In a recent episode of Escape to the Country, a buyer had to pass on their dream home due to a significant ‘deal breaker’. In Monday’s (April 14) instalment of the popular BBC show, presenter Sonali Shah was tasked with helping a prospective buyer find her dream property in the Lake District.
Christina, a retired private housekeeper, revealed that the Lake District had been her sanctuary following the loss of her father and best friend two years prior, and she now wished to make it her permanent residence.
Assisting her in her property search was her friend Jean, whom she met while staying at her holiday rental, and they quickly became friends.
The avid baker had a maximum budget of £480,000 for a stone character cottage with one or two bedrooms and enough space to store her canoe.
It was crucial that the property had a large garden to accommodate the numerous pets she planned to acquire and it needed to be no more than a 30-minute drive from the Lake District National Park.
Sonali arranged several property viewings; however, one particular property stood out, but there was an issue. Christina fell for a home located in Pooley Bridge, Cumbria.
The 17th-century cottage was brimming with original period features, boasting a spacious living area downstairs and a generously-sized principal suite upstairs. The outdoor space was ample, and there was plenty of parking available, reports Yorkshire Live. Even better, it was under budget, listed on the market for £350,000.
Christina was smitten with the house from the get-go, gushing: “I love the fact it’s got a bit of age to it. It’s certainly got character, a bit of history and background to it.”
Yet, she quickly noted the downsidethe property’s proximity to a bustling road, which she wasn’t prepared to overlook.
She elaborated: “The compromise on this house I would make is the busy road, I would sort of have to get my head around that and I think that really is the deal breaker.”
Her pal Jean chimed in, lamenting the situation: “I think Christina would be on edge and it’s such a shame because the location is perfect. It’s got everything in this village.”
Ultimately, Christina opted to check out another place, crossing her fingers for a chance to make an offer if it felt right.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays from 3pm on BBC One and iPlayer
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