Peter and Clare, a couple searching for a holiday home in Portugal on A Place in the Sun, turned down the first property they were shown within minutes of the viewing. The episode, aired on Channel 4 on Thursday, 12 November, followed presenter Jean Johansson as she showed the couple properties along Portugal's Silver Coast.
The couple, originally from Yorkshire but now living in Northern Ireland, have been married for 18 years and were looking to start a new chapter together. Clare admitted: "My heart does rule my head sometimes." Peter responded: "I will be the one that calms her down," while Clare added: "But I am fussy, I do know what I want, you'll see it on my face."
Budget and Wish List
The couple had a budget of £150,000 with an additional £20,000 of flexibility. They explained their motivation for buying in Portugal, with Peter saying: "The kids are all of our hands now so we decided it's a bit of time for us."
Clare told Jean: "We're confused, that's why we need you Jean. We don't know if we want a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo, or we don't know whether we want something inland and have a bit more space and a pool, and we're just unsure of what we want. We'll know it when we see it."
Their requirements included access to a pool if the property was not by the sea, and a minimum of two bedrooms to accommodate friends and family. Jean reassured them, saying: "I think rather than unsure, you're open-minded, and that's a great position to be in."
First Property Rejected
The first property they viewed had two bedrooms and a "gorgeous" view of the sea. However, Clare was immediately unimpressed, saying that although she appreciated the view, she did not like the building. Peter also dismissed the property, stating it was too small for them and he could not imagine making the apartment feel like their own.
"Sorry, I can't do much to it, even decorating, I can't make it mine," he insisted. Jean replied: "This is good in a way, I've got a Yorkshireman here, you're going to give it to me straight," adding that the feedback would help her choose the right property. Peter continued: "I mean, I can compromise but I think this might be a bit too much for me to compromise on, even with the view."
A Place in the Sun is available to watch on Channel 4.
