If we are totally honest with ourselves it is fascinating taking a tour through other peoples houses. These type of television programmes have soared in popularity and now we have a host of different property themed programmes on many different television channels to choose from. Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer compliment one another perfectly and make the hour long programme well worth sitting down and watching. Kirstie is obviously a yo-yo dieter, in some of the series she has the figure of a goddess and then in another series she may well look voluptuous but either way Kirstie is an exceptionally attractive young woman. Phil Spencer always seems to be the placater of the two, he comes over as being laid back to the point of almost being horizontal at times. Phil is down to earth with a good sense of humour and he can often be heard offering some soothing words to a frazzled Kirstie.
One thing that has always puzzled
me is Kirsties determination to keep her black mac wrapped tightly around her, more often than not it is tied like a sack in the middle! In many of the programmes the sun has appeared to be shining and there is Kirstie sweating it out in her black belted garb. Phil always seems to favour the casual approach, the slacks, the open necked shirt and the favourite old jacket.
It is always interesting when they meet the prospective house buyers for the first time, you can immediately sense whether there will be an instant rapport or whether some animosity may well creep in at some point within the next hour. The couple who are searching for a new property in a new location to offer them the lifestyle that they crave. Sometimes the couple are on the same wave length and have a clear vision of what type of property they want to live in and other couples have divided opinions. Kirstie and Phil go through the motions, ascertaining their budget, their expectations and their aspirations. Some couples have an ample budget to fulfil their dreams and other couples are seemingly less than realistic, expecting a mansion for the price of a semi-detached.
Kirstie and Phil take turns to show the couple properties that have been hand picked. What never ceases to amaze me is the arrogance of some couples, it has to be said the perpetrator is usually the female! The house in question can be described as awful, tasteless, badly decorated, out of date or just slated in general. Kirstie bites her tongue and vents her frustrations to Phil after the viewing. It makes good television of course but I always feel that the property that they are bringing to the ground is someone's beloved home! Many times Kirstie and Phil try to tell the couple that the work is all cosmetic, a good coat of paint and some new carpets to suit their tastes will soon put the house in order.
Kirstie tends to be more fiery and loses patience, often berating the couple for being totally unrealistic. Phil is generally the saving grace and calms Kirstie down well. As the couple view the selected homes we always throw our own comments at the television screen, offering our advice and saying what we think that the property would benefit from! Many times you are led to think that Phil and Kirstie are on a wild goose chase, then at the eleventh hour a property that has just come onto the market is exactly the right thing. Either Kirstie or Phil negotiate with the Estate agents, usually putting in a low first offer. If eventually an offer is accepted then they hail the programme as being successful, a job well done.
One thing that must cause immense frustration is when an offer and been accepted, a deal on a property has been all but signed and sealed, then Kirstie and Phil later find out that the couple have backed out and have bought a property in the very same area but one they have chosen completely independently, I am sure I would feel like screaming!
Location Location is among one of the best programmes of its kind. Kirstie and Phil make interesting presenters. Gaining an insight into the UK property market is fascinating and we have been treated to tours of many very beautiful homes. At the moment Kirstie and Phil are keen to point out the current problems with the property market, they try to offer sound advice to the couples and always run through the Pros and Cons.
This property programme is well worth putting you feet up for, so when you next see it advertised make a cup of tea, sit down and enjoy it!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Great show for that midweek TV boredom, Kirsty and Phil's dynamics Disadvantages: Too short, and the buyers are sometimes incredibly irritating
Advantages: Great show for that midweek TV boredom, Kirsty and Phil's dynamics Disadvantages: Too short, and the buyers are sometimes incredibly irritating
Mar 6th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
