South Of England: Stretching Budgets And Bringing Families Together! | Location, Location, Location

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:01]This week, we need all the help we can get.

[00:00:04]>> Kirsty's imaginary friend. Yeah, she follows Cassie everywhere.

[00:00:07]>> For two couples who could use some support. It needs some Spanx and some contouring. Well, you said you like a challenge.

[00:00:13]>> But just when it's starting to look like child's play.

[00:00:16]>> I love it. Perfect.

[00:00:17]>> You said this house hunting lot was hard, eh? We could be sent to the naughty step.

[00:00:23]>> We're going to fall out. Testing boundaries is what 2-year-olds do.

[00:00:27]higher than that, I'd have to reconsider the whole thing.

[00:00:30]>> The whole thing.

[00:00:37]>> This week, we're crisscrossing Essex and Hertfordshire, helping two couples find their home counties hide away.

[00:00:43]>> Long-term love birds, Justin and Christy, are hoping to finally move in together.

[00:00:47]>> While Ben and Cara, are after a family home for themselves and baby Max.

[00:00:52]Ah, >> do you know, Phil, if you catch a falling leaf, it gives you luck. There is one. Oh, no. It's attached to the tree. Oh, look. There's one. You can get that.

[00:01:02]>> No.

[00:01:03]>> I feel you've been busy for hours.

[00:01:07]>> We can wait here for a long time.

[00:01:09]>> I know.

[00:01:14]I missed it.

[00:01:17]>> Fortune favors the brave, Phil. And we're going to need a mighty heart in this popular corner of the country.

[00:01:23]Essex and Hartfordshire's vast landscapes vary enormously from the historic market towns in the north to the industrial hub of the tempame's estri in the south. Plus, this patch is home to no fewer than five direct train links to the capital's core. And London's hot shots are willing to pay a pretty penny to hang their hats in the area. Essex has seen a 13% increase in house prices in the past year, but is still 3/4 of the price of neighboring Hartford's average home, which comes in at almost $400,000.

[00:01:57]Following the crowd of 30somes leaving London for these family-friendly hotspots, Cara and Ben upsticks and left the capital 2 years ago.

[00:02:05]>> A lot has changed in the last 2 years.

[00:02:08]We've left London. We are married and we're parents.

[00:02:12]Yep, that's it. Just those three little things.

[00:02:16]>> They've settled comfortably into home counties living with son Max.

[00:02:21]>> Bishop Stor has so much to offer young families. Fantastic. It's made this place a home now.

[00:02:28]>> And Ben has been enjoying exploring the area on two wheels.

[00:02:32]>> It's my escapism, I think. Get out on the bike and everything just seems a lot easier.

[00:02:37]>> Sounds like you're saying I'm difficult.

[00:02:39]>> Not at all. It's the work. It's the job.

[00:02:42]>> Nice save, Ben.

[00:02:43]>> But the whole family may have been getting a little too comfortable in their rental home located in a sought after corner of Bishop Stford.

[00:02:51]>> This is the the exact place that we want to be and it's kind of reduced our search down and um the other side of the railway seems almost just too far.

[00:03:01]>> Deep pockets are required in this prime location and Cara and Ben haven't yet managed to splash the cash. I'm always very tight with money. I'm always looking out for the deal.

[00:03:12]>> So, this will be the first time obviously that I've signed myself up to borrowing such a vast amount of money and it's it's scary. But the longer we leave it, property price is obviously just going to keep going up.

[00:03:21]>> Sounds like a man in need of some assistance.

[00:03:24]>> And I'm never one to ignore a distress signal. Having now settled in Stford and it's actually been really happy and successful. You're wanting to keep as much of that as possible.

[00:03:35]>> As much as possible. Yeah.

[00:03:37]What are we looking for then if you could describe it to me?

[00:03:39]>> Well, a full bed ideally.

[00:03:40]>> Four bed. Yeah.

[00:03:41]>> With some outside storage for the bikes amongst other things.

[00:03:46]>> Bikes with an S on.

[00:03:47]>> Bikes with an S on.

[00:03:48]>> Can we just talk about how you see the future panning out?

[00:03:51]>> We would like another baby, wouldn't it?

[00:03:53]>> Yeah. So, that's the big thing.

[00:03:54]>> We don't want to be moving with two children. We want to have a little bit more security. A second.

[00:03:59]>> It's those insurance brokers. It just comes out of it, isn't it?

[00:04:04]>> Having security. security. Yeah.

[00:04:07]>> Well, that perhaps brings us to the topic of budget.

[00:04:10]>> Our budgets between four and 500.

[00:04:12]>> Four and five. Yeah. But with five being very much the top end nearer four would be better.

[00:04:17]>> I mean, gut feel for me is that to stay in Bishop's Thoodford, you're likely to spend the the thick end of 500.

[00:04:24]>> Yeah.

[00:04:24]>> If you commute a little further, you could spend a little less.

[00:04:28]>> Mhm.

[00:04:28]>> But let's make a stop.

[00:04:30]>> It's going to be interesting. It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be interesting.

[00:04:35]Along with all their hard-earned savings, Cara and Ben will be relying on a hefty mortgage to give them a top budget of £500,000.

[00:04:43]They're looking for a four-bedroom home with space for future children and visiting family.

[00:04:47]>> The house should have accessible storage for a multitude of bikes and a sunny garden for the family to enjoy.

[00:04:54]>> A quiet street will provide a peaceful life when they aren't commuting into London, which ideally would be no more than an hour doortodoor. We'll be exploring Essex towns where Cara and Ben's money could stretch further. But knowing they've got their eye on an exclusive pocket of Hartford's border, we'll be starting the search there.

[00:05:15]>> Deeper into the heart of Essex, I'm with beauty salon owner Christy and photo editor Justin, whose eyes first met across a crowded dance floor. Me and Chrissy met at Trevor Nelson's New Year's Eve party, but I actually sat next to her because there was nowhere to sit and I thought, "Here's my chance to talk to talk to her."

[00:05:32]>> And then we've been together ever since.

[00:05:34]>> But after 5 years of living separately, it's time to synchronize schedule.

[00:05:38]>> We want to see each other a bit more in the evening.

[00:05:40]>> It's time now. We're getting old.

[00:05:43]Christy splits her time across a huge area from her rented room and salon in Chelmsford, visiting mom 2 hours away in Reading and Justin's parents in Harrow, his home for the past 32 years, and a good jumping off point for his daily commute to Camden.

[00:05:57]>> If I had my own place, I would feel more relaxed >> and I probably won't get shouted out as much because >> when she leaves everything around all these different houses and thinks that it's at my house or something and we're about to go out and she needs it, I get the brunt of that.

[00:06:14]But there's no time for bickering on this search. With big plans for the future, the need for their first home is even more urgent.

[00:06:21]>> I'd like to maybe think about having a child over the next year or two.

[00:06:26]>> Ideally, we want three bedrooms so when we have a child, they can have a bedroom and then I can have one for an office.

[00:06:32]>> But finding the perfect spot to accommodate two very different commutes as well as Christiey's high expectations has been proving difficult. I'm trusting Christie to pick a nice area for us.

[00:06:42]>> Sometimes he will throw up names where people might have told him where might be nice to live and then straight away I'm like, "Nope." If he knew a bit more background of the area, I might find it a bit more easier.

[00:06:53]>> We don't call it location, location, location for nothing. You know, Justin, >> you've been living between Reading and Chford where your work is.

[00:07:02]>> Yes.

[00:07:02]>> And Justin, where have you been living?

[00:07:04]>> I'm still at home with my parents at the moment.

[00:07:06]>> So, you're all over the shop, basically.

[00:07:08]basically spread out too much.

[00:07:10]>> Justin, for you the commute is very important.

[00:07:13]>> Yeah. I don't want to really spend any more than an hour and a half if I if possible. Otherwise, I'd be traveling over like 3 hours a day.

[00:07:20]>> Traveling 3 hours a day to work and back in the summer. That's pretty hot and sweaty. I mean, you don't put your makeup on until you get to work.

[00:07:28]>> I try.

[00:07:29]>> Yeah.

[00:07:32]>> Just a bit of mascara, Justin. That's all you need. You're driving to work in Chsford.

[00:07:36]>> Yeah. I don't mind my drive. As long as it's like within 45 minutes to an hour maximum.

[00:07:41]>> Are you up for doing any work yourself?

[00:07:43]>> If I found somewhere that needed a little bit of work, I'd want to do it up pretty much straight away before we moved in. So, it was nice. Have you got anyone in the family with any experience of that?

[00:07:53]>> Well, my dad's done a lot to the houses that he's bought. I mean, he's the electronic engineer.

[00:07:58]>> That's like a major tick on life's bingo board. You do know that, don't you?

[00:08:02]>> Right. Okie do.

[00:08:04]Christy and Justin have worked their socks off to get a deposit. And together with a mortgage, they have £290,000 for their first home. For their hard-earned buck, they want to find a two to threebedroom house, giving Justin his own office space.

[00:08:19]>> With Christy relying on her car every day, it's crucial that there's off- streetet parking.

[00:08:24]>> And Justin needs to get to central London within an hour and a half.

[00:08:28]Christy has specific ideas of where their life together will start. So, we're focusing our search on South Essex in towns with excellent rail links and affordable living for firsttime buyers.

[00:08:40]>> Are you completely addicted to that thing?

[00:08:42]>> No, it is a home office. Emails.

[00:08:45]>> What did you do before Phance?

[00:08:47]>> Well, I didn't work as hard as I am now.

[00:08:49]I had to sit in an office occasionally.

[00:08:50]>> Yeah, fair enough.

[00:08:51]>> So, how's it going?

[00:08:53]>> Well, I've got I always think people who work in insurance are kind of naturally risk averse.

[00:08:58]>> Yes.

[00:08:58]>> And I've got two people who work in insurance. It's the age-old length of commute versus size of house.

[00:09:04]>> Yeah, that's always the issue when we're in Essics. I've got similar thing.

[00:09:08]Commute an issue. She's stuck between Harrow where he still lives at home.

[00:09:13]>> Okay.

[00:09:13]>> Uh Reading where her mom lives and Chelmsford where she works and rents a flat.

[00:09:17]>> They'll be mustard keen to sort it all out then.

[00:09:19]>> Nobody's ever been so desperate to buy a house they've just gone, "Yeah, whatever. Whatever." That's that'll be the day.

[00:09:25]>> That would take the fun out of it.

[00:09:27]>> Well, just the odd week. as long as you and I are keen.

[00:09:30]>> And I'm eagerly starting my search with Cara and Ben in the town where they've been renting for the past 2 years.

[00:09:36]>> But buying here is a totally different ballgame. Average selling prices in Bishop Stford are within Car and Ben's half a million pound budget. But the exclusive pocket they've focused on demands a much higher premium.

[00:09:47]>> But just around the corner from their rental, I found a house that has recently come back to the market and should get us off to a flying start. How far away from here is your rental then?

[00:09:57]I think you could probably throw a ball in one.

[00:10:00]>> About 30 seconds.

[00:10:01]>> Yeah. Not far at all.

[00:10:02]>> Well, I did just think that I would start with a house in an estate that I know that you love.

[00:10:08]>> Yes.

[00:10:09]>> Um somewhere that would therefore offer you exactly the same lifestyle in terms of nursery and commute. Just thought we'd start with something like that.

[00:10:16]>> Tick tick all the boxes now.

[00:10:19]>> But it could be a cross in the price box.

[00:10:21]>> It's priced just over the top of your budget at the moment. Asking price is 59,995, but I know that the owner is keen, keen, keen, keen to sell.

[00:10:31]>> Okay.

[00:10:32]>> So, I'm confident it would come in under budget.

[00:10:36]>> Okay.

[00:10:37]>> But I'm not sure they're happy with the excess, Phil.

[00:10:39]>> Yes, but spending a premium does get them, 1300 square ft and everything on their wish list, including not one but two reception rooms.

[00:10:48]>> Upstairs, there are four bedrooms with enough space for a family of three, four, or more.

[00:10:54]The west facing garden provides a safe environment for young Max to play. And the internal garage gives Ben ample space for his grown-up toys. But it could be just one leap too far for a financially cautious couple. At just shy of £510,000, it's 10 grand over budget. So this is the main reception room. It is one of two reception rooms.

[00:11:16]>> I do like a fireplace. I like I like the size of this room. I like the layout.

[00:11:19]>> Let's go and see some more then.

[00:11:20]>> Right.

[00:11:21]>> The dining room. Oh, fantastic.

[00:11:23]>> And the kitchen, which leads through to a brilliant utility room and the garage if you ended up liking the house. You could combine the dining room with this.

[00:11:33]>> The dream is to have a kitchen island.

[00:11:35]>> The dream to have an island. That's slightly above budget, but never mind.

[00:11:39]>> Out of the budget.

[00:11:41]>> A kitchen island to clarify.

[00:11:42]>> Well, you said you like a challenge.

[00:11:45]>> If the first viewing carries on like this, I'm not going to find it much of a challenge at all. Nice big hallway up here.

[00:11:52]>> It is. Yeah.

[00:11:53]>> Got a good feeling in house number one.

[00:11:56]>> I like it, too. I think it' be great buy.

[00:11:59]>> If Cara and Ben can truly push themselves to the top of their budget, >> I do like the storage.

[00:12:04]>> Then this would be a brilliant family home for years to come.

[00:12:08]>> Oh wow, this is a huge room.

[00:12:12]>> I did not expect it to be this big.

[00:12:13]>> I'm really quite surprised.

[00:12:16]>> No need for alarm. Sometimes good things do come in huge packages.

[00:12:21]>> You both look a bit dumbruck if I may say.

[00:12:24]>> We are.

[00:12:25]>> We are a little bit.

[00:12:26]>> We are.

[00:12:26]>> I did not expect this one to find somewhere so close to our house.

[00:12:31]>> Have you not been trying or >> This is going to look really bad, isn't it? I've been searching for 6 months.

[00:12:37]>> This was extremely hard to find this house. I mean, not many people could do it.

[00:12:42]>> We've got a top end of the budget. We were hoping to be within that. So yeah, >> you know, that's maybe why something like this just hasn't come into our radar.

[00:12:50]>> I'd say that's the right house in the right spot.

[00:12:52]>> You said this house hunting lot was hard, eh?

[00:12:56]>> Yes, Phil. But remember, the price has got to be right, too.

[00:12:59]>> So nice and peaceful.

[00:13:01]>> I've brought them here to the town of Lenon. There's a direct train link to London for Justin, plus a driving time to Christiey's salon of around 40 minutes. This conveniently located suburb of Basalddon is growing in popularity and the area as a whole has seen house prices rise by nearly 20% in the last year.

[00:13:20]>> This house is the biggest, the best parking, the best commute. It does need a little bit of a freshen up, bit of a facial, bit of a different makeup.

[00:13:29]>> That's not bad cuz then I can put my own stamp and get it how I want. This three-story midterrace house gives Christy and Justin plenty of room for future family plans. It only requires a little imagination to see it as their first home.

[00:13:44]>> There's a master suite on the top floor and two further bedrooms off the middle landing. One being an ideal home office for Justin.

[00:13:52]>> The ground floor has a long reception room perfect for entertaining guests, while the rear sun room and modern kitchen both lead out onto a large garden. Plus, there's a deal to be done on the £295,000 price tag. What's not to love?

[00:14:07]>> First impressions.

[00:14:10]>> I like it.

[00:14:10]>> Yeah, I like it. I like the size is nice. It's not horrendous, is it? Or anything.

[00:14:15]>> Not exactly high praise, Kirsty.

[00:14:17]Hopefully the garden will win Christy over.

[00:14:20]>> What are we looking at? It's not great.

[00:14:22]Not letting much light in. And it's not illustrating that the garden is really long. What's that stuff called that Kim Kardashian uses?

[00:14:28]>> Oh, contouring.

[00:14:29]>> Contouring. That's the stuff. It's a big house this. It needs some spans and some contouring.

[00:14:35]>> Yeah.

[00:14:35]>> Okay.

[00:14:36]>> And there's ample work for your unique tool kit upstairs. A >> fair bit of room in here.

[00:14:41]>> Yeah. Not a bad size, is it?

[00:14:42]>> Probably make this the guest bedroom.

[00:14:48]>> Sizewise, what do you think?

[00:14:50]>> I'm not too keen on this, but I mean, >> you couldn't you wouldn't be able to lie that side of the bed. You've been hitting your head every day. A knock on the head might be just the thing they need.

[00:15:01]>> I think that Justin and Christy could do the work to make this house what they want and add real value. I've just got to persuade them to have the confidence in their abilities that I suspect they may be lacking a little.

[00:15:15]>> It's going to take more than that to get this house to top marks.

[00:15:19]>> What are your 10 out of 10?

[00:15:21]>> I think the driveway is definitely a plus.

[00:15:22]>> I've always liked a threestory house. I think generally it is a good size. Is this a maybe or a no?

[00:15:29]>> I would say maybe.

[00:15:30]>> Yeah, maybe. Maybe. Quite possibly.

[00:15:34]>> Chris is saying possibly, but I'm hearing a no. If she's not willing to give this place a makeover, our search is in need of a drastic transformation.

[00:15:47]>> Car and Ben are off to a flying start.

[00:15:49]They loved my first house.

[00:15:51]>> Tick tick all the boxes now. So, I'm feeling confident and want to test how much more their money can buy just 3 miles away in the historic village of Stanstead Mount Fitchard.

[00:16:01]>> There's so much going on here for young families, but only a 10-minute drive back to their beloved Bishop Storeford.

[00:16:07]Plus, the local station has a direct link to London Liverpool Street. Just half a mile from the station, there's a lot of house up for grabs at the top end of Car and Ben's 500 grand budget. And a big house like this needs some serious backup. We had quite a good day yesterday, Kirst, >> I gather.

[00:16:24]>> How are you feeling about what you saw yesterday in Stormford?

[00:16:27]>> Very positive.

[00:16:28]>> Still positive. It'll be interesting, I think, for Kirst to see if your heads are turned by space cuz actually yesterday's house was perfectly big enough.

[00:16:36]>> This is more of a kind of forever home.

[00:16:38]>> Okay.

[00:16:38]>> It's got five bedrooms.

[00:16:39]>> Five.

[00:16:41]>> It doesn't actually It doesn't look very big from outside, but in inside it's huge.

[00:16:46]>> Yes. Quite the TARDIS. You found them, Phil. The garage has been divided into what could be a playroom for Max, but leaves accessible bike storage at the front for Ben's prize possessions.

[00:16:57]>> The downstairs has a sociable open plan layout perfect for hosting Car's mother and baby groups.

[00:17:04]>> But upstairs is where the property really thrives with four large bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor, plus a stunning master suite in the converted loft.

[00:17:15]More than 25% bigger than property 1, there would be no risk of running out of space. This forever home is marketed at $525,000, but we think we could get a deal on the price.

[00:17:26]>> Oh, >> wow. So, kitchen, diner.

[00:17:32]>> It's a really nice layout.

[00:17:33]>> It's fantastic layout. It's just really social, which is brilliant.

[00:17:37]>> Car is planning parties already, and in a house like this, there's plenty of space for guests.

[00:17:43]You've got lovely size bedrooms. One, two, three, four on this floor. On this bathroom?

[00:17:50]>> Yeah. A lot of rooms.

[00:17:51]>> Are you looking at it thinking, h >> um not really. It doesn't scare me because we we don't have our family nearby. So when they do come, they stay.

[00:18:01]>> Gut feel from you. Would you be prepared to move out of Stalford if it got you a lot more space such as this?

[00:18:07]>> We are open to moving a distance away from Stford. However, you've seen a house in Sulford that you thought was big enough and you liked.

[00:18:14]>> We have seen a house in Sford the size of which we didn't think we'd get for the budget. So, do we need that extra bit?

[00:18:21]>> Yeah.

[00:18:21]>> Ben seems set on property one already.

[00:18:24]>> But the more car seats of this house, the more she likes >> and then under the eaves, you've got this with a with a huge on suite. Have a look at this. Oh, wow.

[00:18:36]Phil asked you outside whether your head could be turned by size.

[00:18:41]>> It's turning. Is it turning?

[00:18:43]>> It's turning. This is more than we ever could imagine.

[00:18:46]>> I'll leave Cara to talk Ben around to what could be a forever home away from Bishop Stford.

[00:18:52]>> Wow.

[00:18:54]>> Shouldn't be too challenging.

[00:18:57]>> Only money.

[00:18:59]>> Just when you thought it couldn't get any bigger.

[00:19:04]Phil, get out. Sorry.

[00:19:06]>> You're just getting someone else's fridge. Sorry, >> it's nearly lunch time.

[00:19:10]>> You are really in a sort of casual mood, aren't you?

[00:19:12]>> I am. I'm I'm testing boundaries, and I'm quite enjoying doing it cuz from here, I'm going to take them further away, but go much cheaper.

[00:19:19]>> Testing boundaries is what 2-year-olds do.

[00:19:24]>> There'll be no toddler tantrums in this house.

[00:19:27]>> Two more bedrooms.

[00:19:28]>> Two more bedrooms. The only thing Car and Ben would need to worry about is spending top dollar to secure this palatial home. Did >> you get on a ride up there? It's >> huge.

[00:19:37]>> It is huge.

[00:19:38]>> Is it too big?

[00:19:39]>> It's not too big, >> but we don't need that much space.

[00:19:43]>> Yeah.

[00:19:43]>> Phil tells me that he's testing boundaries.

[00:19:47]>> She said 2-year-olds test.

[00:19:48]>> I hope he doesn't.

[00:19:49]>> I thought it was a good idea.

[00:19:50]>> Test bound. That's all I can say.

[00:19:52]>> Thank goodness I've got you to keep me in line. With his large collection of bikes, Ben's love of cycling has no limits, and his fellow fanatics are truly taking the lead on London's roads.

[00:20:04]>> The number commuting by bike has doubled in a decade, and the amount of bikes on the capital's roads is set to overtake the number of cars within the next 3 years, when there will be nearly 70,000 rush hour cyclists.

[00:20:17]>> Yorkshire is racing ahead with an additional 18,000 people taking up cycling here in the past couple of years. But Cambridge is where cycling enthusiasm is pumped up to the max with its flat landscape and endless miles of cycle paths. It's claimed that over one in four commute daily by bicycle in the city and a whopping 49% of inhabitants hop on their saddle at least once a week.

[00:20:42]In a bid to get long-distance love birds Christy and Justin under the same roof, I've bought them south to the rivers and the growing town of Stanford Lope centered around a village green. There's a range of amenities here, including a popular local pub.

[00:20:57]>> The station offers London commuters a sprint into the city, meaning Justin can be at his desk in under an hour and a half. I don't think Christy fancied the work of making property one shine, but I'm hoping this place 5 minutes from the station will bring a sparkle to her eye.

[00:21:14]This is moving.

[00:21:16]End of story.

[00:21:17]>> What do you make of the look of it?

[00:21:18]>> I love it.

[00:21:19]>> I think it looks nice. Yeah, I think it stands out. But it stands out in a good way. Good.

[00:21:23]>> This glossy semi- detached house has been presented beautifully. The two reception rooms offer flexible living accommodation and back onto a rear kitchen extension. The bathroom is on the ground floor, which can be an inconvenience for some, but does allow for three goodsiz bedrooms on the first floor.

[00:21:41]>> An enclosed rear garden completes this spotless package, bringing it in at the top of Christian Justin's budget.

[00:21:47]£290,000.

[00:21:50]As you see, immaculate condition.

[00:21:53]>> How does it feel size-wise? I do quite like this. It's a little bit on the small side, but it's manageable. the dining room.

[00:22:00]>> Or you could have this as a sitting room.

[00:22:02]>> I just like the look of it. I like things to be clean, minimal. That's probably why it's ticking my boxes a bit more.

[00:22:10]>> Christy is clearly lured by the luster of a ready to move into pad. Do my pleas to add value always fall on deaf ears.

[00:22:18]>> It's hard to hear you through all this fresh paint, Kirsty. A turnkey pad can be just right for busy firsttime buyers.

[00:22:26]What you have up here is three bedrooms, two doubles and a single.

[00:22:30]>> I'm liking the house more and more after each room I see. Um, this is a very nice size room. The kind of rub of this house, the weak point is that that is the bathroom.

[00:22:41]>> Yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about a bathroom being downstairs, but it is a nice bathroom.

[00:22:47]>> That's the >> That's the only downside so far.

[00:22:50]>> Luckily, the garden is in the right place, and there's plenty of it. The garden is huge.

[00:22:56]Uh, it comes free with Kirsty's imaginary friend.

[00:22:59]>> Interesting.

[00:23:00]>> She follows Kirsty everywhere. I think Kirsty just likes to talk to somebody.

[00:23:03]>> Nice to have someone who listens. And I have a few pearls of wisdom for Justin.

[00:23:08]You know, if you made the previous house look like this, which you could do relatively easily, that would be worth more.

[00:23:17]>> Yeah.

[00:23:18]>> It's just something to think about. And I'm just playing devil's advocate. It's a cute house and I like the way it looks, but it is just the bathroom things >> and I know Justin's going to be exactly the same.

[00:23:28]>> Christy and Justin have a lot to discuss.

[00:23:31]>> I like the size. I like it needs nothing doing to it.

[00:23:35]>> Do you never want this taken out?

[00:23:36]>> Nice. No, I like this.

[00:23:38]>> And a long day of viewings hasn't deterred you from finding someone to chat to.

[00:23:43]>> I've told you before, Phil. She should be behind closed doors for private consumption only. And now you've brought her on a house. Just having a little chat. I get a lot more sense out of her than other people around here.

[00:23:53]>> Yeah. How'd you get on upstairs?

[00:23:55]>> Positive.

[00:23:56]>> Good.

[00:23:56]>> How did you get on downstairs?

[00:23:58]>> Well, I mean, relatively positive, but Christiey's actually more worried about what he think about the downstairs bathroom.

[00:24:04]>> No, not a dealbreaker, he said.

[00:24:06]>> Oh, that's fantastic. Christy thought it would be.

[00:24:09]>> I found one of those in my partner's house. That would be a deal breaker. I tell you that.

[00:24:14]>> I should give him a call and let him know there's one going spare in Essex.

[00:24:18]>> I really like the house. It would be ready to move into not much to do.

[00:24:22]>> Is this also a maybe or more of a maybe?

[00:24:25]>> More of a maybe.

[00:24:26]>> More of a maybe. So, we've got a maybe maybe and a more of a maybe.

[00:24:30]>> Yeah.

[00:24:31]>> Right.

[00:24:32]>> Are you feeling chipper?

[00:24:34]>> Phil, I just do my job every week. Week in, week out, I do my job.

[00:24:38]>> But all that hard work won't pay off until one of those may becomes a yes.

[00:24:44]They set their hearts on Bishop Stford over two years ago, but I brought them north to a jewel in Essex's crown where prices are cheaper and families are flourishing. Saffron Walden has a lot to offer with a bustling center, market days twice a week, and in one survey was named among the top 20 friendliest places to live in the UK.

[00:25:04]>> Car and Ben should jump at such a welcoming spot. Saffron Walden. Great shops, fantastic bike shop, more mother and baby groups than you can shake a rattle at. I mean, it's there's a lot going on here.

[00:25:16]>> Saffron Walden, >> we really like Saffron Walden. Immediate reaction, honestly, to to this bit of Saffron Walden. Um, >> bit disappointed.

[00:25:26]>> A bit disappointed. Yeah, >> it doesn't seem to have a as much of a nice feeling as maybe the other places, the other areas. Um, so interested to see it.

[00:25:35]>> Yeah. Not the friendly reaction you were hoping for, Phil.

[00:25:39]>> But the price tag should give them a warm glow. £70,000 under budget. There's a lot on offer inside with a double-length reception room easily divided to keep both parents and children happy.

[00:25:51]>> Next door, a large kitchen leaves space for a family dining table. And there are double doors to a decked area and large garden. Upstairs, there are four goodsiz bedrooms. If any more children come along, there'll be plenty of room to breathe for Car and Ben, as this detached house is the cheapest they've seen. Just a shade under £430,000 through to the proper kitchen diner.

[00:26:15]>> It's nice >> because it is £80,000 cheaper just looking at the asking prices and it's um a 20-minute extra commute. That's £4,000 a minute >> on the train. No, I can definitely see the sensible, practical.

[00:26:31]>> Well, not really. I mean, it's not all about money.

[00:26:34]>> No, that's true.

[00:26:35]>> It's about where where your heart wants to be.

[00:26:38]>> The numbers may stack up, Phil, but I suspect even the family garden won't get them smiling.

[00:26:43]>> It is quite overlooked is my immediate feeling when they came out.

[00:26:46]>> Yeah. I'm not feeling too positive, I must admit, from the little we've seen of the house, but certainly from the area, >> it just doesn't have the feel of somewhere that I want our family house to be. M >> no.

[00:26:58]>> Let's move on.

[00:26:59]>> One boundary too far. Perhaps >> this will make a great home for someone, though. Clearly Car and Ben are happier back where we started.

[00:27:07]>> But that means they'll have to be happy with spending big.

[00:27:12]My last house may have brightened Christiey's search, but I've got one final chance to show Justin the benefits of doing some work. We're back in Baseldon in an area where house prices are cheaper than at property 2, meaning there's more space for future family plans. Now, I know that we're a bit further away and we would be looking at a sort of maximum commute for you, but are you okay so far or >> I'm okay so far? Yeah.

[00:27:40]>> Yeah, I'm not sure.

[00:27:42]>> Right. Well, let's get in then.

[00:27:43]>> Okay. The outside might not be quite what Christy is after, but internally it's perfect for her manicured tastes.

[00:27:51]This semi- detached house has a modern kitchen at the front, meaning the living room looks over the garden through patio doors.

[00:27:58]>> The man cave at the back of the garden should give Justin something to get his hands dirty by converting this to an office, which leaves plenty of space on the first floor.

[00:28:07]>> There are three bedrooms and the upstairs bathroom, which was lacking at property, too. And there's breathing space as well. At five grand under budget, this house is on the market at £285,000.

[00:28:20]What you have here is rather nice.

[00:28:23]>> Is the kitchen at the front.

[00:28:25]>> I like how it's done.

[00:28:28]>> Yeah. I haven't got no negatives about the kitchen.

[00:28:31]>> What What has to win you over?

[00:28:33]>> It's going to have to feel like I could really live here and call it my home.

[00:28:37]>> Come on. Let's see if we can sell you on this house.

[00:28:40]I doubt Christie will take up your offer, Kirsty, >> but I have just the thing to bring Justin on side. Southacing garden, large, fantastic man cave.

[00:28:51]>> I want to see inside.

[00:28:52]>> Go and have a look inside.

[00:28:55]>> It's a nice space.

[00:28:56]>> It's a good space, isn't it?

[00:28:57]>> This is the kind of space I would be looking for.

[00:28:59]>> Yeah. I'm just holding back for the moment. Right. Okay.

[00:29:04]There's something up.

[00:29:06]It looks like Justin's impressed by the endless possibilities of a man cave, but Christy is still to be converted.

[00:29:13]>> There is something that Christy isn't saying. Justin seems to be open to this house. Christy is closed to this house.

[00:29:21]I may be wrong, but there's something that I haven't quite put my finger on.

[00:29:26]It's nice side fitted wardrobes.

[00:29:29]I'm just not too sure on the area. And I'm still in love with property, too.

[00:29:36]It looks like your maybe at property 2 could fast become a yes. Crystals, >> this is nice.

[00:29:42]>> I think upstairs overall is nicer than downstairs.

[00:29:47]>> Upstairs is impressed, but I'm not sure it can compete.

[00:29:51]>> Is anything going to bring you round to this price?

[00:29:53]>> The size is good, but I just don't get that feeling in my belly that I want to live here.

[00:29:58]>> If anything, this has made me like property number two even more. I think it would be best if we go and see number two again. See number two again it is.

[00:30:05]>> Yeah. Just to see if we feel the same. I think >> Okie dokie.

[00:30:09]>> After 5 years of living apart, you're on the cusp of bringing these two together.

[00:30:14]>> As I said, Phil, just doing my job.

[00:30:19]>> While you've been busy matchmaking, Car and Ben's search has come full circle.

[00:30:23]Just a mile from where we started in Bishop Stford, I'm making a final sprint for the finish.

[00:30:28]>> How's it feeling being back in Bishop Stford?

[00:30:31]>> Feels good. Feels good to be back. Good.

[00:30:33]Um, we're in a slightly older estate than property number one >> and and as a consequence, you get a bit more for your money.

[00:30:41]>> Um, here we've got a detached four bed house. It's got a garage, got double garage, and you pick this up for 440.

[00:30:48]>> Maybe not quite the same wow factor, but at the same time, >> yeah, >> 440 is a lot less than 550. So, >> you actually want to come in this one, see it all.

[00:30:59]>> We want to see all of this one. Yes.

[00:31:00]>> Come on. That's progress, Phil.

[00:31:03]>> Thank you, Kirsty. Spanning almost the same floor space as property 1, the house offers fantastic open plan living that I know Cara and Ben will love.

[00:31:13]>> Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and one on suite.

[00:31:16]>> But by moving away from the more exclusive patch of Stford that Cara and Ben have been focusing on, they could snatch a similar sized house for almost £70,000 less.

[00:31:26]>> Big hall. There's a big hall >> and big lounge.

[00:31:31]>> And big lounge.

[00:31:32]>> Yeah.

[00:31:32]>> So, it's got this lovely flow. Very open.

[00:31:35]>> Yeah. Which we really like.

[00:31:36]>> It's got a double length garage. So, >> length.

[00:31:41]>> Um, tons of >> It does not mean more bikes.

[00:31:43]>> It does. It means more bikes.

[00:31:45]>> Smaller mortgage, bigger garage equals more bikes.

[00:31:48]>> How many bikes can you buy for £60,000?

[00:31:52]>> Do you want to go and have a look?

[00:31:53]>> We'll head off.

[00:31:54]>> We're going to fall out.

[00:31:56]Boys will be boys, Cara. But he means well.

[00:32:01]>> We've got four bedrooms, two bathrooms up here. All the bedrooms are a decent size. I think it's great to have an on suite. That was a bit of a surprise.

[00:32:08]>> That's promising.

[00:32:09]>> I just wonder which is going to be the driving force behind the decision. The financial pressure.

[00:32:15]>> Um, >> yes.

[00:32:16]>> Or the house.

[00:32:17]>> The level of the house is the same when it comes to the finishing touches, but it's which one feels like home.

[00:32:26]And there it is. Even for my cautious insurance workers, in the end, it comes down to that feeling. It's >> good size.

[00:32:34]>> It's big again.

[00:32:35]>> This is bigger than the room we're in at the moment.

[00:32:38]>> Yes.

[00:32:38]>> Well, Ben's turned up in his business suit today, so things are clearly getting serious. Um, but they've got a big dilemma on their hands, and I have no idea what they're going to do. To be perfectly honest, I'm glad it's not my decision. It's It's a tricky one.

[00:32:51]>> You're getting pretty much the same size house, maybe a little bit smaller. So the general situation is not quite as nice, but there's not a huge amount in it.

[00:32:58]>> Apart from 60,000, >> but 60,000 70,000 asking price.

[00:33:01]>> Is it really? Okay.

[00:33:02]>> So this is 440 59. That's a big difference in asking price.

[00:33:06]>> When it comes to matters of the heart, the sums don't always add up.

[00:33:11]>> It's a big house, isn't it? It >> is. It is a big house.

[00:33:14]>> Another TARDIS.

[00:33:15]>> Yeah. Got lots to offer.

[00:33:17]>> It does. I don't get the same feeling here that I did at property one. Um, and yeah, while this is really fresh, why don't we just skip around the corner and go and have another look at property one?

[00:33:30]>> Yeah, I think it' be really good idea.

[00:33:31]>> Yeah, I think so.

[00:33:32]>> Yeah, definitely. Come on.

[00:33:34]>> It's become a two-h horsese race between both bishops houses. And I don't think even Carl and Ben know which will be crossing the finishing line.

[00:33:46]But for Christy and Justin, there's a clear favorite. So, we've come back to the Stamford Lope Semi for a second look. Straight in. No ming around.

[00:33:55]Christy has fallen for this pristine pad, and I think there could even be a way for Justin to add value in the loft.

[00:34:01]This could finally be everything and everyone under the same roof. Coming back, does it feel smaller?

[00:34:08]>> I mean, it is smaller to the than the other houses that we have seen, but I don't feel like it's small that I couldn't live in it. And then yeah, just the bathroom being downstairs.

[00:34:19]>> You'd be amazed how easy it is having a downstairs bathroom. I mean, genuinely, >> I didn't see it last time, but I think this has got quite a lot of >> Let's go and have a look and see if you can see it.

[00:34:28]>> I would love to see it.

[00:34:29]>> Converting this huge area into a bedroom or home office would free up space on the first floor to bring the bathroom upstairs.

[00:34:36]>> It's a big space. I would possibly make this my office.

[00:34:39]>> But being at the top of their budget, these plans may have to be put on hold for a couple of years.

[00:34:44]You've got to be happy with the house as it is at the moment.

[00:34:49]>> I could live in it as it is at the moment. I think there's nothing I think, oh, I couldn't deal with that.

[00:34:56]>> It seems this is the house to bring them together. Now it's down to me to get it for them.

[00:35:03]>> Car and Ben have been battling between their sensible and emotional sides, weighing up two properties in Bishop's Toford.

[00:35:09]>> It's about which one feels like home.

[00:35:12]Both are similar size. Property one is £70,000 more expensive. So, we've come back to explore whether it's worth the extra.

[00:35:20]>> Well, let's start in here. Firstly, how did it strike you just arriving at the house?

[00:35:26]>> Better looking house. The street is lovely. The street is nice at the property for, but this street's lovely.

[00:35:32]>> It feels good.

[00:35:32]>> Good.

[00:35:34]>> This is a fantastic house for a growing family, and the magical feeling they've been looking for is clearly strong here.

[00:35:40]I remember this kitchen being smaller. I remember the lounge being a bit smaller.

[00:35:44]We could live in this kitchen for a few years before redoing this.

[00:35:49]>> Planning for the future is a great sign.

[00:35:51]And it seems Carr has already moved in here emotionally. But will Ben see the value of this long-term home?

[00:35:58]>> I love this room.

[00:35:59]>> It's huge. We won't be cluttered. We won't be always tripping over each other and >> No.

[00:36:03]>> Looks like home for them, but at 10 grand over their top budget, it's not the price they've been hoping for. I think we are inching closer and closer to a decision.

[00:36:14]Whether we can get it at the right price is a different matter entirely.

[00:36:18]>> All Cara and Ben's hopes for their future are in your hands, Phil. No pressure.

[00:36:23]>> Has that been useful?

[00:36:24]>> Very. Yes.

[00:36:25]>> Yes. I think we've safely written out property number four.

[00:36:29]>> Much of my role, as I said at the beginning, is about giving you guys the confidence to make what is a massive decision. Hopefully, we're there, which is why you're looking at me like that going, "Come on, Phil. with it.

[00:36:39]>> Well, let's um let's go and have a drink and um we'll come up with a plan.

[00:36:43]>> Need one.

[00:36:45]>> You may need a drink, and you certainly need a plan. That place won't hang around for long.

[00:36:51]>> Do you feel you've seen enough? I mean, that house is like 200 y less than that from your rental.

[00:36:57]>> It's quite nice to know that what we did, the decision we made when we moved to that to Stalkford and to that estate in the first place has been validated by finding this house. Yeah, >> it is top top top end of our budget.

[00:37:12]>> It would have to come in below 500. What about 492 50?

[00:37:18]>> Yeah, she's keen to go. You're keen to buy. Let's see if we can make it happen.

[00:37:24]>> Oh, Mark. Hi there. It's Phil Spencer.

[00:37:26]So, we've sat here and we've had a long debate about price and value and and what different things offer them.

[00:37:34]And I have got an offer for you. The only price that they would be prepared to to to pay is 492 and a half.

[00:37:41]>> Yeah.

[00:37:42]>> Cheers.

[00:37:45]>> He's going to bring us straight away.

[00:37:48]His feel is it'll be a no.

[00:37:51]>> After months of searching, there's still an agonizing wait ahead.

[00:37:57]>> We can see our whole future in that house.

[00:38:00]>> But a forever family home is worth it.

[00:38:04]and Christy and Justin have been imagining their first home together for long enough.

[00:38:09]>> Do you want it?

[00:38:11]>> I really like it. Justin would like it if it was a little bit cheaper.

[00:38:15]>> I would like to go in with a first offer of 275. If that doesn't sound unreasonable to you, then >> doesn't sound unreasonable. I mean, to be honest, you're the first person to make an offer. How can it be unreasonable? You're actually making an offer.

[00:38:27]>> Work your magic.

[00:38:28]>> Oh god, don't say that. You'll jinx me.

[00:38:32]>> Come on, Kirsty. Just a sprinkle of fairy dust on that 290 grand asking price.

[00:38:37]>> Oh, Jeff, it's Kirsty. I have two mustard keen firsttime buyers in front of me um who are chain free and uh anxious to be in a new house. Do you think that an offer of 275,000 would be deemed insulting by the vendor?

[00:38:59]Well, let's take that attitude and see what he says. Okay, bye.

[00:39:03]>> Just the waiting game.

[00:39:05]>> Just the waiting game.

[00:39:08]>> And Cara and Ben are waiting for news on their bold offer. 17 grand beneath the asking price.

[00:39:15]>> Hi, Mark. That was quick work.

[00:39:19]>> Right. Okay. I'll have a chat and I'll let you know.

[00:39:22]>> Thank you.

[00:39:23]>> I'm afraid it's enough.

[00:39:25]>> She can't buy the house that she wants to buy unless she gets 500. So, I think everyone's probably at a bit of a stalemate.

[00:39:31]>> Yeah.

[00:39:32]>> If they want to secure the house, they're going to have to push to their absolute limits to get it off the market.

[00:39:38]>> By the sounds of it, we're not going to get this house >> if we don't go to that number.

[00:39:42]>> Heads and hearts need to be aligned for Car and Ben. And there's news on Christian's starting bid of £275,000.

[00:39:50]>> Jeff, right, what's the counter offer?

[00:39:58]Okay, I'm going to go straight back to them with that fully understood. Bye.

[00:40:04]That's the first. If you were prepared to not complete until the end of February, they would be prepared to go for 282500.

[00:40:14]If you wanted it sooner, 285.

[00:40:17]>> How much do you love it?

[00:40:18]>> I know you've got to wait anyway. If you're going to got a buy, >> if they're going to make us wait, do you reckon we could do another counter offer?

[00:40:25]come back and say 280 and you'll wait till the 28th of Feb.

[00:40:28]>> Yeah. Any higher than that, I'd have to reconsider the whole thing.

[00:40:31]>> The whole thing?

[00:40:33]>> Well, >> Justin, how long have you wanted to move in together? How successful have you been finding a house yourself? The whole thing.

[00:40:42]>> Agreeing to wait for over 3 months for the keys to their first home could save them from going back to square one.

[00:40:48]>> What do you reckon to 28th of February for 280?

[00:40:57]I am not getting smiley faces across the table, so I am going to leave my clients to think about things overnight. Okay, thank you. Bye.

[00:41:09]>> They won't budge.

[00:41:10]>> He said they can't afford to sell it for less.

[00:41:13]>> It would be better to think about it.

[00:41:15]>> Think about it overnight and give me a ring.

[00:41:17]>> Okay.

[00:41:18]>> Okay.

[00:41:19]>> Yeah, no problem.

[00:41:21]So, a sleepless night ahead for Christy and Justin, >> and there's little rest for Car and Ben.

[00:41:28]>> If you could see yourself as a long time home being happy there, I'd get it done.

[00:41:33]>> I think I think that's what we're thinking as well.

[00:41:36]>> Make that call, Phil. Make that call.

[00:41:38]>> Let's get it done.

[00:41:43]>> Hi, Mark. Hi. We have had much wailing and nashing of teeth at this end, but uh they are prepared to offer the 500,000.

[00:41:51]>> Okay, good luck.

[00:41:53]>> That's top of their budget, but still 10 grand under asking price.

[00:41:58]>> That was quick. That was very quick.

[00:42:00]>> Good.

[00:42:02]Talk about a speedy response.

[00:42:05]>> All agreed.

[00:42:07]Thank you very much indeed. Brilliant news.

[00:42:12]Well done.

[00:42:15]Well done.

[00:42:17]>> Thank you so much.

[00:42:20]>> Absolutely superb.

[00:42:20]>> Thank you.

[00:42:21]>> Lovely, lovely house.

[00:42:23]>> A great house at the right price. Job done.

[00:42:29]>> It's 8 weeks since Justin and Christy had to decide if they'd stump up the 282500 the vendor wanted for the turnkey home that they love.

[00:42:37]>> We went home, had a think about it, >> a long think. decided um we wanted to pay the amount the vendor was asking and was happy. So the next day we called up, put the offer in and it got accepted.

[00:42:52]>> Good news. And that's still more than seven grand under their top budget.

[00:42:57]>> We're really happy with that.

[00:42:58]>> Definitely.

[00:42:58]>> I just want to get in there now.

[00:43:01]>> After 5 years of living separately, Justin and Christy are just weeks away from moving into their perfect love nest. Christy can't stop shopping for things for the house. Can't stop taking me to shops.

[00:43:12]>> I've just got a few ideas of colors and got >> big ideas.

[00:43:16]>> Big ideas.

[00:43:18]Going to be strange living together, spending every day together, but I'm sure we'll manage.

[00:43:26]>> We have to manage.

[00:43:28]>> After the after a house comes marriage.

[00:43:33]>> That sounds like a proposal to me.

[00:43:35]>> I'm ready. I'm ready.

[00:43:37]Just in the nick of time, Justin.

[00:43:41]In Bishop's Dford, Cara and Ben are still chuffed to bits about their offer being accepted.

[00:43:47]>> Quite an exciting moment.

[00:43:48]>> It was quite an exciting moment. It was >> And then the realization of the size mortgage you'd have.

[00:43:55]>> Yeah.

[00:43:56]>> It took them to the top of their budget, but they got what they wanted where they wanted it.

[00:44:01]>> This is the perfect house. It's the house we actually didn't think we'd be able to find. We We're going to have the mick taken out of us for the fact that we needed Phil's help to find a house three streets down from where we currently live. We're going to see exactly how this is going to go down.

[00:44:16]>> 300 m or 300 m moving. Still a serious business.

[00:44:21]>> Can't believe we'll be in in a few weeks.

[00:44:23]>> So, it's a bit chaotic at the moment.

[00:44:24]>> I'm in the middle packing. Max is loving the boxes and the cellar tape. Cellar tape is his new favorite thing.

[00:44:31]is the Forever House, which is what we asked of Phil and what he delivered.

[00:44:36]>> Yeah.

[00:44:37]>> And on this one, I didn't even need to think outside the box.