An A Place in the Sun guest left viewers fuming after a "painful negotiation" saw him open with an ambitious counteroffer on a Marbella apartment. Hassan and Linda, a retired couple from Bristol, had a £190,000 budget when they joined presenter Jean Johansson on the Costa del Sol property hunt.
After finding a two-bedroom apartment with a roof terrace, Hassan began negotiations with a £182,000 bid, while the asking price was around £206,000. Linda said Jean had "outdone herself" with the property, which met many of their requirements despite being slightly over budget.
Guest explains low opening bid
Hassan explained that the lack of an extra bedroom and changes he wanted to make had influenced his offer. "It's kind of a low offer," Hassan admitted, "but it's not quite perfect for what we were after. If it had that extra bedroom, it would have been no question. We talked about it and there are a few things I would like to do in there."
The owners rejected the opening bid and countered with a figure slightly above £197,000. "I think it's about what I want to pay," Hassan said, before asking whether they would accept £190,000 as the couple were cash buyers.
Negotiations continue with further counteroffers
That offer was also rejected, with the sellers coming back at £196,500. Hassan then set what he said was his final figure. "I'll shake their hand for £195,000 and that's my limit," he insisted, prompting Jean to describe him as a "tough negotiator".
But the negotiations did not end there. The owners made a final counteroffer of £196,120, including all the furnishings, and the couple agreed to accept.
Viewers react to the tense exchange
Viewers took to X to share their thoughts on the tough exchange, with one saying: "'I think you're just trying to get a bargain'. Understatement Jean."
Another added: "Too painful for me. I don't know how the presenters put up with them. There's cheeky offers and taking the p***. My eyes would have been rolling in my head." While a third said: "As painful negotiations go, that was right up there."
"I'd bin him off for his cheek," another added, while another viewer commented: "Offer of £182,000 on £206,000. The technical term we have is 'p*** take'."
A fresh start after a health scare
The purchase marked a fresh start for Linda and Hassan, who met at college 45 years ago. They wanted somewhere to relax and spend time with their two children and three grandchildren after Hassan's cancer battle prompted them to act on their long-held dream.
Hassan explained: "I had a health scare, I suffered with cancer last year, all the way through, it was a wake-up call. You always have a plan, but there comes a point in your life where you think, tomorrow might never come, today is as important."
He said his cancer battle was "thankfully all done" and he was ready to make the most of life. The couple had hoped to find an open-plan home with space to cook and host family, a substantial outdoor area and a shared pool, in a location that "wasn't too touristy".
After securing the Marbella apartment, Hassan reflected: "It's been an absolute journey for me, I loved every minute of it," as the couple celebrated their fresh start. A Place in the Sun airs on weekdays on Channel 4.
