A Place in the Sun presenter Jean Johansson warned her guests not to be "too fussy" after their property search in Portugal ended without a single offer. The couple, Peter and Clare, viewed several homes on the Silver Coast but left disappointed, with Johansson admitting the search was a "challenge" and "tricky."
Couple's Search on Portugal's Silver Coast
The Channel 4 programme aired on Thursday, 12 November, with Johansson guiding the pair, who are originally from Yorkshire but now live in Northern Ireland. Married for 18 years, they wanted to start a new chapter and buy a holiday home in Portugal.
Clare described herself as "fussy," saying, "My heart does rule my head sometimes," while Peter added, "I will be the one that calms her down." However, it was Peter who dismissed the first property they saw, a two-bedroom flat with a sea view.
Budget and Requirements
The couple had set aside £150,000 with an additional £20,000 flexibility. They explained their motivation for buying in Portugal, with Clare saying, "The kids are all of our hands now so we decided it's a bit of time for us." They were unsure whether they wanted a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo or something inland with more space and a pool.
They wanted at least two bedrooms to accommodate friends and relatives, and pool access if not near the coast. Johansson told them, "I think rather than unsure, you're open-minded, and that's a great position to be in."
First Property Rejected
The first property, a two-bedroom flat with a "gorgeous" sea view, failed to impress. Clare said she appreciated the vista but not the building itself, while Peter declared it "far too cramped," adding, "Sorry, I can't do much to it, even decorating, I can't make it mine."
Johansson welcomed his honesty, replying, "This is good in a way, I've got a Yorkshireman here, you're going to give it to me straight." 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."
No Offers Made
By the end of the search, the couple remained optimistic about one of the other properties but decided against making any offers. Clare admitted, "We've learnt a lot from this journey," and Johansson said, "I'm glad I've helped you, a bit to go and then you'll get your place." She then laughed as she warned them, "Don't be too fussy!"
A Place in the Sun is available to watch on Channel 4.
