- 16 minutes ago
Location, Location, Location - Season 45 Episode 1 - Surrey
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00:00This time, I like challenges.
00:02Bring it on.
00:03House fished was the phrase someone said to us.
00:05In Surrey, it's all about specifics.
00:08The other one was so shiny.
00:09Size isn't always better.
00:10As we drill down for some honest answers.
00:13Struggling to read your expression.
00:15Be blunt. I like blunt.
00:17I'm not really excited to be in it.
00:19In house hunting, the little things.
00:21I feel like photographing this.
00:23Laundry room.
00:24It's only an extra minute's walk.
00:25It is, it is.
00:27Can make a big difference.
00:29Oh, cute beans.
00:31I'm chuffed to bits with this house.
00:32Really lovely.
00:33When finding the perfect place.
00:35This is great.
00:36It feels like it could be home.
00:45We're back in stunning Surrey.
00:48My couple are hoping to be Lord and Lady of the Manor in Guildford,
00:51where they're struggling to find their first home.
00:53Whereas in fabulous Farnham,
00:55my solo house hunter has viewed over a hundred homes and desperately needs help.
01:01Are you the right person to help her?
01:02Well, I live very close by, so I would hope so.
01:06Although Farnham's in Surrey and I live in Hampshire,
01:09but I usually say I live near Farnham.
01:11It confuses people.
01:13You're a nerd.
01:13It confuses me.
01:14He's a nerd.
01:15You heard it here first.
01:17But they suspected it all along.
01:20Nerds like me have got plenty of properties to get their teeth into here in Surrey.
01:24From the serenity of the Surrey Hills to the get up and go of Guildford,
01:29there's a sublime blend of urban and rural,
01:32plus convenient commuting into London.
01:35It's no wonder people are prepared to pay a premium and succumb to Surrey's charms.
01:41House prices have been up and down in the last few years.
01:44But as we search, have risen 4.5% in 12 months.
01:49Surrey remains the priciest county in Britain,
01:51with the average house selling for nearly £525,000.
01:55That's almost double the national average.
01:59But in this search, there's nothing average about Jane's numbers.
02:03I actually have seen a few properties.
02:05It probably is over 100.
02:07Private maternity nurse Jane has spent 30 globe-trotting years
02:11looking after other people's families.
02:14But now, her focus has shifted.
02:17I've been really, really, really lucky to have worked in some fabulous parts of the world.
02:22But it's not my life, it's work.
02:24It's time to now think about, who am I?
02:27And I would really, really like some normality in my life.
02:33Jim Bunny Jane is tired of the property peloton,
02:36and after three years of searching,
02:38is sure that near to her hometown is her dream location.
02:44Central Farnham is where I want to be.
02:46I want to be part of the community.
02:48I want to build my new life here.
02:51I'm always drawn to beautiful period properties,
02:55or even a flat.
02:59My friends are my absolute world.
03:02So I definitely need a space where I can entertain.
03:05And she means business, having previously offered on five properties.
03:09The surveys have then come back and always had quite daunting amounts of work.
03:19Doing a renovation is a challenge.
03:23Jane's years of work have allowed her to build a nest egg.
03:26And now she's looking to nest.
03:29I've worked hard for every pound going into this house.
03:33Every area of my life I like to think I ace, I've got this, I'm independent, I don't need anyone.
03:40But I really do on this search, whether it just be a virtual arm putting round me to say it
03:47will be okay.
03:49Sleeves up Pip, Jane's going to need your muscle to get this search sorted.
03:54I'm a massive fan of Farnham.
03:56Good.
03:57Farnham is the place I am going to live.
04:00I love that confidence.
04:02Give me a kind of, a snapshot of your ideal property.
04:05What are we after?
04:06Central Farnham.
04:07Can I give you two?
04:09Okay, okay.
04:11Sounds like one will be hard enough.
04:12I would be open to a cool Bachelorette pad.
04:16Show me something modern, funky, or show me a little, cosy, cute little cottage.
04:24Love it, love it.
04:25Of which there's quite a number around.
04:27There's a lot around Farnham.
04:29Yeah, but we probably will get into discussions about listed and renovations and maintenance and roofs.
04:34There's a kind of natural flow of things.
04:37Yes.
04:37What's the budget?
04:38It's around 500.
04:40For a two bed cottage, one thing that I have learnt is looking for my dream property might cost more.
04:50So I can be a little bit flexible.
04:53But I've made my decision.
04:54I'm not going to wait another three years.
04:57Yeah.
04:57What I'm going to ask you to do is draw a line under everything that's happened in the past.
05:01Yeah.
05:01But there will be compromises.
05:03Yeah.
05:04We want to find you a home that you can be happy and comfortable in for the longest possible time.
05:09Yes.
05:10Come on.
05:10Let's go house hunting.
05:13Some things are better left in the past.
05:15For Jane, it's time to reset and attack this search with new energy.
05:20She has a budget of £500,000 to spend on a two bed home.
05:25She likes character cottages, but would also be up for a modern funky flat.
05:30Space to entertain friends and family is important and she insists that she wants to live up close to the
05:37community spirit of Farnham High Street.
05:42Farnham is Jane's one and only top spot.
05:45She's returning to her roots and wants to be close to friends.
05:50Further east, my couple have their hearts set on Guildford with proximity to the train station for links to London.
06:01First time buyers, Emily and Jack, are planning their dream home ahead of their dream wedding.
06:06But their modern day online love story began six years ago.
06:10Everyone always loves you whenever they meet you.
06:13Nice.
06:13Yeah, welcome.
06:14Yeah, Emily's the same.
06:16She's my best friend.
06:17Like, love travelling with you, everything about you.
06:19Looking forward to building a life together.
06:21So, yeah.
06:22That's a way better answer than mine.
06:25They've had a frustrating year-long search around London.
06:28But now saying bye-bye to the big smoke is a worthy sacrifice for charity project manager Emily and accountant
06:35Jack.
06:37We both work from home most of the time.
06:39I go into the office a couple of days a week.
06:41We're looking towards Guildford, so we can kind of put a green space, a bit more, kind of a bigger
06:46house.
06:47Maggie can get her own room then as well, which would be nice.
06:50Extra space not only for Maggie the dog, but the couple are wisely thinking ahead to their future.
06:56For us, the house will be about entertaining people.
06:58I think at some point we'll expand our family.
07:00So it'd be nice to be able to have kind of a spare room, an office space.
07:04I think our preference would be somewhere that is sort of done already in terms of extension-wise.
07:10So there will be something we have to compromise on.
07:13It's just whether it's 15-minute walks in the station.
07:15And as a result, finding their future home hasn't quite been the walk in the park they were hoping for.
07:20Spending a lot of money is quite a scary thing to do.
07:23It's somewhat ridiculous that it's quite difficult to find, you know, a three-bed house in Guildford for the best
07:29part of three quarters of a million quid.
07:31Yeah, we've seen a lot of houses online that look really nice.
07:35We got really excited about a few properties and then it's not been what we've expected.
07:38It's been a bit demoralising.
07:39House-fished was the phrase someone said to us.
07:42Don't worry you pair, Muzulsop knows how to reel in a prize catch.
07:47So, you got engaged.
07:49Yes.
07:50Congratulations.
07:51Getting engaged is the big bit.
07:54The wedding, uh-uh, not so much.
07:55I would focus all your finances on your home.
07:58That is, to be fair, what we are doing.
08:00Yeah.
08:01We're doing house first and then have a look and see where we're at afterwards.
08:04Economy weddings is definitely going to be in my next protocol.
08:07Tell me about what you've seen that you like.
08:10Yeah, so I think, well, we both like kind of open-plan kitchen diner.
08:14The dreams kind of by-folds onto the garden and period property.
08:19Yeah.
08:20Something with a bit of character.
08:21How many bedrooms do you feel you need at the moment?
08:24Minimum of two.
08:25Right.
08:25If there's a third one, that's great.
08:27Because we're looking at this as more of like a ten-year house.
08:30Uh-huh.
08:30Kids and then having a spare room after having a child.
08:34The fact that a lot of people can't fathom paying stamp duty twice means that people are looking in the
08:42longer term.
08:42Yeah.
08:43So we've seen a few that look great online, like exactly what we'd want.
08:47Yeah.
08:47Kind of the character, the size.
08:49And then when you get there, you're like, oh, all the windows need replacing.
08:53The roof needs to get done.
08:54It's already at the top end of our budget.
08:56On that topic, up to 700,000.
08:59That's our absolute max.
09:00Absolute max.
09:01Okey-doke.
09:02No one wants to be kept waiting if we're going to see their house, so let's drink up and get
09:06on with it.
09:06But they won't mind waiting for you, Kirstals.
09:09I get the feeling it's Emily and Jack who won't want to hang around much longer for their first marital
09:14home.
09:17They're hoping to be in the heart of Guildford and have up to £700,000 to spend on a three
09:22-bed home.
09:23Giving room for future family and for working from home.
09:27We also need to keep in mind good transport links to get back to London.
09:31They'd love a period house filled with character with a large and modern open-plan kitchen diner to entertain in.
09:38And speaking of the entertainment...
09:40Hello.
09:41Hello.
09:42We're matching.
09:43What have we got?
09:46I've got Jack and Emily.
09:47Yeah.
09:48First-time buyers. Budget, £700,000.
09:52So, £650,000, £700,000.
09:54As a first-time buyer, that's impressive.
09:55So, here's the thing.
09:56Hmm.
09:57They want to skip the first house stage because they don't want to move because the cost of moving is
10:02so high.
10:03So, they want a family house.
10:04They want a family house, but they haven't got kids yet.
10:07Your challenge is more, or their challenge, is that they're wanting to buy a house that they don't actually need
10:12quite yet.
10:13No.
10:14So, that'll be difficult.
10:15I've got Jane.
10:17She's been looking for a long time.
10:18She's seen over 100 properties, but now, finally...
10:21100 properties?
10:22Well, she's right across the place.
10:24But now, she's gone, right, Farnham.
10:25Central Farnham is where I want to be.
10:27That is where I am.
10:28I feel for her because she's been trying to make these really important decisions on her own, and that's hard.
10:33She hasn't had a sounding board, so I think...
10:34No.
10:35I'm local. I know the Pats.
10:36I'm going to be the sounding board.
10:38I'm going to give her some confidence, get her across the line.
10:40Right now, in this moment, life is a bed of roses.
10:44It's called location, location, location.
10:47Oh!
10:47I'm off.
10:48Let's hope we both come out of these searches smelling sweet.
10:53Our reset of Jane's search begins in Farnham town centre.
10:57She wants to feel part of the local community, and this is her top spot.
11:01I couldn't get you much closer to the town, could I?
11:05I'm nervous. This is a great location.
11:08It is.
11:09That is what we're going to look at.
11:12Historic two-bed cottage, a lot of sort of personality to it.
11:18You're looking shocked.
11:19Are we okay?
11:21We're really okay.
11:22Good.
11:23Because this is a great location.
11:25Phew!
11:26Good shocked.
11:27The kind of shocked I like.
11:28This vacant two-bed 18th century listed terrace house is yet to officially come on the market.
11:35Its front living room has original beams and a log burner.
11:39While the cosy kitchen has an additional conservatory, ideal for entertaining.
11:45On the first floor there is a double bedroom and charming bathroom.
11:49Plus another double bedroom on the second floor.
11:52The rear courtyard has an outhouse, perfect for a utility room.
11:56And it's just an eight-minute walk to Farnham town centre.
12:00As it's not on the market yet, we've been given a guide price of £495,000,
12:06just shy of Jane's top spend of £500,000.
12:10Come straight on in.
12:14Oh, two beams.
12:16Two fireplace, not directly on the road.
12:19So it's a little bit set back with the foliage.
12:21We've found this off the back of a social media shout out.
12:25Okay.
12:26The vendor approached us and they've moved out as you can see.
12:30It does mean there isn't a set price, there isn't an agent.
12:33Yeah.
12:33So you're in the driving seat, nobody else knows about this.
12:37But that comes with other challenges.
12:39I like challenges.
12:40Bring it on.
12:41Let's see if she means it, Phil.
12:44Now the kitchen probably needs a little bit of thought.
12:47I mean, this is quite old, but it actually suits the cottage really well.
12:51Literally love the location.
12:53Love that front room.
12:55This is making me nervous.
12:57Sure.
12:58But there's a compromise that has to be had this week.
13:01Yeah.
13:01Is it the size of the kitchen?
13:03The kitchen is small, but the trade-off is you get the extension
13:06in a listed property, which would be quite rare.
13:09It's lost a few marks there, Phil.
13:12Up the little staircase.
13:15The rest of the house will have to work hard to reach the top of the class.
13:19And here we have the bathroom.
13:21The bedrooms are both a really good size.
13:23Are you saying they're both double bedrooms?
13:24Yeah, they are.
13:25Probably.
13:25That's rare from what I've been looking at.
13:28Yeah.
13:28So this is hopeful.
13:31Perhaps that's something you should feel too, Phil.
13:34Well, I think it's great that Jane is so enthusiastic after a hundred viewings.
13:40I mean, that is phenomenal.
13:43I'm not so sure that this is the right property for her, but it's definitely the right location.
13:48She's even more enthusiastic about that.
13:51And to spend the fruit of almost 30 years of Jane's labour, this house has to excite her as much
13:57as the location does.
13:59Jane, come and have a look at this.
14:01It's what I'm calling an outhouse.
14:03Quite big.
14:04Great space.
14:04Yeah, really useful.
14:06How'd you get on upstairs?
14:07You want me to be honest?
14:08Of course I want you to be honest.
14:10There's no other way to be here.
14:11As long as I have enough space for a friend to stay, I'm not overly bothered about the bedrooms.
14:20The social space is too small.
14:24I'm just going to sort of put this on the record.
14:26If you get a bigger downstairs, you get a bigger upstairs and never overbudget.
14:31Absolutely.
14:31So those are the things we've got to work through, and work through them we will.
14:35I think Jane will hold you to that, Phil.
14:38Happy to do the work, but I just hope Farnham has the home she's looking for.
14:50We're in Surrey.
14:51I'm with Jane, who after over a hundred viewings has finally narrowed her search down to a few favoured streets
14:58in Farnham.
14:58And I'm with Emily and Jack, whose online search has gone astray, and they need a nudge to navigate the
15:05market in Guildford.
15:06You're just the person for the nudge.
15:10Private maternity nurse Jane has travelled the world, and now wants to lay down roots close to home in Farnham.
15:17She's viewed over a hundred places, without success.
15:21And our first property didn't change that.
15:24You've absolutely nailed the location.
15:27This is making me nervous.
15:29Sure.
15:31First-time buyers Emily and Jack are leaving London to start their new life in Guildford.
15:36They're after a future-proof home before they marry, but their house search has proved somewhat of a challenge.
15:43I got really excited about a few properties, and then it's not been what we've expected.
15:49We've hit the ground running in Guildford.
15:51We're just one mile from the train station, and a 15-minute walk into the buzzing town centre.
15:57I'm feeling pretty confident this period semi-detached house ticks every box for Emily and Jack.
16:05This is a very peaceful street.
16:07It is a dead end.
16:08Look of it?
16:09Really nice.
16:10Location?
16:11Yeah, seems good.
16:12Yeah.
16:13Emily, as we were walking up, you said you were nervous.
16:15What were you nervous about?
16:15I don't know.
16:16I think I'm just excited.
16:18Nervous and excitement to see it.
16:19Nervous, excited.
16:19Okey-doke.
16:20Good.
16:20Well, that's what I like.
16:21Let's go in.
16:23I can't wait to show them this fully refurbished four-bed period property, which spans over a whopping four floors.
16:32It's got the lot.
16:34Bathed in natural light, it has the modern extended kitchen diner they've asked for, with bifold doors to access the
16:40low-maintenance west-facing garden.
16:43It's retained its characterful features with a charming living room.
16:47And across the split level, there are two really good-sized bedrooms with a family bathroom on the first floor.
16:54In the converted attic, there's the main bedroom with a generously-sized ensuite.
16:59Plus, we can't forget the bonus basement bedroom, perfect for a couple who often work from home.
17:06It's on the market for five grand under budget at £695,000.
17:12But for that, every square foot has been considered and converted to the max.
17:19Right.
17:20So, this is the sitting room.
17:24Really nice.
17:25Really nice.
17:26I know.
17:27Yeah.
17:27This is like exactly what we imagined it would be like.
17:30No, I know.
17:31Really nice.
17:32I'm chuffed to bits with this house.
17:34Really lovely.
17:34Tough to top that first impression, Kirsty.
17:38I think this home's second impression might manage it, Phil.
17:43Yeah, this is nice.
17:45This is really nice.
17:47Yeah, this is pretty much what we asked for, isn't it?
17:51Yeah.
17:51Like purity.
17:53I know.
17:53Big size.
17:54Extemption done.
17:56Got your bifolds.
17:56Bifolds into the garden.
17:57Yeah, this is lovely.
17:58This is on the market at £695, so top of your budget.
18:02Yeah.
18:02I mean, just have a look in there.
18:05An ingenious use of space combining a downstairs loo and a laundry.
18:10Oh, nice.
18:11Isn't it?
18:12Yeah.
18:12I feel like photographing this as the perfect layout for a laundry room.
18:17Here's hoping every level of this house will be ready for its close-up, Kirsty.
18:21I'm going to have to get used to stairs.
18:24Maggie's not going to know what's hit her.
18:26Yeah, this is nice.
18:27Ooh.
18:27This is great.
18:29Yeah.
18:29Yeah, I could sleep in here.
18:31Top floor gets top marks.
18:34And then en suite.
18:36Yeah, this is a good space.
18:37This is great.
18:37Oh, it's bright as well.
18:39Super bright.
18:40Yeah, I'd be happy in here.
18:41The purchase price for an undone one of these houses, plus the cost of that work, would come
18:47to more than £695.
18:49Oh, nice.
18:51Ooh.
18:52Yeah, this is a little bonus room, isn't it?
18:54Yeah.
18:54Great space.
18:55Or a gym.
18:57Yeah.
18:58Nice.
18:58Yeah.
18:59It's a really lovely spot.
19:02Super quiet, leafy.
19:05I always say this, or actually Phil always says this.
19:07You only need to find one house.
19:10We just struck lucky this week.
19:12Some weeks you do, some weeks you don't.
19:15And this house could be this week's lucky winning ticket.
19:19If you were both working from home today, you could make yourself a quick lunch and sit
19:23outside.
19:23Yeah.
19:24I'm surprised we're as close to Guildford as we are.
19:26It feels, like, really quiet.
19:27It feels, like, so quiet.
19:28Yeah.
19:28So, how many houses have you seen already?
19:31Including when we're looking in London, probably ten plus.
19:34Where does this house come?
19:35This is top, for sure.
19:36Definitely.
19:37It's the best one, but a good bit.
19:39Yeah.
19:39We've got another house to see this afternoon.
19:41I don't feel I need to see another one.
19:43No, I don't see another one.
19:45Great.
19:45This is a really positive first viewing.
19:47Thank you very much.
19:49Either Jack's really easy to please, or you're very good at your job, Kirsty.
19:53I'd tell you which, Phil, but I suspect you already know.
19:58Here's hoping my next offering to Jane will match Jack's enthusiasm.
20:03And maybe, Kirsty, you can be my lucky charm.
20:06I'm really pleased you've come to see this.
20:08Yeah.
20:08And it's incredibly different to other stuff that she's looked at.
20:12Right.
20:12It's a lot bigger, and she could still walk into town.
20:14Yeah, fantastic.
20:15She may arrive and go, no, I want the character.
20:19OK, well, early bath in that case.
20:21Yeah.
20:21Hello.
20:22Hello.
20:22It's very nice to meet you.
20:24Very nice to meet you as well.
20:26So, what do you feel about this?
20:28If I was 30 years older and wanted to live in an OAP complex,
20:32this would have been absolutely fabulous.
20:35Harsh.
20:36I'm sorry to be blunt.
20:38No, no, no, be blunt.
20:39I like blunt.
20:40Have you seen anything in this complex before?
20:42I haven't been inside because I know all the neighbours are probably over 70 or 80.
20:48That isn't anywhere on my search criteria.
20:52It's not a dream start, Pip.
20:55No, but this development is more diverse than Jane thinks.
20:59And here, she would find a ground floor apartment presenting her with a different vision.
21:04It has two bedrooms plus two bathrooms.
21:07Perfect for overnight family and friends to stay.
21:10The kitchen is small, but there's additional living and dining room space.
21:15In fact, this place is 30% bigger than property one.
21:19Plus, it's got beautifully maintained communal gardens.
21:23It may need some modernisation, but it's on the market at £400,000.
21:28That's £100,000 less than Jane's top budget of £500,000.
21:33But I'm not sure we're going to get her inside.
21:36This is too modern.
21:37If you want to give me modern, give me cool, quirky, give me like a funky flash.
21:42Stop looking at me like that.
21:43Sorry, I'm sorry.
21:44Just so you know why I thought I was going to show you this.
21:48Yes.
21:49It's about space.
21:50This is really generous.
21:52But size isn't always better.
21:56Sorry, I'm sorry.
21:56That is a fine.
21:57That shut him up.
21:58Absolutely fine.
21:59No, no, no.
22:00I would much prefer a beautiful, characterful space rather than spacious.
22:07But thank you.
22:08Thanks for coming.
22:09I'm sorry.
22:10Don't apologise.
22:11It's your money.
22:11It's your service.
22:12I did tell you I was decisive.
22:13I am all or nothing.
22:15A great find for someone, Phil, but not for Jane.
22:18Turn the taps on, Kirsty.
22:20I think I need that early bath.
22:25And while Phil's treading water, I'm gliding ahead quite nicely.
22:29I'm back in Guildford, bringing Emily and Jack even closer to the town centre to see this three-bed Victorian
22:35semi.
22:37So, what do you think of this one?
22:40Yeah.
22:40It's nice.
22:41Really beautiful.
22:41It's really pretty, isn't it?
22:43Yeah.
22:43Nicer than the last one from the outside, I think.
22:45So, look good.
22:47Yep.
22:47Location good.
22:48Yeah.
22:49Great.
22:50This is going very well today.
22:51Great.
22:52Okay.
22:53And the good stuff certainly carries on through the front door.
22:59Currently serving as a rental property, this is a spectacular bay-fronted period three-bed house.
23:05The exceptional front light and bright living room is filled with original characterful features.
23:11To the back of the house, there's the separate dining room and galley kitchen, plus ground floor toilet and shower.
23:19This could all be opened up and extended to the side of the private east-facing walled garden.
23:25On the first floor, there are two large bedrooms, plus one smaller box room, perfect for a working from home
23:32office space.
23:34It's a real food for thought property, 45,000 cheaper than property one and 50 grand under their top budget
23:41of 700,000 pounds.
23:45So, here, you've got a more conventional set-up, because obviously you've got the dining room, kitchen.
23:53This is on the market at 650.
23:56Okay.
23:56So, if you did the extension and the loft, this house would be considerably bigger than the previous house.
24:03Sure.
24:03Now, that's not something you could do at the moment, but this house isn't very good, Nick.
24:08Come and have a look.
24:08You've got your galley kitchen here.
24:11Okay.
24:12House number one is the instant gratification house.
24:15You have to imagine this one more.
24:16Yes.
24:17How you could get it.
24:18Yes.
24:18Go and have a look upstairs with your serious, it's something to think about head-on.
24:22Okay, sounds good.
24:22Great.
24:23Logic gets you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
24:28Fine words indeed, Kerstels, but time and money are always required to make the dream a reality.
24:34Only Emily and Jack can work out if they can afford to make that investment.
24:38Ooh, this is a big room.
24:40Yeah, this is massive.
24:42Nice floor.
24:43Yeah.
24:43It feels a lot bigger than the last master.
24:45Yeah, way bigger.
24:46But they're clearly warming up to what this house really has to offer.
24:51Feels bigger than the other house.
24:52Yeah.
24:53The irony is, a couple of houses down, they're doing exactly what you could do to this.
24:57But this is a lovely house.
24:59You can live in it for a long time as it is.
25:01It's a small bathroom, and we both can't quite fit in.
25:05Yeah, just about.
25:06Teeny, tiny bath.
25:06Mm.
25:08But we could change that if it's a bit cheaper.
25:11Mm-hmm.
25:13But if you are looking over five years, you have to think about buying a house with the
25:19potential to make it bigger.
25:21Moving is so expensive now that potential is all you've got.
25:26And if Emily and Jack look closely, they'll see this house is bursting at the seams with
25:31the stuff.
25:33So, as you see, next door we're doing the full Monty.
25:37Yeah.
25:37Yeah.
25:38In time, you could do that here.
25:41The other one was so shiny.
25:42I know.
25:42This one's harder to imagine how it would get there.
25:46Ultimately, it's probably going to end up nicer.
25:48It's just, do we have the money now?
25:50Yeah.
25:50Do we have the money in a couple of years?
25:52How long would we have to wait to get there?
25:53Yeah.
25:53I think.
25:54OK.
25:54Well, we've got one more to see tomorrow.
25:56Yeah.
25:56Yeah.
25:57OK, good.
25:57You really did spoil them with that Property 1, Kirsty.
26:02Not so fast, Pip.
26:03Property 3 offers something different.
26:05This search is not over yet.
26:14We're in Surrey helping our house hunters seek out what they really want from their future
26:19homes.
26:21Newly engaged first-time buyers Emily and Jack have had a year-long search, but it's fair
26:26to say I've got a hat in the running.
26:28I don't feel I need to see another one.
26:30I'd like to see another one.
26:32While I'm still getting to grips with what matters most to Jane, who's desperate to lay
26:37down roots, but after 100 viewings, can't come up with a compromise.
26:41It's about space.
26:42This is really generous.
26:44But size isn't always better.
26:52After your raining start, Kirsty, I need to up the ante for Jane.
26:56We're staying pretty central to Farnham High Street, so I'm certain location will be a
27:01winner.
27:01I just need this cute characterful cottage to copy that.
27:06So, we are across the other side of town.
27:09We are.
27:10But still very, very walkable.
27:12Yes.
27:13To see an absolutely classic old cottage.
27:18That's beautiful.
27:19This is the picture card that was on my brief.
27:25Let's get on inside.
27:26Let's come on.
27:26It's so pretty from outside and it gets better indoors.
27:29This delightful three-bed grade two listed cottage radiates charm throughout.
27:36It boasts a cosy front room leading into an extensive kitchen perfect for hosting.
27:42There are two bedrooms on the first floor with a bonus third on the second.
27:48And the walled courtyard is pretty irresistible.
27:51This house gives Jane all the socialising space she wants, but it comes at a cost.
27:57It's a probate property and although it's not yet listed with an agent, it's been valued between $525,000 and
28:04$600,000.
28:06So buying this may mean Jane has to push her budget.
28:10But she has said she could do that if she thinks it's worth it.
28:15It's quaint, it's characterful, it's historical fireplace, beams.
28:20For a little cottage in the town centre, this is a good size living space.
28:25Yeah.
28:25As is the kitchen.
28:29This is a really large kitchen.
28:32I want to be able to fit enough friends in one room.
28:35The agent's valuations have been between $525,000 and $600,000.
28:39Okay.
28:40$600,000 is a bit.
28:40Toppy, we've just got a range at this point.
28:43Naturally, it's old, it needs maintenance.
28:46Having said that, it's been incredibly well looked after for the last 20 years.
28:50I'm struggling to read your expression.
28:52Because it's out of the initial town centre, I would have expected it to be a little bit less price
28:58-wise.
28:59But it's beautiful.
29:00Let's see some more.
29:01After you.
29:02Well, that's burst your bubble.
29:04If Jane's prepared to push her budget, this house is going to have to pull on every single heart string.
29:10I'm not actually sure I can do any better than this one.
29:13It's walkable to town, it's got her name written all over it.
29:17But her brain is spinning round every time she can think of something that doesn't absolutely nail what she had
29:24in her mind's eye.
29:26Oh, we've got three bedrooms here.
29:28Maybe that's what happens after 100 viewings.
29:31This top floor explains the top-end budget.
29:35You found the little surprise up the top then?
29:37Yes, an extra bedroom.
29:39Yeah.
29:39How do you feel about that?
29:41I think if this was £50,000 less and had two bedrooms, I would be bouncing up and down.
29:51But you are making me nervous going top of the budget and still needing work and the extra bedroom that
29:58I don't need slightly pushed out of the town centre.
30:02It's only an extra minute's walk.
30:04It is, it is.
30:05But this row of cottages is beautiful.
30:09Gosh, I wish this was...
30:10Easy.
30:11I wish this was easier.
30:13Kirsty and I always say, if it was easy, we wouldn't have a job.
30:16Yes.
30:16This is all a process.
30:18Yes.
30:18Off to you.
30:20Rome wasn't built in a day, Phil.
30:22I'm not throwing myself to the lions just yet.
30:27So far, I've had a roaring good time with Emily and Jack.
30:31Property number one will take some beating, but I may have the house to do it.
30:36This place is a little further out.
30:38But if a move-in ready pad for less cash is preferred by our couple, we may just have found
30:44ourselves a winning formula.
30:46And I'm happy to strap in and join the ride.
30:49Hello.
30:49This is Phil Spencer.
30:51Lovely to meet you.
30:52Hello, nice to meet you.
30:52Hi, Emily.
30:53How do you do?
30:53Hi, Jack.
30:54What do you feel here in this street?
30:56Lovely road.
30:57Yes.
30:57Nice, open, feels a bit further away than the others.
31:01It is.
31:01It's 1.7 miles.
31:02Yeah, I'd prefer to be a bit closer.
31:04But then you might show us a house that's really incredible.
31:07Let's go in.
31:09This property may not be in their preferred postcode, but there's still a lot to talk about.
31:14It's an updated Victorian three-bed end of terrace.
31:18The kitchen has been beautifully extended, with French doors opening out onto the south-facing garden, plus there's a separate
31:25living room to the front.
31:27On the first floor, there are two double bedrooms and a spacious family bathroom.
31:31And the attic has been stylishly converted into a main bedroom plus ensuite.
31:39It's got a lot of the charm of property one, but by going a tad smaller and slightly further out,
31:44it comes in 20 grand cheaper at 675,000 pounds.
31:48That's 25,000 under their top spent.
31:54So, what they've got is a two-storey extension.
31:59It's been extended with an inch of its life.
32:02Of its life.
32:02Mm-hmm.
32:03But it is quite narrow.
32:04Yeah.
32:05Surprisingly smaller than the first one.
32:07Yeah.
32:07And it's on at 675.
32:10Okay.
32:11House number one was on at 695, wasn't it?
32:14695, yeah.
32:15Yeah.
32:15It does feel like quite a lot.
32:17In comparison.
32:18In comparison.
32:18And although, Jack, you didn't feel after you'd seen it that you needed to see other things, we do need
32:23to make sure that we've seen the market in the round.
32:27Yeah.
32:27I think it, if anything, confirms more to me that I like this style, but I thought this would be
32:32bigger from the street than it is.
32:34Do you want to have a look?
32:35I'm intrigued.
32:36You can go with Phil, Jack and I will sit in the garden.
32:39We know when we find the right house, don't we, Jack?
32:42Jack's remarkably confident.
32:44He's a man of his word, Phil.
32:46Come on up to the top.
32:47Yeah, it's a nice room.
32:48But yeah, I'm not really excited to be in it.
32:51This is the style that I like, but this is just not as nice as the other house.
32:56The other one's walking distance to the station.
32:58Yeah.
32:59Is Jack as confident as he looks?
33:01Yes.
33:02Annoyingly.
33:03It's really good if somebody's that clear, that's the one.
33:06I need a bit more time to warm up to see myself in the space.
33:09And does seeing more like this assist that?
33:12Yeah, it does, definitely.
33:13So it makes that one stand out a bit more.
33:15Excellent.
33:15Yeah.
33:15Job done.
33:16Awesome.
33:17Well, I think Emily is now sure you found the right house, Kirsty, even if it's not this one.
33:22We had a look around.
33:24It's a lot smaller upstairs than property number one.
33:26Yeah.
33:27Is this the house you would have bought previously, as it were?
33:30It would have been close.
33:32I think there's lots of nice bits to it.
33:35The road's beautiful, the area's lovely, and it's done really well.
33:39I think it's just hard when you've seen the house that you really like ahead of it.
33:44Come on, then.
33:45You've got to go and buy it for them.
33:46Yeah.
33:47OK.
33:49I'd say Emily's confidence in property one now matches Jack's, and it's my job to get
33:54them over the finish line.
33:59Lagging behind somewhat, I'm hoping Jane will be open to a fresh perspective with my
34:03next place.
34:05So this is where it's at, Farnham High Street.
34:08Yeah.
34:09The hustle and bustle.
34:10All going on.
34:11Well, listen, the place I've got to show you is in here.
34:14I hope there's light at the end of this tunnel.
34:17When we first met, you said to me that either you wanted something that was quirky and old
34:22and characterful, or that was something that was modern and cool.
34:26Yep.
34:28Which this could be.
34:29The development's not completed yet, but we're going to have a look at the one-bed showroom.
34:34Okay.
34:34Give you just a taste or a flavour of it.
34:36Great position.
34:37One bed, haven't really explored.
34:40Go on, then.
34:41This upper ground floor apartment could offer Jane a lifestyle choice worth considering,
34:47representing some of the best modern living that Farnham has to offer.
34:50It has an open-plan living set-up, bursting with natural light from the large windows and
34:56beautifully high ceilings.
34:59The kitchen offers all the mod cons, and the flat boasts groundbreaking sustainable features
35:04like heated wallpaper and zonal heating to help reduce the carbon footprint and keep running costs lower.
35:12With one bed plus shower room, it's perfect for luxurious single-life living.
35:18We might be a bedroom down, but all of this is for £325,000.
35:23That's a hefty amount of change left over from her hard-earned £500,000 budget.
35:29I love the amount of units.
35:32Yeah.
35:33This kitchen size for a one-bed flat is brilliant.
35:37I know you'll be worried about you wouldn't be able to have people to stay.
35:40Well, we've been looking at houses, you know, call it £450,000, and this is £325,000.
35:47So, yes, you could get a freehold house.
35:50It might be preferable to a leasehold flat.
35:52But on that very rough sum, you're looking at paying about £100,000 for the second bedroom.
35:59Do I love my friends and family enough to spend £100,000 on it?
36:03It's an interesting sum, though, isn't it?
36:04It is.
36:05Have a look round and try and picture yourself on your own here for the weekend
36:10without anybody coming to stay, but quite a lot of money still in the bank.
36:15Do we think?
36:17Jane is craving stability and normality after years of on-the-go.
36:22This is small, but it's also affordable and really straightforward and easy.
36:27Maybe that's actually what Jane needs, because there's no need to overcomplicate this.
36:31Ah, nice view of the church.
36:34I've offered Jane that supportive arm she asked for, but ultimately it's a decision she has to make for herself.
36:40What do you make of it?
36:42Having a comfortable place for my friends to stay is worth £100,000.
36:49OK.
36:49Yes.
36:49Fine.
36:51Cool.
36:52So it's not this flat, but worth you coming and assessing these options?
36:56Definitely, because I've now completely ruled out one bedrooms from my search.
37:01So none of the houses we've shown will be Jane's new home.
37:06But she saw more than 100 places before our search, and offered on one that she pulled out of when
37:12she realised it needed work.
37:14What would you like to do from here?
37:16I would hugely appreciate your professional input on a property that I've loved and lost.
37:24Yeah, you mentioned there was one with a survey.
37:27Yes.
37:28Yes.
37:28It's not the work that I'm daunted about at all, it's the renegotiating.
37:32OK.
37:33Happy to help.
37:34It seems there may be hope for this search yet.
37:43In Surrey, Jane hasn't fallen for any of the four properties I've shown her in Farnham.
37:48You are making me nervous, going top of the budget and still needing work.
37:54But there's one last option which could change things.
37:58Meanwhile, Emily and Jack have pondered over properties in Guildford, but both seem persuaded by the space, high spec, and
38:05that ingenious little laundry room at Property One.
38:08This is top, for sure. Definitely.
38:10I think the best one were a good bit.
38:12Yeah.
38:17With Jane, we're back in the heart of Farnham.
38:20This is one of the five houses she had previously offered on, but it was loved then lost when she
38:25became tangled in a web of negotiations.
38:28That's it.
38:29Time for me to step in and try and untangle things.
38:33So it was being marketed at 500,000?
38:36Yes.
38:37You offered how much?
38:39490.
38:40And that was accepted?
38:41The survey flagged it got a bad roof, you attempted to renegotiate, couldn't come to a price.
38:46And so, it's still for sale.
38:50This ex-rental is nestled in the heart of the town centre and offers everything Jane has asked for.
38:56It's a semi-detached, two-bed house with a bathroom, plus a separate WC.
39:02It's bursting with fully open-plan living and dining space, which is just what Jane wants.
39:07There's a driveway at the front, plus a private courtyard at the back.
39:12It remains on the market for £500,000.
39:15But we've spoken to the vendor, and they'll now do the work to the roof before any purchase.
39:21This could be a game-changer for this house, but that's Jane's decision.
39:27Genuinely, all of the things that we've talked about, and what you're trying to achieve,
39:32sensible money, great size, good layout, good condition inside, that's a cracking property.
39:37That makes me very happy for you to confirm.
39:42Yeah.
39:42It feels like it could be home.
39:44Good.
39:45The importance of home.
39:47It's why we do what we do, Phil.
39:50This is the house for Jane, and now it's up to me to get it.
39:55Back in Guildford, first-time buyers Emily and Jack have decided that Property One is the house for them.
40:02With their maximum budget of £700,000, there's very little room for manoeuvre.
40:08£6.95 is an ambitious price for that house.
40:12We had the discussion last night, and we were probably in the, like, £6.70.
40:18That's not a figure that surprises me at all.
40:20I think it's a good offer.
40:23In order to secure it, we have to get this price right.
40:26Emily and Jack are ready to move forward with the next stage of their life together,
40:30from weddings to all else that may follow.
40:34Hello, Charity. It's Kirsty.
40:36I have spoken to my couple, and they have got an offer.
40:40The offer is £670,000.
40:44OK. Brilliant. Bye.
40:47Offer in.
40:48Here's hoping £25,000 under the asking price will be enough to secure it.
40:55For Jane, she longs for stability,
40:57and the end of a house search that has taken years of her life.
41:01They are asking for £500,000.
41:03Yep.
41:04And they are fully expecting to do the roof.
41:06I understand the roofing contract has been instructed.
41:09Yep.
41:09It's likely to start any day.
41:11We need to come up with a figure.
41:12Yeah.
41:12My thoughts are they happily accepted £490,000 before.
41:19It's worth a shot.
41:21£10,000 under Jane's top budget and under the asking price.
41:25Even with the added agreement for the vendor to fix the roof,
41:28I still want to secure the best possible deal.
41:32Nigel, good afternoon. It's Phil Spencer here.
41:34I've got an offer of £490,000 for you.
41:38And the idea behind that would be to push forward to an exchange of contracts
41:42as soon as possible,
41:44but completion to be subject to Jane's satisfaction with the roof
41:48and the roof being all completed.
41:51I can only hope this offer is enough to get Jane the house of her dreams.
41:57He's going to try and get hold of the owners.
41:58But we're nearly there.
42:00Come on, we'll raise the cards.
42:01OK.
42:01To your search.
42:04The vendor isn't available, so we won't wrap this up today.
42:08But I'm hoping this is the beginning of the end of a very long search for Jane.
42:14But with Emily and Jack, their offer of £670,000,
42:19£25,000 under asking, is on the table.
42:23Charity, thank you for calling me.
42:27Okie dokie, I'm going to talk to my clients now and I will ring you back.
42:34Okie dokie, thanks so much.
42:35Bye.
42:37She said they'd like to work with you, but £680,000 would take it off the market.
42:44That £10,000 is a big difference for you.
42:47Yeah, we said we would go to £675,000 if they came back and said no to our initial offer.
42:52Yeah, £675,000.
42:57I think £675,000.
43:11It's an anxious wait for this couple who are getting closer to their maximum budget.
43:18Hello.
43:22That is fantastic.
43:23Thank you so much.
43:24You have a good evening.
43:25Yay!
43:27It's yours!
43:28That's amazing.
43:29675,000 off the market.
43:32Many congratulations.
43:34That is a cracking house.
43:35And I want a photo of your laundry room.
43:38What a result.
43:39First comes the house, next comes marriage.
43:42Ding dong.
43:48Four weeks later, their excitement hasn't waned.
43:53It's an incredible house.
43:54I just can't wait to be in it.
43:56Hopefully only, what, a couple more months.
43:58It stood out against kind of everything that we've seen.
44:00You were buying the furniture before we'd even left it.
44:02Yeah.
44:03Now the reality of living in the house is starting to sink in.
44:06We can move straight in.
44:08That doesn't mean I don't have a list of things I want to do.
44:10There's already a list of things that we would like to do in the house.
44:14Good, I'm glad you said that.
44:16Top of my list for Emily and Jack is to get their camera out.
44:20We will indeed take a photo of the laundry area for Kirsty
44:23having a downstairs utility without ruining any of the flow of downstairs.
44:27It's just such a great little addition.
44:29They've ended up with the perfect property in a fantastic location.
44:34You know, we did go to the top end of our budget.
44:37But ultimately, we're going to have a house now that we can live in for ten years
44:40and not have to worry about paying stamp duty again or moving costs.
44:44Hats off to you, Kirstals. You gave them everything they asked for.
44:48Thanks for helping us get a house. We're looking forward to moving in.
44:52Once we've got the keys and we're in the house, we'll set a date.
44:55It's all lining up perfectly. I couldn't be happier.
45:04As for Jane...
45:05After Phil put the offer in, they weren't going to go for the 490.
45:09They did accept 495.
45:12Then the emotions hit. I found my house!
45:16Just four weeks after the offer was accepted...
45:19Today's moving in day, which is very exciting.
45:24There's been many houses over the years.
45:27Maybe it was all to lead me to this fabulous property.
45:32House secured. Five grand under Jane's top spend of £500,000.
45:37Plus that bonus deal. It's a triumph.
45:40I now have a beautiful new roof and new little porch roof as well.
45:47That all went really smoothly. It was done in seven, eight days.
45:52You did it, Phil. Guiding Jane every step of the way.
45:57I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for Phil.
46:01This will make me emotional.
46:03Thank you for giving me the support to let me follow my heart
46:10and to find my dream home.
46:14It's been an absolute pleasure.
46:20If you'd like help finding your next home, then we want to hear from you.
46:24You can apply online at channel4.com slash take part.
46:28We'll be back to you tonight.
46:46Bye-bye.
46:47I want you to be glad.
46:47I want you to be glad you did that.
46:57I want you to go out.
46:58You
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