(uplifting music) - [Phil] This week, we're wowed by the bright lights of the big city.

(traffic noise) - I think it's the best thing you've ever found ever.

- I'm quite happy.

- [Phil] And bowled over by the charm of the Cotswolds.

(gasping) - You happy?

- Very happy.

- [Phil] But the road to finding the right house has a few bumps along the way.

- She's gonna kill him if he stays stung for much longer.

- Oh really?

- Yeah.

- I need to know.

I don't how you feel about this house.

- The pressure's on.

She's spending a vast amount of money, and I'm here to try and make sure she does it sensibly.

And it's down to us to deliver.

(gentle piano music) Welcome.

- Wow.

- To the penthouse flat.

(funky jazz music) This week, we're catching up with two very different searches.

In London, we had our youngest ever house hunter with our biggest ever budget.

And in the Cotswolds, we had a newly engaged couple desperate to buy their first family home.

What they shared in common was determination and bags of it.

Three years ago, wedding bells were ringing in the Cotswolds for newly-engaged couple Isabel Phillips and Chris Martin, who were keen to walk into their first home before walking down the aisle.

They were searching in and around villages in Gloucestershire.

While last year I was concentrating my efforts on London's South Bank for 18-year-old student Claire Winship.

She was looking for her first home with a stellar budget of 1.7 million pounds and was keen to find a prime spot on the River Thames.

Having moved from Oxfordshire, first year student Claire is loving her newfound independence in the capital, and it means more to her than most.

She was born with cerebral palsy and needs round the clock care, but that certainly hasn't stopped her enjoying university life.

- I've just finished first year, which is great fun.

A lot of changes to start with, but I've enjoyed all new friends and being in London and all that student life has to offer.

(people chatting) - Claire leads a quite active social life.

She's made a lot of friends on her course.

- She like doesn't let her disability hold her back at all in any way.

- [Kirstie] Claire's condition occurred due to complications at birth, and she's recently been awarded financial compensation in a personal injury settlement.

The seven figure payout made Claire a multi-millionaire overnight.

It's held in trust and is to last her for the rest of her life.

- [Phil] She's determined to invest her payout wisely and a set aside 1.7 million for a home which will enable her to live as independently as possible.

(laughing) - [Claire's Friend] Lord, look at these.

Compton Avenue.

- It's really important to me that I'm as independent as I can be.

I really do need carers, but if I have my own place, I can adapt it and change things and communicate so I can do as much as I can on my own.

- [Phil] She wants to be right in the heart of all that London has to offer, and her search focuses on the South Bank.

Being both central and close to the river makes it one of the most expensive places in London to buy.

- I'm looking for property along the Thames ideally, along the South Bank.

But I just love the whole atmosphere and a nice stretch of the Thames.

There's always something happening.

Always lots to do, lots of people and buzz.

I want to be a part of it.

- The South Bank has proved to be a good place to buy.

Even in the downturn, it held its value better than most.

So, it should tick Claire's investment box.

Nevertheless, I'm feeling the pressure of helping a teenage millionaire buy her first home.

It's a huge responsibility.

Well, here we are, wonderful day, banks of the Thames.

- Yes.

- Fantastic spot, and I know this is kind of where you want to be, isn't it?

This is the view that you're looking like.

- Right here would be great, yes.

I just want be able to pop downstairs and walk into some London life, yeah.

- Okay.

How are you feeling about things?

'Cause I'm very mindful this is quite a daunting thing that you're going through.

You haven't had your 19th birthday quite yet.

- No.

- This is a significant sum of money that you're going to be investing.

- I've done a lot in the last nine months I've never done before.

- Yeah?

- And this is important to me, and yeah, I feel good.

- Good for you.

Well, we're not gonna find it here.

- No, we aren't.

- So, we should make a start.

- Why don't we, yeah.

(upbeat music) - [Kirstie] So Claire obviously needs a good investment, three bedrooms for her and her live-in carers, and an easy 20-minute commute to university.

She wants to be on the South Bank in a place with a fantastic river view, as well as easy access to shops, restaurants, and bars.

(boat horn sounding) - [Phil] She's happy to spend around 1.7 million, but can go considerably higher for the right investment.

It may be a lot of money, but it's never easy matching people with property.

And in such a competitive area, the extra cash doesn't necessarily make this task any easier.

(lighthearted acoustic guitar music) Claire wasn't the only house buyer in search of some independence.

Isabel and Chris were planning their new life as Mr. and Mrs., but as a live-in nanny and an army captain staying in barracks, they'd never set up home together, nevermind bought a house.

- We've been together for over six years now, and the longest we've spent together at one time is about four weeks.

So, it would be a massive benefit to have a place we can live together, which we haven't had.

- No.

- [Kirstie] Isabel has always stayed with families in live-in nanny quarters, and army boy Chris wants to ensure their new location is as safe as houses when duty calls.

And one of them has some very specific ideas about their new home.

- No, no.

(laughing) No, no, no.

- No, wait, wait, wait.

- Obviously I'd like my two bedrooms, good size bedrooms, and a living area so I can put all my stuff out and make it my own.

So, or our own, I should say.

(laughing) - [Kirstie] Quite right.

Oh, dear, I sense trouble ahead unless someone remembers that after he carries her over the threshold, he's going to be staying.

- Hey - Hello.

- Hi, I'm Isabel.

- Nice to meet you.

It's clear looking around, guys, that you're still really, you know, having your youth, that clubbing is at the heart of your existence.

(both laughing) That you're not looking to nest in any way.

- No, asolutely not.

- Yeah, no.

(everyone laughing) - Give me your dream marital home.

- A family home is what is what I'm looking for.

The actual, the nitty gritty of the house doesn't actually bother me that much, as much as it does Isabel.

(mellow guitar music) - [Phil] For 210 grand Isabel and Chris want at least two bedrooms for their new marital home.

- [Kirstie] They would love a large kitchen and a garden.

- [Phil] And they'd prefer a period house with no work to do in a small village.

The hunt is on to find two first homes, both for buyers with high expectations.

We're looking in the Cotswolds for a cozy marital home for newly-engaged Chris and Isabel at 210,000 pounds while we've got 1.7 million pounds to find a plush apartment in London for student Claire.

Claire's using part of a seven-figure personal injury settlement to fund her purchase.

It might be our biggest budget to date, but it's not all plain sailing.

And I'm drafting in Kirstie for the afternoon to help me out.

Well, I know you wanted to be on the South so we're coming to have a look at the flat in there.

- [Claire] Wow.

- And you're familiar with it?

- I am.

I have seen a couple and actually the rooms.

Yeah, I was at this area.

Lots of bars and restaurants and people.

- So, first impression's good?

- [Claire] Great, definitely.

(mellow New Age music) - [Kirstie] We're in Vauxhall on the western boundary of the search area, and at 1.75 million pounds, this three-bed apartment offers everything Claire wants.

- [Phil] The bedrooms aren't huge, but that's the price you pay for being right on the riverbank and close to all the action.

- Wow.

- Up on the 13th floor, full river frontage.

It is a wow space.

- It's silly to walk in here and sort of pretend that we are viewing a normal flat.

We're not viewing a normal flat.

What's the thing that stands out?

- To me, it's the space, and it's a great view out there, yeah.

And it's so light and airy and modern.

(mellow New Age music) - This is a great flat, but all flats in this price range are going to be impressive.

And I'm keen to root out what's most important to Claire in this search.

Would you say your principle concern is finding somewhere which delivers the greatest amount of independence?

- Yes.

- Right.

- Yeah, the investment is second to that.

- Right.

- Definitely.

It's my life.

It's not about money all the time, yeah.

Of course, I have to consider that for the future, but I want to enjoy it.

- [Phil] So, independence is more important than investment for Claire, but we can't let either out of our sight.

- It is extraordinary how adamant she is about the independence.

And obviously that is a huge, huge part of this.

This is who I am.

This is the money that is my compensation.

This is where I'm going to spend it.

- This is my future.

I'm gonna look after myself.

- Yeah.

Easy navigation is a key part of Claire's independence.

- [Phil] Is it good enough?

- The bedrooms are a bit small, but I can do that, yeah.

It's about compromise.

- [Kirstie] I've said it for years, but this really illustrates it.

There are compromises with every budget.

Well?

- Not the gold star quite yet.

- No.

(funky jazz music) (funky jazz music) (upbeat soft rock music) - [Phil] This week we're catching up with two searches.

Student Claire is living it up in the capital with a 1.7 million pound budget while army captain Chris and nanny Isabel are buying their first home in the Cotswolds for 210 grand.

Mary Poppins may have been able to pull a lamp out of her handbag, but are you gonna be able to pull a dream house out of yours?

- I'll do my best.

I'm helping Isabel and Chris search for their marital home.

They're on the hunt for a safe two-bedroom house with a separate kitchen and living area, which needs no work.

We're starting our search in a quiet, modern development in Moreton-in-Marsh east of Cheltenham.

It's a pretty market town filled with bars, cafes, and traditional Cotswold stone properties.

With two bedrooms, a decent kitchen, and three bathrooms, this could be a good first property for them.

It's only two years old and needs no work so they could move straight in.

It's 20 grand over budget, but in a buyer's market everything's negotiable.

Right, guys.

So, first room we see together.

Now you were quite quiet on the way in.

First impressions.

- I like it.

- Yeah.

- It looks.

- Oh, look, look, I see shoulders.

I read body language.

- No, no, no, it's nice.

- [Kirstie] Right, now, kitchen diner.

- It's a bit on the small side.

- [Kirstie] Telling me.

- Yeah, it is quite small.

- I can't see me entertaining around that table.

- Yeah, you would struggle to entertain around that, wouldn't you?

- You said when we first started that you thought the first house would be a reality check.

Is it less or more of a reality check than you were expecting?

- I'm, I thought it would be really bad.

I thought you'd take us to something that would be, open my eyes and go, uh oh.

- You thought I would manipulate the situation for my own ends?

- [Isabel] No.

- What kind of monster do you think I am?

- [Isabel] I'm, I'm more impressed definitely.

- And because it has da da dum.

Moving on ladies and gentlemen, a garden and.

- A garage.

- That's my line.

Thank you very much.

- Sorry.

(laughing) - Come on, out you come.

Come and see the garden and the garage.

Now, here we are.

It's not a golf course, but enough room for a paddling pool and a sandpit.

This house is small, but it's what they can afford in their dream location.

And it's in immaculate condition.

All Chris would have to do is lift her over the threshold.

- [Chris] What do you think of this, of this room?

- I think it's a bit small.

I can't, you couldn't fit a do bed bed in here at all.

- You're thinking about people visiting.

- Yeah.

I mean, what sort of, if we're gonna have a second bedroom, I don't see the point of us having a single bed.

- So, guys, you've seen it all now.

- Yep.

- First house we've seen together.

- It is.

- What do you think?

- It's the space upstairs.

- Yeah.

- [Kirstie] Right.

- The en suite upstairs is wasted on us.

- Yes.

- Yeah, no.

That is the problem with modern developments.

There are three loos in that house.

- I don't want to clean three loos.

- No, exactly.

No, not if you're having to it like every day, which is what proper people do, clean their loos every day.

(everyone laughing) - [Phil] It appears that size is indeed everything for Isabel and Chris.

- [Kirstie] But increasing the size does mean compromising on something else, like location or property style.

- And in London, it's no easier when you're trying to find a flat worth millions.

- [Kirstie] Claire recently received a seven figure personal injury settlement, and she's set aside part of it to fund the purchase.

It's a huge decision.

- [Phil] I'm pinning my hopes on this three-bedroom penthouse in the middle of Claire's search area, close to Borough High Street.

Views of the Thames scored highly in the last property.

So, it's a bit of a risk to move away from the banks of the river, but you'd be hard pushed to miss any of London's landmarks from this fantastic roof terrace.

(upbeat jazz music) - [Kirstie] It's on at 1.75 million pounds, and at 2,100 square feet, it's far bigger than anything else we've seen providing plenty of open space for Claire to get around easily.

- Welcome.

- Wow.

- To the penthouse flat.

- Look at all these windows.

(Phil laughing) - Look at that view.

Look at that terrace.

- [Claire] Wow, look at all that.

- You really do get a sense of the city.

You can't see the river, but you've replaced boats with people and activity and action.

- [Kirstie] It is properly 360 degrees.

- [Claire] It is.

You can see every part of London.

- I mean this terrace is just.

- Yeah, perfect.

- It all seems very positive and gleeful.

- Yes, I'm happy now, yes.

- [Kirstie] Claire loves this place, and I don't blame her.

It's fantastic.

- [Phil] But any teenager will be bowled over by a party flat like this so I need to be doubly sure this is right for her.

- She's gonna do what she wants to do.

- It's nothing to do with her wheelchair and her condition.

It's the fact that she's 18.

She's spending a vast amount of money, and I'm here to try and make sure she does it sensibly.

- Yeah, well, she's sensibly enough called on you.

It's a great find, Phil.

I think it's the best thing you've ever found ever.

- Well, I just want it to be right.

- It is right.

It is right.

It's a happy flat.

- [Phil] Looking at this kind of budget, we're able to show you very nice flats.

- [Claire] Yes.

- But how are you feeling about actually laying down that kind of cash?

- Yes, it is a hell of a lot of money, but then my situation is a bit different, and if that's what it costs for me to have the home that I want and that's accessible enough, then that's fine.

- That's what it costs.

- Yeah.

- [Kirstie] You see, Phil, no need for all that worry after all.

- [Phil] In the Cotswolds, nanny Isabel and soldier Chris are looking for their dream marital home.

- [Kirstie] They weren't too sure they could entertain all their family and friends in the last house I showed them so I'm hoping they'll both love this much larger home.

Now, I'm learning to read your body language very quickly, Isabel.

- Yes.

- Either you're disapproving of having Phil Spencer here with us, or you don't.

- No, that's the best bit.

- Or you don't like this street.

- To be honest, I'm not 100% happy with the street.

- [Kirstie] Well, that, does that make you nervous, the van reversing?

- [Isabel] I just don't like it.

I just don't like it.

- But you don't spend your life standing in the street.

- I know, but I just, it's just the noise aspect of it.

- Hey, Chris, Chris, look, thinks you're being daft.

I can tell.

- I'm okay.

I don't mind it.

- [Kirstie] No, he does.

- I'm looking forward to getting in and seeing what it's like inside.

- [Kirstie] Okey doke.

- The vans have gotta be a sign of people spending money on their houses, doing it up, investing in the area.

- Exactly, yeah, well done.

You see, Phil can put a spin on anything.

He's the spin-meister.

- Come on.

- Let's get in there.

Not a great start, I grant you, but I'm hoping Isabel will be bowled over by the space inside.

This terraced house has three bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining area, a separate sitting room and a good-sized garden.

And despite Isabel's reaction, she hasn't just stepped into one of Chris's war zones.

This is actually a genteel cul-de-sac.

- I like the inside.

There's still a few things.

It's that first impression of the front of the house.

It's bothering me.

The garden, I prefer the garden yesterday, and it's a lot quieter.

It's the sound of traffic.

- But I don't know that it's that helpful to keep comparing in your own, in your mind.

- [Kirstie] No, it is.

No, you're wrong, Phil.

It is.

- It's useful to learn from different elements.

- No, I'm gonna disagree with you, Phil.

Yesterday, we walked away saying, probably not, too small upstairs.

Now, as well as coming to this house, which is bigger by I reckon 100, 200 square feet, and she's harking back to the peace and quiet of the previous house.

- The one thing that I'm a bit worried about would be I don't think I'd feel as safe in this house as I would in the other one.

- I'll take Izzy's point on the security because yesterday was so, so quiet, and you did feel safe when you were there.

- But right now I think you boys should go away 'cause Isabel feels bullied.

- She's looking a little bit bullied.

- Yes, she's looking a bit bullied.

- Okay, we'll go upstairs, Chris.

- Okay.

- Do you want to see the sitting room?

- Yes, yeah.

- Now, I am not here, and you know that, Isabel, to bully you.

- No, no, no.

- Into considering a house which you feel is absolutely not you, but I want you to.

- I just feel this room's a bit dark.

- It's an evening room.

It's not a room you're gonna sit in in the day.

The kitchen is where one spends one's daylight time for the most part.

You're either out at work, or you're in the kitchen.

- No, that's true.

- And then in the evening you come in here.

You cozy up.

You draw the curtains.

- Yeah.

- You seem quite sort of relaxed about things, Chris.

- I am.

I'm pretty, ah, I think the thing I'm conscious of is the fact that I am still gonna be at work during the week and then potentially could be away for periods of time.

So, it's important for, it's more important for me to know that Izzy's happy in the house.

- 'Cause she'll be spending all the time here.

- Yeah, I mean, all I'm looking for really is the family home to come back to.

- You want thump Chris at the moment, (laughing) and I totally sympathize 'cause he's walking into every house and going, yeah, great this'll do.

- That's a man's perspective.

He's not seeing it from a woman's, you know.

- It's rather touching.

He just wants you settled, doesn't it?

- He does, yes.

That's the bathroom.

- [Chris] That's quite spacious, isn't it?

- [Isabel] Yeah, and the second bedroom.

- [Chris] See, you could easily get a double bed in here.

- [Isabel] Yeah, but look at all the work we'll have to do.

- [Kirstie] Is Isabel looking at a different house to me?

- Hello.

- Hiya.

- Well, she still looks a bit miserable, and I'm sure it's not because I've turned up.

- No, it's not 'cause you've turned up.

No, I really like Isabel, but she is as particular and likes everything as well presented as she is.

There's a tiny, weenie little bit of princess in her.

- Okay.

- Well, the question is could we be happy here once we had done that work?

- No, I don't think I could.

- He is staying stumpish.

- She's gonna kill him if he stays stumps for much longer.

- Oh really?

- Yeah, she wants his back up.

- What, she wants him to have opinions and all?

- Yeah.

- Oh, I thought he was keeping stumps because.

- No.

- She was being very vocal.

- No, no.

(laughing) - Isn't that interesting?

- I'm just not feeling it.

- Okay, well, that's the answer.

- Well, how, well, what about you?

- Well, no, no, sorry, that's.

- What?

- No, that's fine 'cause I've said.

- [Isabel] What, sorry.

- No, I've just said that.

That that's the answer.

- Well, don't 'cause it makes me look as if it's just me.

- Yeah, but that's the point.

- I need to know.

- I'm not gonna be here.

- I don't know how you feel about this house.

'Cause I mean, this is just me.

I don't feel happy.

I think there's far too much work here for us.

- Okay, well, we're a couple aren't we?

So, if one of us doesn't like it, the other one's not gonna force the person to live here, so.

- Okay, that's fine.

- All right?

- Yeah.

- Let's go and have look at the next one.

(funky jazz music) (funky jazz music) - [Phil] This week, we're back with two searches with two strong-minded women at the helm.

Claire is looking for a cool pad in London close to the social scene on the South Bank while Isabel is driving the hunt for her dream home in the Cotswolds with fiancee Chris.

- But for Isabel, there's perhaps a little too much dream and not enough reality.

However, I shall not be defeated.

I've got great confidence in our next property, and it's going to win through.

So, you've got the white picket fence, really.

(couple laughing) Thumbs up so far?

- Yep, definitely so far.

- So far.

So good.

That's what I like to hear.

A much better start than last time.

With two bedrooms, a separate living room, and a pretty rear garden, this could really work for them.

It is 5,000 pounds over their 210,000 pound budget, but in this buyer's market, there's always a deal to be done.

And I've got a plan up my sleeve that can make all the difference.

So, in we come.

I wanted to show you the sitting room, first of all.

- Right.

- Oh, wow.

- Gosh.

- It's nice, isn't it?

- [Chris] Oh, yeah, very, very nice, yeah.

- It's a nice big room.

- It's beautiful.

(gasping) Oh, my word.

- Belfast sink.

(Chris laughing) Are you a fan of Belfast sinks?

- I am.

- She is.

She's always wanted one.

- It's a lovely rustic kitchen.

There's a huge window.

- I'm just gonna have to stop here.

- [Chris] We need to ask you the price, Kirstie.

- I'm getting a bit emotional.

- The price isn't the worst we've seen.

- Right.

- It's on the market at 215,000, and what I'm gonna say now is just utterly heartbreaking.

So, just don't scream at me.

- [Isabel] No.

- If you pay that level for a house, I would want you to seriously consider not moving into it for the time being, okay?

'Cause to be able to put a year or 18 months rent under your belt would make those first few months with a new baby when you didn't want to be working much more relaxing.

- [Phil] Hold your horses, Kirstie.

They're not over the threshold yet, but you do make a valid point.

(birds chirping) With both of them working with live-in accommodation, they're in an almost unique situation to buy a house and stabilize their finances.

They'd be crazy not to at least consider your advice.

- [Isabel] And you think you could fit a double bed?

- Yeah, I think you could fit a double bed.

Not a big one, but sort of queen size.

- No, it's a nice little room, isn't it?

- No, definitely.

It's a nice view.

- [Isabel] Beautiful.

- So, we found the dream.

This is the house, and all Isabel wants is for Chris to carry her over the threshold, but I want them to rent this house for two years and wait for the dream because that's the way to secure their financial future.

What's the likelihood of me succeeding in that ambition?

Nil, I reckon, but we'll see.

- You happy?

- Very happy.

- Good.

- Got everything that I'm wanted and more.

- Excellent.

- [Kirstie] So, with any luck, that's Chris and Isabel sorted.

(upbeat big band music) - [Phil] In London, I'm still flying high on the success of the penthouse viewing and feeling confident enough to play a wild card.

We're moving to the easterly point of Claire's search area in Shad Thames.

This three-bedroom warehouse conversion cleverly mixes character with a more contemporary feel.

And as for the river view, well, it doesn't get any better than this.

- [Kirstie] It's quite literally a stone's throw from Tower Bridge, which is why it has an asking price of a cool 2.5 million pounds.

- Claire's always said for the right investment, she's open to increasing the budget.

Properties along this stretch of the Thames never go out of fashion and long-term a view like this is bound to underpin value.

But, what will Claire make of it?

Well, here we are.

- Wow again.

- (laughing) They're all gonna be wow, Claire.

- I know, but.

- Two and a half million pounds buys just under 1700 square feet.

- Right.

- Direct river frontage.

- [Claire] Very direct.

- It is very, very cool.

(Phil laughing) - Wow, that is some view.

- One of the most, if not the most, famous bridges in the entire world on your doorstep.

How does it compare with the view from where we've been?

- Oh, you can't beat this view.

Yeah, for the view, this is just perfect, completely.

- [Kirstie] I think we might have another contender, and there was me thinking you had it all sewn up, Phil.

- As all these things, it boils down to money.

- [Claire] Yeah.

- And whether you feel it necessary to spend two and a half million quick.

- [Claire] Yeah, yeah.

- Or whether you're happy with what you've seen already.

- Quite a lot to think about.

Yes.

- Well, that is the first time that I've seen Claire a bit flustered, and I bargain I've taken it too far.

This is a terrific flat.

This flat is about as good as it gets anywhere, in my opinion, along the banks of the Thames, but it's two and a half million quid, and that might be a step too far.

- [Kirstie] Oh Phil, you don't make it easy on yourself, do you?

And it looks like Claire has a lot to think about overnight.

(mellow keyboard music) (mellow '70s music) - [Phil] The first property we showed Isabel and Chris was too small.

The second property was too loud.

So, there was only ever going to be one decision for their second viewing.

- [Kirstie] It's straight back to the third property, the character-filled, semi-detached cottage.

Isabel like the period features, and Chris liked the fact that Isabel, well, liked it.

This is an open and shut case, or is it?

- It's just whether we can fit just a double bed.

- [Chris] Yeah.

- What are we looking at?

There, that's four foot.

- Yep.

- Which is what they call an occasional double.

- Yes, which is probably what we want.

- Probably what we want, yeah.

- Excellent.

- So, is it a goer?

- Yep, I think it's a go.

- Yeah, definitely.

- Oh, it's a definitely from Isabel.

- Yeah, I'd definitely like to go ahead.

- I suppose it's definitely a goer then.

- [Phil] Finally, you've got there.

On the South Bank in London, Claire's decided she wants to revisit the second apartment we showed her in Borough.

Even the best river view in London couldn't match this.

(mellow electric guitar music) - [Kirstie] Since a river view was top of Claire's wishlist, it was a gamble to show her this flat in the first place, but Phil's maverick ways seemed to have paid off.

- Well, here we are again, Claire.

- [Claire] Here we are again.

- I tell you, I wasn't surprised to be back here.

- No, were you?

(Phil laughing) - Do you think about this most?

- Yeah.

- I think about me finally being happy.

As it turns out it's not right by a river.

- [Phil] Yeah.

- But to me, that's not what mattered anymore.

- [Phil] So, Claire's realized a cityscape can be just as stunning as a river view, but it's not a done deal yet.

She wants her occupational therapist's opinion on the practicalities of living here.

- Right.

So, is this the master bedroom?

- This is currently, yeah.

- Well, Claire's quite obviously smitten with this place.

To be perfectly honest, so am I. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for her.

I just have to hope that her occupational therapist thinks she can make it work.

But then again, Claire's already instructed me that I must bully her therapist into making it work.

- Okay, my ideal thought would be to really take this wall out.

- Right.

- And knock it into a really large second bedroom.

- Yes.

- If you like.

You've got then no problems with your turning space.

- No.

Hello again.

- Well, I can't tell who's smiling more.

- [Occupational Therapist] I know, I know.

- Is this all right?

Are we okay?

- Yes.

(laughing) - We are.

- Yes, it certainly has the wow factor, doesn't it?

- It does.

- But I think from the wow factor, you still can look at it practically, and the good thing about it is you actually have the ability to change the space to suit, Claire.

- Well, I'm relieved.

I am relieved.

No, I'm more relieved than you.

Sounds like, we've, um, got a bit of negotiations on them.

- We have.

- So, we will vacate the premises.

- Okay.

- Lovely.

- And find somewhere comfy.

- After you.

- Sounds good.

(laughing) (mellow electronica music) - Whilst it may not have been what we set out to find at the start, this flat has turned out to be everything Claire both wants and needs.

Now, it's down to me to get it for her.

But we started on the South Bank.

- We did.

- Let's hope we can finish it here on the South Bank.

You love it.

- I do.

I really love it.

It's as perfect as it can be.

It's just wonderful.

- It's on at one and three quarter million pounds.

- Yep.

- We've spoken to six or seven of the local agents about prices, comparable prices, likely prices.

The flat next door has just sold at 768 pounds per square foot.

It sold for 1.45.

The flat that we're looking at is a better flat.

It's a bigger flat.

It's a better flat.

It's got much better views, and it's terrace is three or four times as big.

My suggestion is that we open negotiations at 1,600,000.

I think that's likely to be declined.

I think he'll want more than that.

What's your take on that, on that approach?

- To be honest, I had hoped we were going a bit lower, but what you just said about the square feet in it, yeah.

Well, I can completely see why it's not.

You don't know what to expect, you know?

I'll go with what you say.

- 1.6?

- 1.6.

- Let's have a go.

(mellow keyboard music) Sean, very good afternoon.

It's Phil Spencer here.

I'm ringing about the flat you've been helping us with.

It's been awkward to try and justify the 1.75, but I do have an offer.

And the offer that she'd like to make is for 1.6 million.

Okay, many thanks, bye bye.

Well, the die is cast.

- I don't think it worked.

(laughing) - But that's no problem.

We're at the table.

We're talking numbers.

We're being serious.

- Okay.

- [Kirstie] Meanwhile, at 215,000 pounds, this property is five grand over Isabel and Chris's budget.

However, as they both have live-in accommodation provided with their jobs, I suggested that they rented the property out for a year to balance their books.

(mellow piano music) I've gotta ask this question.

Do you think you will be able to bring yourselves to rent that house?

- We've discussed it a lot.

- Yeah?

- Initially, no, because, and the reason is.

It's not that I was talked into it.

The reason is.

- [Kirstie] You were talked into it.

- I wasn't, Kirstie.

- The reason is because we have spent a lot of time apart as a lot of couples have, but we're in a position now, fortunately, through where I've been posted to that we're in a position where we can for the next year and a half actually enjoy livin' together, which may not be the case in year and a half's time.

And we just feel, it would be an opportunity we because of the work we do it'd be an opportunity we'd be silly to miss.

We love the property.

Ideally, what we'd be looking for is to get the property included with all the solicitors fees, stamp duty for within 210,000.

- I don't think you could buy that house less than about 4,000 pounds.

So, if you wanted everything all in for 210, you wouldn't be in a position to offer more than 206.

- No.

- I think that's what we'll look at doing is an offer for 206.

- And you could come back from honeymoon to that house.

- Oh, I think we're sacrificing the honeymoon for this.

- Yep.

- Are you?

- Yeah.

- So, you're gonna spend your honeymoon in that house.

- Yep.

- Probably.

- Oh, God, in which case I have to secure it.

In which case you've given me a fantastic negotiating tool.

- Yes.

- Shall I go ahead and do it?

I've never rang up an agent and said we're making an offer, and the money included in the purchase price was going to be spent on the honeymoon.

- No, that's true.

- That is true.

- Yeah.

- Right, okay.

(gentle keyboard music) We, Isabel and Chris and I have just had a long chat.

Their maximum maximum budget for everything all told was 210,000 pounds.

So, it's not possible to purchase a house at 200,000 for less than four grand, which would leave 206,000 pounds in the pot.

Now that 206,000 pounds includes the money for their honeymoon.

They intend to spend their honeymoon in that house.

(funky jazz music) - [Phil] In London with Claire, waiting is the name of the game.

After our low bid of 1.6 million, 150,000 pounds under the asking price, I'm expecting the agent to call back with a counter-offer.

- [Claire] Oh.

(phone ringing) - Hi, Sean.

Yeah, I'm good.

Any news?

(gentle New Age music) Yeah.

(laughing) You've got it.

She's over the moon.

Thank you very much, indeed, terrific.

Delighted.

Cheers.

- Good.

- (laughing) 1.6.

- Wow.

- What a deal.

- Well, good.

- What a flat.

- I'm speechless.

- So am I.

- I'm happy.

- Bartender, we'll have another couple of drinks please.

Woo hoo.

- Woo hoo.

- [Kirstie] With an incredible 150,000 pounds saved off the asking price, I think you can afford more than one.

- [Phil] In the Cotswolds, there's no cork popping just yet.

- Let me have a word.

I mean, that, that was our, that was our, really our best offer.

And, and, but, but, but let me have a word, and we'll see.

Right.

It's obvious that it's all very, very tight.

- Yep.

- At her end.

I think both of you are counting every last penny.

- Initial feelings at the moment is that we came here, you know, we entered into looking for the property with a budget, And it wasn't picked off the top of our heads.

I mean, that was really the maximum we could afford.

We'll have think about it tonight, but at the moment we think that, that may be it for that house.

- [Phil] Isabel and Chris decided not to push their finances into the Cheltenham cottage.

Three years later, we are back to catch up with them.

They're in their dream location of Morten-in-Marsh, but not in a property that we ever thought we'd find Isabel in.

- Isabel was a little bit shocked when I phoned her up and said I was really interested in a new build apartment.

She, which wasn't something that we'd consider previously.

However, when I managed to get her down here, explained where it was, had a look at it, and actually, I think when you came in, you were able to visualize what we might be able to do with the place.

So, it was a joint decision.

- I think also when, when it's, you haven't got any furniture, and you came in, it just, it was a huge room, wasn't it?

- Yeah.

- And I just knew that I wanted to fit it with all things.

- (laughing) Which indeed you have.

- [Phil] Isabel's worked hard to transform this two-bedroom blank canvas into a beautiful home, but it didn't come cheap.

- I think our original budget was 210.

We bought this for 220.

So, quite a bit more, but actually we had a really good, a good firm understanding of what it was we were looking for and this ticked all of the boxes.

So, that's why we were, we were more than happy to find the extra cash, and hopefully it'll turn out to be a really good investment.

- [Phil] It's great to see how focused they were on getting their perfect place, but finding the extra money to get it did come with some sacrifices.

- We didn't move in here until just after we'd got married, which was nice.

- He actually carried me over the threshold.

- [Chris] Yeah.

- [Isabel] So that was lovely.

(laughing) - We didn't have a honeymoon.

So I remember there was a few, there was a few tears at one stage because we, the money, which would've gone into a honeymoon, we put into this property.

And we actually had our honeymoon last year.

- Last December.

- And so it was only two and a half years late, but it was worth it.

- Believe me, it was.

- [Phil] As an army captain and a live-in nanny, Chris and Isabel often spend time apart so having a home has given them a sanctuary to share.

- Having our own place where we naturally always come back to, it does mean that we've spent a lot more time together.

A normal life.

- Yeah, a normal life with me, with your dinner on the table, being a proper housewife.

- I eat a lot better when you are here.

- [Isabel] Oh, you do.

(laughing) - [Phil] Well, they do say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and I can certainly vouch for that.

Isabel and Chris have settled into married life together and finding the right location was the key.

- Kirstie was excellent at giving us just, you know, dispassionate advice really.

I wouldn't say cold, but you know, she was really clear in what decisions we were gonna have to make, and we were very grateful for that.

And we're in a much better position to make decisions on our own as adults probably in the future.

- We're brilliant at compromising now.

(laughing) - [Chris] Oh, yeah, we are.

- Oh, I love hearing that word from our dear house hunters, and after a tempestuous search, it's great to see Chris and Isabel so happy in their marital home.

In London, I'm also hoping to find smiles all around in another first home.

I'm on the South Bank.

I've come to see what our youngest ever buyer has done with our priciest ever property.

(scooter engine humming) I think I'll need to ditch my wheels of steel before I visit Claire in her rather swish penthouse apartment.

Automatic door.

Claire, good morning.

- Hello.

- Hey.

- How are you?

- Very, very well.

Lovely to see you.

- And you.

- [Phil] I can't deny I'm a little bit more than excited about seeing what she's done with the place.

Oh, the lovely flat.

Claire.

- It's not bad, is it?

- It looks fantastic.

- Thank you.

- And what a difference.

Claire's transformed the whole place.

(upbeat music) It looks awesome.

- I like it.

- Absolutely awesome.

- Thank you.

- [Phil] Goodness me.

- 'Cause I actually like the flat.

- [Phil] And it, I know you haven't been in very long, have you so?

- I haven't.

It's not quite a month yet.

- [Phil] How come it did take so long?

- It was sorting out all the builders and the architect.

I'm hoping not having to do it again for a while.

- Hopefully you won't have to.

- I won't have to so.

- That was the general idea.

The ever independent Claire's worked tirelessly with the architect to adapt the flat to her specific needs.

- This desk is quite handy 'cause it can be raised and lowered.

- Really?

- On the end there if you press the first one.

- That one?

- Yeah.

And take it up, which always will be helpful for me to have it at eye level, the, certainly.

- Okay.

- And then if you repress, it can go the other way.

- Very cool, very cool.

This is like James Bond.

- I know.

(Phil laughing) - [Phil] Even Q couldn't fail to be impressed with the high-tech gadgetry on offer all over this place.

- [Claire] Open those doors.

- Open these?

- Yeah.

To the side, just.

Ta da.

- Ooh.

(laughing) It's huge.

- [Claire] I know.

- So much of this whole process was about your own independence.

- So obviously the technology is there, but you have to have the space and the sort of environment to set it up properly.

I don't think there are that many flats where it would look as sort of integrated as it has here so.

(upbeat electronica music) - I think that's the smartest thing about the changes Claire's made.

Every space and every detail is practical, yet the finish is uber-stylish.

Claire was always incredibly mindful about investing her money wisely, and it was something I was anxious to help her do.

Even though the market's being turbulent, 12 months later, the flat's already worth considerably more than she paid.

It's in a fantastic location in Borough, and although she sacrificed her view of the river, the penthouse's panoramic view of the capital certainly makes up for it.

She's also perfectly placed to make the most out of her social life with her fellow students in the many cafes and bars that are now right on her doorstep.

When family and friends came to visit you the first time, what did they think when they came out?

- I think they were quite amazed.

I mean, it's just, it's one of those flats where everyone walks in and just smiles.

And obviously that's perfect for sort of socializing and all that, aside from all the adaptations and like.

It's still a very good, you know, party flat, which is what it is, you know.

- Oh, absolutely.

- And my friends love it so.

- Yeah, I bet they do.

(laughing) It's certainly a pad with party written all over it, but perhaps more importantly, Claire's also achieved the independence she's so craved.

I thought that was really very brave, aged 18, making a decision like that entirely on your own.

It was taking it to the extreme.

- It did often, yes.

- Oh, it did, absolutely.

When you go in through the door.

- No, it's definitely been worth it without a doubt.

It does just feel like home, and that's a great feeling to have.

- Finding Claire the perfect home as well as a great investment has been an incredible journey for us both, and I, for one, couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Claire's such a great girl.

It's been fantastic for me to come back, spend a bit of time together, and have a look at the flat, which is an absolute knockout, 10 out of 10.

More to the point though, whatever your budget buying a property is about buying a home, and that means different things to different people.

For Izzy and Chris, it was about somewhere to start building their family life.

Whereas for Claire, it was about a place to live as independently as she always dreamed that she could.

This one meant a lot to me so fantastic to see that I nailed it.

(funky jazz music)