Escape to the Country couple gobsmacked by price of 'forever home' as expert issues warning

The couple's dream home on Escape to the Country
The couple's dream home on Escape to the Country -Credit:(Image: BBC)


Househunting always comes with its challenges, but one pair of hopefuls were stunned when they were warned about the low price of a home during a recent rerun of Escape to the Country. BBC viewers saw Cris and Stewart, who were ready to swap their 26-year London life for a more tranquil setting in the Scottish Lothians, on the lookout for a four-bedroom home.

They had an impressive budget cap of £475,000. They enlisted the expertise of Nicki Chapman to guide them through their property quest, which led them to view three potential homes.

The final stop was a mystery house in Coldingham that left the couple utterly captivated from the moment they set eyes on it. Approaching the property, Stewart couldn't hide his enthusiasm, remarking: "Now you're talking."

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Nicki was delighted by their reaction, saying: "I wish I could just take a snapshot of your faces as you came up the drive there! Isn't it incredible? " Stewart agreed wholeheartedly, indicating to Nicki that the house was exactly what they were looking for, leaving them almost speechless with admiration.

Once inside, Cris was equally taken by the grandeur of the hallway, exclaiming: "This is exactly what we want. It's got character, it's got detail. This is beautiful, I love it."

Convinced that the house checked every box on their list, the pair were eager to discover more of what the seven-bedroom, three-storey property had to offer, reports the Express. Throughout their tour, their excitement remained undiminished, with Cris declaring: "I love it, it's perfect for us. This is like our forever home, I feel it. I feel really comfortable here."

Agreeing with his partner, the husband expressed that the property was exactly what they had been searching for, eagerly telling Nicki of their strong interest. Their jaws dropped when she disclosed that the house was listed for offers over £325,000.

However, she cautioned them: "But, we're not going to do a little dance as yet because as you can imagine, at that price, it's gotten an awful lot of interest. So, that's what you've got to think about. I think it's safe for me to say that house won't be sold at £325,000. But, that is what it's on the market for, offers over. You are going to have to move very quickly on this one."

Undeterred by the prospect of a bidding war, the couple informed Nicki they were ready to make an offer, having already consulted with a solicitor.As the show concluded, the audience discovered that their bid was successful, securing them their dream home.