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Watch Location Location Location, Season 46 Episode 3 on Dailymotion (2026).
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00:00Nous sommes dans le Midlands.
00:01Comment est-ce que votre search va ?
00:03Stop it !
00:04On a search littered avec des problèmes.
00:06Ce n'est pas un grand start pour ce house.
00:08From First World...
00:10...I would not get a Super King-sized bed in here...
00:12...to Next World...
00:13...The graveyard is very, very visible.
00:16...We'll bring favourite solutions.
00:18Oh, that's a lovely sound.
00:19That's a lovely sound, isn't it ?
00:21Trademark positivity...
00:22...Room for the Super King, or what ?
00:24...and even some unexpected surprises.
00:26There's no point in having those conversations...
00:29...until we've addressed...
00:30...The skeleton in the closet.
00:42This time we're with two couples desperate...
00:44...to conquer the Midlands.
00:46My couple are focused on just a handful of streets...
00:49...that cover some of the most sought-after school catchment areas.
00:52Whereas my pair are prepared to cover five counties.
00:55That's some serious ground.
00:57You are going to rack up the miles.
00:59I am. Full tank of gas, I tell you.
01:03Well, you may have time for some pit stops...
01:05...because according to the agents in our area...
01:08...property stock is low.
01:09So it'll be a case of quality, not quantity.
01:13Prices across the Midlands sit close to the national average...
01:16...which is just shy of £270,000.
01:20But in the top spots around Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon...
01:23...you're looking at slightly more eye-watering averages.
01:26Some over £400,000.
01:29And it's in these areas our couples would love to live.
01:34My house-hunting pair, Isla and Luke...
01:36...met while working together in a local supermarket.
01:39Where love sort of blossomed.
01:41I friend-zoned Luke because I thought he was too kind.
01:47It didn't take Luke long to escape the zone.
01:50And ten years on...
01:51We've done loads. Absolutely loads.
01:53And it's been a blast.
01:55I hope it's been a blast anyway.
01:57Yeah.
01:58We bought a house together.
02:00It was a barn conversion, which needed completely renovating.
02:04And then we bought a dog.
02:05And then we moved to Scotland.
02:07And then we acquired two more dogs.
02:10And then we had a civil partnership.
02:12And then we had a baby.
02:14And now we're back in Kenilworth.
02:18For Luke, who works in educational technology...
02:21...and Isla, a food bank fundraiser...
02:23...the move back to their hometown in Warwickshire...
02:25...is all about 18-month-old Robin.
02:28It's just incredible having Robin.
02:30It definitely has changed my life. It's amazing.
02:32We've moved back down here because we thought it would be really nice...
02:36...for Robin to grow up around family and grandparents and stuff.
02:41They've been back in Kenilworth for six months now.
02:44And it's fair to say their wish for Robin to be closer to family...
02:47...has been fulfilled.
02:49We're living with three dogs and Robin with Luke's parents...
02:53...and one of your sisters in a three-bed semi.
02:57Home is now Mum and Dad's converted garage.
02:59And they're rarely short of company.
03:02Because my siblings live so close by as well.
03:05It's quite a busy household, I hope to put it lightly.
03:09They viewed 13 houses without success.
03:12Now, thanks to a new job, a pay rise and a bigger mortgage...
03:16...they've upped their budget to £515,000.
03:20But searching is proving no easier.
03:22Perhaps due to their top priority.
03:24The school catchment areas is number one and no compromising on.
03:28It's about a small school where Robin can thrive, really.
03:31Yeah.
03:32Of course, it can't just be any house.
03:33We would like three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen diner, a utility or space for the dogs, and a garden.
03:43We are so grateful that we've been able to stay with Luke's parents.
03:47But now is the time that we need our own space.
03:50Yes.
03:51Really, yes.
03:52I couldn't agree more.
03:54And I'm sure mum and dad wouldn't mind their garage back either.
03:58It's up to you to make it happen, Kirsty.
04:01You're obviously capable.
04:02You've moved halfway across the country and you've done a barn conversion.
04:06Why am I here?
04:07From my side, knowing that a house is the value that it actually is, is a really big thing.
04:12Because I'm very conscious of that with the new budget and not really knowing that market very well.
04:16Is this a five-year house? Is it a seven-year house?
04:19You've moved twice in the time you've been together.
04:21We don't want to move again.
04:23No.
04:23You don't want to move again.
04:24Not for a long time.
04:25Not for a long time.
04:25Right. Okay.
04:26So, a small primary school for Robin.
04:30Three bedrooms.
04:31Yep.
04:31Garden with grass.
04:33Utility for the dog crates.
04:35Yes.
04:36Your first purchase was a big project.
04:39So we're not afraid of...
04:41Doing stuff.
04:42Yeah.
04:42Okay.
04:43So you and Robin are living in a converted garage.
04:46Pretty much.
04:47Right.
04:48With the three dogs.
04:49With the three dogs.
04:50Of course.
04:51Is it well insulated?
04:52No, it's really cold.
04:53Yes.
04:54No, it's going to get colder.
04:55Yeah.
04:55Yeah.
04:55So we need, for the sake of the dogs, if not the rest of you, we need to...
05:01Yeah.
05:01Okay.
05:01Right.
05:02We are going to find you a house.
05:06Yes.
05:07They've got a good budget and property-wise, they're not asking for a lot, but I'm under
05:10no illusions that this is going to be easy.
05:13For their budget of £515,000, they want a home within the catchment area of an ideal
05:20school for Robin.
05:21They need three bedrooms and would prefer an open-plan kitchen diner.
05:25And the three dogs, Basil, Badger and Massey, need a room of their own and a good-sized garden
05:30to hang out in.
05:32Their top spot is close to family in Kenilworth.
05:35They have given the thumbs up for us to explore some approved school catchment areas not too
05:40far away.
05:41My pair would also love to live near Warwick, but have cast their net far and wide.
05:46Five counties, in fact.
05:47It's all about the ideal home in a perfect location.
05:51Who knows where we'll end up?
05:55Jan and John may be mature in years, but they're 100% young at heart.
06:00John's younger than me, although he doesn't look it, but he is.
06:02The stage of life where we're actually at is to make sure that we...
06:06We don't grow old.
06:07Right, Ben Jenny.
06:09Here we go.
06:09Off we go.
06:10And who can blame them?
06:12Cornishman John and Lancashire Last Jan met 17 years ago and married two years later.
06:17They run a climate change consultancy company from their home in Lancashire.
06:21But with family dotted both north and south, it's time for a change.
06:25We sort of fell in love with the areas within the Midlands.
06:29It's a broad area, so we are open to all sorts of interesting offers and ideas.
06:34They're searching for their dream forever home.
06:37But with such a sizeable search area, it's like finding a needle in a haystack.
06:42And to make the task even trickier, there's quite the wishlist.
06:45We'd like a house which has a driveway, a kitchen, dining and living area.
06:53Two reception rooms.
06:54I like a big bedroom.
06:55An ensuite.
06:57Somewhere to hang my clothes.
06:59My pistol resistance would be the window.
07:02Preferably floor to ceiling.
07:04We want that nice view.
07:06Do you want to come up for air now?
07:07Well, I've not finished yet.
07:08Oh, go on then.
07:09A nice garden to sit in at the end of the day.
07:13Reflecting.
07:15Go on.
07:16I can thumbnail it and just say that I'd quite like a nice location.
07:22You're going to need a bigger notepad, Phil.
07:24You're telling me.
07:25They travel a lot for work, so being close to an international airport is essential.
07:30But what's on the doorstep is also a top priority.
07:35It would be nice to be around a community.
07:38It's important that we do keep busy and active.
07:42Despite having a very healthy budget of up to £820,000,
07:46after six months of searching and 11 viewings,
07:50they haven't found everything they're looking for.
07:53Getting the location right with the house being right is a struggle.
08:00Yeah.
08:00We're not naive to the fact that sometimes you can't get the double whammy.
08:04Wasn't that your nickname in the 90s?
08:07It's Mr Whammy to you.
08:10John, you work abroad a lot of the time
08:12and you're currently living three hours away from where you would like to live.
08:17Yes.
08:18It is a challenge.
08:19But I know you've got quite specific requirements of both house and area and connectivity.
08:25We are not looking for an unnecessarily huge property.
08:30So I think the three to four bed that allows an office space for me
08:33and allows the ability to have two separate reception rooms to view.
08:38If I want to watch my beloved football team and Jan doesn't, wouldn't that be wonderful?
08:42I'd like a dressing room if I could.
08:44And I'd love to have a window from floor to ceiling if I could.
08:49You want a beautiful view and a lovely setting, but you also want community on the doorstep.
08:54Yeah.
08:54That's hard.
08:55It is hard.
08:56Which is going to be more important? Is it the house?
09:00Mm-hmm.
09:00Or is it the village, the town, the connectivity, the community?
09:05That's where we need a bit of help.
09:06So that's what we need to explore and start to making some choices, some priorities.
09:12One of the benefits of us as a couple, we're very honest very early.
09:16Great.
09:16And I think that hopefully helps.
09:18It does.
09:19Tell me the way it is.
09:20Yeah.
09:20And we're going to get on fine.
09:22But let's make a start.
09:23Come on.
09:23Yeah.
09:25You've got quite the acreage to cover.
09:27Best giddy up, Phil.
09:28Well, thankfully, they've got plenty in their saddlebag, up to 820,000,
09:34to spend on a home that offers them privacy and views without being too far from a community.
09:40They want two areas to watch TV, a good-sized kitchen diner and ideally four bedrooms,
09:45giving John an office and Jan her dressing room.
09:48And for the gold star-worthy bedroom, a floor-to-ceiling window and an ensuite.
09:57Hello.
09:58Oh, my goodness.
10:00You look terrible.
10:01I know.
10:01You look really terrible.
10:03Yeah, I know.
10:03Stop it.
10:05Get rid of it.
10:06Get rid of it.
10:08Where did she get that?
10:10In a charity shop.
10:11In a charity shop.
10:12In a charity shop.
10:13In a charity shop, yeah.
10:13You couldn't give away.
10:15Yeah, exactly.
10:16Yeah, yeah.
10:16So, can you give away any houses this week, Phil?
10:20It's got one of those situations, we've had it several times before,
10:23where people say it's about the setting and the privacy and the view,
10:27but I bet, at the end of the day, it'll all be about the house.
10:30Yeah.
10:30It generally is.
10:32Yeah.
10:32How about you?
10:33It's about the school catchment areas.
10:35OK.
10:35It's about having a small school with a single class intake.
10:39You're the woman for the job.
10:41I think I am the woman for the job.
10:43There's two of me this week, so.
10:44Yeah.
10:45I should be in with a chance, shouldn't I?
10:47God help us.
10:50I'm not sure I can cope with two Phil's.
10:53Although, with so much ground to cover, one Phil might not be enough.
10:57We, on the other hand, have just a few streets to pick from,
11:00and I'm starting with one in Isla and Luke's favourite place, Kenilworth.
11:04It's got a lovely mix of old and new, with plenty of dog walks, coffee spots,
11:09and more importantly, three primary schools that fit the bill.
11:12Now, they left Scotland to be closer to family,
11:15and we're about to find out just how strong a statement that was.
11:20This house is six doors down from Luke's mum.
11:24Is that too close?
11:25That is the question.
11:27Could I live six doors down from my mum and dad?
11:30I don't know.
11:32Hello, hello, hello. Hello.
11:35Did you know this house was for sale?
11:38Yes, we did.
11:39Yeah.
11:39My mum's seen it online.
11:40Yes, yeah.
11:41And is she keen on you, haven't we?
11:44I mean, she did say, this looks like a great house, so.
11:46Right, OK.
11:47I think it's a great house.
11:50Are you up for seeing it?
11:51Absolutely.
11:52Definitely.
11:53Let's go and see.
11:56Personally, I think grandparents on the doorstep is a big bonus.
12:00Absolutely.
12:01And inside there are lots of things I'm hoping will bring joy to Isla and Luke.
12:06There's a top-spec kitchen, an open-plan living and dining area, and what could be a separate snug.
12:13There's also a brilliant utility with plenty of space for the dog crates, and a grassy garden for them and
12:2018-month-old Robin to enjoy.
12:22Upstairs, there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms, two doubles and a super-sized single.
12:28It's on the market, 15 grand under their top spend of £500,000.
12:36Downstairs, Lou.
12:38Right.
12:39Lovely wide staircase.
12:41And then this.
12:44Feelings.
12:45My first thoughts were, it's quite dark.
12:48I mean, to be honest, when I first came in here, my first thought was, I really like the way
12:53they've done the kitchen.
12:53So if that's your first thought, it's not a great start for this house.
12:59Hard to recover from that, Kirsty.
13:01I'm going to give it my best.
13:03This is a really good space.
13:06What you could do is put that wall back up and have a separate sitting room with your wood-burning
13:12stove and my sofa and everything else.
13:15But it's not doing anything for Isla, this house.
13:18Literally, there's no light.
13:19There's no ping.
13:20It's not bringing me joy.
13:22It's not bringing you joy.
13:23No, I can completely see that.
13:25Yeah, I can see that as well.
13:25I can see that and Luke can definitely see that.
13:27I think I'm struggling because it is all done up, but it's not the way that I would want to
13:31do it.
13:32Yeah.
13:33I want you to go and have a look upstairs for education because you haven't seen that many houses at
13:37this budget.
13:38Yep.
13:39Great.
13:39Sounds good.
13:41Well, we always want honesty from our house hunters.
13:44Careful what you wish for, though.
13:47Some house hunters, you just can't tell what they're thinking.
13:52Isla is not one of them.
13:55That's really good.
13:57Great storage.
13:58It's lovely.
13:59I really like it in here.
14:01It's light compared to downstairs, isn't it?
14:03Yeah.
14:04And I don't think even a strong upstairs...
14:06Is he also a good size?
14:08I think.
14:09Definitely.
14:10..is going to make this place a contender.
14:15Hello.
14:16Hello.
14:17It is lighter upstairs, isn't it?
14:18It is.
14:19Upstairs, we were surprised.
14:20Yeah.
14:21It was a lot better.
14:22I think the issue that I'm having is the wall in between the kitchen and the living room.
14:27That seems to be making this place really dark.
14:30It feels a little bit cramped because of that.
14:32Yeah.
14:32OK.
14:33Almost and upwards.
14:35It's not quite the start you were after, Kirsty.
14:38It's how you finished matters, Phil, and I'm far from done.
14:49We're in the Midlands with two sets of seasoned buyers who, after six months of searching,
14:55are still struggling.
14:56My couple are focused on school catchment areas, but even after upping their budget,
15:01are still living in a converted garage with 18-month-old Robin and three dogs.
15:06So they've called me for help because...
15:08If Luke and Isla don't get a move on, their landlady, Luke's mum, is going to raise the drawbridge.
15:14Very good indeed.
15:16But John and Jan want to put their feet up and take in the view.
15:19They're just not quite sure where to do it.
15:22They've fallen for the charm and connectivity of the Midlands.
15:25But with a six-hour round trip from Lancashire for viewings, finding their ideal home in the right spot has
15:32so far eluded them.
15:33And the enormous search area isn't helping.
15:38So we've clocked up over 500 miles trying to narrow it down for them.
15:42And I'm starting strong in the Worcestershire village of Cofton Hackett.
15:46It's well connected, full of rural charm, has all the cafes, pubs and shops they need,
15:52and I'm pretty confident this detached house will impress them.
15:56So what I'm trying to do here to start with is offer you the connectivity and the community.
16:03It doesn't have far-reaching views at the back and it does have this road,
16:07but the house has got stacks of wow factor.
16:10Yeah, very impressive.
16:11Yeah, it is. Everything matches as well. It is attractive, isn't it?
16:14Yeah, attractive property, without a doubt.
16:16Let's get on in.
16:17Here we go.
16:19Positive first impressions. It's a good-looking house.
16:22And it's just as handsome on the inside.
16:25On the ground floor there's an open-plan kitchen diner, as well as a separate living room.
16:31Head downstairs and there's a further entertaining area, bathroom and bedroom leading out onto the very private garden.
16:40There are four bedrooms upstairs, so room enough for John's office and a dressing room for Jan.
16:46The main bedroom has the requested ensuite and there's a separate family bathroom.
16:52It's on the market for offers in excess of £795,000.
16:57£25,000 under their top spend of £820,000.
17:02Come on through. This is the kind of showpiece of the house.
17:07Oh, it's very, very nice.
17:08Clean and impressive, isn't it?
17:10It's pretty smart.
17:10Clean and impressive, yeah.
17:12You've got a separate living room there.
17:14OK.
17:15But actually, I wanted to show you down here.
17:18Oh, right.
17:18Because there's a real bonus.
17:20Keep that momentum, Phil.
17:22John and Jan are looking very impressed.
17:25Currently raised as bathroom, bedroom and this really cool room.
17:31Impressive there.
17:32That's good, isn't it?
17:33And straight out to the garden.
17:35How are we doing, Jan?
17:36I'm shocked because I didn't expect to come downstairs and see all this.
17:40There's a lot of space.
17:42Have a squeeze round upstairs.
17:44OK.
17:44I'll open the garden doors and we'll hook up out there.
17:46OK, brilliant.
17:50I think Jan may be a little overwhelmed.
17:52It's a lot of property.
17:54It needs to be to even get close to living up to their wishlist.
17:59Very impressive.
18:01Beautifully done room.
18:03Aha.
18:04Oh, it's great.
18:05Yeah, I'm impressed with that.
18:07Well, all very positive so far.
18:10I mean, they seem to love it.
18:11And rightly so too.
18:12It's a very strong house and the top class finish is really striking a call.
18:16So this is the final bedroom.
18:18Is this the sort of size you were thinking of?
18:21I would not get a super king size bed in here.
18:24Oh dear.
18:25Bedroom problems, Phil?
18:27Well, luckily for me, John has just the remedy.
18:31I personally would take this more of a master room.
18:34I'm just posing it as a possible...
18:36I don't think so.
18:37It's a lovely house, but the compromise is your room sizes for the bedrooms in particular
18:42are a little bit more than the small size.
18:44Yeah.
18:44I agree.
18:45But it's absolutely gorgeous.
18:48Clearly John thinks this place could stack up.
18:51Jan might need some time to mull.
18:53How did you get on upstairs?
18:55Gut reaction, I think we said, was a little bit small.
18:57But there's adaptability in this house.
19:00Yeah, it's really finished well.
19:02Let's park it, we'll remember it.
19:03Shall we move on?
19:04Good time.
19:06It's certainly not a no.
19:08I'll take a maybe for now.
19:09But if a bigger bedroom is what they want, my next house might just get me the yes.
19:17Size was not our problem, light was.
19:20Property one took Isla's away, so I need to reignite it with my next offering.
19:26Both Luke and Isla love living in Kenilworth, so we're staying put, sticking with those all-important catchment areas.
19:33We're on the other side of town and booked in to see this pretty semi.
19:38Loving the wisteria.
19:40Look, your light is back up, you switched your light back on Isla.
19:43There we are, that's what I like to see.
19:45Luke, you look less light.
19:47No, just right on the edge of the school catchment areas.
19:50We have telephoned the schools concerned and double checked they're in the catchment areas.
19:55Great. I think it's just because it's on the edge.
19:57It's on the edge.
19:57That's what it is.
19:59Let's go.
20:00That's pushing me a bit on edge.
20:02Catchment areas can shift, so I understand the caution, but I'm hoping this house will make Luke throw that to
20:08the wind.
20:10There's a separate cosy living room and open-plan kitchen diner, both of which feel lighter and brighter than at
20:15property one.
20:17It also has an extra bedroom, three doubles and a single.
20:21There's a decent-sized family bathroom and a utility that could be extended to make it big enough for the
20:27dogs.
20:29The garden is an absolute delight, ideal for a run-around with toddler Robin and the dogs.
20:35It's on the market for £495,000, £20,000 under their budget of £515,000.
20:43So, what we've got here is lovely sitting room with the bay.
20:48It's in lovely nick, but you could do your own thing.
20:53What are you thinking, Luke?
20:56I'm thinking...
20:58It definitely feels lighter.
20:59I want to see how big the utility is.
21:02Because I'm thinking maybe about going across the way more.
21:06Okie doke.
21:07It seems like you could still go forward.
21:10Yes.
21:11Yeah, yeah, yeah.
21:12If you're extended.
21:13Yeah.
21:13It's a really nice long garden.
21:16Very peaceful, not overlooked because behind the garden is the cemetery.
21:20Ok.
21:21Is that a problem, Luke?
21:23Not a huge fan.
21:24We were looking at a house near here and I kind of discounted it because of that reason.
21:30So, I think what you and Isla need to do is go to the very top of the house and
21:37see what you feel.
21:38I mean, the upstairs sounds good.
21:40Yeah.
21:40It's really strong, but there's no point in having those conversations until we've addressed...
21:45The skeleton in the closet.
21:50Sorry, Luke. Sorry, we're not mocking you, I swear.
21:53No, it's fine. I'll take it on the chin.
21:56Go and have a look upstairs and I will stay down here.
21:58Yeah.
21:59Great.
22:00Sounds good.
22:01Well, I did not see that coming.
22:04It's definitely got more character than the first one.
22:07And you're usually so intuitive.
22:09I'm surprised you didn't feel it in your bones.
22:12OK, so this would be the study then.
22:14This is really nice.
22:15So, this is the garden.
22:17There's the grave.
22:18I mean, that's very visible.
22:20It couldn't be more visible.
22:25I said it at the beginning.
22:26A catchment area search is a rigid search.
22:30And that's no bad thing.
22:31But the no graveyard thing is just another nail in the coffin of this search.
22:39This view, lovely from here, because you can't see the cemetery.
22:44Yep, that's good.
22:46Isla's light is bright in here.
22:48We just need Luke to make peace with the neighbours.
22:52Go on, hit me with it, Luke.
22:54The graveyard is very, very visible.
22:57It is, yes, yes. Very.
22:59Yeah.
23:00I think that coupled with my initial reservations.
23:04Feeling.
23:04Okey-doke.
23:06It's fair to say this search is not going to plan.
23:10Keep your spirits up, Kirsty.
23:12Third time's the charm.
23:17Jan and John weren't quite jumping for joy at property one,
23:20but I'm hoping it's a slow burner.
23:22And I know they'll love the location of property two.
23:25We're heading for the picturesque Hamlet of Mousley End on the outskirts of Warwick.
23:31It's well within the area that John describes as gold medal winning.
23:35And we're seeing this grade two listed cottage.
23:38See what you make of this?
23:39The setting I thought was pretty special.
23:42It really is stunning.
23:43Half an acre.
23:44Excellent.
23:45I'm getting a good feel.
23:46I'm getting a good feel.
23:47Are you, love?
23:48Yeah, I certainly am.
23:49Do you have a look inside while we're here?
23:50Yeah.
23:50Can't wait.
23:51Oh, I'd love to.
23:51Come on then, love.
23:53Well, if Curb Appeal is a priority, then this place takes first prize.
23:57It's utterly charming, outside and in.
24:01Downstairs there's a separate lounge and study.
24:05Then a kitchen diner leading out into the garden.
24:09Upstairs there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms.
24:12The largest of which will fit in that all-important super kin-sized bed.
24:17The entire house is packed full of original features and character.
24:20And unlike property one, this place offers Jan those all-important views.
24:27And the good news doesn't stop there.
24:29At offers over £700,000, it's £120,000 under their top spend of £820,000.
24:38Hallway, utility room to the right.
24:40And you straight away, you see, although it is listed and historic...
24:46Yes.
24:47..it's completely done up and modernised.
24:49How do you feel about this space?
24:51Oh, it's really nice.
24:52It's very attractive, isn't it?
24:53Yeah, it's lovely.
24:53Yeah. They're a property for the two of us, it's ideal.
24:56Have a wander round.
24:57All right.
24:58Let's see what the wife says.
24:59Thank you.
25:02This place isn't as generous as property one,
25:04and it's missing a few of Jan's bells and whistles,
25:07but I'm hoping its charm and character can make up for that.
25:12Gorgeous.
25:13Look at the log burner there, isn't it great?
25:15Now, is this the sort of size you're thinking for?
25:17I think for me and you, no problems whatsoever.
25:20No problems at all.
25:21For where you've got, like, a huge lot of people,
25:23could be a bit of an issue.
25:25This place is certainly more cosy couple than Party Palace,
25:29but it has a lot to celebrate.
25:32Let me just have a look through this window.
25:34Oh, that's a gorgeous view.
25:36Really lovely.
25:37And I am not the least bit worried about fitting in the Super King.
25:42Oh, it's lovely. Look at the ceiling on this.
25:45You get everything you want in here.
25:48How are you getting on?
25:49It's great.
25:50Room for the Super King or what?
25:52Yeah.
25:52Correct.
25:53This is about, does it give you the feeling?
25:56Yes.
25:57And it seems to be doing so.
25:58And is it big enough?
26:00You know, straight away I've given up my dressing room, haven't I?
26:02Yeah.
26:03That's right, yeah.
26:03And the en suite?
26:05Your priorities will become clearer as we go through,
26:07and we'll discuss and learn more.
26:09Good.
26:11Location-wise, you've nailed it,
26:13but I'm not sure either house has quite measured up.
26:16Spot on, Kerstals.
26:18I said it would come down to the house,
26:20and I think it's time to test that theory.
26:30We're in the Midlands with two couples who've realised finding a new home isn't a piece of cake.
26:36For Isla and Luke, there's one priority.
26:38The sound of children happily playing.
26:41School catchment areas are everything.
26:44We have double checked they're in the catchment areas.
26:47I think it's just because it's on the edge.
26:49It's on the edge.
26:49That's what it is.
26:50For Dan and John, it's all about competing priorities,
26:53as I try and help them find balance in their brief.
26:56Upstairs, duck reaction, I think we said, was a little bit small.
27:00Worcestershire and Warwickshire scored high location-wise,
27:04but neither house has blown them away,
27:06so it's time to try out another county.
27:09We're heading to Pipewell in Northamptonshire,
27:12an area that still has great connectivity,
27:14but average prices for detached properties here are over 30 grand less than in Worcestershire,
27:21and almost 80 grand less than in Warwickshire.
27:24I said it would come down to house,
27:26and I think this character cottage may well be the one.
27:31How about this?
27:32Very good, very good.
27:34Very, very nice.
27:35Detached house, sitting handsomely in the middle of its plot.
27:39Come on, I want to show you around.
27:42It's a good start, Pip.
27:44And the inside can't fail to impress them,
27:47because we are ticking almost everything on their wish list.
27:50The ground floor has two sitting rooms,
27:53the larger of which has a formal dining area.
27:56There's a further room, which would make a great study for John,
28:00and a top-notch kitchen with an eating area,
28:02ideal for when it's just the two of them.
28:06Upstairs there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
28:10The principal bedroom has room for that supersized bed,
28:12and wonderful views which could be made even more special
28:15if Jan was to put in her dream floor-to-ceiling window.
28:20There's a great garden with plenty of places for them to unwind at the end of the day.
28:25The house is on the market for £800,000,
28:2820 grand under their maximum of £820.
28:34So, we've got a lovely old porch.
28:37It's snug in there.
28:38That's just for the two of you.
28:40Mm-hm.
28:40You've got people round,
28:41or you want to kind of show off a little bit, you come in here.
28:45Oh, it's gorgeous.
28:45Look at that, it's impressive.
28:47Yeah.
28:47That's lovely.
28:48It is, it's really, really nice.
28:50£800,000, you can move in.
28:52OK.
28:53Let's keep looking.
28:54Follow me.
28:55I want to show you the kitchen.
28:57So, office is that way.
28:59Downstairs loo, boot room.
29:01I mean, this house has got it all.
29:03It certainly has.
29:04Shaker-style farmhouse kitchen.
29:07Just two of you for dinner or lunch in here.
29:10Yeah.
29:11One of you or two of you of an evening watching telly in the snug.
29:15We needed the two rooms so John could watch his sport
29:18and I could watch location, location, location.
29:21for...
29:22I've always loved you.
29:24LAUGHTER
29:25It's just got a lovely feeling.
29:27I could see this working so far.
29:29Well, have a look upstairs.
29:31Right, perfect.
29:31Go and have a wander.
29:33It sounds like exploring even further afield may well be paying off.
29:38The guest room?
29:39Yeah.
29:40Good?
29:41Yeah.
29:42Yeah, a very pleasant...
29:43I think it's a great...
29:43A very pleasant guest room.
29:44Yeah, it is.
29:45I never usually let my own opinions come into these searches.
29:49It's not my decision.
29:50It's not my money.
29:51But I'm a massive fan of this house.
29:53And given all of the things that they're trying to achieve,
29:57I think it's difficult to fold.
29:58I really do.
30:00Oh, look.
30:01Look at this.
30:02Hey, that's very, very impressive.
30:03Really nice.
30:04Look at your view, hey?
30:05View's stunning.
30:07Would I feel that it's too remote?
30:12I don't think it's...
30:14Things you have to compromise on.
30:16And then there's the C word.
30:18As we all know, no house is ever quite perfect.
30:24I'm just out here enjoying the setting and the garden
30:26and looking back at the house and the floor-to-ceiling windows.
30:30House three has done very well.
30:32It really has.
30:34It's done very well.
30:34How does it sit with you in terms of connectivity to town?
30:37I'm not keen on driving in the dark.
30:39When he's away and I've got to drive,
30:41hmm, I don't know.
30:43But the house itself?
30:44It's absolutely got that wow factor.
30:46Do you want to see another one or are we done?
30:48Nope.
30:49I want to see another one.
30:50Come on, then.
30:52Definitely the gold medal-winning house.
30:54But if Jan can't come to terms with being this remote,
30:58it's bronze at best for the area.
31:00We need an all-rounder.
31:02And I've got just the property in mind.
31:06Well, if you're all sorted,
31:07you can come and sprinkle a little Spencer charm on my search.
31:11Neither property in Isla and Luke's favourite area of Kenilworth
31:14have hit the spot.
31:15So I'm taking them 25 minutes down the road
31:17to the rather glorious Stratford-upon-Eve.
31:20Luke isn't very familiar with the area,
31:21but Isla works here and is a big fan.
31:25As are the agents,
31:26who've been in Phil's ear
31:27trying to persuade him Stratford is the place to be.
31:31You know, I've been staying in Kenilworth.
31:33An agent said to me that it's God's waiting room.
31:37Phil!
31:38I would have thought they'd be much better off in Stratford.
31:40Not my decision.
31:41You can't take him anywhere.
31:43I'm sorry, residents of Kenilworth.
31:44I didn't see him.
31:45I thought it was lovely.
31:46As do I.
31:47Don't shoot the messenger.
31:49Hello.
31:50Hello.
31:51I've come to help.
31:52Sounds great.
31:55What do you feel about being in Stratford?
31:57I feel good.
31:58Nice school and nursery.
31:59Yes, yeah.
32:01Luke.
32:01Yes.
32:02I'm more than happy with the location, so...
32:04This house is in absolutely perfect nick,
32:07but you need to do work.
32:09OK.
32:10Because the layout is wrong.
32:12OK.
32:12Come and see what you think.
32:13Great.
32:13Amazing.
32:14Sounds good.
32:16Hurdle number one, location expertly cleared.
32:20On to hurdle number two, the layout.
32:23They would have to get creative,
32:24because currently the downstairs layout won't work for them.
32:27It is totally liveable for now,
32:30and once it's opened up and rejigged,
32:31it would be everything they've asked for.
32:34Upstairs is ideal.
32:37Four really good-sized bedrooms
32:40and a family bathroom.
32:42Outside, the garden is private and secure,
32:45perfect for Robin and the dogs to play.
32:48It's on the market for offers over £475,000,
32:52£40,000 under their top spend.
32:55As it's been on for a while,
32:57there may be a deal to be done.
32:59So, in we come.
33:02And just come through into here.
33:05Are we all present, correct?
33:08Yeah.
33:08Tap the wall.
33:10Oh, that's a lovely sound.
33:11Yeah, that's lovely sound, isn't it?
33:13So, imagine that wall is gone.
33:16And imagine everything from there, here,
33:20is the kitchen on that side.
33:23This is your diner.
33:24This is your little snug.
33:26Am I convincing you?
33:28I want to see more, but I'm quite excited.
33:30Yeah, definitely.
33:31I've got a good feeling when I walked in.
33:34These two have done work before,
33:36so they can see the potential.
33:38By removing the stud wall between the living room
33:40and downstairs bedroom,
33:42they could create an open-plan kitchen,
33:44dining and living space.
33:45The downstairs WC could be pushed up
33:48into what is currently the kitchen,
33:49but would become a utility,
33:51ideal for their three coaches.
33:54How do you feel about the level of work?
33:56It's not phasing me.
33:58Good.
33:58Yeah.
33:59The main thing.
34:00How will I be thinking about it?
34:02Fine.
34:02Absolutely okay with that sort of work.
34:04Yeah.
34:06I see not the light light,
34:08but a sort of dawning sense of pragmatism.
34:12Is that...?
34:13Yeah, is that fair?
34:15I think at that sort of higher end of the budget,
34:19our thoughts were that we would have somewhere
34:22that would be ready to go.
34:24Yeah.
34:24But I think that bigger budget
34:26doesn't get you things that you thought
34:28that you would necessarily get.
34:31Yeah.
34:32I'm definitely interested by it.
34:34It was very different to the two we've seen
34:36in a good way, I think.
34:37Okay.
34:38Interesting little scenario.
34:39Definitely.
34:40We've got to find out what Isla thinks.
34:41Yes.
34:42I'm not singing from inside,
34:44but I can see all the great practical things about it.
34:47Exactly.
34:48Well, after they'd done the work,
34:50I think the singing would soon follow.
34:52I think there's great space for Robin.
34:54Yeah.
34:55I can definitely see how it could work downstairs.
34:58Yes.
34:58The amount of work is more than anticipated originally,
35:02but it's not a...
35:04Yeah.
35:04I can't do this.
35:06I think it would be a great buy.
35:08Yes, but I think this is the week of disappointments
35:11for Luke and Isla,
35:12because they've added to the budget
35:14and they're slowly absorbing that that doesn't get them the dream house.
35:18It still has to be a bit of a practical decision.
35:22Well, this could be the dream house.
35:23It could be wonderful.
35:25It'd be a great buy.
35:25I don't think it's going to grab anyone's heart
35:27until they do the work to it.
35:31A small kitchen, but it would work for a few weeks.
35:34Yeah.
35:34I think it would make a great utility space for the dogs.
35:38The cogs are certainly turning.
35:42So, I haven't had a chance to hear what Luke thinks.
35:45There's lots of things I feel like I need to think about,
35:48but the house, yes, made me think a lot in a good way.
35:52I think the same as you.
35:54I like the house.
35:55I think it's a good...it is a good house.
35:57Good house.
35:58Let's go.
36:00I'd say that's one in the running.
36:05Well, technically, I think I may well have three in the running.
36:09Yes, I'm not confident we've seen the one.
36:12We're sticking to the more affordable county of Northamptonshire,
36:15and this time heading to the village of Cold Ashby.
36:19It's said to be the highest village in the county,
36:22which means as well as having a community on the doorstep,
36:25this five-bedroomed, detached property
36:28comes with a view that will wow Jan and John.
36:32as long as we can get in the house to see it before the sun goes down.
36:35Chop-chop, Pip, there's a lot of house to see.
36:40A very generous, well-finished dining kitchen,
36:43a separate cosy sitting room,
36:45a games room and a cinema room.
36:49And that's just on the ground floor.
36:52Upstairs, there are five bedrooms,
36:54a family bathroom and a study.
36:58The principal bedroom has an ensuite
37:00and a Juliet balcony to take in the wonderful views.
37:04Jan could be living the dream up here.
37:07They would need to spend a little to put their stamp on it,
37:10but at £750,000, it's £70,000 under their top spend of £820,000.
37:16And just for today, it comes with an added bonus.
37:21Hello!
37:22Oh, Entrance!
37:24I wanted to fling open the windows when you came in
37:26because there's the view.
37:28Actually, the view is fading cos it's getting darker now.
37:30It's quite the vista.
37:32It is. That's pretty spectacular.
37:34Yeah, it is. It is, that's right.
37:36How about this space?
37:38It's superb, isn't it? It is.
37:40Great for parties, isn't it?
37:41It's a real party house.
37:43Yeah. It's a real party house.
37:44Plus a little surprise for John,
37:46which I'd like to show you down there.
37:47OK, well, we'll go and look at the bedroom.
37:51John requested his own room to watch football in.
37:54Well, tick that box.
37:57Hey, Phil.
37:58This is it, isn't it?
37:59Oh, is that big enough, that TV?
38:01This is purely for watching your sport.
38:04There's a lot to like about this, but I kid you not, it's a big house.
38:07Yeah.
38:08This is really what we're here to see.
38:12Always wanted a principal bedroom.
38:14Well, this is a principal bedroom.
38:15It really is a principal bedroom.
38:18I think it's about you deciding whether you want to have bedroom dressing
38:22or you want to put your wardrobe in another room.
38:26It would be wardrobe out for me.
38:28Yeah.
38:30That's the furniture sorted.
38:32Now we just need a move-in date.
38:34There's space galore, isn't there, in this house?
38:36Yeah, there is, yeah.
38:37It's huge.
38:40It's a really nice house.
38:42It's cheaper and it's very big.
38:44And it's quite wild, but I'm a big fan of three.
38:46Are you? Yeah, big fan of three.
38:49Okey-doke.
38:50Well, as long as you're happy.
38:52As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.
38:55I'm trying not to let that surface too much, but I'm struggling.
39:00Hello.
39:01Hi.
39:02Hello.
39:02Have you found your way around?
39:04God, you need your big pants on in this house, don't you?
39:06Yeah, you do.
39:07Wow, there's a lot to take on.
39:09There's a lot of house, yes.
39:11Is it too much?
39:12I do think it's a big house, but...
39:14Is it too big?
39:15I don't think it's a dead duck, this one.
39:17Definitely.
39:18OK.
39:19Right, onwards and upwards.
39:22I think these two are scared to rule anything out.
39:24But with all four of my properties still in the running,
39:27that's what needs to happen next.
39:30You've given them plenty to ponder over.
39:32And at least you've found the house of your dreams.
39:44In the Midlands, Isla and Luke's rigid catchment area, mixed with low property stock, has made for a tough search.
39:50But we have one in the running.
39:53It's very different to the two we've seen, in a good way, I think.
39:57For Jan and John, they've found positives in every property.
40:01And they've been back for a second viewing at property three in Pipewell and property four in Cold Ashby.
40:07I have no idea if any or all are in the running, but it's time to start making some decisions.
40:13I thought it would be useful to talk through all of the houses.
40:17What do you think of the first house?
40:19What we loved about the first house was that it is absolutely oven ready.
40:24When we were there, you were worried about the size of the bedroom or size of your bed.
40:29Did you kind of conclude that internal debate?
40:31Yeah, we did.
40:33In the words of an Oasis album, it was a definitely maybe.
40:38Second house, listed cottage.
40:41Yes.
40:41Beautiful spot.
40:42When we first got there, wow, what a wow factor.
40:45Was it big enough for you?
40:47No.
40:47There lies a bit of the challenge.
40:49There wasn't enough rooms upstairs and there wasn't enough room downstairs.
40:52We kind of needed one more room to make it a viable proposition.
40:57That's one no and one maybe.
41:00We're getting closer to that decision.
41:06Thankfully, Isla and Luke are very decisive.
41:10So property one, no.
41:12Yeah, exactly.
41:13That was it.
41:14It's no.
41:15Property two.
41:16Ooh.
41:19Sorry, Luke.
41:20Yeah.
41:20Totally valid reason for not liking that house.
41:22And you are not alone, by the way.
41:23Like, loads of people are going to be thinking, why is she being so mean to him?
41:28The success of this search comes down to one property.
41:31The semi in Stratford-upon-Avon.
41:34Property three.
41:35Where are your heads?
41:36I think that was really good for us to see.
41:39Yes, agree.
41:40And I loved how much space it had.
41:46But I don't think it's quite the right house for us.
41:50And we have no doubt that you've showed us the best three houses available right now.
41:53It's just that none of them are quite right for us.
41:56None of them are quite right.
41:57Yeah.
41:58So, for now, Ila and Luke will have to keep searching.
42:00But I have high hopes for this pair.
42:04I think this has been a very difficult search for you,
42:07because you've made real sacrifices to add this amount to your budget.
42:11And it's not giving you that much more.
42:14Yeah.
42:15I'm definitely more aware of not walking into the house
42:18and thinking it's going to be all the bells and whistles
42:21and, like, there's going to have to be stuff that we do,
42:22which I think this has really helped me with that.
42:24I think you are touching distance from it.
42:28Will you promise to call me if you find something?
42:31Because I love a floor plan.
42:33So do we.
42:34So, yeah, we'd be delighted.
42:35And my longest ever gap between sitting with someone at a table like this
42:40and making an offer is a year.
42:42So, if you could do it within the year, it's fine.
42:46We sure hope it's within the year.
42:47Try not to break the record.
42:49I'm confident you'll be hearing from them sooner than that, Kirsty.
42:54And I think Jan and John are edging ever closer to a conclusion.
42:59House number three.
43:00Yes.
43:01Yeah.
43:02And you've been back to see that today.
43:03We did.
43:04The majesty of the house actually really shone through even more.
43:07Mm.
43:08The fact that whilst it's a very beautiful hamlet,
43:10you are pretty isolated.
43:13Isolated, yeah.
43:13And I think that would kind of want to be a little bit closer to it,
43:18whatever it might be.
43:19And house number four.
43:20You could make that a wonderful property.
43:23By far the best views of all the properties.
43:25Yeah.
43:26By far the best bedroom.
43:27Yes.
43:28Without a doubt.
43:29That kind of could work, but do we need that space?
43:31But I know we've seen good houses.
43:33So where does that leave us?
43:34Still a question.
43:35Yeah.
43:35But do you know what?
43:36The way we feel is really sort of invigorated to pick up probably all aspects of those four houses.
43:43So property one in Worcestershire and property four in Northamptonshire are still in the running.
43:49These two need more time, but hopefully they're getting closer to finding their new home.
43:54Meanwhile, I'm off to buy house number three.
43:57But listen, here's to you both. Very, very best of luck.
44:01And thank you to the team, Phil, for everything.
44:04Thank you to the team.
44:04Very well.
44:05Let's just see what the next few days bring.
44:10Isla and Luke left our search full of determination.
44:14And three weeks on, they're still channelling that positivity.
44:17So we look online every day, all the time.
44:20We just feel like it's going to happen very soon for sure.
44:23They've taken what they've learned.
44:25It was a bit of a reality check, but I think it's made us realise that we are going to
44:31need to do work to a house.
44:33And as predicted, they are touching distance away.
44:36We have seen a house in Kenneworth.
44:39We are quite close to making a decision as to whether we'll put in an offer.
44:44Kirsty's been giving us some really good advice on the whole buying process of kind of when to put an
44:48offer in, what to do,
44:50how much kind of building work roughly costs as well.
44:52I think we'd just like to say thank you so much, Kirsty.
44:55A massive thank you.
44:56It's been super helpful.
44:58Yay!
44:59They'll be saying goodbye to mum and dad's converted garage before they know it.
45:05And it looks like Jan and John will be saying goodbye to Lancashire very soon as well.
45:11When we left, Phil, we had a short list of two.
45:13So we're actually going to jump in and go for one of the houses, aren't we?
45:17Yeah.
45:18And the winner is Property One in Worcestershire.
45:21They've had an offer accepted and John's Definitely Maybe may well be the place they'll live forever.
45:27The main reason was location.
45:29It was.
45:30We're quite giddy about this, aren't we?
45:31Yeah, we really.
45:33And the house is almost perfect.
45:35They hope to be moving to the Midlands in around ten weeks.
45:39But it wasn't the easiest deal I've ever had to do.
45:42So the price was offered over £795,000.
45:46There was another party very interested.
45:49The advice from Phil was to slightly go over for a couple of thousand and he was correct.
45:54Our offer of £797,000 was accepted.
45:59So all being well, they'll be kicking back in this fantastic house in no time.
46:04We couldn't have done it without Phil.
46:06You pulled it off.
46:07So I'm really pleased.
46:08Thank you.
46:08You smashed it.
46:11I'm chuffed to bits for them both.
46:13And the Super King bed.
46:15Ooh.
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.
46:45Bye.
46:46Bye.
46:47Bye.