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00:00Today I'm in Spain searching for a permanent home around the coastline of the stunning southern Costa Blanca.
00:10I'm Ben Hillman, home designer and property expert.
00:14For the best part of a decade I've been helping house hunters find their dream properties,
00:19whilst giving them a little design inspiration too.
00:22Today I'll be using all my skills to find the perfect place for Mandy and fiancé Mick,
00:27who's rolling back the years.
00:30This is a good start and they've even got my statue here.
00:34Oh yes!
00:35While I can't help monkeying around.
00:37This is something really different this time.
00:42This golf course villa has me dreaming.
00:45I mean most people like a cup of tea in the morning but here you can actually tea off.
00:49Tea off from here.
00:51But at the end of the day do I get down to business and find my house hunters their perfect place in the sun.
00:56Yeah.
00:57It's the sizeable living space.
00:59It's not very often I go speechless but wow.
01:06Mandy and Mick first met over 40 years ago but it wasn't until many years later that they got together as a couple.
01:13Now engaged and with Mick close to retirement they are in search of a holiday home in Spain
01:19which hopefully will become their permanent home very soon.
01:24These two knew each other growing up as Mandy was best friends with Mick's sister.
01:29He even asked her out on a date before they went their separate ways with Mandy at one point moving to Canada.
01:35We realise now how much we do have in common with each other and we are just two peas in a pod.
01:42We're really making up for the time that we see it as a little bit lost but the four years we've had so far have been absolutely fantastic.
01:50And if I can have another 25, 30 years of that I'll be absolutely ecstatic.
01:57With three grown up children between them and their plans once all the visa paperwork is in place for a permanent move
02:04I think space is going to be key here.
02:07Searching around the southern Costa Blanca they have a budget of £230,000.
02:12Running from Alicante City down to Murcia, this part of the Costa Blanca is pretty easy to get to
02:21with Alicante Airport receiving plenty of flights from across the UK all year round.
02:27The array of resorts, urbanisations, coastal towns and of course beaches along this stretch
02:33are extremely popular with holiday makers and permanent residents.
02:37Sun-kissed Torre Vieja is one of the best with generations of families returning year after year
02:44and over 5,000 Brits now calling it home.
02:48Stepping a short distance away from the coast there are also some less well known options that are grown in popularity
02:55like Quesada with its lively strip of music venues and Los Balcones best known for its views.
03:02With a great variety of property options out there I need a bit more info from Mandy and Mick
03:06so we're meeting up on Lasennia Beach for a bit of a chat.
03:10Right then Mick and Mandy, welcome to the beautiful southern Costa Blanca.
03:16You look like you're raring to go.
03:17Oh yes.
03:18Oh yeah, you can't stop us now.
03:20Yeah, I know you know the area but you haven't been here before.
03:23No, complete novice and that's what makes it really exciting because it's into the unknown.
03:29Are you retired?
03:30I am now, yeah.
03:31Yeah, and you've got your retirement coming up.
03:33Hopefully in about three, four years time.
03:36And then when that happens, what's your plan?
03:38Whatever we find here will be our permanent home.
03:42This isn't just a holiday.
03:44Oh no, no, no.
03:45This is your forever.
03:47It is, it will be.
03:48Let's talk about the property you're after.
03:50Detached villa.
03:51Okay.
03:52Straight in there.
03:53And the must have is a pool.
03:54It's got to have its own pool.
03:55Okay.
03:56Plenty of outdoor space, terraces, three bedrooms, two bathroom.
03:59We've got friends and family.
04:01We want the opportunity for them to come out and enjoy.
04:04And stay with us.
04:05When we're not here or if we're out here they can come and stay with us as well.
04:08Yeah.
04:09We want the nightlife, we want the bars, restaurants.
04:11There's plenty going on here isn't there?
04:13And that's what we want.
04:14Loads of great areas to visit.
04:16How close do you want to be to the beach?
04:18I mean for us to come to a beach it'll be a day out.
04:20Right.
04:21I'm not a beachy person.
04:22You know, I drive a sit and dip my toes in the pool.
04:25I mean obviously you're going to get more for your money if you move inland.
04:28This is it.
04:29Any no-no's before we go-go's?
04:30I don't want to be knocking walls down but I don't mind painting a couple of walls.
04:34Right, you've got a healthy budget haven't you?
04:36£230,000.
04:37Yeah.
04:38Paul's going to ask us about something.
04:39Ooh!
04:40Wait for it.
04:41Bit of wiggle room?
04:42Yes.
04:43We knew it was coming didn't you?
04:45Yes.
04:46How much have we got?
04:47For the absolute right property that ticks all the boxes we could stretch probably another
04:52ten.
04:53Okay, so up to £240.
04:54Up to £240.
04:55Yeah.
04:56Which is great.
04:57Given what you want, it's realistic but the third bedroom might be a bit tricky.
05:00If they're good two size bedrooms, you know like fair size double bedrooms, we can always
05:04buy a sober bed.
05:05That's the compromise.
05:06Yeah.
05:07So if it ticks all the other boxes then...
05:08Then we're good to go.
05:09And I know you're planning your wedding, could it potentially be out here?
05:13You never know.
05:14I've got five great properties lined up for you.
05:16Woo!
05:17Shall we go and see this?
05:20We're so excited.
05:21Come with me.
05:22Come on.
05:23I'm loving the level of enthusiasm here already.
05:27Before we start our search for the perfect forever home, I want to head into Torrevieja
05:31itself to remind Mandy of its charms and give Mick his first taste.
05:36Quick fact for you, there are more than 500 restaurants here.
05:41Guys, we're starting off in the epicentre of Torrevieja, the Plata de la Constitución.
05:47I love this.
05:48This is me.
05:49Does it sort of match up with your research, Mick?
05:52There's no substitution for actually sampling and being out on the ground.
05:56The internet, pictures don't do it justice.
05:59We've got this beautiful church behind us.
06:01One of the many options for you around these parts.
06:04We know where you're going with that, Ben.
06:06We're talking about weddings again, aren't we?
06:08I'm not going to stop.
06:10I'll tell you that now.
06:11I love a wedding.
06:12Yeah, I definitely love a wedding.
06:14What would you say then if I told you our first property is 15 minutes in a taxi?
06:18Sounds good today.
06:19Sounds good.
06:20Brilliant.
06:21Let's go up and see it.
06:22OK.
06:23That short drive brings us to Los Balcones, more of a suburb or extension of Torrevieja
06:29than a town in itself.
06:31It's a popular location offering a peaceful atmosphere within the reach of everything,
06:36meaning property prices aren't that much lower than in town.
06:40Right then Mick and Mandy, this is it.
06:42House number one.
06:43Ooh.
06:44It's quite a house, isn't it?
06:45I absolutely love it.
06:46Lovely pole.
06:47Great start.
06:48What is it about the style of the property you like?
06:49The tiles and the balustrade.
06:51It's that traditional Spanish look rather than the modern boxy type look.
06:56Yeah.
06:57It's a two bed property.
06:58It's priced at just over £241,000.
07:01So just nudging over the top of your wiggle room there.
07:04How do you feel about that?
07:06Negotiation?
07:07Of course.
07:08Of course.
07:09Shops are about a ten minute stroll from here.
07:11It's not far at all really.
07:12I've got a good feel about here.
07:14Have you really?
07:15This is a good start.
07:16I have.
07:17You've got my statue there.
07:18You've got my statue there.
07:19Oh yes.
07:20Anyway, let's get inside.
07:22Mandy and Mick seem pretty impressed with the manicured gardens and pool area here.
07:28There's also a good size raised terrace at the front and another on the roof with cracking
07:33views.
07:34Inside the living room is spacious and well styled with access through an archway to a dining
07:40room and through another to a well equipped kitchen that comes with a utility space.
07:45The main bedroom has a lovely ensuite shower room while the second is also a big double.
07:51Finally, there's a family bathroom.
07:54Come on in then.
07:56I like this.
07:57So this isn't it?
07:58I love the open plan.
07:59For the social side of things, you've got the kids over or even if it's just me and Mick,
08:02then at least if I'm cooking I can still talk to him.
08:06It's a nice family space.
08:07It is.
08:08Yeah, I can imagine when the kids come over there's still plenty of room.
08:12Now you may notice through the archway it looks like wardrobe doors and I do think that
08:17was a third bedroom at one point.
08:18Yeah.
08:19So you could potentially put that back into a third if you wanted it.
08:22I probably wouldn't but the option's there.
08:24What was it like, you guys, after 40 years of meeting up with each other again?
08:29We just started laughing from the minute go.
08:32You know, the minute we sort of set eyes on each other again and it was just like,
08:36Oh my God, I remember you.
08:37Yeah, I remember you.
08:38And then we started reminiscing and I just found he's no different now to what he was saying.
08:43So things never changed?
08:44Didn't change.
08:45He's funnier.
08:46And what about you?
08:48It was like, it was meant to be.
08:50Yeah.
08:51It didn't feel like 40 years.
08:53Yeah, you can't really describe it in words.
08:55It's just one of those things.
08:56Now I do hear one of the overriding reasons for getting together with Mandy is her cooking.
09:01She is.
09:02So we better...
09:03She's a fantastic cook.
09:05Oh, thank you.
09:06Should we check out the kitchen?
09:07He's beautiful.
09:08Come on.
09:10Mandy, I've got high hopes for this.
09:12OK.
09:13It's doable.
09:14OK.
09:15What does that mean?
09:16A lot bigger than this.
09:17Oh, really?
09:18How much?
09:19I need a lot of working space.
09:20Space for a range?
09:21Yeah.
09:22A range.
09:23Yeah.
09:24That cook is not big enough for me.
09:25This is the only downside so far.
09:27At the moment, yeah.
09:28Yeah.
09:29OK.
09:30Everything else, what we've seen.
09:31Yeah.
09:32But you like this set up?
09:33I do like...
09:34Yeah.
09:35The actual open plan.
09:36Yeah.
09:37I do like the style.
09:38I do like the style.
09:39Just needs that little bit bigger.
09:41Right.
09:42I am going to call this the guest room because it is.
09:45It's a good size, isn't it?
09:46It's not bad at all.
09:47I know you've got some changes to make in the kitchen.
09:50Would you want to change anything in here or is this OK?
09:53This works as a second bedroom.
09:54This works.
09:55This works.
09:56Yeah.
09:57Well, look, I'm not going to hold you up any longer.
09:58So, head off, have a look around and I'll catch you when you're done.
10:00OK.
10:03Well, do you know, what a lovely start to this property.
10:07I mean, it was almost love at first sight, wasn't it?
10:09At the gate.
10:10Are they head over heels about it now?
10:13Almost.
10:14It's just that kitchen that's the sticking point.
10:16Oh, this must be the main bedroom.
10:21Oh, this is nice.
10:22I like this.
10:23So, you've got the floor that goes out and down the stairs.
10:25This is lovely, isn't it?
10:27A little bit on the small side for me, to be honest with you.
10:34Oh, wow.
10:35What a bathroom.
10:36Oh, this is huge.
10:37The family bathroom is fantastic.
10:39I love the tiles.
10:41Absolutely love the colour.
10:42You wouldn't do anything with this at all.
10:44Nope.
10:45This would be perfect if the family came over.
10:47I love it.
10:48This is a wow factor of a bathroom, isn't it?
10:51Yeah.
10:52This lost balconies two bed is on the market for a negotiable price of just over £241,000.
10:59Time to get the final verdict.
11:01Hey.
11:02Hey.
11:03Soaked it all up?
11:04Had a good look round?
11:05Yes.
11:06Yeah.
11:07First impressions, house number one.
11:09Perfect.
11:10The only thing I had an issue with was the size of the kitchen.
11:13But you do like a big kitchen.
11:14I do.
11:15I do.
11:16OK.
11:17I will do my best.
11:18All right.
11:19Anything else you would change about this house?
11:20For me, the lack of the third bedroom, especially if we're going to come bring the family out as a whole.
11:26Is this one a contender for you both, would you say?
11:28I think we'll keep our options open.
11:30Yeah.
11:31Keep our options open.
11:32It is the first property.
11:33Don't worry.
11:34I will show you some more, mate.
11:35We won't call it down here.
11:37But at the...
11:38No.
11:39I think because of the area and the first house that we've looked at, yeah.
11:44This is positive, sir.
11:45It's brilliant.
11:46We know what we've got to work on.
11:48So, shall we head off?
11:50Sure.
11:51Come on.
11:52Got an umbrella.
11:53I don't want to get my hair wet.
11:56Not a bad start, but it feels like we need to head somewhere that offers a bit more bang for your buck.
12:02So, we're taking a 20-minute drive north and further from the coast to Rajales.
12:07A busy town that's home to loads of shops, bars, restaurants and this lovely park.
12:13Right then, guys.
12:14We are now in a beautiful little park called Parque Cañar de Massa.
12:18We love the countryside back in England.
12:20I like this.
12:21And this is fantastic.
12:22We love this space.
12:23Feels more...
12:24The vehicle's cleaner.
12:25It does, isn't it?
12:26Yeah.
12:27And it's nice to see the ducks.
12:28Well, look, you probably know about the area.
12:29You've got the massive pink lagoon.
12:31Yes.
12:32They take ages to walk around.
12:33But this, you can walk around in a couple of minutes.
12:35Exactly.
12:36I think it's perfect for a romantic stroll.
12:37We do try to go out for walks quite a lot.
12:39And even just grab a coffee, have a walk around.
12:42You could grab a coffee just over there.
12:44We noticed.
12:45Yeah, I could see that.
12:46This beautiful park is a 10-minute stroll from our next property.
12:51Oh!
12:52OK.
12:53That's fantastic.
12:54And then head there.
12:55Let's go for it.
12:56Sounds good to me.
12:57I think so.
13:02Coming up, after a fantastic start to our search, will my next property, with its wonderful
13:08pool, be the perfect home that Mick and Mandy are after?
13:13Today I'm house hunting around Spain's southern Costa Blanca in search of the perfect retirement
13:24pad for Mick and Mandy.
13:26And although they said that the first property was good, it wasn't good enough.
13:30However, it is still a contender, but keen cook Mandy wants a better kitchen, and Mick, eager
13:36to have family to stay, would like a third bedroom for their budget of up to £240,000.
13:43So we've come further from the coast and Tora Vieca to find it in the town of Rajales.
13:49Property prices are a little lower here, meaning three bedrooms is possible without budget.
13:55When you throw a private pool, one of Mandy and Mick's must-haves into the mix, it gets
13:59a little tricky.
14:00But even so, I've managed to find one.
14:04Come on in, you two.
14:06This is something really different, this time.
14:08Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh!
14:10It's certainly different to the other property.
14:12Isn't it?
14:13I'm liking this a lot better.
14:15And also the area as well, the residential areas, giving us all the right sort of vibes.
14:20It's got good vibes.
14:21Walking distance to the shops, that's like 12 minutes, maybe?
14:24What do you think of the style of the building?
14:26This is what I envisioned, more so than the other property.
14:29Interestingly, it was a three bed.
14:31It has been converted to a two bed.
14:33And that third bed is now a dining area.
14:35And it's priced at just over £245,500.
14:38How do you feel about that?
14:40Because we're over your wiggle room.
14:41Excited to see inside of this one.
14:43I am quite excited.
14:44That's what the wiggle room is there for.
14:45I think you are wigglers, to be honest.
14:46Yeah, yeah.
14:47I do.
14:48Come on, let's go and look at it.
14:50The outside space here wraps around the property with a pool,
14:54a number of different seating areas and a summer kitchen.
14:58Inside, there's a cosy double aspect living room
15:01that leads to a sunroom overlooking the pool
15:03and a dining room that would have been the main bedroom
15:06and still has its en suite shower room.
15:08There's a modern kitchen, a touch bigger than our last
15:11and with a rather large pantry.
15:13Two bedrooms of a similar size
15:15and, finally, a second shower room.
15:18Well, we're going to start in the living room
15:20because this time it really is the heart of the home
15:23because all the rooms radiate off of this living space.
15:26This is fantastic.
15:27It certainly looks different.
15:28I don't know how you feel about our little foot fashion going on here
15:31but what it is is a great indicator as to how much care
15:35these home owners have taken for their place.
15:37It's immaculate.
15:38Does it feel nice?
15:39It feels homely.
15:40Yeah.
15:41Yay, I knew it was homely, this place.
15:44Homely's what we're after, isn't it?
15:46Yeah.
15:47Because it's not just a holiday home we're after.
15:49No.
15:50This is your future.
15:51And this is how we have to remember what we're looking for
15:53and why we're looking for it.
15:55In what ways might you get distracted from that, do you think?
15:58From what we've seen in the house so far,
16:00I don't think there's any distractions.
16:02I'm just eager to see the rest.
16:04I'm getting sort of warm, good feelings.
16:07Well, look, super swoopy glass door there.
16:11Very nice.
16:13What do you reckon to this?
16:14This is absolutely beautiful.
16:16It's pretty, isn't it?
16:17I'm liking this.
16:18It's got a real snug, cosy, dining, intimate feel about it, this, hasn't it?
16:23This one would have been the bedroom.
16:24This would have been the third bedroom.
16:26It also would have been the main suite, really,
16:29because you've got what was an ensuite just through there.
16:33How close is this house to your taste?
16:36It is close to our taste.
16:38It is, actually.
16:39Because it's very homely, it's filled with personal things like we've got.
16:44Yeah.
16:45What they've done, they've incorporated a lot of an older furniture with a modern...
16:50Sort of twist.
16:51...twist with it.
16:52Yeah.
16:53And that's what I'm liking about the whole feel.
16:56A lot riding on this, Mandy.
16:59Is it doing for you?
17:00I'm liking this.
17:01Ooh, are you?
17:02Yes, I am.
17:03It's the layout.
17:04Oh.
17:05The layout has made a huge difference.
17:08Even though it's not as big, still.
17:11Hold your horses.
17:13Ah!
17:14You've got all that?
17:15Hey!
17:16All that extra space.
17:17That is fantastic.
17:18That is incredible.
17:19Think of all the spices you can store in there.
17:21Oh, wow.
17:22Doctor Who in his Tardis.
17:23Oh, wow!
17:24That is...
17:25Everything is here.
17:26Yeah.
17:27I'm loving it.
17:28You're loving it?
17:29Absolutely loving it.
17:30Obviously.
17:31Yes.
17:32Everywhere else has to work.
17:33Of course.
17:34So, do you want to go and see everywhere else?
17:35Yes, please.
17:36Oh, yes, please.
17:37And I'll catch you in a bit.
17:39Thank you, mate.
17:42Oh, I'm really enjoying this.
17:44This is fantastic.
17:45It's almost as if this place was tailor-made for them.
17:49Is it a contender?
17:50Mmm.
17:51I think it's more than that.
17:52I think it could be the one.
17:55This just gets better and better, doesn't it?
17:57This is a lovely size room.
17:58This is a good size room.
17:59I like the built-in wardrobes.
18:00What a lovely bedroom.
18:02Ah!
18:03Another fantastic bedroom.
18:05They've done it as an office.
18:06Office for the moment.
18:07Yeah.
18:08Built-in wardrobes.
18:09You can still get a double bed in here.
18:11Not a lot to change.
18:12Not a lot to change.
18:13No.
18:14Oh, this is an amazing space.
18:15Look at that.
18:16This is done to such a high standard.
18:17Yep.
18:18Alfresco dining.
18:19Oh, fantastic.
18:20Love it.
18:21Shall we go and look at the pool?
18:22Come on, then.
18:23Let's go.
18:24This villa in Rojales listed as a three bed, but with a bit of work to get it there,
18:29is on the market above our top budgets at just over £245,500, but with room for negotiation.
18:38I was ear-wigging.
18:40I heard you over there.
18:42You heard me saying it.
18:43Sounds like things are still going well.
18:45Yeah.
18:46I haven't stopped smiling the whole journey of walking around.
18:49How about this pool?
18:50You haven't even seen this yet.
18:52The shape is fantastic.
18:53And it's big enough.
18:54This is a fantastic property.
18:55It really is.
18:56Okay.
18:57It's immaculate, moving ready, and it's just got all the sort of features that we've got
19:01back home, but in the sunshine.
19:03And it knocks the first one out of the water.
19:06It's not in the game anymore.
19:07You've done really well on this one.
19:08I haven't stopped.
19:09Would you?
19:10Yes.
19:11Yes.
19:12All right.
19:13Let's leave you at that.
19:14Come with me.
19:16While that is a real breakthrough, three beds on Mandy and Mick's budget around here are
19:21thin on the ground, so I'm going to try and blow them away with an impressive two-bed
19:25next.
19:26It's in El Chaparral, an urbanisation just north of Torre Vieja that's extremely popular
19:31with British expats, so I thought it would be a good idea to hear from one.
19:36Right, guys, I want you to meet lovely John here, who is our resident expert in Torre Vieja.
19:41Good morning.
19:42Not putting any pressure on you there, John.
19:44How many years have you lived here now?
19:46Four or five years.
19:47Wonderful.
19:48Did you become members of expat groups then?
19:50Did that help your transition?
19:53Well, we just made friends.
19:55And that's what it's about.
19:56You know, organised groups, you meet people in the same boat as you.
19:59Yeah.
20:00That's what this is all about.
20:01And I know there's lots of sort of social media sites and networks set up locally, aren't
20:04there, that tell you what's going on and what you can be getting up to and people to
20:08sort of meet up with.
20:09There are walking clubs and dance clubs and, you know.
20:13What is it you love about living here then, John?
20:15Well, the weather.
20:17Fantastic.
20:18The beaches.
20:19The beaches.
20:20You know, from, what, from Amarmano down to Guatemala.
20:22You've got so many beaches to choose from.
20:25So you've never looked back?
20:26Never looked back.
20:27Really?
20:28No.
20:29Would you ever go back?
20:30I don't think so.
20:31Thank you very much, John, for giving us your time.
20:34We're going to go and see some houses.
20:35Woo-hoo!
20:36Come on, John.
20:37Off we go.
20:38See you later.
20:39Coming up, in my quest to find Mick and Mandy a second contender, will I bowl them over
20:48with my next property, a large villa with a huge swimming pool and, more importantly,
20:54an outside kitchen.
21:03Today we're on Spain's beautiful Costa Blanca with Mandy and Mick who are in search of the
21:08perfect place to retire to and to spend married life together in.
21:13And boy, has our search taken a turn in the right direction as my last property certainly
21:18pulled on the heartstrings.
21:19But will my next be love at first sight?
21:23Working with a budget of up to £240,000, our main challenge here is finding the three
21:29bedrooms thereafter.
21:30While our contender in Rohales originally had them, the third is currently used as a dining
21:35room.
21:36And finding a ready-to-go option is proving tricky, so we're sticking with two for now.
21:43Our next is in El Chaparral, nicely positioned between our current contenders and Torre Vieja.
21:49Whilst this is the closest we've come to the centre of town, it's also the cheapest area
21:53we've been to so far as properties here tend to be a little older.
21:58Saying that, three bedrooms is still a challenge, so I've lined up what I think is a really impressive
22:03two-bed.
22:04How about this then for the next property?
22:07Oh, this is pucker.
22:09It's not bad, is it?
22:10Love that seating area over there.
22:12Yeah.
22:13That's what we were talking about.
22:15Yeah.
22:16Larger pool.
22:17The last property was fantastic.
22:18We loved it.
22:19This, the space outside here.
22:21You've just ticked another box.
22:22Yeah.
22:23Imagine everyone out here.
22:25You've got the music playing.
22:26Yeah.
22:27Lovely food on the table over there.
22:30Everyone's jumping in the pool.
22:32Yeah.
22:33It's your own little oasis this, it really is.
22:34It is a two-bed.
22:35Okay.
22:36Because of the size of the living space, I think it is going to work better for you.
22:40It is priced at just under £263,500.
22:45And I know you're going to go, hang on a minute, Ben, that is not our budget at all.
22:50What the heck are you doing?
22:51A little bit open.
22:52There's a bit of a wiggle there.
22:53Yeah.
22:54Well, the agent has said it's negotiable down to the top of your budget, basically.
22:58Oh, that's fair enough.
22:59Let's get inside, shall we?
23:01I'm excited now.
23:02Yeah?
23:03Bet you thought I'd lost the plot there.
23:06The gardens here are great, with a large pool, covered seating area and outside kitchen
23:12in the corner.
23:13There's also a raised terrace and another on the roof with views of the mountains.
23:18Inside, there's a spacious living room, similar in style to our last, that's open through
23:24an arch to a dining room, and then a kitchen that I think will impress keen cook Mandy.
23:30The main bedroom has views over the pool, and an ensuite bathroom that also has a shower.
23:36The second bedroom is a good sized double, and there's a main shower room.
23:43It's a sizeable living space.
23:45That is a lovely living, that's a lovely living room, isn't it?
23:49That is really, that's ticking a big box.
23:52Great.
23:53Obviously it's making you very emotional.
23:55What is doing it here for you?
23:57This is your typical Spanish feel.
24:01The open plan, oh god.
24:03The open plan.
24:06It's not very often I go speechless, but wow.
24:09I think when you've decided to change your life up in the past, Mandy, you've made these
24:13really bold decisions to go and live abroad.
24:16You've done this before.
24:17You know what it's like to sort of set up a new life in a new country.
24:22Did it take a lot for Mandy to convince you to sort of move abroad, Mick?
24:26I'm a little bit relying on her expertise.
24:28Yes.
24:29But I'm willing to just give it a go, give it the best we've got.
24:34Oh well you've got a very exciting adventure ahead of you.
24:38And now we're going to adventure over to the kitchen.
24:41Great stuff.
24:42It's kitchen time.
24:47This is not bad at all.
24:50It's like a galley kitchen isn't it?
24:52Definitely a galley kitchen.
24:53It does need a little bit of a ribbon.
24:54Yeah, you can see it needs, I'll probably change the cupboards I think.
24:57Yeah, it needs some TLC, but it's fully functional.
25:01Are you happy then with this set up?
25:03Overall, yes, I could work this.
25:06Knowing you've got an outside kitchen area.
25:08Oh I know.
25:09And let's face it, I'm going to be cooking outside more than I am going to be in here.
25:13Oh look, let's start in this bedroom.
25:16The main bedroom.
25:17The bedroom with the ensuite, which is actually just tucked around there.
25:22With a full bath in there Mandy.
25:24I love it.
25:25Are there any drawbacks that you're seeing at the moment with this place?
25:28To be honest, nothing majorly structural, just a little bit of TLC in a few little places.
25:34Do you want to go and have a look at the rest of it?
25:36And I'll meet you out there in a moment.
25:38Oh, there you go.
25:40Just when you think things can't get any better, they do.
25:44Tears and everything.
25:46Fantastic.
25:50Oh man, the pool.
25:51Look at this.
25:52Oh, the area is just absolutely fantastic.
25:55This is what I'm looking at.
25:57Look at the outside kitchen.
25:58I couldn't wish for better.
25:59It's exactly what we wanted, wasn't it?
26:01This is how I envisioned it to be.
26:03This super spacious two bed is on the market, way over Mandy and Mick's budget at just under £263,500.
26:12But the agent has suggested that an offer at their maximum budget should secure it.
26:17Welcome to the roof terrace.
26:19Oh, roof terrace.
26:20You get a real lovely view over the neighbourhood.
26:22Oh, this is absolutely beautiful.
26:24Is this still working for you?
26:26Love the kitchen.
26:27Bit of TLC.
26:28TLC, I know.
26:29But you know, it's still moving ready.
26:30It's a contender?
26:31100% it's a contender.
26:33Where does it leave our immaculate second property?
26:36That is a fantastic property.
26:38When you compare the space, especially the outside space, doesn't compare...
26:42It's got more here.
26:43So are you knocking it off the list?
26:45We're going to have to.
26:46Yeah.
26:47You're going to have to.
26:48Yeah.
26:49If I'm going to better this, what does that mean to you?
26:51A third bedroom, that would be fantastic.
26:54It has been very hard to find, but I have found one, and I'd like to show you.
26:59Oh, fantastic.
27:01Well, it's one of those days where each property surpasses the last.
27:05Before I attempt to keep that ball rolling, it's been a while since we heard the lapping of the waves,
27:10so we're taking a quick trip down to the coast.
27:13Right then, you two, it's beachy time.
27:15Well, it would be if it wasn't so windy.
27:16Yeah.
27:17But what a view.
27:18What a stunning coastline.
27:19It is.
27:20It's fantastic.
27:21Yeah.
27:22You're not beachy people per se, are you?
27:24No.
27:25Would you come down here and enjoy this, though?
27:27Oh, you'd have to.
27:28Just do a day trip down here and just spend the day enjoying.
27:31Absolutely.
27:32You're coastal day trippers.
27:33Oh, yeah.
27:34Yeah.
27:35That's one way of putting it.
27:36Is it dawning on you that this is becoming a reality now?
27:41It still feels surreal that we are actually here.
27:43And is it everything that Mandy said it would be?
27:45And more.
27:46What Mandy's described is pretty perfect.
27:49Well, look, our next three-bed property, 12-minute drive from here,
27:54so let's jump in the car, shall we?
27:55All right, let's go.
27:56Go.
27:57It's back in Los Balcones, the location of our first.
28:01While I hear you saying, how can you find a three-bed there,
28:04as it's one of the more expensive locations around here,
28:06I have managed to, but this one is going to involve
28:09a little bit of vision from Mandy and Mick.
28:12All right, this is the house that I'm going to let you go and see in a mode.
28:18Quite honestly, it needs a bit of work.
28:20OK, so it's a bit of a fixer-upper.
28:22But it's got the space.
28:24Three big separate bedrooms, two bathrooms.
28:27Does that sound like the kind of thing you might like?
28:29I think we need to have a look, don't we?
28:31Yeah.
28:32Well, this house is comfortably priced at just over £232,000.
28:37OK.
28:38So you could put a bit of your own money into doing this up.
28:41Would you like to get inside and have a look?
28:42Yes, we'd love to.
28:43Then you should probably go in there.
28:44Thank you. Off you, pal.
28:45See you in a moment.
28:48Well, look, I'm not going to lie, I am pushing the envelope
28:51when it comes to the renovation of this place.
28:53But if they can see their way clear to making it over,
28:57then I really do think that this could be their dream home.
29:01I didn't even tell them about the pool.
29:05And it's rather impressive and in pretty good condition.
29:08The gardens here continue around the property
29:10and at the front there's also a garage and sunroom
29:14currently used for dining.
29:16Inside there's a living room with a fireplace,
29:19large separate kitchen and then the three bedrooms.
29:24The main has an ensuite while the second and third are also doubles.
29:28Finally, there's a family bathroom.
29:31Straight away, Mandy.
29:32Oh, this is amazing.
29:33Lovely open fire.
29:34I do like that corner fire.
29:35Not as big as what we've seen.
29:37As the last property, but it's cosy, isn't it?
29:40It's got a cosy feel to it.
29:41It's cosy feel for it.
29:42I like the way they've got the dining table out there,
29:44so you can still, in fact, with the doors open,
29:47bring the inside out and the outside in.
29:49It's got some usable space, isn't it?
29:50Yeah.
29:51Oh, that's a big kitchen, isn't it?
29:54This is a little bit of an update, I think.
29:56Yeah.
29:57You could even have a space for an island as well.
29:59Do you know what?
30:00I was just thinking that, how you could reconfigure
30:01and how you could update this kitchen.
30:05But it's got the built-in wardrobes.
30:07Which is always good.
30:08Yeah.
30:09But when you compare it to the property in El Chaparral,
30:12it is quite a little bit more compact, isn't it?
30:15Yeah.
30:17Oh, this is bigger.
30:18It seems a bit brighter as well.
30:19I can see the sun coming through the window.
30:21And with the ensuite as well, that's fabulous.
30:23Love this room.
30:25This project property with three bedrooms
30:27is our most affordable place so far,
30:30on the market for just over £232,000.
30:34Oh, look at that pool.
30:37Similar size to what we saw at El Chaparral.
30:40The outside space all the way round the pool
30:42is absolutely fantastic.
30:43Right then.
30:44Have I made two budding builders of you?
30:46I think for us, at the stage we're at in our life,
30:49it would be too much of a project.
30:52Really?
30:53Yeah, it needs a bit more than a paintbrush.
30:54Yeah.
30:55Our last property is the one to beat.
30:57Absolutely.
30:58Yes.
30:59For our final property,
31:00I think we should stick with a three bed.
31:02That doesn't need anywhere near this kind of work.
31:05And hopefully, we can bag ourselves and have a contender.
31:09Sounds good.
31:10Come on.
31:11Yeah.
31:13Coming up,
31:14well, I managed to balance a rather juicy cherry
31:16on top of what's been a pretty tasty cake of a surge.
31:20In we come.
31:22Oh, this is great.
31:26Today, I'm in southern Costa Blanca with Mick and Mandy in search of their perfect permanent
31:39home here, which they may have found.
31:42However, they ain't seen nothing yet.
31:45Our front runner is this spacious villa in El Chaparral.
31:49It's got the private pool that's a must-have for Mandy and Mick, but lacks the third bedroom
31:54they'd ideally want.
31:56Working with their budget of up to £240,000, it's the two beds that have impressed the most
32:01so far.
32:02Coming up, I give three one more try.
32:06But before that, I'm slipping away to check out a rather luxurious golf course villa valued
32:13at just over £1 million.
32:15I've strong-armed a local agent into showing me around.
32:18Andrew.
32:19Hi, Ben.
32:20Welcome to Les Kalinas Golf and Country Club.
32:21Thank you very much.
32:22Lovely to see you.
32:23Lovely to see this house as well.
32:24It's superb, isn't it?
32:25I can't wait to see inside this house.
32:27Can I lead you through?
32:28Please do.
32:29Okay.
32:30Lava glass door.
32:33So nice that you can just see front to back, isn't it?
32:36Yeah, it is.
32:37As you approach the property.
32:38Gosh.
32:39That is not a bad outlook.
32:41It's fantastic, isn't it?
32:42In terms of a wall of glass, just look at that.
32:45That is a thing of beauty, isn't it?
32:47And having the golf course beyond.
32:49Yeah.
32:50What a lovely outlook.
32:51Open plan living is so great, isn't it?
32:53Yeah.
32:54You've got the kitchen there.
32:55Is it still what everyone is after?
32:56Yeah, everybody wants open plan.
32:58Yeah.
32:59And on one floor.
33:00Yeah.
33:01You know, because it's just so easy to use.
33:02So come into the main bedroom, Ben.
33:04Oh, this is very nice, isn't it?
33:06Can you imagine waking up to that view?
33:08I mean, most people like a cup of tea in the morning,
33:10but here you can actually tea off.
33:12Tea off from here.
33:13No pun.
33:14From your bedroom, yeah.
33:15I love that dressing area as well down there, Andrew.
33:18Really nice, and it leads to the ensuite.
33:20And if you think that view is amazing,
33:22come and have a look at this.
33:23Ooh.
33:26Well, Ben.
33:27Bloomin' heck.
33:28A bath with a view.
33:29It's lovely.
33:30Isn't it superb?
33:31It is really super duper.
33:33Do you know, I just love a bath under a window.
33:36It's the coolest thing.
33:37Isn't it?
33:38Love it.
33:41Okay, Ben.
33:42Oh, yeah.
33:43Why did you keep me waiting so long to come and see this?
33:45This is lovely, isn't it?
33:47This is what this property's all about.
33:48Really pretty nice.
33:49I mean, the golf course itself has won best golf course in Spain for the last six years.
33:54It's not, is it?
33:55Yeah.
33:56That must add a bit of a premium to these properties.
33:57It's a big attraction because it is the best.
34:00Yeah.
34:01Thank you, Andrew, for showing me around this place.
34:03Well, I think it's time I should relax a bit more.
34:06You're going to kick me out, aren't you?
34:09Thanks very much.
34:10Let me lead you out.
34:12Cheers.
34:14Back on the hunt for Mandy and Mick's perfect place, we're heading to a property on the edge
34:18of Ciudad Quesada, a popular town known for its nightlife and large expats community.
34:26Welcome.
34:27Well, actually, do you know what I can't believe?
34:29This is our last port of call.
34:31How are you feeling to be in Ciudad Quesada?
34:33We could easily spend evenings here.
34:35I like the high street.
34:36Walking up and down the high street.
34:37And the shop's Mandy.
34:39The history of this town kind of started in the 1970s.
34:42It was developed by a building developer called Justo Quesada San Pere.
34:47And actually, when it was first built, you had to apply to live here.
34:52But don't worry, I have put that application in for you.
34:56And you've been accepted!
34:58Which is great news.
34:59But over time, you know, the town expanded.
35:02And I think in about 1999, it was actually sort of given town status.
35:06And you've got all these amenities.
35:09It's a great place to live.
35:10Loads going on.
35:11Great community.
35:12And I've got one last property for you to see.
35:15Can't wait.
35:16Can't wait.
35:17Let's do it.
35:18In this area, as with the others we've visited, our budget allows us to look at the best of the two beds available.
35:24But as I already have one of those in the mix, I've boxed Clever here and lined up a place that's just about a three bed and has had a recent price reduction.
35:34Welcome to your fifth, your final and maybe your forever home.
35:39Oh, this is beautiful.
35:40What's lovely about the entrance here?
35:41You sort of walk in high up and you've got this lovely overview.
35:45Exactly.
35:46This is just a great outside space.
35:48It's definitely got a wow factor.
35:50And the style of the house is beautiful.
35:53Love the curves.
35:54The tiling.
35:55It is that traditional look.
35:57Price-wise, funnily enough, this is the same price as our last property which needed completely fixing up.
36:04It's just over £232,000 but four weeks ago was priced at £250,000.
36:10Really?
36:11It's been on the market for six months.
36:13Okay.
36:14Maybe it's meant for us.
36:15If the inside's as good as the outside, I think you've cracked it.
36:18Oh, then we've done it.
36:19Come on.
36:20I do agree that the pool area and gardens here are pretty impressive.
36:24There's also a raised terrace front and back, as well as one up on the roof.
36:30With all the furniture included, inside there's a great open plan living space, as preferred by Mandy and Mick,
36:37with a light and bright kitchen at one end.
36:40The main bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.
36:44The second, currently used as an office, is also a great size,
36:48while the third, down in the basement, needs a little work to get it up to scratch.
36:53Finally, there's the shower room.
36:57In we come.
37:04This is great.
37:05Do you know what?
37:06I think this is one that I've looked at.
37:09No.
37:10Is it?
37:11I recognise the kitchen cupboards, the colouring.
37:14Uh-huh.
37:15Mandy, I love the archway over there, actually.
37:17But what do you think of the kitchen, the size, the breakfast bar?
37:20Will that work for you?
37:21I'm absolutely loving it.
37:22Oh, you've really thrown me now, Ben.
37:24I think it works for us, because it's moving ready.
37:29You drop your cases off, and you're good to go.
37:32You're liking this one, then?
37:33What a lovely space, and the light straight away hits you.
37:37It is beautiful.
37:38It is immaculate.
37:39I suppose one small change I might make is to reduce the size of the dining table.
37:44I probably would.
37:45Have this more as living?
37:46Yes.
37:47So, you're seeing yourselves here?
37:48Definitely.
37:49Definitely?
37:50Wow, bloody.
37:51OK.
37:52Should we get outside, because I'm dying to show you this little barbecue area?
37:55I can't wait.
37:56This is nice, isn't it?
38:03Oh, I'm liking this.
38:04What a great outside space.
38:05So pretty.
38:06That's fantastic for outside dining.
38:08Yeah.
38:09So that's your outside kitchen.
38:10Getting a barbecue going.
38:11Yeah, it is, isn't it?
38:12Outside kitchen.
38:13It really is.
38:14I love this.
38:15Do you?
38:16Yeah, I could see us all out here.
38:17Yeah.
38:18Definitely.
38:19Do you want to go see the rest of it?
38:20I think so, too.
38:21Go on, then.
38:22I'll pop you a pop.
38:24Just the three words to say this time, and they are home sweet home.
38:31Oh, this is a great size.
38:34I can see this is a great guest room.
38:37Yeah, and what I love about each room in this house is there's natural light.
38:42The windows are beautiful, and it just flows.
38:45Everything just flows.
38:47Oh.
38:48Oh.
38:49Oh.
38:50Oh.
38:51Oh, it's like a little lad in his cave down here.
38:53Oh, what a great space.
38:55And it even goes through there, look.
38:57Wow.
38:58We could actually set this up as an extra guest room.
39:02And what are we going to tell Ben?
39:04Hmm.
39:05Well, we'll keep that to ourselves.
39:07This villa in popular Casada is listed as a three bed and on the market for just over
39:13£232,000.
39:14Is this the one?
39:16I am so excited to hear how you two got on.
39:21To be honest Ben, I didn't think you were going to top our favourite, but I think you did.
39:26This has done it, has it?
39:27Yeah.
39:28This is your potential future.
39:29Inside I'm crying, believe me, because I can see us as this is our home.
39:34Did you discover that little third bedroom under the house?
39:37If you've got a few extra people staying over, we'd make it work.
39:40The possibilities and the flexibility it gives us, Ben, is fantastic.
39:44Where does this leave the El Chaparral house?
39:46Is it still in the running?
39:47This one trumps the one in El Chaparral.
39:51Yeah.
39:52I think you've ticked all the boxes on this one.
39:54Really?
39:55Yeah.
39:56Definitely.
39:57I am so pleased to hear that.
39:58Obviously you're going to want a little bit of time to explore the area, so I'm going
40:00to give you all the time you need to do that.
40:03In the meantime, I'll go and warm my phone up.
40:04Come on.
40:05Oh, okay.
40:06Let's go.
40:13If you'd like more information on any of the properties featured on today's show,
40:17you know what to do.
40:18Go to a placeinthesun.com forward slash programs.
40:22We've come to the end of our search for a holiday home that in a few years could become
40:26a more permanent one along the southern Costa Blanca with Mandiamik and their budget of
40:31up to £240,000.
40:34While a few of the places we've seen along the way have caught their eye, we've ended
40:38up with just one contender.
40:40Our final place in the town of Ciudad Casada.
40:43My palms are itching and I've got that nervous feeling, so I think I might have a phone call
40:48or two to make here.
40:51Morning, guys.
40:52Morning.
40:53How are you?
40:54Very well.
40:55Are you very, very well?
40:56Yeah.
40:57Excited, yes.
40:58I'm glad to hear it.
40:59How was your evening?
41:00We spent most of the night talking about what decision to make.
41:02This is a huge step forward for you guys.
41:04It really is.
41:05And it's just finding that right one for the permanent home.
41:08Obviously, when I left you, it was all about the last house.
41:11Yes.
41:12It certainly felt like the perfect property.
41:14The style of the property was what really impressed us most.
41:18Yeah, and the fact that it came fully furnished.
41:20Beautiful furniture.
41:21I mean, I think it knocked everything out of the running at that point.
41:23But is it still the fifth property?
41:26Yes.
41:27Yes.
41:28Is it?
41:29Yes.
41:30How could it not be?
41:31Would you like to put an offering on the ready-made room?
41:33Yeah, I think so, yeah.
41:34Do you?
41:35Yeah, definitely.
41:36As you know, it was on the market for just over £232,000, reduced in the past four weeks
41:42from £250,000, so we've come in at the right time.
41:45What are your thoughts on an opening offer?
41:48Erm, we thought about it and we thought, well, let's start with £222,500.
41:53OK.
41:54I would like to upgrade the bathrooms a little bit and also the third bedroom.
42:01We want to convert that.
42:02Shall I put a call in, then?
42:03Yes, please, Ben.
42:04Get the phone out.
42:09Hello, Anders.
42:10It's Ben from A Place in the Sun.
42:12How are you?
42:15Good news.
42:16I'm here with Mick and Mandy and we've been talking about that beautiful property in Casada.
42:20They really, really liked it and they would like to make an offer on it.
42:25There are a couple of changes they would like to make, so that's obviously going to incur some costs
42:29and that would be namely changing or upgrading the bathroom to touch
42:33and formalising the third bedroom on the lower ground floor.
42:37They would like to make you an offer of £222,500.
42:44That's amazing.
42:46I look forward to hearing from you.
42:47Thank you, Anders.
42:48OK.
42:49Speak soon.
42:50Bye.
42:51The only indication is that he found it's a bit low, but he's going to ask the vendor
42:58and come straight back to us.
42:59I've got to start somewhere.
43:00You've got to start somewhere.
43:01How are you feeling?
43:02Are you feeling nervous about this?
43:04I am nervous, but I haven't said that.
43:06I'm still confident and positive.
43:08You should be confident.
43:10Oh.
43:11Well, that is quick.
43:12Hello, Anders.
43:14Hi.
43:15OK.
43:21Sure.
43:24Can I just put you on hold, just for one moment?
43:27And I'll let them know.
43:29Thank you, Anders.
43:32So, the owner has deemed it to be too late, an offer.
43:35Yeah.
43:36However, he's come straight back with a counter offer of £224,000.
43:41Yeah.
43:42Shall we do it?
43:43Brilliant.
43:44Yeah, we're definitely going to go.
43:45Anders, fantastic news.
43:46You have a deal.
43:49Thank you so much for all of your help, and they will be in touch shortly.
43:53Bye.
43:54Oh, my God, guys.
43:55Woo!
43:56Exactly.
43:58Oh, what a result.
43:59What a result.
44:00It's fantastic.
44:01I'm so, like, unbelievably chuffed for you both.
44:05It's the perfect engine, isn't it?
44:08Oh, I love you.
44:09Thanks, Ben.
44:10Cheers.
44:11Well done.
44:12Cheers.
44:18Well, as they say, all good things come to those who wait.
44:22And after over 40 years of waiting, not only have they found each other again,
44:28not only have they found their home sweet home, but they have found their happy place.
44:34And I could not be any more excited for them.
44:36And I wish them a very long and bright future out here on the Costa Blanca.
44:41If you'd like to be on a place in the sun to find your own dream home, go to channel4.com slash
44:52take part.
44:53Take part.
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