A “selfish” couple who viewed “more than 100” properties before appearing on Location, Location, Location were labeled “picky” by viewers last night.
Accounts manager Sophie and her music events husband Matt, from Broadstairs, confessed that they had been looking for their first home for a year and had viewed over 100 properties.
They had a budget of £600,000 and said they wanted a four-bedroom house with an open-plan living area and garden, within walking distance of both the beach and town.
In the end, however, they turned down all three properties they were shown on the program – discovering flaws in each of the homes they were shown.
Many viewers said they weren’t impressed with the couple, with one writing: “Is anyone else fed up with these young couples moving out of London on ridiculous budgets and complaining they can’t find a place to live while at their parents staying?”
Broadstairs account director Sophie and her music event husband Matt, who viewed ‘over 100’ properties before appearing on Venue, Venue, Venue, were labeled ‘picky’ by viewers last night
At the start of the program, the couple confessed that they had struggled to find their perfect home.
Sophie said: ‘We moved out of our flat in London and put everything away. Unfortunately the house has been demolished and nine months later we are still here in my mother’s house.’
Matt said it was a “rickety” environment for the young family, while Sophie said, “It just feels like we’re on hiatus, in that sense.”
They had increased their budget from £450,000 to £600,000, but their search was hampered by their long list of wishes.
The first property was a semi-detached house in a ‘spot on’ location, with Sophie saying the £525,000 house had ‘potential’
It had a beautiful extension with French doors opening onto the large garden, making it an ideal open space for the couple to grow their family.
Meanwhile, it had the open-plan living space the couple so desired – and it was £75,000 under their top budget, so the couple would have money to expand into the attic
It had three bedrooms and off road parking – but despite Sophie saying she liked the property, Matt confessed it was too small for him
While some of the rooms in the property could have done with a lick of paint, the family bathroom was newly fitted out in a stylish and modern way
Sophie said, “I grew up within walking distance of a beach, so we moved back here. A garden is very important to us.’
They also hoped for three bedrooms, appearance, storage, open kitchen and hopefully, as the family grew, there would be room for a larger family.
The search was complicated by a racing market that drove up prices, with Matt saying, “What we could afford 12 months ago isn’t necessarily available now.”
Finding a house meant everything to them, with Sophie saying, ‘We’re exhausted, we just want our own house. I don’t think Kirstie will think we’re picky, I think he’ll want to help us.’
Kirstie told them they got themselves into trouble, saying, “When you see 100 properties, you start repeating yourself.”
Sophie said, “We found properties and made an offer that was accepted, and for whatever reason it fell through.”
The second property the family saw was on one of the city’s most desirable streets. The Victorian terrace wasn’t open, but it was charming all around and had the three bedrooms they wanted
The three bedrooms in the property were large double rooms and although it could have done with some cosmetic work there was little that could be done about the house
The property, with a smaller kitchen that wasn’t open as they wanted, cost £550,000 – £50,000 under their highest budget
Meanwhile, many of the property’s master bedrooms were flooded with light and decorated in a modern and trendy fashion
Matt said, “Because of how high all the house prices are, we have to push our budget.”
Sophie added: ‘Our comfortable budget is around £450, but we can move up to £600.’
The first property was in a ‘perfect’ location, with Sophie saying the £525,000 house had ‘potential’.
It had three bedrooms, off road parking and an open plan living space that opened onto a beautiful garden.
It was £75,000 under their top budget, so the couple would have money to move into the attic.
Matt said it was “everything they could have ever wanted,” but said he felt the property was “just really small based on the price.”
Sophie said she could “imagine waking up there,” but Matt seemed hesitant, calling it “food for thought.”
The second property the family saw was on one of the city’s most desirable streets. The Victorian terrace wasn’t open, but it was charming all around and had the three bedrooms they wanted.
It had a family bathroom and an attic room, as well as front and rear gardens.
It cost £550,000 – £50,000 under their highest budget.
The third property was in Ramsgate, where the couple’s budget could go further – but they said they had little interest in moving to the area
The couple had reservations before stepping into the property – and never got beyond the spacious living room in the house
Despite their concerns about the environment, the house was spacious – with two reception rooms and four spacious bedrooms. It also had a wraparound garden
Sophie said she felt the garden “wasn’t big enough,” admitting she was more interested in house number one.
The third property the couple looked at was in Ramsgate, where there were lower prices and more space.
The detached house had plenty of space – with two reception rooms and four spacious bedrooms. It also had a wraparound garden.
It was on the market for £450,000, but Sophie was immediately unsure. She said, “The main road, the area – it’s not for us, it’s not what we want.”
They said they couldn’t stop thinking about property one, while Sophie said they liked everything about it – except the price.
On a second visit, Sophie said she ‘liked it a lot’ but Matt said he would aim for the £475,000.
He explained that he felt the market was too hot at the moment and said he felt “anxiety” about the property search.
Many of the viewers were baffled by their attitude towards buying, with many calling the couple “fussy” and “choosy”
When I sat down with Kirstie at the end of the quest, the question was whether the first house had checked enough boxes.
Sophie said she would make an offer in first place, but Matt “needed a little more time,” saying, “It’s understandable, we just need to analyze some numbers.”
However, it was revealed at the end of the program that the couple’s search was on.
Many of the viewers were baffled by their attitude to buying, commenting, “They’re not getting these two, they’ve seen 100 houses, they just don’t want anything and are losing out by paying more.”
“After more than 100 viewings you should think that the housing market is not the problem,” someone added.
A third commented, “Sophie and Matt were too picky and the longer they hang around the more the prices go up. If you haven’t found anything after more than 100 viewings, you’ll never find it.’
A fourth wrote: ‘He’s the problem why they can’t find a home.’