Escape to the Country star Alistair Appleton was forced to disappoint a couple who found a house that “exceeded” their expectations. The BBC programme returned on Monday (April 22) and saw first-time buyers Carl and Michelle looking for a new home.
The couple were looking to relocate from Tooting, South London, in the hopes of giving their one-year-old son Hugo some more space. Carl and Michelle were currently residing in a one-bedroom flat and shared hopes of Hugo having his own bedroom.
Opening up about their desire to move to the countryside, Michelle explained: “I would love Hugo to have an outdoor lifestyle. I grew up playing outside as a child and I would really like for him to have the same.”
The doting parents met Alistair in The Chiltern Hills, the English countryside which covers 660 square miles across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. Carl revealed they were also moving out of London as they were likely to get more for their money. The couple’s budget was £600,000 for their first property.
They wanted this to include at least three bedrooms, a child-friendly garden, and within a 10-minute drive of a train line to London.
Carl and Michelle took a liking to the second house they were shown, located in Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire.
The detached Victorian house featured an open-plan kitchen and dining room, three bedrooms, a stunning garden and a cellar.
However, the 54-year-old presenter was forced to disappoint the couple when he revealed the house was on the market for £625,000 – £25,000 over their budget.
“But the owner is keen to move and she is open to options and it could be that she ends up inside your budget,” he told the duo.
Alistair added to the camera: “It’s always such a shame when I have to say a property is above budget but we couldn’t not show this beautiful Chilterns property.”
Speaking about their love of the home, Carl said: “I’d personally say it’s exceeded my expectations. You can very easily turn this into a nice family home.”
Carl and Michelle ended up putting in an offer on the house, however, it was declined. Alistair revealed that in a “surprise twist”, the couple ended up purchasing a home in the county of Surrey.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One.
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