- 9 hours ago
A Place In The Sun
Category
🏖
TravelTranscript
00:00Today's house hunter, single mum Dawn de Leon, wants a better life for herself and her five-year-old daughter.
00:07She's got £120,000 to spend and wants to trade the busy streets of London for a more relaxed life
00:13by the Loire.
00:14So I've brought her to France's terrain region, just one hour south of Paris.
00:44Oh my goodness.
00:45Single working mum Dawn is done with the frantic pace of London life and wants to find tranquility across the
00:51channel for her and daughter Demi Jade.
00:53With her friend also called Dawn in tow to help, will she find the perfect place for her much-needed
01:00peace?
01:01This is it.
01:02This is me, yes.
01:02Oh good.
01:03Or will she be stuffed by the property available for her budget abroad?
01:08Brilliant.
01:08Okay.
01:09That's different.
01:13Dawn de Leon from South London's Brixton has been a social worker for over 20 years and has known best
01:19friend Dawn number two for ten.
01:22Loving her job, but finding it quite stressful, she feels it's time to try life somewhere calmer.
01:29With her three-year-old daughter Demi Jade, she wants to find somewhere for them both to relax and spend
01:35more time together,
01:36whilst not being too far from the shores back home.
01:39And where does she hope to find all this?
01:42In the terrain region in the Loire in France.
01:47Popular with French aristocracy over the centuries, many chateaux were built throughout the region.
01:53To date, these provide the area's main tourist attractions, with the extraordinary Chateau de Chenonceau being the second most visited
02:01in France after the Palace of Versailles.
02:04Some castles have been bought by individuals, with Mick Jagger himself owning one in the region.
02:10The Capital Tour is just an hour's train ride from Paris, but with a much less busy pace of life.
02:17The town of Loire and the surrounding villages are said to be some of the most laid back in the
02:22region,
02:23with a number of international events, including jazz festivals and gospel concerts.
02:28Property and terrain has been caught in the entire country's boom, with prices rising 15 to 20% in the
02:35last three years.
02:37Although this has now slowed down, terrain is still a good investment, thanks to the strong tourist trade here.
02:44Dawn has a budget of £120,000, with a ceiling of £130,000,
02:50to find herself the French property oasis she's looking for.
02:54Now, you're both called Dawn, aren't you?
02:56But you're Dawn the friend who's helping out here.
03:00My role is to sort of keep her on the ground, so she doesn't get too kind of carried away,
03:04but to just kind of give advice, to sort of ask questions that she may not have thought of.
03:08Yeah.
03:08So why have you decided to leave London behind for France?
03:12I'm looking for a less frenetic, hectic, stressed-out way of life.
03:16More time for my daughter, more time for me.
03:18It's a huge move. You're a lone parent, aren't you?
03:21I am.
03:22And your daughter, Demi Jade, is five years old.
03:25She is, yes.
03:25Is that right?
03:25Yes, five, five and a half.
03:27Have you got any trepidations about coming over here on your own?
03:29I am daunted, definitely, but I'm also off the kind of, at a stage where I'm thinking,
03:34nothing mentioned, nothing gained.
03:36Will you miss them both?
03:37I will do, but I'll be on the boat, and I'll be sort of popping over from time to time.
03:42Now, in terms of the property itself, tell me a bit about that.
03:46What's your requirements there?
03:47The wish list is something old, character, three bedrooms minimum, so one for myself,
03:55one for Demi Jade, and the visiting friends, and the opportunity to do some business.
03:59A garden is a must.
04:00A likely outdoor space.
04:02How would you feel about being in a quiet village, or would you like to be in the centre
04:06of all the action?
04:07If it's quiet and it gives them a day, the good school, good friends, some other English
04:10families, that will be helpful, because as you know, my French is nil point.
04:16Now, tell me a bit about the way you want to make an income over here.
04:20You want to make some money out of your property, don't you?
04:22Yes, I want to hopefully do a B&B regie, something small, nothing too big.
04:27Wow, I think you'd better click on and see the four I've lined up for you.
04:30Oh, I'm looking forward to that.
04:32So, she's after calm, character, quiet, and business potential.
04:37That's certainly a challenge.
04:39With quite a specific list, are Dawn number two and I going to be able to keep her property
04:45feet on the ground?
04:48To begin with, I thought I'd take Dawn to the forest-clad haven of the Solonia.
04:53Lying between the Loire and Cher rivers, this was the most popular place for royalty to hunt
04:59and fish.
04:59Both pastimes are still popular in the many protected areas here.
05:04Many tourists come to this part of terrain to visit, among other things, the castle at
05:09Blois and the Chateau Cheveny.
05:12Two wheels is currently the most popular way to get around, since several bike routes have
05:17been created throughout the region.
05:20Sadly, this isn't the first house that I'm going to show you today.
05:23What a shame.
05:27But the first house is really close to here.
05:30So much so, in fact, that you would benefit from the reduced rates for local residents.
05:34You'd only pay £6 a year for entrance.
05:36That's really cheap.
05:37Very cheap.
05:38Next to the Chateau is the town of Courcheveny, which, along with all the basic amenities,
05:44also has a primary school.
05:46Now, this is the main road that leads up to the Chateau, because it's pretty toxic in
05:50the summer months.
05:51All right.
05:52Just behind us is the tourist office.
06:01This house has four bedrooms, large garden and terrace, is next to a chateau in its passing
06:07trade, and is on the market at £127,000.
06:12Okay, so this house used to be split into two, so it's got two different entrances, but
06:17this one is more commonly used.
06:20Useful hallway for receiving your guests?
06:22Very much so.
06:23Lovely view.
06:23Beautiful.
06:25We've got more beans through here in your living room.
06:28All right.
06:29Lovely.
06:29Oh, this is very precious.
06:31Lovely sign.
06:32He is taking his furry friends with you, isn't he?
06:35Yes, I am.
06:36I'm very pleased to know that.
06:37That wild ball was caught locally, and the current owner is a chef, and he cooked it.
06:43Cooked it.
06:44Have you ever had ball to do it?
06:45No.
06:46Maybe as a pate, but I'm not sure about...
06:47Maybe.
06:48No.
06:49So, first room, good response.
06:51Lovely sign.
06:51Very nice.
06:53Okay, well, follow me.
06:55All right.
06:55And the kitchen.
06:57That's it again, actually.
06:59For a chef, is it fit for you?
07:02Nice size.
07:03Lovely size.
07:03It is, isn't it?
07:04I'd like lighter cupboards, and a bit of colour maybe on the wall.
07:08Mm-hmm.
07:09Fabulous size, though.
07:10The size.
07:11No complaints.
07:12Well, not only has this property got its great location going for it, it's also got ample
07:18rooms up here.
07:20All right.
07:20You've got four bedrooms.
07:21Fantastic.
07:22Fantastic.
07:23Now, additional to all the rooms you've got here, you've also got a huge loft waiting
07:28to be converted.
07:30Fantastic.
07:31Which, I think you could get at least three good-sized bedrooms out of.
07:35Good for business.
07:35All right.
07:36So, something to think about there.
07:37Very much, yeah.
07:38Mm-hmm.
07:39I have to say, it's quite unusual to find a garden of this size so close to the centre
07:44of the village.
07:44Ah.
07:45It's great having it, isn't it?
07:46Fantastic size.
07:47Really good.
07:47Lots of room.
07:48So, there's only days to run around in.
07:50Absolutely.
07:50Barbies, parties.
07:52She'll love it.
07:53Plus a few chickens and a vegetable patch.
07:56If Dawn wanted to convert the attic into three en-suite bedrooms, it would be likely
08:01to cost around £25,000.
08:05Lots of updating upstairs.
08:08Not so much downstairs.
08:09Yeah.
08:10Change in the kitchen.
08:11On and upwards in terms of others, but this is a good base.
08:14Yeah.
08:15So, first house.
08:17Oh, you have to do a good start.
08:19Very good.
08:20Yeah, I think so.
08:21Good start, yeah.
08:21Well, next, I'm going to take you further south in the region where property is even
08:25better value for money.
08:26And this next house has got a different sort of rental investment.
08:29All right.
08:30Let's go.
08:30So, it's boding well for Dawn after our first house.
08:34Perhaps our next property will add even more joie de property vivre to our search.
08:42The town of Angles-sur-Loglain is named as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
08:48Needless to say, it's popular with visitors who come to take in the ancient abbey, the chateau
08:53and the lake with its many activities.
08:56Buying property in this location just over Terrain's southern border would open up Dawn's
09:01rental market as she could advertise her business in both Terrain and the neighbouring department
09:06of Vienne.
09:07Well, the first house was right in the thick of things.
09:10It's definitely more peaceful around here, isn't it?
09:13Certainly.
09:14Green and tranquil.
09:15Yes.
09:16And very different.
09:17Very different, isn't it?
09:18Yes.
09:18Well, although it is a bit more peaceful around here, it's still only just a mile away from
09:23all the nearest amenity shops and things.
09:25All right.
09:25The house I've got to show Dawn is just five minutes from Angles-sur-Loglain, just out
09:31of the market town of Tournault-Saint-Martin.
09:33So, while it might be a little quiet around here, I think you're going to be quite tempted
09:38by the price tag.
09:39Oh, because you certainly get a lot more house for your money around here.
09:43All right.
09:43This one's on the market for £88,000.
09:46Wow.
09:46Fantastic.
09:47This house has two bedrooms with room to make more, a garden, an outbuilding and a price
09:53tag of £88,000.
09:55Well, I know you like colour Dawn.
09:57I certainly make a juice of it here.
09:59Very nice.
10:00This is fantastic.
10:01Very nice.
10:02Is this more your sort of style?
10:04This is definitely my style.
10:05No, you're hitting the mark.
10:06You're tempting me.
10:07Yes, this is Dawn.
10:08Is it?
10:09Oh, yes.
10:09Immediately you can tell.
10:11Oh, absolutely.
10:11Oh, wow.
10:13Dawn.
10:14Yes.
10:15Definitely.
10:16Now, this is it.
10:17This is me.
10:17Yes.
10:17Oh, good.
10:19Fantastic.
10:19Not everybody would like this amount of green in a room.
10:22No, I would.
10:23Good.
10:24We'll have positive vibes for continuing.
10:26All right.
10:27Let me show you the bedrooms.
10:30Upstairs, you've got two bedrooms here.
10:32That would be your master bedroom.
10:34Oh, lovely.
10:35Fabulous size.
10:36And what do you think Demi Jade would think of this room?
10:38Oh, she would love this full space.
10:40She would be up for the lilac.
10:41She would be up for the lilac.
10:43Unlike her mummy.
10:43Who would want to be continuing with her orange theme next door.
10:47It comes up from both thorns here.
10:49I think so.
10:50Very much.
10:51So your garden space out here is smaller than the first house, but still enough space for
10:56you?
10:57More than enough space.
10:58Lovely.
10:58Different, but absolutely lovely.
10:59So this house definitely seems to be working for you, doesn't it?
11:03In a big way, Victoria.
11:04In a big way.
11:05It's ticking all the boxes.
11:06Brilliant.
11:08So, as well as the house, you've got this barn over here.
11:12All right.
11:12That also is included in the asking farm.
11:15Fantastic.
11:16Wow.
11:16It needs work doing to it.
11:17All right.
11:18It needs a full on conversion job.
11:19I'm game.
11:21But starting price around £30,000 to convert that.
11:24So that's still going to keep you within your £120,000 budget.
11:27Yeah.
11:28So has this made it more enticing for you?
11:30It has.
11:30It has.
11:31Victoria, you're on the button today.
11:32You're on the button today.
11:33Don't get too carried away.
11:36Other British families currently live nearby.
11:39Some of them have small children.
11:41So it would be a great way for Dawn and Demi Jade to get to know the area.
11:50This is getting close to my deal, really.
11:52And you could be my first £200 a week paying client.
11:55I don't think so.
11:57No, I'd expect a freebie.
11:59I'll see about that.
12:00Yes.
12:02That's interesting, isn't it?
12:04Oh, Victoria, the third one was a starter, but this is getting very close to the ideal.
12:08Very close to the ideal.
12:10The question is, can you top it?
12:11It is brilliant.
12:13Brilliant.
12:13Raising the stakes.
12:14Indeed.
12:15Indeed.
12:16So it seems that the house, plus its business potential, is tempting Dawn away from her London
12:22life.
12:23Will what I've got to show her next give her that extra rasher on her bed and breakfast
12:27plate?
12:28That's different.
12:29It is, isn't it?
12:30Or will Terrain's property market prove to be the break of our Dawn?
12:35A bit dated.
12:36Very much.
12:43Today's house hunter, single mum Dawn de Leon from London wants to trade the bustle of the
12:48city for a quieter life with her five-year-old daughter Demi Jade in central France.
12:53She's looking for a home that will also generate an income and has a budget of £120,000.
12:59Now, this is it.
13:00Yeah?
13:00Me, yes.
13:01Oh, good.
13:02Dawn de Leon from London and friend Dawn number two are two properties into their search.
13:07With one house getting a big thumbs up, will what I've got lined up next give Dawn a dilemma?
13:15Seeing as Dawn wants a place with a good business opportunity, but away from the hustle and bustle
13:21of city life, I thought I'd take her to Terrain's calm and quiet south.
13:26The land here is mainly agricultural, with small historic villages and chateaux punctuating
13:32the landscape.
13:33One such place is Grand Pretany, which is home to the remains of a 12th century castle.
13:40Ten minutes away is Grand Pretany's sister town and the next house's location.
13:45It isn't the most touristy part of the Terrain region, but it's not without its attractions.
13:51That restaurant over there, Michelin Stard.
13:54Oh, good food.
13:55Very nice.
13:56Indeed.
13:56And the house we're going to look at is just across the road from it.
13:58Oh.
13:59Not far to go, it's a good cuisine.
14:00As well as accessibility to the shops, restaurants and school of Grand Pretany, Le Petit Pretany
14:07also boasts a great business opportunity with the highly rated restaurants.
14:12This house has four ensuite bedrooms, a separate three bedroom house and a small terrace.
14:19It's on the market for £136,000.
14:23Well, this used to be a thriving bed and breakfast business.
14:27All right.
14:27Up until a few years ago and the current owner had to give it up due to ill health.
14:31All right.
14:32All right.
14:32Now, I thought that you might be quite interested in this, not only because it's the only bed
14:36and breakfast in the village, but also because you don't need to live with your guests.
14:41Fabulous.
14:41Because it also comes with this, a three bedroom house separate.
14:44Fantastic.
14:45We're going to look at the bed and breakfast section first.
14:48Okay.
14:49Straight into where you would entertain your guests.
14:52All right.
14:52Lovely size.
14:53It would need some serious updating.
14:56So down here you've got two double bedrooms there and two more upstairs.
14:59All right.
14:59So let's go and have a look at those up there.
15:04You've got two good size double bedrooms.
15:07They've both got pretty big en suite as well.
15:09Yes.
15:09Lovely size.
15:10Nice to hold it en suite, but...
15:13A bit dated.
15:14Very much.
15:15It's very useful where this is located opposite the Michelin-styled restaurant.
15:19Mm-hmm.
15:20I think in the time this hotel was running, they were building up quite a good track record
15:24with restauranteurs that needed a night to stay out a few too many.
15:28All right.
15:28Very handy.
15:29So I think that's definitely good.
15:31Absolutely.
15:32Definitely.
15:34So back out here.
15:36Yes.
15:36Away from the bed and breakfast and into your house.
15:40Just across from there.
15:41Bearing in mind it is a little bit cluttered in here at the moment.
15:44There's an awful lot of furniture going on.
15:46If you can imagine without it, this would be your kitchen sort of living area.
15:52Do you think you could make it work for you?
15:54Erm...
15:54I'm not sure.
15:55The good seats are not grabbing you.
15:56No.
15:56As much as the other.
15:57I think the business end is probably grabbing more than the accommodation end.
16:01Okay.
16:01Even though there are three bedrooms here and great business potential,
16:06it seems that this house still isn't right for Dawn.
16:09Well, I thought Dawn would get quite excited about the business venture here,
16:12but I just don't think that house has captured her heart.
16:15I think that is going to be the deal breaker.
16:17The business, I'm really taken by.
16:19Yeah.
16:20And I could really give that a go and see myself being really involved with that.
16:23Mm.
16:24But I think you'd have to do too much work to this to kind of get to where you want
16:27to
16:28get to, and that's a lot of work and a lot of money.
16:31Erm, you're right.
16:32I think the business bit is good.
16:34Mm.
16:37So, have you got any final thoughts yet on this house?
16:42The business?
16:43Yes, thank you.
16:44Love that.
16:45The house?
16:46No, thank you.
16:47I mean, I think it's not going to be an option for you.
16:49No, no.
16:50Is your heart still set on the Hamlet House by any chance?
16:53Definitely.
16:53I think it is, isn't it?
16:55Having shown her a variety of property incorporating what she said she was looking for, I wanted to
17:01make sure that I pulled out all the stops for our last house.
17:04With one last chance to get it right, I thought I'd take Dawn to the Cher Valley.
17:11As well as being home to one of France's most famous castles, the Chateau Chenonceau,
17:17one of Terrain's three rivers the Cher runs through here.
17:21Set alongside the river is the picturesque town of Blaire, a good-sized town.
17:26Dawn could potentially find part-time work here or teach English to students.
17:31Just ten minutes away is the village of Luzile, which carries all the basic amenities, including
17:37a primary school.
17:38Now this is the house we're going to look at.
17:40All right.
17:41But it dates back to the era of Napoleon III around the middle of the 19th century.
17:45Okay.
17:45Lots of history.
17:46Lots of history.
17:47This house has three bedrooms, a self-contained guest house, outbuildings, courtyard and traditional
17:54features.
17:54It's on the market at £118,000.
17:57Now although we're in the centre of the village, this used to be a farmhouse.
18:02All right.
18:03Which is good, because you get the benefits of having all the beautiful outbuildings that
18:07go with it.
18:08All right.
18:09So here's the main body of the house, which I'll show you first.
18:11I'm sure you're getting to the market again.
18:14Excited?
18:15Yes, indeed.
18:16Okay, let's hope the positive vibes continue.
18:19This is your living room.
18:20Oh, yes.
18:21Fabulous eyes, character.
18:23What do you think you want?
18:24Yes.
18:24Very nice.
18:25Very spacious, airy.
18:26Yes.
18:27A fabulous size room.
18:28Well, as well as this living area, you've also got through here an additional space.
18:34Now, at the moment it's being used, it's sort of part bedroom, part office.
18:40Oh, wow.
18:40Oh, my goodness.
18:40And the only bathroom is in the corner through there.
18:44All right.
18:45Needless to say, you're going to change the decor I imagine.
18:48Empathically.
18:50So up your quite narrow staircase.
18:53Indeed.
18:53Your landing area.
18:54Now, I did point out to you that you've only got one bathroom downstairs.
18:57Yes.
18:58Which is very common in traditional French houses.
19:01All right.
19:01This one comes with an added bonus.
19:03Mm-hmm.
19:03It's got all the mod cons of the time that it was built, including a Napoleonic toilet.
19:10Brilliant.
19:11Okay.
19:11That's different.
19:12It is, isn't it?
19:13So this is the one bedroom that is ready and converted, ready to go there.
19:18Maybe Demi Jade's room.
19:20Okay.
19:21Your room, however, needs a little bit more work.
19:23All right.
19:24Ooh.
19:25It's been part converted.
19:28Just a little bit.
19:29Yes.
19:29The current owner has started to renovate and convert it.
19:32He's half insulated the roof, but you need to finish that off, and the walls, and the
19:37floor, and I think it's going to cost you in the region of £7,000 to get a basement
19:41bathroom fitted and do the conversion job here.
19:43Okay.
19:44Mm-hmm.
19:44Definitely worth it.
19:46So while the house has got bags of potential, this also comes with the all-important
19:51opportunity to make a bit of extra cash.
19:53Very important.
19:54You've got two separate units here.
19:56Do you want to have a look up there and see what you think?
19:58Yes.
19:59All right.
19:59Shall we go?
20:01Go up to the top first, Dawn?
20:03Yeah.
20:03Sure.
20:06Okay.
20:07Ah.
20:08Spacious.
20:09Yeah.
20:10Nice size.
20:11If Dawn converted the separate units into rental property, she could either rent them
20:16out as holiday lets or annually.
20:18She could expect to charge around £200 a month for the whole property on a yearly basis.
20:24I think Dawn's definitely got a vision for this house, but I wonder if at the end of
20:28the day, she'd rather go for an easier option.
20:31Stags of potential continues in here.
20:33Mm-hmm.
20:34But I think...
20:34Stags of money will be required.
20:36Mm-hmm.
20:36I think so.
20:37So you can get to the standard that you want to get to.
20:40So how about that guest accommodation?
20:42Do you think we could get it to work for you?
20:45Yes.
20:46I think so.
20:47Mm-hmm.
20:47So do you think this house is really quite a good option for you now?
20:51I think so.
20:51I think it's a good house.
20:52It's a good house.
20:53Lovely location.
20:54Yeah.
20:55The location is right.
20:56So do you prefer this house to the Hamlet house then?
21:00There's more potential.
21:01The Hamlet house is my ideal house.
21:02Yeah.
21:03But I think this house can become that.
21:04So overall, do you really think you can imagine your life here with Demi James?
21:08Absolutely.
21:09Can't you?
21:09I think so.
21:10I think you need to get a bit more advice about how much it would kind of cost to fix
21:14up this place to know what you want.
21:16Yeah.
21:16Well, how about I try and line up a builder for you to come by the property.
21:20You can walk around the house with him.
21:21Yeah.
21:21Show him the work that you want to do and we can really see if we can get finances to
21:25work for you here.
21:26Get some quotes, yeah?
21:27That would be much appreciated, Victoria.
21:28Don't you think?
21:29That would be really helpful.
21:30Fantastic.
21:30Fingers crossed you can make the house work.
21:32Indeed.
21:32And I do what I can line up.
21:33All right.
21:33Many thanks.
21:34Okay.
21:35Well, we're here now.
21:36I managed to locate a builder and an English interpreter to come round and talk through
21:41the changes that Dawn would want to make.
21:47Yes.
21:48Well, what do we do in it?
21:49We cost everything.
21:50He said you have to break everything in there.
21:52I think so.
21:53Start completely from scratch.
21:54I agree with you.
21:59He said what would be quite nice in this room would be a spunk and bath.
22:07So, was that useful for you?
22:09Really helpful.
22:10That was so necessary.
22:11Many thanks so much.
22:12Good.
22:12So, what did he say?
22:13To get the stairs shifted or widened to have a good family bathroom and also to get
22:19this up and running as a business.
22:20Between 20,000 to 25,000 pounds.
22:22Is that more than you thought?
22:24What do you think?
22:25No, I kind of thought it was about 25,000.
22:27I think it's a good idea to get a couple of quotes, especially because it's quite a
22:29big job, isn't it?
22:30Yeah.
22:30Because it's exactly the way that you want it.
22:33Indeed.
22:33So, has it got you more excited about the house?
22:36Has it put you off slightly?
22:37It's not put me off slightly.
22:38What it has done is brought the Hamlet house property back into contention.
22:42Okay.
22:43You know, it was dear to my heart.
22:45It was my ideal.
22:46And now I've got to really go away and think about converting the barn there and balance
22:50all the things that I thought was potential here versus that.
22:53So, I really need to kind of go away and think about it.
22:55And what you've given me is food of thought and some decision making.
22:58A few properties in the running.
23:00Fantastic.
23:01So, what's the space, Victoria?
23:02Well, I will indeed.
23:03Well, take your time thinking about it.
23:05I'm sure whatever decision you come to, you're going to be very happy with your new life
23:09over here with Demi Jade.
23:10Definitely.
23:11Many thanks, Victoria.
23:12Yes, thank you.
23:13While Dawn was tempted by the house, she decided that it was just too much work to take
23:18on.
23:19She has since, however, found another house back in Le Petit Presigny and is currently negotiating
23:25a price with the owners.
23:27The terrain region might be most famous for its chateau, but it's good to know that you
23:32don't need a king's ransom in order to buy here.
23:34I hope you've enjoyed discovering what's in the area and I look forward to seeing you again
23:38next time.