Location, Location, Location Season 44 Episode 5

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Transcript

00:01This time, we aim to meet some expectations.

00:04Really nice. It's really, really lovely stuff.

00:06While managing others.

00:08There are roads everywhere. There are roads.

00:10Everywhere, there are challenges to be faced.

00:13It's not quite there.

00:15Major changes have to happen, and I'm the mug that has to break it to him.

00:19I don't know what to say to that.

00:21But where there's homes, there's hope.

00:23It definitely feels much more the vibe that I was looking for.

00:26Do we have a definitely maybe?

00:28Yes.

00:29I'm a contender.

00:40This time in the South East, we're searching across town and country.

00:44My pair of first-time buyers are in love with the buzz of South East London.

00:48Whereas my buyer has kissed goodbye to city life and is ready to settle in Surrey.

00:53It's all very romantic, isn't it? People being in love and kissing things goodbye.

00:57No.

00:58No, there's nothing romantic about house hunting in the current market.

01:01Well, not all in this weather, patients are out.

01:05And it's not just bad for buyers.

01:07In London, rents have shot up almost 10% over the past year, the biggest rise across England.

01:13So, as we search, it's thought the average renting Londoner is paying close to 45% of their take-home pay in rent.

01:22Which isn't great news for our pair of tenants.

01:25Savannah, a solicitor, and Izzy, a civil servant, met online.

01:30I think I asked you out.

01:31Yeah.

01:32And you said yes, which is great.

01:33Yeah.

01:34You also texted first.

01:35I did do that.

01:36Yeah.

01:37And when they got together in person, everything clicked.

01:40We hit it off really well.

01:41And we've now been together for two and a half years, let's say.

01:44Two and a half years is about right.

01:46Yeah.

01:47However, Savannah arrived in Izzy's life as part of a package.

01:51The main reason Savannah and I are still together today is because she has a beautiful dog, Billy.

01:58So, this domestic trio have been living happily together in Bermondsey, south-east London, for just over a year.

02:04We really like our flat. It's a really good size.

02:07Plus, they have a private garden that Billy and Savannah particularly enjoy.

02:12We give lots and lots of tomatoes over the summer.

02:16And the upmarket facilities on the local high street are perfect for socialising too.

02:20We're so lucky where we are now to be within 15 minutes, walking from restaurants, bars, good cafes.

02:27However, two-bed garden flats so close to central London don't come cheap.

02:33We're currently renting our flat, which is very expensive.

02:37That's why we want to move to buy our first property.

02:41Let's escape the parental trap that is renting in London.

02:44In fact, they expect their monthly mortgage payments to be less than their current rent.

02:48But having delayed their search while saving up an impressive £45,000 deposit, they've only viewed two properties in person.

02:56We put an offer in on the first one that we saw because we just really liked it.

03:01But unfortunately, there was also six other offers.

03:04I think we're just really aware that things move so quickly in London and are snapped up instantly.

03:10You'll have to be even quicker then, Phil.

03:13You've done phenomenally well to save up as much of a deposit as you have.

03:18What would the top budget be?

03:20Ideal top budget is £450,000.

03:22If it was really like the perfect property, we would potentially be willing to stretch up to £475,000.

03:29I've heard loud and clear.

03:31What do I have to get right?

03:33We want to be in a good location, somewhere where we can walk to some shops, cafes, things to do.

03:39Two bedrooms ideally, because we both work from home.

03:42We also have people to stay over quite regularly.

03:45We need a green space or just immediate access to a park because we have our dog, Billy.

03:51OK, and areas? Talk to me. Where have you been thinking?

03:55Focusing on Peckham, Denmark Hill, Nunhead, East Selich, Blackie.

04:01It's a fairly well-trodden path of first-time buyers because there is good value to be found in comparison with other parts of London.

04:08I understand you've only actually seen two flats in your own search.

04:12We did quite a big search online.

04:14But yes, we have only seen two flats in person.

04:17When Kirsty and I meet people who have only seen one or two but have done lots and lots of online searching

04:23and think that they've done all their computations and they've figured it all out,

04:27I'll be really honest, it can go either way.

04:29You're totally realistic, you're really focused, we're on it, this is going to be straightforward.

04:34Or it'll go the other way.

04:37An absolute nightmare.

04:39An absolute nightmare.

04:41Well, it's up to you to make it a dream search.

04:45Keen to stay within a maximum budget of £450,000, they'd like a two-bed flat with a garden

04:51or easy access to green space to enjoy with Billy the Dog.

04:55They also love shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance.

04:59Working part of the week in central London offices too, they'd prefer a maximum 50-minute commute.

05:06To find all that, we're waving goodbye to Bermondsey and heading further out where some delightful little corners of south-east London can be found.

05:15Meanwhile, I'm focusing my search in Surrey's ever-popular commuter belt.

05:23Freelance brand consultant John has recently returned to the county, where he's renting a house that he shares with his two Dachshunds.

05:30They are mum and daughter, Lily and Winnie. They are absolutely nuts.

05:36I grew up about five minutes from where we're living now.

05:40But London called when it was time to go to university, after which John settled in Greenwich.

05:46I think the thing I most loved about Greenwich was the greenery.

05:49It was like living in like an olden time, like beautiful Georgian buildings everywhere.

05:56In fact, he loved it so much he bought a flat and then a house there.

06:00It was a three-storey Georgian townhouse downstairs. It was originally two rooms.

06:05I knocked that into one, so I had a big kitchen, open-plan diner.

06:09However, a split from his partner of five years meant it was time to reassess, and he soon realised he wanted to return to his roots.

06:17I'd always planned to come back to Surrey at some point.

06:20I had a really big mortgage. I had a three-bedroom house.

06:23And you just get so much more for your money out of London.

06:25So, with his Greenwich house sales profits and a sizeable mortgage on standby, he's been searching one of the UK's most expensive counties with a budget of £1.2 million.

06:36I went to look at barn conversions, Georgian houses, Edwardian houses.

06:41I would like something that's got some character to it. On the inside, though, I would like something that's got that contemporary living space.

06:47But that's proved a tough ask, made more so by his desire for an annex as a future-proof option for Mum.

06:54If there ever comes a point where I need a second income or a family member needs to move in, it's great for that.

07:01So, the what is sorted, but the where isn't so clear.

07:05I'm trying to find that sweet spot of near family, easy to get into central London when I need to go in, has got a Greenwich, Richmond vibe.

07:13There are places that I've liked, but the right place just hasn't hit me yet.

07:18Did somebody say location, location, location?

07:22So, here we are, John. I've got my tools. Lipstick, phone, coffee and water.

07:28OK. I'm all set up to help you.

07:30You've been looking for five months. You know Surrey. You've got a healthy budget.

07:341.2. But basically, you need a house that looks like this.

07:40Yeah, that's exactly what it looks like. Lots of downstairs space.

07:44Have you decided what is your absolute dream location?

07:48No.

07:49You couldn't have just said yes to make me happy.

07:53Sorry. That's my problem.

07:55I want somewhere that feels like Greenwich, feels like Richmond, has that really nice villagey vibe, independent shops, nice restaurants.

08:03And I haven't found that yet.

08:05When you decided leaving Greenwich was a good plan, why didn't you think, oh, I'll just go somewhere else in London?

08:12It just made sense to go back to Surrey, which is where I grew up.

08:16My mum's there. My family are there. I've got friends there.

08:19What was the date of your house in Greenwich?

08:22It's 1806. It's listed.

08:24I totally see your search now.

08:26You've got to find that combination of the aesthetically really, really, really pleasing property, which is going to make your heart sing.

08:35But you may be in a situation which I used to describe as looking for a banana in a hardware store.

08:41Do you understand what I mean?

08:44It's not there.

08:45It's not meant to be there. It's not necessarily meant to be there.

08:50I think we should get looking.

08:52I think we should get looking for this banana.

08:55Right. OK, let's go.

08:58Easy to slip up here, Kirsty.

09:00I'd say John's had a lot of time to imagine his dream home.

09:04And it's going to be a tall order to get reality to match, even though he has that fantastic £1.2 million budget.

09:10He's looking for a detached house that captures his heart at first glance with its period charm.

09:15Of spacious, modern, open-plan living spaces downstairs, but would prefer no more than three beds upstairs, along with a large garden with an annex or room to build one.

09:25He wants a maximum one-hour commute to central London, and he's hoping to find that Greenwich vibe.

09:30But recreating that in more sedate Surrey is no easy task.

09:34Howdy, partner.

09:37Hello. Come and join me.

09:39How you doing?

09:41Chilly. You?

09:43Despairing.

09:45Of who today?

09:46I think that I've got a house hunter who is looking for something in the wrong place.

09:54So you've got some educating to do.

09:57Yes.

09:58Much the same as me. I think my couple have got a lot to learn.

10:01They've only seen two flats. Mind you, they've offered on one of them.

10:04Oh, OK.

10:05Big pats of south-east London.

10:06OK.

10:07Yeah, a lot to learn very quickly. Same.

10:09Right, OK.

10:10Same thing, I think.

10:11Okie dokie.

10:12Which we won't sort out whilst sitting on a park bench.

10:14No, you're right. You're right. We should head off.

10:16Come on then. Best foot forward.

10:18Oh dear.

10:19I can see you as a teacher, Phil. Leather patches and all that.

10:22And you'd make a formidable headmistress.

10:26For my first lesson, we're off to a particularly leafy residential pocket of south-east London.

10:32Broccoli.

10:33It's a popular area that Savannah and Izzy should definitely consider.

10:37With its pretty streets, great local facilities and excellent transport links.

10:42We're here to see a flat in this handsome semi.

10:45Right.

10:46My opening gambit is a top floor flat up there.

10:51So we're in the heart of Broccoli Conservation Area.

10:54The train station's about an eight-minute walk.

10:56The park's about a seven-minute walk.

10:58You're keen on broccoli, is that right?

10:59We don't know it super well, but it's very green and leafy.

11:03Yeah.

11:04Good commute.

11:05Good commute.

11:06I thought quite an attractive building.

11:07Yeah, that's great. Sounds good.

11:09Let's get in.

11:12Delivering pretty much everything on their wish list, this Victorian conversion is full of natural light.

11:17With a bright sitting room and a well laid out modern kitchen.

11:21It has a spacious main bedroom with fitted storage.

11:24Whilst the second bedroom is perfect as a work from home office and occasional guest room.

11:29The shared back garden is divided.

11:31So each of three flats has its own private section.

11:34A fabulous find on their budget in this part of town.

11:37With a guide price of £450,000 to £475,000, it's potentially pushing over the top of their preferred maximum budget of £450,000.

11:47But I'm hopeful the light interior and that garden will win them over.

11:52So, up on the top, kitchen, and then this is the living room.

11:59Great.

12:00Nice.

12:02Yeah.

12:03Very good sized living room.

12:05Yeah, quite neat actually.

12:07I thought it was light, bright and quite a good place to start.

12:11Let's head through to the main bedroom.

12:13It's a whistle stop tour with Mr Spencer.

12:16Well, there's lots more to see.

12:19Would your bed fit in here?

12:21Yeah, definitely.

12:22Yeah, it's a decent size.

12:23Did it get you? Or not? Be honest.

12:25The bedroom size is good. I think the living room could work.

12:29I think my heart is maybe not quite there yet, but I'd like to see the rest of the flat and the garden.

12:34Yeah. Have a bit of time. If you've got any questions, let me know. I'll be in the garden.

12:38Okay. Great.

12:39They're not quite feeling it yet, Phil, but plenty of time for their hearts to get involved.

12:45It's quite little, isn't it?

12:48Yeah, it's a bit small.

12:50Well, I think it's a pretty solid start.

12:53The second bedroom is a bit on the tight side because they want to use it as a guest room and as an office.

12:58It doesn't matter if there's a dishwasher in here either, which, yeah, I guess it's quite small.

13:04But when combined with the private garden in super desirable broccoli, I think the package is a good one.

13:10Well, I'd say that garden has its work cut out.

13:15So this area is demise to the top floor flat.

13:19It's a really big space, actually.

13:20Yeah, it's quite big.

13:21How do you feel about it overall?

13:23I think we both felt that it ticks a lot of our boxes.

13:26Yeah.

13:27But the second bedroom is a bit small and I haven't got the feeling, I think.

13:34Without question, the second bedroom is small.

13:36And I promise you I'm going to show you flats with more square footage.

13:40But they won't be in broccoli and they won't have a private garden like this.

13:43Yeah.

13:44Which we completely understand.

13:45I think as long as we keep talking, communicating as we go, it'll become clearer.

13:49Yeah.

13:50I don't know about completely clear, but clearer.

13:53Lovely garden.

13:54But they clearly want more space inside, Phil.

13:56Don't you worry, Kirsty.

13:58That just became my next priority.

14:00We're in the South East.

14:10I am scouring Surrey for John, who may know more about what he doesn't want than what he

14:15does want.

14:16Having left London to be closer to family, he's hoping to find that Greenwich vibe in

14:21his home county.

14:22Whilst I'm with Savannah and Izzy in South East London, they have their hearts set on living

14:27there, but a budget that might struggle to catch up.

14:30You're struggling with the cold.

14:31I am struggling with the cold, but I will struggle on because I'm made of strong stuff.

14:39Well, you may need to be this week, Phil.

14:41Yes, as my couple want to get out of London's runaway rental market.

14:45My first place impressed outside, but that wasn't enough.

14:49The second bedroom is a bit small.

14:53As for me, I'm starting my search in the charming village of Chobham, which has a hint

14:57of that Greenwich vibe with its busy high street and would allow a commute to London of about

15:0245 minutes all in.

15:04We're here to see this detached 1970s chalet bungalow.

15:09Now, this is not a looker.

15:11Not instantly, no.

15:13No.

15:14No.

15:15But what's your first feeling?

15:17Um, the main thing is the road.

15:20It's right next to the road and it's quite loud.

15:23Mm-hm.

15:24I really don't like the PVC windows.

15:26Mm-hm.

15:27The door's a nice colour.

15:29It's not calling to me straight away.

15:31If I said, come with me into the kitchen...

15:33Definitely.

15:34Like, I'm interested to see the size at the back.

15:37It looks like it's got a lot of lateral living space.

15:40So that's a deal.

15:41We're going to go into the kitchen.

15:43OK.

15:44And then, if it's still a no, that's fine.

15:47OK.

15:48Deep breath.

15:49Let's go.

15:50Let's go.

15:51Let's go.

15:54After that reception outside, inside needs to impress.

15:57But this truly stunning extension should wow with its open plan kitchen, living and dining layout and its wall of bifolding doors that open onto the large garden.

16:07Perfect for his little pooches to pootle.

16:10An inset utility, a second sitting room, a home office, a bedroom and a bathroom complete the ground floor.

16:18It's in the elusive bottom-heavy pyramid shape he wants, as upstairs has just three bedrooms and another bathroom.

16:25On a large gated plot, with a separate double garage suitable for annex conversion, this quirky house delivers so much of what John has asked for.

16:32Listed at £1,250,000, it's likely to sell within his £1.2 million budget.

16:40So you come straight in.

16:43This is probably the sitting room of the original house.

16:47And then this, you can see from here, there are walls that are knocked down.

16:53That's where they've extended outwards?

16:55Yes.

16:56Oh, that's nice.

16:57It is.

16:58It's all absolutely magical at Nick.

17:01It's all modernised.

17:03But the garden is enormous and there's so much potential there.

17:07I really like the kitchen.

17:09It's nice and modern.

17:11I mean, this is lovely with the wide open, straight into the garden, entertaining space.

17:16I can just hear the road.

17:17The road's a killer for you.

17:18The road's a killer.

17:19This kind of in-out living is really nice.

17:22But the road, yeah, it's a killer for me.

17:25I can hear it.

17:26Right.

17:27Onwards and upwards, John.

17:29Onwards and upwards.

17:31Road noise is clearly a problem that looking upstairs won't solve.

17:35I suppose not, though I had hoped the big garden would compensate.

17:39This search isn't getting any easier.

17:44Back in south-east London with Savannah and Izzy, we're heading to one of their top areas, Nunhead.

17:50It has trendy local facilities, good transport links and Peckham Rye common on the doorstep.

17:56Perfect for walking their dog, Billy.

17:58Here, I'm upping the ante with a bigger flat in this ex-local authority block.

18:03Given that we're in Nunhead now, I'm hoping that you're familiar with this patch.

18:08Yeah, yeah.

18:09Very happy with the area.

18:11Yeah, really good location.

18:12And Billy would be super happy because Peckham Rye is about a minute's walk.

18:17There isn't a garden as such with this flat, but there is a patch of green out the back.

18:22You've got a longer commute.

18:23Yeah.

18:24But you've got the buzz and the familiarity of Nunhead and where you want to be.

18:28Yeah, I think we are definitely happy with the location and the commute probably.

18:32They're really well built, they're really well laid out.

18:35Come and see what you think.

18:36Yeah, yeah.

18:39This late 60s, early 70s first floor flat features a large living room that wraps around into the semi-open planned kitchen.

18:47The principal bedroom is big enough for a double bed and a wall of wardrobes,

18:51whilst the second bed, bigger than property ones, could easily accommodate two work-from-home desks and an occasional guest bed too.

18:58Completing the layout, there's a family bathroom and a walk-in cupboard.

19:03Ambitiously marketed as an office, which is useful for storage if nothing else.

19:07It's bigger than property one, and though the larger footprint means no private garden, there are lawns at the back for Billy to use.

19:15Bang on budget of £450,000, this flat offers pretty much everything they've asked for, and in a favourite area too.

19:24Main room, beautifully light, bright, stunning view.

19:29Yeah, that's lovely. Amazing view.

19:31Yeah? Yeah.

19:32And it opens out through to the kitchen. You have a look.

19:36It's nice to have, like, some kind of separation, but it's also part of...

19:39Yeah, the light is great. Nice social space.

19:42£450,000 is the asking price.

19:44Assess the bedrooms.

19:46There is a huge storage cupboard, internally, while it's being advertised as an office.

19:51OK.

19:52Personally, I'd find it difficult to spend the day in there.

19:57But, you know, there's the second bedroom, which is bigger than the one we saw before.

20:01OK, great.

20:02We can do this.

20:04I think you'd find it hard to spend a day in any office, Mr Spencer.

20:07Depends who I'd have to share it with, really, Kirsty.

20:10Ooh, nice. Yeah, this is good.

20:12It's, like, a bit overlooked, but you can just close the curtains.

20:16Close curtains and still share curtains you find.

20:19Well, I don't know if I've entirely struck gold yet,

20:23but there's definitely some happy, smiling faces.

20:26They look really chuffed about it, so...

20:28If they're happy, I'm happy.

20:30I'm feeling good.

20:31Are you feeling? Yeah, me too. Yeah, I'm feeling good.

20:33The space is really good.

20:34Yeah, and it feels much more spacious than the last one, doesn't it?

20:38Yeah.

20:39But it was the second bedroom that proved problematic in the last flat.

20:42Ooh, nice.

20:44This definitely has space for, like, for two desks...

20:47..and a sofa bed.

20:49Yeah, desks, guest beds. Yeah.

20:51You should just go here.

20:52And, of course, there's the other option for home working.

20:56Yeah.

20:57OK, you would use this as an office?

20:58Possibly, yeah.

20:59That's good. I wouldn't, so...

21:02That's what's called looking to like Phil.

21:07How'd you get on?

21:08Good, yeah, really good. Yeah, it's lovely.

21:10Great location, big space.

21:12Good light. Lots of light.

21:13Like, lots we can do as well.

21:15Lovely.

21:16Yeah.

21:17Yeah. Very positive.

21:18Do we have a definitely maybe?

21:19Yes. Yeah.

21:20Have a contender?

21:22Absolutely, yeah.

21:23Oh, that's great.

21:24I mean, I've got a couple more to see if you want.

21:27Yeah, yeah.

21:29But we've got a contender.

21:31Yeah, absolutely.

21:32We'll try and beat it.

21:33Sounds good.

21:34I promise we will.

21:35Yeah.

21:37Gunning for a half day, Phil?

21:40Well, I've no such luxury back in Surrey with John,

21:43on our search for a very particular kind of home.

21:47We're heading to the urban village of Knapp Hill,

21:49which has its own high street and offers a commute to London

21:52of about 40 minutes all in.

21:54On the edge of the village sits this chocolate box charmer.

21:59It's a cute cottage.

22:00It is a cute cottage.

22:01Is it cute enough for you, though?

22:03It's cute from the outside.

22:06I'm worried about it not having or looking like it's got

22:10any extra space for an annex.

22:13It's behind you.

22:14Oh, it's behind me.

22:16Oh, and I can hear the road again.

22:18Right.

22:19OK.

22:20So we're going to have to nail down this road issue.

22:22OK.

22:23It's a big thing here in Surrey.

22:26There are roads everywhere.

22:27There are roads everywhere.

22:29OK.

22:30I think we should go into that house.

22:32But I think if this doesn't work, we should sit down.

22:36And I just want to do just a bit of an ourselves as such.

22:41OK.

22:42It is at the moment full, full, full 80s.

22:45You're prepping me for us to come.

22:46No, I'm not.

22:47No, I'm not.

22:48Because this is enchanting looking.

22:50Yeah, no, it's beautiful.

22:51I feel that Winnie the Pooh vibe.

22:55Well, I'll take that for the outside.

22:57And inside, I hope that with a little bit of vision,

22:59John will see just what a cracker this detached 18th century cottage could be.

23:03Beyond the hall, the sitting room and dining rooms could be combined to create a large, bright, open-plan kitchen diner.

23:10The current kitchen would become a wonderful snug, complete with the existing Inglenut fireplace.

23:16A utility room and loo complete the ground floor, whilst upstairs there are four bedrooms, one with en-suite and a family bathroom too.

23:26The gardens to the front and rear are mature, whilst the cute brick garage and outbuilding is perfect for annex conversion, subject to planning.

23:35Priced at £1 million, it's £200,000 under his top £1.2 million budget, leaving headroom to remodel the house to his tastes.

23:45So, you would knock this wall down and have this as one room with your kitchen at that end.

23:54So this would be your big entertaining room with your kitchen and your dining room and everything here.

24:01It's not as aged as I was thinking you were saying.

24:04OK.

24:05John could be seeing the charm here, Kirsty.

24:08It's light, and that is an extraordinary thing because it's got leaded windows, beams...

24:16Yeah.

24:17Still feels quite small.

24:19It feels small.

24:20Yeah.

24:21Right.

24:22I think I've got unreal expectations.

24:23No, you haven't.

24:24Park your bum on that windowsill.

24:26I'm going to get my iPad.

24:27Stay there.

24:29It's clear this house isn't getting John excited, but with two viewings in,

24:33and hopefully he's getting more clarity on what he does want.

24:37We're going to go two beds min, three beds max.

24:42OK?

24:43Mm-hm.

24:44You're going to stop me.

24:46When you like the look of a house, ignore the price.

24:48Just, ah, right.

24:49Right.

24:50That's interesting.

24:51That's in West Sussex.

24:53That's a lovely looking cottage.

24:55And it's 1.5.

24:56No, no, ignore that.

24:58What do you reckon to that interior?

25:00It looks...

25:01I mean, even though it's got similar windows, light, bright, traditional,

25:05but got modern vibes to it.

25:08But that does look enchanting, doesn't it?

25:10Yeah.

25:11Absolutely enchanting.

25:12It's not how I'd usually do it, but if we can find one in this county

25:17that he likes the look of, we might yet crack this search.

25:20We're shortlisting a few and we'll see.

25:23Nothing that John is asking for is fussy or unreasonable.

25:27He's looking for something very, very specific.

25:31And when you do that, it can take a very long time.

25:35But for now, I'm hoping we find it tomorrow.

25:38We've got one more chance and one of the houses we've found together

25:41could yet do it.

25:51I'm halfway through my search for a two-bed flat

25:54that will allow my first-time buyers to escape London's rental rat race.

25:58Savannah and Izzy already have a front runner.

26:01I'm not done yet.

26:03Well, I'm worried John may be done with me

26:06if I can't find something better than properties one and two.

26:09He's determined to find a successor to his house

26:12in London's leafy Greenwich, close to family here in Surrey.

26:16But with two houses down and nothing in contention so far,

26:19I've got John involved in choosing where we go next.

26:24Back in south-east London, we're heading to beautiful Black Heath,

26:27a fantastic area that is rightfully on Savannah and Izzy's list.

26:31The village, as it's known, provides all the local buzz they could dream of

26:35as well as speedy trains to central London.

26:38And the Heath itself, which is perfect for walking their dog Billy

26:42and links to the delightful Greenwich Park too.

26:45Here, I'm maximising the space they can afford with this ex-local authority flat.

26:50So, given that you had such a good reaction to that flat yesterday,

26:53I thought we should try a similar thing but in Black Heath

26:58and see how you dealt with that.

27:00Do you know much about Black Heath?

27:02Yeah, I have some family who used to live around here.

27:04I'm less familiar but it seems lovely.

27:07The flat I wanted to show you is on the corner,

27:09which is actually my favourite position in the building to be.

27:12I'm a big fan of Black Heath.

27:14The high street is just a few minutes of walk that way,

27:16the Heath that way, the train station that way.

27:19It's absolutely spot on, I love it.

27:21It feels quite similar to the area with the property that we offered on.

27:25Yeah, it does and it just looks really lovely.

27:27Yeah. Good. Let's get off that.

27:29Encouraging signs and you're not even inside yet.

27:33And once we are, it should get even better as this flat offers something new.

27:39Stairs. It's arranged over two floors.

27:43There's a well-appointed modern kitchen and a spacious living room downstairs.

27:47Whilst upstairs there's a large main bedroom, a second big enough for their two desks

27:52and occasional guest bed and a generous bathroom too.

27:55There may not be any private green space, but who needs it when you're this close to the glorious Heath?

28:01With a guide price of £425,000 to £435,000, it's comfortably within their £450,000 top budget.

28:09And with its split level, housey feel, it's well worth them considering this less familiar area.

28:16First thing, stairs. Lovely to have stairs.

28:19Yeah. Beautiful kitchen.

28:22Yeah, really nice.

28:24And then living room.

28:28Nice. Good space. Good space, yeah.

28:30It's the biggest flat I'm going to show you.

28:32It's also the cheapest flat I'm going to show you.

28:34Like £425,000 to £435,000.

28:37That's really good.

28:38So biggest, cheapest, it's got to be confused.

28:41Combination. Yeah.

28:43We've lost the garden.

28:44So that's the compromise, it's the garden.

28:46But the people here have a dog.

28:49Yeah.

28:50The Heath is when it's all boy.

28:52Yeah.

28:53Yeah, it's not a bad compromise.

28:55Gut feel?

28:56I think not necessarily getting an immediate feeling.

29:02There's a bit less light in the flat.

29:03But, yeah, excited to see upstairs.

29:05Yeah, I'll see the rest of it.

29:06Yeah.

29:07That's what it's like.

29:08You need to see some more.

29:09Yeah.

29:10I think you'll be very impressed with the size of the bedrooms.

29:12But you have a look.

29:13Great.

29:14I'll wait downstairs.

29:15I'll do.

29:16There may be an upstairs, but despite that, their mood seems rather down.

29:20But those massive bedrooms may yet bring Savannah and Izzy round.

29:25Wow.

29:26Still not as bright as the flattened man head.

29:29But it's a really nice-sized bedroom.

29:31And lots of storage all made out of the room, really.

29:34Probably more than we need.

29:35But, yeah.

29:38Well, this is going to be interesting.

29:40It's not my decision.

29:41It's not my money.

29:43But I really like this flat.

29:47Oh, wow.

29:48It's another massive bedroom.

29:50It's bigger.

29:51It's cheaper.

29:52Beautifully laid out.

29:53It's in Blackheath.

29:56What will we do here to kind of bring out the best of the space and the light?

30:01I'm feeling like it is a sensible choice.

30:05I don't know what they're going to do.

30:07But I kind of hope they go for this one.

30:11Well, you're a sensible choice kind of guy, Phil.

30:16Bedrooms are okay, aren't they?

30:17Yeah.

30:19I'm not getting as much of a feeling.

30:22I think it feels quite sensible.

30:26Maybe a bit too sensible.

30:29Potentially.

30:31I don't know what to say to that.

30:34Oh, good.

30:36Savannah, give me your gut feel.

30:39I feel like it's not quite there for it.

30:42And that could change.

30:44This, I think, is a very, very strong flat.

30:46I think if you were here, you would naturally give it a lift in brightness and excitement.

30:50Yeah.

30:51So, if that is what's holding you back, please don't let it.

30:55You do need some time.

30:56Yeah.

30:57And I'm also conscious this is only the fifth flat you've ever looked at.

30:59Yeah.

31:00Yeah.

31:01I think we just need to, like, let it settle down.

31:04We're going to stay in Blackheath but see something that is lighter, brighter, funkier.

31:08Sounds good.

31:09Yeah.

31:11From suave Mr Spencer to funkier Phil.

31:14We're just full of surprises.

31:16And hopefully it'll be a pleasant surprise for them.

31:20Meanwhile, I've got one last chance on my house hunt in Surrey with John.

31:27When we searched together online, he really liked the look of a house in pretty Newdigate.

31:32For a small village, there's a fair bit here, including a pub, a village shop, lovely old church and lots of characterful housing, including one imposing beauty that caught his eye.

31:42Dating back to the 1500s, though altered and extended over the centuries, it has a huge footprint with a kitchen, a beamed living room, a dining room and a garden room, along with a utility cloak and shower room on the ground floor.

31:58Upstairs is the main compromise as the five bedrooms make it bigger than he wanted to take on and it all needs a good freshening up.

32:05But something has to give for this search to move forward and this place stacks up, with a studio outside for the annex and even a heated swimming pool.

32:14Listed at a guide price of £1 million is £200 grand under budget.

32:19There are compromises here on what John set out to find, but if he can make them, this could be the one.

32:25Hello.

32:26Hello.

32:27Come with me.

32:29Kitchen.

32:30Kitchen.

32:32The original core of the house is 16th century and then, obviously, it got extended.

32:40This was one of the ones that we saw yesterday when we were flicking through.

32:44Yeah.

32:45It got five bedrooms because, of course, it isn't a pyramid.

32:49And then, obviously, they've got the little cabin and the pool, which is not everybody's cup of tea.

32:54Maybe not in this weather.

32:56But it's there.

32:57Handy for summer.

32:58Yeah.

32:59And the road is considerably quieter.

33:01It is quieter, yeah.

33:03As we're in this house now, what's your sort of gut on this one?

33:08Yeah, it's nice.

33:09I really like the garden.

33:11It definitely feels much more the vibe that I was looking for.

33:15House-wise, stylistically, it feels much more like me.

33:18Do you want to go and have a look upstairs?

33:19I'd like to have a look round, yeah.

33:20Yeah.

33:22Well, that sounds like progress, Kirsty.

33:24Yes, but upstairs has a bit of work to do.

33:27This house does feel quite different from what we set out to find.

33:31Major changes have to happen, not just a compromise.

33:35Major changes.

33:37And I'm the mug that has to break it to him.

33:40Well, that message may be getting through, Kirsty.

33:42It's a question of whether the changes this house demands are ones John's willing to make.

33:50Back on my search in south-east London with Savannah and Izzy, I have one more viewing to go.

33:56And once again, we're in leafy Blackheath, where this low-rise block houses an absolute beauty of a flat.

34:03So, staying in Blackheath, still about ten minutes' walk to the high street, but trying something really different.

34:08Yeah.

34:09OK.

34:10It's a little green oasis tucked away down here.

34:14That's the flat I'm going to show you.

34:16Ground floor and its own front door.

34:17OK.

34:18Good so far.

34:19Good so far.

34:21Yeah, it's really lovely.

34:22Real bonus of this is it also comes with a garage.

34:25OK.

34:26Yeah.

34:27So, storage, whether it's car, bikes, anything else.

34:29OK.

34:30That's great.

34:31That's really cool.

34:32I am going to stretch the budget, but we'll see if it's worth it inside.

34:35OK.

34:36Let's get in.

34:37A good start.

34:38And I'm sure this fresh-to-the-market late 70s flat will continue to impress inside with

34:44its functional arrangement and impeccable styling.

34:47With semi-open-plan living spaces, there's a bright sitting room, a dining area and a modern

34:52kitchen.

34:53While two bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the layout.

34:57Surrounded by greenery, there's a well-kept rear communal garden to keep Billy the dog happy

35:02too.

35:03It's listed at an optimistic £495,000, but I've spoken to the agent about its value, and

35:10I believe their absolute top budget of £475,000 could secure it.

35:16Come on in.

35:17See what you think.

35:18The hallway is quite dull, but that's just because it painted the flag.

35:22Yeah.

35:23Yeah.

35:24But the flat itself is very funky, very cool.

35:28Yeah, yeah, yeah.

35:29Really, like, well done up, isn't it?

35:32Yeah.

35:33Immaculate.

35:34Yes.

35:35And no money to spend on it, which is a good thing, because the asking price is £495,000.

35:41Okay.

35:42Okay.

35:43You still don't look as lit up as flat number two, which is fine.

35:48I think we're sort of just also comparing it to others and just having to think about everything

35:53it entails, but it is really lovely.

35:55It's really lovely.

35:56We've clearly demonstrated that you can afford the space that you need in the areas that

36:00you like with the budget that you have.

36:02It's now a question of boiling down and filtering through which are the more important elements

36:07of your brief to get right.

36:08Yeah.

36:09But I promise you I'm here to help.

36:11They couldn't be in safer hands, Phil.

36:15That's a nice big bathroom, isn't it?

36:17It is, yeah.

36:18Because they'd only seen two properties, I felt it was important for me to show a good

36:23selection of different styles, different types of properties.

36:27Nice big bedroom.

36:28Yeah, it's a really good size.

36:30It's really nice.

36:31I think it's just out of our budget.

36:33Yeah, it's what we could get it for, I would think.

36:37Then you add into that different price brackets in different areas and the whole thing becomes

36:41a bit of an avalanche of information.

36:44You could definitely put two desks in the sofa bed in here.

36:47We would probably have to redecorate because it's not like exactly how we would, yeah,

36:51it's not our style.

36:52I know I'm showing strong flats.

36:54They're good options.

36:55I just don't know what they're going to do about it.

36:58Well, you may be about to find out.

37:00Fingers crossed.

37:01Hello.

37:02Come and join me.

37:05I've no idea where your head's around, but let's just concentrate on this for now

37:10and tell me what you think of it.

37:12It's lovely.

37:13Yeah, really nice.

37:14It's a really, really lovely spot.

37:16Like, light, good space, great green spaces all around.

37:20Did it give you feeling?

37:22I think I could definitely see us living here.

37:26Yeah.

37:27Yeah.

37:28I think I'm a bit, like, confused, so I'm trying to distill.

37:31Yeah.

37:32Yeah, sure.

37:33I think the price is definitely...

37:34The price has thrown...

37:35Yeah.

37:36It's thrown a spanner into them.

37:37Yeah, but it is really lovely.

37:39Shall we go and get a drink and find our way through this?

37:42Yeah.

37:43We will find our way through this.

37:44Yeah.

37:45Come on, then.

37:46I'm buying.

37:47Opening your wallet, eh, Phil?

37:49Surely that's a good omen if ever I saw one.

37:52In South East London, there's two in the running with Savannah and Izzy.

38:04Property two, a lovely flat in their favourite area of Nunhead, bang on budget at $450,000.

38:10And property four, a stunning flat in bougie black heath.

38:14But at 495, we'd need to get a good deal.

38:18It seems my couple have made their decision.

38:22Go on, then.

38:24I think we really like the last property that we sought property for in Blackheath.

38:29Okay.

38:30Blackheath.

38:31The more expensive one.

38:32Of course.

38:33It's a lovely, lovely flat.

38:34Yeah.

38:35It's got an awful lot going for it.

38:36There's still things we can do to make it our own, but it's still a lovely space as it is.

38:40I think we could also see ourselves in the Blackheath flat for a long go.

38:44For a long go.

38:45I can as well.

38:46Yeah.

38:47But, top end of budget.

38:48Yeah.

38:49So what do you want to do about it?

38:51Our top, top budget is £475,000.

38:54It's priced at £495,000, but I believe its value sits more around the £475,000 mark.

39:01However, I think we should avoid pitching in at their maximum budget, so we need to find the right opening offer.

39:08It's a difficult one because it is so fresh to the market.

39:11Yeah.

39:12I know they've got two viewings booked, Friday and Saturday.

39:15I've spoken to the agent a couple of times, and they also found it quite difficult to value.

39:20I think we'd be doing well to get it for less than £475,000.

39:23£457,000?

39:25£460,000?

39:27It's probably £460,000.

39:28Yeah.

39:29Are you happy?

39:30Yeah.

39:31Sure?

39:32It doesn't have to be.

39:33Yeah, no.

39:34I think I'm happy with that.

39:35Yeah.

39:36No, that's fine.

39:37I can handle it.

39:39That's what they're counting on, Phil.

39:41Best of luck.

39:43Lewis, hi, it's Phil.

39:45I do have an offer for you, and it's at £460,000.

39:48They are first-time buyers.

39:50They've got a 10% deposit completely ready to go.

39:53Good luck.

39:55Bye-bye.

39:56Yeah.

39:57He sounded a bit disappointed.

39:59Fair enough.

40:00If he comes back and says, thanks but no thanks, need to do a bit more, what are we going to do?

40:07So, if we think that you would pay, if you had to, £475,000, if I'm more comfortable with that as a value, thereabouts, then I'd be recommending putting in 10 to £470,000 now, and then dropping away.

40:21Yeah.

40:22And then, if we have to, in 24, 48 hours' time, put the other five in.

40:27Yeah, I was thinking going up by 10 now would be good, yeah.

40:31Yeah.

40:32So, the offer is in.

40:34Your next move is decided, and now you just have to wait.

40:41Over with me in Surrey, John's been exploring our final property.

40:45Upstairs is a compromise on what he wanted, but I can only hope he's coming round to it.

40:50I think a massive alteration in his criteria, location or budget is what his search needs.

40:58I think he thinks that it is out there.

41:01And do you know what?

41:02He may be right.

41:04I don't think he is, but he may be.

41:06You never know.

41:07It's a striking house, Kirsty, and John may yet surprise you.

41:14It's actually really nice looking from the back, this house.

41:17No, from the outside, honestly, it looks beautiful.

41:19The front's really nice.

41:20I like the doors downstairs.

41:23It's a little higgledy-piggledy upstairs.

41:25It is.

41:26It's a little higgledy-piggledy.

41:27Yeah.

41:28Which is why I don't think it is for you, but I think it's closer.

41:34It's definitely closer, yes.

41:35Than the other two.

41:36But the number that are stylistically what you're looking for is tiny.

41:41Yeah, no, I agree.

41:42This one may be closer, but John's search is set to continue.

41:47I think that it's probably not out there with the current criteria,

41:53but I think that as your search continues, you will...

41:58Refine it.

41:59Yes.

42:00You know, you will hone it down a little bit and then you will see it.

42:05Yeah, I think that's true.

42:07That's how I found the house in Greenwich.

42:09That did take me a year.

42:11But when I saw it, I was like, that's it.

42:13That's it.

42:14Instantly.

42:15Yeah.

42:16There's always a compromise.

42:18And John's may simply be a long search for his dream home.

42:21Only time will tell.

42:23Back with Savannah and Izzy.

42:28We're all on tenterhooks.

42:30It always intrigues me, who has the sleepless night?

42:33Is it them or is it us?

42:35I feel like it's us at the moment.

42:38It is us at the moment.

42:40But can we make it then?

42:46Hi, Lewis.

42:47How did you get on?

42:49Mm.

42:50OK, yeah.

42:52I have explained to my clients the challenges of trying to value that property because it

43:01is quite different and quite unique.

43:05They've come up with a number of 470.

43:09That's as far as they would or could go.

43:12Understood.

43:13I'll leave it with you.

43:14Thanks very much for your help.

43:15And you.

43:16Bye.

43:17Well, he came back saying the vendor had said even to have a date,

43:21with his wife, it needs to be within the range of 475 to 495.

43:26I think we should probably leave it.

43:28OK.

43:29Let him think about it.

43:31Think about it.

43:32So we're having the sleepless night.

43:36Well, let's hope he'll have a sleepless night as well.

43:40And if we can get that 475, that would be fantastic.

43:43Yeah.

43:44Yeah.

43:45Let's drink too.

43:46Good luck tomorrow.

43:48We're going to need all the luck we can get.

43:52But here's hoping.

43:54You're so close, Phil.

43:55I think it's fair to say you might struggle to sleep tonight too.

43:59It's been five weeks since my search with John.

44:02If criteria or location didn't change, I thought he was in for a long search.

44:07So I'm pleased to hear he's opened himself up to some new areas,

44:10particularly the village of Cranley.

44:13Originally I discounted Cranley because I thought that it wasn't as well connected.

44:16But actually having taken the time and tried out the commute,

44:19it actually does work.

44:20It's not a direct link to London, so wasn't on our original list.

44:24This new area has brought new possibilities for John.

44:27There was a barn conversion that I absolutely loved.

44:29Unfortunately, in that time when I was kind of getting to know the area,

44:32it did go under offer.

44:33Unlucky for John this time.

44:35Although being sure about where he wants to be is a serious step forward.

44:39I've put a lot more research and understanding into that area now,

44:43so I'm clear on what I can get there and that's exciting.

44:46My message to Kirsty would be,

44:48thank you for getting so hands-on with my search.

44:50It's helped focus on the kind of house I want.

44:53So yeah, keeping my eye out for that elusive triangle to pop up.

44:57That was always the challenge.

44:58But with this change in his criteria,

45:00I'd hope John's new search won't be so long after all.

45:07As for Savannah and Izzy, their £470,000 offer was rejected.

45:12But they loved the flat and pushed themselves up to £480,000.

45:18And we got outbid by a cash buyer who'd go for the full asking price.

45:23We were quite sad, but also we knew that we'd put everything on the table.

45:28But they took a new fan confidence and ran with it.

45:31We just got on it and started seeing a lot more facts.

45:34Since searching with Phil, it helped us to narrow down what we wanted from a flat.

45:39Phil had also opened up a lot more locations to us.

45:43And one of those viewings led to a flat in New Cross, priced at £425 to £450, that felt like the one.

45:49We decided to go in at £430, because we didn't want to lose out on another flat.

45:55And it was accepted right away.

45:58With three beds and a private garden, it's a bit of a doer-upper.

46:01But we are happy to do the work, and it's within our budget.

46:05And we're quite excited to design a new kitchen and bathroom, to be honest.

46:11Well, best of luck with the refurb.

46:13I'm delighted to see they brought their search to such a happy end.

46:17If you'd like help finding your next home, then we want to hear from you.

46:24You can apply online at channel4.com forward slash take part.

46:47We'll see you next time.

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