viewers were quick to identify a significant issue, claiming one property was simply ‘a step too far’.
In Tuesday’s (January 21) episode of the popular programme, Sonali Shah assisted a couple in their quest for an idyllic rural home in West Sussex, after spending 15 years living and working in Dubai.
Nick, a tunnelling engineer, and his wife Nicola, recently retired from her position as head of marketing, were eager to return to the UK to be nearer to their family.
The pair had set aside £800,000 for a detached character property with at least three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen with large doors leading outside, and a garden spacious enough for a swimming pool.
Discussing their reasons for wanting to move back, Nick expressed: “It will be really, really nice to be able to have somewhere properly in the country, where you can walk out the back door or the front door and be in the fields and enjoy everything that Britain has to offer.”
Nick and wife Nicola wanted to make their big return to the UK so they can be closer to family (Image: BBC)
Sonali pulled out all the stops, arranging several viewings. Initially, she believed she’d struck gold with the mystery house, but the couple felt it required too much renovation, reports .
The detached grade II listed thatched cottage, priced at £850,000, boasted a modern kitchen-breakfast room, three reception rooms, and five bedrooms. Additionally, it featured a sizeable garden complete with a swimming pool.
Upon entering the expansive pool room, Nicola and Nick were left utterly speechless. Nicola exclaimed: “Wow. We were looking for a swimming pool.”
Nick chimed in, expressing his surprise: “I was not expecting to see that here.”
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Sonali Shah was on hand to help a couple find their dream home (Image: BBC)
Despite being enamoured with the house, it soon became apparent that the renovation work required was too daunting. Nicola confessed: “I think in terms of what we would need to do here to get to what we want I think it might be a step too far and I think it might be a bit too much.”
When Sonali inquired about the budget constraints, Nicola confirmed: “Yes.”
Nick elaborated on their financial limits: “It would be a huge budget to link that house with this space. I’m not sure that our budget would stretch to that.”
Ultimately, the couple revisited one of the initial properties they had seen earlier in the week. After making an offer, host Sonali announced that it had been accepted.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays from 3pm on One and iPlayer.