0:00:01 > 0:00:06In today's difficult market, finding your perfect home can be an almighty struggle.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08And faced with two clear choices,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11between a ready-to-move-into property or a renovation,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14how do you decide what's best?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I want to prove you don't have to make something your life's work,
0:00:17 > 0:00:18to create your dream home.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21So I'm searching for the best wrecks on the market
0:00:21 > 0:00:25to prove that projects can be transformed into perfect properties.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Yeah, yeah. But renovations spell aggravation.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29Why live in all that mess,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33when I can find you something that you can move straight into?
0:00:33 > 0:00:38So I'm on a mission to find our buyers finished homes, which are ready from the get-go.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Will today's house-hunters go for one of my ready-made properties?
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Or will they go a bit braver and opt for one of my Wrecks? Let's find out.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Today, we're searching in and around the city of Bristol.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It's a bustling, beautiful city,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and despite being a popular place to live,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05property prices remain very competitive,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09with an average home here costing just over 211 grand.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14That's around 5.6% below the UK average.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18So, fingers crossed, today could be an easy search for us both,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21because our couple have over double that figure.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23With 500 grand to spend,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27bank manager Ben and aerospace engineer Sarah
0:01:27 > 0:01:30want to find a dream family home to bring up their daughter, Polly.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34They're currently renting, after selling their flat in Bristol's City Centre,
0:01:34 > 0:01:39and they've spent the past year house-hunting, without any success.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41On second thoughts, this could be tricky,
0:01:41 > 0:01:46but we like a challenge, so let's see what they're after and who is up for a Wreck...
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And who really wants a Ready?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Fire it up, then. Who have we got?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Let's have a look, shall we?
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Hi, I'm Sarah.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57- Hi, I'm Ben.- Hi, Ben.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00We've been looking for almost a year.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01We've viewed 50 properties,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04and just nothing seems to have fitted.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08We know that what we want exists in our price range,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10so we know we should be able to get all the things we want,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and so it's very difficult to compromise.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16I think I'm more picky than Sarah, really.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19I think I'm probably a bit more challenging about what I want to live in.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23I don't think I'm that picky, but I want everything, I want my...
0:02:23 > 0:02:26I want the garage, the parking space, four bedrooms.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28I'm keen for a wreck, I think,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31because it gives us that opportunity to make the home
0:02:31 > 0:02:33what we want it to be.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36My main thing is that I'm not very good with mess or chaos,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40so I'd like a house that was ready to go.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Or, I could manage a project, so long as we could carry on renting.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49The house we've got at the moment has got a fantastic garage with loads of storage space,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51so we're looking for something similar.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Currently, we're in a rented place.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Polly's 18 months, she's growing up really quickly,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and we'd really like to make a family home,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02where we can put some roots down and Polly can feel settled,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04she's got consistency around her nursery
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and perhaps the schools as well.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- With a young family, schools are at the centre of this search.- Yeah.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13They've picked a specific area and they won't want to deviate from that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Location to me is important,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17so being near a community,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20whether that's a small village or access to the town.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25We want to make sure the house is on transport links, and if it's not then that will put me off.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I think we're both up against it today.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33I personally believe the property they're after hasn't yet been built,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37which might lend itself to me thinking a Wreck is on the cards.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I think I stand more of a chance here,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- because it's going to be really tough for you.- Oh, yeah.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Because they want so much.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47They want everything...and some.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50I know! I actually feel more positive,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53because it's going to be harder for you. That's weird, isn't it?
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- You'd better get your skates on! - I'm too overwhelmed! - I'm getting a head-start!
0:03:59 > 0:04:03So, Sarah wants a Ready and Ben wants a Wreck,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06but most of all, they're looking for perfection.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11So it's no wonder they've spent so long searching. This could spell disaster for us
0:04:11 > 0:04:13unless we can tick all of their boxes.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Well, at the top of their wish list are...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Ideally, they want four bedrooms.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22They also want a good location, close to good schools and amenities.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25They want a garage for storing all of their surfboards and bikes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27And it's a no-no for housing estates,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30which rules out most new-builds.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34They've got a pretty healthy maximum of £500,000.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Let's not forget, they also want to park their surf van somewhere.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43We're certainly going to have our work cut out, finding everything on this list.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48Yes, they've got a healthy budget, but they've also got a really long list of wants.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51My problem is trying to get them to prioritise.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52What do they really need?
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Once we've got that sorted, we can start the search.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00This is a prime example of a couple that haven't sat down
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and decided exactly what they want prior to viewing properties,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06hence the fact that they've looked at at least 50!
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Today, I'm going to be quite tough with them,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10if only to help them make their minds up.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15They're going to have to compromise somewhere,
0:05:15 > 0:05:16so with my first Ready,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I'm going to make location the priority.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23We're in the trendy Bristol suburb of Clifton.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25It's a place they already know and love.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29They want amenities on their doorstep, and this area has the lot.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Shops, pubs, restaurants - you name it, it's got it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Plus, there's an excellent primary school less than a mile away,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40so it's tick, tick, ticking their boxes.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41However, all this makes Clifton
0:05:41 > 0:05:44one of the most desirable areas of the city.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45So my gamble here,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48is that the best house I've been able to find
0:05:48 > 0:05:50doesn't quite have all they've asked for.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Careful. Remember, Sarah said she's not picky, but she does want everything.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It's not a problem, Jonnie. This Victorian end-terrace
0:05:57 > 0:06:01is so far under budget, it will have them forgetting that wish list.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03It's on the market for 370 grand,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07a whopping 130 below their budget.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09This house should really test what they want,
0:06:09 > 0:06:14as there's one less bedroom than they'd like and there's no driveway.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- It will mean on-street parking for their surf van. - That's more a cross than a tick.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We're going to talk positives,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27because this is the type of property you can move straight into.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It needs nothing doing to it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Nice and neutral. We could literally move in, our furniture would fit perfectly.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38Pictures could go straight up on the wall and I think we'd be... Yeah, nothing to do.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40There's quite a lot of space in this room.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44For me, this is the sort of property that if I show someone a Victorian wreck...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47this is what I have in mind for people to do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Victorian houses often have a front room, a middle room, and a kitchen at the back.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54This is perfect - what they've done with this space here.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57And they've embraced the whole Victorian feel -
0:06:57 > 0:07:00having a refurb fireplace in here. I think it's really good.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It's lovely, it's a great size, and it's quite neutral.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- But it's been done very stylishly. - Yeah, I like it. - Yeah, very much so.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Wow! Jonnie, even you're excited about my Ready.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Yeah, yeah. I do have to hand it to you, Jane. This IS a great property,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17despite the lack of parking and a fourth bedroom.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Thanks. That's definitely praise indeed from the king of Wrecks,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24but there really is nothing to do here.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26It's beautifully decorated throughout,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28and it does have a huge garden,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31which could be the perfect playground for 18-month-old Polly.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- I like this.- It's a really mature garden, it's really well-kept.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- We think you can add extra storage to this garden, because storage is an issue for you.- Yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45What are you feeling? What's running through your head right now?
0:07:45 > 0:07:49It's nice, it's much bigger than I expected from outside.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55And it's quite nice having lots of little nooks and crannies, I'm sure, for Polly to explore.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Even though it's noisy, to me, it's still a really nice garden.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I guess the other thing I'm wondering is...
0:08:00 > 0:08:04we've got a lot of bikes, some windsurfing equipment, surfboards.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06There's a lot of stairs just to get up to here.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- There's no side... - Is there any side access?- No.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Well, listen, maybe you can afford to rent a Sherpa!
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I don't know, how much is this place?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17This is a great price, actually.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- It's coming in way under budget, at 370.- Really?- Really?- They don't come on the market often round here.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- We could see if there's a garage to rent.- A garage to rent or buy.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Or a Sherpa. I think that's a good idea.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32So what about the price? There's a lot to think about.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- I'm surprised, I thought it'd be more.- I thought it would be more.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- That's good, that's positive. - Saving a bit of money is never a bad thing.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45Well, I knew bank manager Ben would be tickled at the thought of having 130 grand left in the bank,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47but has my risky strategy paid off?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49I'm not so sure.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- It's not giving us a lot more than the flat gave us.- It's a shame, because it's such a nice house.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59But we grew out of the flat because there wasn't the storage space and there was three bedrooms,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01and we're going to hit the same problem here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04If I had that van of theirs,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08I'd probably want to park it somewhere secure.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I think that's in the back of their mind.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Yeah, without question. But with all that money they're saving, Jonnie,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16they could buy three garages, maybe.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17- Perhaps.- You never know.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- I still think you should have spent more of their budget.- Yeah.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26So Jane's Ready wasn't quite big enough
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and didn't have that all-important off-street parking.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Now, I'm going to sacrifice location to find them a prize project
0:09:33 > 0:09:35where they get more property for their money.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37We're off to Knowle.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Knowle is an up-and-coming suburb of Bristol,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43less than a ten-minute drive from the city centre.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Prices are cheaper than in Clifton,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49and although not as trendy, it still is a great place for young families.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54Take a look around, and you'll see plenty of parks and playgrounds for the children.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56I'm banking on this four-bedroom semi-detached.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00The only compromise is the location, as it's outside their preferred areas.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04But, at over 200 grand under budget, there is lots of cash left over
0:10:04 > 0:10:07to turn this into their dream home.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11And it's got that all-important driveway, plus a garage.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14First thing to point out - yes, it's a busy road.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18But yes, we've got off-street car parking for two cars, and a garage.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- Yeah, that looks good.- OK?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Let's get inside.- All right, great.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25It looks like Irwin's off to a flying start. See that, Farnham?
0:10:25 > 0:10:29I've already ticked one of their boxes and we've not even gone inside.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Yeah. But remember these two don't like to compromise,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and the big one here is that Sarah doesn't want a Wreck at all,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38so I'm going to be on hand to remind her of that.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Oh, thanks.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Now, this is a Victorian room.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I think it's still decorated for Victorian people,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50but what about the size?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The size is good, isn't it? I do like the size.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56It's a big room. The high ceilings, I love.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Cast your minds back to the first property we've seen - Jane's Ready.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01That had been knocked through.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- This room is big enough anyway, in my opinion.- Absolutely.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07There's another reception room of equal size.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11If you knocked through there, it would be massive, it would be a huge room.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Upstairs, we've got four bedrooms. - Four bedrooms? Four is good.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Four is definitely where we need to be, I think.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21You've got the possibility to go up in the loft as well,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23if you wanted to make another bedroom.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24I'm not sure you need to.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- It would be nice to have the option later on.- Exactly.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28OK, OK. That's good.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31So this obviously needs completely stripping back.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34You could make this easily into what we just saw,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36that's taken for granted,
0:11:36 > 0:11:41but do you want that with little Polly running around, or do you just want a nice, easy life?
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The size certainly appeals, and putting our own stamp on it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The other house was really nice and we'd do something similar.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51I mean, there's nothing you couldn't actually move in here...
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Well, I suppose there would be a lot of dust and that kind of thing in time.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58But at the moment, you could live in certain rooms.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02I can see what you're trying to do, Jane. And I think you've blown in too early.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06But if they're going to be put off, they're going to be put off in the kitchen.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Damn! You rumbled my cunning plan.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12But on the bright side for you, Jonnie,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Sarah doesn't seem too fazed by all the work.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19And she needn't be fazed, Jane, as this project isn't a huge job.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Ben could do most of the redecoration himself,
0:12:21 > 0:12:27whilst upstairs, they could get builders in to turn the single fourth bedroom into an en-suite.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29That would cost around seven grand.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Then, in the future, they could convert the attic for around £25,000.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37And remember - this is £200,000 under budget.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40The possibilities are endless.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Now, to the back of the house...
0:12:44 > 0:12:48This might feel like dead space at the moment, but it needn't be.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53You've got a chimney breast there you might want to play around with, coming in...to a kitchen area here.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Right, OK. - So you've got a lot of living space.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58You've got loads of living space.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00To bring the two together, there's a lot of room here.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02I mean, genuinely...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05So you can have your kitchen-diner in this area.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09It would involve a big bit of steel, but I'm thinking about getting rid of that fireplace.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Get rid of the chimney breast, or shore it up?
0:13:12 > 0:13:13You've got it, yeah.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15This is a rare opportunity
0:13:15 > 0:13:20to find...a non-ruined, if you like, Victorian house.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24The space is exactly right, we could do what we liked with it.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Whether I'm ready for the project, but...
0:13:27 > 0:13:31I'm quite inspired by the idea of making some big changes.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33It's quite exciting - the opportunity.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37But, what we've seen so far is that there's not a huge amount of opportunity
0:13:37 > 0:13:39to find Wrecks in the areas that we like.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43So, we've looked outside those areas and this is great.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46'Hear that, Jane? Ben's excited.'
0:13:46 > 0:13:52Yes, I heard it. Though my female intuition tells me this isn't working quite so well for Sarah.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56If we were to do some work, this could look like the previous place, just with more space.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Yeah, much more space, I think.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- Because obviously we need... - More privacy in the garden.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03More privacy, a bit quieter.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Even though that road's quite busy, it is quite quiet at the back.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I guess the only thing it's not ticking, is the location.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12If this house was in the location we're familiar with,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I'd go for it straight away.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17But then, it would add so much money to it,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19it would probably be way out of our price range.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Well, that's the compromise.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27I think it's starting to dawn on Sarah that she can't have it all.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32It's half time, and neither of our houses have been totally spot-on.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35My Ready was in a perfect location,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38but they weren't sure it was big enough.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40That's given me the green light to widen my search
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and maybe find them something that ticks most,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45if not all, of the boxes.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49'And my Wreck had all the space they asked for,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52'but now they're having doubts about the area.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:57Now, Ben and Sarah have seen loads of properties and they seem fairly flexible.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01But that could mean they don't know what they want, which is a worry.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05So we're left with no option but to split up and cover more ground.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12So to get Ben and Sarah as much bricks and mortar as possible,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I'm taking them nearly eight miles from Bristol.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Welcome to the countryside. Easton-in-Gordano sounds continental,
0:15:20 > 0:15:25but it's a quintessential English village, and although rural,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30it's still got everything they need, including a wide selection of primary and secondary schools.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35And I've managed to find a Ready that has everything picky Sarah has asked for.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Prepare to be dazzled!
0:15:37 > 0:15:42If you tell me this isn't big enough, then I just don't know what I'm going to do.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- Let's go inside.- OK.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48It's a whopper, Jane, but come on, there's got to be a compromise here.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Believe me, there isn't one.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54It's on the market for £495,000, so it's at the top of their budget,
0:15:54 > 0:16:01but it's got five bedrooms, off-street parking, a huge garden,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04a beautiful family kitchen,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08oh, and a vineyard in the conservatory. This is a winner, I can feel it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12An indoor vineyard? Sounds like someone's been at the wine again, Jane.
0:16:13 > 0:16:21Now, this is where I wanted to bring you first, because this is what it's all about.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26The big kitchen, open-plan, lots of space, onto the garden.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- This is really nice, isn't it? - You saw my smile when I walked in, yeah. It's nice.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34This is what we had in mind, because we've got the kitchen
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- where we're going to spend a bit of time.- You can entertain.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41There's tables, and Polly can run around on the grass
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- and we don't have to worry about her, which is great, this feels... - And we can make our own wine.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Yes, you've got your very own vineyard in this conservatory.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52You can see the grapes growing.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56From a family living perspective, this fits the brief, that's great.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58This is a forever home.
0:16:58 > 0:17:04You know, it's still got lots of scope to make it yours and put your imprint on it,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08but it's just got so much space.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- When are you going to tell us how much it costs?- I'm going to tell you right now.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17It's coming in...just under budget at 495.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19OK... OK.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24What is Sarah pulling on that face there? Is she liking the price or is she loathing it?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27She's just speechless, because she loves it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32After all, it is still under budget, Jonnie, and there really is nothing to do here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37It's beautifully decorated throughout, and there's even a library.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Hmm, very posh.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43OK, so I've saved the biggest room upstairs till last.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49Come on in and have a good look round. What is your heart saying about the whole house? Yeah!
0:17:49 > 0:17:54I really like it, actually. I really like it. This is the kind of place I could see us living.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57We can see this as a forever type house.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- There's loads of room. - That's a fact.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- It is certainly a fact.- Is it the most room we've seen today?
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Yes, I think it might be.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Yeah, even compared to the other one.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10A lot of space. The location, as far as we know, is good.
0:18:10 > 0:18:17We're still only ten minutes from Clifton, so I can pop back in and see my friends very easily.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Yes! I'm back in the running.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23We need to know the area better, don't we?
0:18:23 > 0:18:25The area, I think, is pretty key.
0:18:25 > 0:18:31So there's still a question mark about the area. Time to call Jonnie.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- Here she is! How are you doing on? - Hello. Very well, actually.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- I think we might as well give up and go home. - You're joking, really?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42They love it, and all I can see is big smiles.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Well done, he said through gritted teeth. Send them to me and try not to put them off.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- You know I wouldn't do that to you. - All right. See you in a bit.- Bye.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00The pressure's now on for me to deliver a Wreck that matches Jane's perfect property.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04The last Ready seemed to warm Ben and Sarah up to moving further away from Bristol,
0:19:04 > 0:19:09so I'm taking a big risk with an entirely new area.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15Chippenham is a 37 minute drive away, but I think it's a compromise Ben and Sarah will be willing to make
0:19:15 > 0:19:18once they see the project that I've found here.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23It's a quiet place and with a selection of 11 schools within a mile of my next house,
0:19:23 > 0:19:28I'm crossing my fingers that they'll see it as a great town to raise Polly.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33This detached four-bedroom house has everything they've asked for. Spot the double garage?
0:19:33 > 0:19:39- It's that thing with the pointy roof.- If that's the best you can do, then I'm really not worried.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44It's beautiful, look at it! It's on the market for £475,000,
0:19:44 > 0:19:50so it's close to the ceiling of 500 grand, but it's just a bit dated.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53I'd call it retro, Jonnie.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- First impressions are really good.. - Yeah. It definitely looks good.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- It looks like there's space. - That garage is two-tier so you can store your wetsuit
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- and your gear there and still use it for your car. - First impressions are favourable.
0:20:06 > 0:20:12Now, you might just be taking ten steps but it's a step in time.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14I'm taking you to the '80s.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22This is the interior design equivalent of a Relax T-shirt and shoulder pads
0:20:22 > 0:20:27but it's huge so I'm hoping they'll see the potential to bring this property back to the future.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Is it a forever home like my last Ready?
0:20:30 > 0:20:35I think you're livin' on a prayer with this one, Jonnie. Good luck.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Right then.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- What do you think? - It's big.- Well, it's big.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43- There's some room here. - It could be bigger.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Back there, you've got another kitchen
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and then you've got another space on the side of it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:55My thoughts are, get rid of that wall, have a massive kitchen, huge kitchen
0:20:55 > 0:21:00and then on the side of that, you've got a utility room that leads out onto the garden.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- OK. There's work here, isn't there? - Yeah.- This is our second Wreck and I guess...
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Even this, it's big as it is.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12I'm giving you the options here because Jane told me the last place went well
0:21:12 > 0:21:19and there's nothing to do there apart from titivating but you couldn't make it your own.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22This, I wanted to give something that you could make your own
0:21:22 > 0:21:25but maybe less of a job than the first Wreck.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Have the layout as you like it. - Absolutely.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29- You can see it?- Yeah.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Good. All right. Let's have a look upstairs because it's hilarious.
0:21:33 > 0:21:39Ben's seeing the positives and if he wanted to get his hands dirty,
0:21:39 > 0:21:45this could be a manageable do it yourself modernisation or if he doesn't want to lift a finger,
0:21:45 > 0:21:51they could easily get a new kitchen and bathroom from the £25,000 left over in the budget.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Now you've got four bedrooms.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Come right into this one.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Special.- Isn't it just?
0:22:00 > 0:22:02You don't want to do anything to this room, do you?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04That's amazing.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Maybe a mirror-ball?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Yeah! But the size of this room...
0:22:10 > 0:22:12The size is great.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17All doubles aswell. A lot of modern houses squeeze a box room in. These are four doubles.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Not as big as this but this is the master, not just because it's the biggest.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25It's got the best en-suite I think I've ever seen.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31It's maybe a 1980s footballer's house, maybe Gary Lineker would've had this house.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Take a look. Look in the corner.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Nice sunken bath.- Sunken bath.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Oh yes.- That is good.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I thought this was the Wreck?
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Yeah, it is!
0:22:44 > 0:22:46It's special but this house is...
0:22:46 > 0:22:49There's less to do in my opinion.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55This is something that you get to put your own stamp on but it shouldn't frighten you.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00- It ticks a lot of the boxes that we talked about. Location is the challenging one.- Yeah.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02But other than that, you're right.
0:23:02 > 0:23:10Space for the kit, space for Holly, there's so much space that we could easily see ourselves living here.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17Success of sorts. He likes it but again, the area is the sticking point.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20An agent has told me that if this property was in Bristol,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22it could be worth around 700 grand
0:23:22 > 0:23:25so they're getting a lot more for their money here.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30My, my, my! This is a whopper!
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- It's massive, isn't it?- Yeah!
0:23:32 > 0:23:38I also think it went pretty well but I'm not sure they'd got over your last Ready.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I think it's at the back of their minds.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46- Yeah. Well, I'm not surprised. It was a lovely property. - You look quietly conf...
0:23:46 > 0:23:50No, you look outrageously confident. Come on, let's find out.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54So we had a much better afternoon than we had a morning.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58But none of our Wrecks or Readies have totally hit the mark.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00My first Ready was way under-budget
0:24:00 > 0:24:03and in a good location but they felt it wasn't quite big enough.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Then we went to my semidetached project,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08which had all the space they wanted
0:24:08 > 0:24:11but they weren't convinced by the area.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14But then they both fell in love with my five bedroom beauty
0:24:14 > 0:24:16they had doubts about the location.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21So finally, it was my retro doer-upper.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24They seemed to be up for it but it was in a completely new area.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28So have any of our properties been good enough to make Ben and Sarah
0:24:28 > 0:24:30make that all-important compromise?
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Hi. - Hello! I think he did really well.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36He did. It's a really nice house.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Said with patronising hand on shoulders. Brilliant, lovely!
0:24:39 > 0:24:46You're generous when you've done a good job somewhere else. "Oh, I think you've done really well."
0:24:46 > 0:24:48- Did I?- Yeah, it's hard for us to get over the last one
0:24:48 > 0:24:52and make a comparison, especially when the price is quite similar.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Yeah, really liked it.- Great.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56You have to see it to believe it.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I hate that term. "Forever home".
0:25:00 > 0:25:04- It looks an absolute belter.- We wouldn't have to move from there.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06We'd be there for a long time.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Humility. This is something new.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12See that bird? Hear that bird? That's like you.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Chirping chirping away in my ears but look, all's well that ends well.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20I was amazed we'd find you anything after all the houses you've looked at so great news.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22The next step is, what?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Another viewing would be useful to have a look at the things...
0:25:25 > 0:25:28To see a bit more of the area and get a feel.
0:25:28 > 0:25:34Whilst we're in a good mood, shall we see if we can prise those cobwebs out of your purse to buy us a drink?
0:25:34 > 0:25:36- Why not!- Flipping heck!
0:25:36 > 0:25:39You don't get this chance very often, believe me.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43The drinks are most definitely on me because they've just chosen my Ready
0:25:43 > 0:25:49and after a night to sleep on it, the whole family headed back to my five-bedroom detached.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51So what's the verdict?
0:25:51 > 0:25:57I think we're maybe thinking it wasn't quite as ready as we imagined yesterday.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02Just on closer inspection, you find a few more things that perhaps you'd want to change.
0:26:02 > 0:26:08We're thinking that there's maybe a bit more money involved over the cost of the house than we thought.
0:26:08 > 0:26:16Well, that's what second viewings are for. Now Jane's Ready isn't quite as, well, perfect.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19We've got to think through how much more work there is to do
0:26:19 > 0:26:24above the price and whether that's something we can handle or whether that's a show-stopper.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Holly seemed to really enjoy the garden, as we expected.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31She loved it. I think it's thumbs up from her.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34She really felt at home here so that's a good sign.
0:26:34 > 0:26:42Despite Holly's seal of approval, they decided not to go for it and their house hunt continues.
0:26:43 > 0:26:49- I was so close with that Ready but at least we've opened their eyes to making compromises.- You reckon?
0:26:49 > 0:26:53I'm not so sure. Anyway, we wish them the very best of luck.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56So join us next time as we battle it out to prove that buying a Wreck...
0:26:56 > 0:26:59..or a Ready is the key to finding your dream home.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:19 > 0:27:23E-mail: subtitling@bbc.co.uk