there that they like.

It's definitely my favourite, yeah.

Well, this is a big move for you guys, away from where you're living at the moment.

Are you ready to move away from having shops on your doorstep

and maybe pubs within a walk?

This is the next stage for you?

Absolutely. You know, a couple of pubs down the road, so that's very handy.

You're going to become a taxi driver for the girls!

-Yeah, but I'm prepared to make that sacrifice.

-Yeah.

No, it's not too far down into Woodbridge.

Basically, what I'm saying is, this is my last attempt!

You know, there's a pub next door to my house!

But, you know, it does to me sound like you've got a favourite.

This'd be the house we'd like to come back and view tomorrow with the girls.

-Yes, the second ready has... Yeah.

-It's ticked so many boxes.

There's nothing not to like.

So come back in the morning with the girls, have a look round their bedrooms.

If you want to take anything further,

or advice on negotiation or anything, just give me a shout and we can sort that for you.

-Lovely.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

The next morning, Tony and Sharon went back to the cowman's cottage

with the girls, who loved the place.

This is a good hide and seek place.

Do you think so? Let's have a look round the back and see where we can put a den.

But since then, there's been a bit of a disagreement.

Sharon has got cold feet about being out of town.

She's worried about being too far from the school and the girls' activities.

I think we've got this little conflict going on at the moment.

I do love the thought of a more rural area, but I suppose

I tend to think of the realities of everyday life,

spending most of the time in the car toing and froing...

maybe is not the perfect dream.

But the good news is that they now realise exactly what they want

and where they want it, and that's in Woodbridge.

Semi-rural, semi-urban, the important thing is

they've made up their minds that readies rock, and wrecks do not.

Well, it sounds like that's technically a win for the ready department today.

Technically, I think you're right.

But we've helped them focus on where they want to be, in a town and not in the country.

Join us next time as we battle it out between renovation projects...

..and readies.

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