Twins' London Flat Search - Location Location Location - S16b EP5 - Real Estate TV

this week we're back in London and the  Royal Piccolo Space versus location with   two scrupulous sets of subjects and that  usually ends up getting its way there's   a court jester in our midst oh Phil you  look small today but would our choice of   residences be granted the seal of approval  absolutely astonished it's very small but   were we simply caught in trouble no I'm  not worried no I always look like this [Music] this week we're catching up  with two sets of hard-working young   professionals who were looking to claim  a corner of the capital as their very own   we certainly had a tall order with six foot  seven identical twins Chris and Matt Wickham   who were looking to make the biggest  purchase of their lives so far together   and trainee solicitor Gemma Pollock was after her  first home with help from Dad Ian but with a wish   list at odds with her budget unlike other parts of  the country demand for buying property in the Big   Smoke has risen ahead of supply there just isn't  enough on the market and to top it off in the   wealthy Pockets house prices have gone up and up  and up so if you want to Posh postcode be prepared   to pay the price this time our searches for  properties with the right potential focused mainly   south of the River from Wimbledon to Clapham  to Putnam London is home to Western Europe's   tallest building so hopefully it's a city that can  accommodate our tallest first-time buyers [Music]   26 year old identical twins Matt and Chris  Wickham have identical housing needs they   both outgrown their rental pads so they've  been working hard and between them they've   saved up a whopping 20 grand deposit to  buy their own place ideally as close as   possible to their finance jobs in the city  we've looked at a few places we looked a bit   in North London but it was just so expensive  there it was becoming impossible their money   may not stretch far but at six foot seven these  basketballing brothers also have a size issue   the fact that we are quite tall does impact  on what we're looking for high scenes would   be lovely I think so that we don't have to duck  with little things like our we have big feet so   our shoes take up a lot of space with size 14 feet  they're going to need some super sized storage very sadly the boy's father recently passed  away they've decided to use the inheritance   to top up their deposit and increase their  budget to 350 Grand hopefully helping them   find their perfect pad it's been a dream of  us to come by with each other and there are   very few people you can enter into a mortgage  with and someone you can trust implicitly like   my brother but these two peas in a pod  do have some differences I've Been Told   that I can be very I can be awkward I like  things the way I like them sort of thing I   would describe that as stubborn stubborn  sound familiar Kirsty what I need to what's important if the bedrooms weren't exactly  the same size I mean that's something we could   compromise on as long as we can stand up straight  for Us location is the most important thing you   have 350 000 to spend do you feel the weight of  the responsibility of investing that money wisely   definitely yeah we we want to make the best use of  it London is one of the most expensive places to   live in the world and what you're seeing does not  reflect what you're spending yeah we're not we're   not afraid of doing a bit of work no to a property  and we're also we are realistic right okay drink   up because Flats don't find themselves thank  goodness we'd both be out of a job Matt and Chris   ideally want no more than a 40-minute commute  to work in the city and have high expectations   when it comes to location preferring the central  spots north of the river like Pimlico and Victoria   but I will also be pushing them South to show  them how much more they can get for their money   the 350 000 pounds Matt and Chris are off to  a place with two equal sized bedrooms as this   won't be a forever home they'd like good  investment potential they aren't afraid of   getting their hands dirty with a bit of work  oh and no hitting their heads on the ceiling   it requires an equally concerted effort gemma's  a 22 year old trainee solicitor with more than   one string to her bow a high achiever she  hits the high notes in the orchestra she   plays within her spare time and also in  her career I got offered a job with them   a law firm down here I thought it'd be a  good idea to get used to living in London   relocating to London from County Durham's been a  massive step for Gemma so her dad Ian's keeping a   watchful eye she thinks she's clever than me now  because she's a big eyes shot lie with a degree   she doesn't know as much as she thinks she does  brain box she may be but Street Savvy she's not green to London Gemma and her friend  have rushed into renting in Peckham   an area where she doesn't feel at home  it's causing Ian to lose a little sleep   we were showing this plant after seeing quite  a lot of other ones that weren't very nice   it's not dangerous but it doesn't have a  comfortable feel about it he is very protected   both my parents are they always like to know that  I've got home if I'm out late on my own [Music]   determined she wants to live on her own but  she can't afford it yet so like up to 80 to   first-time buyers under 30 she's getting  a little helping hand from her parents   they've generously decided to remortgage  the family home to the tune of 80 000 pounds lots of people invest in property we're investing  in property and in our dollar at the same time   and you know we know we're  going to get a return on that   since getting herself in a pickle  about postcodes gemma's swatted up   on South London and decided she'd like  more of a rural feel for her first home so Gemma it's your fault we're standing here on a  freezing cold windy Wimbledon common because this   is where you'd ideally like to live in an ideal  world yeah you want somewhere that you can come   home to which is yours and which is cozy and safe  but also that's got the space for for a big sofa   bed for my family to be able to come down and  stay when they can Ian what's most important to   you in terms of for security for Gemma we want  somewhere where she'll be happy in terms of the   investment side we want to be able to sell it  at some point and hopefully get our money back   do you think with our help and your increasing  knowledge of London we might be able to find you   something in an area that you feel a bit better  about that's what I need I just need someone to   point me in the right kind of areas to where I'll  be better off for commuting and things like that   gem is a woman who knows exactly what she  wants hmm sounds like someone I know so the   sooner we get off this blustery common  and start searching the better [Music]   and her dad have got 200 000 plans to spend on a  one-bedroom flat that needs to offer decent inside   Space resell potential and be in the Wimbledon  area and while you're at it please may I have a   full head of hair the only Plus on these searches  is that we have a Home Advantage yeah completely   on home Grand know what I'm talking about know  the streets know the areas all of that's really   good is that what you're talking about I don't  think this is this is going to be interesting   thank you Phil the average age of a first-time  bar in London is 32 that's two years older than   the rest of the UK compared to this our guys  are getting in early but it's a major life step   and it's up to us to see  they spend their money wisely   first up we're in Wimbledon where  Gemma would love her first home to be   a really Swanky one bed flat here can set you back  a staggering half a million pounds whoa there can   I just remind you of gemma's budget we've got  less than half half a million pounds so that   means getting all Gemma wants will be incredibly  tough Wimbledon lies seven miles Southwest from   the center of London it's home to the most famous  tennis championships in the world but the real   attraction in this area is Wimbledon village with  its pretty high streets lined with cafes bars   and fashionable boutiques you would never know  you were in London I think this first property   is the Ace in the pack they're going to love the  location which is a stone's throw from the common so Wimbledon common it would be hard to  find a safer more bird-cheeping Tree Line   Street than this yep lovely yeah I'm quite  encouraged it's a nice appealing looking   building the gardens and grounds are nice  the areas spot on your dad's positive how   positive are you Gemma no I like it  I like the look of the block I really   like the location I like the security of it  as well okie dokie this 1960s building has   a smart exterior and the bonus of a secure  entry buzzer which means Ian can sleep easy   it's in beautiful Nick and perfectly formed  but small will it have enough space for Gemma   and her extensive collection of books it's on  the market at 195 000 pounds so it is in budget really and it's a nest but as well yeah  the kitchen's very small it's nicely   done though it's nicer done all this  verses it's not the smallest I've seen   this property was originally a studio flat the  entire space is about 323 square feet as well   as all her books Gemma has got a piano  to squeeze in I think I can probably get   everything in I think the piano could go either  along here with the television on the wall or   even possibly along there she thinks she can make  it work good honor when I bought with Stephanie   mother bought our first home as soon as we walked  in the door we're near we can see ourselves in   this do you get that sort of vibe from it I do to  a certain I do to an extent it's a nice property   and it's nicely done it's whether with everything  in it that was mine it'd be too much of a   compromise that's a good way up it's the location  of its size isn't it it's always going to be the   case put your feet up Kirsty sounds like they  don't need you on this search so first flat yep   quite impressed the only compromise is the size  inside but as you said there's always a compromise   well let's go and see some other flats Flats which  need a bit of work and then see where you're at   okay good start I've got to admit what worries me  is the fact that she's got more books than clothes   you've scored on location was all top but Gemma is  clearly Holding Out for a bit more space [Music] this week we're back in London catching up  with young first-time buyers the first flat   we showed trainee solicitor Gemma was in the  perfect spot but didn't match her High Hopes   space wines and towering twins Matt and Chris  also had expectations through the roof for   their first property we were staying south of  the Thames in the bustling area of Putney here   the average price of a flat is a hundred grand  over the boy's budget but the place we found in   East Putney is Affordable partly because of the  work that's needed or Phil you look small today   thank you Kirsty how to make me feel nice I know  we're here we're here we're kind of equidistant   between Wandsworth Town train station and East  Putney Tube Station so you've got both of them   with an alternative author oh fantastic you  got long legs we can walk under a 10 minute   walk is probably two minutes right here we go  thank you they may not mind a morning stroll   but their commute to work from here could take up  to an hour longer than the 40 minutes they'd like   but this two bed first of all flat is in  a great area and is bang on budget [Music]   living room is a great space for our Lads with with the compromise lies in the bedroom size  [Music] wow yeah really high ceilings okay   first impression isn't it feels big and roomy to  me really Airy it does take a lot of our boxes at   the moment this is a lot bigger than I thought  we would be looking at its condition is letting   it down if you just found this flat ten thousand  pounds for the value and that is not no word of it   eviction is it possibly more no that's the  exciting thing I think about it you could do   a lot with it for little effort but will our super  size siblings remain as unfazed by the little and   large bedrooms there's definitely a senior bedroom  and a junior bedroom and I'm I don't know how you   would resolve that have you thought about that I'm  not too fussy and Matt usually ends up getting his   way so we'll see what you agree there man uh  well I won't paint me in a bad light but no   um possibly um I think I would make  sacrifices I'll do some more cookies   compromising already they'd make any mother  proud it looks like we might have to be a bit   more creative with space in this room yes I mean  there are lots of things you can do you could move   the kitchen into the living room yeah creating  an open plan kitchen living space means that this   small bedroom could be knocked into the current  kitchen creating a giant sleeping space it'd be   something you'd have to save up for a little bit  yeah we were forewarned it would be a big room   and a small room and I wasn't necessarily quite  prepared for the size of this one I think well   have a Wonder have a think it shouldn't take time  okay thank you thank you so size does matter in   the bedroom this room is massive to me yeah makes  me wonder whether we actually need the space yeah   but there's too much square footage in the sitting  room it's a very good film without other things no   it is really difficult for them but I'm really  keen on how much value you can add to this flat so so time for some reflection up man I  think you can easily see that you could   do something to it and make it a nice  place to live as a great investment but   we would be willing to sacrifice the size  to maybe reduce our commute in a little bit is it a shot slam dunk so it's not  quite a slam dunk but it's you know it's   getting there thankfully you know more about  property than you do about basketball Kirsty   but what we both know is that although they  like this flat we can definitely do better   we're also hoping to do better space wise  in Wimbledon for trainee solicitor gemma's   first flat her dad Ian's helping out  we're still in their favorite area   and near tennis courts although these  ones are perhaps not quite so famous   being on this busy road means shama has great  transport links on her doorstep but handily the   property is set back so it isn't too noisy this  top floor flat has much more space than property   one 86 square feet to be exact but it needs work  if Gemma wants to recreate the style of the first   flat so if Ian's looking for a project this place  could be the one it's come down in price to 205   000 pounds and I'm confident we could get it for  a bit lower which would bring it in on budget it's looking very neglected at the moment yeah  it's a nice big spare stuff it's nice that it's   another top flower it'd be very safe a lot of  work nudes doing on First Impressions which is a   slight negative I say the problems with the trees  outside it is going to block all the light coming   into either of these windows this property would  definitely benefit from having this tree cut down   if Jammer and Ian think this flat is a contender  we could make an offer subject to tree surgery   Gemma likes the space but Ian's face tells a  different story I don't know how Keen Ian really   is to do that much work he's got the experience  and capability to talk this place up but he looked   slightly crustful and when he came in like he  knew he could do it but he didn't really fancy   coming down to London and putting in a new  kitchen and bathroom but it might be unfair   ever the sensible solicitor gemma's got her  practical hat on my concern was that obviously   even if we can get it for 200 it then requires  my mum and dad to put the money in initially to   get it up the standard that we want it to to me if  you could put that flat into that building number   one that would be ideal and it would also be three  hundred thousand pounds yeah Ian had better watch   out there's a bus approaching if he carries on  with that chat because you'll throw him under it   fortunately we're making bigger strides  with twins Chris and Matt don't get run   over Matt the next property I'm  showing them is all about postcode [Music]   hi on the boys list of preferred areas  there's a young Vibe and plenty to do here   they do get a little less space for  their money but this flat offers   Oodles of curb appeal what do we feel about  this location I'm absolutely astonished that   we can afford somewhere around here I mean I know  the area quite well it's a five minute walk to   Clapham North Station it is 20 minute commute  into the city from the location to level 10. I   mean oh no Chris is not so sure what up is a solid  nine and we go okay thumbs up for the location   recently reduced it's still five grand over budget  but I've been told there could be wiggle room   this is risky your last one failed on  bedroom size and this is even smaller   yes but has period charm and very little to do  to it so a smaller sitting room but equally High   ceilings very light and in lovely neck I can't  believe we could afford something like this   there are basically two bedrooms neither of which  would take two cats swinging around you know one   cat fine little mouse fine two cats no yeah it's  a lovely space I think you've got practical use   of shelves and things yep asking price three five  five oh if it's the top end of our budget and it   doesn't need work doing to it then all the better  exactly yeah in terms of investment potential the   boys would struggle to add much value here  so they could just sit back and enjoy it so it's more of the two bedrooms I'm not as shocked  as and it might be thought in a room this size   I've lived in a small room in my current location  as well and Matt's supposed to be the awkward one   I mean I know it seems like a cheap trick perhaps  if you put a mirror on there on where [Music] he didn't mean a mirror on the ceiling  Kirsty let's move on and see if Chris   is as laid back in the other bedroom so so not  huge it's bigger than I thought really yeah you   understood it I think did I that's rare I mean  for the location in our budget it's surpassed   my expectations is it the location that is so  fantastic you're just like as long as this flat I can't really find a negative I I had we have  pretty similar tastes yeah it's good hopefully   we'll be easy I missing Headway okay thank you  I know what you're gonna say oh bless so sweet but they're a bit bigger picture think of the  food bill I mean it's hands down better than   the last one and the last one was good  so I'm taking with it top marks Kirsty so Gents what do you reckon oh I'm kind  of Blown Away really I have a degree I'm   astonished Ashley do you want to see  another flat yeah I mean if you can if   you can better it that'd be fantastic  okay that is how I like to end today   things are not so positive with Gemma along with  that she's viewed two properties in her preferred   area of Wimbledon but each one felt like too much  of a compromise we've got one last chance to find   Gemma a safe haven in the city so we're taking  her a couple of miles out of her comfort zone we   want to show her how much more house she can get  for her money in tooting an area that's on the up   it's a really good place to buy property  because there's lots of bars coming up and   cafes it's great you get a lot more space  for your money in two things it's a fun   place to live it's the next affordable area  Wandsworth so start off in Clapham all the   city workers then can afford claphams they  came to Balaam now teaching's the next one it's certainly an area that I've  long championed as a good bet can you do a paper round around here Phil is that that's amazing well this is the one number 67 double fronted  we're gonna have a look at the flat up   the front of this Victorian Villa looks a little  neglected but worked tarted up will be done dusted   and most importantly paid for before any sale  goes through if the communal parts of the property   clearly require work check whether there are any  existing plans and funds to carry this out [Music]   this upper conversion flat has a lovely communal  Garden at the rear and inside there's plenty of   space there'll be no problem fitting all gemma's  books and her piano in here it's on the market for   195 000 pounds which is 5 000 under gemma's budget  this is the largest of the three properties by   far but is the space enough to tempt her to toot  him [Music] come on in welcome to 480 square feet it's certainly big enough for you and for guests  and visitors to stay it's spacious that's the   first thing you say because of the high salons  make it look bigger it's nice this space would be   big enough for people to stay which is good I've  got an idea how Gemma can make the most of this   space this is currently the bedroom okay I think  it should be the sitting room right okay there   would have been a fireplace there which you could  reinstate you could have all your books there   switching the bedroom with the sitting room  would allow Gemma to use this attractive space   for entertaining and the ceiling height  is so good it's lovely yeah it really is   nice and it does make it feel bigger and  lighter at this point do you want to run   back to Wimbledon initially but I think if  that's making me hesitate slightly because   of how much potential there is in it and how  big it is gemma's coming around to this place   but although she won't be living with her dad if  he's not smiling she won't be taking on tooting   I know the two things that are most important to  you are safety of Gemma and the safety of your   money I'm not saying I don't think she feels safe  it's just somewhere where she can she doesn't feel   nervous walking back on a night and she doesn't  feel nervous or you don't feel nervous about her   probably about that if I had a daughter I would  be wanting to make sure she was absolutely safe   yeah well in your honest opinion you think she's  better off buying a bigger place further away I   think your money would be safe in both yeah I  think you'd probably make more money here but   there are greater risks involved because it's not  absolutely Prime that's what occasional occasional   occasion isn't it no that's what she has to look  at I think this is a cracking flat which delivers   on both space and investment potential but is this  location right for Gemma what do you reckon I like   it it's very big it's the area I'm not entirely  convinced on sure it's not my Wimbledon which is   what I know and what I like it's absolutely fine  if from a safety perspective really no problem at   all okay Gemma says she's not sure just leave your  number with Gemma if she's got any problems okay before make any decision on a property it's  important to do your homework revisit the   location at a different time of day to get  a feel for the dynamic and if like Gemma   getting to work fast is top of your list  it's a good idea to road test your journey   since we're plenty of buses go from this  area yeah I think there's several that   gorgeous Central London as well which could be  quite useful for the nighting things oh yeah   Gemma and her daddy and seemed tempted  by the space on offer and tooting but   will she feel confident taking  a leap into the unknown [Music] we're back in springing London where we're  presenting the arguments for space over   location with trainee solicitor Gemma and it was  virtually an identical case with twins Chris and   Matt who were favoring a popular postcode over  extra space in the bedroom we had one last chance   to score with both location and size for the  Brother's first flat together and Kirsty took them   to the final property by rather unconventional  means she's always known how to travel in style would you feel if this was your daily commute  I would be pretty happy with this commute a lot   better than the tube the method of transport's  floating mats boat and you'll get points for   postcode yep and we've gone north of the 10th  and ended up in Pimlico a central spot I know   they're going to love Pimlico is in Westminster  the second most expensive Borough in London where   the average house price is over 880 000 pounds  but because you can get more square footage   for your money ex-local Authority can often be  the smart choice for first-time buyers [Music]   so my Wild Card property is this two bed  flat in an ex-local Authority building you might set the cat among the pigeons here  Estates aren't everyone 's cup of tea but the   sweet nut is the basketball court within shooting  distance slam dunk oh you're learning [Music] what   do you feel about the Block You've seen that this  is a flat that comes with a basketball court yeah   it's it's an amazing area I mean it's beautifully  maintained this flat is still 10 grand over budget   but I have it on good authority that the vendor  is open to offers it has a bright spacious sitting   room the biggest kitchen I've shown them and  there shouldn't be any squabbling over the   bedrooms as both are a pretty good size [Music]  the only downside is right outside the window be big mess well you had to point out compared  to my last flatware it took me about two   months to get used to going to sleep with the  noise but you did get used to it absolutely   um I'll sleep through anything now  I think you two should go and look   at the bedrooms these two are so laid  back they're almost horizontal [Music]   slam dunk that's what I reckon anyway [Music] I  can't get over the size of it what do you reckon 's two massive ones Kirsty I didn't say it they  said it that is it's a double bed with room to   run around in yeah yeah well I definitely didn't  think we'd find somewhere with that much space   yeah hasn't Chris said that in every place  you've shown him yes but here it's true this   flat has over 200 square foot more than the last  kitchen could do with the tall top it's a really   good size it's a really good size the answer  to this flat is that some people are put off   by the idea of living on a councilor state  I'm actually astonished and still slightly   staggered about how massive this place is and the  location the only thing for me is the Clapping   property was such a good one it was such a good  one we know that area well and so it's cut it's   kind of it's a good Dilemma to have a well-played  game but which flat will come out on top [Music]   over-intuiting Gemma and Dad have managed to get  to grips with an area they knew very little about   decided to forego her fixation with location in  favor of a second view of property number three so it's back to the spacious Victorian Villa in  tooting is this little Oasis of Tranquility enough   to lure Gemma away from her beloved Wimbledon we  spent a long time looking around remembered and   I think we realized then that we weren't going  to get what I wanted size wise in Wimbledon from   my perspective I think it's a good investment this  is a very good investment if it wasn't my daughter   which is called hard investment no problem at all  but she's got Olivia right now interestingly guys   when you come in here it will not look like that  in just behind you you just pick up that piece of   in the next six to eight months those are going  to be restored yeah it will be fantastic I mean   that's beautiful I want to go and have  a look up in the flat one last time okay   Ian ain't letting the grass grow under his feet  he means business he's just through the door and   he's already decided what he wants me personally  I think it's worthwhile put an offering on it I   think gemma's come around to that way of thinking  as well if I'm right yeah I do like the flat   I really like that we wouldn't want to go away  and say well think about it and then you lose it   okie doke well let's go and find somewhere  we can make an offer okay yeah yeah   pajama it's all starting to sink in the  dream of owning her first home is in sight   bye-bye building hope to see you and you've  been repainted that could be I was yep   can a deal be done to make it theirs Brothers  Matt and Chris also opted to go back to the third   property we showed them the ex-local authority  flat in the Swanky spot of Pimlico [Music]   it's a block that only five stories and this  would go in the twins favor any higher and   some mortgage providers may not be willing to lend  but inside the bigger the better there seems to be   a lot of storage space I know you're concerned  that you have more clothes than most girls but   you've got the place to put them plus any other  pieces of equipment yeah agreed like the balls   basketballs of course so it's pretty  scruffy the bathroom isn't it it is I think   with a little bit of money saved up over a few  months we could probably do what we wanted with it   we're not talking a lot of money and the  tiling you could probably do yourselves   yeah once you get your own drill there's  no holding me back the second viewing of   a property gives you the chance to look  at things without Rose tinted spectacles   practicalities and come up with any questions you  may want to ask the estate agent how does it feel   now it's quite nerve-wracking because this is  a realistic possibility that's the compromise   I think yeah it doesn't bother me at all some  people will walk into the sitting room and say   no way just because we're not bothered by it  would it affect the ability to sell it on do   you want to go to and have a drink and disco yes  please right after you sir question Matt love the   space and potential of the Pimlico flat but they  also love the style and location of the flat and   Clapper this really could go either way where are  you at the moment the classroom is the safe bet   we know the area very well the only concern is  whether we get in there and find that it isn't   big enough and I think in comparison to the  one we've just been to revisit it seems like   it may be one that will increase in value Matt  and Chris are going to think about this huge   this huge decision overnight I can do is make  is make all the information on both Flats I'm very conscious that you feel in a in a good  way the responsibility of the money that your   father left you and we've got to make sure we  do it right yep agreed 48 hours ago we thought   we'd never find anything that you could stand  up in and have equal bedrooms so we're in a   really good position tomorrow we will chat and  hopefully I will make an offer on one of those   Flats that'd be fantastic having initially  set their hearts on Wimbledon Gemma and her   dad have been seduced by the extra space and  investment potential of the tooting flat we've   heard an offer has already been rejected so  there's no time to beat around the bush Kirsty   property number three do you  want to make an offer on it   yeah yeah the asking price is 195. it's going  at 187 silver at 182 187 is five more than that one eight seven because it's Kirsty I've had a conversation  with my clients we think that an offer of 187   would indicate to your clients that were  very serious about it okay bye Ian's okay   no I'm not worried no I always look like  this the agent is quick to return my call Riz right [Music] right right what are they planning to do [Music]   thank you so much you know he said they  want something nearer to the asking price   you don't want to go any higher dear if  we opened yeah it's gonna be a final offer   we can't continue going up no my only concern is  that there was another offer on the table at the   weekend and if they then want to get back in  touch again and get told don't put him on it   at seven and they go with 190. I'll tell you what  I'd be inclined to do yeah off of 190 and say if   it's not acceptable we'll leave it on the table  okay yeah I'm happy with that it's crunch time one last stab at clinching this property offers in and it doesn't take long for  the response to come back for my money   that was too quick to be positive hello all right wow that's remarkable you said no [Music]   thanks so much [Music] are you pleased Ian I'm  pleased yeah of course someplace the pleased   you're happy with the price yes Gemma are you  pleased yeah you've got yourself an apartment   cheers I've got the last of my mine left I'm  just gonna have to do this little [Music] cool little fanfare some tooting might have been  more appropriate as that's where With a Little   Help from the bank of mum and dad Gemma secured  her first home two years on how does our Northern   lass feel about her move into the unknown I didn't  know anything about the area I didn't know where   it was in terms of Transport or how long it would  take me to get to work so when they showed me a   flat here for the first time I was a bit unnerved  by it and luckily Phil was on hand he knew a lot   about the area he'd give me a lot of information  guidance on it and I absolutely loved the flats   big enough to even accommodate musically minded  gemma's cherished piano the flat hit all the right   notes inside and out I think the communal Garden  was a big swing for me because it meant that I   did have the outside space in the green area  that I couldn't necessarily afford in Wimbledon   and that was the Compromise that I was willing  to accept in her original search The Wimbledon   dream was one that Kirsty and I had to gently  shatter I don't think I'd fully thought through   what I could afford and the kind of realities of  what I would want on a day-to-day living basis   planted it with a much bigger flat than I'd ever  thought I'd be able to afford simply for moving   slightly out of my search area since she moved  in gemma's been working long hours downtime is   precious and these days often spent with a  fellow trainee solicitor but the doors are   always open to accommodate visitors from the  north which was a priority on gemma's search   that's just given me the Spurs to be able to do  it which I didn't think I'd be able to I've got   a tall for bed in my living room which means that  my parents can come and stay with me my sister   stares at me quite regularly as do a number  of friends who when they're visiting London   one of Dan Ian's priorities was that Gemma  would feel at ease wherever she chose to live   I think in comparison to where I was living  before the area feels much much safer it   helps be near the main road so there is a  lot more people around looking out for each   other as you come off the tube on a night and  things like that Dad will be happy to know that   is also fantastic socially for me I think being on  the Northern line has been really helpful because   all my friends can get here quite easily there's a  large number of cafes and bars and things and it's   just quite a relaxed atmosphere gemma's worked out  her property's already gone up in value by more   than 10 percent so perhaps the parental investment  in her well-being May pay off in more ways than   one [Music] it's actually worked out really well  it's helped me get on the housing ladder for the   couple of years that I needed a hand from my  mum and dad and it's also meant that they've   had a little bit of return on an investment to  the level that they probably wouldn't have got   if they'd just put the money in a bank account so  it's worked out really well for everyone involved   great to hear I think we can give  ourselves a weird pat on the back   if I've been left on my own I wouldn't have found  flat just simply because I didn't know anything   about tilting a little bit of a risk but as it  turns out it's fantastic for getting into work   and it's still got that nice Buzz without being  Wimbledon where I can't afford to live so tooting   is suiting our soon to be qualified solicitor very  well indeed gemma's story is a good reminder that   if your cash can't buy you what you want where  you want it then it could be time to stretch   the search Board of bus or take a train to the  fringes of your favorite area and you might find   some real property gems that could have character  and more space than you've ever dreamed of at a   fraction of the price twins Matt and Chris had a  similar Dilemma to Gemma but after much agonizing   they went for location over space and chose the  Clapham flat Kirsty had the go-ahead to offer 345   000 pounds which was rejected I upped it  to 347 but sadly this was also turned down   after going back to the flat for another look Matt  and Chris decided not to re-offer at the top of   their 350 Grand budget was that the end of their  home buying dream or did it go on to new heights it was a year ago when Kirsty took on the tall  order of finding towering twins Chris and Matt   somewhere that would quite frankly fit them  both in there was a lot to consider not to   mention space for their size 14 shoes I'm  looking forward to seeing how they're all   getting on in their search for a home with  future rental potential twin brothers Chris   and Matt went for the one in the more  familiar area of Clapham but when they   couldn't get it for a favorable price Let It  Go and committed to widening their search area   what then happened one of the things places  you mentioned to us was Bellum um because I   know you're a fan of the area yes and so we came  and had a look and just so happened I think it was   the first flat actually in Berlin that we looked  at was the one that we've subsequently bought was   it an area that you considered before Kirsten and  I suggested that's the team not at all we had I   think both of us really with the as far south as  we'd been was Clapham and we really like Clapham   we were so fixated on getting as close to the city  as possible for a short commute yeah that we kind   of discounted it which was in hindsight naive  I think having lived here for just over seven   months they're now completely enamored with their  new neighborhood it's been great balance perfect   for both of us great bars excellent coffee  shops for our work commuting up the northern   lines really easy it's not too overpopulated it  feels and yeah yeah love it by adventuring just   that little further south the boys found a home  that offers them nearly 300 square foot more than   the one they liked in Clapham part of a large  house divided into five flats theirs is split   over three levels one bedroom on the lower level  one on the top and the bathroom and living area   in the middle it also gives them a share of the  Freehold and a Street full of expensive family   homes and only five or six minutes walk from  the tube great for now it's also a good future   investment please come in if you head up and take  a look at the room on the left first this is it   yeah lovely and light up here and whose bedroom's  this one this is my bedroom even though the   ceiling's a bit lower because it's in the eaves  and stand up perfectly well here this is great   you've lost a bit of ceiling height but you've  gained storage yeah the storage is fantastic   because so many places we looked around you'd have  maybe a little cupboard Under the Stairs but this   would get get two bags of golf clubs six food  business mattress or something awesome and the   um the size 14 shoes I remember yeah the uh  I like the collection it takes a lot of space   so I needed it Chris's bedroom has slightly  more Headroom and also good storage [Music]   and this is my roof light and bright again big  ceiling eyes yeah it does give a bit more of   an illusion of space so yeah it feels like a  good size room well that's the thing as well   because it's got the Wardrobe is built in water  with double height so you can get two racks of   Suits yeah almost Even Stevens in terms of  bedroom size then and the open plan living   space is the icing on the cake wow you have  done well did you know the moment you walked in   that's the one I I came to see it first without  Chris and I was really excited so I remember   Corner straight away saying well you have to  come down here this seems like a sizable flat   for London considering their budget was 350 000  pounds so how much was it honor it was on at 45.   so we kind of thought this way out of our price  range but the estate agent said his property   developer looking for a quick sell okay maybe he  could go for a deal okay so Matt kind of came down   on a speculative whim and what did you offer yeah  we we thought we're going aggressively and just   offered three four five so uh under our budget and  with a bit of a tiny bit of wiggle room okay so   um how did that go down not very well actually  but not as badly as I thought it was going to   be yeah because you didn't say outright no see  you later it was more of a um you know we can't   go that low but do you think you can go up a bit  and then we've started going up incrementally in   one one thousands okay and eventually squeezing  the beer what did you get it for we're not going   for three five five so three five five on a four  two five asking price fantastic yeah so I think we   was very lucky with the timing really well and  also good tactics good negotiate it we learned   that from Kirsty the aggressive side oh lesser no  you said that it's a great achievement and all the   more poignant for these two if my memory tells  me correctly this find this was part of a legacy   from your dad wasn't it it was indeed yes so I  mean wouldn't he be proud wisely invested good   deal done yeah I think you'd be very proud the  same didn't get to see it but um I think everyone   that's been to see it has said great things what's  the result many many congratulations thank you   very much great to know panned out well it's good  to see that Chris and Matt finally have fallen on   their feet even if they are a size 14. they've got  themselves a great flat and A really lovely place   to call home I'm quite sure they'll be happy here  for many years to come [Music] foreign [Music]

Channel: Banijay Home and Garden

Views: 190,268

Keywords: all homes home and garden, competitive london housing, diy, diy projects, first time home buyer, home decor, home decor ideas, home design, home restoration, house design, house hunting, interior, interior design, living room makeover, location, location location location, london real estate, phil spencer, real estate help, restoration

Id: BhW5nuuPNX8

Length: 46min 18sec (2778 seconds)

Published: Wed May 10 2023