A Place In The Sun saw Scarlette Douglas on a mission to help cycling-mad Sandra and Robert from Greater Manchester find a holiday home for £100,000 in Southern Costa Blanca. The couple ideally wanted the apartment to be within walking distance of the beach and offer storage space for their bikes. At the end of the property search, Scarlette was left astounded when the couple put in an extremely “cheeky” offer for a beach bungalow.
Property one was a two-bed apartment in La Zenia valued at £100,000.
It boasted a great sized communal pool, and had it owns entrance which then led up to a private terrace with a sea view.
When Scarlette asked the couple their initial thoughts, Sandra said: “I think I’d probably tidy it up a bit – only cosmetic. But it’s a great space.”
Robert added: “It’s nicely maintained, and ticks some of the boxes but the stairs are too narrow and steep.”
The second apartment, also offered two-bedrooms but had a slightly higher asking price of £102,586.
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A Place In The Sun Scarlette Douglas gobsmacked by buyers ‘insulting’ offer ‘It’s cheeky!’ (Image: CHANNEL 4 )
It was one of 196 properties on a complex that was a 30 minute walk to the coast and five minutes from a local supermarket.
But the communal pool, being used by so many families was a concern for Sandra and Robert.
“It’s a good size, nice and clean, it feels like we could move in,” Sandra said.
Robert added: “The second bedroom, I don’t really think is a double and I’ve noticed the road noise. The location is not as good [as the first one].”
Property three, valued at £111,207, which was over budget, but Scarlette assured a deal was to be done.
A Place In The Sun: Sandra and Robert had a budget of £100,000 (Image: CHANNEL 4 )
“Fabulous!” Sandra remarked as soon as she entered the townhouse. “Exactly what I had in mind. This is so much more like what I wanted.”
“There’s so much room!” Robert said. “I don’t know where to stand.”
The townhouse offer five outdoor spaces, four of which were terraces while the other was a front garden.
It also shared three communal pools with the other properties on the development.
But, there was one thing Scarlette could improve on, and that was it’s location: “It’s about a 20 minute cycle to the coast or then minute drive.
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A Place In The Sun: Outside space was important to the couple (Image: CHANNEL 4 )
“Remember, if we’re going to find something like this closer to the coast, your budget would have to increase and I don’t want to push it anymore than I already have,” the expert added.
She then took a gamble with property number four as she took Sandra and Robert further inland.
The house boasted three bedrooms, and had the use of five communal pools.
It again had many outdoor spaces, but the couple weren’t convinced on its curb appeal.
“I feel like you’re being polite,” Scarlette remarked. “Tell me what you’re honestly thinking.
A Place In The Sun: Property number five (Image: CHANNEL 4 )
“The other property was better, but this is better than the first two,” Robert remarked.
The fifth and final property was a beach bungalow, on the market at £107,716 and it was a ten minute walk to the coast.
“Looks very excited,” Sandra commented. “Lovely private garden and roof terrace.
“Much bigger than I expected [inside]. I would probably paint it white to make it bright and change the furniture.”
Robert added: “Inside needs a bit of work, but I was quite surprised with it being a bungalow, but the size of it.”
A Place In The Sun: Scarlette negotiated with the other agent (Image: CHANNEL 4 )
When they sat down with Scarlette to discuss all five properties, she was astounded when they revealed they wanted to make an offer on property number five, instead of number three.
The couple then revealed they wanted to put in a “cheeky” offer of £90,000 – a whopping £17,000 below the asking price.
Remaining polite, Scarlette queried: “That’s quite low, why are we starting there?”
“It needs a little bit of work and we can negotiate,” Robert explained. “It’s a staring point.”
Those watching at home saw the Scarlette ring the agent and she said: “He didn’t sound shocked or surprised like I did!”
“The owners have come back, they won’t accept £90,000 they will accept closer to £99,000,” Scarlette revealed.
Robert then said: “What do you think £95,000?” But Sandra joked: “I was going to say £94,000, but then I’m tight.”
Their second offer was refused and eventually, the owner and buyers settled on £97,000.
“It’s a done deal!” Scarlette remarked.
A Place In The Sun airs weekdays at 4pm on Channel 4.