- 2 hours ago
- #realityinsighthub
Reality Insight Hub
#
#RealityInsightHub
"If you enjoyed this video and want to support our team by helping us fund our late-night coffee needs, please donate via PayPal! ☕️
A small act – a big impact. Thank you all so much! ❤️"
Donate at: [https://www.paypal.me/ngaxo]
🎞 Please subscribe to our official channel to watch the full movie for free, as soon as possible. ❤️Reality Insight Hub❤️
👉 Official Channel: https://www.dailymotion.com/user/realityinsight
👉 THANK YOU ⭐❤️❤️❤️⭐
#
#RealityInsightHub
"If you enjoyed this video and want to support our team by helping us fund our late-night coffee needs, please donate via PayPal! ☕️
A small act – a big impact. Thank you all so much! ❤️"
Donate at: [https://www.paypal.me/ngaxo]
🎞 Please subscribe to our official channel to watch the full movie for free, as soon as possible. ❤️Reality Insight Hub❤️
👉 Official Channel: https://www.dailymotion.com/user/realityinsight
👉 THANK YOU ⭐❤️❤️❤️⭐
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:01For over 22 years, A Place in the Sun has been helping couples find their dream homes abroad.
00:07I'm going to be a tingly film. Are you?
00:10Loving it, loving it.
00:12Creating hundreds of happy households across the world.
00:15Oh, it's gorgeous. Beautiful.
00:17Shall we do it?
00:18Look, we're all welling up here.
00:20In this series, we'll be revisiting some of them to find out what happened next.
00:25Can I get a high five?
00:26Yeah.
00:27Oh, yeah.
00:29Today, Sarah Damagee is heading to Malta to catch up with Chris and his mum, Kerry.
00:34Sarah enjoyed a successful house hunt on the island with Chris and his nan, Pat, over a decade ago and
00:39is excited to be back.
00:41The property wasn't even finished.
00:43No.
00:44When you bought it, so I'm so excited to see it.
00:46Brand new, fresh out of the box, wasn't it?
00:47While Ben Hillman gets put to the test on the Costa Blanca with Jan and Bill, who he helped buy
00:53a property three years ago.
00:55And you've done quite a bit of work out here.
00:57Loads.
00:57You won't recognise it.
00:59Will I not?
01:00In fact, it's a competition for you to find which house it is.
01:04Game on.
01:13Winding streets, natural beauty and history all weave together such a fantastic tapestry here in Malta.
01:20And it was that, alongside two generations of family living here, that drew Chris and his nan, Pat, to come
01:27house hunting with me to find them their perfect family holiday home.
01:31Malta is a Mediterranean island positioned between Italy and North Africa that's around a three-hour flight from the UK.
01:39It was once a British colony and important naval base, although it's been an independent nation since 1964.
01:46The locals tend to speak both English and Maltese.
01:50Chris's search was focused amongst the resort towns of the northeast coast around the capital Valletta, a location filled with
01:58character and traditional Maltese flair.
02:02Back in 2013, police officer Chris from Birmingham had chosen his nan, Pat, to join him on his property search,
02:10and he had a £70,000 budget.
02:12I'm the first grandchild, so we're just very close. We do a lot of things together, more like friends.
02:17I was actually there when he was born and the first to hold him, and we've just clipped as nan
02:25and grandson.
02:28Before checking out the first property, I wanted to find out a bit more about this family connection to Malta
02:34and Chris's motivations behind getting a place out here.
02:38So, welcome to Malta.
02:40You've got quite a lot of history here as well, haven't you?
02:42Yeah, I have, yes.
02:43We were posted over here for two years with the army, and consequently my daughter was born in the Mishapha
02:51military hospital.
02:53So, she's got a Maltese nationality, your mum.
02:56She has, yeah.
02:56And you want to buy a property that you both can use, is that right?
03:01Yeah.
03:01I just want a property that I can use as a retreat on my days after for the family.
03:05Me and my name can whiz over, yeah.
03:10Chris wanted two bedrooms but said he'd be happy with one, rental potential to cover costs, and a minimalist and
03:17fresh interior.
03:19We started a 20-minute drive from Vleta in Sleema, one of the most desirable locations property-wise on the
03:25island,
03:26with a rather central place of stone's throw from the sea that had one bedroom and was on the market
03:31a little over budget.
03:35So, come through.
03:37Oh, wow.
03:38Do you like it?
03:39Nice.
03:40I really like it, yeah, I really do.
03:42Do you?
03:42Yeah.
03:43Light, fresh, clean.
03:45I think it's lovely.
03:46There's enough room for a sofa bed.
03:48Yeah.
03:48For people to sleep.
03:50Great.
03:52Well, that was a good start.
03:53As we continued to look around, it became clear Chris and Pat were thinking bigger.
03:59Moving forward, how can I do better?
04:01I'd probably say more space than another bedroom.
04:04You ready to get on to the next one?
04:06We are.
04:06Let's go.
04:08It was the other side of Vleta in Senglia, another busy and historic location filled with character properties,
04:15which wasn't necessarily what Chris had asked for.
04:18But the place I lined up, this dockside maisonette with two bedrooms,
04:23while a little over budget, did offer a lot more space.
04:28I'm a bit unconvinced at the moment.
04:30It's the style, it's the flooring, it's not to my taste.
04:34I would want to change a lot of things, and is it too much of a project?
04:37I don't know.
04:38But we haven't seen it all yet.
04:40He looks quite depressed, Pat.
04:41He does, doesn't he?
04:42Doesn't he?
04:43Slap him in the brain.
04:46While Pat liked the character as it reminded her of when she lived in Malta,
04:51and Chris warmed to it a little as he continued to look around and saw the space on offer,
04:56it certainly hadn't stolen his heart.
04:58So we headed to a very different option, six miles north of Vleta, in the town of Bojimba.
05:04This top floor apartment with two bedrooms was under budget.
05:08Wow, look at the space.
05:10It's enormous, isn't it?
05:11Wow.
05:12Yeah?
05:13Yeah, very.
05:14It's much more of a traditional layout here.
05:16Yeah.
05:16It's modern enough.
05:17How does this compare to your property back in the UK?
05:20It's a new build.
05:21Three years old, I was the first one to move in.
05:23And I think I naively thought I was going to duplicate that over here.
05:27But with the limited budget, it seems a little bit realistic.
05:30So I can't really compare it really.
05:32OK.
05:33So the ideal was a new build.
05:34But you're coming around to the idea of, actually, this is OK.
05:37This could work.
05:38Yeah.
05:39It had the space Chris wanted, as well as a more modern finish.
05:43And once they'd seen it all, we had ourselves a strong contender.
05:47However, as it now seemed Chris's dream was to buy a new build, I found one just around
05:52the corner I wanted to try.
05:54It had two bedrooms and was on a grand or so over budget.
05:59We're going to be looking at one in here, a new build.
06:02Wow.
06:03Speechless and in shock.
06:04Why are you in shock?
06:05Just the image I had in my head of the property I wanted was exactly like this.
06:10But I thought it was far from a reach and I just couldn't afford it, so.
06:14I sent Chris and Pat off to take a look around, and they were impressed by the layout and
06:19the space on offer.
06:20We had ourselves an even stronger contender.
06:23And with one final chance to impress, I tried another new build option just up the road in
06:28Aura.
06:29It's actually due for completion in three months, which could work quite well for you, because
06:33the average time of completion of a property sale in Malta is around the three-month mark.
06:38I like the exterior.
06:39And I imagine because it hasn't yet been completed, I probably have a lot more involvement
06:43within the designs and choosing stuff, et cetera.
06:46Yeah, that's totally your bag, isn't it?
06:48Yeah.
06:49It was looking good for this unfinished apartment with two bedrooms and bathrooms and an over-budget
06:54price tag.
06:55And once we got inside...
06:57Nice, the lights and the feet.
07:00Yeah, I like it.
07:01Nice sized room, isn't it?
07:03You do have a bathroom off here with a loo there.
07:06This is where your kitchen would be as well, which you would be purchasing yourself.
07:12So similar to the last property.
07:13Similar to the last property.
07:14Let's go into the master bedroom.
07:17What a strange shape.
07:18It's kind of like an L-E's, I think.
07:20It is an L-J, but there are going to be some doors here, which will lead on to your
07:25own
07:25private patio space.
07:27Yeah, lovely.
07:28When they'd seen it all.
07:29So how are you feeling about the property now?
07:31I'm feeling good.
07:32I mean, it's a beautiful property.
07:34I'm a little bit concerned about the elevated price.
07:38Maybe, because it's not complete, I've got that breathing space to save for the kitchen
07:42and the furniture.
07:43So it's still good work.
07:45It's a lot of thinking to do up and on.
07:47Yeah, you look a little bit worried.
07:48You two need to talk about this.
07:50This is where you come into your strength for advice.
07:53I think tonight we'll talk it over.
07:56And the next day, we sat down for a chat and the final place had one out.
08:01So you're aware that the property's on at £74,000.
08:04So what would you like to offer?
08:06Bearing in mind my budget.
08:08I'd probably go with a cheeky offer of £69,500.
08:14OK, £69,500.
08:16Why not?
08:17Let's try.
08:18Yeah, let's be cheeky.
08:19I made the call and it wasn't long before we heard back.
08:22So the owner's come back with a counter offer.
08:25He's saying this is the lowest he will go, which is £70,600 sterling.
08:32Yeah, yeah.
08:34Really good.
08:35Yeah.
08:36Do you want to go?
08:36Yeah.
08:37Hello, Marcelo.
08:39They're happy to go for it.
08:42Perfect.
08:42So we'll get back to you very shortly and sort out all the details.
08:47Bye-bye.
08:48Oh, is this real?
08:50Is it real?
08:51Wow.
08:52He's done it.
08:55Thank you, Sarah, for all your help.
08:57Thank you, Sarah, for all your help.
08:57Oh, you are welcome.
08:59You're welcome.
09:01Congratulations.
09:04Misha.
09:05Misha.
09:06I'm delighted for him.
09:07Oh.
09:08It's what he wanted.
09:09I knew he wanted that property and he's got it.
09:13That was such a memorable search, so it feels great, over a decade later, to be back.
09:19Hello.
09:20Hello.
09:21Oh, hello.
09:21Oh, how lovely to see you.
09:22How lovely to see you.
09:23Looking lovely, younger than ever.
09:24Oh, I wish I was after nearly 11 years.
09:27Lovely to see you.
09:27Lovely to see you.
09:28Kerry, I remember them talking about you.
09:31Yes.
09:31All those years ago.
09:33How's Nanny Pat doing?
09:34Because she wasn't able to make it this time, was she?
09:36She's good.
09:37She's probably not well enough to come, so I've got Mummy to come and support me this time.
09:40Yeah, she's gutted that she's not here, but she sent her love.
09:43Oh, send my love back.
09:44Actually, we should probably call her later, shouldn't we?
09:46That would be nice.
09:47Yeah, she would really like that.
09:48Yeah, she was brilliant fun.
09:49Yes.
09:49I remember her so well.
09:51She's such a character, isn't she?
09:52She is.
09:53She's very gobby.
09:55And you're still here.
09:56You're still loving it.
09:57Love it, yeah.
09:58The property wasn't even finished.
10:00No.
10:01When you bought it, so I'm so excited to see it.
10:03Brand new, fresh out of the box, wasn't it?
10:04Yeah, brand new.
10:05I think it's our turn to show you around then, isn't it?
10:07It is.
10:07Here we go.
10:08Let's go.
10:10Coming up, I'm excited to have a good look around that apartment, and it seems Chris has
10:15been pretty busy.
10:16You've had to get a massive container, get permits, take off the doors, a big crane.
10:21It was a big job, but it was worth it.
10:23Wait till you see inside.
10:30Today, I'm in Malta, catching up with Chris, who I helped to find a wonderful new-built
10:35holiday apartment on an island where his family had lots of connections over a decade ago.
10:41While our original search was with his nan, Pat, as she's not feeling too well, he's here
10:47with his mum, Kerry, this time, and I can't wait for them to give me a tour.
10:52Wow, here we are.
10:54I mean, it's obviously not changed that much from the outside.
10:56No.
10:57Changed loads on the inside.
10:59I bet.
10:59So how was it?
11:00What was that feeling like when you got the keys?
11:02Daunting.
11:03I think about that young 25-year-old.
11:05It was really daunting, but it's worked out.
11:07Will they help her mum, dad, nan, all the family?
11:10Yeah, because it is a family apartment, isn't it?
11:12I think the most stressful part, really, was how are we going to furnish it or how is
11:15Christopher going to furnish it?
11:16We had to ship everything from the UK, which was a mission in itself.
11:20And quite expensive.
11:21It was expensive.
11:23We had to get a massive container, get permits, take off the doors with a big crane.
11:27It was a big job, but it was worth it.
11:29Wait till you see inside.
11:30Really?
11:31I can't wait.
11:31Shall we go in?
11:32I think so, yeah.
11:39Wow.
11:40Welcome.
11:40Thank you so much.
11:42Look at that.
11:43And there's a kitchen, a lovely kitchen as well.
11:45All the way from Italy.
11:46All the way from Italy.
11:48And so that's the sofa that you must have had to take all the windows out for.
11:53We call it the beast.
11:54The beast.
11:55Is that what you call it?
11:56Yeah.
11:57So it was quite a struggle in terms of getting everything in.
11:59But once everything was in, how has it been having this as your holiday home?
12:04It's been absolutely amazing.
12:05I think I use it more than anyone else.
12:07Do you?
12:08More than Chris, definitely.
12:09They come about three or four times a year.
12:11Do you?
12:11Yeah.
12:12Yeah, absolutely lovely.
12:13Short break, you know, four days.
12:15Yeah.
12:16And then I think for people like my sister, you know, it's a cheap holiday, guaranteed sun.
12:20We know it.
12:22Exactly.
12:22So she comes over as well.
12:25How does Nanny Pat love it?
12:28Every time we come, she cries.
12:29Susan's been landing in the airport, she starts crying.
12:31She doesn't, does she?
12:32Yeah.
12:33It brings back so many memories.
12:35Where should we have a look next?
12:36Should we have a look at the bedroom?
12:37Yeah, I'd love to.
12:38Lovely.
12:45Lovely.
12:45It's very bright and fresh, isn't it?
12:47Yes.
12:47So that's a pull-out trundle bed there.
12:50So is that to fit in lots of guests?
12:52Yeah, and I think just from a family point of view, you know, we're just three members of the family
12:56can sleep in here.
12:57It comes up into a double.
12:58So either a double or two singles, yeah.
13:00Oh, that's ideal, isn't it?
13:02So I remember you might rent it out.
13:04Have you done that?
13:05Yeah, do you know what?
13:05We did try that out for a bit.
13:07Had some good experience, some really good guests, but then we had some probably not so nice experience.
13:11Nothing terrible.
13:12But I think my parents put so much love and attention into it, they really look after it.
13:16I mean, it's really well maintained.
13:18I think now I just want to leave it for the family.
13:20Oh, do you?
13:20Yeah.
13:21Do you want to go see the main bedroom?
13:23Yeah, I'd love to.
13:24This way?
13:24Yes.
13:25Just through here.
13:31Do you think?
13:32Oh, I remember this space.
13:34Really nice.
13:35Because it was an L shape, wasn't it?
13:37Yes.
13:37And I was trying to work out how I was going to...
13:38How you were going to furnish it.
13:40Do you think I've maximised the space well?
13:42Yeah, absolutely.
13:43It feels really big, doesn't it, when you come in?
13:45Yeah.
13:46And I remember that space as well, the outside space there, which is very Maltese.
13:51You've got your en-suites and furnished to all your taste.
13:56I mean, how does it feel waking up here?
13:57Is it a relaxing place for you?
13:59Do you know what it really is?
14:00Work is as stressful as ever.
14:02It was back then, it is now.
14:04And I think sometimes when I'm here, I don't want to go home.
14:07I could literally just, you know, never go back.
14:10It's just, yeah.
14:10The funny thing is, when we came out on holidays to Malta, before Christopher had the apartment,
14:16he took my mum for a walk along Pajiba Beach and said to her,
14:20I'm going to buy a property here one day.
14:22When?
14:22When was this?
14:23How old were you?
14:24About 18.
14:24When you were 18, did you?
14:26Too cocky.
14:27You did it.
14:29It's time to relax now.
14:31Yeah.
14:31You can take your foot off a little bit now, can't you?
14:34Yeah, and enjoy life.
14:35Exactly.
14:36Exactly.
14:37Speaking of kicking back...
14:39Shall we go for a drink down on the front?
14:41Shall we?
14:41Yeah, I think we've deserved it.
14:42Nice, cool drink.
14:43Look at the sea, look at the boat.
14:45Yeah?
14:46Sounds good.
14:46Perfect.
14:47Let's go.
14:48That place is looking great.
14:51A real family affair.
14:53Oh, this is gorgeous, isn't it?
14:54Cheers.
14:55Cheers.
14:56Lovely.
14:57So, is this what life looks like for you all the time when you're out here?
15:01Chilling, sitting by the sea.
15:03Yeah, I think something like this.
15:05Still exploring the island 11 years later.
15:07Are you?
15:08Mm-hmm.
15:08Every time you come, something different pops up.
15:11There's a new bar to go to, a new restaurant.
15:14So, what activities have you done when you're out here?
15:16What does your average day look like?
15:19I like horse riding.
15:20My mum won't do it, but I really like the horse riding around Golden Bay, across the cliffs.
15:26Oh, beautiful.
15:26There's loads to do.
15:27My niece, we have to go to the water park every time we come.
15:30Oh, I bet she loves that, doesn't she?
15:31And my husband's mad for the karaoke, so every time he comes, he finds a karaoke.
15:37Oh, really?
15:37He sings Piano Man.
15:39Oh, does he?
15:40He sings it that much that even the granddaughter knows the words.
15:43So, the property, nearly 11 years now, that must have gone up a fair whack, because I remember
15:51you got it for just over £70,000.
15:53Yeah, and I think when I look back on it now, yeah, I got a steal.
15:59You got a steal.
16:00And then, since then, property has just boomed in Malta.
16:04It has.
16:05So, it's, I think when we last checked last week, it's probably about £250,000, £220,000,
16:12sterling £1,000, so it's, yeah.
16:15You've made a fortune on that place, haven't you?
16:17I've been very lucky, very blessed, but I think, again, testament to all your knowledge
16:21and your advice back then.
16:23Oh, I'm so happy for you.
16:24That's brilliant.
16:25Not that you want to sell it.
16:26I can tell you don't want to sell it.
16:27No.
16:28Because that's the family place, isn't it?
16:29I think if I sell it, my nan will, my nan will just hold me.
16:32Oh, nanny Pat will be fuming, because you'll sell it.
16:35We'd regret it for life, really, wouldn't you, if you sold it, because it's just so easy.
16:39Yeah.
16:39You know, the flying time, the transfer time, it's nothing.
16:43It's nothing, is it?
16:44No.
16:44So, how about the running costs of the property?
16:47Um, so, I no longer have a mortgage, so the property's all sorted.
16:53Legend.
16:53This guy's a legend.
16:54You're still so young.
16:56Oh, I don't know about that, but...
16:57You are.
16:58I mean, that's brilliant.
16:59So, at the moment, it's just my...
17:01You don't pay counter tax in Malta.
17:02Yeah.
17:03Which, actually, that's...
17:05It's a bonus, isn't it?
17:06Yeah.
17:06So, at the moment, I've just got my internet costs.
17:08Mm-hmm.
17:09And that varies.
17:10When I'm not here, I pause it and suspend it, so it's only €5.
17:13Okay.
17:13And when I do reactivate it, it's €35.
17:16Okay.
17:16And then just my water and my electric, which is depending on usage, so the costs are really
17:21minimal.
17:22That's brilliant, isn't it?
17:23Really minimal.
17:23More money to come out and have two for one on the happy hours.
17:26Yeah.
17:27Absolutely.
17:28So, what does Nanny Pat like to do when she's over here?
17:31So, I think one of her main things, when we always come over, we always do it religiously.
17:37We'll catch the ferry over to Gozo, then go on the tour bus, and we'll go to a church
17:42that she really likes, that's part of, kind of, like, the tour of the tour bus, Tappin...
17:46Tappin' New.
17:47Tappin' New.
17:47Okay.
17:48A really beautiful church.
17:49So, actually, we'd really like to show you it.
17:51Yeah.
17:51We'd like to take you over and just show you how special it is to my nan and to us.
17:55Oh, I'd love to do that.
17:56Let's do that, then, shall we?
17:57Cheers.
17:58Cheers.
17:59Cheers.
17:59Cheers to a lovely afternoon.
18:05We're taking the car ferry that runs from the western end of Malta, and it takes just
18:0925 minutes to make the 15-mile crossing.
18:12But what do you love so much about Gozo?
18:14Well, I think when we pull into the harbour, you'll see the views are stunning.
18:18And it's almost like Malta, 60 years ago.
18:20It's really, kind of, authentic, isn't it?
18:23And, kind of, unspoiled.
18:25And you can just, there's just so much to do.
18:27You can literally spend the whole day here.
18:29Really?
18:29Catch one of the last ferries back.
18:30So, that's what you do with your nan?
18:32Yeah.
18:32So, the island's got so much history, but then, from a family perspective as well, there's
18:36loads of history and memories.
18:37Yeah.
18:37And still more to make.
18:39And still more to make.
18:41Gozo is the second largest of the 21 islands that make up the Maltese archipelago.
18:47Three are inhabited, with Camino being the third.
18:50Wow.
18:52Stunning, isn't it?
18:53It's absolutely stunning.
18:55And just the setting as well.
18:56Yeah.
18:57These beautiful mosaics.
18:58Almost like telling a story.
19:00Yeah.
19:00So, I think this is the national shrine for Tapping You.
19:05And the belief is that a local lady heard the voice of the Virgin Mary.
19:11Mm-hmm.
19:12And then, I think there were a number of miracles afterwards.
19:14And I think this church is renowned for locals, kind of, prayer and miracles for people that
19:20have potentially been ill or suffered an illness for a period of time.
19:24So, a really special place.
19:25Potentially why my nan loves it that much.
19:27Oh, I can understand why.
19:29And she always lights a candle.
19:30Oh, she's so sweet, isn't she?
19:31She is.
19:32So, shall we go inside and have a look?
19:34Yeah.
19:34Yeah?
19:36So, I'm going to like one for my dad.
19:43And I'm going to do it on behalf of my nan.
19:47She would want to do it for her granny.
19:49Aw.
19:54I'll put another one in.
19:57And that's for nanny pat to get better.
20:00Aw, thank you.
20:01Why don't we video call her?
20:03Should be over the moon to speak to you to know that we're here and that we've lit a candle
20:07for her.
20:07Aw.
20:08Yeah, let's do that.
20:09Shall we go outside?
20:10Yeah.
20:10Yeah.
20:15Aw.
20:16So lovely to see you.
20:20We wish you were here.
20:21We do.
20:22Oh, don't get upset.
20:24You'll start us all off if you start.
20:26Well, Kristen wouldn't be there if he wasn't for me now, would he?
20:30No, that's true.
20:31No, that is true.
20:32She's the matriarch.
20:33She's the boss.
20:34Yeah, but once you've sorted yourself out, then we can come here again.
20:38You mean once I've sorted you out some shit?
20:42It doesn't change.
20:44Is that all right, then?
20:46It was nearly 11 years ago we were out here.
20:49That's right.
20:50And look where he is now.
20:51He's done really well.
20:53He's done good.
20:54He is.
20:55And, you know, you don't think these things are going to happen, but it did happen, and
21:01I'm really happy for him.
21:03Love you, Granny.
21:06Bye.
21:06All the love.
21:08Bye.
21:08Bye.
21:10Oh.
21:12Oh, bless her.
21:12She got a bit emotional, didn't she?
21:14She did, yeah.
21:15That was always going to happen, but it means a lot to her.
21:17It does.
21:18Yeah.
21:19And you can understand why, though, can't you?
21:20Yeah.
21:21So if anybody's watching the show and they're thinking, you know, I'd love to take that step
21:27and buy the dream property, what would be your top tips for them?
21:30I've probably got three.
21:32So have a good support network.
21:34You can't do it all by yourself.
21:35I've been really lucky with my family.
21:36I've got my mum here today to support me, so thank you.
21:39I'd say the second one is be prepared to take a risk, and then the third one is, I'll
21:45just say, keep an open mind and be flexible.
21:47Yeah.
21:48I don't know if you've got anything to add to that month.
21:51I think you've pretty much summed it up, to be honest.
21:53And then just enjoy endless holidays.
21:55Yeah.
21:55Enjoy it.
21:56Yeah, that's a good one.
21:57Yeah.
21:57That's the easiest bit.
21:58Yeah.
21:58I'm so happy it's worked out for you, and it's been so lovely to talk to Nanny Pat again.
22:03Yeah.
22:03Give her a hug for me.
22:04I will.
22:04And it looks so nice seeing you.
22:06Oh, it's been lovely to see you.
22:07You haven't changed at all.
22:08Oh, I love it.
22:09It's been lovely meeting you.
22:11Oh, it's been lovely meeting you too.
22:13So I must go, but all the best, and do keep in touch.
22:16Yeah, and if you ever want to come back, you're more than welcome.
22:19I'll take you up on that one day.
22:21Bye.
22:23Oh, she's lovely, isn't she?
22:25Yeah.
22:27It's been amazing to come back to Malta and see how Chris and his family are absolutely
22:32thriving out here.
22:33And I love the fact it's not just benefiting Chris, it's benefiting four generations.
22:40Coming up, Ben Hillman is on the Costa Blanca with Bill and Jan, who he went house hunting
22:45with three years ago.
22:47So, you found us exactly our vision.
22:53Right, yeah.
22:54And if I had to give anybody any advice, is if you feel it in your heart, go for it.
23:12There is nothing quite like the thrill of zipping across the waves on one of these.
23:18And it's experiences like this that make the best holidays and create memories that will
23:23last a lifetime.
23:24Jan and Bill wanted to create more special memories when I went house hunting with them
23:30to find their dream holiday home on the Costa Blanca, which is just over there.
23:35Yeah, baby!
23:36Woo-hoo!
23:38To get to the Costa Blanca, you fly into Mercia Airport, which takes just under three hours
23:43from the UK.
23:44The Costa Blanca, which translates as White Coast, has 120 miles of stunning coastline,
23:50which offers beautiful beaches and loads of water sports.
23:54It's a real mix of lively resorts and traditional towns and villages.
23:58And there's also a good variety of properties for sale here, including apartment blocks,
24:02urbanisations and traditional houses, if you fancy splashing the cash.
24:09It was back in 2021 when NHS worker and swimming instructor Jan and retired engineer Bill asked
24:16us to find them a holiday home, which they wanted to call Casa Millie, in honour of Bill's
24:21mum, for their maximum budgets of £85,000.
24:26The night I met Bill was amazing.
24:29And we went to a restaurant, and he bought me some roses.
24:33Yeah, and it took off from there.
24:36And they went from roses to a property in Spain.
24:40I met them on the beach in San Pedro del Pinotar, a place Jan, in particular, knows really well.
24:45My mum and dad had a villa in Caberoy, and we had lots and lots of family holidays.
24:51What are you hoping to find?
24:52Two bedrooms.
24:54Yeah.
24:55Lots of space, particularly on the outside.
24:57We're party animals, we love a good barbecue.
24:59We love a good party.
25:00My search for the perfect party pad began in the seaside town of Santiago de la Ribera.
25:05Lifestyle-wise, strolling down here in the evening, is that the thing for you?
25:08To be so close as you could just stroll down here, out of the house, out onto the prom,
25:13go for a nice evening walk along the prom.
25:15Yeah.
25:16That'd be wonderful.
25:17So, the town was a hit, as was my first property, this two-bedroom townhouse,
25:21with a fantastic communal pool that made a big splash.
25:26Wow.
25:27Wow.
25:28Oh, it's a lovely pool, yeah.
25:28It's really nice.
25:30It's a highlight, isn't it, the pool?
25:32Definitely.
25:33It's one of the must-haves.
25:34And they hadn't even seen the property.
25:37Oh, Ben!
25:39Yeah, they delivered here.
25:41Yeah.
25:41Wow.
25:42It's awesome.
25:43I take it you like it.
25:44First property.
25:45You like it?
25:47That feeling is here.
25:49That sensation continued inside, in the living room and dining room.
25:54Oh, wow.
25:54I wanted that feel-good.
25:57Yeah.
25:58And that's what I'm getting.
25:58You're getting it.
25:59Yes.
26:00Yeah, definitely.
26:01And up top, on the roof terrace.
26:03You lost the words here.
26:04I can't speak.
26:05Really?
26:06Sorry.
26:06No, it's lovely.
26:08I can imagine and see us here and enjoying it and the grandchildren.
26:15And it will mean so much joy for so many people.
26:19I left them to look around the rest of the place on their own.
26:22That's my wardrobe and that's yours.
26:25And the balcony as well.
26:27This is all we've dreamt of.
26:30Before bagging myself a super strong contender.
26:33You're in heaven, aren't you?
26:34I've moved it.
26:35That was wonderful then.
26:36It was wonderful.
26:37That ticked all the boxes.
26:39I can't see how you could better this.
26:41It's amazing.
26:42This is our first property and clearly it's gone really, really well.
26:45Yeah.
26:45Now I'm worrying that I've set the bar too high.
26:47So you should be because you have, young man.
26:49You have.
26:50And I had indeed set that bar too high as my next property.
26:54This two-bedroom apartment with a wraparound patio didn't do the job for Jan and Bill.
27:00Jan, what's happened to your face?
27:01Oh, my gosh.
27:02Ben, I don't feel it.
27:04We haven't got that wow fact.
27:06I feel I could stand here and touch the walls.
27:10But it's, it's like, it's the kitchenette.
27:14Everything's on top of each other.
27:16We couldn't have the kids and the grandkids around a two-seater table and you haven't got much more room.
27:21And also, there's no room to get away from him.
27:26Though space wasn't an issue at Property 3, this two-bedroom ground floor apartment on a lovely development in the
27:32town of Formentera del Segura.
27:34Oh, how light.
27:37It's a lovely size, isn't it?
27:39Yeah.
27:39It is.
27:40This is a nice size.
27:41Good feelings.
27:43Yes, Ben.
27:44Yeah.
27:44Definitely, Ben.
27:45Yeah.
27:45Definitely.
27:46As soon as I walk through the door, there's a feeling of space, light, and I can imagine the family
27:52here.
27:53So I have myself another kind of contender and we moved on to my fourth place, a two-bedroom townhouse
28:00in San Pedro del Pinotar.
28:01But this one was a bit of a wild card as it needed a fair bit of work doing to
28:05it.
28:07Are you seeing the same potential with this property as I'm seeing?
28:11I can see the potential, Ben, but I think it is quite a project.
28:15They're all small jobs, but all his number of small jobs add up to a big job.
28:20We're not ruling it out, then.
28:21We're not ruling it out.
28:22Because there's some really big plus points.
28:25So I had one strong contender and two potential ones in the bag as we approached my fifth and final
28:31property.
28:32This two-bedroom house with a terrific terrace up top, priced above budget.
28:36Though I'd been told there was some room for negotiation.
28:39And while it made a great first impression...
28:42Wow.
28:44Ben, it's beautiful.
28:47It's a stunner, isn't it?
28:48Well, it's small kitchen ruled it out and helped Bill and Jan make up their minds property-wise.
28:54There's a standout winner.
28:56Yes.
28:56Number one.
28:57Is anything else in contention at this point in time?
29:00No.
29:00No.
29:00Well, look, please, we found something fantastic.
29:02You have found a house beyond our wildest dreams.
29:06Oh, that's amazing.
29:07So the next day, I was prepped and poised to put in a bid for property number one.
29:12It's on the market for just under £82,500, which I know is pushing the upper reaches of your budget.
29:17Yep.
29:17Have your thoughts.
29:18We'd like to put an opening offer in of £75,000.
29:22That was rejected, but the vendor came back with a counteroffer.
29:25They're willing to meet you around about halfway at £78,500.
29:29It's not too bad.
29:29I'll never nag you again.
29:31Done.
29:31Ever.
29:32Done.
29:32Done?
29:32We have a deal.
29:34And Bill and Jan had their very own Casamili.
29:37Oh, my God.
29:38It's wonderful.
29:39Congratulations.
29:41You have been an absolute dream and a blast.
29:44It's been a pleasure for us, Ben, as well.
29:46Oh, definitely.
29:46Enjoy a very happy future with your family in that property.
29:51Casamili.
29:51Casamili.
29:54Casamili.
29:55Three years have passed since I helped Jan and Bill find their perfect holiday home in
29:59this beautiful seaside town and I can't wait to see them and find out how it's all been going.
30:06Do you like a nice shirt?
30:08A shirt's back, yeah.
30:09Do you like a slightly different one, but it's just noisy.
30:11Lovely to see you.
30:12Oh, my goodness.
30:14Oh, my goodness.
30:14Oh, my God.
30:14Hello, you two.
30:16Well, I can't believe how long it's been.
30:18Three years.
30:18Three years.
30:19You're looking happy.
30:20You're looking healthy.
30:21Oh, we're good.
30:22We're good.
30:23And I hear congratulations are in order.
30:26We got married on Wednesday before we came out here on Friday.
30:29Married in the UK?
30:30Married in the UK.
30:31Yeah.
30:31Honeymooning out here.
30:32Back to our fun house.
30:34Your happy place.
30:35First property you saw, Fallon Love, and you've done quite a bit of work out here on it.
30:40Loads.
30:41You won't recognise it.
30:42Will I not?
30:42In fact, it's a competition for you to find which house it is.
30:47Game on.
30:48Oh, this is exciting.
30:49This is fun.
30:51Coming up, I take a look at all the changes Jan and Bill have made to Casamilli since they bought
30:56it three years ago.
30:57It is not the house I remember at all.
30:59Everything is brand new.
31:01We shipped all of our furniture out from England, went in the furniture shop, went mad, and then had to
31:08give up all our furniture.
31:19Today I'm in Santiago de la Ribera on Spain's Costa Blanca with Jan and Bill.
31:24Three years ago, I helped them find a two-bedroom townhouse, and now I can't wait to find out what
31:28they've done to it
31:29and learn more about how having a holiday home here has changed their lives.
31:34Oh, well, look.
31:36Just as I remember it.
31:37It's incredibly important.
31:40Isn't it?
31:40Yeah.
31:41You were a Swim England instructor.
31:44I'm really passionate about children learning to swim, but this is a real community in the summer.
31:50And a couple of children, Lola and Jesus, they couldn't swim, so I thought, right, going to have a swimming
31:57lesson.
31:57And more and more kids were coming in, and I thought, I'm going to have to put this on a
32:01road.
32:02Oh, really?
32:03It's absolutely fabulous.
32:04It really is.
32:05Are you still doing that back home in the UK?
32:07I'm not, because I've actually retired now.
32:10Hey!
32:11I know.
32:12Congratulations.
32:13Oh, lots of congratulations going on here, isn't there?
32:16There are.
32:16You've completely transformed your lives.
32:18We have.
32:18And for the better.
32:20I want to say it's this one.
32:22But it looks completely different.
32:25It is.
32:26It's open.
32:27It is this one, isn't it?
32:27It is.
32:28Wow.
32:28Are you all right?
32:29My goodness.
32:30Not as I remember it at all.
32:32No.
32:32You've done tons of work.
32:35It's completely changed.
32:37Is that sign above the door?
32:39Yes.
32:39That must have been emotional.
32:40It was very emotional.
32:42I know she's gone, but she's always here.
32:46Yeah.
32:46These gates are new, aren't they?
32:49Yeah, you remember the green ones that were before?
32:51Yeah.
32:51That was the first job we had done.
32:53You've retiled the whole floor.
32:55You've got this amazing glass curtains here, which has given you another room.
32:59It's a dining room.
33:00Yeah.
33:00And it's great, because she can use it all year round.
33:03Was that a difficult job to have done?
33:05No.
33:06No, not really.
33:07Once we got the build around, we went through exactly what we wanted,
33:11because there's lots of things optional, whether you have the floor tiled or not.
33:14And we coordinated it.
33:15So we weren't actually here.
33:18We've not been here while all the building work's been done.
33:20It's all those gaps when we've been in the UK.
33:22Yeah.
33:22We've sorted with the builder, and the builder's had the keys.
33:24He's come in, did all the work.
33:26Super busy out here.
33:27It looks amazing.
33:28And if this is a taste of things to come, can't wait to see inside, if we can.
33:33Of course you can.
33:35This is not, well, same as the outside.
33:38It is not the house I remember at all.
33:40Everything is brand new and pristine and wonderful.
33:44We shipped all of our furniture out from England, went in the furniture shop, went mad,
33:50and then had to give all our furniture away.
33:53No!
33:55Did you blow the budget?
33:57I mean, did you just think, oh, we just want to enjoy it, this is it?
33:59Yeah, we did.
34:00What budget?
34:01Like I say, it looked so different to when we first came in here.
34:05It was darker.
34:06It was dark.
34:07Heavy brown furniture in the corner.
34:09But we wanted something that was minimalistic, pastel colours, and something that had the wow factor.
34:16Well, look, this is looking really beautiful.
34:19Absolutely cracking.
34:25I'm going to be nosy.
34:26I'm just going to poke my head in here.
34:28Do you like it?
34:28Oh, I do, I love it.
34:30Look what you've done to this place.
34:32It's brilliant.
34:33Obviously, a lot of work done in there.
34:35But has this been a collaboration?
34:38Like, have you been in the same camp when it comes to what's being done here?
34:41Yeah, yeah.
34:42Jan tells me what we're doing, and I have to agree.
34:45It changed quite a bit in here as well, especially decoratively, because this was all orange pine running through the
34:51house.
34:52It just made it so dark.
34:54Did it?
34:54Yeah.
34:55And we saw pictures of somebody else who'd had it done, and I thought, you know what?
35:00That is so going to work.
35:01Yeah.
35:02I love it.
35:02And I've got to ask, the balcony, which is a lovely thing to have, isn't it, off of your main
35:07bedroom?
35:08Here's the scene.
35:10Treat of the day, this one.
35:12Tray of tea.
35:13Shades on.
35:14Sit on the balcony, and just grin.
35:17Ah, so that is where you take stock of everything that's happened in the last three years.
35:23Yeah.
35:23It's so nice.
35:24It's home.
35:25Yeah.
35:26It's so home.
35:27It really is.
35:29Ah.
35:30Remember this?
35:31I remember this well.
35:33When we first came up here, you got very emotional up here, didn't you?
35:37I did.
35:38If I had to give anybody any advice, is if you feel it in your heart,
35:44go for it.
35:46You found us exactly our vision.
35:50So how come you haven't got round to this bit yet?
35:54We kind of started at the ground floor and worked up, but I've got visions.
35:58I would love a rooftop cooking area.
36:03This is the bit I don't know about yet.
36:05Ah, it's all going to be sprung on to me.
36:07Let it out.
36:07Let it out.
36:08Right, the seating area here.
36:10Okay.
36:11And then a built-in cooking area with fridge, little mini sinks.
36:17Yes.
36:18How much are we talking here?
36:20Oh, it's so reasonable, like you wouldn't believe.
36:23She's really not going to tell you.
36:25Not going to get this number, am I?
36:26So reasonable, I couldn't possibly say.
36:28I think maybe I need to make him a cup of tea and sit him down with a piece of
36:34a lemon
36:35drizzle cake.
36:36Now you're talking.
36:38Shall I put the pack on?
36:39I think it's time, don't you?
36:42I think Jan and Bill have done a cracking job with the house, with more to come as well.
36:47Now I'm looking forward to finding out what they get up to out here in Spain over a nice
36:51slice of lemon drizzle cake.
36:54Do you really enjoy your baking and your cooking?
36:57I love, I love to feed everybody.
37:00Let's have a go.
37:02Mmm.
37:04You do a cracking lemon drizzle.
37:06That is lovely.
37:07So, how much time do you get to spend out here in the sunshine, just taking it easy?
37:13When we bought the house, it was very much a holiday home.
37:17As time evolves, we actually began to realise that we like our lifestyle here better than
37:24we do in the UK.
37:26Is there any chance that this could become a permanent thing?
37:29Oh, yes.
37:30Really?
37:31That's the next step.
37:32That's the next step.
37:33Yep.
37:33Yeah.
37:33We're just starting the process now of applying for the non-lucrative visa.
37:39So we've been in contact with an agency to help us through the whole process.
37:42We've filled all the forms and application forms.
37:45So what are the key requirements to secure that visa?
37:49The initial, because the first one is only a year.
37:51Mmm.
37:53There's an ACRO, which is the police check.
37:55Uh-huh.
37:56There's a medical health certificate.
37:58But because of our ages, we can go down the S1 route, which allows us to move our NHS
38:04effectively into Spain.
38:06But the biggest one is the financial.
38:08IPREM is an amount.
38:10It's determined at the beginning of the year by the government.
38:12So you have to demonstrate that you've got access to that amount of funds.
38:17It can be savings or it can be in pensions.
38:19As a married couple, you need four times for the main applicant and one for the additional
38:25applicants.
38:25So when you do finally get your visa and you're living out here full time, do you think you'd
38:30ever return to the UK after that?
38:33Only to see family.
38:35Yeah.
38:35But I think, I have a feeling we'll stay here.
38:40This is it for you guys.
38:41I think the longer we stay, the more we'll become entrenched in staying in Spain.
38:45Yes.
38:45Yeah, and I can totally see why.
38:48So let's cast our minds back.
38:50You bought this in 2021.
38:52We did.
38:53£78,000.
38:55You've spent a bit of money on it.
38:57Have you crunched the numbers?
38:59Do you know what it's cost?
39:00Can't be far off altogether €30,000.
39:04Right.
39:05So what would that bring it to?
39:06About £103,000 all in, everything?
39:09Probably.
39:10That ballpark?
39:11It would be kind of somewhere around there.
39:12Yeah, yeah.
39:14Out of interest, have you had it priced at all?
39:17One over the road sold for £115,000.
39:20But was it as well finished as this?
39:23But it's the fact we bought it to live in.
39:26Just to enjoy.
39:27Just to enjoy it.
39:28Yeah.
39:28I'm assuming you're not eating lemon drizzle cake every day of the week.
39:33What are you doing?
39:34You're getting out together?
39:35You're going on trips?
39:36Jan goes down to Susu, the hairdresser, teaching her Spanish while she's having her herd on.
39:41I love that.
39:42It's hilarious.
39:43That is lovely.
39:44You have a good giggle.
39:46Oh, yeah.
39:46Yeah.
39:47You've got to be prepared to make an effort with the language.
39:49If you make an effort, they absolutely love it.
39:52And are you sort of up to speed as Jan is with the Spanish?
39:56No.
39:57I'm comfortable sort of ordering the menus and things.
40:00And I'm quite happy day to day to get pie.
40:03Yeah.
40:03But I'm not as versed in it as Jan is at the moment.
40:06I want to take it further.
40:07I do.
40:08You're really enjoying it.
40:09That's the thing, isn't it?
40:09I want to be fluent.
40:10I do keep telling her a Mexican is coming on very well.
40:14Yeah.
40:15Which is something.
40:18You're not funny.
40:21I'm so pleased Jan and Bill love life out here so much,
40:24they now want to make the permanent move.
40:27And I think it's time to head out to walk off a bit of that lovely cake
40:30along the promenade here.
40:33Absolutely see why you're heading down here all the time.
40:37I mean, even though the sun isn't quite shining on us.
40:39It doesn't matter.
40:40It doesn't, does it?
40:41No, you don't need it.
40:42Day like today, it's still lovely.
40:43It's just so lovely.
40:45In fact, maybe it doesn't surprise me,
40:47but it's just how quickly you've settled in here.
40:51What do you think the key to that has been?
40:53Just sheer contentment.
40:57Yeah.
40:58There's no stress, no worries.
41:01No.
41:01You relax all the time.
41:03You've got a good circle of friends, you know, good people.
41:06There's good activities.
41:07You're never bored.
41:09You're always, there's always something to do.
41:11Yeah.
41:11Ever since we've had Casimili,
41:13our lives have changed,
41:16not only for the better,
41:17but just so positive and so happy.
41:20How could you not be happy here?
41:22No.
41:22And for the grandkids.
41:24Oh.
41:24And the whole point of this
41:27was family making new memories.
41:30Yeah.
41:31And to have all of this at your disposal,
41:33you know, for them.
41:34Yeah.
41:35Is, I mean,
41:36you can't put a price on that really, can you, I suppose?
41:38And now we've got, like, both families,
41:41any time they want to come out,
41:43once they're living here,
41:43they can always come out and visit.
41:45Even if they want to come out for two or three days,
41:47just a short break,
41:48they can come out and just chill for a bit.
41:51Well, all that strolling's thirsty work.
41:53Time for a little sit-down, methinks.
41:55Sure.
41:56What could be better, though,
41:58after a beautiful walk along this event
42:00than stopping at this cafe
42:01and just having a nice drink?
42:03We've embraced the Spanish way of life in many ways
42:06and the Spanish culture,
42:08and we've got many Spanish friends,
42:09so we're learning a lot about being in Spain
42:11and how to live in Spain,
42:12how to enjoy Spain.
42:14Yeah.
42:14So we're looking forward now to being here
42:16and start to explore the whole country.
42:20It's a big country
42:20and there's lots of things in Spain,
42:22so we want to get out there
42:23and start seeing a lot more of it,
42:26and we know we've got our Casemilla to come back to.
42:29So plenty of adventures in store.
42:32Oh, yeah.
42:32For you both.
42:33But that is what you two are all about, isn't it?
42:36I would say your motto is life's for living,
42:38because that's what I get from you.
42:40Yeah.
42:40Definitely.
42:41I really do,
42:42and you're so...
42:43You're chipper about everything.
42:45You're so enthusiastic for life,
42:47which is lovely,
42:48and has that made it easier for you to do this
42:51because of that kind of mindset?
42:53Yes, definitely.
42:55I think you've got to have an open mind
42:56and start to embrace it and enjoy it.
42:59You don't come here to live like you did in the UK.
43:03Yeah.
43:03I know there'll be plenty of people watching this
43:05back in the UK
43:06that have been thinking about it for ages and ages.
43:09What would you say to people
43:10that are thinking about it
43:11but are worried about the process
43:12and what it entails?
43:14I would never put anybody off,
43:16and I would always say
43:17don't put stumbling blocks in front of yourself.
43:20If you're thinking about it,
43:22explore it, go for it.
43:23Don't rush headlong into it.
43:24Yeah, don't rush.
43:25But explore it and do your research
43:28and make sure you talk to people
43:30that have been through it,
43:31get the experience,
43:32and find a good lawyer to talk to.
43:34Yeah.
43:34Yeah.
43:35Do you have any regrets at all?
43:38We constrained ourselves by our budget a little bit.
43:40Yes, we did.
43:41And we thought about what we could get given our budget
43:45without thinking,
43:46let's think what we want
43:47and then see if we can afford it.
43:49Right, yeah.
43:49But if we'd have tried that,
43:51we wouldn't have ended up with the castle miller we have now.
43:53It's true.
43:54And maybe it's just hindsight, isn't it?
43:56Because actually you only know that
43:57now that you love it out here so much.
44:00But could there potentially be one more move then,
44:03do you think, down the line?
44:05Never say never.
44:07I will say never.
44:09I'll leave that with you two.
44:11Well, I just wish I could stay here, to be fair,
44:13but it's been so lovely to see you both.
44:14It's been really great to see you again.
44:15And to see how well life is going for you both.
44:19Give us a hug, big man.
44:21I'm good.
44:22Take care.
44:23Keep in touch.
44:24Let me know if you're doing that route, Terry.
44:26Yeah.
44:26Bye.
44:27Bye.
44:28Bye.
44:29Bye.
44:31Well, I always knew it was going to be great fun
44:33meeting up with Jan and Bill again.
44:35What I hadn't quite prepared for
44:37was the amount of surprises that they had in store for me.
44:41They have fully embraced life out here in Spain.
44:45And my goodness, what a wonderful future
44:47they've got ahead of them.
44:51If you'd like to be on a place in the sun
44:53to find your own dream home,
44:54go to channel4.com forward slash take part.
Comments