Everything you wanted to know about buying a flat on Location, Location, Location
The most frequently asked questions about buying a flat on a property show.
Since moving to Margate a year ago, I have been stopped 453 times to ask if I am the girl from Location, Location, Location. That’s not an approximation; I’ve been counting.
In people’s defence, I have bright purple hair, often wear all purple and am a little bit peculiar. Blending into the background is a trick I have never managed. And they are correct - I am that girl from Location, Location, Location.
For those not in the know, Location, Location, Location is a property-hunting show that’s been running in the UK for over 20 years now. It’s something of a cultural institution and a bastion of daytime television-watchers.
It just so happened that the time between filming & the time it took to complete & move in were the same length of time. And so, the day I materialised in Margate was the same day everyone had been watching their small seaside town on the television.
All in all, it has been quite helpful. Making friends as an adult is tricky, especially when you move hundreds of miles away from where you know anyone. Phil asked me, whilst filming, if I had any friends in Margate and I lied because it was easier than having to explain that I was investing all of the money I had into moving to a place where I knew no one.
Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.
Every question I have been asked about Location, Location, Location
What are Phil & Kirsty like?
This is the question I get asked most; I suspect people think people off of the television have fronts that disguise who they really are. I never met Kirsty - she was dealing with a family that had looked at over one hundred properties, so our paths did not cross.
My first impression of Phil was that he was far taller than I imagined, at 6’4 and smartly suited. I had done a day of filming without him in my hometown, before being driven to Ramsgate where I spent the night. We began filming in an obscure building on Ramsgate’s Harbour Arm, which juts out into the sea. When you went to the toilet and looked of the window, there was water rapping against the side of the building.
Lots of people come on the show and have friends or a family member behind the scenes. I was all on my own because Dad was working and Mum was teaching. At twenty-three years old, I had never bought a house before.
Phil was exceptionally affable and very thorough both in front of an away from the cameras. He took the time to speak to both of my parents on the phone, recorded messages for them and in general, couldn’t have been more helpful. He also did all of the negotiations for me.
Do you get paid to go on the show? Or a discount?
No. But what I did get was free travel and accommodation (helpful when you live hundreds of miles away) and first viewings on most of my properties. I have no doubt my place would have been snapped up instantly but I think the production team managed to get us in first.
Are the negotiations real?
Very. In fact, the only thing you didn’t see was just how long they took. I initially put an offer in on Property 4 I was shown, but realised very quickly there was no way I was going to get it because of some nonsense with the estate agent.
Why did you change your mind?
Spoiler alert, but the offer I initially submitted on property 3 in Ramsgate was essentially pointless because there were several cash bids sent in by developers.
I spent ages on the way home mulling over if it was worth putting in an offer on property three - the one I loved most but felt was many too small for me - before realising I couldn’t live anywhere else.
Every single person who has stopped me has told me I absolutely made the right decision, to be in the heart of Margate and not the backwaters of Ramsgate.
Did you find it stressful being perceived on camera?
Three days after I finished my A-Levels, I was on Sky Breakfast news talking about the largest report into LGBTQ+ young people in schools. I’ve done various bits of television subsequently and also grew up online. Phil’s immediate question to me after the first take was “are you media trained?” I am probably my best self in front of a camera.
How long did it take?
Four days of filming - one day at my flat, three days in Kent. Then about seven months before it was broadcast.
Were there any adaptations for you as an autistic person?
There may have been, I don’t know. The research team spent several hours talking to me as part of the casting process and ahead of filming and I trusted them. I also spent the first day filming in hometown and at my house where my parents were, too, so I didn’t feel particularly thrown going to an unfamiliar place.
The only aspect I found tricky was not knowing where you are going on a particular day. I had given them a range of towns from Westgate round to Ramsgate, but I didn’t know where I was going each day and couldn’t make plans.
I did also get asked about preferred language both ahead of time, on the days, what I was comfortable sharing. I was also asked to review the voiceovers to ensure the language was accurate & I was happy.
Are the reactions real?
You’re literally not allowed to be on the same road as the property until you are mic’d up and cameras are rolling.
Did you feel pressured to make an offer at any point?
Never. The producer & director would occasionally come over and have a chat about what I was thinking, but that was more so they could have a sense for the narrative.
Did you get any backlash?
I got a lot less than I was anticipating. I’m an easy target, in a way. Autistic, queer, purple hair, working in Diversity and Inclusion and having inherited my deposit. In general though, people seemed to like that I was reasonable and fun. I actually responded to few trolls on Twitter and they all but apologised as they hadn’t expected me to see their comments. People have too much time on their hands, clearly.
Would you recommend it?
It’s definitely not an experience for everyone, but if I was offered the opportunity again, I would definitely take it.
I definitely got the impression from watching it that Phil was everything I’d have hoped him to be - I’m glad that seems to have been true and especially glad that you’re happy in Margate ❤️