- 12 hours ago
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00:00The following program is Rated G.
00:30Not a fan of this tile.
00:32Something has made you excited.
00:35The kitchen!
00:35Proving that the only mistake is waiting too long to do it.
00:40Jennifer and Andrew want to change the pace of their lives.
00:43They've decided to leave Charlottesville, Virginia,
00:45and move to Cape Breton.
00:47Now, Andrew's actually from Cape Breton,
00:49but it's been 25 years since he called this island home.
00:52That's all about to change now.
00:54He's bringing his family here,
00:55and they're about to start a new chapter.
00:57And they want to start a new business,
00:59having recently bought a package of property
01:01they hoped to launch a campground.
01:03So it's up to us to find them a home right now.
01:09There they are!
01:10Thank you for meeting us down in beautiful Lewisburg.
01:12We love it down here.
01:13It's gorgeous.
01:14I'm in love with the fortress across the water.
01:17It's stunning, isn't it?
01:17You know, we're so lucky.
01:18So you're from this area, so how does it feel to come back?
01:21It's overwhelming, really.
01:22It's so good. We're excited to be here.
01:24We wanted to be closer to family,
01:26have a simpler, quieter life for our kids,
01:29and start a new business.
01:31You bought a campground?
01:32Yes. Oh, yeah.
01:32A year or so ago, we bought a piece of vacant land
01:35and thought maybe, as a retirement project,
01:38we'd start a campground.
01:39And then we just thought, why wait?
01:42Life's too short.
01:43You know, we love that,
01:44and I think that's why we want to help you.
01:46You know, we can see ourselves in you,
01:48because it's what we did five years ago.
01:50So if you turn around, okay, that's our hotel and business
01:53on that point there.
01:55And it's honestly been the greatest decision we've ever made.
01:58But I think your story is particularly engaging,
02:00and I'll tell you, damn it, we're going to find you
02:03the home of your dreams for you to start the next chapter.
02:05We can't wait.
02:07For this house, the top of my wish list is an oceanfront view.
02:11I'd like something.
02:12River would be okay.
02:13Lake would be okay.
02:14Ocean is good, as long as you can access the water,
02:17not just look at it.
02:18We're looking for three or four bedrooms,
02:20and at least two bathrooms in our next house.
02:23Our budget is $950,000, and we cannot go above that.
02:29So how urgent is your rush to find this new home?
02:32It's pretty urgent.
02:33The boys are so excited to be here.
02:35They're excited to start their new school,
02:37but it is coming up quick, so we have got to find a house.
02:40So no pressure for us, then?
02:42No pressure at all.
02:43Little bit, little bit, maybe.
02:44So what's going to happen is we're going to go out
02:46on a bit of an adventure.
02:47And we're going to find three houses to show you,
02:50and hopefully one of those houses will be your dream house.
02:52All right.
02:53I am going to pick you a home.
02:55Okay, I'm also going to find you a home.
02:57And then together, Colin and I are going to come up
02:59with a third combined option, like a combo dream.
03:03Come on then, let's go shopping.
03:04All right.
03:10So for our combo pick, we have brought Andrew and Jennifer down
03:14to check out this incredible stone-built oceanfront home.
03:17It's a dream.
03:18And it's a combo pick, so we are in complete agreement on this one.
03:22For once.
03:24You know, guys, there are some pockets of Cape Breton
03:26that just bring you what I like to call a moment.
03:29And I think this is one of them.
03:30Look at that view.
03:31It's breathtaking.
03:32We said ocean view, and you guys nailed it.
03:35We deliver.
03:36I'm speechless.
03:37Yeah, this is breathtaking.
03:38I mean, Black Rock is such a beautiful community.
03:41You know, and people love the lighthouse on the point.
03:44Everything about this, it's just one of those perfect pockets of Cape Breton.
03:47So this is a really amazing small town.
03:49You're only 20 minutes from the Cabot Trail,
03:51so you've got activity should you need it.
03:53But one of the things that I love about this
03:55is Black Rock is a song by Rita McNeil,
03:58a famous export from Cape Breton.
04:00And she sang about her love for this place.
04:03Fantastic.
04:04It already makes me want to sing.
04:06Hoi!
04:07Oh, let's hit some high notes then, Jennifer.
04:10Should we go and explore the house?
04:12Absolutely.
04:12I want to see more.
04:13I want to see more.
04:17This is a craftsman-built home, totally individual.
04:20You know, the stonework, the character, the shape,
04:23everything about this is seductive.
04:26It's one of a kind.
04:27That's right.
04:27I've not seen a house like this before.
04:29The features are just perfect.
04:31Fortress-like, almost.
04:32Fortress-like, which is super interesting
04:34because the overseer of the rebuild at the fortress of Lewisburg
04:38actually built this house.
04:40Wow.
04:40It's amazing, isn't it?
04:41You know, we're on the oceanfront, a two-story home.
04:44It's got three bedrooms.
04:45It was one bathroom.
04:48One bathroom?
04:49Yeah, just one.
04:50One bathroom.
04:50Wait till you see it.
04:51Reserved judgment.
04:52And the list price for me is the kicker.
04:55I wonder if you can guess.
04:57One and a quarter for something.
04:58I would say one million.
05:00Okay.
05:01Eight, nine, five.
05:02Eight hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars.
05:04Wonderful.
05:05I can't wait to see more inside.
05:07Fabulous.
05:07Let's get you in.
05:08Come on inside.
05:16Ooh.
05:17Look at that fireplace.
05:18It's wood burning, too.
05:19I see what you mean about the historical aspects of it
05:23from the designer of Lewisburg.
05:24It's throbbing with character.
05:26Throbbing with character.
05:28To step into something like this, it's like almost going back in time.
05:31Of course.
05:31The thing about this house is it gives you the impression of being a really old house.
05:35Right.
05:35It's actually only 45 years old.
05:37So it's built with a modern sensibility, with modern techniques.
05:41But to reference days gone by.
05:44I feel a real connection to a property like this because it feels really Scottish.
05:47And old and familiar and wonderful.
05:50Aw.
05:51Scottish and old and familiar.
05:53That's me, Colin.
05:54I just described myself.
05:55You're in so much trouble.
05:57You're going to absolutely lose your shiz when you see this one.
06:00Oh, my God.
06:01Come on.
06:02Oh, wow.
06:03I mean, just enough already.
06:05Is this a compass?
06:06Yes.
06:07And you know what?
06:08That's correct.
06:09Through north.
06:09We checked.
06:10Okay.
06:11Look at the trusses.
06:12The ceiling.
06:13The joinery on these joints here is all done by hand.
06:16There's no metal or anything holding it together.
06:19Can you see what's lurking through there?
06:20I can't wait to see what's lurking through there.
06:22On you go.
06:23Hey.
06:25Okay.
06:25It's like going back in time.
06:27Look at all the character there.
06:29This is a working fireplace.
06:30But you have a very, very usable modern kitchen that actually just blends in with the character in here.
06:37It's perfection.
06:38Look at this countertop.
06:39Can you imagine yourself in this room?
06:41Definitely.
06:43Off is rocking again, sir.
06:45Say your prayers.
06:47We're going up those stairs.
06:48Right up the blue staircase.
06:50I love the blue.
06:52I see more blue.
06:54Ooh.
06:55This is the bathroom?
06:56The one bathroom?
06:57Yeah.
06:57This is the one bathroom.
06:58There's only one, but what a one.
07:01What a one indeed.
07:03I am not a fan of this tile.
07:06Okay.
07:06Maybe this could be modernized a little bit like the kitchen, but yeah, it's pretty dated.
07:11Now, don't fall out of love with this house yet, because there's more to love.
07:15Come on.
07:15Through here.
07:17Well, let's see.
07:18Look at this bedroom.
07:20That's huge.
07:20Look at the view.
07:21Look at the view.
07:23Oh, the white chap's rolling in the bay.
07:25That's very, very nice.
07:27To me, a no-brainer of an idea would be to create an en suite in some of the footprint
07:30here, because it's right next to the bathroom.
07:32The plumbing stack's on the wall behind there, so it would be a relatively easy fix.
07:36And there's enough space up here, so you could do that.
07:39I like that idea.
07:43You know, look around.
07:44This house really is picture perfect from every angle.
07:47It really is.
07:49Yeah, the finishes are exceptional.
07:51It's got so much character.
07:52The view is exceptional, but it's not really usable ocean.
07:55I can't take a kayak or a canoe and just jump in.
07:59I could, but it'd only be a one-way trip.
08:01No coming back from that.
08:03Right.
08:03I mean, is the fact there's only one bathroom, is that a deal-breaker?
08:06I don't know.
08:07We'll have to see what else is out there.
08:08And we have other properties to show you.
08:10Great.
08:11Let's go check them out.
08:15We love small-town entrepreneurs, and that's why we've invited Andrew and Jennifer to visit us here at North Star,
08:21our hotel.
08:22They want to open a campground.
08:24Interestingly, when we bought our hotel, part of it was operating as a campground and an RV ground.
08:29We just want to show them how we've managed to unravel our dream in this perfect pocket of paradise that
08:35we call Lewisburg.
08:36This is so spectacular.
08:39What a lovely spot.
08:40Yeah, this is a spectacular piece of land you've got here, and you've got a pretty nice ocean view yourself,
08:45that's for sure.
08:45We bought this place five years ago thinking it might be a fun summertime adventure, and it's been amazing.
08:50We've fallen head over heels in love.
08:52We've got a main lodge with 20 bedrooms.
08:55We've got a couple of extra guest cottage bedrooms over there, two restaurants, a gift shop, and still five acres
09:01to develop even further.
09:03Wow.
09:03You know, we came here to chase a dream, and it has just realized everything we wanted it to be.
09:09It's been incredible, and I think that's part of why we're so invested in you guys, because we see you
09:15in us.
09:15We are blessed to meet you.
09:17Thank you so much.
09:18We feel the same way.
09:19We are so excited, and you guys are such an inspiration.
09:22One of the biggest things that we had to do when we got here to make it work was engender
09:25the support of the local community.
09:27We have a customer here called Tommy Carter, and he's a local fisherman, and one day he brought us in
09:31a buoy, and he said,
09:32hang that on your fence for a bit of color, and it had his family name on it.
09:36So we hung it on the fence, and then he said, ask other people to do the same.
09:39So we did a social media call out, and we said, would anybody like to have a tribute buoy on
09:43our wall or our fence
09:45to reference their family, alive or past?
09:48And that was, for me, one of the nicest things that happened.
09:51It totally and utterly took my breath away that people were so supportive of us and did everything to help
09:58us.
09:58And every time I look at the buoy wall, I'm reminded how special this place is for us.
10:03That's the small town escape we're looking for.
10:04If only you hadn't waited till your 60s.
10:06That's correct, Colin.
10:08So the search continues. We have another house lined up for you guys to see tomorrow.
10:12Can't wait.
10:13Mm-hmm. It's going to be a good age.
10:14It's going to bring you tears of joy tomorrow.
10:16Okay.
10:21Well, welcome to My Pig. We're in Albert Bridge. We're on the beautiful Myra River.
10:26There's songs written about this place. It's so gorgeous. So I really hope you two love this.
10:31Wow. That entrance is just, it's huge. It's breathtaking. I like the windows. I love the colour of the wood.
10:37Really got that wow factor. I love this little grove of trees and the landscaping. It's all just lovely.
10:44So we are on a riverfront with a private dock. Five bedrooms, four bathrooms over three storeys.
10:50Wow.
10:51We're on a 1.37-acre lot. And the list price of this is $919,000.
10:58Okay.
10:58Sounds promising. Right, let's take us inside then.
11:01Shall we? Come on.
11:01Colin, I've got high expectations here.
11:03High expectations, just like my ceiling height.
11:07Right, welcome to the main floor.
11:10Wow.
11:17Look at that view.
11:22That's the attraction, isn't it? It draws you to like a tractor beam.
11:25Straight back to the water.
11:26The river is great. I can see a couple canoes maybe down there for the boys.
11:31My preference really is oceanfront. This is beautiful though.
11:35So it's not a done deal, Colin. Don't get too confident at this stage.
11:37It's really just in the door. There's a lot of treasures to be unfurled in this house, honestly.
11:41You're going to fall in love by the end of it. You can drift into the dining room.
11:46We've got more incredible natural light. And then we can finally drift into the kitchen.
11:51Oh my.
11:53Spend some mornings there. This is massive.
11:56This is gorgeous.
11:57I've got a nice cast iron collection we could maybe install around there.
12:01Would add to the vibes in here.
12:03It's nothing quite like banging your head off things.
12:05That's right. Big heavy pieces of metal hanging above head.
12:07It's love-hate with this island right now. I mean, it's just so massive and in the way, but also
12:13it's so massive and offers so much surface area to work on in the kitchen.
12:17That's true. In terms of island, this is Manhattan.
12:19But imagine trying to get to the stuff in the middle there. You'd need a crane.
12:22You could show me over.
12:23You could just jump up. There you go.
12:24Could you slide?
12:25There you go. There you go.
12:26There, and then you could just slide back again.
12:28Perfect.
12:30Oh, look at all the light.
12:32That is a grand staircase.
12:34Oh, cool. Okay. Wow. Oh, look at the fireplace.
12:37This is a nice big room.
12:39On this floor, three bedrooms in total. There's a family bathroom. And then we have another two bedrooms and another
12:45bathroom in the basement.
12:47Excellent.
12:47And a fireplace.
12:49Can you see through that?
12:50You can. That's what I call a twofer. Two for the price of one because it's in the shower room
12:55as well.
12:55Look, you can peek through. You can see somebody. Can you see me in the van?
12:59Just take a look at the shower room. In you go.
13:01Oh, wow.
13:02Wow.
13:05That's exceptional.
13:07I love the soaker tub. That's beautiful.
13:09Imagine being in there.
13:10You know, up to your nipples and frothy bubbles.
13:14Watching it to the lake view. Gorgeous.
13:17With more view.
13:18Now, is it just me or does that look like a little pair of eyes looking at you? I'd be
13:21scared of that.
13:23Watching my nethers.
13:25You're in here in the shower, frothing up. There's tons of space. This is a shower. You could have a
13:29party in this shower.
13:30Come on, look at this. Family of four could get in there, you know. Do you like to sing in
13:34the shower?
13:35Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
13:42Hey.
13:42Oh, look at this.
13:43Come on now, look at this.
13:45Sunshine, yeah.
13:45Look at the view.
13:47This is called Rush Hour in small town Canada. Isn't that incredible? Hello, people in a boat.
13:52Hello, you.
13:52Could you see the kids here?
13:54I could definitely see our boys here, but it's not the ocean. I don't know if that's a deal breaker
14:00for me.
14:00We're not finished yet. We have one more house to see, so reserve judgment, okay?
14:05So let's go and continue our surge.
14:07I can't wait to see it.
14:08Very good.
14:12So Andrew and Jen know lots and lots about camping, and we know a lot about opening a business, and
14:16hopefully we can take some of our expertise and show it to them so they can take their campground and
14:21turn it into next level guest hospitality.
14:25I've never pitched a tent before. Find a corner.
14:27It just seemed to be a second, and you were able to get it up.
14:29That's it. Yeah, no, it goes up really fast.
14:32Oh, you've got an extendable road.
14:33Yeah, it's just the right size.
14:34Jennifer told me.
14:35Oh.
14:36Mind my face. Mind my face, not the teeth.
14:37I think we've got it.
14:39I think we've, by Jove, I think we've done it.
14:41It's very plain. You know, it's pared back. It's uncomfortable.
14:46Okay.
14:46We need glamping.
14:48Let's add the glam then.
14:49Look at this.
14:49An eye mask, because everybody wants a good night's sleep, right?
14:53I need pillows.
14:54I need pillows.
14:54Bring in the layers.
14:55Something yummy like a little plant.
14:57A gorgeous kettle. Stick that in the fire.
14:59Lighting is everything.
15:00Andrew.
15:00And then a lovely throw.
15:02And you've suddenly gone from a two-star experience to a hardcore five-star experience.
15:07So much better.
15:07Super cozy.
15:08Did somebody say luxury?
15:12You know, people talk about a row of tents as something that all looks the same.
15:15So how do you stand out? How do travelers find you?
15:18We are going to have the most private campsites on Cape Breton, for starters.
15:23The premium site is going to actually be, instead of a tent site, a very big converted blue lobster boat.
15:30What?
15:31You know what? The boat could be a great photo opportunity. People take photographs of everything.
15:35Oh, yeah.
15:35Floats my boat thinking about it.
15:37Another really important word for us is merchandising.
15:39We've been discussing t-shirts, keychains, coffee mugs.
15:43I know exactly what it is that I look for in a campsite.
15:46And I really want to make sure other people get all those boxes checked as well.
15:50Amazing.
15:50And you've got to go with the flow because, you know yourself, that kind of business is as changeable as
15:55the weather.
15:55Look at it now. It's cloudy, windy. I think it's going to rain.
15:58It is. Let's get in here.
16:00Come on now.
16:00Can we borrow your tents?
16:02Could someone shut our flaps?
16:08I mean, I've got such high hopes for this property.
16:11Me too.
16:11It looks beautiful. And I can see the ocean.
16:15You can indeed.
16:17So, guys, this is my pick. It's in lovely Manidoo, a really active fishing community, a really, really special place.
16:24Sandy beaches, a gorgeous boardwalk, and there are only 250 neighbors to think about.
16:29Perfect.
16:29Right.
16:29Nice and quiet. Okay.
16:31Now, you've got 20 acres of property here.
16:353,000 square feet inside, five bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and an all-important ticket price.
16:43Are you ready?
16:43Okay.
16:45$800,000, well underneath your budget.
16:48Okay.
16:48I love being under budget.
16:50Don't we all?
16:52Let's get you indoors.
16:59Oh, wow.
17:01Look at the ceilings.
17:02Look at the view.
17:04Just a belter.
17:05And it reminds me just how popular Colin is, because he's brought two of his biggest fans.
17:10Wow.
17:11Yeah, that's a...
17:13Yes.
17:13That's your ocean view, right?
17:15Okay.
17:15Look into my crystal ball and tell me if you see a future in this home.
17:20I think we can do that.
17:20Oh, oh.
17:21The mists are clearing.
17:22I see potential by the bucket lords.
17:24I see them moving into my home.
17:42Bucket lords.
17:43Golden Girls on acid.
17:44And you've got a Floridian background, so maybe there's a relevance there.
17:48Yes.
17:48I see some finishes that we might change.
17:52I'm looking at the floors.
17:54Hate the color of those.
17:56You know, the reason this house is 800 grand is because the floor needs to be changed.
18:00All of the rest of it is detailing.
18:02Andrew, what are the things that really turn you off in here?
18:04How do you get the cobwebs out of that corner up there?
18:07You could borrow Richard, our sound man's, extendable microphone and attach a feather duster to the top.
18:14Well, before you guys can make up your mind, there's an awful lot more to see.
18:17Come see the kitchen for starters.
18:18Okay.
18:19Wow.
18:20That's very yellow.
18:21That's a lot of yellow.
18:23I like the space and the flow.
18:25I don't like the countertops.
18:27No.
18:28You'd have to redo the counters.
18:29Well, this is a massive house and you've only seen a tiny part.
18:32Should we go to the next wing?
18:33Yes.
18:33Let's do it.
18:34Can't wait.
18:34I love a house with wings.
18:36Righty-ho.
18:38Ho-ho!
18:40It is very pink.
18:42You know, Pepto-abysmal, that might make you feel better.
18:45Oh.
18:45This is Pepto-abysmal.
18:46Yeah.
18:47Let's talk proportion.
18:48Come on now.
18:48Yes.
18:49Okay, it's huge.
18:49The room size is great.
18:51How often do people get put off in the buying scenario by something as simple as color?
18:55Yes.
18:56When you can turn around and look outside and see.
18:59That's your oceanfront vista that you were screaming for, Jennifer.
19:02Check.
19:02So there's an ensuite bathroom through there.
19:05Some brilliant storage.
19:06Four more bedrooms throughout.
19:08A bathroom and a half bathroom.
19:10Yeah.
19:10Awesome.
19:11Oh, wow.
19:13Okay.
19:14Absolutely stunning.
19:16What are we thinking overall?
19:18I think we could do it, yeah.
19:20This is selling it for me right here.
19:22I love how much space there is inside for friends and family and entertaining.
19:27Oh, that space is a lot of work though.
19:29Like it's gonna be, you know, a year-long process at least to get it how we want it.
19:33Renovation will be hard.
19:34Yeah.
19:35Yeah, but then again, out here.
19:3720 acres of Oceanside property.
19:40That's hard to beat.
19:41I think it's time for you to make a decision.
19:43Are you ready?
19:44I think I'm ready.
19:45I don't think I'm ready to make a decision.
19:47I think I need a little more time.
19:49We'll have to talk about it.
19:50Make up your mind and come back to us as soon as you can,
19:53because you honestly have to decide soon.
19:54Very soon, okay.
19:56Believe me, we know it.
19:57Exactly, that school bell is ringing.
19:59Okay.
19:59Okay.
20:04So, we've shown Andrew and Jennifer three incredible properties.
20:08I don't know how you feel, Colin, but were I them,
20:10I'd be happy with pretty much every single choice.
20:12You know, I think our combo choice really knocked it out of the park.
20:15You know, it's a great first start in our search.
20:16It's close to the ocean.
20:17It's a characterful property.
20:19And, of course, the price, $895,000.
20:22I think that could be a winner.
20:23Only one bathroom.
20:24Could that be a deal breaker?
20:26So, my pick took Andrew and Jennifer away from the ocean
20:29to a beautiful bay on the river.
20:31I mean, Justin, come on.
20:32That place had everything.
20:33Loads of bedrooms, great access to the water,
20:36a really fabulous established area,
20:39a proper family home that you could grow into.
20:41And not to rain on your parade, Colin,
20:43but quite clearly Jennifer asked for an oceanside property
20:46which you didn't deliver.
20:47So, my pick.
20:48When we took them indoors there, Colin,
20:50you've got to admit they almost elevated.
20:52She absolutely loved oceanfront position.
20:55He absolutely loved all of that ceiling height.
20:58Okay.
20:59I'll pause for a minute and say there were issues,
21:01not least the Pepto abysmal bedroom.
21:03Super 80s suburban inside.
21:05Well, it's a tough choice.
21:07I wouldn't want to be in their shoes
21:08as they try and pick the winner.
21:15Hey.
21:16Well, you know, the future certainly feels great.
21:18Thanks to this beautiful sunshine today.
21:19It sure does.
21:20Gorgeous day.
21:22We're desperate to hear.
21:24You're never going to guess what we've chosen.
21:26They all had a great view.
21:27They all were roomy and cozy inside
21:30and I felt like I could see our family
21:32really making a future in any one of them.
21:35But we did land on a pick.
21:38You did?
21:38We're ready to tell you.
21:38Yeah.
21:39So, let's have it.
21:41Okay.
21:41So, we chose...
21:43The combo pick!
21:46So excited.
21:48It's an incredible, incredible prospect.
21:51I mean, an incredible view to start with.
21:53Mm-hmm.
21:53Really brilliant character.
21:55Tons of room to improve.
21:56Okay.
21:57So, no second bathroom.
21:59But that's something that you can fix.
22:00For me, of course, it was the oceanfront view.
22:03I love the history, the kitchen, the stonework,
22:06the ironwork, the landscaping, and yes, of course, the view.
22:10All of the above.
22:11Yes.
22:11So, there's only one thing left to say, guys.
22:13Cape Breton, welcome home.
22:17We got the house and moved in just in time for school to start.
22:21The boys are enrolled, happy, and making new friends in their classes.
22:25They're loving life in that beautiful home with that incredible oceanic backdrop.
22:29And mum and dad are making plans to open the campground next summer.
22:33Now, doesn't that sound intense?
22:35Oh!
22:36Oh!
22:38If anyone who has the dream to move to a small town is hesitating,
22:42they shouldn't, because life is too short to wait for something
22:45that might change your life.
22:51Oh, oh!
22:52Oh!
22:53Oh!
22:53Oh!
22:54Oh!
22:58You