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00:00Today, I'm catching up with foster carers René and Jacqueline,
00:04who just over two years ago were struggling with the question,
00:07should they love or list their six-bed home in Stockport?
00:14The stakes were higher than ever.
00:17If you did compromise, what would you compromise on?
00:19Marriage.
00:22Well, I tried to bring order to the chaos of a six-bed semi.
00:26I have a... I have a...
00:27I have a...
00:28Um, for that.
00:29I brought them to tears on the house hunt.
00:32Don't cry.
00:33I can't believe it. I can't believe it.
00:35You've made them cry.
00:36They were on the end of some pretty firm advice.
00:39Can I still have the wallpaper?
00:42No.
00:43Ultimately, the decision was theirs to make, but did they stick to it?
00:47I'm back for a major twist in the tale.
00:50It's been a very tough decision.
00:52Back in 2023, Kirstie and I were on our way to Stockport in Greater Manchester.
01:03And I was bringing out some of my top bants to keep my bestie entertained.
01:10I've been to Stockport before.
01:11Oh, we're nearly there.
01:24I'm sure she'll perk up by the time we arrive.
01:30There we go, cute.
01:31Today's duo caught in a love-it-or-list-it dilemma, a customer experience manager, René, and foster carer, Jacqueline.
01:40Home for them is this extended six-bedroom semi.
01:44I want to love it.
01:45And I want to list it.
01:48We've created so many memories here, and I do believe this is a forever home.
01:53We don't argue, we don't bicker, we don't...
01:55I need to do 24 years, and this is the one thing that's kind of gone...
01:59We can't get on the same page about...
02:00We can't.
02:01Brilliant.
02:03The couple live here with their daughter, Casey, and two long-term foster children.
02:08We've been fostering for...
02:1014 years?
02:1115 this year.
02:12And we've had 30-plus kids.
02:16The moment Jacqueline saw this house eight years ago, she thought it had the potential to be a perfect foster home.
02:23We walked in, and the feeling I got was just, do you know what, this is going to work.
02:30It has a great feel.
02:31It's a home.
02:33I fell in with the garden rather than the house.
02:36I wasn't bothered with the house.
02:37I was like, look at the garden.
02:40When the couple bought it, the house had separate kitchen, living and dining rooms.
02:44To give René the open-plan cooking and entertaining space she wanted, they remodelled the layout.
02:50Hello. Shalom, shalom. Come in. Hi.
02:55On a Friday night, we have at least eight for dinner. It's not unusual to have far in excess of that.
03:01But for René, the new layout isn't working either.
03:04We've got things wrong.
03:06And when you've spent money on a house and you've not got things quite right,
03:10is it not best to just cut your losses and find what works for you somewhere else?
03:15It works. You can feed 22 here. We've done it.
03:18But it's a squash and a squeeze.
03:20It's nice to be close.
03:21It's crunch time in this love-it-or-list-it clash.
03:29The couple removed walls between the living room, dining room and kitchen,
03:32resulting in a long open space, with the kitchen awkwardly tucked away to the side.
03:38They've also extended out to the front,
03:40allowing them to convert the garage into an additional bedroom
03:43and enlarged the WC into a shower room.
03:47Upstairs is a large family bathroom, a WC and five bedrooms.
03:52In total, they spent £35,000 on the changes
03:56and have created cosy bedrooms for Casey and their foster kids.
04:00But they haven't treated their own bedroom with the same care and attention.
04:05Some days can be really, really difficult.
04:08And when the kids have gone to bed, it's one place we can go and just go,
04:12Tomorrow's another day.
04:16I just want an en-suite.
04:18You want an en-suite.
04:21Jacqueline, your wish is my command.
04:27Right. That's quite fancy.
04:30Looks like they don't need us.
04:32They might not need you.
04:34Punch you straight off the bat, Phil.
04:37Hello. Hello.
04:38Hello. Good morning.
04:39Nice to meet you. I'm Phil. Good to meet you.
04:41Come in.
04:42So, who wants to love, who wants to list?
04:45I want to love it.
04:46And I want to list it.
04:48OK.
04:48So, you've spent money opening it up, trying to make it work,
04:52but it's not working.
04:54Not quite.
04:55We ask a lot of the house, and this house has to be a home, it has to be an environment that fills many needs for many different people at many different times.
05:07And that's why we did the work downstairs, and I think with a little bit of tweaking, it would work perfectly.
05:13Well, at the moment, I'm looking at this house and thinking, open plan kitchen, sitting room, how many bedrooms?
05:19It's got six. Five upstairs and one downstairs.
05:22Often we go to a house and you say, oh, this is a busy house. This is beyond busy. This is taking things to the next level.
05:29It's not unusual to do five loads of laundry a day when we are at full capacity.
05:33Your life and your needs for your home, what's gone wrong? Why is it no longer suitable?
05:40It's the entertaining space for you, because Friday night dinners, there's a minimum of eight.
05:45It's not unusual to have 12 on a Friday night, and we can just about squeeze an extra table in and all squeeze around this table when it's laid out differently.
05:54But to then sit comfortably afterwards and have adult conversation and have little people around, it's not working.
06:03You've got a good square footage. Perhaps it needs rejigging.
06:06Rejigging. And we've never done our own room, so we've never in 15 years had a really lovely bedroom that we can retreat to.
06:16That panics me, because I'm the kind of person who needs my own space. I have two sons, two step-sons.
06:24I have one space which is absolutely my sanctuary, and I wouldn't be able to function without that.
06:32So how you do what you do without that space, I'm amazed.
06:38I understand exactly why you want to stay. We've also got to bear in mind that we live in a really great neighbourhood.
06:44We live in a neighbourhood where it's safe. Not only do we foster lots of different children, but we're also a same-sex couple, and we're Jewish.
06:54And we have to be conscious that we feel comfortable in an area where we can be those things without incident.
07:01That is obviously incredibly important.
07:03Yes.
07:03Well, we need to have a proper look at that.
07:09Team Lovett are up against the wall with this one.
07:12Well, they would be if there were any walls left.
07:14It's a lovely house. It's a really, really lovely house, but it doesn't work, because they've opened it up so much.
07:28There's a few very small things that could be done to make life easier, actually.
07:34You're figuring it out already?
07:36Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
07:36You're even better than you thought.
07:38I'm going to go this way.
07:42Kirsty's in the zone.
07:44The reconfiguration cogs are whirring away.
07:48Massive garden.
07:51I can see why Rene was smitten with the outside.
07:54The garden is absolutely beautiful and really generous, so that's going to be tough for me to compete against.
08:01The house, pretty sure that I could find something that would suit how they live their life and what they do.
08:08Better.
08:10But can I find a garden as good as this?
08:12Not quite so confident.
08:15Ah, Phil's beginning to lose his usual confident swagger.
08:19I've got £550,000 to find Rene her dream home and also tempt Jacqueline to pastures new.
08:26But that doesn't include paying out around £15,000 in stamp duty and six in moving and legal costs.
08:34They've obviously spent a lot on this laundry room, but essentially that looks to me like a not properly utilised space.
08:42And that's a recurring issue with this home.
08:44I have a £50,000 love-it budget, but in order to stand any chance, I need to find a way to fit in a well-deserved en suite.
08:56It's not a calm enough space, given what they're processing.
08:59I mean, it's one of the most classic examples of not putting yourself first.
09:09What have you got going on up here, then? Bedrooms everywhere.
09:12No, but this isn't a good enough space for the two of them.
09:15They just deserve a better bedroom, I'm sorry, but this is not good enough.
09:20Well, they need a bathroom, they need an en suite.
09:22I have a... I have a...
09:23I have a...
09:24I have a cunning plan for that.
09:26I knew you would.
09:30Renee, on the listed side of things, tell me what have you got in your mind's eye.
09:34I would love downstairs for there to be a lovely, entertaining space where we can have people around and have children around,
09:42and it's warm and inviting, so that's important.
09:46Upstairs, minimum of four bedrooms, space possibly for a fifth somewhere, and Jacqueline needs an en suite.
09:53Jacqueline, tell me about things that are important to you.
09:57Um, safety. Safety is the biggest importance to us, but also motorway links.
10:01I do a lot of travelling for family times, contact runs, school runs, hospital appointments.
10:07So safety and transport.
10:08Absolutely.
10:09Do you think it's possible, Jacqueline?
10:11I don't think it's possible to have this kind of space elsewhere.
10:15If you did compromise, what would you compromise on?
10:18Marriage.
10:19LAUGHTER
10:20As the saying goes, the couple that laugh together, last together.
10:28So I've no fears for Jacqueline and Renee.
10:31But something's got to give.
10:33I've got to find a way to make this house work for both of them.
10:40It's fine.
10:41I'm on it.
10:41I was thrown at first, but now I'm there.
10:43Are you?
10:44Yeah, I think I know what I'm doing.
10:45It's going to be a different sort of house.
10:47Yeah.
10:48Really important for us to get this one right.
10:50One of us.
10:51Both of us.
10:56I do believe this is a forever home.
11:02It's got everything we need.
11:03It just needs tweaking.
11:05It's nearly perfect.
11:06In Stockport, Jacqueline and Renee are in conflict over their six-bedroom semi.
11:12We've done work a room at a time.
11:15So this space is great, that space is great, but working together as a home,
11:20we weren't really clever with that.
11:22So it's not working.
11:24We have to find somewhere else.
11:25I have a budget of £50,000 to sort out their storage,
11:30make their higgledy-biggledy house flow,
11:32and give the couple a real sanctuary to escape to after a long day.
11:37It's one of the most classic examples of not putting yourself first.
11:44Ultimately, if we can't fix what we have here...
11:48I can't see it.
11:51No, we're not going.
11:51As the couple have already extended,
11:55I don't think extending further is the way to go.
11:58Instead, I'm focusing on internal layout changes.
12:03I've got some ideas that I want to discuss with you.
12:06OK?
12:07Turn it over.
12:10I want to bring order to the chaos of downstairs,
12:13so I propose a bespoke storage unit-cum-pantry in the side hall
12:17to relieve pressure on the kitchen.
12:21Then, by adding sliding glass partition doors,
12:24my plan allows the couple to create a snug retiring room
12:27to sit back and relax for the evening
12:29or have private meetings with social workers.
12:33Upstairs, I want Rennie and Jacqueline's bedroom
12:35to become an oasis of calm.
12:38To do that, I'm stealing a chunk
12:39from what is currently the primary bedroom
12:41to create an en-suite and larger back bedroom for them.
12:45The small spare bedroom will now be daughter Casey's study
12:48with sliding doors through to her new bedroom.
12:55I think this is a really great idea.
12:58I think the downstairs fixes so much for you,
13:03and that makes you really, really happy.
13:04And the upstairs is something we'd never, ever considered, so...
13:08I'm really impressed that you have seriously considered
13:12our circumstances and our family
13:14and excited.
13:18I'm really excited by these plans.
13:22I love doing this.
13:23I really love doing this.
13:26Cracks in team list its resolve are beginning to appear.
13:29Kudos to Kirsty, it's a good plan.
13:36But armed with a healthy budget of £550,000,
13:39I'm starting off strong with a knock-out property
13:42in the suburb of Heald Green.
13:45The key thing that I want to deliver for you both
13:48is the sanctuary, your own adult space.
13:51Yes, that would be amazing.
13:53Yeah.
13:54That's why I'm a little bit nervous today.
13:56Well, Team Lovett should be.
13:59Priced at offers over £500,000,
14:02this five-bed, three-storey townhouse
14:04is part of a gated community and in an area they love.
14:09I've always wanted to come into this area.
14:12I've always wanted to go beyond those gates
14:14and see these houses, so I'm super excited.
14:16To those to those.
14:17I'm a little nervous now.
14:19You've brought your open mind. Come on.
14:21I'm hopeful this house will hit the sweet spot
14:27with its open-plan cooking and entertaining space
14:30as well as provide a haven
14:34with a large main bedroom with en-suite.
14:38Come on in
14:39and check out this amazing house.
14:43So, big hallway.
14:44Yep.
14:44But actually,
14:46who does all the loads of washing at home?
14:49Me.
14:49Look at that!
14:51Wow.
14:52That is the biggest utility room in the world.
14:54I'm going to be very happy in there.
14:56I shouldn't be saying that, actually.
14:58Oh, no.
14:59You've given me a curveball already.
15:01No, you're probably right.
15:03The kitchen is an extension they put on fairly recently.
15:06Oh.
15:07It's got a big table in it.
15:08I love the kitchen.
15:09This is nowhere near enough dining space.
15:13So, I'm thinking,
15:14how would I rejig this house
15:16so that I could have the dining, entertaining space?
15:19What are you thinking, babes?
15:20I'm reluctantly thinking it's doable.
15:24Wow.
15:25Yes.
15:25OK.
15:26That utility room's bought it for you.
15:28That's it.
15:29I mean...
15:30So, I'm for a shiny utility room and she's all yours.
15:32It's actually 21% larger than your current home.
15:36No, it's not.
15:37It is.
15:38Really?
15:39Wow.
15:40Oh, Phil.
15:41It's got it all going on.
15:43If this is the first property...
15:45Well, then...
15:45I'm just getting started.
15:48Yeah.
15:49Exciting times.
15:51The downstairs has caused quite a stir.
15:53But does the garden compete with their own?
15:56What a great space that's safe for various ages of children.
16:02I love the storage down the back.
16:04Yeah.
16:04We're on a roll.
16:05Absolutely.
16:06I'm impressed.
16:08Good.
16:09It's one big tick after another and they've not even seen upstairs yet.
16:15There's five bedrooms in total, two doubles on the second floor with a large family bathroom.
16:23There's a further three bedrooms on the first floor, including their oasis of calm.
16:28Oh, wow.
16:31We've got a good size en suite, king size bed.
16:34Lots of room.
16:36I think you're quite happy with yourself right now.
16:38I am feeling quite happy with myself right now.
16:41That's three floors of wow factor.
16:44I could have hit a home run with the first property.
16:47How did I do?
16:49Very well.
16:50You've thrown her.
16:51It's a great start.
16:52You threw me as soon as I walked in.
16:54Yeah.
16:55But there are some compromises that would have to be made.
16:58Upstairs, you've got the bath.
16:59They're very on the top floor.
17:00That's great.
17:01Like a teenage space.
17:02But if we're on this floor, that's my only downside, I think.
17:06There's not a bathroom on the floor where the small kids are.
17:09Unless it's the en suite.
17:10Yes.
17:10It's all right for teenagers, perhaps, to go up and down the stairs,
17:13but in the middle of the night, you don't want a five- or six-year-old going up and down the stairs.
17:18We've got a lot to think about, haven't we?
17:20Yes, you've started very well.
17:21Good.
17:22I'll take that.
17:23Yeah, take it as a win.
17:25Take it as a win.
17:26Go Team Mystic.
17:27Kirstie says cracks are beginning to show in Team Listed.
17:34Well, I think Team Lovett's foundations are crumbling.
17:39No, Phil.
17:40Things are definitely going up, not down.
17:42Back on the home front...
17:44Scaffolding you up.
17:46Three months after I shared my vision for Renee and Jacqueline's home, work began.
17:51There's lots to do.
17:53But they made changes to my plan.
17:55This is going to be our en-suite in here.
18:00Rather than losing a bedroom to make space for an en-suite,
18:03they opted for a first-floor extension,
18:05which will add an extra 64 square foot to the back bedroom.
18:10With work well underway,
18:12how is Jacqueline feeling about the Lovett or Listed divide?
18:16I had a wobble.
18:17I'm back on track.
18:18I am so Team Lovett.
18:21That's what I like to hear.
18:22I'm so excited to not have to show a bathroom any more.
18:27With anyone.
18:28You're not coming in.
18:29Oh, OK, thanks.
18:30That's it. It's just me.
18:31It's mine.
18:32Are they there?
18:33Yeah.
18:34Right, so split then.
18:35So today...
18:37First fittings for electricity.
18:38Electricity.
18:40That's exciting.
18:41We need to order radiators and light fittings and shiny stuff,
18:44and I'm in my happy place.
18:46Yeah.
18:46But we're far from finished.
18:49I made Jacqueline wobble once,
18:51I'm quite sure I can do it again.
18:57In Stockport, we're helping to bridge
18:59Renée and Jacqueline's Lovett or Listed divide.
19:03While Jacqueline is firmly for staying put,
19:06Renée believes only a clean slate will make her happy.
19:10We've got nice individual areas,
19:13but nothing that works together is a flow.
19:16For you.
19:16For me.
19:17Yeah.
19:18For us, for as a family.
19:19But mainly you.
19:20Yeah.
19:23They've put a plan of action in place
19:24that will hopefully make Renée a member of Team Lovett,
19:28but will also give Jacqueline that long-design en suite.
19:32Jacqueline puts the kids first, she puts me first,
19:35she always puts herself last.
19:37So, actually, if she wants an en suite,
19:40she can have an en suite.
19:43You've got that on camera.
19:46In the next house.
19:51Well said, Renée.
19:55For our second visit, I'm taking them to Romilly,
19:58a charming Stockport suburb with a bustling high street.
20:02With easy access to road and rail links to Manchester,
20:05it's a popular commuter town.
20:08Property prices here are around 12% lower
20:11than where they currently live,
20:13and this five-bedroom semi, priced at $475,000,
20:17is 75 grand under their budget.
20:20So, here we are, exploring a new area.
20:24Mm-hmm.
20:24Romilly.
20:25Mm.
20:26Let's keep an open mind.
20:27Let's go.
20:27Let's go.
20:28Let's go.
20:28This house is stylishly decorated
20:32and is in turnkey condition.
20:36To the rear, it's been cleverly extended
20:39to create an open-plan kitchen and entertaining area.
20:45So, we have big, formal living room,
20:50beautiful proportions in there.
20:51Oh, wow.
20:52And then it opens out the back here
20:55to a really lovely social space.
20:58Your Friday night gathering, suppers.
21:01Yes, yes.
21:02That would definitely work.
21:03This space would work brilliantly,
21:04lend itself great to that, yeah.
21:06There is a utility room at the end of the kitchen.
21:09It's a kind of lean-to extension.
21:11I say utility room,
21:15but it's more utility nook.
21:18Workable?
21:19That's a significant compromise.
21:21Okay.
21:22But let's look at the rest of the house.
21:24Okay.
21:26I think upstairs is exactly what they want.
21:32The main bedroom has impressive integrated storage
21:35and a stylish ensuite.
21:38Their sanctuary awaits.
21:39Oh, wow.
21:41Look.
21:43Ooh.
21:44Oh, that's lovely.
21:45Nice.
21:46Definitely feels like a sanctuary.
21:48Yeah.
21:49Oh, wow.
21:50Another really good-sized room.
21:53Oh, this is great.
21:54Yeah.
21:55The upstairs is really working for me.
21:57I shouldn't be saying that.
22:00These sizes are great.
22:01They are really good, aren't they?
22:02Oh, no.
22:03Oh, yes.
22:04Jacqueline's even more enthusiastic than Rene,
22:07and that makes me a very happy house hunter.
22:12How are we doing?
22:13Happy smiling faces?
22:15That's nice to see.
22:17I'm not supposed to like it, Phil, and I like it.
22:20The price is fantastic.
22:21Yeah.
22:21The fact that you found a house with all of this space
22:24for that price, I find really surprising.
22:28Okay.
22:28Let's leave it there.
22:29Okay.
22:30I think we're in a good place.
22:33I think Jacqueline is coming round to the idea of listing.
22:38Watch out, Kirsty.
22:39I'm watching all right, with amusement at your delusion.
22:44We're just over four months in,
22:46and as the glass partitions are yet to be installed downstairs,
22:49I'm heading straight for Rene and Jacqueline's new bedroom.
22:53Whoa.
22:54Okey-dokey.
22:57Wow.
23:00Absolutely wonderful, peaceful, big, light green view.
23:04With what looks to me like a non-sweet shower.
23:14Congratulations.
23:15This is quite the room.
23:18It will be.
23:19I mean, just this window and the view of the garden.
23:21Yes.
23:22It's so green.
23:23It's lovely, isn't it?
23:24It's really, really lovely.
23:27So, what's going on with the colours?
23:30We've gone bold.
23:31One other thing I thought, actually, this is our sanctuary,
23:34this is our bedroom, so let's go dark and a bit wild.
23:39But we need your help.
23:41I wanted to go with the garden room feel.
23:44You're not going to like this advice.
23:46Losing hope.
23:48Look at the garden.
23:49Mm-hm.
23:50Do you see where the darker green is?
23:52Yes.
23:53And then where it comes out into the light?
23:56Mm-hm.
23:56I don't want this room to look like the dark end of the garden.
24:00I'd like this room to reflect the light,
24:04to be a continuation of the garden into the room.
24:07Can I still have the wallpaper?
24:09No.
24:10Oh.
24:11It is absolutely beautiful.
24:14It is staggeringly dark,
24:17and I have a very similar one in my bedroom,
24:19which is almost identical, but the lighter version of it.
24:23I can find you a fabric exactly like that,
24:26and you can have a blind,
24:28you can have curtains and this kind of thing,
24:30you can have dark velvet chairs.
24:32OK.
24:32But I promise you,
24:34if you put this on the walls,
24:37the room will drop in light.
24:40Oh, I'm sorry.
24:41It's fine.
24:42I won't hold a grudge.
24:45Tough love,
24:47but the couple do need a guiding hand.
24:49If they get this right,
24:51I've got a love-it victory in my pocket.
24:54I'm not so sure, Kirsty.
24:56I've got a little gem of my own up my sleeve.
24:59Off we go again.
25:00OK.
25:02I've become more entrenched in Team List It
25:06because you've shown us some wonderful properties
25:09that have some amazing features,
25:11but I can't envision making our house
25:14as good as what we've seen.
25:17So how do you fix that?
25:18I've got an inspired idea.
25:20Excellent.
25:21You put it on the market, sell it,
25:22and move into where it is.
25:24Stop.
25:26They walked right into that one.
25:31For my third and final roll of the List It dice,
25:34I'm taking them to Wilmslow,
25:36a leafy commuter town
25:37ten minutes from their current home.
25:41That's where we got married.
25:43We did.
25:43Well, they've got great memories of the area,
25:45and I've found a four-bed detached property
25:48that I think will seal the deal.
25:50This house could be a marriage made in heaven.
25:55I know pride comes before fall and all that,
25:57but I have pulled it out of the bag with this house.
26:00It is on the market at 590,000.
26:04It's over budget.
26:05However, it's been on for a few months.
26:07I think you could get it within budget.
26:09I've saved the best till last.
26:10Yeah, let's go.
26:11I want to see.
26:12I want to see.
26:12Come on.
26:14This house has fantastic flow
26:16between the kitchen, dining area, and living room.
26:20And if there's one thing I've learnt about Rene and Jacqueline,
26:23it's that they love a large utility.
26:26Put your nose in there.
26:31Wow.
26:31Downstairs, Lou, plus shower.
26:34After you.
26:37Oh, wow!
26:40Oh, my goodness.
26:42Oh.
26:43She's looking happy.
26:45Come on.
26:46Follow me.
26:48Big living room.
26:51Wow.
26:51Oh, I love that.
26:54Fruity, even bigger kitchen.
26:57Oh, my goodness.
26:59Oh, dear.
27:02Oh, Phil.
27:04Oh, wow.
27:05This is, like, different level.
27:08It is absolutely perfect for hosting.
27:10This is what I want.
27:13I've got a problem now, haven't I, Phil?
27:15Yes, you have.
27:16I've got a problem.
27:18I've got no words for you right now, Phil.
27:20Well, I've got three for you.
27:23Team Listed.
27:26Oh, my.
27:30Wow.
27:32It's exceptional.
27:36Wow.
27:37These two need a sanctuary,
27:39and that's been focused on an ensuite.
27:42But this is me thinking outside the box.
27:44This could be their haven.
27:47Oh, Phil.
27:48It's an adult sanctuary.
27:51Time out.
27:52You need some breathing space.
27:54Don't cry.
27:55I can't believe it.
27:56I can't believe it.
27:56You've made a cry, Phil.
27:58But that, I just thought, is the ideal adult sanctuary.
28:03I think we need...
28:05I seriously can't believe it.
28:07Tears of joy, I hope.
28:09Yeah, no, just...
28:10Wow.
28:11It's, uh...
28:12It's special.
28:14Yeah, wowsers.
28:15It's a beautiful, beautiful garden.
28:16Yeah, I love it.
28:18Love it.
28:21Did not think we would find something like this.
28:24This is unreal.
28:25To find this in this location at this price.
28:29Obviously quite overwhelming.
28:30Yes.
28:32Yes.
28:32But that's a good thing.
28:33Yes.
28:34We're in a good place.
28:34We're in a good place.
28:36This is a nice feel.
28:38Good.
28:38Excellent.
28:39Right, let's see more.
28:43The house has four spacious double bedrooms
28:45and a large family bathroom.
28:48This is a good size.
28:53Yeah.
28:53Built-in storage.
28:55But there's one very important thing it's missing.
29:00No en suite.
29:01No en suite.
29:03I'm holding on to that.
29:04All right, babes.
29:05Okay.
29:06Now, here we have the compromise.
29:09How are you getting on?
29:11Yes.
29:13I'm feeling a little bit better now.
29:15Oh, really?
29:16Why?
29:17There's no en suite.
29:18I've absolutely got it.
29:21Hang on.
29:22Okay.
29:23There were some options.
29:25Okay.
29:25Okay.
29:27That area, including the cupboard and the wardrobe
29:31of the main bedroom, could be made into an en suite.
29:34Okay.
29:35René and Jacqueline are seriously considering this property.
29:40Can they, in the short to medium term,
29:42compromise on the en suite and lack of fifth bedroom
29:45to enjoy the downstairs of their dreams?
29:51Incredible find.
29:53The downstairs layout, the garden,
29:56gives me everything I could possibly want downstairs.
30:00I mean, this house brought me to tears.
30:03It literally was like, I never thought,
30:05you know, the location, we have friends in this area.
30:08It's just perfect, except the bedroom situation.
30:13If the upstairs matched the downstairs,
30:15I think I'd been a bit of bother.
30:19All three properties have made them really stop and think.
30:23It's a really complicated situation.
30:25They're trying to balance out an awful lot of different issues.
30:28And I, for one, have no idea how this is going to pan out.
30:33Fear not, though, all will be revealed.
30:37Ten months after our first encounter,
30:40the build is finally complete and decision day has arrived.
30:45Right, Phil.
30:47Minus yours truly, unfortunately.
30:49Here I am in Stockport.
30:51The sun is not entirely shining,
30:53but you don't need to worry about that, do you?
30:55Because you're in New Zealand, on a working holiday.
31:00I've seen your photos.
31:02I think holiday is more prominent on this trip than working.
31:07I could put Mini Pip in my pocket,
31:09but it would ruin the line of my coat,
31:10so I think I'll leave him in the car.
31:14Feels very strange with that, Phil.
31:17Mind you, I could get used to it.
31:19Hi. Hello.
31:20Welcome back.
31:21It's just me.
31:22Come on, actually.
31:25The couple had already opened up the downstairs,
31:28but rather than creating an elegant layout,
31:30they had a disorganised and poorly defined jumble
31:32of sofas, seats and tables.
31:39I've helped them bring order to the chaos
31:41and achieve the harmonious flow they so wanted.
31:46Wow.
31:54Proper wow.
31:56I am blown away.
31:58By installing the sleek and stylish partition doors,
32:01the couple have the best of both worlds.
32:04Open plan, but also a cosy snug.
32:07What I love about it is that for a small change,
32:12it's a major alteration.
32:14It also gives them privacy for meetings
32:17about their foster kids.
32:20Having private conversations with professionals
32:22that come into the house now is so much easier.
32:25Close those doors.
32:26And then that's it.
32:27Exactly.
32:28And also, in the evening,
32:29you know, if the kids want to watch a bit of telly,
32:31we can go sit in there, close the door,
32:34put some jazz on.
32:36No, it's just great.
32:37The sliding doors prove that simple changes
32:41can make a big difference.
32:43Like the L-shaped sofa,
32:45creating definition between the family living space
32:47and dining area.
32:51And I absolutely adore the bench seating,
32:54which is super important for this sociable couple.
32:56That is proper bonkette seating.
33:00Do you know how many kids we can get
33:01sat around that table now?
33:03Yeah.
33:03That's a ten-person table.
33:05Yeah, easily.
33:06Definitely.
33:06Easily, yeah.
33:07And super cosy.
33:08Yes.
33:09They've refreshed the kitchen with new handles
33:14and multi-tone green tiles.
33:17The splash of colour lifts the mood of the room
33:19and ties it to the snug.
33:22In the utility,
33:24they've fitted much-needed storage cupboards
33:26and added a second washing machine.
33:29That must make life so much easier.
33:31And it seems like such a simple thing to do,
33:34just add a second washing machine.
33:36It's just absolutely brilliant.
33:38It's changed everything here,
33:40especially helping the kids.
33:41Can I see upstairs?
33:42You can.
33:42Please, yeah.
33:43Ooh, should we take a cup of coffee upstairs?
33:46Let's do that.
33:46Oh, let's do that.
33:49Jacqueline and Renee were in desperate need of a haven
33:52from the stress and strains of their work
33:54as foster carers,
33:55and their bedroom was failing to deliver.
33:58Their old room
33:59now belongs to daughter Casey.
34:03Oh, my word.
34:06Teenage bedroom now,
34:07I'm not a little girl room.
34:09I love this.
34:12And by cleverly reconfiguring
34:14and extending the back bedroom,
34:16the couple have the sanctuary they deserve.
34:22Oh, my God.
34:24It's fantastic.
34:26By building a small extension,
34:28they've created a relaxing seating area.
34:30They've added stylish fitted wardrobes,
34:35treated themselves to a luxurious rustic bed
34:37with discreet storage,
34:39and they have that all-important private shower room.
34:44It's like a super Swiss hotel suite.
34:45I've never seen this colourway.
34:49I love it, actually.
34:51I didn't think I would,
34:52and I do.
34:54You too?
34:55It's like you've actually taken my advice.
34:56Absolutely, we did.
34:58We listened.
34:58Oh, that's a rare treat.
35:03I'm glad they followed my advice.
35:05The soft, tranquil tones of the wallpaper
35:07highlight the view of their garden.
35:12This is your sanctuary.
35:14It really is.
35:14It really is.
35:15This is your sanctuary.
35:17It is a safe sanctuary.
35:18We can shut the door.
35:19It's beautiful.
35:20It's really warm.
35:21I love that you love it.
35:22I'm so happy.
35:22Even though this is their sanctuary,
35:26they are still willing to share it.
35:29In the last five, six weeks,
35:31we've had two different babies come and stay with us
35:34that have had to be in this room
35:36and been able to move the sofa,
35:38put a crib there,
35:39so having that flexibility.
35:41In the last five weeks,
35:42you've had two newborn babies come into this house.
35:45Wow.
35:47I am in awe of all that Jacqueline and Rennie have achieved,
35:51a fantastic transformation
35:52that keeps Team Lovett firmly in the game.
35:56I think you should be incredibly proud of yourselves.
36:01So, what was the first thing Phil showed you?
36:04It was in a gated community,
36:06which I've always liked the idea of.
36:08Great house, but just didn't suit our needs.
36:11And house number two?
36:13The upstairs was brilliant,
36:14and the ensuite was magnificent.
36:16And then...
36:17House number three.
36:18House number three.
36:19Oh, my goodness.
36:20Was this where the tears were?
36:21House number three, and I started the beginning of the wobble.
36:26And downstairs was just magnificent.
36:28It's everything that we wanted.
36:30But...
36:30..the question is,
36:33are you going to love it?
36:35Or are you going to list it?
36:38It's been a very tough decision.
36:42We have been swapping places,
36:44and we only really agreed last night.
36:48We're going to love it.
36:51Yay!
36:52For as long as we have the privilege of doing what we do,
36:55this house meets all of those needs.
36:58We were very, very close.
36:59We were.
37:00Because to see Renee so happy at other properties,
37:06it was such a big thing,
37:07because ultimately your happiness really, really matters,
37:10and it was a big shock.
37:11But ultimately, this house gives us the opportunity
37:14to help so many other families
37:17when they're having a difficult time.
37:19And we've done so many nice things to this house.
37:23This house is great.
37:25I didn't think we would get to a stage
37:27where the house would look this good.
37:30When I look back at the original photos of the house,
37:34oh, my God, what a boring house.
37:36And that's what the house search showed me as well.
37:38Don't be frightened of colour.
37:39But your advice really did help, so thank you.
37:44It was a well-earned victory on Kirsty's part.
37:48But over a year later,
37:50I'm heading back to see if love is still in the air.
38:04I'm on my way back to see lovely Renee and Jacqueline.
38:08They decided to love it back in 2024,
38:12but word on the street is there's been a change of circumstance.
38:15So I'm going back to find out what's going on.
38:19And it turns out rather a lot.
38:22Just over one year on,
38:24and as well as basking in the adult oasis Kirsty created for them...
38:28I do love this space.
38:30This is kind of like our little sanctuary space, isn't it?
38:34And a bit of horticultural respite
38:36from their incredibly busy lives.
38:39Need to get that tied in.
38:41Love being in my garden.
38:44Renee and Jacqueline have also come to the rather shocking decision...
38:48Wow.
38:49The rumours are true.
38:50There's a for-sale board.
38:52..to put their now-beloved house on the market.
38:56Remember me?
38:57Hello!
38:58How are you?
38:59Excellent to see you.
39:00Excellent to see you.
39:02And excellent to see the for-sale board.
39:03Yay!
39:05I'm on board now.
39:08Hear that, Kirsty?
39:09They always come around in the end.
39:11Can I have a look?
39:12Yeah, come in.
39:13As I was away in New Zealand on Decision Day,
39:16I'm keen to see the finished project
39:18and find out just why Jacqueline and Renee
39:20have decided to return to the bosom of Team Listed.
39:25It looks lovely.
39:27It really does look a million dollars.
39:28I can see Kirsty's bonkett seat.
39:30Absolutely.
39:31She loves them.
39:31She puts them in all round the world.
39:34Yeah, and your meeting room.
39:36Meeting and relaxation room.
39:38And you've got an en-suite.
39:39Finally.
39:40You've got it all.
39:41Yeah.
39:41We do actually love this house.
39:43Because it now gives us everything that we've ever wanted.
39:46So why the for-sale board?
39:47What's changed?
39:49Life's changed.
39:50The kids are older.
39:51And they're all going off to explore the world.
39:55This is a really lovely area, but it's become really busy
39:57and we'd like to be maybe in a quieter area
40:00with access to more green spaces.
40:03Yeah.
40:03So we've been looking at kind of semi-rural places
40:06where we can see the hills and farms and...
40:09Can we get a goat?
40:10We're not getting a goat.
40:11Get a goat.
40:12I would like a baby goat.
40:14I took exactly the same decision as you guys
40:16nine, ten years ago,
40:18wanting greenery, nature, privacy, just space around me.
40:22Yes.
40:23And I wanted a goat as well.
40:24Yeah, I did.
40:25I didn't get one, no.
40:26I don't think I'm going to get one either.
40:27I'm working on it.
40:28And what...
40:29Tell me about the search.
40:30If we could pick this house up and take it with us now,
40:34I would.
40:35Which means four to five beds with an en suite,
40:39utility room and lots of space for kids and entertaining.
40:44So what's going to be the driving issue?
40:47Is it greenery?
40:48Is it peace?
40:50What are we after?
40:50It's greenery and the house.
40:52And have you been out on viewings?
40:54Yes.
40:54We have.
40:55We have.
40:57It's been tricky because you've not been with us.
40:59That's what it is.
41:01Very kind.
41:02Well, this is a first for me.
41:04A post-Love It viewing.
41:06How exciting.
41:07The challenge will always be,
41:09can you find the configuration that enables you to do your fostering?
41:12Yeah.
41:12And that's what we found a little bit tricky, actually,
41:14because we've opened everything up here and we've done what we've done
41:17and it works now and finding this somewhere else is tricky.
41:22Well, let's go and see what's out there.
41:23Amazing.
41:23Thank you so much.
41:24Yeah, I'm in for the ride.
41:25Brilliant.
41:27Renee and Jacqueline's criteria is a tricky one,
41:30particularly as Kirsty's made them the perfect home
41:33and their budget has dropped from 575,000 to 500,000.
41:38That said, they have extended their search area significantly.
41:43I think I've found a cracker of a property.
41:46Again.
41:47Leyland, so we've come a bit north of Chalky.
41:49Yeah.
41:50Yeah.
41:50Nice drive.
41:52And it was quite a beautiful driving off.
41:53Yeah, that's lovely.
41:54Lovely.
41:56Leyland is a picturesque market town about an hour north of Stockport,
42:00which offers the best of both worlds in terms of local amenities
42:03and easy access to the countryside.
42:06It's going to be much quieter.
42:07Less suburban than where you are.
42:09Yes, very much.
42:11You can also get more bang for your buck in Lancashire
42:14than Greater Manchester.
42:16Five bed detached, double garage.
42:19Wow.
42:20Nice.
42:20But we've still got shops within three minutes.
42:23We've got the train station,
42:25so I don't think you're going to end up
42:26or wouldn't end up as a taxi service for the teenagers.
42:29That's just on me.
42:30Yeah.
42:31Amazing.
42:31Amazing.
42:32I'm really excited about this one.
42:33And so they should be,
42:36as this place ticks a lot of boxes,
42:39with a huge open-plan kitchen diner,
42:42five beds, separate office and living space,
42:45the must-have en-suite and on budget for 500 grand.
42:50Come on in.
42:50So we have a really interesting layout.
42:53Two receptions.
42:55Oh, wow.
42:56But it's the kitchen living area I'm super keen for them to see.
42:59Wow.
43:00Wow.
43:01Oh.
43:03Yeah.
43:04They've extended them.
43:05They've done a proper custody job on it.
43:07Wow.
43:08Oh, this is lovely.
43:10So this is hub of home,
43:12Friday night suppers, everybody round.
43:14Our table would definitely fit.
43:16Yeah.
43:16Wow.
43:17Stacks of spice.
43:19Wow.
43:20It's 2,300 square feet.
43:22Wow.
43:22Nice.
43:23And that's 65% bigger than yours,
43:26just to put that in perspective.
43:27It looks like, yeah, absolutely.
43:29We've got five beds,
43:31three bath rooms,
43:32and then we've got the two receptions.
43:35Yes.
43:36Ooh.
43:37500,000.
43:40Love it.
43:41Now we're on the same team.
43:42I know.
43:43It's nice to be looking around with you both,
43:47pushing in the same direction.
43:48Absolutely, yeah.
43:49And I think my United team listed
43:52are going to love the rest of the house.
43:55Oh, this is a great space.
43:56Still to have a separate adult's lounge.
43:59It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.
44:01Yeah, it's really nice.
44:02And whilst there isn't currently a utility,
44:04with so much space,
44:06that's an easy fix.
44:07Oh, this would be perfect for utility.
44:10Amazing.
44:10Oh, yeah, this would really work.
44:12Utility.
44:12Not to mention room upon room for the kids.
44:16Oh, I can imagine the girls.
44:19I can see them having their own space up here, for sure.
44:23And the all-important en suite.
44:25Ooh, that's nice.
44:28It certainly feels good to be on the winning team.
44:32I can hear the positivity flowing out of the house.
44:35It's a great space.
44:37Oh, it's amazing.
44:37Really great space.
44:38Yeah.
44:39Room for everybody and more.
44:40Yeah, absolutely.
44:42Absolutely.
44:43I mean, this is just an example.
44:44I wanted to get you out and show you something.
44:48It's amazing.
44:48It's really lovely.
44:49It's fabulous.
44:50Food for thought, definitely.
44:51We don't know the area at all,
44:52so I think we would definitely do some research.
44:54But let's not put the cart before the horse.
45:00Rene and Jacqueline clearly love this house.
45:02But first, they need to sell their own place.
45:06In terms of the sale of yours...
45:08Any tips?
45:09The house is looking top of its game.
45:13Yeah.
45:13What you've got to do, first of all,
45:15is concentrate on maximising the value
45:17and having got a price that you're...
45:19and a buyer that you're happy with,
45:20then go out viewing.
45:21Otherwise, the danger is you fall in love with something
45:24and go, quick, we need to sell ours,
45:25and, OK, we'll just accept that price.
45:28Also, if you go out into the market as a viewer
45:30when your house is under offer,
45:32you're going to be taken that much more seriously.
45:34Yeah, it's a stronger position to be in, isn't it?
45:36And in the meantime, we need to narrow down
45:38which location we really want to focus in on.
45:41And then, once we've found the location,
45:44then we can start house hunting properly.
45:46It's such an exciting stage for you.
45:48There will be peace and greenery and...
45:51A goat.
45:52A goat, for goodness sake.
45:54We can get the goat, right?
45:55I'm with you.
45:56So, all the very, very best of luck.
45:59When you stay in touch, let us know.
46:01Kirsty will be dying to know what the plan is,
46:03and I will be notching off the list.
46:05All right.
46:07Here's to you both.
46:08Thank you so much.
46:09Good to see you.
46:12It's been great for me coming back
46:14to catch up with René and Jacqueline.
46:15They're at such an exciting new stage of life,
46:18so much to look forward to.
46:20As, of course, do I.
46:22Because whatever way you look at it,
46:24this counts as a list.
46:33I'll see you next time.
46:50Transcription by CastingWords
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