(upbeat piano music) - [Phil] This week, we're back in Berkshire to see an inspiring pair, who's game for change.

- She wants everything new.

- I love it!

It's so modern.

- And I'm happy to please her.

- [Phil] And we're returning to Derby, to catch up with a couple who had a small budget, but a big ask.

- Junior-sized mattress only.

- Uh?

(all giggling) - [Phil] Both searches took us very close to the edge.

Do I have Margo written on my forehead?

(both chuckling) - It's better to end it now.

- There's a rope.

(Kirstie laughing) It's much easier, go on.

Jump off!

(both laughing) (upbeat music) - This week, we're catching up with two couples at opposite ends of the age spectrum.

In Berkshire, our oldest ever house-hunters, are really looking to shake things up.

While in Derby, a young couple who are desperate to buy their first home together, with a very specific requirement.

(lively music) Wendy Lee, and Simon Mackney wanted us to snap them up a house, and photography studio.

But, there wasn't much zoom in their budget.

(jazzy piano music) And when we first met spritely 70-somethings, Margo and Henry Harris, they were coming up to their 50th wedding anniversary.

And had decided it was a perfect time to start anew.

- I'm quite excited about the idea to have my new kitchen, and my new garden.

And it really, really excites me.

- And I like to see her excited.

(Margo laughing) - [Phil] After almost half a century in their home in Sonning on the banks of the Thames in Berkshire, Margo and Henry wanted a fresh start.

(jazzy music) - She wants everything new, scaled-down.

And I'm happy to please her, as usual.

- Muah, muah, muah, muah.

(smoochy kiss) (both giggling) - [Phil] They certainly knew the secret of keeping young, and their active lifestyle puts the rest of us to shame.

Margo was still working as a therapist, and Henry had his own theory on the secret of eternal youth.

- The main ingredient is sex nearly every night, nearly on Monday, nearly on Tuesday, nearly on Wednesday.

- [Phil] Whatever works, Henry, whatever works.

(jazzy whimsical music) - [Kirstie] When they married and bought their house in 1961, JFK was America's new president, and the Berlin wall was going up.

But having come well into the 21st century, like many their age, they were concerned about the future, and the prospect of being left alone to look after such a huge house.

- To have all that responsibility of looking after the house if you decide to stay, or even if one wants to downsize, two people doing a move like this, must be easier than one person on their own.

- [Phil] Back in 2009, Margo and Henry's plan was to secure a new home before selling up.

So they wanted us to find them a smaller, modern house within 20 minutes of where they lived, in the picturesque village of Sonning.

Having been here for 48 years, why did you wanna move?

- I want to go where it looks modern and new, because I think what you're looking at, if it's fresh and current, it makes your mind feel fresh and current.

We've discussed that all our stuff, I don't want to take anything.

- All your furniture, all your possessions?

- No!

No!

I'm gonna buy new.

- It sounds incredibly exciting and stimulating, and fresh, and it's gonna be great.

But the emotional difficulties of leaving somewhere where you've lived for such a long time are actually very difficult, very tough.

- [Henry] Very stressful!

- You are used to having everything just the way you want it.

And that sets us up with quite a large challenge to find something that is just the way you want it.

- I hope we have created too much of a problem.

- [Kirstie] No, no, no, no, no!

- If it was easy, we wouldn't have a job.

- [Henry] Marge just wasn't easy!

(all laughing) (upbeat music) - [Phil] So how do you find the dream home for people who are already living in one?

(lively music) - [Kirstie] With difficulty.

But Margo and Henry are determined to get the right house, and they are dipping into their life savings to do it.

- [Phil] With so much at stake, their standards are high, and they have a long list of requirements for their main property.

(air swish) - [Kirstie] They want a modern house with three to four bedrooms, a small, sunny garden, and a large kitchen.

- [Phil] It needs to be near the Thames, and under £500,000.

- That part define tricky.

Lovely, fantastic, but just because they got a couple of years on you and I, doesn't make them cuddly.

- They are cuddly, they're lovely.

- Phil, they're gonna be the trickiest customers you've ever had, take it from me.

- They've obviously got huge life experience, which we haven't, but they've had no property experience whatsoever, so we might as well be talking to first time buyers.

Well, that's up to us to see if we can solve it.

- Well.

- Oh, come on.

- Nah.

- Come on!

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Our pair in Derby were no less tricky.

They were looking for business potential, and a home.

Fashion designer, Wendy Lee, and partner Simon Mackney a professional photographer, were finding space rather tight.

Wendy was become more home-based with her own clothing label, whilst, Simon's business was growing steadily.

It meant they had quite a unusual request for their first time home.

- We want somewhere that's got to be a photography studio.

We also want somewhere that can be a home, as well.

(lively music) - [Phil] Not exactly conventional.

(camera clicking) But I could see why they needed it.

When doing fashion shoots and the like, it meant hiring the local community hall, hardly ideal.

So this creative couple, wanted an uber space on a shoestring.

(upbeat music) - Anyone home?

- Phil!

Hello there!

- Hi, how are you doing?

- [Wendy] Pretty good.

- It is a difficult set of criteria.

What's flexible, your key elements are not flexible, and it's those that are gonna make it challenging.

(Simon humming in agreement) - We've lived like this before, though.

When I first down, someone was renting, it was called the "Penthouse," like flat.

The living room converted into studio base, so we wouldn't always have a living room.

- What I need really is a high ceiling, with rolls so I can roll a backdrop down.

- [Phil] Okay.

- Pull some sofas to the side, and junk down.

- And you're perfectly happy for that to be a living room, or a bedroom.

- Yeah, yeah.

- And Wendy, how much space will you need?

- I probably just need desk space.

Simon gets the whole of the house.

- If you ever seen her clothes, though.

This house is my house?

Geez.

- Yeah, the regular clothes.

(all chuckling) - [Phil] With £137,000, their budget is hardly bursting at the seams, but they want to be in the popular northwest suburbs, close to the city.

They must have at least two bedrooms, and preferably be open plan.

Oh and of course, must have room for a photography studio.

Absolutely no pressure then.

(upbeat music) - Do I have Margo written on my forehead?

(laughing) Do I?

- Yes!

Definitely!

- I shouldn't ask you that question.

- It's definitely with invisible ink.

(both laughing) - [Kirstie] Chin up, Phil.

- [Phil] You say that, but we've got a daunting search in the dells of Derby, and we won't exactly be sunning ourselves in Berkshire.

And that's despite the fact that Margo and Henry have a good budget of £500,000.

More than 30% of us plan to downsize when we retire, but it can prove to be the toughest move of our lives.

(upbeat music) Our search for Margo and Henry kicks off in the bustling town Caversham.

- [Kirstie] It's got all the amenities they need, it's close to the Thames, and to open countryside.

- [Phil] We're here to see this sleek, modern house, on an up-market development.

Being marketed at £395,000, it's got all the rooms they want.

It's a real downsize in terms of space.

They asked for it, but are they ready for it?

Well, come in and see what you think.

- Definitely couldn't get my piano in here.

(Margo laughing) - [Phil] I thought they said they were leaving everything behind?

- [Kirstie] See, tricky, tricky, tricky.

- Initially it strikes me as being a little claustrophobic.

- Now for me it's the layout, I lounge that end.

- [Kirstie] Yep.

- And even if it's a dining room, this end.

- [Phil] Already, it's clear that Margo knows exactly what she wants.

- [Kirstie] She loved the modernity of their current house when they bought it.

And now, she wants more of the same.

- It was very advanced for those years.

And anybody who came in said, "God, you got a beautiful home."

- [Kirstie] So it was the 'wow factor.'

- It was the 'wow factor' when anybody else came into our place, and it was always the modern house for me, that I wanted to be trendy.

And I still wanna be trendy.

- [Phil] This isn't the one.

- [Kirstie] This isn't the one.

- [Margo] Not quite trendy enough.

- [Kirstie] Nope.

- Absolutely wonderful to note, not trendy enough.

I love it.

(lively music) (lively music) (ducks quacking) (upbeat music) - [Phil] This week we're back visiting two couples who both had big asks.

70-somethings, Margo and Henry, have lived in the same house for almost 50 years.

But like one in three of us, they knew they needed to find somewhere smaller for the next stage of their lives.

Easier said than done.

- Definitely couldn't get my piano in here.

- Now for me it's the layout, okay?

- [Kirstie] The first house we showed them was too much of a downsize, leaving them feeling claustrophobic, rather than cock-a-hoop.

(air swish) - [Phil] And in Derby, I was searching for Wendy and Simon, who were only after a good-sized house in the center of town, suitable for two businesses.

- It's a total, you can do that Simon- - I'm thinking of backing in, I'll tell you.

- No!

- [Kirstie] Wendy and Simon's budget is just £137,000.

Hardly surprising, Phil is in such a tizz.

- [Phil] They require both a first-time home, and studio space close to the center of Derby.

- [Kirstie] But will it get them anything flash?

(camera flashing) (upbeat music) - [Phil] I choose our first property in the belief that it would be a great starter home for them.

It's slap-bang in their desired area of Five Lamps, it has a fantastic garden, while inside, they'll find a traditional two up, two down layout.

With a good-sized basement for all of Simon's gear.

And it's right on budget at £136,950.

I've seen lots of similar types, but I think this is the best of it's ilk.

I'm not keen on terrace houses, and prefer things to be on the end, or front.

- I think most people would, but you only get four end of terrace on the whole street, so that would narrow it down a little.

- Okay.

- Come and see what you think.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- [Kirstie] Oh my word, she's not even through the front door, looks like you have a picky customer, Phil.

- What I'm keen to explore with you guys is whether this room is sufficient for a studio.

- [Simon] It's a little bit small, to be honest.

- In an ideal, if that wall was knocked down, and this is all open-planned, that would be perfect.

- Yeah, the kitchen's down there, that would be perfect.

The ceiling's perfect, that's the height that we need.

- It's right on the money, it's in a good area, it's a quality house.

- And that terrace, the whole thing about terrace, has gone out of my mind, it's a lovely house, I really like it.

- [Simon] Close.

- [Phil] Close?

- It's very close.

- Close isn't bad.

- [Kirstie] Close isn't bought, Phil.

It looks like the studio space is top of the list.

- [Phil] Yes, remember, this has to be a home, as well.

And I think you'll find upstairs fits the bill.

There's a fairly standard layout for these Derby terrace houses.

Up here, you've got two bedrooms.

But you have to walk through this bedroom in order to get to the bathroom.

- [Simon] Okay, it's a nice size.

- [Wendy] It won't be a problem.

- It's a well-balanced little house.

It's not the biggest house in the world, and it does have some issues with the size of the room, and whether that would work as a studio.

But I think as a first home, it's very, very nice.

Why don't you guys have a bit of time, and I'll catch up with you outside, I'll leave you two for a bit.

- Okay.

- Thank you very much.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] This is a great home, but I'm not convinced these guys see it that way.

- Just the main problem is the studio, then.

- Yeah, that's the problem.

- As nice as it is, it's still the fact that you can't have a studio done.

(door sliding open) - There is no doubt that this is an excellent, or would be, and excellent first time buy.

It's got everything that they wanted.

Apart from the studio.

And I just have to hope that they see a bit of sense.

- Hi there, how are you doing?

So what's it to be?

What did you think?

- We like the house, but it's not a studio.

I can't see it turning into a studio downstairs, or upstairs.

- It's just a bit too much work, or- - I love the garden, but as we said, we're willing to sacrifice a garden and a bedroom for a studio.

- Fair enough, we've got more to see, but please bear it in mind, don't rule it out completely.

- Okay.

- I've got bigger things, but different things, and there will be different compromises.

- Lovely.

- But you knew that anyways.

- Yep.

(all chuckling) (upbeat music) - [Phil] In Berkshire, the challenge of Margo and Henry's search, has gone to Kirstie.

- I'm keeping my sunnies on.

I'm hoping you won't see the fear in eyes.

You've heard of poo sticks, Phil?

- Yeah.

- Well, this isn't poo creek, this is poo Niagara.

We ain't got a paddle.

- What about?

You're talking in riddles?

- I tell you, we are in real trouble this time.

We've bitten off a 140 years of the unchewable.

- [Phil] I think the sun's got despite your burley, sorry, sun shade.

For our next option, we've gone further afield to the superbly-named village of Spencer's Wood.

- [Kirstie] It's a lovely, quiet little village, with plenty of riverside walks for Henry.

- [Phil] The last house wasn't big enough, or flash enough for them.

This one has both those boxes ticked.

Come on in.

(bright music) - [Margo] Lovely-sized lounge.

- [Kirstie] Better first impressions?

- [Margo] Oh, absolutely.

Beautiful.

- Phew!

- I mean, a lovely layout.

Lovely layout.

- [Phil] They already seem to like the extra space this one offers, and no wonder, the downstairs really flows, and upstairs there are four good-sized bedrooms.

- [Kirstie] It's idea, and within budget at £425,000.

This house is more like their own house, just 40 years younger.

But maybe, that's what they want.

- Could you see yourself in here?

- In this type of setting, yes.

In the setting, but- - What's the but, I can hear a but.

- Yes, you can hear a but.

It's take it over to the other side, and you've got a sale.

- Wrong location?

- Okay, so the area is not perfect, but the house is.

- [Kirstie] I love quick decisions, but we need them to know what they're saying no to.

- You gonna take them upstairs, then?

- If you wouldn't mind, sir.

- Be my pleasure.

(Henry chuckling) Don't wait for us.

(all laughing) - [Phil] Good luck up there, love.

- [Kirstie] It's Henry you should be worried about, not me, I'm gonna grill him.

I want to know how he really feels about this move.

I mean obviously, you are this incredible unit, and you've been together all these years.

But Margo does seem to be slightly the driving force behind this move.

- Well isn't that, no marriage is.

- No marriage is, I know, I know.

Is there any part of you which would rather stay?

- It's definitely in her mind.

She's 99% sure.

I would say I'm 85-90%, because I want to agree with her, and keep her happy.

- [Kirstie] I'm all for men wanting to keep their wives happy, but this is about a bit more than choosing a new color scheme for the back bedroom.

They both need to be totally up for this.

- Adequate.

- Yeah, yeah.

- How did you get on with Henry upstairs?

- It's all her.

- [Phil] You had quite a long time up there.

- Cheeky so-and-so.

(Phil chuckling) It's all her, she wants a new project, she wants something to- - [Phil] Keep her young!

- [Kirstie] Keep her young.

And he's going along for the ride.

He absolutely adores her.

(birds chirping) - And does that therefore mean, that unless it's perfect, they aren't going to move.

- No, it's up to her, it's all done.

Henry is along for the ride.

Just like you Phil, just like you.

- You wish.

- This is the style.

It actually has all the requirements that we have put on our little list.

And you've come up with it.

Except the location.

- So basically, all we need is a Dr. Who build of some kind.

- That's right you got it in one.

- Pick this house up, put it somewhere else.

- Yeah.

- Sadly we don't have a TARDIS.

And at this moment in time, on this planet, what they want is not on the market where they want it.

(air whooshing) In Derby, the search is no less challenging with Simon and Wendy.

From the first property we showed them, it was obvious that room for a photography studio is right up at the top of the list.

So to get that space, our second property is outside of their desired location, of up-market in a city Derby.

- We've had to cross town this morning.

- Okay.

- And look what happens when you get to the wrong side of the tracks.

(Wendy and Simon chuckling) - Guess who shows up?

(all laughing) - [Kirstie] It's east of the town in Alvaston.

And area of Derby that they told us they're not keen on.

But you get a lot more for your money, and Phil is very excited about this one.

(chill music) - [Phil] For a start, it's an end of terrace.

Inside, it's large and light with heaps of space down stairs, and two bedrooms upstairs.

(chill music) - [Kirstie] And with an asking price that's 15 grand below budget, we'd not being doing our job if we didn't show it to them.

(chill music) - Everything's been done, re-wired, re-plumbed.

New windows, new doors, everything.

- [Simon And Wendy] Oh, wow.

- All you got to do is choose the flooring that you want to put in, and just get on with making it how you want it to look.

- Like canvas then, using it.

- [Kirstie] Exactly.

- Yeah, really.

- [Simon] It's nice.

- You noticed that it was end of terrace?

- Yeah.

- Come see what's in the garden.

(all chuckling) (chill music) Now this is the little surprise that we have for you.

- [Kirstie] Come, come, Phil, it's more than a little surprise, it's huge!

A two story building right for conversion for Simon's studio.

- You're not going to find this kind of- - Wow!

- Size in a house.

Certainly not within your budget.

- [Simon] That's crazy.

- It doesn't end there, to the side, there's not just one, but two sheds.

Ideal for Wendy's clothes empire.

- To find this kind of space, and end of terrace house, is unique.

And I never use that word, but it really is.

(crosstalk drains out dialogue) - Job done?

- All right, let's go home.

(Wendy laughing) - That's what we like.

- [Kirstie] Not just yet, Phil, they haven't seen upstairs.

But I don't think Simon cares right now.

- Would you take the top out?

Would you take the floor out?

- Yeah Phil, maybe take half of out.

What's it like upstairs.

- [Phil] Have a look, help yourself.

Be my guest.

I ain't going up there.

- Is it safe?

(both chuckling) Let's have a look.

- He loves it!

Loves it!

- Do you think Simon would even look at another house now?

- Knowing Simon, he's probably a little bit wary of the location, because it's complete opposite side of the town where we wanted to be on.

- [Kirstie] Right.

- [Kirstie] Even, I think that would be the only thing that would drawback.

But I think now that he's seeing the studio, he might change his mind.

(chill music) - [Phil] I'm stunned we found something suitable, to be perfectly honest.

This blank canvas will really get their creative juices flowing.

And all with cash to spare to renovate those out buildings.

- [Kirstie] And they're even warming to the location.

- Well to be honest, I'm thinking, the location is not my ideal.

But we're never gonna get anything like that where we wanna live, no way, no way.

- You've got to factor into this whole equation, is in the budget.

And it is well within budget.

- Yeah.

- [Kirstie] And you were so worried about not finding them anything, Phil.

I think you've put this property into pole position.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] But in Berkshire, we're in a very different position with Margo and Henry.

- [Kirstie] It's a new day, and I think it might be time for a new attack.

- [Phil] We found something really quite unexpected in one of Caversham's more sought-after outskirts, back in the heart of their preferred area.

- [Kirstie] I'm flying solo for this one.

But I'm hoping things can only get better.

- [Phil] Margo asked us to get trendy, well how about a brand-new eco-development?

- [Kirstie] It's the only one of it's kind in the county, and we really had to work our contacts to get to see it.

- [Phil] No way will she be able to resist this one.

- Very different.

- Very different.

- These are new-built sustainable homes.

Solar panels, under-floor heating.

And this is the one that we're here to see.

Okay, so first impressions.

- Wow!

Well, it's different.

It's absolutely different.

(pleasant music) - [Phil] The house has one less room downstairs than the ones we've seen so far, but acres more light.

- [Kirstie] Upstairs there are four bedrooms, two of which have on-suite bathrooms.

- [Phil] Because it's not on the open market yet, it's tricky to put a price on this place, but we would be expecting to get it for something just over their budget.

- [Kirstie] Henry?

First impressions?

- It's difficult to say, because I'm not used to seeing everything so basic, so bare.

- Well, you get to choose the fittings, that's the thing.

- Oh, I see, there is a choice.

And obviously, there's a 10 year builder's guarantee.

- Yes, there's a 10 year builder guarantee.

This house is- - That takes us to 89.

- [Kirstie] Yes, it takes you to 89.

- Age before beauty.

- The garden is as far as the monkey puzzle tree, which is in your garden.

- Oh, that's a lovely tree.

I love it.

I love it!

It's so modern.

And the setting is absolutely perfect.

- [Phil] This has gotten dream house written all over it.

Strike while the iron's hot, Kirstie.

- Do you want to look upstairs?

Or, you just gonna buy the house without looking upstairs?

- Don't be silly.

(both laughing) - [Kirstie] Well you know- - Mind you, mind you.

- Henry's staying in the sun.

- [Phil] Why is Henry making a bid for freedom behind your backs?

What have you two done to him?

- When I was talking to Henry yesterday, he did say this move is Margo's thing.

But he came pretty close to saying it.

- He wanted to make me happy, or something like that.

- [Kirstie] Yes, exactly.

When I see you looking around this house, I can see that actually, the modernity of it, the newness of it, is really appealing.

- Oh, absolutely.

I mean, it's what I have been fantasizing on.

- [Kirstie] Now, the million dollar question is, what's Henry thinking?

- This can be the master bedroom.

Well, how do you feel at the moment?

- Yes, it could be interesting.

It could be something.

- This house is gonna have to jump through so many hoops to please Henry.

Margo, on the other hand, she'd move in here tomorrow.

- [Phil] Margo's found her dream home, but Henry's determined to focus on the detail.

- A couple of things have struck me.

I've noticed the trees here on this plot, the foliage, usually the roots are the same distance as the foliage.

So I wondered how far the roots have come?

Obviously, I couldn't have my baby grand here.

- [Kirstie] Why not?

- That would be too big, to have the baby grand here.

- You're never gonna be entirely- - I won't!

- I agree, I wouldn't disagree with anybody.

Especially the neighbors, not 100% - [Phil] Henry's essentially put kibosh on Margo's dream home.

He's always said, he just wants to make her happy.

And we don't doubt for a second that he does.

But clearly, he's finding this move much harder than he anticipated.

(lively music) (lively music) (birds chirping) (pleasant music) - [Phil] We're back visiting two very particular couples.

Henry and Margo's desire for a fresh start, was turning into a river of pain.

They'd only been together nigh on 50 years.

In the same house.

Do you hope we'll be together in 50 years?

It's quite an achievement.

No, okay.

Give me, hold my phone.

The thought of us being together in 50 years time.

Just, no, no, no, no!

- It's not over.

- Honestly, it's better to end it now.

- There's a rope.

You can do it much easier, go on, jump off.

(both laughing) At the other end of the age spectrum, Wendy and Simon were after a home and business space, in central Derby.

We might of found a cracking studio space with the last property, but before we sign the deeds, our third and final one might just put the cat amongst the pigeons.

The big factor here, is this place offers the ideal home and location they're after.

(lively music) It's walking distance from the city center.

Plus, with two bedrooms and a converted attic, it's got more space than they've asked for.

And I think it has potential written all over it.

- [Kirstie] And the price is again, under their budget.

£134,950.

(lively music) - I wanted to show you what I think is an alternative house.

The first place I showed you was an excellent first-home buy.

Didn't really work for the business.

What we've just come from works brilliantly for the business, the area's a bit unfamiliar.

- [Simon] Mm-hm.

- This sits in the middle.

It's got opportunity.

You can add to it, you can improve it.

We're back in center of town, three bedrooms.

- [Wendy] Right.

- [Simon] Three bedrooms, eh?

- There might be a studio upstairs.

Quickly, and come look at the back here.

It has got this.

- [Wendy] Wow!

Sort of slightly ramshackled, but full of potential, conservatory out back.

- I like it.

- [Phil] And the garden, the garden's 100 foot.

- [Simon] Massive, isn't it?

- [Wendy] It goes all the way to the back.

Is that a shed out back?

- [Phil] It's a big shed at the back.

You've got separate access along the side here.

There's a doorway to the front, on the street.

- So you don't have to come through the house.

- So if you were to use that, and if you were to create your studio at the back of the garden, you're gonna spend a bit of money doing that.

So, it's not something in the short term.

- Yeah, what are you thinking, price-wise?

- 10 to 15 grand.

- 15.

- [Phil] With this house already at the top of their budget, it means building a studio would have to wait.

But for the time being, there is still a good-sized bedroom upstairs.

My question is, is this room big enough for studio?

- Phew.

- Junior size mattress, only.

Uh.

(all laughing) - [Kirstie] Of course it matters, Phil.

At least when it comes to property.

And this is a place that just keeps on giving.

There's a converted attic upstairs, which would make an idea office for Wendy.

I think it's got them really thinking.

- They've got three bedrooms.

- But can you use that bedroom as a studio for now?

Do you feel you can bring clients into this place?

- Be nice if we could put studio in the garden, to be honest.

- That's for the future.

- But I don't know if we got the monies for that.

- No, for the future, that will be.

For now, would you be all right with that?

- Yeah, I think something we need think about really and- - [Phil] They're having a big long think upstairs about their priorities.

This, I think, is very flexible.

It could suit them well.

Remains to be seen, though, whether they are flexible.

- I'm confused.

(chuckling) The strain is about this one.

So either one is still a high contention.

Be nice, but it's just, it really is the location.

I know we have to comprise in something.

Everything else is fine, it's just the location.

It's a shame, all that space.

It's just, we that one ahead now.

- It has so much potential.

- And perhaps you can't see fulfilling your business ambitions here, but it would be possible, it's just not gonna happen overnight.

- Yeah, yeah.

- You need to think about, is it the studio?

Or, is it the home?

You've got an awful lot to think about.

So, take a bit of time.

Glad it's not my decision.

(all laughing) (air whooshing) - [Phil] In Berkshire, we've got one more chance to pull a rabbit out of a hat for Margo and Henry.

They've always liked Caversham, with it's parks and the river.

And this house in a pretty development on the Thames, has a few tricks up it's sleeve.

- [Kirstie] It might just be the one that tempts them.

This is this the mooring that comes with the house.

- Ah!

A river boat!

- And this boat could come with the house.

That one there.

- [Margo] This one?

- [Kirstie] Yes.

- [Margo] Right!

That's very interesting.

- So this is the mooring, this is for the use of residents only.

And the house is great, too.

It's got all the space they need.

And in an idyllic setting.

Surely they have to be seduced by this.

You have to trust me on this one, okay?

- Okay, I trust you.

- Henry, you have to trust me.

I would not waste your time.

- Okay.

- Okay, thank you.

- This house is three story, and attached, okay.

Two things you absolutely did not want.

But, it is such a strong property.

That I am gonna show it to you.

- We trust you.

- Trust me.

(upbeat music) They've seen townhouses before, and discounted them, but I'm really hoping I can get them to look a this with fresh eyes.

- [Phil] With it's stunning setting and a contemporary feel, it could be a great solution for them, and it's bang-on budget.

- I'm pleased you made us see this, this is really, really beautiful.

- You never know.

Sometimes people just looking around the house to be polite.

And then, turns out it's the one.

- Wow, this is a very lovely garden.

Very peaceful.

- [Phil] Positive response to the garden, but, how will they take to the inside?

- Realistically, could you see yourself living?

- Not me, to be honest.

- No.

There's some feel, not because of my place.

It's a big depressive, somehow.

- [Phil] Well that's made things crystal-clear for us, Kirstie.

- At this point, the responsibility is on me to be upbeat.

Oh, Gordon Bennett!

I don't know how.

- It feels a little enclosed, and I don't like the approach.

And I don't think we'd really feel comfortable here.

- No.

- [Phil] We always knew it would take something special to get Henry out of his beloved house, but this last one should of been able to do it, with it's riverside setting, alone.

But no luck.

(reflective music) It's time for a serious chat back at the house.

We know what you want.

And that's very clear.

We haven't been able to find it.

And the worry is, given the amount of research that's been done.

- Is that all?

- Can we share it with you?

- Yes, yes.

- That is a box of properties in the area.

- Just take any one.

- These are unsuitable.

We have covered the ground, and we are extremely worried.

- I have no doubt about that.

- Extremely worried that you've asked us to help, and at this point, we haven't been able to do so.

- But I think- - It's not that we haven't been able to do so, because it's not here, it's because it's not here.

- [Margo] It's not here.

- It doesn't exist within the parameters that working on.

- [Kirstie] There's nothing like being faced with the cold-hard facts to force the issue.

- I just thought it was a good time to move.

- It is a good time to move, Margo.

It absolutely is.

But in order to move, you have to adapt and make compromises.

And in adapting and making compromises, the worry is that Henry is then going to- - [Margo] He'll say- - Compromise too much, let's stay.

(reflective music) - Why are you so 100%?

- About what?

- Not staying.

If it was refurbished, should we stay?

And it's not in a bad state as it is.

- I don't want the house any more.

(reflective music) - At last we're getting into the cracks of the matter.

Margo's saying "I want to move house."

And you're saying, "I'd rather not."

The stress, the hassle, everything else.

- Right.

I don't like stress, I must admit.

(gentle music) - [Phil] It's not difficult to understand why leaving this house would be such a wrench.

There's almost 50 years of memories built into the bricks.

(gentle music) - [Phil] We have a problem.

- We have an impasse, as they say, an impasse.

(gentle music) (deep exhale) - [Phil] So, we're left between a rock and a hard place in Berkshire.

But in Derby, property two, with it's fantastic outbuilding potential peeked Wendy and Simon's interest.

And so, we're back in Alvaston.

On the market at £122,000, it's already 15 grand under their budget.

But, they do need to convert the outbuildings into a studio.

They'll need to replace roof supports, level the floor, and could even knock through to the adjoining shed.

10 grand.

- That's not bad.

- 10 grand sorts this out, both units.

- Sorts it out.

- [Kirstie] That takes it to five grand under their budget.

A no-brainer.

What about Wendy's concerns regarding the area?

- We came around last night, and we drove around the area.

- [Simon] Staked it out a little bit.

- [Wendy] Yeah.

(chuckling) - And today we've met a few neighbors, and stuff, and they seem really nice.

- [Wendy] So, it makes us feel a lot better.

And it says on the internet, there is a regeneration, new houses being built, further along.

- [Phil] Let's hope that put pay to any doubts.

They have a mortgage and principal for 137 grand.

What will they decide?

- We'd like to make an offer on the place.

- Okay, excellent, I'm delighted.

I'm delighted.

The question is, how much?

My suggestion is that we offer basically 102 for the house, and eight for the studios, so a total price, 110.

- 110, that's the kind of thing we trying- - We were thinking of that, within our terms, a silly offer, as well, and that's what we wanted to offer and see what they came back to us with.

- [Phil] Decision made, and the offer's in.

(cellphone ringing) Hello, Phil Spencer.

Addison, hi, how did you get on?

(tense music) I'll ring you back.

Thanks, Addison.

Bye.

They are willing to take an offer, but not that offer.

(all chuckling) A raise of 3,000 is decided, so a second offer goes in at a £113,000.

(cellphone ringing) Hi, Addison, how did you get on?

(tense music) Understood.

I'll report that news.

Thanks, Addison.

Cheers, Bye bye.

It's accepted.

(Wendy gasping) (all cheering and laughing) - Thank you!

No, way!

- Thank you.

- No way!

No way!

- Well done, Phil.

- [Kirstie] Well done, Mr. Spencer.

(lively music) - [Phil] The triumphant joy, however, didn't last long.

Their mortgage deal fell through, and Wendy and Simon had to say good bye to the unique property, which had the potential to be both home and photography studio space.

(upbeat music) But that was five years ago.

- [Wendy] In a way, everything happened for a reason.

- [Simon] I feel we're very lucky, because obviously credit crunch kicked in, all the houses dropped in price, and so if we did buy that year, we would of been in trouble.

- [Phil] After staying in rented, and working and saving hard to up their budget, three years ago, they managed to score a three-bed terrace cottage, in a favorite spot.

A picturesque historical village between Derby City, and the Dales.

Called Dolly Abbey.

(birds chirping) - It's amazing.

I've couldn't of asked more, really.

Parking space, bedrooms, big kitchen!

I love it.

- You got the park, you're in the area you like.

We got The Abbey down the road.

- It's a great out, it's an English heritage site, but it's 10 minutes from the city center.

- And we're well-chapped, really, really chapped.

- [Phil] And so, they should be, because they got a bargain.

The house was originally price at 220 grand, but their new budget was only 180,000.

- I said forget it, what's the point of looking, don't put yourself through this torture.

- But bless her, Wendy still went down for a look, nosy.

- [Phil] And it's a good job she did.

It had been on the market for 18 months.

And after some tough negotiating, Wendy managed to get it for an impressive 175,000.

- I used Phil's tactics, oh, we're first time buyers, this is our budget, I stuck to my guns.

And there's no chain, we want a quick sale.

And that's everything she wanted, 'cause she was pursuing a house, and she needed a quick sale.

And it worked extremely well.

- Thanks, Phil.

(both chuckling) - [Phil] You're very welcome.

And although their initial search had called for a property with studio space for Simon's photography business, ultimately, they realized it made more sense to keep home and business apart.

Well, almost.

Six months ago, Wendy joined the company.

And they secured a good rental deal on a warehouse, just five minutes walk from the house.

(camera clicking) We're in a better position, my photography's really taken off.

And now Wendy joining the company, well, it's just rocketed.

It's been great.

- [Phil] The studio was but an empty shell.

However, so hard graft from this creative couple, and a little help from their friends, has turned it into a stunning, and versatile workspace.

- I think it's really amazing to come home, get the fire on, and relax, and it's only five minutes walk away.

- It's just a dream come true, and it's fantastic, it's brilliant.

We're really lucky, and we do appreciate what we got.

- Without sounding like the cat that got the cream.

I love it here, and I think we got everything that we want.

- [Phil] It couldn't of worked out better for Wendy and Simon in Derby.

(lively music) But, was there to be an equally-happy ending for our favorite 70-somethings in Berkshire, as they approach their 50th wedding anniversary?

When I checked in on them, three months after our unsuccessful search, it seemed that they were both finally ready to move forward.

And the talk was of putting the house on the market.

Henry, how do you feel about selling this and moving on?

- I'm completely convinced.

Contrary to what you think.

(both chuckling) - I'm afraid that is contrary to what I think.

It's a beautiful house, I loved it, enjoyed our life here.

Time to go.

- It could be sold regardless of whether we have a place to go to, or not.

- [Phil] Two years down the line, where did they end up?

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) (bright piano music) - [Phil] We last saw Margo and Henry just over two years ago.

In that time, they sold their home of nearly 50 years, and while renting, finally found and bought a property in Maidenhead, 15 miles from their original home in Sonning.

I hoped, but at the same time, never truly believed, that Henry would actually leave the comfort of his old home.

But here I am, in front of their modern masonry tiered Maidenhead.

I should think Henry would of needed more than a gentle nudge to get him going.

(doorbell buzzing) - Hello!

- Margo!

Hello!

- How are you?

(Mm, mm, cheek kissing) - Lovely to see you.

- Likewise, long time, no see.

- It is, isn't it?

- Welcome, welcome.

Welcome to our new home.

- And what have you've done with Henry?

- Oh, he's in his- - is he?

- Hey, hey!

- Hi!

Nice to see you.

- Nice to see you.

Goodness me, so this is the new pad?

- Yep, new pad.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Margo's definitely stayed true to her motto of out with the old, and in with the new.

You wanted a cool place.

It looks like you've got one.

- Light, glass.

- [Phil] It's the antithesis of their old home.

Minimalism, and low maintenance is the key.

Right down to the patio garden.

Perhaps the only thing it has in common with their first marital home, is the fact that it's two-storied.

So you got upstairs, as well.

- Yeah, it's a new place.

- How many bedrooms have got now?

- Two bedrooms.

- So I don't have too far to chase her.

(all laughing) - [Phil] The move hasn't cramped Henry's style then.

In fact, there's nothing cramped about this place at all.

It feels like a house.

- Yeah, it's like a house within.

- It's a miniature house.

I call it the monopoly house.

(piano music) - [Phil] It may be smaller than their last house, but there's still room for Henry's prized possession.

(piano music) He's still regularly tingling those ivories.

And the ever-industrious Margo, crafts her own individual flourishes for their home.

Kirstie would be impressed.

As you could imagine, although now in their 80s, they're by no means the stay-at-home types.

They now live virtually opposite a health club, where they go swimming every morning at seven o'clock.

- [Fitness Attendant] Good morning, Margo, darling.

Are you okay?

- Yeah, fine, fine.

I forgotten it again, I've forgotten the card.

- [Attendant] Oh, there's a shock, there's a shock.

- [Phil] And Margo's even taken up aqua aerobics and Zumba.

- And of course again, I'm the oldest one in the class.

- Some fun now, there's no stopping you, is there?

- Fortunately no medication, both of us.

We've been very, very fortunate.

- Good for you.

- Health-wise.

- Good for you.

As ever, it's inspiring to be with Margo and Henry.

But is was no means a straightforward journey to get to this point.

You were so much the driving force behind the move.

- Oh, absolutely, I hold up my hands.

- And Henry was kind of always on the back foot a little bit.

But he eventually came in and was completely with it, and up for it all, how did that?

- Slowly.

He said, "Well, it's not bad."

He is just your very nice average man who is comfortable where he is.

And I was prising him out, and I feel guilty at times.

- [Phil] Yes.

- But I just was looking at it in a common sense way.

That at 80, you don't stay in a big house like that.

- [Phil] Furnishing and styling the new home, is an on-going pleasure for Margo, and she couldn't be happier.

- We've downsized, but I feel we've upgraded.

And it's exciting.

Yeah.

- That's something that you were looking for, was excitement in the next stage of your lives.

- And I think we are very, very privileged.

A, to be fortunate to be well.

But also, to be able to accept change.

- [Phil] Yeah.

- Because I think change is a stimulus in life.

- [Phil] It certainly works for Margo.

Not only does she still do some counseling work, but she's also writing her memoirs.

- When I think about it, 80 years is an awfully long time.

- And a really interesting time in history, as well.

- Well, this is it, what thrills me on a personal level, is the ability to have kept up with the technology.

And I do have my email, and I do have my iPod.

And it's exciting that I've mastered it.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Such infectious enthusiasm.

A mover and a shaker is our Margo.

Henry, on the other hand, was a somewhat less enthusiastic mover.

(lively music) Henry, you were very reluctant to move.

What finally got you to do it?

- I'm not as silly as I look, and I'm quite a sensible chap.

And I realized I'm not getting any younger.

So having found the right place, and agreed to deal, how were you then at actually, you know, were there any second thoughts?

Did you find it difficult to follow through?

- It felt a little strange, obviously.

Because 49 and a half years in one place is a lifetime and a half.

- And you had Margo there, probably pulling you that way.

And some of you was going the other way.

- I mean, she wasn't nagging, but I had no more hair to lose.

(both laughing) But, it grew on me.

- [Phil] He means the house, not his hair.

- I'm very happy now.

- Good.

- And she is very, very happy.

So, I'm happy that she's happy.

- Excellent.

(lively music) - [Phil] So that's what Henry always said he was most about, making Margo happy.

It's a genuine relief to me that it all came together in the end.

- [Margo] You started us on a journey, which we continued.

- [Phil] You did.

- Because without going to you, we wouldn't of had the motivation to continue.

- By the end of the day, you have got what you set out for, you wanted a modern house, didn't you?

That's what we talked about.

You got your modern kitchen.

Slick, lots of glass.

- Yeah.

- It only took her 50 years.

(all laughing) - And I bet it was well-worth the wait.

- Everything comes to those who wait.

- It freed me up, considerably.

- It pleased me that I pleased her so well.

Really, it made me very happy.

- Good, fantastic.

Well, here's to you.

- Cheers.

- Really, it's lovely to have come and spend time with you again, and see that it all worked out superbly.

I love it, I love it.

- Thank you very much.

- [Phil] Two amazing outcomes for two pretty inspiring couples.

No mater what age you are, buying a property is an emotional, and sometimes stressful process.

It certainly took time and patience, as well as fair bit of compromise.

But I'm delighted they got there in the end.

And it's fantastic to see them both happy, and settled in their new homes.

- That was really lovely, I enjoyed it.

Very nice.

- Thank you.

(upbeat music) (air swish) (upbeat music)