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00:00Today I'm house hunting on Spain's stunning southern Costa Blanca around the ever-populous
00:09seaside resort of Torre Villaca. I'm Nora Hamilton and for over 20 years I've had a passion for
00:15buying, renovating and selling property. Today I'll be using my skills to help Claire and Vicky,
00:20friends who are very much in harmony with each other. It has an extra bathroom. So this is two
00:28bed. I like that. And the properties keep making a splash. Welcome to the pool. Wow. That was a good
00:39reaction from you both. I visit a villa in a very desirable location. I've spied the sea over there
00:44and a very well manicured tree. Yes, it's a very well looked after plot. But at the end of the day
00:51will I find my house hunters their perfect place in the sun. Okay. Oh, what's that on? Oh, that's,
00:59that's absolutely lovely. Vicky and Claire and Claire's partner Paul all live under one roof.
01:07They do everything together and they describe themselves as one big happy family. So much so,
01:13they've decided to pull their finances and buy a holiday home here on Spain's southern Costa Blanca.
01:19Vicky met Claire seven years ago through Paul and they've been inseparable ever since. They even
01:25work together. My family is basically Paul and Vicky and the puppies. We're the best of friends. We're
01:37more like sisters in our relationship. We get on so well. More like twins after time, finishing each
01:44other sentences, knowing what the other one's gonna say. Usually laughing all the time, cracking jokes.
01:51We, we've got a similar sense of humour. It's just a lovely family atmosphere. All the time.
01:58As well as living together in their bungalow in Stoke-on-Trent, they've decided it's the perfect time to buy a
02:06holiday home to share in Torrevieja, too. They have a budget of £70,000 to find it.
02:11Around a two-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK into Alicante and a 40-minute drive takes you
02:21to Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca in southeast Spain. Literally translated as Old Tower, named after
02:28the many watchtowers along the coastline from when this was a fishing village, Torrevieja is now a
02:33popular tourist destination with holidaymakers enjoying the gorgeous sandy beaches and water
02:38sports, the nature reserves, the two salt lakes and, of course, the many restaurants and bars, too.
02:45With year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches and affordable prices, demand for property around
02:51Torrevieja has increased by 40% over the last two years. To keep up, construction on previously
02:57abandoned projects has restarted and there are plans to build over 8,000 new homes in the next
03:03three years, all of which, according to agents, makes this a great time to buy. Before we start
03:09the search, I'm meeting my house hunters to find out exactly what they're looking for. Claire and Vicky,
03:14welcome to Torrevieja. Thank you very much. So, how does it feel standing here? It's quite surreal.
03:22There's someone else involved in the search as well, isn't there? There is, my partner Paul.
03:25Will you be reporting back to Paul? Are you going to be making the decision between the two of you?
03:31No, we'll be reporting back to Paul and then if we decide that we want to go ahead with something,
03:36he'll say he's going to come fly out and have a look. Fantastic. Exciting times. Oh, amazing.
03:43You've chosen this part of Spain, Torrevieja. Why this particular area? Just from, like, looking online
03:48and things, it just seems to have everything we need. Walks, cycling, just being outdoors,
03:54really. Have you spent much time in this part of Spain, Claire? No, we haven't. So, how many times
03:59have you been to this part? This is the first time. Wow! So, it's even more exciting. It's all brand new
04:06for us. What's on your wish list when it comes to property? We're ideally looking for two beds,
04:12one bathroom, outside space for the pups. We've got three dogs, so hopefully they shall all be coming
04:19out with us. As long as we're close to some amenities. A pool would be a cherry on the cake.
04:27It's not the be-all and end-all for us. And, like, with the two bedrooms, they need to be of similar
04:34size, not just one master bedroom, and then, like, a small box room. Yeah. You mean you don't want
04:40to be on bunk beds? No. I need space with the dogs, you see. A single room. This is a holiday home,
04:45isn't it, in the first instance? In the first instance, perhaps we think probably just for the
04:51next two years, and then when we can get everything tied up at home, it's going to be our permanent
04:56move. Wow. So you've got a budget of £70,000 to spend? Yes. Got any wiggle room at all? We've got
05:03a bit of wiggle room, haven't we, up to... We have, yeah. What are we thinking? £80,000. So you could go up
05:09another £10,000? But it would have to be the one. Okay. Fab. So, if you are happy, shall we get on with
05:16the set? Yes, please. Let's do it. Thank you. I'm excited to get started, but as these two have never
05:23been to Torrevieja before, I think I should give them a bit of a feel for the town first,
05:28and I know the perfect spot. Welcome to our first stop, the boardwalk, in Torrevieja. What
05:34do you think of this? It's beautiful. Beautiful. Very popular place to come, obviously, lined with
05:39the bars, the restaurants. What would the morning look like here? Oh, a stroll down here with the
05:44dogs, sit and have a coffee, do a bit of people watching. Are you beachy people? Do you like
05:51to sort of come to the beach? Me and Paul like beach. I go on the beach, but she doesn't
05:56like sand in her toes very much. Do you not? No. How would you feel if I told you our first
06:03property was around a 15-minute drive from this very spot? That's not bad at all, is it?
06:10Does that surprise you? Yes, it does. It does. All right, well, shall we head there now,
06:14don't you think? Yes, please. Yes. Come on. Come on. Thank you. Come on.
06:17We're heading to a neighbourhood called El Chaparral, a thriving residential area that
06:24I think could work really well for Claire and Vicky. My first property is in a fabulous
06:28urbanisation with lots going on nearby and has the added bonus of this. Welcome to the
06:36pool. Wow. Wow. Well, that was a good reaction from you both. Really, really pretty. Yeah,
06:42very pretty indeed. So you weren't expecting this? No. No, we weren't. Mainly because of
06:47the budget. You don't expect on the budget that we've got to get a pool. But it's really
06:54nice, lovely. So let's take a little stroll to the property, which is 30 seconds away.
06:58Wow. Come on then. Let's go. Exciting. Well, here we have it in front of us. Wow. Our first
07:08property. Very pretty. Lovely. Three bedrooms. Wow. In this one. This is your main outside
07:14space here. Yes, very nice. Wow. Is that big enough for the dogs, do you think? They're
07:19only a lot. They're only small. They are. Yes, they're only tiny. It's currently priced
07:25just over £78,000. So you like what you see from the outside? Yes, very nice. So far
07:31so good. Shall we take a look around? Yes, please. Definitely. Come on then.
07:38Well, I couldn't have asked for a better reaction to the communal pool. And they were pretty impressed
07:43with the patio area at the front of the property too. Inside is an open plan lounge diner, which
07:48leads through to a good-sized kitchen. A little outside storage area. There are also two double
07:55bedrooms, one a bit larger than the other, but I don't think it would be too much of a compromise,
08:00especially as there's a third single bedroom here too, and a modern shower room.
08:07Step inside. Ooh. Ooh. I love it. Your reaction is like, ooh. Yes, it's very nice.
08:15It's very bright. It's lighter than I thought it was going to be. Yes. Having the dining table there,
08:20I mean, would you keep... We wouldn't have a dining table, would we? No. I'm the only person
08:26that sits at a table. Paul and Claire sit on the sofa. But they could have put me on a little
08:32corner somewhere. Awww. But we'd make room for some more furniture. Into the kitchen then. It's a good size.
08:40It's nice. Nice counter space. You know, plenty of unit space that you can use. Well, you can hit
08:48those markets here, can't you? Get all the fresh produce, bring it back and say, all right, Paul,
08:53crack on. We're heading to the pool. Sounds like a plan. So this is one of the two larger bedrooms.
09:02What do you think of this? Nice and bright. Nice and bright. It's nice that you've got the air
09:07conditioning and you've got the built-in wardrobe. It's good. It's a bit small, but it's manageable.
09:16Because it's a ground floor apartment, it's almost like being in a bungalow. And we live in a bungalow,
09:23and that's what we like. So that's the appeal from here. It's a beautiful place, beautiful property,
09:29but I think maybe just a little bit more space. Okay. Well, I'll tell you what, why don't you go
09:36and have a look around the rest of it, see what you'd want to do with the third bedroom.
09:41Yeah. Because, you know, it does have one more bedroom than you asked for.
09:44And then we will catch up back outside. Okay. Off you go. Thank you.
09:48Well, that's really interesting, because I think that Vicky can see this really working
09:55for her as a permanent home, but I'm not so sure about Claire. It is the first property,
10:01and maybe they're just holding things back because we've got more to see.
10:07Third bedroom. Small. It's not that small as I thought, actually. Not for a third room,
10:13not when we were not expecting a third room, anyway. This is a bit bigger.
10:18Yes, that's a nice size. I think this one might be my room. I think it might be.
10:27There's definitely been a bit of a mixed reaction to this El Chaparral apartment on the market
10:31for just over £78,000. I wonder what their final take on it will be.
10:38Hiya. How'd you get on then?
10:40Very nice, thank you. Very good.
10:42So you like it?
10:44It's lovely. The layout's lovely.
10:47But I just think it's a little bit too small.
10:50Is it a contender? Or are you a bit...?
10:53Um, on the fence.
10:55A bit on the fence.
10:56Want to see what else you've got up your sleeve first.
10:59Okey-dokey.
11:00Your wish is my command. Let's see what's up that sleeve.
11:02It's good to have a property on the back burner, at least.
11:08I'm taking them seven miles from here to Los Balcones.
11:11But before we see the property, there's someone I want them to meet,
11:14as I think they'll have a lot in common.
11:16Well, Vicky, Clare, I'd like to introduce you to Sue.
11:24Hi. Nice to meet you.
11:26So, Sue, interestingly, you purchased here,
11:29having never been to the area before,
11:32which is much like Clare and Vicky.
11:35Yeah, we did.
11:36We came over on an inspection trip about 20 years ago,
11:39and we ended up buying a property.
11:42Never expecting to, but we did.
11:44Wow.
11:44And we'd never been to Spain before.
11:46How have you found the move here?
11:47For us, it went very smoothly.
11:49We didn't really have any problems at all.
11:52We were very lucky to retire over here,
11:54so for us, it was very smooth.
11:56Ever go back to the UK?
11:57Possibly. I'd never say never.
11:59Being in this part of Spain, the food's great, the health care's great.
12:03We love it because of the weather, mainly.
12:05It's been lovely to chat to you.
12:07We are going to head to our next property.
12:09No giving anything away, Sue, but it's three minutes away.
12:12It's close.
12:13Yes, it's close. Right.
12:14See you soon.
12:15OK, bye, Sue.
12:16Bye, bye.
12:19Coming up, I can't wait to hear what Vicky and Claire make of my next property,
12:24a two-bedroom apartment with some lovely views from its private roof terrace.
12:27Today, I'm on Spain's stunning southern Costa Blanca,
12:37helping best friends Claire and Vicky find a holiday home
12:40that will one day become their permanent home with Claire's partner, Paul.
12:44He's leaving the legwork to Vicky and Claire, though.
12:46They want to find somewhere that works for all three of them and their three dogs, too,
12:50for their maximum £80,000 budget.
12:53They liked my first property and it is still tentatively in the running,
12:57but I know ideally they want somewhere a bit bigger.
12:59So I've brought them to Los Balcones to a top-floor apartment in a small urbanisation.
13:07It's just a short walk away from the bars, restaurants and shops
13:10and I think the location would work really well for Claire and Vicky.
13:14So, first stop, the communal pool.
13:19So, here we are. Look at this for your outside space.
13:24OK.
13:27Oh, what's all that on?
13:29Oh, that's absolutely lovely.
13:31Why do you think you've been overcome with emotion?
13:34I don't know, it's just sometimes you get a feeling for a place
13:38and I've got a nice feeling about this place.
13:42Oh.
13:42It's the palm trees. Look at the lovely trees.
13:45It's everything. It's beautiful flowers.
13:48It really is beautiful.
13:49They really do care about the community here.
13:52We're going to look at one of the apartments when you're ready, of course.
13:57So, we're loving the outside space here.
14:00Big tick there.
14:01Location works?
14:02Yes.
14:03Yes, it does.
14:03Big tick there.
14:04Let's head to the apartment then.
14:06Got everything across.
14:07That's a big tick, too.
14:08Yeah.
14:08Let's go.
14:09So, a couple of steps from the pool then
14:13and the property we're going to look at now is on the corner, corner plot.
14:18Two bed, one bath.
14:19So, this place has been on the market for a year
14:21and is currently priced just over £82,500.
14:25But the agent has said there would be room to negotiate that.
14:29Not much, though.
14:30Yeah.
14:30But within your top end wiggle room, £80,000.
14:35What would Paul say about this one, do you think, and this location?
14:38I think he'd like this location.
14:40Have you spoken to Paul at all about the first property?
14:42Yes, we have.
14:43We've spoken in length about it and it's going to be a non-contender.
14:48OK.
14:49He liked the outside area, but he just felt that the rooms were a little bit too small
14:55for what we were wanting.
14:57So, we're ruling out the first property.
15:00Paul has vetoed both of you.
15:02I mean, he's not even here.
15:04Well, I suppose we should head inside this one and see what you think then.
15:06Definitely.
15:07Come on.
15:07Yes, please.
15:08As well as the communal pool, this apartment has a balcony and a huge roof terrace.
15:16Inside is a lounge diner, which leads through to the kitchen.
15:20The two double bedrooms here are equal sizes, so no arguments over those.
15:26And there's a shower room.
15:29Set this way.
15:31So, what do you think of this area?
15:32I like this.
15:33I like the flooring.
15:35And if you can just move it round to how you feel that it should be.
15:41I like the colour.
15:42Yellow is one of my favourite colours.
15:45So, you'd keep the colour, but you'd just change the layout of the furniture.
15:48Just change the furniture, yeah.
15:50So, shall we have a look at one of the bedrooms?
15:51Let's head this way and take a look at that.
15:56So, this is the second bedroom.
15:58Very nice.
15:59That's stunning.
15:59I love that.
16:00Loving the colour.
16:02Yes, I am.
16:03No decorating in here, do you?
16:05No decorating in here at all.
16:06And what about the size and space in here?
16:08I like it.
16:09It's a good size.
16:10It is.
16:11Shall we head upstairs to the roof terrace and take a look at that outside space, yeah?
16:14Yes, please.
16:14I love the fact you're so excited.
16:17Let's get it.
16:17So, look at this space, your roof terrace.
16:26What do you think?
16:27Very lovely indeed.
16:28This is lovely.
16:29So, obviously, you come out of the lounge onto that little patio down there and you've got
16:33this area up here.
16:35So, I'm thinking, as much as I know you all love spending time together, it's almost quite
16:39nice that you have, like, little individual areas.
16:40Yes, as well.
16:41Yes.
16:41If you want to get away from each other, I'll do bad enough.
16:44What do you think of those views?
16:46Stunning.
16:47Absolutely beautiful.
16:48Why don't you go and explore and I will see you afterwards.
16:51Lovely.
16:54Well, I'm disappointed to hear that they've ruled out property one because they don't
16:57think it's big enough.
16:58But, by the sounds of things, this is a big improvement.
17:01Fingers crossed.
17:06Very nice, Claire.
17:08This is good.
17:08It's a nice size.
17:10You don't want anything much bigger than this.
17:12No, you don't.
17:13Just right.
17:16Now, I like this room.
17:17Very nice.
17:19Just your colour as well, Vicky.
17:21Yeah.
17:21And you've got the wardrobe space, so, superb.
17:24Claire was reduced to tears outside this corner apartment with a solarium on the market for
17:30just over a negotiable £82,500.
17:34I'm feeling confident about this one.
17:36Hello.
17:37Hello.
17:38Hi, Laura.
17:38Hello.
17:39How'd you get on?
17:39Absolutely superb.
17:41Brilliant.
17:41What did you like about it in particular?
17:43It was light.
17:44It was airy.
17:45The flow was nice.
17:47OK.
17:48Good.
17:48Anything you weren't sure on?
17:50No, I loved all of it.
17:52Is it a contender?
17:53Yes.
17:54Yeah.
17:55We have a contender.
17:56We have a contender.
17:57So, moving on from here, are you sort of feeling much the same?
18:02Or another bathroom, maybe?
18:04Or what, you know, what would you like?
18:06I think another bathroom, maybe, if we can stretch it.
18:10Let's head to our next property, then.
18:12Lovely.
18:13Off we go.
18:16With things going so well, I think there's time for a pit stop en route to the next property.
18:20Claire and Vicky have never been here before at all, so I want to show them somewhere I think will be appealing for the whole family.
18:28The reason I brought you here is this is one of the dog-friendly beaches in the area.
18:33Lovely. Excellent.
18:33See a few little doggies down there.
18:35Oh, yes.
18:37All having a good time.
18:38Do you get to take the dogs to the beach very much at all in the UK?
18:41Uh, not much, no more.
18:43Yeah.
18:44They do have a bit of a run round with sand in the toes.
18:46Oh, have you ever taken them abroad before?
18:50Never.
18:51So how do you think, what would the plan be?
18:53Would you put them in a car and drive over?
18:55Or, I mean, I know they're little, so certain airlines you can actually take the dogs on board.
18:59I think the initial plan is to see about bringing them in the car, but I would also inquire about, because they're small, flying them in with us.
19:09Right, well, we're going to head to our next property. It's ten minutes in the car and 45 minutes on the bus.
19:16Fabulous.
19:17Right, lovely.
19:17Ready to look?
19:18Yes, thank you.
19:23Coming up, I'm positive Claire and Vicky will love my next property, which has an extra bathroom and this fabulous loan maintenance outside space.
19:32Today, I'm on Spain's stunning southern Costa Blanca, helping fun-loving friends Vicky and Claire find a holiday home around the beautiful salt lakes of Torrevieca.
19:48And, although there's room for improvement, I'm pleased to say I've bagged myself my first contender.
19:53They fell for this corner apartment with the amazing solarium in Los Balcones, as it would work for them, Claire's partner Paul, and their three dogs.
20:02They would love a second bathroom, though, if their maximum budget of £80,000 could stretch to it.
20:09So, I've brought them to Los Altos, a town just south of Torrevieca.
20:13It's smaller, but it's got everything here, Claire, Vicky and Paul could want, and with properties around 12% cheaper than Los Balcones, I've managed to line up a bigger apartment.
20:23Next property.
20:26How's this for outside space?
20:28Very nice.
20:29I thought you might like this.
20:31It has an extra bathroom.
20:33Ooh.
20:34So, this is two bed.
20:35I like that.
20:36You can think that.
20:38Two bed, two bath.
20:39This is priced very similarly to the previous property, so it's on the market just over £82,500.
20:46Right.
20:47Again, there would be a bit of room to negotiate, but not a huge amount.
20:52Right.
20:53Shall we take a look around inside and talk more in the living room?
20:56Yes.
20:56Yes, please.
21:00This apartment has access to a lovely communal swimming pool, as well as the private patio to the front that Claire and Vicky already love.
21:07Inside is a living and dining room, a separate compact kitchen, which leads out to a little courtyard.
21:15There are two double bedrooms, a shower room, and that extra bathroom.
21:21So, if you are wanting more space, this apartment is actually ten square metres larger than the previous properties.
21:33Yes, very nice.
21:34Thinking that wrap-around sofa.
21:36Yes, that would go nicely there.
21:38Oh, just there.
21:39Lovely.
21:40So, you're liking the space?
21:42Yes.
21:42Loving the space.
21:43Now, it's not a huge kitchen.
21:47Is there enough space here for what you would want to do, Claire?
21:51I think so.
21:53Yeah, there's plenty of counter space and you've got everything there. Washer machine, fridge, freezer, cooker.
22:00So, my idea is if you did feel the kitchen wasn't quite big enough for you, you could kind of continue along the wall here with a bit of an outside kitchen prep area.
22:16Yes.
22:16Because, if you notice, next door have actually enclosed it.
22:21Yes.
22:21Oh, yes.
22:22I can feel that there's potential there.
22:25Why don't you go and have a look around the rest of it?
22:27The two bedrooms, which, again, I've made sure are similar size.
22:32There is no yellow, but there are two bathrooms.
22:35Have you got a bathroom each as well?
22:36Go and explore now.
22:38See you in a bit.
22:42This is by far the largest property that they've seen so far and it sounds as though it's going really well.
22:49So, fingers crossed, they like both the bedrooms and both the bathrooms.
22:55This is a nice size.
22:58And it's got air con as well, like, as well as your built-in more feet.
23:02Yeah.
23:03No, this is a lovely size. I like this.
23:06Nice and bright.
23:07Yeah.
23:08Nice size for me.
23:15TV up there.
23:17Yes.
23:17You and the pups on the bed.
23:19Exactly.
23:20Things seem to be going well at this ground floor apartment on the market for just over a negotiable £82,500.
23:27Have I got myself another contender?
23:31Well, well, well.
23:33How did it go?
23:35Very lovely, thank you.
23:37Oh, do we have a new favourite?
23:40It's not a favourite.
23:41It's on the same par, but in a different level to the last one we just viewed.
23:46Right, so it's on a par, but a different level.
23:49Do you mean because it's ground floor as opposed to first floor?
23:51Also, yes.
23:52Oh, really?
23:53Yes.
23:53Literally just that?
23:54It's kind of a ground floor alternative?
23:56Because the other one, you've got the solarium, which is lovely.
23:59Yeah.
24:00But this one, this space out here is lovely.
24:03Yeah.
24:03And you like the second bathroom.
24:06That was a very nice treat.
24:09What do you think Paul would say about this one?
24:11I think he'd like this, but then the other one does pull on the heartstrings.
24:16Yes.
24:16Well, this is good.
24:18It's a good sign, though.
24:18Two contenders, then, so far.
24:20Yes.
24:21Yes.
24:21OK, well, as we've got these in the bag, moving forward, you live in a bungalow.
24:27Yes.
24:28How would you feel if I could find you something that was a bit on par with what you have back home?
24:34That would be special.
24:35Yeah?
24:36I'd like that very much, yes.
24:37OK.
24:37Let's go look.
24:38Follow me.
24:42We're heading back to El Chaparral for my next property, but as it's so close to one of
24:46Torre Vieca's famous salt lakes, I just had to take Claire and Vicky there first to see it.
24:52The pink lake of Torre Vieca.
24:54Now, you've not been here in person, so you've only seen them online.
24:57Exactly.
24:57I've read about them.
24:58Is it living up to your expectations?
25:00More so.
25:00Is it?
25:01It's a pinch-me moment.
25:02Is it?
25:03Yeah.
25:04It's lovely standing here.
25:06It's so calm and tranquil, and it's very, very beautiful.
25:10Yeah.
25:10This one's pink because, actually, the bacteria, there's a certain type of bacteria in here that makes it pink.
25:17And in addition to that, there's also some little shrimps, some pink shrimps that are in here that the flamingos eat.
25:25Yeah.
25:26And that is apparently why they're the colour they are.
25:29Wow.
25:31Very good.
25:32So there you go.
25:33Yes.
25:33So shall we head to our next property?
25:35We're feeling calm, tranquil, and zen.
25:38Very much so.
25:39Yes.
25:40Let's go.
25:41We're heading to an established residential urbanisation called Saint-Louis.
25:47Properties here have increased by around 7% in the last year.
25:51But despite that, I've still managed to line up a great bungalow.
25:55And while it doesn't have a pool, it could really be a great home from home.
25:59Step this way.
26:02Hey.
26:03Not far, then, from the lake, which you can almost touch.
26:08Yes.
26:08I was going to say, you can almost touch that, can't you?
26:11This is...
26:12Oh, wow.
26:14Alex Poffercy.
26:15Wow.
26:16It's a two-bed, one-bath bungalow.
26:19Wow.
26:20It's lovely.
26:21That is beautiful.
26:22Now, it's currently priced just over £81,500.
26:28The agent has said you would be able to negotiate to around £78,000.
26:32Wow.
26:32Any other thoughts at all before you take a look around?
26:36Can't wait to get in there, that's all.
26:38OK, right, well, you can look around this one on your own.
26:40And I will be out here waiting in the sunshine.
26:42Lovely.
26:47Well, that's a fantastic initial response.
26:51I just hope that the second bedroom isn't going to be too small for them.
26:56They clearly love the look of this bungalow.
26:59The front terrace is a great size and secure for the dogs.
27:02And there's a staircase up to a gorgeous solarium with views of the pink lake.
27:08Inside is a spacious lounge diner, which is open to the kitchen at the back.
27:13The main bedroom is a good size.
27:16The second a little smaller but still a double.
27:18And there's a family bathroom.
27:21The second a little smaller but still a little smaller.
27:22The second a little smaller.
27:23The second a little smaller.
27:24The second a little smaller.
27:25The second a little smaller.
27:26Wow.
27:27Very lovely.
27:29Now, this is ticking all the boxes.
27:31I'm liking the lighting.
27:33And I love that wallpaper as well.
27:35Nice tiles.
27:36They're in a lovely colour.
27:37It's lovely.
27:38It really is lovely.
27:39This is very nice, Claire.
27:45It's beautiful.
27:46Enough workspace for your cooking?
27:48Oh, definitely.
27:50I think Paul would like it in here as well.
27:53Yeah?
27:53I can just relax in there and watch you through there.
27:55This is a nice room.
28:02Look at this.
28:03It's quite quirky, isn't it?
28:05It's lovely.
28:06Your wardrobes.
28:08No, this is a lovely space.
28:13Look at this, Claire.
28:14Oh, wow.
28:20Isn't this stunning?
28:21What a beautiful space.
28:24Can you see the pink lake?
28:25Oh, beautiful.
28:27Isn't that lovely?
28:29It's almost as tranquil as standing there, isn't it?
28:32It is.
28:32It's lovely.
28:34This pink lake bungalow on the market for just over £81,500
28:38had a great reaction from the very beginning.
28:41I'm intrigued to see what they think of it now they've seen it all.
28:46Hi.
28:47Hello.
28:48Hello.
28:49Hello.
28:50What happened?
28:51Oh, absolutely fabulous.
28:54What do you like so much about it?
28:56The kitchen, brilliant.
28:59Don't have to do anything to it.
29:01All the natural light, the space in the living room.
29:04I've got to ask, how did you feel about the bedrooms?
29:06Because that was the one sort of thing I was thinking,
29:08are you going to be happy with the space?
29:10I love the second bedroom.
29:12Perfect.
29:13I like the wardrobe going around the bed,
29:16and it's just really cosy in there.
29:19Perfect.
29:20So where does that leave us in terms of contenders?
29:23For me, this is a contender, and it is the frontrunner.
29:28Definitely.
29:29So this is the new frontrunner?
29:31Yeah, it's the top one.
29:32Right.
29:33Wow, we've got one last property left to look at,
29:36and now I think I've got, you know, a really good idea of what you want and what you like.
29:43Will you trust me with this final one?
29:45Yes, most definitely.
29:46Shall we head to our last property, see what that brings,
29:48and then you'd better call Paul and let him know?
29:50Yes.
29:51Which your favourites are?
29:52We certainly will.
29:53Let's go.
29:53OK.
29:56Coming up, will my final property, another bungalow, make the shortlist?
30:00Excellent choice.
30:01Yeah.
30:02Spoiling us.
30:03Yeah.
30:03Today, I'm house hunting around the popular seaside town of Torre de Eca
30:14on Spain's southern Costa Blanca with best friends Vicky and Claire,
30:18who are looking for a holiday home that will one day become a permanent home for them
30:22and Claire's partner Paul, as well as their three dogs.
30:25The search is going so well, we currently have three contenders,
30:29and I've got one last property to show them.
30:32Paul's at home for now, but he'll be flying over here
30:34to see anything they might want to buy for their maximum £80,000 budget.
30:39And he might need to start packing, as the more we see, the more they seem to like.
30:44This first-floor corner apartment with the amazing solarium
30:46and this ground-floor apartment are both strong contenders.
30:50But heading up the shortlist is this bungalow by the Pink Lake.
30:54My final property, though, could well top the lot.
30:56But before that, I'm heading off to visit a detached villa
31:01in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods of Torre de Vieca, La Valletta.
31:05On the market for just under £1.5 million,
31:08this four-bedroom home is in an enviable location.
31:12I'm meeting the agent, Emma, who's agreed to show me around.
31:16Hi, Emma.
31:17Hello, nice to see you.
31:18Wow, so what are we about to look at?
31:20We're about to look at this stunning villa.
31:22It was built in early 2000s.
31:24I've spied the sea over there.
31:26And a very well-manikered tree.
31:28Yes.
31:29It's a very well-looked-after plot
31:30and the property is literally a stone's throw away from the sea.
31:34You've not got a two-minute walk to the beach from here.
31:36Brilliant. Well, can we go inside?
31:37Yeah, let's get in.
31:40So, welcome.
31:41I love the split level.
31:43It's really lovely.
31:44They've done such a great job on the property.
31:45Although it's only 23 years old,
31:48they've done some really beautiful traditional features
31:51throughout the property, such as the split level,
31:53the open archways, the exposed beams.
31:56Yeah, I was going to say that the beams and the stonework
31:58around that fireplace really sort of give, I suppose,
32:00the new build home some character.
32:02Yes, definitely.
32:04There's that sea view.
32:06Yeah, you can't miss it, can you?
32:07I mean, it is a great location, isn't it?
32:09It really is.
32:10You've got absolutely everything on your doorstep here
32:12from bars, supermarkets, restaurants.
32:14Everything's a stone throw away.
32:15And everything in the house, by the looks of things,
32:17as well, with some great storage space.
32:19Yeah, you also have your own office here
32:21and a fully fitted en-suite bathroom.
32:25Well, I did spy the pool.
32:26Yeah.
32:27So, can we have a look at the outside space next?
32:29Yeah, come through and have a look.
32:32This seems like quite a sizeable plot
32:35considering you're so close to the beach.
32:37So, the plot itself is substantial.
32:40800 square metres is fairly big for this area.
32:43By itself, the plot in today's market
32:45would be around £1 million.
32:47Wow.
32:48Good luck with the sale.
32:49Thanks so much for showing me around.
32:51Thank you for coming.
32:51It's nice to see you.
32:52Nice to see you.
32:52I've got to get back to my house hunters.
32:56It's back to the house hunt.
32:58But as Claire and Vicky are totally new to this area,
33:00there's one more place I want to show them
33:02before we go to the final property.
33:04The Toravieca Greenway,
33:06the perfect place to take their three dogs for a walk.
33:08So, our final stop before we head to the final property.
33:14This pathway here, well, this route, actually,
33:16it's ten miles.
33:18This is a former train line,
33:19and that was the train that was used to transport the salt
33:23from the lakes to Toravieca.
33:26It's so beautiful here.
33:28Really is, absolutely.
33:30You can't ask for anything else.
33:32It's tranquil and calm, but you're still close to things.
33:35Paul's going to be joining us later on tonight, isn't he?
33:38He is.
33:39Going to be helping you come to a decision
33:41as to whether, you know, the area is right
33:44and whether you've found the right house.
33:48Exactly.
33:48Or two, or three, or...
33:50It could be four!
33:51Shall we head to our final property, then?
33:53Yes, please.
33:54Let's go.
33:57I'm taking them five minutes' drive from here
33:59to El Chaparral again,
34:01as it's an area they seem to really like.
34:03This time, though, we're heading to an urbanisation
34:05called El Limonar,
34:07and I've managed to line up a fabulous property
34:09for the lowest amount so far,
34:11just under £77,500.
34:16As you liked the previous property, the bungalow, so much,
34:21I thought I'd show you the bungalow as our final property.
34:26Excellent choice.
34:27Yeah.
34:28Spoiling us.
34:29And there it is there.
34:30It's two bed, one bath, renovated five years ago.
34:34The agent has said they think you'd be able to get it
34:37for around £75,000.
34:40Right.
34:40The owners are keen to sell.
34:43Right, shall we head inside?
34:44Yes, please.
34:45The property has a private courtyard at the front
34:50and another larger one at the back,
34:53so plenty of room for the dogs.
34:55The open-plan living area has a cosy lounge
34:57and a modern kitchen at the other end,
35:00as well as a utility room.
35:02There are two good-sized double bedrooms
35:03and a shower room.
35:07Come on in.
35:07So, this property, all-open plan,
35:12utility room there on the left.
35:15It's good to have.
35:16Yeah.
35:17How do you feel about this kitchen
35:18and the workspace compared to what you've seen?
35:22This is...
35:23This is brilliant.
35:26It's the biggest one, I think.
35:27Yeah, lots, lots of space.
35:30Into this bedroom.
35:34This is nice and bright.
35:35Mmm.
35:36It's a big space.
35:37It's good.
35:38Do you think it surprised you
35:39that you've liked so many of the properties?
35:41Yeah.
35:42You think to yourself,
35:43right, I've got a mindset of what I'm looking for,
35:45and then something else comes along
35:47and you're like that one,
35:49and then something else comes along
35:50and you're like that one.
35:51It's a bit like being in a sweet shop, isn't it?
35:53You're like, I'll have that one,
35:54I'll have that one, I'll have that one.
35:55You can't have them all.
35:57You've got to choose one.
35:59Let's take a look at the outside space,
36:00at the back, then, see what you think of that.
36:02OK, thank you.
36:02I'll follow you.
36:06Now, I know I brought you in through the kitchen,
36:08but actually, the beauty of this place
36:11is you could use that as your front door instead.
36:13Yeah.
36:14If you come in this way.
36:16Definitely.
36:16This is a good space.
36:18Very nice space, isn't it?
36:19It's nice having the two,
36:21the one at the front and the one at the back,
36:23cos you can have the sun or the shade, which is nice.
36:26Well, why don't you have a look around now, on your own?
36:29Yes.
36:30Yes.
36:31Right, I'll see you in a minute.
36:32OK, see you later.
36:37This is nice, Vicky.
36:38I'd say this is another nice size lap.
36:40This is lovely.
36:42And we've got storage.
36:44Plenty of storage.
36:46A bit confused about the tumble dryer,
36:49but I don't think we'd be needing one of those.
36:50No, not in this weather.
36:56It's a nice space.
36:59Very good space,
37:00but I think we would not have the furniture.
37:04No, lose the furniture.
37:05Yeah.
37:06Corner suite would come along there
37:08and come along here very nicely.
37:10Claire and Vicky seem to be impressed
37:11with the space inside and outside this bungalow
37:14with the two patios on the market
37:15for just under £77,500.
37:18I wonder where this one's going to rank.
37:22Hi.
37:23Hello.
37:24Did you like it?
37:26Loved it.
37:26Yay!
37:28I thought it was very bright.
37:30Mm.
37:31It looked a lot more spacious
37:32because of the high ceilings.
37:34Mm.
37:34Price is good.
37:35Yeah.
37:36Mm-hmm.
37:36Price is very good.
37:37So what was discussed about the other apartments
37:40and the bungalow?
37:42Have you narrowed it down any more?
37:45But the other bungalow is still...
37:47I think it's still the front runner for me.
37:49Is it really?
37:50Mm-hmm.
37:51And the first-floor corner apartment.
37:54Yeah.
37:55But not the ground-floor one.
37:57Right, so we've now got three contenders.
38:00Yeah.
38:00So, Paul is heading out later this evening.
38:05Ooh, you've got a lot to discuss, haven't you?
38:09Oh, yes.
38:10Chat with Paul tonight,
38:11and then we will reconvene,
38:14and hopefully you'll have narrowed it down to one.
38:18Okay.
38:23If you'd like more information
38:24on any of the properties featured on today's show,
38:27go to aplaceinthesun.com forward slash programmes.
38:31It's been an interesting search
38:33trying to find Claire and Vicky and Paul
38:35Paul's perfect place
38:36for their maximum £80,000 budget.
38:38When Paul arrived,
38:39I arranged for them to visit all three on their shortlist.
38:43My second property with a solarium,
38:45the fourth, the bungalow near the pink lake,
38:47and my last bungalow with the two patios.
38:50I'm intrigued to hear their final verdict.
38:52Well, well, well.
38:53How nice is this?
38:54Finally getting to meet Paul.
38:56Hello, Lord, and how are you?
38:57Hello.
38:58We have spoken lots about you.
39:00Yes.
39:00And, yeah, it's been a great, great house search, hasn't it?
39:04Certainly has, yeah.
39:05Do you think they have done you a good job?
39:07Absolutely, yeah.
39:09So, what happened, Paul?
39:13Which one?
39:13Have you got a favourite or talk me through?
39:16Yeah, I really like number four.
39:18Really?
39:18That's your favourite?
39:19Nice property.
39:20A lot of scope for that and a nice, spacious place.
39:23How did you feel when you went back to property four?
39:27It was just like going back home.
39:29Really?
39:29Yeah.
39:30It was lovely.
39:31We want to make an offer.
39:33OK, wow.
39:34So, that property is currently on the market just over £81,500.
39:40Now, I know your budget was £70,000 with £10,000 wiggle room,
39:45and the agent had said to us that they would be willing to accept offers
39:48on that one around £78,000.
39:50Having gone back to it, what are you thinking?
39:54Having looked at it, like you said, that our original budget was £70,000.
39:58If it was something spectacular, we could push to £80,000.
40:02We'd like to offer £72,000.
40:05OK, I think that that is a good offer.
40:09The property's been on the market now for nine months,
40:11and there hasn't been any offers during that time.
40:14Interesting.
40:15So, if you're all happy, how excited?
40:19We're going to put an offer forward.
40:21Yes, please.
40:21And we shall see what happens.
40:22Yeah.
40:23OK, let's do it.
40:27Hello, it's Laura from A Place in the Sun.
40:29So, I am just with Claire, Vicky and Paul, and we are discussing the property that they viewed
40:39with you, and we are just talking offers.
40:43So, the offer that we would like to make is £72,000.
40:48What I'd like to point out is they are in a position to move immediately.
40:56They don't have any property to sell, and they have actually looked at several other properties
41:03in the area that they are considering.
41:05So, they very much feel that this is a very good offer.
41:09Brilliant.
41:10Work your magic, please.
41:14Bye-bye.
41:17So, he said he is going to do his absolute best for you.
41:23So, fingers crossed, I love the way you're all holding hands.
41:26It's like, yes!
41:28Looks like Vicky's getting a bit to your face.
41:31Are you?
41:31Are you?
41:33It's the wind.
41:34No excuses for the wind inside.
41:37So, how are you both feeling?
41:39Very excited.
41:41Sorry, you're going to start making me cry in a minute.
41:43We'll all be crying.
41:49Hello, Laura speak in.
41:53OK, I will speak to them, and I will get back to you.
41:59OK, so, the offer of £72,000 hasn't been accepted, but what they will accept is £73,900.
42:16I mean, that is a big drop.
42:20When they said that they would take £78,000 and they've come down to £73,900...
42:25You said that if they didn't accept that, you'd leave that on the table and think about it.
42:30I think we should discuss it and decide in the morning.
42:33Do you want me to call them back and say £72,000 on the table and you'll wait?
42:38I don't want you to lose out, but at the same time, you did come out here with your budget of £70,000.
42:43OK, I'll call them back and I'll say, it's £72,000 and you're going to leave it on the table.
42:51Hello, we've had a good chat and unfortunately we are going to be leaving the offer of £72,000 on the table.
43:00If you want to put the offer forward again for us and just reiterate that, then that...
43:04OK, that's fine, thank you. Bye-bye, bye-bye.
43:11I think the agent knows it's a good offer because he's like, I'm going to call him again and I'm going to try and...
43:19Fair play, very good.
43:20...convince him.
43:20Yeah.
43:20So, are you happy to wait a bit more?
43:24Yes, certainly.
43:25I mean, he's going to try again.
43:30Hello, Laura speaking.
43:32OK, I'll pass that on and call you back.
43:39So, the answer is they will take an offer of £73,000.
43:44Look, you know, honestly, I think if you can get it for £73,000, that is a really, really good deal.
43:56Fair play, yeah.
43:57Happy?
43:58Yeah.
43:59Are you sure?
44:00Are you all...
44:00£73,000.
44:01Yeah?
44:02That's what you want, isn't it?
44:03Yes, it is.
44:04Can I do it?
44:05Yes, please.
44:07Hi, Antonio, you have got yourself a deal at £73,000.
44:12Thank you so much.
44:15Thank you, thank you.
44:17Bye-bye.
44:18Yay!
44:19Oh, that's going to be so good.
44:22The dog's going to love it.
44:24Yeah.
44:25And you're going to love it.
44:26You're going to love it.
44:27Well, look, thank you.
44:29It's exciting and you've just packed yourself a dream holiday and permanent home.
44:34Exactly.
44:35For a great price.
44:37Cheers to that guy.
44:37Thank you so much.
44:38Thank you very much.
44:39Cheers.
44:40Cheers.
44:42What a fantastic result for Vicky, Claire and Paul.
44:48We managed to find them the perfect holiday home that will one day become their permanent home.
44:53It's been such an enjoyable search and I wish them all the very best.
44:57If you'd like to be on A Place in the Sun to find your own dream home, go to channel4.com forward slash take part.
45:04We'll see you next time on A Place in the Sun to find your own dream home, go to the Sun to find your own dream home, go to the Sun to find your own dream home, go to the Sun to find your own dream home, go to the Sun to find your own dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream home, go to the Sun to find your dream
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