- [Phil] This week.

- [Kirstie] Yay.

We're all high as kites.

- Have you given her some sugar?

As we're trying to keep our heads in a manic property market.

- [Alex] Oh, she's lying down.

- No, this is the house for you.

- Woof woof.

- [Kirstie] But after every high comes a crashing low.

- I just haven't got that feeling.

- It's not for me.

- See if we can get a little higher.

- That's not legal, Phil, or advisable.

- [Phil] We can only hope it will all end well in West London.

- So do not want the residents of Ealing to hire a hitman.

(bright music) - [Phil] If there's anywhere in the country that Kirstie and I are guaranteed a challenge, it's London.

- This time we're helping two sets of house hunters who've left behind life as they know it and headed to the Big Smoke.

- And let me tell you, the rumors about the property market here are true.

It's fast, it's furious, and it takes no prisoners.

- Poo.

- [Phil] The long-suffering victims are the London buyers who are experiencing a housing hysteria.

- [Kirstie] And for the 200,000 people who moved into the capital this year, it's a nasty shock to have to pay up to 26% more than those who moved last year.

(upbeat music) My set of daunted house hunters are 40-somethings.

Fraser and Marion Brideson, who made the move to London a little later in life than most.

(upbeat music) - I never envisaged us moving again.

- We're not ready to hang up our hats yet and retire to the country.

We wanna enjoy life a bit more.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Meanwhile, I'm trying to find a first London pad for 20-something newlyweds, Sarah and Alex Walker.

- [Alex] It was love at first sight, yeah.

- And the rest is history.

(Alex and Sarah laughing) - Yeah.

- For the past two years, they've been happily living in the seaside (voice muffling) of Penarth in Alex's homeland of Wales.

- It was ideal because it was very close to the high street.

- We had a really nice community, and we just want to try and replicate that as much as possible.

(upbeat music) - [Kirstie] But when professional rugby player, Alex, was signed by a London club, and Londoner Sarah was offered her first teaching job back in the Big Smoke, they jumped at the chance to move.

- I'm really excited to come back to London.

I have really missed my family, especially with all my new nieces and nephews now.

It'd be lovely to spend more time with them.

- [Kirstie] So the couple left their Welsh home, and for the last few weeks, they've had to shack up with Sarah's parents.

- Leaving Wales is a little bit sad.

Obviously all my family are there.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] But having sold their three-bed home in Wales, there's no going back.

- [Kirstie] To afford London prices, the pair have had to more than double their mortgage.

It's a whole different game in this city.

- The market just moves so quickly that if we leave it another month our budget is getting smaller and smaller, essentially.

There is a sense of rush, isn't there?

- Yeah, a bit of urgency.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] And as if the market's not enough to tackle, with so much change happening so quickly, they haven't had the chance to view any London properties in person.

(upbeat music) - [Kirstie] Roll up your sleeves, Phil.

This one is gonna keep you busy.

- I mean, life by all accounts, sounded pretty dreamy back in Wales.

- [Sarah] It was, wasn't it?

- Yeah, we enjoyed it there.

It was a really nice little town we lived in.

So yeah, hopefully find something quite similar.

- Find something quite similar.

(Sarah laughing) You serious?

(Sarah laughing) House prices are, per square foot, three times more expensive here than where you've come from.

(Sarah and Alex laughing) So that is a difficult thing to adjust to.

You're gonna pay a lot more for a lot less.

- For a lot less.

- Well, let's talk about what you'd like to find and where it'll be.

- A period property is definitely our preference, isn't it?

Two plus bedrooms, and we like to entertain guests as well, so a space for that as well would be lovely.

- So you'd do some work, you're up for that.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

If it's a small kitchen, for instance, and there's a wall needs knockin' down, quite happy to do that.

We've got a budget of 410,000.

But yeah, we realize that that's not gonna go too far here in London.

- Things that you see over the next couple of days they just won't be available next week.

- [Sarah] Okay.

- If you see something that you like, we're gonna have to jump in with both feet.

- That's okay.

We're ready to do that.

- Yeah.

- Absolutely.

Let's do it.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] They're keen, but to get on the ladder in this cutthroat market, they will need to deliver on decisiveness.

For their £410,000, Sarah and Alex would prefer a two bedroomed house with as much character as possible.

- [Phil] They want a good sized living space, but aren't afraid of doing work to get the layout they'd like.

And Alex would love a garden with a shed.

He's a man after my own heart.

- [Kirstie] For a couple in their 20s, they have an impressive amount of money.

But as well as a long wishlist, their hearts are set on the popular, but pricey, Ruislip.

(upbeat music) It's a convenient spot between both Alex and Sarah's work.

- [Phil] But to get them what they want without breaking the bank, I'll also be testing them with areas a little further afield.

- [Kirstie] My house hunters are also relatively new to the city.

When Yorkshireman and IT professional Fraser Brideson was offered the job of a lifetime in the capital, he and wife Marion packed up their large Leeds home and downsized to a much more compact rental in London's North Kensington.

- Some people thought we were a bit crazy at our time of life moving down to London, or with London property price and everything.

- It was very daunting and very scary.

It was sort of, oh my goodness, me, we've got to start all over again.

- [Phil] With their daughter off to university, these 40-somethings have made the move and are ready to embrace a whole new life.

- [Kirstie] But in the 18 months they've been looking to buy in London's ferocious market, they've offered on and lost six properties.

(upbeat music) - I am tired of looking at so many properties.

Looking for a house should be real fun, but unfortunately we've hit the trough of lows, haven't we?

- [Phil] Interior designer Marion in particular is chomping at the bit to get a home of her own.

- It'd be absolutely wonderful to have our own place that we can put our own stamp on, that we can start buying furniture for.

It's something I'm really looking forward to.

- [Kirstie] Marion and Fraser love being so close to Notting Hill and to the attractions of the Portobello Road, one of my favorite places in the world.

- [Phil] But unfortunately it's Britain's most expensive spot, where house prices average over 850 grand.

- They've accepted buying here is impossible, but staying west of the city is important, handy for Fraser's commute to Aldgate and Marion's commute to Reading three days a week.

I need to find out what kind of home they hope to get for the money they've got.

Your top budget is 475,000 pounds.

That's the best part of half a million pounds.

- Sounds a lot, doesn't it?

- Which county is Leeds in?

(Fraser laughing) - Yorkshiremen.

(Marion laughing) There's nothing wrong with Yorkshiremen.

(all laughing) - No, there's, indeed, there is nothing wrong with Yorkshiremen.

- We're very good financially.

- I am a huge fan of Yorkshire folk, but- - Here comes the but.

- But, Yorkshiremen do not like paying the asking price.

- No, that's true.

- And the problem is, you are now in a situation where you are gonna go and see properties, which are 20% smaller than the ones you've seen 18 months ago, there in.

- Yeah.

- My priority's the area.

- [Kirstie] Right, okay.

- Over the property.

- Right.

A garden is very important to you.

- It is.

I'd love a garden.

Although we've just recently lost Susie, our dog, we will replace her.

But I think we have to be realistic.

If we are looking for an outside space, I think that it's going to be a one bedroom.

- What we need to do is reboot your search, and it's an act of faith.

- We have got an open mind.

I'll put some of my Yorkshire genes aside for a while.

(everyone laughing) Try and make a decision.

- You heard it here first.

(Fraser laughing) I really hope what they can afford in London doesn't send them running back to the Yorkshire Dales.

Despite having £475,000, they know they may only get one bedroom, but two would be ideal.

- [Phil] Marion wants a garden for the new dog and would consider using her interior design skills to improve somewhere.

- [Kirstie] Fraser's main desire is that he has a quick commute to work.

- [Phil] Morning.

- Good morning, Phil Spencer.

How's it going?

- Well, we got some work to do this week, I think.

- Well, my couple have given up a garage, a garden, and a three-bed house in Leeds for one bed and a Juliet balcony, if I'm lucky.

- My couple have seen nothing.

Absolutely nothing, moving from Wales.

It's gonna be a bit of a wake up call.

- As long as we can persuade them that when they see something they like, they've got- - They're gonna have to make a decision.

- Snap it up.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- Yeah, Alex reminds me of myself, actually, when I was 27.

You know, chiseled jaw, hair, muscles, everything.

- Well you've still got a chiseled jaw and you've still got muscles.

It's the follicles, not the muscles, that are the problem.

(Phil laughing) - [Phil] Strange coincidence that when you came into my life, my darling, my hair began to leave, but this search could have me tearing out what's left, because the center point for Sarah and Alex is Ruislip, where two bed bungalows are on the market for around half a million pounds, 90 grand more than the two youngsters have got.

- [Kirstie] Ouch, do you need a stiff drink?

- I'll settle for a strong coffee at this point.

Lovely cafe you guys have got here.

- Thank you.

- Tell me why is Ruislip quite so popular?

Because it has got very, it's got very expensive.

- It's just a nice place to live.

- It's also got that villagey feel as well, which is quite different from- - [Barista] Everyone knows everyone.

- Yeah, it's quite an affluent area.

- [Phil] What's the transport like?

Any good?

- From here, it's probably no more than about 30 minutes into Central London.

It's good links, bus links, tube links.

- Yeah.

And reasonable cups of coffee?

- Lovely, the best.

- Absolutely.

- Maybe (laughing).

- [Kirstie] I hope it's charged you up for the search, Phil.

- [Phil] Yes, but I'm going to ease these two in gently and kick their search off in their number one area.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] Ruislip Manor is an affluent part of Ruislip, just a stone's throw from the bustling high street.

- [Phil] Being just 15 miles from the city makes the spacious character property they ideally want expensive, but I've managed to find this 1930s mid terrace.

So the high street's 10 minutes' walk.

And I reckon about 16 minutes drive for your commutes.

- Oh, brilliant.

- Perfect, yeah.

- [Sarah] That's really good.

First thoughts of the outside and where we are?

- Yeah, lovely, lovely, quiet street.

- Yeah, I like it.

- Yeah, really like it.

- It's nice, yeah.

- Yeah.

- Good.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] Sunny responses from them both.

- [Phil] And it gets even brighter inside.

Modernized throughout, the house has the minimum two bedrooms they need and entertaining space.

But the kitchen certainly couldn't accommodate Alex's whole rugby team.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] The back garden, on the other hand, could probably hold a scrum, and a comfortable 30 grand under budget.

There's scope here to make it what they want inside.

- Right, so your first London viewing.

I particularly liked it because of the layout.

- Yeah.

- That's the living room, dining room here, leads to the kitchen.

It really kind of- - Lovely.

- [Phil] It works.

- Yeah, it's nice.

I think ideally would be after something with a little bit more character, but it's definitely not the end of the world.

- No, no.

- It's a bit of a blank canvas.

- Yeah, it is- - Which is good sometimes, yeah.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] For their first ever viewing, these two seem very realistic about what they can afford.

- [Phil] So this is the master bedroom.

- Yeah, lovely.

Really, really nice size.

- It's a good size, yeah.

I'm surprised.

- I am very mindful of what you've sold in Wales and what you're getting in London.

- Yeah, this is about the same size bedroom as we had in Wales, so- - Yeah.

- That is brilliant.

- Great, excellent.

- Yeah, yes it is.

- Excellent.

Have a look at the other rooms.

- This is a good size.

- [Phil] The second bedroom shouldn't be a let down either.

- Perfect for when family stay.

- Yeah, yeah, it's good.

- Yeah.

- A nice size garden.

- And that is a good outhouse.

- (laughing) An actual shed.

- [Alex] Yeah, man cave.

(Sarah laughing) - I'm delighted with how they're reacting to this house.

It's actually going much better than I dared hope for.

However, it is their first viewing, and of course they're excited.

- [Kirstie] And it's a question of whether they're still excited once they've seen it all.

- It's not a bad garden, is it?

- It's huge.

- [Alex] Yeah, very nice.

- Yeah, more than- - And how'd you get on with the rest of the house?

- The kitchen really isn't as big as we'd like it to be.

- In terms of extending, I mean, there's a big extension there you can see.

And it's very natural to imagine where it would go.

- Yeah.

- Yeah, absolutely.

- [Kirstie] Close, but no cigar, Phil.

The compact kitchen has left them hungry for more space.

- [Phil] And to get that, I need to take them out of their beloved Ruislip.

Wish mean luck.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) This week we're in wild wild West London, with two couples moving into the capital.

I'm with newlyweds Alex and Sarah, who already have jobs, family, and friends here.

They just desperately need a home here.

- And I'm with Marion and Fraser, who've taken on London living in their 40s, but Leeds to London is a massive leap of faith.

- Come along.

(upbeat music) - I hope Marion and Fraser have faith in me.

Disheartened by the competitive London property market, I think I've found them an ace first property.

It's in the desirable Maida Hill, only two miles from Britain's most expensive borough, where their sites were set.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Just a short walk to the buzz of shops and restaurants, the property's a bijou first floor flat in this popular treelined spot.

- Maida Hill, I think they make up these... (Marion laughing) Made a name up, but anyway, area wise?

- It's good.

- It's good, brilliant, love it.

- Right, okay.

- Great area.

- [Phil] You may think it's a made up place, Kirstie, but property prices in Maida Hill are very real.

- [Kirstie] Tell me about it.

Some two-bed flats fetch over a million quid, so Marion and Fraser can only just afford a compact one bed here, but the bright sitting room could easily fit a sofa bed.

- [Phil] The kitchen and bathroom are small, but perfectly formed.

This is what their 475 grand gets them in this Swiss spot.

- Ah.

That's nice and airy, isn't it?

- Oh, wow.

- [Kirstie] As well as limited space inside, there's an additional compromise outside, no garden for the prospective dog.

But there is a little terrace that could be lovely.

- Oh, fabulous.

- A little dog is what's required.

Really one of those teacup type ones.

- [Marion] I love it.

The original windows, fabulous.

Reinstate the- - Cornice, I know.

- The cornice.

- Which is so easy to do.

- The ceiling.

And the high ceilings, Frase.

- [Phil] She's only just through the door, but Marion's heart's flattering.

- What we've got here is a very large bedroom with a very stupidly placed cupboard.

(Marion and Fraser laughing) - There's enough space to get changed, move around, and store our clothes.

- [Marion] It's a great space, isn't it?

- Mmhmm.

- [Kirstie] Marion's practically giddy.

- [Phil] But with only 500 square foot here, Fraser's just being practical.

- Well- - It's small, and I don't think there's a dishwasher in here, is there?

- And these units as well.

I mean they only go up to halfway.

You might as well utilize the whole of that and just take it right up to the ceiling.

That's great.

(bright music) - It's difficult to take people to see a little one-bed flat and say, "This is what you can get for the money."

But as little one bed flat goes, I think that one's pretty strong.

It should be £475,000.

- [Phil] That's almost a thousand pounds per square foot.

- [Kirstie] For Marion, small is beautiful.

For Fraser, I think it might just be small.

- Isn't that overlooked?

- You are a little bit overlooked here, but you're not gonna do any nude sunbathing, are you?

- So how did we do with the first flat?

That's the question.

- [Marion] Fantastic.

- Not sure where to put the telly.

- [Phil] Marion's certainly sold, but space seems to be a concern for Fraser.

- [Kirstie] It's going to be tricky to supersize their search in this post code.

(upbeat music) - Welsh professional rugby player, Alex, and teacher wife Sarah, have moved to her home turf of London, having never viewed any properties in the flesh, I was worried that the space they could afford would be a shock.

But the first house I show them in Ruislip went surprisingly well.

- Really, really nice size.

- It's a good size, yeah.

Surprised.

- [Phil] But it was smaller than they wanted downstairs.

And that means I'm taking our search to Hillingdon, just a few miles away from their favorite costly spot.

- [Kirstie] Three bed houses here are close to 100 grand less than in Ruislip, and with plenty of shops to satisfy our youngsters needs, Hillingdon could suit them to a T. - [Phil] Their commute would remain under half an hour, and the property I've found them is much bigger than the previous one.

- Fantastic, room for me, too, then.

As you can see, it's a nice residential family area.

It's a busy road, but it's a 20 mile an hour zone.

And this is rush hour now, basically.

- Yes.

- This is busy as it's gonna get.

I sound like a salesperson.

(Sarah and Alex laughing) I have no reason to want you to buy this house above any other.

I'm just pointing out the bleeding obvious.

- Yes.

- Yeah.

- [Phil] Thanks for your input, Kirstie.

- [Kirstie] Always happy to help, Pip.

- [Phil] This house is a gem, not only offering fabulous entertaining space and open plan kitchen, which is bigger than the last property, it also has a third bedroom.

- [Kirstie] And I would imagine the garden ought to score points with Alex.

- [Phil] This place needs no work.

It may be marketed at five grand over budget, but the vendors have offered on somewhere else and are looking for a quick sale.

- First impressions out of 10?

- Yeah, about an eight.

- Seven or eight, yeah.

- Yeah, yeah, it's nice.

It's very nice.

Nice size.

- See if we can get it a little higher.

- Okay.

(Sarah and Alex laughing) - That's not legal, Phil, or advisable.

(everyone laughing) - And then through to kitchen, and a massive space.

- Oh wow.

- [Alex] Okay.

- Gosh, that's brilliant.

- Yeah.

- That is the entertaining space we were after, isn't it?

- Yeah.

- It's a really sociable space.

It's also very nice family space.

If there was any small people, and I'm not bullying you... (Alex and Sarah laughing) You could see them.

And then there's an added bonus in the garden, isn't there, Phil?

- [Phil] There is, a couple of outhouses that I think Alex will appreciate.

Have a look in there.

- (laughing) I like that.

It's always handy to have a bit of outdoor space for your tools.

- [Phil] I'm the same, love a shed.

- Yeah, I like it.

Obviously, there's a lot more space.

- But it's whether the space warrants moving out of Ruislip.

- I'll get back to you on that one.

- Okay, great.

(Alex laughing) - I don't think it's Alex who will be making that call, Phil.

I haven't seen the other house Phil showed you.

- No.

- How do you feel it compared?

- I think the compromise will come with the area, but the house itself is beautiful.

- The house is a hit, but it is called "Location, Location, Location" for a reason.

- Got me a little pew.

- Woops, your collar's turned up?

- Oh is it?

- There we are.

So what was it like in the garden?

- He's been very positive.

- What does Sarah say upstairs?

- She is slightly less keen on the area than on Ruislip.

Do you get a lot more for your money here than in Ruislip?

- Yeah, you do.

Any kind of buying signals?

Any lights being turned on in excitement?

- Phil, it's day one.

She's seen two houses.

They've come a long way.

(bright music) - Yes, but this market waits for no man, or woman.

- Well, it's a bonus, isn't it?

Third bedroom.

- Yeah, and it works perfectly as an office.

- Yeah, a space for me to do my work.

(upbeat music) - Rugby your game, Phil?

- Yeah, used to be.

- Slower and steadier pace is what you need these days, isn't it?

You couldn't really- - Where you game with that?

(Kirstie laughing) - That I can't bust it with the big guys on the rugby pitch?

You know, in my day... - [Kirstie] I dread to think, but this is today, and I want to know what these two think of this house.

- It is really nice.

- Yeah.

- It's really, really nice.

- I can hear a but.

(everyone laughing) - There is a but.

The feeling we got from the other house, with it being closer to the high streets, we sort of preferred that more central feel.

- Even though this house is much bigger, and essentially much nicer than the other one, I just haven't got that feeling.

- That's fine.

- Okay.

- You've seen...

It's so okay.

(everyone laughing) We're not here to go, "No, this is the house for you."

Phil's job is, in your case- - She's about to tell me what my job is.

- What Phil's job is, is to show you the best of what's available, in different prices, different areas, different sizes.

But if it doesn't make your heart flutter, it doesn't make your heart flutter.

- [Phil] Quite right, Kirstie.

But I'm afraid hearing a no in this market's enough to give this property finder palpitations.

- [Kirstie] Over with Marion and Fraser, I don't think area is going to be a problem.

For their second property, we're staying in the location they love and heading just around the corner.

I found them somewhere a bit bigger and cheaper than property one.

- [Phil] But that comes with a couple of compromises.

- What we're seeing here is a basement flat.

- [Marion] Mmhmm.

- But we're still very close to all the things you know currently.

Not quite the quiet atmosphere of the previous one.

- Okay.

- Mm.

- Yeah.

- That's not really quite what we had in mind.

- No, no?

- No.

- Let's see more what's inside.

- Let's see what's inside.

(upbeat music) - [Phil] Inside is the sitting room with dining space, a much bigger kitchen than the first flat, and a good size bedroom.

Plus they gain the garden Marion said she wanted.

- At £460,000, it's 15 grand cheaper than property one.

Happy days.

- [Marion] That's a car outside, isn't it?

- [Kirstie] Or not.

- That's upstairs.

- Okay, I'm just gonna do something.

This isn't very ladylike, and I don't advise other people to do it.

- [Phil] Whatever you're doing, it better be good because I think you're losing them.

- Feel the vibrations.

- That is loud.

- For me, yeah (laughing).

Especially daytime, 'cause I work- Yeah.

- From home.

I couldn't have music blaring all day.

It would drive me to distraction.

- [Phil] Oh dear, Kirstie.

First a busy road and now a rave upstairs, eh?

Wham bam and no thank you, ma'am.

- [Kirstie] Okay, I knew the road was busy, but the loud music was unexpected.

(sighing) Best part for half a million pounds and you can't even buy yourself quiet neighbors.

What has the world come to?

- Quite a big kitchen space.

- [Marion] It's very cold.

It's very white.

I'm not overly keen at all.

- I know what you're saying.

- [Phil] Marion's not even considering getting creative here.

- [Kirstie] The garden is the last chance for this place to hit the right note.

If you didn't have the wrong with upstairs, would this appeal to you more than the terrace at the previous property?

- No.

- No, I have to say.

- [Phil] Got that Kirstie?

Loud and clear?

- [Fraser] With that noise and the road.

- Not something I want to live with.

- [Phil] The garden just wasn't enough to sow any seeds of harmony here.

- All right, I'll make sure my next property is beautifully composed.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) (bright music) - This week, I'm with Marion and Fraser.

They've picked up sticks and moved from Leeds to London, but 18 months in they're still panicked about purchasing a property.

Marion was impressed by the bijou first property, but the music-loving neighbors meant the second place hit a bum note for them both.

- [Marion] That is loud.

- And I'm helping Sarah and her rugby player husband Alex tackle their housing woes, as they make an equally mammoth move from Wales to London.

- [Phil] These new kids on the block were suitably impressed by the potential of the first two-bed house I showed them in their beloved Ruislip.

- [Kirstie] But the smart second property in an unfamiliar area was sent to the sin bin.

- Mm, tough one.

- Yeah.

- [Phil] It's a new day, and for Sarah and Alex's third ever London viewing, I want to help them consider all their options by taking them to another spot they don't know.

- [Kirstie] 17 Miles northwest of the center of London is Bushey, just eight miles from the pair's favorite postcode.

(bright music) - [Phil] A popular location, it offers a similar independent high street to what Alex and Sarah had in Wales, though.

I am pushing Alex's commute to a 40-minute drive.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] But for the couple who adore period properties, here they can afford this beautiful Victorian semi.

- It's kind of village life.

- It is, yeah.

- Yeah, it seems that way.

- Seems that way, yeah, yeah.

Nice atmosphere.

- First thoughts of the house?

Very different to yesterday's.

- [Sarah] It's beautiful.

- Quite cute lookin'.

- Yes.

- Wait till you get inside.

(Sarah and Alex laughing) (bright music) - [Kirstie] There are original period features galore in this two-bed house.

- [Phil] It also has a garden with a dinky shed for Alex's tools.

And they don't have to pay top dollar to be in this villagey spot.

It's 25 grand under budget.

Come on in.

- Oh, wow.

(Alex and Phil laughing) Oh lovely.

Really like the character.

- Yeah.

- I love the flooring.

- The floorboards.

(voice muffling) - No, it's that fireplace is lovely as well.

- Yeah, beautiful.

- It's smaller than where we were in Hillingdon.

- Really, yes, okay, yeah.

- So it depends how much value you put on- - [Sarah] Character.

- [Kirstie] She's got it.

Period's pleasing them.

- [Kirstie] I hope the rest matches up.

- Oh, wow, brilliant.

- Oh, yeah.

- Again, a really nice- - Very good size.

- Room.

- And you don't seem to have been phased by the distance of the commute.

- No, it's- - I don't think so.

- A little bit further for me, but that's not an issue.

I don't really travel in peak times.

- It's on the market at 385.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- But I'm afraid there was an offer on it yesterday.

- Right.

- Okay.

- [Phil] If you don't want it, it'll go tomorrow.

- [Alex] Sure, okay.

- Big decisions tonight then.

- Yeah.

- I'm afraid so.

(everyone laughing) (bright music) - [Kirstie] With a great layout and fresh decor, this house really is an easy option for these two.

- [Sarah] Good size.

- It is a good size, yeah.

- Good space for- - [Alex] Ooh.

- Clothes there.

- [Alex] That'd be yours, then (laughing).

- [Kirstie] He's a keeper, Sarah.

- I like it.

- I like it a lot, yeah.

(Sarah laughing) Do you like it more than the Ruislip one?

- The downstairs I do.

- [Kirstie] It's a dilemma.

Do they take a chance on an unknown area to gain character?

- How'd you get on?

- We really like it.

- I'm confused.

- We're very confused, yeah.

(everyone laughing) - Where's the confusion?

- Between this one and the Ruislip house.

- Right.

- The potential of the Ruislip house.

- The potential, yeah.

If you took that house and this house right now, forget about the location, I think we'd say this house.

- Yep.

- But if we imagine that in our heads what the Ruislip one could look like- - Then that one- - Then that one starts to- - Yeah.

- Take it.

Take over, doesn't it?

- Because you could put character and interest into that one?

- [Sarah] That's exactly it, yes.

- [Phil] What I'm tryin' to do is show you different options just to make you think.

- You're definitely making us think.

(Phil laughing) - Yeah, you're doin' that, all right.

(Sarah laughing) - [Kirstie] Props to you, Phil.

This Bushey house is in the running.

- [Phil] I just hope their confusion won't mean this or the Ruislip house slip through their fingers.

- [Kirstie] My first property in Maida Hill went down a storm with Marion, but I'm worried it's on the small side for Fraser.

So I'm taking them out of their location comfort zone to Ealing, only six miles from their preferred postcode.

It offers them both good commutes to work.

- [Phil] There are also lots of parks here for their outdoor pursuits.

- Away from the noise of the city, I want to test whether the size of a property or its postcode wins out.

Now I know that you thought that Ealing didn't have a cafe culture.

I very rarely say this, but Marion, you couldn't be more wrong.

(Marion and Fraser laughing) - [Phil] Being less central offers a more villagey feel than they're used to, but there are still plenty of pleasant shops and eateries.

- And you get much more space for your spondulixes.

So this next property is a real leap of faith.

Apart from the fact that you've gotta look 'round it with Phil Spencer.

(Marion and Fraser laughing) I know, I know.

We all have our crosses to bear.

Frasie.

- Morning.

- Oh, there you are.

- Morning.

- I was just saying- - My ears were burning.

- How much I was looking forward to seeing you.

- [Phil] Yes, I bet.

Nice to see you.

- Nice to meet you.

- In Ealing, Marion and Fraser can afford, not a one, but a two-bed conversion.

Bursting with potential, interior designer Marion could roll up her sleeves and give this place some TLC.

On the money at 475 grand, before I show them inside, I'm making a beeline for the best garden yet.

- Wow (laughing).

- Watch me.

Tchoo, yay!

Look how far away I am from you.

- [Fraser] Yeah, that's a real garden.

- How's this for a garden?

- What are you doing to her?

Have you given her some sugar?

- [Kirstie] But I mean, look at it.

It's not a garden.

It's a prairie.

- [Marion] Oh, that is pretty amazing.

- [Fraser] That's a big space.

- [Kirstie] Surely this is the garden Marion dreamt of for the dog.

- [Phil] And the inside has scope to become fabulous in time.

- Needs a bit of work, doesn't it?

- Yes.

- We'd have to change a few things, but it's a good space.

- [Kirstie] Marion's strangely quiet.

- [Phil] But Fraser seems excited by this place.

- [Fraser] It's a good size.

- You've got lots of opportunity to reconfigure the space.

It could be a project if you wanted it to be, but equally, coat of paint, new kitchen, job done.

- [Fraser] Yeah.

- [Phil] How are you doing with this area?

- [Fraser] I'm quite liking it.

- And Marion?

- I think she's more towards being close to the center of London.

- It's gonna be interesting.

- Yeah.

I'm glad I'm not in your shoes.

He's keen Kirstie, and surely Marion will rate the space on offer.

- Is that huge garden worth all the work you'd have to do to this?

- My heart's back in London.

- This is London.

Lot of people would object to you describing Ealing as not in London, Marion.

- It feels just a bit far out.

- I'm not in charge of telling Fraser about this, am I?

(Marion laughing) - Just- - You're not.

- No, good, okay.

Phew, phew.

- Although, could you?

(Marion and Kirstie laughing) - [Kirstie] Joking aside, I'm not sure Fraser's gonna give this place up without a fight.

- [Fraser] Quite like this.

- [Phil] Absolutely crackin' flat.

- I know.

- Absolute belter.

- I know.

They're not gonna buy it, though.

- No?

- No.

- Why not?

- 'Cause she doesn't this this is London.

(Phil laughing) I am making no personal comment on that, 'cause I do not want the residents of Ealing to hire a hitman.

- But she wants the dog.

- Woof woof.

(Marion laughing) - Yeah, but we haven't got a dog now.

And does it- - No, no, no, no, no.

- Well, we will get a dog.

- You can't say that.

You can't say we haven't got a dog now.

We are going to get a dog, right?

- [Phil] Take Marion for walkies out of her top spot and a new pooch isn't getting a look in.

- [Marion] It's tiny, isn't it?

- [Fraser] Yeah, but it's got lots of storage.

- I'm not sure that I want to take on a project of this sort of size.

(gentle music) - [Phil] Difficult to read expressions.

- Ooh.

(Fraser laughing) - Not telling us much.

(Marion laughing) - It's not for me.

- No?

- What about you, Fraser?

- Ooh, Fraser.

- I- (Phil and Fraser laughing) - Yeah, I would consider that one very carefully.

I think it's got a little bit more to offer, some more space, a slightly better quality of life, I think.

- We've seen three properties.

As they say, that's all folks.

(gentle music) Marion left her heart at the first property, and I think Fraser's leaving his here.

We're leaving Ealing, formally known as London, no longer known as London.

(everyone laughing) (bright music) - [Phil] My couple, Sarah and Alex, are swaying between a pristine house in a new location or one with potential in their ideal area.

So we're going back to Ruislip to see something which offers them a bit more space.

- I feel happy to be back here.

- Yeah.

Smiles on faces, I think.

- Yeah, good.

- Yeah, yeah.

- I was gonna say your shoulders have relaxed, but you can't really relax your shoulders.

(Alex and Sarah laughing) Compared to the two bed I first showed them in this area, I'm pleased to have discovered a bigger property recently reduced comfortably within Sarah and Alex's £410,000 budget.

- [Kirstie] Unlike property one, it has the open plan living Alex and Sarah want for socializing and a great garden that's a work in progress and a bonus bedroom.

- The only compromise is a downstairs bathroom.

Let's see what you think of this.

- Oh wow.

This is very similar to our house in Wales, isn't it?

- Yeah.

- It's nice, I like that it's open.

- [Alex] I do.

- Thumbs up in here, and hopefully Alex won't see any problems with the outside.

It's not quite finished at the back end, but the vendors have assured us that it will be finished before sale.

- Yep, okay.

Overlooked a little bit.

It's not the end of the world, though.

- Still got a nice shed, garage.

- Yep (laughing).

The shed's there, yeah, perfect.

- Always important.

- It's good size, yeah.

- [Kirstie] Alex has his shed, but Philip Spencer, I want you to talk Sarah through the possibility of moving the bathroom up to the third bedroom.

- I think we'd all prefer a bathroom close to our bedroom.

- Yes.

- You would be potentially ripping out a very nice bath from downstairs, and spending money bringing up here to the sacrifice of the numbers of bedrooms.

- Yes, absolutely.

It's a hard one.

I don't think it'll be our family or forever home.

We might be here for maybe five years, but you never know where life may take you.

- So you're not imagining having one of those cots in your house.

- Maybe one (laughing).

- Okay.

- Maybe one.

- Okay.

- Maybe.

- [Kirstie] You're starting sound just like me, Pip.

- [Phil] Perish the thought.

Either way, I'm not hearing much enthusiasm from Sarah, and I doubt Alex will be talking her around.

- Does put me off it.

- Does it?

Yeah, me too, yeah.

- It'd be a lot of work, too.

Obviously- - To move it up.

- [Kirstie] I think this viewing is sinking, Phil.

- Are they gonna buy this house?

I doubt it.

I think what this house is doing, it's serving a purpose, just to demonstrate the first house I showed them is a very strong property at a very sensible price.

- That situation of that house is better than this one, and we could still put our own stamp on that one.

- Stamp on that one, yeah.

- I think this one for me is a- - A no.

- A no.

You agree?

- Yep.

- Okay, fine.

- [Phil] This property is out, leaving them torn between the characterful house in Bushey and the blank canvas down the road in Ruislip.

- If that's within our budget to extend, that would be the one.

- Right.

- If it's not, then maybe Bushey is the one.

- Still in the world of confusing.

- (laughing) Still.

- But tomorrow's the day for decisions.

- Tomorrow.

- Don't you worry.

- [Kirstie] It is indeed Phil, or at least you hope it is.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music) In our London west side story, I've divided opinion with Marion and Fraser.

She's determined to stay in a central spot, but he isn't quite so happy to sacrifice space.

- [Phil] Sarah and Alex face the dilemma of a property which requires work in a familiar suburb or diving into the unknown for a turnkey house.

(upbeat music) So we're going back to their beloved Ruislip to see if the house they already like could be made bigger and better downstairs.

And to help them decide, I've invited Bill the builder 'round, who's recently extended a kitchen at a property 'round the corner.

- Well, I think just to fill in this corner here, you would be looking at somewhere around 15,000, but then you would still be left with substantial works to do to the existing extension to bring it up to current regulations.

I think if you just demolish the whole thing, start again, you'd be looking at somewhere around 25 to 28,000.

- That's sort of the budget that we were thinkin' on.

- It would be big space in all of these options.

- Yeah, when can you start?

(Alex laughing) - [Kirstie] As far as Sarah's concerned, you can get the sledgehammer out right now, Phil.

- So where would you put the bed?

- There.

- You'd put it through there, wouldn't it?

- [Alex] Oh, she's lyin' down.

- [Kirstie] Property viewing is tiring.

- [Phil] Indeed.

But despite everything measuring up nicely, I don't think our day's works over yet.

Do you love it?

- We would love it if the extension was done.

- [Kirstie] They've made their decision.

Now it's down to their money and your metal.

(bright music) I'm taking my pair back to the one bed in Maida Hill that Marion adored.

- [Phil] But Fraser's yearning for more space inside and out.

- Aw, Fraser, how could you want a garden when you got this light and sun?

- 'Tis is nice.

- Fabulous glow.

- [Phil] I get the impression someone's on a mission to change Fraser's mind.

- Wow, a little sun trap.

- Mm, it's nice out here.

It's a nice space.

- It's a great size.

Can you imagine us sitting there with our newspapers?

Well, our iPads.

- [Phil] Any objections don't stand a chance against such enthusiasm.

(upbeat music) - There's enough work surface for you.

- For me?

(Marion laughing) I think it's okay.

- And I think in the end, if Marion's happy, so is Fraser.

Did it come up to scratch on the second viewing?

- It did for me.

- I think so.

- Wow, and as I'm a local, if they're making an offer, I should make them feel at home.

Do you fancy coming back to mine for a cup of tea and a chat?

- We'd love to, thanks.

- Right, okie doke.

- [Phil] Sounds like Fraser may have forgotten all about his preferred two bed in Ealing.

- [Kirstie] It's been out-shown by Marion's favorite flat, but does Fraser want to call it home?

- I think we're ready to make an offer on it.

- [Kirstie] Really?

- We've waited a long time to try and find a place.

I think we have to seize the opportunity.

- You look surprised there, Marion.

- I am very surprised.

I've obviously done a really good job.

(everyone laughing) Of convincing him.

- If that's the case, then it comes down to, to price.

- [Phil] On the market at 475 grand, they want to offer 460.

- It's a share of freehold property with a short lease of only 68 years, something which can put mortgage companies off lending.

I've been assured this vendor will extend the lease before any sale completes.

I'm gonna ring the agent, and if I feel confident about that, then I'll go forward at 460.

- Negotiation, it's the expensive bit.

- [Phil] You're in capable hands, Fraser.

After Alex and Sarah's second visit to the 1930s two bed in Ruislip Manor, they're taken with its potential.

(bright music) - [Kirstie] On the market at 380 grand, is buying and extending it possible within their top budget of £410,000?

- Let's talk about the cost of what you wanted to do.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- £15,000 pounds to £27,000, plus buying the kitchen.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- We've got 30 available for the extension.

So what do you wanna do about it?

(pensive music) - [Alex] Well, we're gonna make an offer.

- Yes, please.

- At askin' price.

- Yeah.

- Fine.

- Yeah.

- I think that's sensible.

- [Kirstie] You told them at the start not to delay, and they certainly haven't.

- [Alex] Fingers crossed.

- Okay, let's try and tidy this up.

- Okay.

- Oo hoo.

(Sarah laughing) I have to get this place for 380 grand or they simply can't afford to do the eventual building work.

Hi Josh, it's Phil.

I'm gonna make this really easy for you (laughing).

Alex and Sarah would be happy to pay the asking price of 380,000.

- Tense.

- There has been another asking price offer, but the vendor hasn't accepted it.

That means my job isn't about buying a house.

It's about selling Alex and Sarah as committed buyers.

They have a deposit of about 130,000.

Thanks, Josh.

Bye.

It's owned by an investor.

He's gonna try and get a hold of him right way.

- Thank you.

- Breathe.

(Alex and Sarah laughing) - It's no less stressful over at mine.

I have to make sure Fraser and Marion's 18-month house hunt ends here.

I have got some money to put on the table, which is obviously made subject to there being a guarantee of a lease extension in place.

And that is 460.

So you won't expect to hear until the morning?

Okey doke, brilliant, okay.

Thanks very much.

Okay, bye.

Right, his client's in America.

So we're not gonna have an immediate reply.

Do you know what's in our favor?

Tenant moves out next week.

(gentle music) - Good timing.

- Fantastic timing.

- Brilliant.

- [Kirstie] These two have an anxious overnight wait ahead.

- [Phil] Sarah and Alex are also on edge.

(intense music) - Suspense is killing me (laughing).

- [Kirstie] Waiting to find out if their offer of 380 grand on the Ruislip house has been accepted.

(phone ringing) - Here we go.

(phone ringing) - Josh, hi there.

Mmhmm.

Yep.

Excellent.

Excellent news, so 380 all agreed?

(bright music) That's fantastic news.

Very, very happy at this end.

Thanks so much for your help.

Cheers.

Bye.

Everyone's a winner.

Well done.

(Sarah laughing) Well done indeed.

- Thank you very much.

- 380 off the market.

- Thank you.

(Alex and Sarah laughing) It doesn't really feel real.

- Now, you've just spent- - (laughing) Yeah, so it is real.

Oh god.

- [Kirstie] In the end there was no confusion from this pair.

Sometimes property can be simple, and the right house at the right price makes a very happy ending.

- We'll raise a cup of tea.

- (laughing) Yeah.

(Phil laughing) - Cheers, thank you.

(bright music) - After a day of silence about Marion and Fraser's £460,000 offer on the Maida Hill flat, I eventually got word.

Time to tell Marion.

It's Kirstie.

- [Marion] Oh, hi, Kirstie.

- So I got an email last night.

- [Marion] And?

- And he says 460 is fine with his client.

- [Marion] Fabulous, fantastic news.

Oh, gosh, that's amazing.

- [Kirstie] I'm really thrilled.

- [Marion] Thank you ever so much for the call.

- Okay, thanks, Marion, okay, bye.

(bright music) One very happy client.

- [Phil] That's two sets of very happy house hunters.

You can get on with your shopping now, Kirstie.

(bright music) Three months later and Alex and Sarah are still pretty chuffed, having just picked up the keys for their Ruislip home.

- It's taken quite a while, probably about eight weeks.

We finally got the house and it's ours now.

- [Phil] But it hasn't all been straightforward.

- Someone that offered another £10,000.

- Yeah, so it came back for us and asked us for more money.

- For more money.

So within a couple of days of expecting to get the keys, we had to go up another £5,000.

- [Phil] This determined pair negotiated hard and agreed on a final price of £385,000.

They fought for their new home, and now they can focus on making it their own.

- We had an architect come 'round to make some drawings up for the extension that we want to want to go ahead with.

- Actual extension work is gonna take eight to 10 weeks.

We're happy to wait so we get the house right before we move in.

- [Phil] And I'm sure it'll all be worth waiting for.

- Phil was brilliant.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

Really on task.

- Some good advice as well.

- Yeah, good advice.

- Yeah, previously been a surveyor, he was really able to help us with the regulations with the extension and things like that.

- [Phil] Get that Kirstie?

A man of many talents.

And over in Maida Hill, Marion and Fraser have just moved into their pad, where things are pretty sunny.

- It was great to wake up this morning here.

It felt right, didn't it?

- It did, it's fantastic.

- We put on some music, Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," all the light flooding into the flat.

It's a big feature of the flat, and we ended up having a little dance together, didn't we?

(Fraser laughing) - We did.

- [Phil] Well, they're jumping for joy, but has Fraser overcome his worries?

- I kept speaking to Marion saying, "Are you sure this is the right place?

"There's enough space?"

We've come 'round to it and we've done the deal.

I'm really happy.

And I know you are, aren't you?

- It's just massive for me.

- [Phil] After 18 months of searching, they finally have their own space, enough to swing a cat, or even a really small dog.

- If people in New York can not have outside space and have a little dog, we can have a dog here.

- And I don't think it'll be long before we hear the patter of tiny paws.

(glasses clinking) (upbeat music)