On the latest episode of Channel 4's A Place in the Sun, guest Hassan reflected on his cancer battle and admitted "tomorrow might never come" as he and his wife Linda searched for a holiday home in Spain. The couple, who live in Bristol, decided to find their perfect property after Hassan's recent health scare.
Couple's Dream After Health Scare
Host Jean Johansson explored the Costa del Sol with the married couple, who met in college 45 years ago. Jean explained: "They have both shared the dream of having their very own holiday home here in the Costa del Sol, but it's only after a recent health scare for Hassan that the couple have decided the time is now."
Linda described their close bond, saying: "We are just glued together, and we read each other's minds and it's a bit scary really." Hassan added: "We are probably lost without each other. We aren't just man and wife, Linda is my best friend."
Hassan's Cancer Wake-Up Call
Hassan revealed why they decided to take the plunge with their £190,000 budget: "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 confirmed his cancer battle was "thankfully all done", and he was ready to go away and live his life, enjoying every minute. The couple wanted an open-plan space with plenty of room to cook and entertain their family, plus a big outdoor area, a communal pool, and somewhere that "wasn't too touristy".
Securing the Dream Home
Jean found a two-bedroom roof terrace apartment in Marbella that ticked many of their boxes, with Linda saying Jean had "outdone herself", despite it being slightly over budget. They decided to make an offer of £182,000.
"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 his first offer but came back with a counteroffer of just over £197,000. Hassan asked if they would accept £190,000 as cash buyers, but the offer was again declined with a £196,500 counteroffer. "I'll shake their hand for £195,000 and that's my limit", Hassan persisted, with Jean calling him a "tough negotiator".
They were given a final counteroffer, including all the furniture, for £196,120, and they decided to take the deal. Hassan concluded: "It's been an absolute journey for me, I loved every minute of it," as they celebrated their new beginning.
