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Cinema Series US Film
  • 2 days ago
Location, Location, Location Season 43 Episode 1
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Transcript
00:00This time we're searching miles apart.
00:03Happy to go in?
00:04Yeah.
00:05But the similarities...
00:06You've got to pull this off.
00:07Yes, please.
00:08Balance out the differences.
00:10I could cry. This cannot happen again.
00:13Because whether it's a forever home...
00:15Beautiful as look.
00:17...or a starter flat...
00:18So why is the fridge in the living room?
00:21The journey to success is always tough.
00:24Thanks for making it so hard.
00:25You're very welcome.
00:30This time we're working with matching budgets...
00:40...but very different markets.
00:42I'm with a pair of sisters who've joined forces...
00:44...to get their foot on the ladder in North London.
00:46And in North Wales.
00:48I'm helping a family who want to put an end to military housing...
00:51...in favour of a forever home.
00:53How did we get that wrong, Phil?
00:55What, me going to North Wales?
00:57Yes. Did you just get on the wrong train or something?
00:59No, they just wanted to live in different places.
01:02You know, it happens.
01:03Get on the wrong train.
01:07Well, despite our long-distance house hunt...
01:10...we're each heading to the same final destination...
01:13...with first-time buyers who need new homes.
01:16Their budgets are identical at £400,000.
01:20For that, I'll be looking at large family homes in North Wales...
01:24...where average house prices are just over £225,000...
01:28...almost £70,000 less than the national average.
01:32Add an extra half million onto that figure...
01:36...and you're getting close to average prices in North London.
01:39So I'll be foraging in the flat market.
01:42But just because North Wales is more affordable...
01:45...it doesn't make searching here any simpler.
01:48Whoo!
01:51Welsh-born Rachel met Leo 12 years ago.
01:56I originally come from the island of Fiji, which is in the south hemisphere.
02:00Far, far away from here.
02:02Leo had joined the British Army as a member of the Commonwealth in 2003...
02:07...and it was on a night out after a military rugby match in Chester...
02:11...that he spotted Rachel.
02:13I'd seen this group of girls.
02:15I knew that she was one of the kind.
02:19What Rachel didn't know was that Leo was due to be deployed to Afghanistan...
02:24...the very next day.
02:26We just went to each other for six months.
02:29And then you got back, didn't we?
02:31We just did loads of dates, went to the beach.
02:34The rest is history.
02:35We moved in together to see if it would work.
02:38And it did.
02:39Cheers!
02:40So much so that they got married two years later and in style.
02:44Their wedding in the UK was followed by a blessing in Fiji.
02:47And they now have five-year-old daughter Nancy and four-year-old son Lario.
02:52They are both absolute whirlwinds.
02:54But we wouldn't have them any other way.
02:57Teacher Rachel and Leo, now a sergeant,
03:00have lived almost all of their married life in military homes.
03:03But with Leo getting a new post every year or two, that's meant a lot of moving.
03:09As soon as the children came along, it's made postings more difficult.
03:13Leo's set to retire soon and they want to buy their first home together.
03:18And they're keen to stay close to Conway, where they're currently living.
03:23What drove us to ask for the posting was it's bringing us back to a local area which I'm from.
03:31And it's bringing us back to the family.
03:33Shall we have some ice cream?
03:35Yes!
03:36Whoo!
03:37Being close to Rachel's family is the main reason for buying in North Wales.
03:41But being able to live close to the coast has an equally big pull for Leo.
03:45Fiji surrounded by the sea.
03:47Wake up, run off to the beach.
03:49Fun to be surrounded with the sea.
03:53Leo and Rachel have a budget of up to £400,000.
03:57But after ten years of having their homes dictated by Leo's posting,
04:01they're struggling to take charge of their own search.
04:04We're so used to the military property.
04:07We need Phil to say, actually, this is a really good price.
04:11You can grow into this property.
04:13And he's the man for the job.
04:15Sergeant Major Spencer at your service.
04:18I have my pen and my pad and I'm ready to make a battle plan.
04:23What are we looking for?
04:24A four bed.
04:25Ideally detached outdoors area.
04:27Especially for the little one, that's rugby.
04:29So we need a big garden.
04:31Three bathrooms, one main bathroom, an en-suite, a downstairs loo and...
04:36A utility.
04:38You need the garage for storage.
04:40But we're storing.
04:41Bikes and...
04:42Camping gear.
04:43Yeah.
04:44Military hits.
04:46You know.
04:47It's the Billy Basics.
04:48The Billy Basics.
04:49The Billy Basics, which has grown over the ten years.
04:52What's going to do it for you?
04:54What are the priorities?
04:55Rich and the kids.
04:57Okay.
04:58Also closer to the grandparents.
05:00For me, it has to feel right.
05:02It's the forever home, isn't it?
05:03It's the dream, really.
05:04So we've got to pull this off.
05:06Yes, please.
05:07Okay, let's make a start.
05:09On the double pip, this market is moving fast.
05:13Don't you worry.
05:14I'm determined to be at the front of every property line.
05:18Rachel and Leah have up to £400,000 to spend.
05:23They want four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a utility.
05:27A garage for Leo's Billy Basics and a garden big enough to play rugby in.
05:32They've given me a search area spanning 60 miles in three counties in North Wales, with a focus on beach access and being close to Rachel's family in Flintshire.
05:45200 miles south-east, my pair want to live as close to Hackney as possible.
05:50But any buzzy area will do.
05:52And North London has plenty.
05:5623-year-old Ines and big sister Amoki, who's 25, are buying their first home together.
06:02We can't do it without the other person.
06:04Yeah.
06:05So we have to do it 50-50.
06:06And they know just what owning a home with your sibling means.
06:10If you're annoying me, I can say you're annoying me.
06:12Yeah, go away.
06:13There's no diplomacy needed.
06:15Just like us, Kirsty.
06:17Go up, please.
06:19They hatched their master plan of selling in the capital two and a half years ago.
06:24Amoki, who was working as a campaigner for a non-profit organisation, was already living in London.
06:31And in preparation for the big move, Ines secured a job in digital marketing.
06:36I've never lived in a big city.
06:38I want to try something different and just kind of spread my wings a bit.
06:43But things have not gone to plan.
06:46Amoki moved back to the family home in Ipswich a year ago to help save more money.
06:51And Ines has yet to spread her wings.
06:54And living in London would make a big difference.
06:57I work about three hours away from Ipswich at the moment.
07:01So I'm getting up at, you know, five o'clock in the morning.
07:04And it's not just about work.
07:06Socially, their lives are also in London.
07:08Ines plays football and Amoki is part of a steel band, which can mean practising up to five times a week.
07:15Spending four or five nights a week in London at friends' houses.
07:19Living out of a suitcase for like a year.
07:21Yeah, they love this. I'm over it.
07:23They've saved hard, but it's taken a mortgage and help from family to have a budget of £400,000.
07:29Their expectations are realistic, but searching for siblings does require extra consideration.
07:35Bye, bye.
07:36It would be really unfair if one person had like a massive bedroom, one person had a little bedroom.
07:41I think ideally we'd have a separate kitchen because we have two completely different like friendship groups.
07:45So I think having that separate space would be really good.
07:49They've done their fair share of viewings and have their eyes wide open to the London flat market.
07:54Warts and all.
07:56You have to have the vision to see past mess.
07:59Almost every house you see, especially in our budget, not be in the state that you want it to be in.
08:03After two and a half years, over 50 viewings and four offers, Ines and Amoki are still without a home.
08:11Every corner you turn, you come up against an obstacle that's trying to stop you from buying somewhere.
08:18And I need to find out why.
08:21Yours is a bit of a horror story.
08:23You made four offers.
08:24One of them, somebody else already started their mortgage process.
08:28The other one, we got beat out by another buyer, all cash.
08:32Then you finally got an offer accepted.
08:34Yeah.
08:35There was a man who was quite elderly and he was quite unwell.
08:39And his nephew had decided to start selling the place before he died.
08:45And our lawyer was just like, if you buy this, when you try and sell it, I'm not even sure you'd own it.
08:51There was also someone living in it who didn't have a tenancy agreement.
08:54I'm sorry.
08:55Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
08:58So that was property three.
09:00Property four.
09:01The council saw the listing and then offered above our offer and all cash.
09:05The council were buying back properties.
09:07Yeah.
09:08And you were outbid by the council.
09:10Yeah.
09:11Oh my God, I've never even heard of that.
09:13Genuinely open mouth.
09:16You can understand why we are exhausted.
09:18We are going to fast track your move forward.
09:21And now you've got me.
09:22This cannot happen again.
09:25Right.
09:26I think we need to get up and get out.
09:28I have never in 25 years heard so many horror stories over one cup of coffee.
09:34I will not stop until I've helped Ines and Amuki buy their first home together.
09:40They have £400,000 to spend on a flat with at least two bedrooms and ideally a separate kitchen and living space.
09:47They'd like some form of outdoor space and to be walking distance to a tube station.
09:54And that all adds to the challenge.
09:56Hello, hello, hello.
09:58Hello.
09:59It's going to be interesting this is, isn't it?
10:00Tell me what £400,000 buys you in North Wales.
10:03Nice big family house, detached, parking, garden.
10:07And in North London?
10:08We have found a couple of three bed properties but their condition is pretty stark.
10:14Totally different lifestyles, different needs, different wants.
10:17I bet you they're similar in one respect.
10:19Your family are a military family.
10:21Yeah.
10:22So quite unspoiled.
10:23Very, very down to earth.
10:24Lovely.
10:25And exactly the same with my pair.
10:26Hard-working girls who've moved back home and saved up and just want to get on with it.
10:31Great.
10:32Love stories like that.
10:33It is possible.
10:34If you save, it is possible.
10:35And it's time to move from possibility to certainty.
10:39After six moves in ten years, Leo and Rachel are very ready to lay down roots close to the coast and family.
10:47So we're starting our search in Buckley.
10:50It's a 40-minute drive to the nearest beach and boasts not one, not two, but three pretty nature reserves.
10:58And this detached property is just a couple of miles from Rachel's mum.
11:05So this is the house I wanted to show you first.
11:07OK.
11:08It's 325.
11:09OK.
11:10It is detached.
11:11It does have the four beds.
11:12It does have the three baths.
11:14It does have a garage.
11:15I know the estate, but I didn't actually realise this was part of it, which is a huge bonus for the children.
11:22Yeah?
11:23Yeah.
11:24That's great.
11:25Let's get on it.
11:26Let's have a look.
11:27This place ticks a lot of their property points.
11:30It has a kitchen diner that can be opened up into a living area, and there's a separate cosy sitting room.
11:37It has the three bathrooms they requested and four decent-sized bedrooms.
11:42The garden is a real treat, with areas to entertain and room for rugby-loving Lario and big sister Nancy to play.
11:50But the headline here is the price.
11:53At £325,000, it's a whopping £75,000, under their top spend of £400.
12:00So the house is 11 years old.
12:03Kitchen, dining.
12:05I really like this space, for social.
12:08To me it's just a confined space.
12:10Just open those doors, you'll get a sense of actually how big it can be if you've got people around.
12:17Yeah.
12:18I like the finish.
12:19I think for the price as well, I think it's a really good property.
12:23Let me show you outside, cos that could get interesting.
12:26Brilliant.
12:27Cool.
12:28Rachel is looking for the positives here.
12:29I think Leo may need a little more convincing.
12:33It's much bigger than I thought it would be.
12:35I thought it's a big space.
12:36Yeah.
12:37We'll have to just see what upstairs is like.
12:39Sure.
12:40This house is really good value for money.
12:43I'm hoping the upstairs will help them both see that.
12:48The fitted wardrobes is a bonus, Leo.
12:50Yeah, it's a good space here.
12:53They're not exactly jumping up and down with excitement, but that's fine.
12:57What I'm really pleased about is that they've both been open, honest and realistic.
13:03But I'm not sure that's enough to make this their new home.
13:07How did you get on up there?
13:08It's good.
13:09We thought that it was going to be a small confined space compared to where we live in
13:14right now.
13:15It's like bigger than one.
13:16Yeah.
13:17There's got to be a compromise if you're paying less.
13:20Which is the size of the living space?
13:21Yeah.
13:22Yeah.
13:23Well, let's move on.
13:24And what I'm taking away from this is we've got to increase the size of the living space.
13:28Yeah.
13:29Well, it's not a no.
13:31But pretty far from a yes.
13:34This is their first and forever home.
13:36They deserve something extra special.
13:48We're crossing country with two very different house hunts.
13:51One in North London.
13:52And one in North Wales, where Rachel and Leo are struggling to settle on their family home
13:57after years of moving with the military.
14:00Well, sisters, Imoki and Inez are determined to capture their own corner of the capital
14:04after more than 50 viewings.
14:08For Welsh-born Rachel and husband, Fijian-born Leo, a sergeant due to retire after 22 years
14:14in the military, their first and forever home needs to be extra special.
14:19It's the dream, really.
14:20Inez and Imoki are currently commuting from their parents' place in Ipswich to their jobs
14:25and social lives two and a half hours away in London.
14:28They've loved and lost out on four flats, so they've had their fair share of disappointments.
14:34You can understand why we are exhausted.
14:37Things have to change and we're starting the ball rolling in Palmer's Green.
14:42It's got a pretty high street with a good mix of shops and cafes.
14:46Its residents say it's the jewel of the north, and I think this three-bed flat could be an absolute gem.
14:55So, here we are.
14:56Oh, wow.
14:57Oh, wow.
14:58That's very different from what I was expecting.
15:00Palmer's Green.
15:01Yeah.
15:02Wood-green tube station.
15:03Let's be honest, 20, 25-minute walk.
15:04OK.
15:05We're not pretending otherwise.
15:06Mm-hm.
15:07It's very, very, very tired.
15:09Despite the tired appearance, there are some gems in this property.
15:13So happy to go in?
15:14Yes.
15:15Good.
15:16I like keen and eager.
15:17To be keen and eager after 50-plus viewings is impressive.
15:22Well, I'm hoping they've got as much vision as they have enthusiasm.
15:25Because although the space is great, it does all need a spruce up.
15:29As requested, there is a separate kitchen and living room, and two of the three bedrooms are equalish in size.
15:36But there's space aplenty, as there's a third bedroom that could make a great home office, and the added bonus of a basement ideal for storage.
15:47To get all that, they'll have to see past the condition, as the whole flat really could do with a lift.
15:53But I'm hoping they'll think the space and private garden are enough to make the work needed worth it.
16:01It is on the market, bang on budget, at £400,000.
16:06Coming straight in here, through to the kitchen.
16:12Oh, wow.
16:13Wow.
16:14OK.
16:15This is an enormous south-facing window.
16:18I'm envisioning a kind of, like, window seat.
16:20Definitely can fit my friends and your friends in here.
16:22Yeah.
16:23It's a bit of a project.
16:24This flat has got such enormous potential.
16:28Yeah.
16:29Because it's three beds, because it's got this big, big, big reception space, and because it's got something else.
16:37They don't seem too overwhelmed with the vision needed on the inside.
16:41You know what, Phil?
16:43I think the only thing they'll struggle to see is the end of the garden.
16:46It's enormous.
16:48Yeah.
16:49It belongs entirely to this flat.
16:50Really?
16:51Yes.
16:52Wow.
16:53They would have settled for a balcony.
16:54And you've given them a garden.
16:55Pure joy.
16:56It's an apple tree.
16:57Wow.
16:58Well, I'm hoping it's boosted their endorphins enough to be able to see past certain elements.
17:03Oh, my gosh.
17:04It's not as bad as it first looks.
17:05It needs doing.
17:06Yeah, 100% it needs doing.
17:07I think this would be the first thing I would do.
17:08Yeah.
17:09Sounds like a can-do attitude, Kirsty.
17:10Good-sized double.
17:11Yeah.
17:12Bit quirky.
17:13Look.
17:14Yeah.
17:15Good-sized double.
17:16Yeah.
17:17Good-sized double.
17:18Yeah.
17:19Bit quirky.
17:20Look.
17:21Yeah.
17:22It's so light.
17:23This place has so much potential.
17:24And I'm excited by the potential.
17:25And I think they are, too.
17:26Okay.
17:27Oh, wow.
17:28So this room's obviously slightly larger than the other one.
17:29I don't think there's too much in it.
17:30No, I quite like a cosy room anyway.
17:31Well, that's who's having which bedroom sorted.
17:33That's got to be a good sign.
17:34There we are.
17:35You've seen it all now.
17:36Yeah.
17:37Yeah.
17:38Yeah.
17:39Yeah.
17:40Yeah.
17:41Yeah.
17:42Yeah.
17:43Yeah.
17:44Yeah.
17:45Yeah.
17:46Yeah.
17:47Yeah.
17:48Yeah.
17:49Yeah.
17:50Yeah.
17:51Yeah.
17:52Yeah.
17:53Yeah.
17:54Yeah.
17:55Yeah.
17:56Yeah.
17:57It's so good.
17:58Really?
17:59There's so much potential.
18:00Yeah.
18:01Possibilities are endless.
18:02Yeah, it's good.
18:03The only thing, I think, for us is just the distance of the station.
18:05It is.
18:06That's a compromise.
18:07Yeah.
18:08Let's see what the compromise is with the next two properties.
18:10Okay.
18:11Off to you.
18:13A cracking start, Mazul Sop.
18:16They've had such a rough ride.
18:18If they're happy, I'm happy.
18:20Yeah.
18:21Yeah.
18:22Yeah.
18:23Yeah.
18:24Yeah.
18:25I'm taking Rachel and Leo to the charming village of Carmel, with its breathtaking views
18:30across the Welsh countryside.
18:32It's just over five miles to both family and the beach, so location-wise, it's pretty
18:38perfect.
18:39And I'm confident they'll like the look of this four-bed detached home.
18:43We've got an older-style house to look at.
18:46Quite a bit of character.
18:47It's detached again.
18:48Absolutely knockout living space, which is why I've chosen it to show you, because that's
18:53what the first house like for you, isn't it?
18:55Yeah.
18:56This is 10 out of 10.
18:57But come and see what you think.
18:59It's not about me.
19:00Nope.
19:01It's all about Rachel and Leo, and wanting their first home to be a showstopper.
19:06Well, if the style and charm of this place doesn't wow them, I'm not sure what will.
19:12There's an open-plan living, kitchen and dining area, an additional sitting room, office,
19:18utility, and that all-important garage space for Leo's Billy Basics.
19:23Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms.
19:26It doesn't have the en suite they're hoping for, but there is a second bathroom on the
19:30ground floor.
19:31The back garden is smaller than property one, but I doubt kids Nancy and Larry Oak would
19:36ever get bored here.
19:37It's on the market, just shy of their £400,000 budget, at £399,950.
19:45But check this space out.
19:48Really characterful.
19:49And then it opens out across the back.
19:51It's beautiful.
19:52This, this, yeah.
19:53Yeah.
19:54It's top of budget.
19:55It's just under £400,000.
19:56OK.
19:57If there's not much of the change needed into the house here, definitely we'll use that
20:03top budget.
20:04OK.
20:05Have a wonder, check out the living room, see what you think.
20:08Nice.
20:09Good work, Pip.
20:10That sounds like the reaction you were hoping for.
20:13Yeah, this is nice.
20:14Yeah.
20:15I love the windows.
20:16Beautiful.
20:17After years of serving the country, they deserve a house they really love.
20:26This could possibly Nancy.
20:27Yeah, it would fit the double bunk, wouldn't it?
20:31Yeah.
20:32The house is absolutely fantastic.
20:36I'm a little bit concerned that they're going to come out here and go, well the garden's
20:40a bit overlooked.
20:41It's a little bit small, but you can see how the family use it.
20:44I was just checking out the garden, the slide, the climbing wall.
20:50They're really using it and having a lot of fun out here.
20:53Yeah.
20:54I just don't know whether it's a little bit smaller than we wanted.
21:00Yes.
21:01You're disappointed.
21:02However, I haven't finished.
21:04OK.
21:05Good.
21:06Oh dear.
21:07I hope whatever you have got is very, very good.
21:12It is.
21:13The garage is home to a little surprise.
21:16Oh wow.
21:17This is the sergeant's mess.
21:19It's obviously used as a bar.
21:23It's a real good set up, isn't it?
21:24Good for friends and family to come around.
21:26Does it make up for the smaller garden?
21:28For me, no.
21:29You're missing the garage, which is the storage.
21:33The three things that have illuminated straight away was one of, the garden would be one.
21:38Second was a storage.
21:39OK.
21:40And the third one is the ensuite.
21:42OK, so it actually falls down on three counts.
21:45Yeah.
21:46Fine.
21:47We'll move on.
21:48But wrong house.
21:49But wrong house.
21:50Such a shame.
21:51Yeah.
21:52Your valiant attempt to make up for the garden only made things worse.
21:56There's no room for Leo's Billy Basics behind that bar.
22:00Garden, garage, ensuite.
22:03Got it.
22:05In North London, with Inears and Omoki, we've had a super start.
22:09And our next stop is Arnos Grove, with a great high street and an abundance of open spaces.
22:17I think the girls could feel right at home here.
22:19And just ten minutes' walk from the Tube is this two-bed flat.
22:23A complete contrast.
22:24OK.
22:25This is a turnkey property, and it's that one with that balcony there.
22:30Oh, lovely.
22:31It's in immaculate condition.
22:34Amazing.
22:35Happy to go in?
22:36Yes.
22:37Let's do it.
22:38OK.
22:39They've waited so long to own a home, and here, they could just move in and start living.
22:46It's a good-looking space.
22:48They don't have the luxury of a separate kitchen and living area, but what they do have is modern and well-finished.
22:55There are two bedrooms, both doubles, and the bathroom is a huge step up from property one.
23:01In fact, it's a real slice of interior design.
23:06Outside, there is a great balcony, big enough to entertain.
23:11It's on the market at £395,000, five grand shy of their top spend of £400.
23:20Wow.
23:21Yeah.
23:22It's immaculate.
23:23You could literally walk right in.
23:24It's just like, move to London, buy the flat, move into the flat, and be done with it.
23:29Yeah.
23:30And live.
23:31And live.
23:32Yeah.
23:33For sure.
23:34How do you feel about the open plan?
23:35I don't mind.
23:36I think it's very much it's like two separate areas, which was my biggest thing.
23:41Go and have a look at the bedrooms and tell me what you think.
23:43OK.
23:44I'll do.
23:45No need for builders, no extra costs, it's good to go, if that's what they really want.
23:52I'm guessing this is the master bedroom.
23:53Wow.
23:54Yeah.
23:55It was big.
23:56Nice and light again.
23:57We've got the little Juliet balcony.
23:58lovely.
23:59It's a lovely, calm flat, this.
24:04It would be very easy for the girls to just move in here.
24:10I reckon they are looking for more challenge.
24:13But notwithstanding, this is a very nice flat.
24:16They'll only know for sure when they've seen it all.
24:20OK.
24:21It's quite hard to imagine without a bed in here.
24:24It does feel like it would slightly be one bedroom is nicer than the other.
24:27This feels more like a cupboard to me.
24:31That's the biggest cupboard I've ever seen.
24:34Maybe so.
24:35But if the bedrooms don't feel equal, then it's never going to work.
24:39Not that it's not a nice flat or not a nice property.
24:42I just think it's not built for two sisters.
24:44I think it's built for a couple.
24:45Good.
24:46Well, it's good to have the idea because the next property is a challenge.
24:51OK.
24:52Given that you had such a positive reaction to property one, I have decided we're going
24:58to see it.
24:59Exciting.
25:00Yeah.
25:01Let's do it.
25:02OK.
25:03Let's do it.
25:04Sounds like they should be worried, Kirsty.
25:06I have faith in them, Phil, but it's Vision Goggles at the ready.
25:15We're house hunting 200 miles apart in North London and North Wales.
25:24For Rachel and Leo, after a life of military postings, they're looking for their first and
25:29forever home, close to family and the coast.
25:32But we're two properties in and I can't seem to get the proportions right.
25:37So I'm on the hunt for a garden and house of equal stature.
25:42Sisters Ines and Amoki want to trade their hometown of Ipswich for London.
25:48They've lost out on four properties in a search spanning more than two years.
25:53Though ours is showing some promise.
25:56I've found the right garden straight out of the gates.
25:59The question is, have I found the right flat to go with it?
26:03I think you may be closer than me, Kirsty.
26:07But I do have very high hopes for my next offering.
26:10Leo left Fiji over 20 years ago.
26:13So being beside the seaside brings back happy memories of home.
26:18And now, as a family, it's their favourite place for fun.
26:21We're heading to the town of Abageli.
26:24And I'm hopeful this detached house, walking distance from the beach,
26:28will have them beaming.
26:30So we are in your kind of home patch here, aren't we?
26:33Yep.
26:34And super close to the sea.
26:35What do you make of Abageli?
26:37I don't really know it.
26:39You know it better than me.
26:40I trained the rugby youth for Abageli.
26:43OK.
26:44So that's the only thing I learned about Abageli.
26:47What do you make of the look of it?
26:48It looks big.
26:49It's got the drive.
26:50It's got the garage.
26:51Yeah.
26:52Let's have a look round.
26:53Property 2 highlighted three things they couldn't compromise on.
26:58Storage, en suite and garden.
27:01All present and correct here.
27:03In fact, it ticks every single box on their wish list.
27:08It has a large family kitchen, dining and living space.
27:12They also wanted a separate sitting room.
27:15Well, this place has two.
27:17There are four good-sized bedrooms, a generous en suite,
27:22an additional family bathroom and a downstairs WC.
27:26Outside, the garden is enormous.
27:29Rugby-sized for sure.
27:31I'm hopeful there won't be any disappointed faces when they see this.
27:35It's on the market for offers over £400,000, which is their top spend.
27:40But we're confident they could secure it on budget.
27:44So we've got utility room, living room, second living room,
27:50and then the big kitchen diner.
27:52Wow.
27:53It's a big house.
27:54Yeah, it feels really big.
27:55The social side of the kitchen, which is what we wanted.
27:58Remember, you've still got another two living rooms.
28:00Yeah, it's huge.
28:01Right, let's see some more.
28:03Leo, come with me.
28:05There's a lot of house to take in.
28:08We need to divide and conquer.
28:10Rachel can tackle the upstairs while Leo and I explore down here.
28:15This living room is the kind of longer, thinner one of the two.
28:20The other one backs out onto the garden.
28:22It is big enough to, like, get the family.
28:25Is it somewhere you can see yourselves, though?
28:27Yes.
28:28Tell me, how are you feeling about leaving the military?
28:30Because you've served this country for such a long time.
28:33Yes, definitely have you.
28:35It's got to be strange and serious issues, but selling the family down is the main, main priority.
28:39Well, let's see if you can do this.
28:41Retirement for Leo is all about putting his family and their needs first.
28:46Wow.
28:47This is massive.
28:48Finding the right home in North Wales is at the top of his priority list.
28:55It's ticked a lot of boxes.
28:57Yeah.
28:58And this place offers them everything they've asked for.
29:03You like it?
29:04Yeah, I really like it.
29:05I do.
29:06And the more they see, the more at home they seem.
29:10I want you to have a look in that door.
29:13Oh, wow.
29:14Go on.
29:15Icing on cake.
29:20Especially for a couple who you've let down on storage space before.
29:24Excellent.
29:25That's what we needed.
29:26Exactly what we need.
29:27That's what we needed.
29:28Yeah.
29:29What do you make of that, then?
29:31It's perfect courage, that is.
29:32It is.
29:33Wow.
29:34You could train your rugby backs in this garden.
29:37Pass it down the line.
29:39The little boy will really enjoy it.
29:41We'll love it.
29:42We're smiling a lot, which is a good sign.
29:45Yeah.
29:46Come on.
29:47Back on the road.
29:48Is this mission accomplished?
29:50Negative on that, I'm afraid.
29:52I'll stop.
29:53I still have one more I'd like to throw into the mix.
29:56And back in London, with our £400,000 budget, so do I.
30:00We're heading to Wood Green, a vibrant area I know Inez and Mookie like.
30:05And just a three-minute walk from the Tube is this top-floor flat.
30:09Oh, thank you.
30:11Well, it's just such miserable weather that I just thought...
30:14Yeah, it's terrible.
30:15There we are.
30:16Thank you so much.
30:17Local authority block.
30:18Now, this flat is tenanted.
30:21This flat's been lived in by the same family for 11 years.
30:24I don't think in that time they've thrown much away.
30:26I am one of those people that struggles to throw things away.
30:30375.
30:31OK.
30:32It's got three bedrooms.
30:33Ooh.
30:34It's got a kitchen and separate living room.
30:36Ooh.
30:37And it's a very good location.
30:39Ooh.
30:40I was so impressed how you were in the first house, so I've got no doubt.
30:44I couldn't show this flat to every buyer, but I'm confident Inez and Mookie will be able to see past what may have put off other buyers and focus on what's important.
30:55And here, that is the large living room, cosy balcony and separate good-sized kitchen.
31:02The three bedrooms, two of which are similar in size, and a third ideal for a desk or two.
31:08And a decent-sized bathroom.
31:10They will need to be able to imagine this flat empty to really gauge how much potential this place has.
31:16It's on the market at £25,000 under their top spend of £400,000 at £375,000.
31:24Just put your head around there.
31:27OK.
31:28Wow, that's so nice.
31:29It really is.
31:30The view from the balcony is absolutely lovely.
31:33It's a good-sized sitting room.
31:35Not huge.
31:36There's lots of original storage in this flat.
31:38So, technically speaking, this flat is in better nick than the first flat.
31:42Yeah.
31:43So, why is the fridge in the living room?
31:45Is the kitchen small?
31:46You may well ask.
31:48The kitchen is not that small.
31:50OK.
31:51But the kitchen has a washing machine and a tumble dryer in it.
31:53Oh.
31:54OK.
31:55Well, they don't seem particularly vexed by the obvious issues.
32:00That's because they're smart enough to see this place has good bones.
32:04It is a really, really good-sized kitchen.
32:07Yeah.
32:08Are you a proper cooking kitchen?
32:09Yeah.
32:10Proper cooking kitchen.
32:11Proper standing around chatting kitchen.
32:12Yeah.
32:13I really like this flat.
32:14Yeah.
32:15I think this is a really good option.
32:17Go and have a look.
32:18OK.
32:19At the three bedrooms, she says, rather smugly.
32:21You have every right to be smug.
32:26This could well be the one.
32:28So, master bedroom?
32:29Yeah.
32:30Wow.
32:31Pretty decent size, isn't it?
32:32Yeah.
32:33There's a lot in here, but I think, take it out, it would be pretty big.
32:37Yeah, it's definitely a good-sized double.
32:39Cheery, unspoiled, and pragmatic.
32:42And this is a great flat.
32:43And it's fantastic that they can see through the industrial quantities of clutter.
32:48Second bedroom.
32:49Second bedroom.
32:50You can definitely fit a double bed in there.
32:52There's another cupboard in there.
32:53Check.
32:54If there was a prize for positivity, this pair would win every time.
32:59I think this is the perfect balcony.
33:01Like, when we set outside space, I didn't imagine much more than this.
33:04Yeah.
33:05We've got big decisions made.
33:06Yeah.
33:07I'd say you're in a very good place with these two.
33:10You have seen three flats.
33:13You've had a lot to absorb.
33:15The Airbnb that you've got for this week is just around the corner, isn't it?
33:19Yes.
33:20Would you mind if we rent there?
33:21Good idea.
33:22Just to sort of...
33:23Decompress.
33:24Yeah.
33:25Hopefully, potentially, maybe, the end of a very long road for you.
33:30And we've got to get it right.
33:31Yeah.
33:32I think you may need to decompress as much as they do.
33:35Yes.
33:36But it's been a long search for Ness and the Moki.
33:38And I just hope they're ready to bring it to an end.
33:45Back in North Wales, we're heading to the historic market town of Denby.
33:50It's a charming slice of yesteryear, with more listed buildings than any other town in Wales.
33:55It's around 30 minutes to both family and the beach.
33:58And I really think this high-spec, detached property will impress.
34:04We are here to try and beat that last house.
34:08Yes.
34:09From the outside, it looks really beautiful.
34:11Straight away, it was like...
34:13It's been done, which is nice.
34:15You look nervous.
34:16I am, because it's the final one.
34:20Let's get on then.
34:21See what you think.
34:23I'm not surprised they're nervous.
34:25And I don't think this house is going to make those decisions any easier.
34:29Because this place is an absolute showstopper.
34:32It has an immaculate open-plan kitchen, living and dining room.
34:37The doors leading out onto a good-sized garden.
34:41Not quite the rugby pitch of property three, but still ample room for a throwabout.
34:46We can also tick off the separate sitting room, utility and garage.
34:50There are three bedrooms, not the four they've asked for.
34:53But the downstairs study could easily double up as a guest bedroom.
34:57We are missing the ensuite.
34:59But there's a great family bathroom upstairs and a downstairs WC.
35:03I'm really hopeful they'll think the compromises here are worth it.
35:09And the icing on the cake?
35:11It's on the market, £15,000 under their top spend of £400,000
35:15at £385,000.
35:18Right.
35:19We've got a lot to see in this house.
35:21We have.
35:22You've got the most spectacular kitchen.
35:25Oh, my gosh.
35:27It is beautiful, isn't it?
35:29Wow.
35:30Dining area.
35:31Now, this is what we're talking about.
35:33Yeah, it's beautiful.
35:34It's done.
35:35It could be yours for £385,000.
35:38£385,000?
35:39Yeah.
35:40There are three bedrooms upstairs and one bathroom.
35:44There's a downstairs loo.
35:45There's only one bathroom upstairs.
35:47OK.
35:48This is becoming rather real for you now, isn't it?
35:50Yeah.
35:51I think that's why I felt a little bit nervous on the drive here, but now I'm very excited.
35:56There's the passion you were hoping for, Pip.
35:59But there will need to be enough ticks in boxes on their all-important wish list.
36:04So how do we feel about this?
36:06I feel like I could cry.
36:08The only downside is it doesn't have the en suite, but it does have a full family bathroom
36:13and it does have the WC toilet downstairs.
36:16That's the only thing we need to think about.
36:18The en suite was a deal breaker in property, too.
36:21I really hope it's a compromise they're willing to make here.
36:25You haven't seen it all yet?
36:27Oh, wow.
36:28So this is where they sit, barbecue, have drinks and that, and it is private here?
36:33Yeah, I wasn't expecting this.
36:35Leah, what's in your mind comparison between this and house number three?
36:40This has got lots to offer.
36:43Mm.
36:44With...
36:45Less expense.
36:46Absolutely.
36:47It's cosy.
36:48It's family.
36:49It's exactly what we want.
36:50You've got a lot to think about overnight.
36:51Oh, yes.
36:52Thanks for making it so hard.
36:54You're very welcome.
36:56Come on.
36:58Well, I, for one, couldn't call it.
37:01It's a huge decision for them, and I just hope they're ready to make it.
37:04In North Wales and North London, we've been searching with identical budgets, and both sets of house hunters are torn between two properties.
37:21We've got a big decision to make.
37:22Yeah.
37:23I left Rachel and Leo mulling over property three with its generous proportions, and property four with its high-end finish.
37:34They've been back to property four this morning, and have made a final decision.
37:39House four blew me away.
37:41It really did.
37:42What was it that blew you away?
37:44Just the finish.
37:45I loved it.
37:46You loved it.
37:47It's on the market at 385,000.
37:49Yep.
37:50Personally, I'm not sure that 385 is the right price.
37:53We'll take your lead.
37:55If we could buy the house for 370, that would be an absolutely knockout deal.
37:58Absolutely.
37:59Yeah, it would.
38:00Yeah.
38:01Let's see what we can get it for.
38:02Okay.
38:03So, we're gonna go in at 360.
38:05That will be declined, and if necessary, raise it.
38:08That's the plan.
38:09Okay.
38:10More than happy.
38:11Thank you, Phil.
38:12Alison, hi, it's Phil.
38:17I'm sat with our clients now.
38:19I've got an offer for you at 360.
38:23The 385, even when we take into account the wonderful finish and the money that's been
38:29spent on it, it just doesn't quite stack up.
38:32Okay.
38:33Thanks, Alison.
38:35The die is cast.
38:37Oh, it's a waiting game.
38:39A first offer of £25,000 under the asking price is a bold battle plan.
38:44But if you pull it off, what a victory you will have.
38:47I feel so nervous.
38:52With Inez and Omoki, I think we've found them a flat.
38:55I'm just not sure which one it will be.
38:58So, quite the whirlwind.
39:00Yeah.
39:01Property one.
39:02Needs work.
39:03Huge garden.
39:04Massive garden.
39:05Property three.
39:06Needs less work doing to it.
39:08Nearer the tube.
39:10So, where are your thoughts?
39:12I think we've decided on property one.
39:14Okay.
39:15I think property three, we probably would have had a better quality of life, because
39:20it's not even five minutes from the station.
39:22But in five, ten, fifteen years' time, if we still have the property, is it going to be working for us,
39:29as well as maybe property one might?
39:32And the answer was no.
39:33No, no.
39:34The answer was no.
39:35There is a however with the first property, though.
39:38Because, obviously, it's on the max end of the scale.
39:41It is on the max.
39:42And it needs work.
39:43Yeah.
39:44You're thinking around the 375 mark.
39:47Do you think that's too aggressive?
39:49No.
39:50I think it's absolutely spot on.
39:53Property one is on the market for £400,000.
39:56But it's been on for more than two months with no offers.
39:59So, 375 is a good opener.
40:03Joanna, it's Kirsty.
40:05We've just got to give it our best shot.
40:09Back with Rachel and Leo.
40:11We're not expecting a quick win.
40:13But that doesn't make us any less nervous.
40:16PHONE RINGS
40:18Hello, Phil Spencer.
40:20Hi, Alison.
40:22Yeah.
40:25360 is far too low.
40:28Erm, let me see what I can do.
40:31I'll come back to you.
40:32Thanks, Alison.
40:33Bye.
40:34They want 380.
40:37She's not even going to...
40:39Go with the counter.
40:41Why don't we go 370?
40:43Why don't I ring her straight back?
40:45That would be great.
40:46I think let's do 370.
40:49Hold on, Alison.
40:51Hold on.
40:52I've got 370.
40:56Yeah.
40:57Sure.
40:58We'll do.
40:59Good luck.
41:01Bye.
41:02I don't think they'll go for it.
41:03No.
41:04I don't know what to say.
41:05Yeah.
41:06They're playing hardball.
41:07But so are you.
41:08Yeah, exactly.
41:09And that's fine.
41:10370,000 pounds is 15 grand under asking, but I think it's a fair price for that property.
41:17I really hope the seller agrees.
41:18I really hope the seller agrees.
41:22For Inez and Amoki, we're putting in our offer of 375,000 pounds, 25 grand under the asking price.
41:31We've kind of broken it all down and analysed it, is they've said that they feel able to make an offer of 375.
41:40Now I know that is 25 grand below the asking price.
41:44They're very serious.
41:45They've got all their ducks in a row.
41:46They've got all their ducks in a row.
41:47375 is an absolute solid, solid offer.
41:51Yeah.
41:52No, no.
41:53I'm not expecting you to telephone them tonight.
41:55I would love it if you'd pass on our offer.
41:57As soon as you have any news, will you give me a ring?
42:01Okey-doke.
42:02OK.
42:03Bye.
42:05She said it was lower than they might be anticipating.
42:09We did say up to 400.
42:10We have a little bit of real good room.
42:12No, no, don't.
42:13No.
42:14We'll wait here about 375.
42:16Yeah.
42:17And if we have to discuss another figure, we'll discuss another figure.
42:20But let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
42:22For the time being, we've seen three flats.
42:25And at the end of the day, we've made an offer.
42:27Yeah.
42:28Successful day.
42:29Yeah.
42:30Good day.
42:31Let's drink to potential.
42:34Cheers!
42:35To potential.
42:36To potential.
42:37Cheers, ladies.
42:38I wish you luck.
42:42But the day is not quite over for us.
42:48Hi, Alison.
42:49We're on tender hooks at this end.
42:51Three, seven, three.
42:52Would they take it off the market?
42:53No further viewings?
42:54They would take it off the market.
42:55Three, seven, three.
42:56They're delighted.
42:57They'll offer the three, seven, three.
42:58Deal agreed?
42:59Brilliant.
43:00Well done, you.
43:01Thanks so much, Alison.
43:02Excellent.
43:03Cheers, bye.
43:04Whoo!
43:05Whoo!
43:06We've done it!
43:07Well done.
43:08Three, seven, three.
43:09They've taken it off the market.
43:10Nobody else will see it.
43:11Cheers.
43:14It's yours.
43:15So now, you can put roots down.
43:18Be close to your family.
43:19The next adventure awaits.
43:20Absolutely.
43:21It clearly means the world to them both.
43:22What a wonderful result.
43:23Whoo!
43:24We've done it.
43:25And the very next morning, I have an important call to make.
43:26Inez, is that good?
43:27It's good?
43:28It's good.
43:29It's good.
43:33It's good.
43:39So now, you can put roots down.
43:40Be close to your family.
43:41The next adventure awaits.
43:42Absolutely.
43:43It clearly means the world to them both.
43:44What a wonderful result.
43:45Whoo!
43:46Whoo!
43:47We've done it.
43:48And the very next morning, I have an important call to make.
43:53Inez, is that you?
43:56Your offer of 375 was accepted.
43:59It's so the right thing.
44:03Okay.
44:04Brilliant.
44:05Bye.
44:06An acceptance of the offer, particularly these days, does not mean it's cut and dried.
44:11She's absolutely thrilled.
44:12And so am I.
44:14But it's two weeks later, and there's been some news.
44:18Kirsty called us, and she said, I'm really sorry to tell you guys this, but there's been
44:23an offer made on your property, and it's quite substantially higher.
44:27This is bad practice, and occurs more often than it should.
44:30But I promised Inez and Omoki that I wouldn't let it happen again.
44:34So we fought hard, and the girls have secured the flat for £405,000.
44:40When we got our offer accepted the second time, we were really, really happy.
44:45It's the perfect place for us.
44:46It may have cost them a bit more, but they still have big plans.
44:50I think we're going to have a bigger innovation.
44:52I'm pretty sure everything is going to get revamped.
44:54Goodbye, commute.
44:56Hello, city living.
44:58Cannot wait to finally be in London.
45:00To be buying our first house at age 23 and 25 is a massive achievement.
45:06I couldn't be prouder of them.
45:12Thankfully, there's been no last-minute scares for Rachel and Leo.
45:16It's been five weeks since their offer was accepted, and they haven't stopped smiling.
45:21It's been emotional, hasn't it?
45:23We have found this lovely house.
45:25At the right time, really.
45:26Absolutely.
45:27And while they wait for the solicitors to confirm a move-in date, kids Nancy and Lario have
45:33been making plans of their own.
45:35Lario wants a cowboy room, and Nancy wants a princess and ballet room.
45:40So even though we've made every house a home, there's going to be routes to where we are,
45:45which is just so nice.
45:46After a decade of military housing, the family now sees themselves in a permanent home.
45:52Finally!
45:53And that is very special indeed.
45:57It's always been my mind that is bringing Rachel back to our family and to our roots.
46:03Weight has been lifted off my shoulder.
46:05They deserved extra special, and that's what they got.
46:08I'm absolutely thrilled for them.
46:10We got a home!
46:12If you'd like help finding your next home, then we want to hear from you.
46:22You can apply online at channel4.com forward slash take part.
46:27We'll see you next time.