0:00:02 > 0:00:06The enchanting view behind me was the setting for one of the best-known musicals ever made.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Where could I be? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33'On today's show, our house-hunters are searching for a place to
0:00:33 > 0:00:37'welcome guests, but they grapple with the realities of hospitality.'
0:00:37 > 0:00:39It would need a lot of looking after.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I won't be doing the cleaning.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46A trip to the mountains turns into a real-life rescue mission.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49But, thankfully, not all surprises are unwelcome.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53It's everything I'd have said I wouldn't like, and yet I do.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I'm in Salzburg, which is
0:00:58 > 0:01:01in the Salzburgerland region of northwest Austria.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Now, you might recognise that fantastic view behind me.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07That's because it, along with other parts of this region,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12feature in the 1965 smash hit musical The Sound Of Music.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today, people from all over the world flock here to absorb its rich
0:01:16 > 0:01:21culture, its fantastic architecture and utterly beautiful landscapes.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27The Salzburgerland region is one of Austria's nine provinces
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and is an area of majestic Alpine scenery,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34pastoral chalet villages and fairy-tale architecture.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39The province takes its name from its capital, Salzburg, which literally
0:01:39 > 0:01:43means "salt town" and gives a clue to where its prosperity originates.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48The city itself is a World Heritage Site due to its fine baroque
0:01:48 > 0:01:52architecture, centring on Salzburg's majestic cathedral.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Across the city, there are a host of attractions for the visitor,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58including the composer Mozart's birthplace,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02the Salzburg Museum, and its imposing hilltop castle.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Away from the capital, the region boasts some of the country's finest
0:02:07 > 0:02:11scenery, with the Austrian Alps rising dramatically to the south.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15The Hohe Tauern National Park is home to the Krimml Waterfalls,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the fifth-highest in the world.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22This monumental landscape attracts some 5.5 million visitors
0:02:22 > 0:02:26every year, many of whom come for the outdoor leisure activities.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30With its unrivalled scenery and magical cities, it's clear
0:02:30 > 0:02:34to see why escaping here could be an attractive prospect for many.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40If it's a property bargain you're after in Salzburg,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44be warned - it is the most expensive region in Austria.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The average price of a family home here is £300,000.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51That's £50,000 more expensive than back home.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55But the good news is, even if you have a modest budget,
0:02:55 > 0:02:56you can find places.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00£245,000 will buy you a three-bedroom family home in Piesendorf.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03However, if it's a skiing hotspot you want,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07then a similar-sized property in the fashionable resort of Saalbach
0:03:07 > 0:03:10will cost you £800,000.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13But whatever your budget, there are hundreds of properties here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Will any of them, though, meet our buyers' expectations?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Let's meet them to find out.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Civil servant Robert and his wife Annette
0:03:22 > 0:03:25currently live in the UK on the Wiltshire-Hampshire borders.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Their relationship began when they were both working in Germany.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34We met about 20 years ago. We got together at a work party.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38I got posted back to the UK, but we kept our relationship going.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- We just carried on seeing each other.- And then got married.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44We had the marriage ceremony, then we went away on honeymoon,
0:03:44 > 0:03:49and then afterwards, I came back to the UK and Annette went to Germany.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54And we lived apart for two years before we sorted ourselves out.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57It was during their time in Munich
0:03:57 > 0:04:00that their love affair with Austria began.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The first time I was working out in Germany and took a first trip
0:04:03 > 0:04:08down to Austria, I looked up there and I thought, "Do you know what?
0:04:08 > 0:04:10"I think I could retire over here."
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I used to do regular visits down to Austria
0:04:12 > 0:04:16because I used to go skiing in the mountains, and hiking.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19For me, it would be like going back home, back to the mountains,
0:04:19 > 0:04:24back to what I think is where I belong, really.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26And it won't just be the two of them.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29There's another key member of the family.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Poppy is an eight-year-old Jack Russell and she's part of our life,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36big-time. She's a very clever dog.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40We do tricks with her and she does then so, so well.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I spend every morning, an hour, two hours' walk,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45depending on the weather.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46She is part of our family now.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50With Robert's retirement around the corner, together,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52they are about to embark upon a big change.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57I have had quite a long career so far, but the next phase of life
0:04:57 > 0:05:01is looming large, so I am looking forward to saying, right,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04let's do something that I'd liked to have done a long time ago
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and perhaps run my own business.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The business they're thinking of is to provide holiday accommodation,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14something that will be intrinsically linked to the house search.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18What we're looking for is a fairly large property that has, say,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22four apartments which we can rent out and run a business from.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25We would also very much like to have a fairly large owners'
0:05:25 > 0:05:27apartment within that property.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30And selling their property in the UK will give them
0:05:30 > 0:05:32a good budget for their move.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34We can do £600,000.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38If that ideal property came along and it was a little bit more,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42then, you know, we would look to consider that as well.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50In order to find a property large enough for their needs
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and in an area popular with visitors,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55the search will concentrate on southern Salzburgerland,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59where guesthouses and B&Bs can be found within their budget.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01To shelter from the rain, I'm meeting them
0:06:01 > 0:06:05at a local hotel to get a few more details about their plans.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11So, Robert, Annette, we are here in our lovely Alpine setting.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13So, tell me, why Austria? Where do you want to move here?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17I always visited Austria for skiing and hiking,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19and it was just absolutely fabulous.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21And what about you, Robert? Why do you want to move here?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Is it Annette's dream or do you want to be here too?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- It is my dream as well. - Good, that's good!
0:06:27 > 0:06:29So what will you be doing when you're out here?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Well, we want to have some sort of a small business,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34bed and breakfast, or apartments.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Is this something you've done before?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40When I was 20, I worked in a hotel doing breakfasts for guests
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and worked behind the bar.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Doing that and actually running your own business are completely different, aren't they?
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Definitely, yes.- You're coming here, you are retiring.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52This is a huge undertaking, to set up a business.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55This is a new challenge to take on. Coming up to retirement,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59and what I really don't want to do is put on the carpet slippers and stop.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03I need to do something, and here's a chance to realise the dream.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Fair enough, so it is the right time. So who speaks German?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10I speak fluent German, or I'd like to say I speak fluent German.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12And as far as I'm concerned,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15I shall never starve or die of thirst anywhere.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17So you know how to order a beer and a pizza?
0:07:17 > 0:07:18THEY LAUGH I can do that!
0:07:18 > 0:07:20I can do little bit more!
0:07:20 > 0:07:22So let's talk about the property, then.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24What is it that you're looking for?
0:07:24 > 0:07:26I think it's got to be something that looks like an idyllic
0:07:26 > 0:07:30and typical Austrian-type property. I would like a lot of wood.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32I'd love a balcony that we can decorate with the flowers
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and things like that.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Good skiing and hiking facilities nearby.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It has got to be that sort of property that we can put on a
0:07:40 > 0:07:44web page and someone will say, "That is my ideal holiday destination."
0:07:44 > 0:07:46What is more important to you, then -
0:07:46 > 0:07:48the hotel side of things or your accommodation?
0:07:48 > 0:07:51I find that the accommodation for us,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53our living quarters, will be very, very important.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58We are looking for quality of life with an opportunity to have an income stream.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01What we're not looking to do is to make megabucks here
0:08:01 > 0:08:02and live in one small room.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- So, shall we go off and find property number one?- Yes!
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Absolutely.- All right, then, let's do that.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12So, for £600,000, our house-buyers are seeking a classic
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Austrian chalet-style property large enough to give them either
0:08:15 > 0:08:17several rental apartments
0:08:17 > 0:08:19or a guesthouse bed and breakfast option.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23For their part of the accommodation, they are after a decent-sized
0:08:23 > 0:08:26apartment within the property as well as a garden for their dog.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28And, of course, the setting is key.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32It has got to be in the mountains they love so much.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And we've got some impressive places to show them.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37As Robert and Annette haven't decided
0:08:37 > 0:08:40on whether they want self-catering apartments or a B&B,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44we've found options for both, and each property strikes a different
0:08:44 > 0:08:47balance between owner accommodation and business potential.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50So what will appeal the most?
0:08:50 > 0:08:54And then there's the mystery house, which is a radical proposal
0:08:54 > 0:08:57but could be the solution to their dilemmas.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01With such sizeable properties to explore, there's no time to waste.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Our property search begins 100km south of the city
0:09:09 > 0:09:12of Salzburg in the spa town of Bad Gastein.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16It's located on the edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19the largest of Austria's seven national parks.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22This Alpine resort became fashionable in the 19th century,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and when the railway came to town in 1905, many of the imposing
0:09:26 > 0:09:30hotels and belle epoque buildings were constructed.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Today, the town attracts visitors who
0:09:33 > 0:09:36come for the hiking in the summer and the skiing in the winter.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40There are four ski resorts across the Gastein Valley,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42with 220km of piste.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Our house hunt begins a five-minute drive out of the resort and,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51regrettably, in the pouring rain.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- Here we go.- Here we go.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55This is the first property,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and I would like your instant reactions, please, Robert.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It looks like the sort of thing we're looking for.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06Traditional design with the balconies and places for the plants on the top.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Great stuff.- That is a good start! And what about you, Annette?
0:10:09 > 0:10:15Yes, it's very orange, but we can change that. Looks very, very nice.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Beautiful.- Well, I like the fact you're already thinking you could adapt it to your own style.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21The road is potentially a bit of an issue.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25What we would like to do is understand, where are the bedrooms in relation to the road,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29probably where is the private apartment in relation to the road?
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- You just want to get in there!- We do!- Yes!- Come on, then, let's go.- OK!
0:10:33 > 0:10:37'The road is an issue, but I wonder whether that will be outweighed
0:10:37 > 0:10:39'by the whole package that is on offer here.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43'It's an up and running business with six good self-catering rental
0:10:43 > 0:10:46'apartments, plus, up on the first floor,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49'some extremely spacious owner accommodation.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:55And in we come into the living room
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- of what would be your private apartment.- Uh-huh.- Mm-hmm.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02This is a three-bedroom apartment, but the smallest bedroom is
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- currently being used by the owners as an office.- Right.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- What do you think about this piece? - No, it's a good size.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09It's bigger than what we thought.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Yeah, for the owners' apartment... - Yeah, it is very good.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14I would probably redecorate, refurnish, but, yeah...
0:11:14 > 0:11:17All right, well, I want to show you the kitchen. This way.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Look at this kitchen. What do you think about this?
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The kitchen will definitely need updating.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- The units look a bit tired.- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30But I do like the size. The size is super.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32It's really, really big.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34And you're straight out onto your balcony as well.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Yes, that's quite nice, actually, yes.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40What I am now picking up is there is road noise coming in, which is
0:11:40 > 0:11:45something we are not used to. So, location could be a bit of an issue.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Yes, I can hear the noise.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51You can see it in two ways - one, road, traffic, noise,
0:11:51 > 0:11:52or accessibility.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57You can get up to 70cm of snow here, and your byroad will get cleared
0:11:57 > 0:12:00by a tractor, which means you're not going to get stuck.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01And, more importantly,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04your clients and customers will be able to get here.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06But this isn't just a three-bedroom apartment.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- It comes with some apartments that you could rent out.- Right, OK.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- Shall we go and see one of them? - Oh, yes, yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17The rental apartments are located on the first and second floor,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19with four of them offering balconies.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21The largest has a spacious kitchen/diner
0:12:21 > 0:12:25and the other five have separate kitchens, en suite facilities
0:12:25 > 0:12:27and are all generously sized.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The interior throughout is well maintained,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32making it an immediate going concern.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37Now this is where things start getting exciting.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40This is very nice, lovely. Yeah, I love it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44I love the wood ceilings, it's roomy, it's clean.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- It's very traditional, isn't it?- It is, it is. A typical Austrian room.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- I could imagine spending a holiday here.- Yes.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53So I think that's the main thing - could we market this?
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- And I'd say, yeah, I'm sure we could market this.- Yes.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59And there's wonderful views out of the window as well.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- There certainly are.- Yes. - This is really great.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04This is one of six apartments.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10It would need a lot of looking after - cleaning and bedding and all that.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- OK.- What do you think? - I won't be doing the cleaning! No...
0:13:14 > 0:13:15Who will be doing the cleaning?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I would hire someone in to do the cleaning.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20But, because it's an apartment, it's easier to manage
0:13:20 > 0:13:23because we wouldn't have to do the bed and breakfast.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26So you like the self-catering, you like that you don't have to be in here every day
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and you like that you don't have to make them their eggs in the morning?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Correct.- Shall we go and stand on the terrace and take in the view?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Yes, why not?- Come on, then. Come with me, let's go.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39The other accommodation in this three-storey property is on the ground floor.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Currently used for storage and utilities, plans have been drawn up
0:13:43 > 0:13:47to convert this area into a further two apartments with disabled access.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Well, let's talk about money, because there is a price on it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Mm-hmm.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54How much you think it is on the market for?
0:13:54 > 0:13:58I think you're going to be hitting our £600,000 budget with this one.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- Annette?- I think 625.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07So this whole property is on the market at...
0:14:07 > 0:14:10£504,000.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Oh!- Wow!- Oh, right!
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Wow!- I am surprised.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- You look in shock, Robert.- I am.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20The thing is, I just cannot believe you can get so much for your money.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21I am absolutely staggered.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I'd like you both to go in now and have a really good look around.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- I'll find you in a bit.- OK.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31For almost £100,000 under their budget,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35this vast chalet-style guesthouse offers the traditional
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Austrian exterior Robert and Annette and looking for,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41a spacious three-bedroom owners' residence, six self-catering
0:14:41 > 0:14:45rental apartments, with the option to create a further two,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48and the benefit of it being an established business
0:14:48 > 0:14:49ready for them to step into.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Hey!- OK, this is good.- Yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Very nice.- This sofa arrangement and things like that is quite good.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Yeah, I quite like this area. Then you've got the bedroom down here.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Yeah, I think we could offer the guests really,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- really sensible-sized apartments. - Yes.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16The biggest selling point has just got to be the huge amount of space inside here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20It's unbelievable how the apartment sizes are so generous.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25From the outside, one gets no feeling for just how big the inside is.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30The apartments are absolutely fantastic. Good, good size.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The living accommodation is bigger than I thought, actually,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36and a real good price, too.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The concern for me is the busy road, the noise.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And also, because we will be bringing our dog, the dog will
0:15:43 > 0:15:48have to have a little secure garden, and it doesn't actually offer that.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53But, all in all, the property is wonderful. I love it. I really do.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- Hello there.- Hi.- Hats and coats on, ready to leave.- That's right, yes.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- But still smiling, which is good. Come on, then, let's go.- Right.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11It's the end of the first day and our buyers are mulling over
0:16:11 > 0:16:14the financial realities of running their own business.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20It would be ideal to use staff wherever we can but, of course,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24if we don't get the earnings, what we can't do is pay for all the staff
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and we might have to do some more work ourselves.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Yeah, which, clearly, we don't want to do.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34I mean, we want to get the staff, so we need to make that income work.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Taking on a new business means there's plenty for Robert
0:16:37 > 0:16:39and Annette to think about, and I'll be giving them
0:16:39 > 0:16:43more options to consider when the hunt begins again in the morning.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55It's our second day in Austria's stunning Salzburgerland region,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57where we are on a quest to find a home
0:16:57 > 0:17:01and a first-time business for Robert and Annette from Wiltshire.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04But as they don't know exactly what it is they are looking for, I'm
0:17:04 > 0:17:08going to mix it up and give them a couple of rather different options.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21Our next stop takes us further east to the large village of Mauterndorf,
0:17:21 > 0:17:22which means "toll village".
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Strategically built on the road from northern Italy to Salzburg,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29it was an important trading post in the Middle Ages.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Mauterndorf Castle was built in the 13th century to fortify
0:17:33 > 0:17:36the village's lucrative toll station.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Surrounded by incredible scenery, the village is home
0:17:39 > 0:17:44to 1,700 people and is a traditional Austrian community.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48There are shops and amenities for the locals as well as hotels
0:17:48 > 0:17:51and guesthouses for the visitors who come in their thousands
0:17:51 > 0:17:53during the tourist seasons.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Right on the edge of the village, next to the River Taurach,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58is our next offering.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03This is the next house.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Made from Canadian cedar logs. - Oh, right!
0:18:07 > 0:18:13- Canadian?!- Very different. Very, very different. Very unusual.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I'm surprised to hear it's made of Canadian wood when they've got
0:18:16 > 0:18:19so much local wood, but, I mean, it really looks good.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Well, the reason it's Canadian cedar log is that they are built to
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- withstand Alaskan winters.- Aha!- OK.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29So the heat retention in that house, you're talking the business. OK?
0:18:29 > 0:18:30Like the sound of that.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35This house, built in 2006,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37is not currently operating as a holiday business, but with
0:18:37 > 0:18:42a total of eight bedrooms, it offers huge potential to become a B&B.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- No key here, it's fingerprint technology.- Oh, I like that.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- And shoes off inside.- OK, good.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- What do you think, Annette? - Very, very nice, yes. I like it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57It's very different.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02I'd say it's everything I'd have said I wouldn't like, and yet, I do!
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Because I'd probably go for a more conservative-type design of house.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- So it's all a big through living space down here.- OK.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- Underfloor heating throughout... - Very nice.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- ..which is why it is really toasty. - Yes, that's lovely.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17I could imagine when there's snow on the ground outside,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19this just seems perfect, doesn't it?
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Is this the sort of space you could see yourself living in, Annette?
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Oh, yes, definitely.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- This is a family home with a lot of bedrooms.- Right, OK.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So we wanted to show you this so you could get a good look around
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and try and imagine how you would run it as a B&B.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- So I think we should start upstairs. - OK.- Come on.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39'With a unique and high-end interior, it is
0:19:39 > 0:19:44'hard not to fall in love with this house. And it is spacious, too.'
0:19:44 > 0:19:46On the first floor are five bedrooms,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48three of which are located at the front.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53One is at the side and the rear is reserved for the master suite.
0:19:53 > 0:19:59- This is the master bedroom.- Right. - Really good size...- Lovely, yes.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02You've also got a dressing room, huge en suite bathroom
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and, of course, access to your very own balcony.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Very nice. Yeah, I like the balcony, that's lovely.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14And the space in this room is wonderful. It's very, very spacious.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- Love the view out of the window. - Yeah, the views are superb.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20So this is a slightly different prospect.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24This would be running a B&B from within your own home.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The only worry for me is that
0:20:27 > 0:20:31it would be having guests going through your home.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's not separated.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38So they'd be going through your living room to get to the rooms.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Well, I've got a surprise for you, because this house has got
0:20:41 > 0:20:44something else to offer you, and not just up here.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Shall I show you?- Yes.- Come with me.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Having guests in neighbouring bedrooms is not ideal,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55but in this property, that's not necessary.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59On the lower ground floor are a further three bedrooms from where
0:20:59 > 0:21:01the current owners run a small business,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05and that's possible because of the key feature.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And this is what I wanted to show you, is that door.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Its very own entrance from the outside.- Oh, wow.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16So you have a separate entrance to this downstairs area.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- So it's basically a self-contained area down here.- Mm, I like it!
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- It's got potential. It's got potential.- Definitely got potential.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26If we can keep this area separate to us,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- I think it could work very, very well.- Yeah.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31I think what we'd need to recognise, though,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34is that things like serving breakfast and everything else
0:21:34 > 0:21:37has got to happen in our part of the building.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It can't be totally self-contained down here.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43The top floor of this house is so massive, in a way,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47you could have that as your own living space.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49That massive master bedroom,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52you could have as your lounge that goes straight onto the balcony.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Yes, we would have to look at how it would work for us,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58if we did our living accommodation on the top floor
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and the rest maybe for the guests.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I'm looking at the quality of the place
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and I'd be worried about somebody trashing it!
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Because, I mean, it has been spectacularly well built.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09And the finishings are just wonderful.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13So, yeah, would I want to entrust people walking through with skis?
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Um, I think I'd be a bit bothered.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18OK, well, that's good that you're thinking along those lines.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Let's go and see the outside. Come on!
0:22:20 > 0:22:24'Annette and Robert are clearly loving this property,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'but maybe they actually love it a bit too much.'
0:22:26 > 0:22:29So, this log cabin.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It's a curveball, but it's a beautiful home nonetheless.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- What do you think, Robert? - I could definitely live here.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39"Could I share it?" would be a real big question in my mind, actually.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41So, shall we talk money?
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Let's start with you, Annette.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- I think it could be 650.- Robert?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49My guess would be 590,000.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53590,000 from you, Robert, 650 from you, Annette.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55The actual price...
0:22:55 > 0:22:58£585,000.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03- So, under your budget but not far from the top.- OK, OK.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07I thought it would be more because of the quality of the house, the way it has been built. It's...
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- So it's a pleasant surprise, then? - Definitely, yes.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12For me, the price is great.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Well, why don't the two of you go off and have a real rummage around
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- and I'll meet up with you in a bit?- OK, great.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24At £15,000 under budget, this stunning Canadian log house
0:23:24 > 0:23:27could make a great bed and breakfast business.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30There are eight bedrooms, with the potential to convert the three
0:23:30 > 0:23:32in the basement into guest accommodation.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35There's a unique open-plan living space all set in classic
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Austrian countryside.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41But will the B&B option it could provide be a step too far
0:23:41 > 0:23:43for Robert and Annette?
0:23:43 > 0:23:50This is a wonderful room. Big enough for a double bed to be put in here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54- And this would easily be converted into an en-suite.- An en-suite.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55In fact, it is massive.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The real thing then is, is it doable?
0:23:58 > 0:24:03Until you can get all the work done, you can't let out one room.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06And we'd still have to use our kitchen
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and dining room area for making breakfast.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Love the whole living space.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17The problem is, I'd like it all for myself rather than for guests.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21I think that's what I'm trying to get my head round.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25What I've seen here is an absolutely spectacular house which
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I would love to live in. And then I'm trying to wrestle with...
0:24:28 > 0:24:31but, really, we are looking for a place we can run a business from,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35and is this property that place?
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Right, so...
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- ..the magical wood house.- Yes, yes!
0:24:45 > 0:24:46- Have you seen enough of it?- We have.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48I know it was nice and warm in there,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51but now we have to step out, because there's more for you to see.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Come on, let's go.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01As our house hunters are keen mountain walkers,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Austria is a good choice, with 62% of the country
0:25:05 > 0:25:07falling within the Eastern Alps.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10But the mountains can also be a hazardous place.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13And the Austrian mountain rescue service is a lifeline
0:25:13 > 0:25:16for locals and hikers, like Robert and Annette.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Staffed wholly by volunteers, they're on call to retrieve
0:25:20 > 0:25:24those in trouble in all weathers, and from the most difficult and dangerous terrain.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Today is the Salzburg team's monthly training session,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31which takes place in the mountains overlooking the city.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Robert and Annette have been invited to join them,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and are meeting Stefan Schmidt, one of the team leaders.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40So, tell me about the various roles everyone does in your team?
0:25:40 > 0:25:45We have a mission leader who is responsible for the whole rescue mission.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Then we have groups which are responsible for typical tasks.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53We have a medical team - experienced nurse or doctors and so on.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- How many people are in your group? - We have 42 active persons,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59that's just for the town of Salzburg.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04In the whole area of Salzburg we have about 1,400 active.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09All of us have to have the hobby of mountaineering in order to have the capabilities.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15It's an extension of the hobby, which is to help people which are in need.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19So how often do you actually have to rescue people from the mountain?
0:26:19 > 0:26:26During one typical year we have something around 18 to 23 missions.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30What I'd like to know is how do you get your first call, your emergency call?
0:26:30 > 0:26:35We have a mission control centre, which belongs to the Red Cross.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39And these guys have to put the alarm to us via cellphones.
0:26:39 > 0:26:45So could you not be maybe having dinner somewhere? What happens?
0:26:45 > 0:26:50Yeah, this definitely does happen. So we have the cellphone beside our beds.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52So we have to be prepared for that every time.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54And it happens that you're, during the dinner,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58in the middle of the dinner - just right now I've got an SMS, so maybe we have something.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- As something happened? - Something's happened.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05The SMS Stefan has received is an emergency message for the team.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08They must move quickly to respond to the call.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10SPEAKS IN GERMAN
0:27:10 > 0:27:14What was just a training session has now become a real rescue situation.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20The location of the casualty is on the same mountain,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24so the team are only minutes away.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27But the injured person is down a very steep forest path.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34The team arrive and make their first assessment.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37A male walker in his 70s has slipped on the rocky path,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and needs hospital attention.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43The call has been raised for him to be airlifted off the mountain,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45so the team must now get him out of the forest
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and down to where the helicopter can land.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52A mattress is inflated, as the casualty moved onto the stretcher.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03With head and facial injuries, and two suspected broken collarbones,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06the patient is carefully taken down the mountain,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09to a large meadow where the helicopter has made a safe landing.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Thanks to today's training session, the team's response has been rapid.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20In less than an hour from the initial SMS message,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23the injured walker is in the air ambulance,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26and is just another 10 minutes away from the hospital.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32After the successful rescue mission, the team are now off duty
0:28:32 > 0:28:36and are debriefing in a local bar, where Robert and Annette joined them.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Cheers!- Cheers!- Cheers!
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Really, really nice that you could join us.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46And thank you for inviting us. It's been a great day. Thank you.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50It's been an eventful morning, but now it's back to the house hunt.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00For our next property, we're travelling to the south eastern edge of the Salzburg state
0:29:00 > 0:29:02to the town of Tamsweg.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06The 16th century town hall looks over the central square,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10which is lined by grand houses, typical of the Salzburg style.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15The imposing church of St Leonard was built in 1433,
0:29:15 > 0:29:20and was later fortified to defend against repeated Ottoman invasion.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Servicing a population of around 6,000,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26there are plenty of shops and restaurants,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30and the town is surrounded by more of the gorgeous rural scenery
0:29:30 > 0:29:32we're being spoiled with in this house hunt.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37A 10-minute drive out of town following the river along the valley
0:29:37 > 0:29:40and we come to our next establishment up for sale.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46And if you just stop right here, that's the next property.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- This one here with the dark wood? - That's it. What do you think of it?
0:29:50 > 0:29:54I definitely don't like the wood, the dark wood at the top there.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Not sure about this one.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00And it doesn't look attractive to market to me, I would assess.
0:30:00 > 0:30:07- This is not a house. This is a bed and breakfast that's good to go.- OK. - Let's go.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09So, initial reactions are not the best.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12But unlike the log house, where they would need to create a business
0:30:12 > 0:30:17from scratch, this is already an established 11 bedroom B&B,
0:30:17 > 0:30:21which has been run by the current owners for the last five years.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24The bookings and business side of the operation are manned
0:30:24 > 0:30:26from the reception area, which incorporates an office,
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and upstairs is the first of the guest areas.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33All right, so I've brought you straight upstairs.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36This is sort of a lounge area for the bedrooms up here.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- What do you make of it so far? - Very traditional look.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42I suppose the thing I'm looking at is
0:30:42 > 0:30:46whether in the future it would need modernising to remain competitive.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Yeah, I think I agree with Rob. And it will need probably a lot of work doing to it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57But if it's a business you're after, this has already got bookings.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59People are going to start coming here next week.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- So keep that in mind when you're looking.- OK.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Already well-established as a tourist guesthouse,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10in peak season this property can accommodate up to 25 people
0:31:10 > 0:31:13in a variety of double and triple bedrooms.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Some come with their own private balconies.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19But for those that don't, there's a communal sun terrace to take in the view.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22And the next place I want to show Robert and Annette
0:31:22 > 0:31:25is one option for their living space.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Come in, come in, come in.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30So this is a rather large bedroom.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33It's also got an en-suite and it is currently being used
0:31:33 > 0:31:35by the owner as their private accommodation.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Um, like the space, but I wouldn't like to live here
0:31:39 > 0:31:42with a bed and the living all in one.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46If it were to be a place to rent out as a room, that would be one thing.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- Yes.- Then I would think it's a good room. But certainly I wouldn't like
0:31:50 > 0:31:52to live in the same room I've got the bed.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56There's somewhere else I want to take you that I think could make
0:31:56 > 0:31:59potentially great living quarters for the two of you.
0:31:59 > 0:32:00So, come with me.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03'So, in the business-lifestyle balance, they clearly don't
0:32:03 > 0:32:06'want to compromise on their personal living standards.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'Luckily, there is another option here, a separate annexe,
0:32:09 > 0:32:11'which could address their concerns.'
0:32:11 > 0:32:16So, what you've got here are two bedrooms.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20What you could easily do is transform this whole area
0:32:20 > 0:32:22into your living quarters.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25You could put a kitchen in here, you could use one of the bathrooms,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29the plumbing is here. It could be a nice, if little, living space.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33The whole prospect is looking a little daunting for me.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37I'll tell you what, the thing I'm struggling with is the overall
0:32:37 > 0:32:38look of the place.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40With this property, I wouldn't know where to start.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Well, you haven't seen all of it yet,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44there is something else I want to show you.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48And personally I think this is the best bit, so come with me.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52'Back in the main guesthouse, there is a more than generous kitchen
0:32:52 > 0:32:55'to facilitate the cooking of many breakfasts.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57'And finally, there's the room to eat them in.'
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Very nice.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Yes, very nice room.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05I love the colours, the way it's set out, the bar area is wonderful.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11- The space. It's a very nice room, yes.- It's a very warm feeling room.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16Then let's see what you think this could be marketed at.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18I think I'm going to start with you, Annette.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22How much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:33:22 > 0:33:28I think this property is on the market for 450.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33And I think I would say the value is maybe a trifle above, maybe 460.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37But I'm not going to be too far away from there.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40It's actually on at 420,000.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43That's a more attractive price than my estimate,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- but at the moment I don't feel it's sufficient to entice me.- Fair enough.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50But I would like you to do is just go off and have a rummage
0:33:50 > 0:33:53around and get your bearings, and I'll come and find you.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Off you go.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01'So, for £420,000, this Austrian guesthouse does provide
0:34:01 > 0:34:04'an up-and-running business, with bookings for next season.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08'11 guest bedrooms with their own living and breakfast areas,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'a choice of owners' living quarters,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12'and with the price tag so low,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16'it gives our buyers a healthy £180,000 surplus to finance
0:34:16 > 0:34:21'all the work needed, and even employ staff.'
0:34:21 > 0:34:25I think probably what I've done today in seeing this property
0:34:25 > 0:34:27is reconfirm some thoughts in my mind already.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Something that seems a bit higgledy-piggledy is more than
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I can particularly cope with.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37The accommodation for us to live in, that is a real issue.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40There's nowhere in this property where
0:34:40 > 0:34:43I could say that we could live comfortably.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I think that this place has got some potential,
0:34:46 > 0:34:51but probably that's not what Annette and I are looking for at this moment.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54- Someone is ready to leave! - Yes, we are.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58- Coats on, seen enough? - Yes.- OK, well, you know what?
0:34:58 > 0:35:01It's a journey. And it's not over yet. So, come on, let's go.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12With three very different properties viewed, our buyers are taking
0:35:12 > 0:35:16some time out to absorb a great Austrian tradition, coffee and cake.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20And there's a slight difference of opinion emerging on today's
0:35:20 > 0:35:22first property, the Canadian log house.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25I can imagine myself living in that house.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29If you bought a house like that, we've got a large house again
0:35:29 > 0:35:32just for us, and that's not what we were talking about before.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35It's going to have to be a bed-and-breakfast solution.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39That's going to commit us to obligations every day.
0:35:39 > 0:35:45We could maybe convert some of the rooms into apartments.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I think we need to seriously think about this one.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Robert and Annette are struggling to find the correct
0:35:51 > 0:35:53balance between business and lifestyle.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55In our final house tour tomorrow,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I hope to make things a bit clearer for them.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05For Robert and Annette,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09running a hospitality business - in fact, running any business -
0:36:09 > 0:36:12is something neither of them has done before.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15So I thought it would be helpful for them
0:36:15 > 0:36:17to meet an English couple who have done both these things,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20to hear what advice they might be able to offer.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Near the popular tourist destination of Lake Hallstatt,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Liz and Paul renovated an old farmhouse
0:36:26 > 0:36:29to create a four-bedroom B&B.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31- Hello!- Hi!
0:36:31 > 0:36:35- Hello, good morning.- So, Liz and Paul, meet Annette and Robert.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Good morning, nice to meet you.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Liz and Paul are going to introduce you to the sort of life that you
0:36:41 > 0:36:45may be living in Austria. Off you go. Have fun.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46'And the first thing for Robert
0:36:46 > 0:36:49'and Annette to inspect is one of the four guest bedrooms.'
0:36:49 > 0:36:55- So, come on through. - Oh, very nice. Lovely.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58So this room is totally different to what it was.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02From the flooring to the wallpaper, we've had a brand-new ensuite
0:37:02 > 0:37:05put in as well, so we had all the plumbing work.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Did you find it easy to get the workmen in to do what you wanted?
0:37:09 > 0:37:11We used a local person who was recommended to us,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and he collated all the tradesmen, really.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Were they reliable, the workmen? - Very.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19And it's great, because a lot of them are local.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20Once, when we were in trouble,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23we knocked on the door at eight o'clock at night and said,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25"Please can you come and help us?" and it was no problem at all.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30- Would you like to see how it used to be?- Yes, please.- Follow me.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33'For Liz and Paul, there are still a few rooms left to renovate.'
0:37:33 > 0:37:38- Come on through, this is a bit of what it used to be like.- Oh, wow.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41What a mess!
0:37:41 > 0:37:42LAUGHTER
0:37:43 > 0:37:47LIZ: This room, we will probably have to do a lot of work getting all
0:37:47 > 0:37:50the wood off. We'll put the bed here facing this way.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53To get to this room, to make it how you want it to be,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56you've got to get all the facilities to the room, so it's all
0:37:56 > 0:38:00the rewiring, the plumbing, which is all very expensive.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01This is quite major work.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05- Out of interest, when is this going to be finished?- Oh, I don't know!
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- PAUL:- That comes down to the budget, really.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'To get a real flavour of what running a small B&B is like,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'Annette and Robert are going to involve themselves in some
0:38:15 > 0:38:19'of the day-to-day tasks, starting with the laundry.'
0:38:19 > 0:38:21I've got a couple of smaller items I thought you could start with.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- The easier ones.- They are definitely the easier ones.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27If you pull it apart from each other just like this before it goes
0:38:27 > 0:38:32- through, that helps. - And you do this yourself every day?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Not necessarily every day, but many times during the week.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38We tend to get through an awful lot of washing,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41ironing and storing of laundry,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and I'd actually probably do it this way just so it's a bit quicker.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49Oh, right. So there's no staff to do that at all?
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Apart from the building work, we literally do everything.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57'Whilst Annette gets to grips with the ironing,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00'Robert is getting a crash course in making breakfast.'
0:39:00 > 0:39:03So, what we normally do is give the guests an assortment of meat
0:39:03 > 0:39:08and cheeses. They get a choice of cereals, yoghurts.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11How long do you get this ready, before the guests come down?
0:39:11 > 0:39:14For an eight o'clock breakfast I would be up at seven.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18And do you offer your guests breakfast at any time they want?
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- We normally offer it between 7:30 and nine o'clock.- OK.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24We'll give you a practice and let you try it out.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26We're going to want some cheese.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Normally sort of cut that in half and lay it out in strips,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- it gives them a selection of cheeses.- OK, I've got you.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35And what do you do about getting the bread,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37do you go out at six in the morning to buy it?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Yes, the bread shop is open from 6.30 in the morning.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41So your job would be to get up,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43depending on how many guests you've got,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47decide what bread you want, what selection you're going to give them.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Then back here to prepare the rest of the breakfast, really.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I was actually thinking along the lines of having a laundry
0:39:53 > 0:39:57service where they come and pick up the bed linen,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00they wash it for you, they bring it back ready.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- Just to be put onto the beds. - Our friends have done that.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08They said doing it for a small place, it's very expensive.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10But don't you find all of this very hard work?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Each individual action is not difficult in itself.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17The relentlessness of it is a challenge.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21You are constantly trying to think and keep one step ahead.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26How about that, then? Not perfect. Maybe another go?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Do you want some more?!
0:40:30 > 0:40:33When they come down for breakfast, what you need to find out is
0:40:33 > 0:40:37obviously if they are tea or coffee. And if they want a boiled egg.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40So you come back in here, you think, I've got to warm the milk,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43boil the egg and make the coffee.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Then load the tray up and, while everything is ticking over, take
0:40:47 > 0:40:48that in, come back in,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51make sure you've got the timer on for the eggs,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55because they don't want it runny, or they don't want it too hard.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57It's quite a big learning curve when you haven't done it before.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- Here they come.- Good morning. - Good morning!- Breakfast is served.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Look at that. Come and sit down, Robert.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- It was just different, that's all.- Different, OK.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14- How was your ironing experience? - Great, just great. Loved it!
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Can you see yourself doing that?
0:41:18 > 0:41:23If we had a large house and lots of bed & breakfasts, probably not.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26But I think this sort of size, yes, I could.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Just how much ironing do you have to do?
0:41:28 > 0:41:31You know, I could quite happily get lost in doing
0:41:31 > 0:41:34the ironing for three or four hours every few days.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Do you think it's more work than what you were expecting?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40We knew from friends who've got B&Bs in the area
0:41:40 > 0:41:42that it's pretty relentless.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44From the morning when you're getting up, doing breakfast,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47walking the dog, coming back, getting things sorted,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49getting things tidied, sorting the rooms out.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Then you've got to think about supplies.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Then you've got to think, are the shops open?
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Because quite often they close during the lunchtime period.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Then you've got to dash out or whatever
0:42:00 > 0:42:02and come back ready to greet the new guests.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Then you're thinking about paperwork and bookings,
0:42:05 > 0:42:07going back to people with e-mail enquiries.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09So, Paul, how many hours a day are you doing something
0:42:09 > 0:42:11related to the business?
0:42:11 > 0:42:14You are still thinking about work until at least nine,
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- 10 o'clock at night. - Can you ever really switch off?
0:42:17 > 0:42:20No, you've got to be prepared for a knock on the door or a ring
0:42:20 > 0:42:24of the bell, "this isn't working," or "can you help me with this?"
0:42:24 > 0:42:26"I'm leaving early in the morning," "I've got this problem".
0:42:26 > 0:42:29So you've got to be prepared to speak to your guests
0:42:29 > 0:42:30at all times of the day, really.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34How long did it take you to find the property you were looking for?
0:42:34 > 0:42:35About eight years.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39To get the right combination for us, with the apartment
0:42:39 > 0:42:43and the B&Bs, the size of the house, the right budget, what it's going
0:42:43 > 0:42:47to cost to turn it around - to tick all those boxes is very difficult.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50And the location was so important, wasn't it?
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Location - you do have to decide on winter, summer,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56- or trade all year round. - So where do you live?
0:42:56 > 0:43:00How much of this is a business first and you come second,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03or is it your escape and then this is a bit of a hobby on the side?
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Well, we live downstairs on the first floor
0:43:06 > 0:43:08so that the guests have the better accommodation.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10We made it liveable,
0:43:10 > 0:43:14but every bit of focus really has been on the guest areas
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and unfortunately ours is probably last on the list, really.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19So, what do you make of all of that?
0:43:19 > 0:43:23This is one reason we're looking at bed-and-breakfast versus apartments.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26One of the things to think about is just how much
0:43:26 > 0:43:28do we want to do that sort of work?
0:43:28 > 0:43:30So, any bit of advice that you could give Annette
0:43:30 > 0:43:34and Robert that you wish someone had given you before you got here?
0:43:34 > 0:43:38Obviously, seek advice from people who speak English in the area.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41With other B&B owners, keep in touch, keep a good rapport,
0:43:41 > 0:43:44everybody is very willing to help each other out.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47I think one of the most important things is actually buying
0:43:47 > 0:43:50somewhere where you can look forward to coming home to,
0:43:50 > 0:43:54- because it is a business and a home. - We are absolutely at one with that.
0:43:54 > 0:43:58I think what has been highlighted for us really is this
0:43:58 > 0:44:02business of the things we've already thought we might not like to do.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04THEY LAUGH
0:44:04 > 0:44:08OK, best of luck to you, and thank you. Has this been useful?
0:44:08 > 0:44:11Fantastic, thank you so much. It's been wonderful.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Our buyers seem concerned at the amount of work
0:44:14 > 0:44:17and commitment running a B&B business could entail,
0:44:17 > 0:44:20which I suspect might rule that out as an option.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23But whichever property they go for, there's a lot
0:44:23 > 0:44:26of information they need to know about the purchase process itself.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29Making an offer in Austria is a very different ball game
0:44:29 > 0:44:31to here in the UK.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Formal offers are made in writing
0:44:33 > 0:44:36and the vendor has a fixed period of days
0:44:36 > 0:44:37to accept or reject the offer.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41Once accepted and signed, it is legally binding.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44This means you cannot be gazumped, but it also means neither
0:44:44 > 0:44:47vendor nor purchaser can back out, so think carefully
0:44:47 > 0:44:52and make sure your finances are in place before you make an offer.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55Fees generally amount to around 10% of the sale price,
0:44:55 > 0:44:58and of course you should seek your own independent legal
0:44:58 > 0:45:01advice before signing anything binding.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06We know Annette and Robert are still trying to figure out exactly
0:45:06 > 0:45:08the type of property they want, but this idea
0:45:08 > 0:45:12they can run a business and not do any work is unrealistic.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16However, there may be a solution in the form of our mystery property.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20For our mystery house,
0:45:20 > 0:45:22we're travelling 50km south-east of Salzburg
0:45:22 > 0:45:24to the eastern edge of the region,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27and the small mountain village of Russbach.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Nestled between imposing peaks,
0:45:30 > 0:45:32it is part of the Dachstein West ski resort,
0:45:32 > 0:45:36and the pistes are a short walk from the centre.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40Although there is a resident population of just 800,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43the resort attracts thousands of visitors each year, so there are
0:45:43 > 0:45:47shops, restaurants and guesthouses to cater for this seasonal influx.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52On the edge of the village, overlooking mountains
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and meadows, is our final property.
0:45:57 > 0:46:04- OK, Annette and Robert, the mystery property.- Wow. Wonderful.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08- Good grief!- Very nice. - A very, very unique design.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11It's not something I'm familiar with in this sort of area.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13A lot of intricate carving.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16It is as you know the mystery property,
0:46:16 > 0:46:19and the mystery about it is it's an apartment.
0:46:19 > 0:46:24- It's not the whole building. You ready for this?- I'm ready.- Come on.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29'Given Robert and Annette's desire to enjoy a great living space
0:46:29 > 0:46:32'for themselves and a business which is low-maintenance,
0:46:32 > 0:46:34'this is a different option for them to consider.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36'Up in the penthouse,
0:46:36 > 0:46:40'this brand-new unfurnished apartment could solve some issues,
0:46:40 > 0:46:43'as there is a piece of information I'm holding back for now.'
0:46:43 > 0:46:46- And come in.- Oh, nice. Wow.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50Lovely. It's huge.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56Wonderful space. And the views, oh, my God. To die for.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59So, this is the curveball, the mystery property.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02This gives you a superb lifestyle.
0:47:02 > 0:47:07You get something really plush, really modern, beautiful views.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13- Sounds good.- Lovely room, so much light and space. I love the height.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17I suppose the real thing is, you're offering us an apartment, and
0:47:17 > 0:47:21I'm trying to work out, where does the hobby-business fit into this?
0:47:21 > 0:47:25A-ha. You see, right next door, there is an almost identical
0:47:25 > 0:47:28apartment like this one for sale.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31So, here is a suggestion, because you want to have a fantastic
0:47:31 > 0:47:35lifestyle but also have this business that is a hobby.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Why not buy an amazing apartment for yourselves
0:47:38 > 0:47:40and another apartment that you rent out?
0:47:40 > 0:47:43Then you can just hand over the keys and a couple of weeks,
0:47:43 > 0:47:45once they've gone, go in there and tidy it up.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49The real concern I'm thinking of is the dog.
0:47:49 > 0:47:50If we are living up here,
0:47:50 > 0:47:54how does the dog get in and out to do what she needs to do?
0:47:54 > 0:47:57Anyway, there's a bit more of this property to see, so let's go.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02So Poppy the dog could put a spanner in the works
0:48:02 > 0:48:04for this top floor living option.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07In this renovation, there is currently no fitted kitchen,
0:48:07 > 0:48:10giving buyers the option of where to install it, as there's plumbing
0:48:10 > 0:48:14in both the downstairs living space and up on the mezzanine level.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19OK, so now we're upstairs.
0:48:19 > 0:48:20Lots of light coming in,
0:48:20 > 0:48:24you're looking down onto what could be your living room.
0:48:24 > 0:48:29It's a wonderful area, I like the space. Nice big room.
0:48:29 > 0:48:30I like the views.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33I think I just have to work out what I'd use this space for.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35I think what I'd want to do
0:48:35 > 0:48:37is to somehow use the views downstairs more.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40We'd have to use this more of a kitchen diner,
0:48:40 > 0:48:45and that more of a lounge area, to take in the views from down there.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48- So let's go and see the bedrooms. - OK.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52There is one guest bedroom off the upper mezzanine floor.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55The other two are back downstairs, along the hallway.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57There's a double bedroom, a bathroom,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00and a further double which is the master suite.
0:49:00 > 0:49:01OK.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04Decent-sized double, all nicely done, nice skylight,
0:49:04 > 0:49:08lots of light coming in, and check out the en suite.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12- Oh, wow!- Hey!
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Oh, I like this. Wonderful. I do like the bath.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18- Very nice, very modern. - OK, well, look.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20I want us to take in the view,
0:49:20 > 0:49:22because there is quite something special out there
0:49:22 > 0:49:24so let's go and have a good look at it.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29- Wonderful.- I know.- Wonderful.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33- If you take in that view.... - It is stunning.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36Are you sure Poppy couldn't live in a flat? Plenty of dogs do!
0:49:36 > 0:49:37Come on, she'd love it.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41Poppy would be here, she'll be all like, "I'm apartment living now,"
0:49:41 > 0:49:44she'll be padding around here, she'll make friends with the cows.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47- This is doggy heaven! - That's the problem.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51She'd make friends with the cows and she'd run after them and chase them.
0:49:51 > 0:49:52It's a real shame,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55because I think if this property had some garden for the dog...
0:49:55 > 0:49:58- If it was on the ground floor, you mean.- Yes, yes.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01So, we are here, and there is a price attached to this property.
0:50:01 > 0:50:07- So, Robert, what price would you put on it?- I'm going to go, 320.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11- Annette?- I think probably less than that,
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I think the 300 mark.
0:50:14 > 0:50:19It's actually on for more, £376,000.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21- Mmm. Wow.- It's a lot of money.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25It's a lot of money. It is.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28More than what I thought it would be, actually.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31And both properties together,
0:50:31 > 0:50:35£733,000.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38There's lots of options, lots of options.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41I want you two to go off, have a really good rummage around,
0:50:41 > 0:50:42come and find me once you're done.
0:50:42 > 0:50:46With a price tag of £376,000,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49our mystery house offers stunning penthouse living
0:50:49 > 0:50:52with a three bedroom apartment for Robert and Annette.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55The open plan living spaces have unrestricted views
0:50:55 > 0:50:57over the mountains.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59And next door is another top floor apartment,
0:50:59 > 0:51:03the rental of which could deliver a more hands-off business venture.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- Wonderful.- This is what it's all about, isn't it?- It is, yeah.
0:51:06 > 0:51:11- I love the views.- Yeah, they're absolutely fantastic and it's quiet.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13- Very, very quiet.- Yeah.
0:51:13 > 0:51:14I think, still,
0:51:14 > 0:51:18I'd like to step out onto a small little garden somewhere.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22And there's no way practically we can deal with Poppy here.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25Every time she needs to go out, we'll have to go out with her.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29Including two o'clock in the morning, possibly, in the snow.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31This property is beautiful.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35I mean, it's new, modern, I love the wood.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37But this is just one property,
0:51:37 > 0:51:41we'd have to buy another property for our business.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45I think we could consider an apartment as an option to live in,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48but it cannot be two floors up.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50- Hello there.- Hi!
0:51:50 > 0:51:54- Seen enough of this property? - We have.- Absolutely sure?- Yes.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57Then we shall stay here not a moment longer. Come on, let's go.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04The region of Salzburg is for the most part a rural place,
0:52:04 > 0:52:06peppered with small communities.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10As such, many historic customs and crafts not only survive
0:52:10 > 0:52:13but continue to be an important part of life here.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16I've come to Salzburg to meet Gabriella Jenner,
0:52:16 > 0:52:19who's at the heart of one of the country's most iconic craft industries,
0:52:19 > 0:52:22traditional Austrian leather costume making.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24This is my shop.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28- And this has been the same shop for the last 600 years?- Yes.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30'Established in the 15th century,
0:52:30 > 0:52:32'this was the first tannery in the city.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35'Originally, the leather and wool clothes produced
0:52:35 > 0:52:39'were durable working garments for farmers and townspeople.
0:52:39 > 0:52:40'But later, they became fashionable
0:52:40 > 0:52:43'as hunting apparel for the nobility.'
0:52:43 > 0:52:45- Could you show me some of these trousers?- Yeah, sure.
0:52:45 > 0:52:50- This is gold leather, you see? - That's fantastic.- This is machine.
0:52:50 > 0:52:56It's so soft, I wasn't expecting it to be... It's beautiful to feel.
0:52:56 > 0:53:01- And what's this made from?- This is deer skin, and this is by hand.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04And how long does it take to make this garment?
0:53:04 > 0:53:09Three days, for the trouser, and 45 hours for stitching.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13- And how much would it cost? - The price is 2,800.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16- 2,800 euros?! - Yeah, it's for your life!
0:53:16 > 0:53:19In that case, it's a bargain.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23- And what would you wear underneath these?- So, you can have underwear.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25- What are these made out of? - It's also deer skin.
0:53:25 > 0:53:30- Deer skin boxer shorts?- Yes. - I've never seen anything like it.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Forget silk, it's all about deer skin. I'm going to try them on.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36'Far from being a relic of the past,
0:53:36 > 0:53:39'traditional dress is worn by many Austrians
0:53:39 > 0:53:41'for folk festivals and formal occasions.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44'Similar to the kilt in Scotland.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48'And for the women, the traditional dress is known as the dirndl.'
0:53:48 > 0:53:50I'm truly Austrian.
0:53:50 > 0:53:51I mean...
0:53:51 > 0:53:56- Gabriella, is this a look Austrian men find attractive?- Yes!
0:53:56 > 0:53:59'All of the garments are made in-house,
0:53:59 > 0:54:02'and round the corner from the shop is the workshop,
0:54:02 > 0:54:05'where I'm going to try hand-stitching a design.'
0:54:05 > 0:54:07- This is where the magic happens. - Yes, yes.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- This is where the garments are created.- Yes.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13'And the first stage is to create a stencil.'
0:54:14 > 0:54:19- This is a deer.- So that's a piece of perforated paper?- Yes.
0:54:19 > 0:54:23- In the form of a deer.- You can see it, if you give it to the light.
0:54:23 > 0:54:24Yeah, there he is.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28'Chalk is rubbed over the stencil so it falls through the holes,
0:54:28 > 0:54:31'with the remainder being brushed off.'
0:54:31 > 0:54:32And then let's remove it.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35- Yeah, very good.- There we go! There's the little deer.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38'A type of glue is painted onto this outline
0:54:38 > 0:54:40'to create a more secure template.'
0:54:40 > 0:54:43OK. That's really difficult.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46- But it's OK.- Done.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49- It's a nice one. Yeah. - He's all right, we like him.
0:54:49 > 0:54:53'The stitching is done by Gabriella's team of skilled seamstresses.'
0:54:53 > 0:54:55- Hello, ladies.- Hello!
0:54:55 > 0:54:57Beautiful.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Let's go for it. Is there any advice?
0:54:59 > 0:55:02You must go with the needle on this side.
0:55:02 > 0:55:07- So, that way?- Yeah, yeah, perfect. - And then through the other way?- Yes.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12- There we go. Here it comes.- Yes. - Gabriella, these women are so fast.
0:55:12 > 0:55:13They're just chuh, chuh, chuh!
0:55:13 > 0:55:19After three months, you make it very, very fast.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23- I know this.- What do you think, Gabriella?- Yeah, it's nice.
0:55:23 > 0:55:27- Do you think you could sell that for £3,000?- Er...
0:55:27 > 0:55:31- Um...!- Don't worry, I know! - SHE LAUGHS
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Thank you, thank you very much. I've really enjoyed it.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36I'm going to leave it to the professionals,
0:55:36 > 0:55:39because I am making a real mess of it.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45It's the end of our time in Austria,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48and with such a mix of options to consider,
0:55:48 > 0:55:50what conclusions have our buyers reached?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52I'm going to find out.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55So we've come to the end of our time together.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57But I want to know, what are you thinking now?
0:55:57 > 0:56:00I think we're still looking at the toss-up between apartment
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- and bed-and-breakfast. - You still want a bed-and-breakfast?
0:56:03 > 0:56:04I don't believe you.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08You've seen the amount of work that Liz and Paul have to put in
0:56:08 > 0:56:09on a daily basis,
0:56:09 > 0:56:12and you still think that could work for the two of you?
0:56:12 > 0:56:14We'd be looking for outside help.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17So we'd have to look and see how the books might stack up,
0:56:17 > 0:56:18but that's what we have in mind,
0:56:18 > 0:56:20if we went down the bed-and-breakfast route.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22We'd still do the marketing work,
0:56:22 > 0:56:24we'll still do the administration work.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28I'd want to be in control of a lot of things.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31So getting a good, say, housekeeper to look after things,
0:56:31 > 0:56:35I mean, she's got to be very similar to what I am, to make it work.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38OK. So let's talk about the properties then.
0:56:38 > 0:56:39Which was your favourite?
0:56:39 > 0:56:43The log house. Absolutely stunning.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46I can imagine myself actually living in the log house.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50- Beautiful, beautiful.- It's a very, very attractive property.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54- It's so cosy, it's unbelievable. - And how would you run it?
0:56:54 > 0:56:57I think I would look at a way of maybe trying to make
0:56:57 > 0:57:02the rooms downstairs as apartments, with little kitchenettes.
0:57:02 > 0:57:03So you'd have to do a bit of work,
0:57:03 > 0:57:05is that something you're prepared to do?
0:57:05 > 0:57:07It was interesting to meet Liz and Paul
0:57:07 > 0:57:10and see what work they embarked upon.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13So, maybe that's allowed us to consider
0:57:13 > 0:57:16some work with the right amount of support,
0:57:16 > 0:57:19and access to builders and plumbers and everything else.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21So meeting Liz and Paul was really useful for you, then?
0:57:21 > 0:57:23Oh, definitely.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26I mean, we had so much information from them that would help us
0:57:26 > 0:57:28to run a business.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30So, what about this idea that we've suggested
0:57:30 > 0:57:33about you having two apartments, that you live in one place
0:57:33 > 0:57:35and you just buy a separate apartment that you rent out?
0:57:35 > 0:57:37I wouldn't rule it out.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40You know, it's another option to consider because
0:57:40 > 0:57:43a ground floor apartment and looking after somewhere else could do it.
0:57:43 > 0:57:47What we've got to do is not rush anything.
0:57:47 > 0:57:51We need to be careful about this really big decision and get it right.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53I want to wish the two of you the best of luck.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56I think it's just a matter of you finding the right property.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59- And it's out there somewhere.- It is. - And maybe it's the log house.
0:57:59 > 0:58:04- It could be!- Thank you. - Thank you, thank you very much.
0:58:06 > 0:58:11What a turn out. Annette and Robert loved the log house.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13That absolutely delights me.
0:58:13 > 0:58:16There is no doubt in my mind that the two of them
0:58:16 > 0:58:19are ready for their move to Austria. They have been for a long time.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23What they do when they get here is yet to be discovered, though.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26Join me next time for another Escape To The Continent.
0:58:28 > 0:58:30If you're planning to Escape To The Continent
0:58:30 > 0:58:33and would like our help, you can apply online: