Escape To The Country presenter Jules Hudson was left stunned by a couple’s unexpected decision during their property hunt.
Jules met up with Holly and James, who were relocating from a second-floor flat in Sydney, Australia, to Scotland in search of more space for their future pets. Holly explained her connection to Scotland, saying: “My great grandparents were born in Glasgow and they came to Australia in 1910, and I’ve always felt a bit of a connection back to Scotland.”
The couple had temporarily moved to Northamptonshire with James’ parents while they searched for their dream home, armed with a £400,000 budget and a desire for a characterful three-bedroom property. Wales Online reports their must-haves included ample space for an art studio and at least two acres of land with picturesque countryside views.
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Jules showed them an Edwardian sandstone house with a recently added sunroom, which he thought would make an ideal art room, along with a modern kitchen and two spacious reception rooms that could accommodate a home office. The upstairs featured three bedrooms and a family bathroom.
They were enthralled by the second property they visited, boasting 40 acres of land. “It comes with that little croft house,” he said, guiding them towards the small cottage requiring extensive renovation.
Holly was surprised by her attraction to it: “I would have never come and looked at this one, but it’s awesome,” she remarked during their tour of the outdated home.
Her partner, James, shared her enthusiasm, adding, “I think it’s very exciting – and all the things you could do to it!” Jules later informed them that due to the substantial land, the price for the property was £375,000.
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However, he hinted at a potential financial strategy: purchasing the vast estate and reselling some of the land could lead to a £100,000 return, while still retaining 16 acres.
By the episode’s close, the couple had made up their minds, opting for the second property.
“I do like a challenge and I feel like I’ve come all the way from Australia and I don’t want to stop at nine per cent of the way there. I really want to be in the Scotland that foreigners imagine Scotland to be. I wasn’t expecting to want to do that,” she confessed.
As plans began to take shape, Holly announced, “We’ve got to call an architect Jules,” and James playfully quipped: “What’s the worst that could happen?”
*Escape To The Country airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.