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EMILY: Are you sure you want to take that?
Because I kind of want it.
That. No?
No.
No. Okay, fine.
You can pack it.
NARRATOR: Charlie is getting ready to join her new husband, Huw,
in another part of the world.
Charlie, at the moment, is back in the U.K.
packing everything up.
I've been working on super-yachts
here in the Caribbean.
NARRATOR: Trading in the gray of the U.K...
Aren't you sad to be leaving this?
CHARLIE: Absolutely not.
[ Both laugh ]
...for the sunny skies of Antigua.
CHARLIE: Absolutely brilliant.
I am really looking forward to getting a bit of sunshine.
NARRATOR: But while privacy will make Charlie happy...
CHARLIE: Fantastic.
...Huw longs for waterfront access.
So close but yet so far.
NARRATOR: And how will a meddling mother-in-law
affect the outcome?
So, what do you think about opening
that French door up?
It just seems completely unnecessary.
Two's company, but three can be a crowd.
NARRATOR: Expect the unexpected
as "House Hunters International" goes to Antigua.
So, what's the first thing you're gonna do?
Go to the beach.
Okay, rub it in my face.
[ Both laugh ]
[ Doorbell rings ]
-- Captions by VITAC --
Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC.
See, look at all the things that you can't buy
when you're out there.
Oh, shush.
You're abandoning me. This is terrible.
I'm not abandoning...
Charlie is leaving a blossoming career in marketing behind
to follow her husband in pursuit of a more relaxing life.
I'm really looking forward to moving to Antigua,
not having as much stress as you get in the U.K.
NARRATOR: Charlie's husband, Huw, has moved to Antigua ahead of her
to pursue a dream job at the local marina.
Hi!
How's everything back at home?
Yeah, a bit cold
and packing up all the last bits and pieces,
so it's feeling really real.
The main reason for actually having to go land-based,
of course, is we want to start a family.
NARRATOR: Huw has been living in a rental apartment,
awaiting Charlie's arrival.
HUW: For the last six or seven years,
I've been working on super-yachts.
Life at sea is tough to maintain a relationship.
So I've been finding the best alternative
is to be based on land and then do more day charters.
Everything's going very well over here.
I'm in a really nice little rental here.
I think you'll like it. It's absolutely fine.
Charlie, my wonderful wife --
we met 2½ years ago in the south of France.
All the wedding stuff's in the container.
Everything's in the container,
and the wedding album is going in my suitcase.
Going to Antigua is not completely unfamiliar to me,
'cause my mom lives in Antigua.
I have a feeling she is gonna be calling on my mother-in-law
to assist with all the research.
Moving to Antigua, the lifestyle's gonna offer
different opportunities that I haven't had before.
I'm so jealous.
I told you -- You can come and visit.
Take me with you.
Can I get in here?
[ Laughs ]
NARRATOR: After getting Emily out of her suitcase,
Charlie makes the 4,000-mile flight
from England to join Huw in Antigua.
Antigua was named by Christopher Columbus in 1493
in honor of Santa Maria de la Antigua,
an icon in a Seville Cathedral.
Settled by the English in 1632,
Antigua then became a profitable sugar colony
and, for a large portion of the island's history,
was known as "Britain's Gateway to the Caribbean."
With a population of just over 80,000 people,
Antigua is mostly reliant on tourism
and markets itself as a Caribbean escape.
Real-estate agent Nadia Dyson will be helping Huw and Charlie
find the best value for their money.
NADIA: The property market in Antigua, at the moment,
is actually really good.
So anyone coming into Antigua to buy a property right now
is gonna get a good deal.
So, let's talk a little bit about
what you're actually looking for.
Well, the first thing is that we're looking for
two bedrooms and two-bathroom property.
Okay. Now, what is your budget?
We're looking between 300,000 and 400,000 U.S. dollars.
Okay, that is a really good budget.
Anything else, guys?
Privacy's really important for me.
Being on the waterfront is very important.
So right on the water,
as opposed to it being a view.
Yeah.
Yeah, basically, just thinking about it,
the place we're in at the moment is absolutely ideal.
Yeah.
I did have a sneaky look online, actually,
at the property that you're renting.
It's very nice, but it's not on the market,
so let's try and find you something
that is on the market.
Okay.
The best place for us to start is Jolly Harbour.
My mom actually lives in Jolly Harbour.
Fantastic.
So maybe we can get Mom involved, as well.
Great. Yeah. The more, the merrier.
Hopefully, that won't complicate the whole process.
[ Laughter ]
The issue of privacy for Huw and Charlie in Jolly Harbour
may be a bit tricky.
NARRATOR: With Charlie's mother on board for the hunt,
Nadia starts things off with a home that's under budget
and has direct waterfront access so Huw can dock a boat.
It's a two-bedroom, two-bathroom,
and it's on the market for $255,000.
HUW: That's low. We like that.
Yeah.
Come and have a look.
Good start.
It is pink.
CHARLIE: [ Laughs ]
Not sure about that. [ Laughs ]
So, this kitchen has recently been renovated,
and it's got all-new appliances.
Yep.
Very nice. Okay.
So, my only concern is that this countertop
might be a little bit too small.
You know, this is much bigger space
than you ever had in London.
Yeah, that is true. Yeah.
The countertops might be a little bit too small.
I really like my cooking and my baking.
And then here, we have your guest toilet.
It's a bit basic, but, you know, it does the trick.
It's a little bathroom.
Okay.
Well, at least it's all white and neutral.
It's quite clean and tidy.
Yeah.
Yep.
Here's the living room with the dining room --
all open plan.
CHARLIE: No, it's definitely a blank canvas.
I can see pictures on the wall, that kind of thing.
It's a good start.
Yeah, it is really light, isn't it?
Yeah, it's very bright.
Yeah.
So, what do you think
about opening that French door up wider
so that you can get more view of the deck
and out onto the water?
It just seems completely unnecessary.
Yeah.
I think my mom is a very opinionated character.
I will take her advice,
but I will also not listen to it if I don't think it's relevant.
How does it feel to you?
Not sure about the furnishings, though.
And with the budget being so low,
we could get new furniture.
Exactly.
[ Laughter ]
DIANE: Is that more work than you want to do?
Right. On that note...
A lovely, big deck.
HUW: Lovely! Now, this is what we're talking about.
Yes, that is good. I like that. Good size.
My problem is, over there,
I can see into that person's house,
which means that they can see into this one.
The privacy is definitely an issue.
It's definitely more of an issue for Charlie.
You know, you haven't bought a house before,
and you're gonna have to run some compromises.
I'm afraid so.
NADIA: So, upstairs, we have two bedrooms and two bathrooms
and, also, washer/dryer.
CHARLIE: That's a little bit odd.
Oh, you can just cover that up.
So, this is the master bedroom, with an en suite bathroom.
But this one has the balcony.
It's a pretty good size.
HUW: It's nice.
Again, really light.
Yeah, it's got a nice feel to it.
Enough storage, as well, which is really important.
I quite like the -- The balcony's really nice.
Would you actually use it?
Mm, probably not, because I can still see those houses.
[ Laughter ]
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
Well, I think you found a few positives in this property.
Oh, definitely. Definitely nice.
I really like it. What do you think?
CHARLIE: The only issue I have, really, is the privacy.
I do like the dock, and I think it's got
great potential for a nice boat to sit on, doesn't it?
This is your first marital challenge, I think,
to come to compromises,
so I'll be interested to see how you work it through.
Great.
So, this is 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms.
NARRATOR: Nadia tries to find Charlie more privacy,
but her mother is more concerned with quality.
Not a great start there. It's got a broken light.
CHARLIE: So, what is this place?
HUW: So, this is the coffee place I've been telling you about.
Okay.
I've been coming here quite a lot.
NARRATOR: In pursuit of a dream job,
Huw moved to Antigua ahead of his wife, Charlie,
and he's eager to show her all his favorite local spots.
Huw, good to see you again!
How are you doing?
Hi.
Welcome to Caribbean Coffee.
I love Antigua purely because its laid-back lifestyle.
Back in the U.K.,
you don't have that sort of yachting community as such.
So, what do you guys actually do here?
We roast coffee beans.
Okay, so, does coffee actually grow in Antigua at all?
No, Antigua doesn't have the correct environment.
HUW: So just the roasting, then.
Yep, just the roasting.
Antigua is very much of an outdoor environment.
You don't spend all your life indoors, like you do in the U.K.
What's the brew today?
Today, we're doing Hurricane Brew,
which is the most --
Ooh! My favorite.
Oh, yes. The most popular one that we do, actually.
[ Whirring, whooshing ]
It smells amazing.
It does smell amazing.
Huw's Brew.
[ Laughter ]
Well, we may not have found our property yet,
but we know where we're gonna get our coffee from.
Oh, yeah, definitely.
NARRATOR: For Huw and Charlie, finding the perfect roast
has been much easier than finding the perfect home.
HUW: Lovely! Now, this is what we're talking about.
Yes, that is good. I like that. Good size.
NARRATOR: House 1 had the waterfront access
that Huw was looking for,
but prying eyes made Charlie uncomfortable.
Over there, I can see into that person's house,
which means that they can see into this one.
Nadia's next choice is aimed at pleasing Charlie.
House 2 has a nearly identical layout,
but features a more private deck
to address the concerns Charlie had about House 1.
Here we are.
HUW: Ooh.
Okay. So, this villa --
it's 2 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms,
and it's on the market for $285,000 U.S.
Not a great start there. It's got a broken light.
It does get better inside. I promise.
Okay.
Come in. [ Laughs ]
Come in.
So, this is the kitchen.
HUW: Great.
Hmm. Okay.
DIANE: Or not.
NADIA: Yes.
It's falling to pieces.
It does need some work in here.
The kitchen in this property -- It is pretty horrific.
It's falling apart. It's all rotting.
It is under budget, so you do have some room
to put some investment in and maybe do a new kitchen.
That's an option, but do we want to go down that road?
[ Sighs ] Yeah, that's a good point.
Let me show you the rest of the house.
Okay.
So, this is your open-plan
living room and dining room.
HUW: It's decent size, actually.
Yeah.
Any reason why the tiles are different?
Yeah, the owners extended it by another 6 foot.
Definitely has got a good size to it, doesn't it?
Yeah, strange that the tiles are separate, but...
NADIA: Well, there's one aspect to this property
that I really want to show you.
NADIA: All right, come outside...
Wow, what a view!
onto a lovely, big deck.
Wow.
Now, the reason I chose this property, Charlie
is because I know that you wanted
nothing in front of you,
and that is what this property has.
It's amazing.
Good enough?
Yeah, brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Nadia could not have found a better property in that respect.
The view is fantastic.
I can't see anyone else,
which means that no one can see me,
which is brilliant.
But if we can't access it,
it kind of defeats the object, really.
I want to be able to have a boat here.
There isn't a dock, no,
so you would have to construct your own dock.
Huw is after that boat deck.
He really wants somewhere to put his boat,
and that's a compromise for him.
So, this is the master bedroom,
which has an en suite bathroom.
And what they've done here is extended it --
again, another 6 foot.
HUW: Makes a big difference, doesn't it?
Yeah, it feels really spacious in here.
Still a bit weird with the whole tile thing.
Yeah.
My mom never misses anything.
And this gives me a fair bit of storage in here, as well,
which is really, really good.
All in all, a really nice space, actually, up here.
Good.
HUW: The master bedroom's fantastic.
It's great that it has an en suite bathroom.
But that would have to be replaced, as well.
It's quite a lot of work, and it's a lot of money,
and it's gonna take some time.
You need to think about that.
It's gonna be ripping out a kitchen.
It's not gonna be the ideal situation.
We can, of course, extend our rental,
so there is that option.
So, this villa is called Colibri Court.
NARRATOR: Nadia saves the best for last.
HUW: Ooh.
CHARLIE: Wow. This is amazing.
But a more luxurious home comes with a compromise.
Oh, yes. There it is.
Bit further than I'd hoped.
HUW: So, how are you finding it, being here now?
It's great.
It's very different when I used to come here as a kid.
Whole different chapter of my life, new experiences.
NARRATOR: Huw and Charlie have left England behind
for Huw's new job in Antigua.
But figuring out how to start their new life
has brought more questions than answers.
Not only are we buying our first property,
but we're buying it in Antigua,
so I'm guessing the system there is gonna very different.
How would we feel about doing a renovation?
Well, you could end up with something
that you put your mark on it, it's your own.
I would prefer to have a property
where I don't have to worry
about ripping out kitchens and bathrooms.
Although, Huw definitely likes to dabble in a bit of D.I.Y.,
so I think he'd be a bit more keen
on a renovation than I would.
I worry about budget. I mean, renovations are expensive.
You know, things here have to be imported.
Things take time.
If something comes up like that, we'll weigh it out,
but we do not want to let it stress us out.
I know. Yeah.
We want to keep in that honeymoon phase
as long as we can.
NARRATOR: Charlie, Huw, and his mother-in-law
have not been seeing eye-to-eye
on the properties they've seen so far.
HUW: Now, this is what we're talking about.
I like that. Good size.
Over there, I can see into that person's house,
which means that they can see into this one.
NARRATOR: Nadia has been struggling to find a property
that combines Huw's wish to be on the water
with Charlie's desire for a home with privacy.
NADIA: I know that you wanted nothing in front of you.
CHARLIE: Absolutely brilliant.
HUW: Yeah, I mean, it's nice.
It's great having the water here,
but if we can't access it,
it kind of defeats the object, really.
NARRATOR: For Huw and Charlie,
having Diane along has complicated the hunt.
After two somewhat disappointing tours,
everyone is hoping the final home is the winner.
So, fingers crossed.
Okay.
Coming in over budget,
House 3 features a more private layout for Charlie
and is close to the water for Huw.
So, this villa is called Colibri Court.
And it's a three-bedroom, two bathrooms,
and the asking price is $475,000 U.S.
Wow. Okay. $475,000 is a bit steep.
Don't worry. It is negotiable.
Okay. No problem.
CHARLIE: It better be.
I wasn't expecting her to come up with something that high,
especially after the low previous properties.
So that was an initial shock.
Now, here's a lovely, big balcony with nice views.
DIANE: Yeah, it's a great view.
Very nice.
Wow.
HUW: Okay, this better be good.
I promise you, it will be.
Wow.
Ooh. Okay.
This is a bit different, isn't it?
Yeah. What do you think?
Ooh.
Wow. This is amazing.
Didn't expect it to be like this.
This is a step up, isn't it?
[ Laughter ]
Yeah, the furniture is amazing, as well.
The quality's really good.
HUW: This is definitely the nicest furniture I've ever seen.
NADIA: To the kitchen.
CHARLIE: Wow.
Gorgeous countertops, brand-new appliances,
and the view from the sink is awesome.
CHARLIE: The kitchen is fantastic.
It has all the workspace, all the modern appliances.
I can see myself cooking and baking in there for hours.
If you don't want it, I think I'll move in.
[ Laughter ]
I really like it.
There's so much more I want to show you.
Okay.
So, this is the master bedroom.
Nice king-size bed.
Fantastic.
HUW: Yeah, that is a good-size bed, isn't it?
[ Laughs ] Yeah.
Really nice space, and plenty of closet space,
by the looks of things, so that's great.
Check out the en suite bathroom here, Charlie.
Oh, that is nice, isn't it?
Wow. Really nice. Really nicely finished.
And a really nice size in here, as well.
Yeah, that's really nice.
And here, another room, which could be an office.
Or a playroom, maybe.
[ Laughter ]
Come outside to the patio.
Fantastic.
There's your water, Huw.
HUW: Oh, yes, there it is.
Bit further than I'd hoped.
Not being on the water is a huge disadvantage,
but the fact that there's so many advantages
to this property could outweigh the disadvantage.
CHARLIE: I think it's really beautiful.
I love the space.
I love being up here on the top floor with the privacy.
It's fantastic.
I think Huw will find it very, very difficult
to compromise on the water.
HUW: There is definitely a catch,
and there's definitely a box that hasn't been ticked.
It may be just a compromise,
because everything else is so lovely in the house.
We'll keep that in mind.
HUW: But it is beautiful.
You know, whether I can compromise, I'm not sure.
CHARLIE: Absolutely paradise here.
And what more could you ask for?
A house would be nice.
[ Laughs ] Yeah.
NARRATOR: A stalemate between husband and wife
leads to an unexpected outcome.
I don't like your choices purely because --
well, there's no water, is there?
CHARLIE: This is amazing.
NARRATOR: Huw and Charlie are already enjoying
a more relaxed life in Antigua.
It's absolutely paradise here.
But they still can't agree on a new home.
And what more could you ask for?
Well, a house would be nice.
[ Laughs ]
Huw wants something on the water with room to dock a boat,
while Charlie is more concerned with privacy.
We've seen three of them. We can only live in one of them.
House 1 is priced under budget, at $255,000,
and has a large deck where Huw could dock a boat.
HUW: Lovely! Now, this is what we're talking about.
NARRATOR: But her mother's suggestions on renovation
make Charlie uncomfortable.
So, what do you think about opening that French door up?
Honestly, we haven't had that conversation yet
about doing lots of work.
House 2 is also under budget, at $285,000.
Not a great start there. It's got a broken light.
NARRATOR: Charlie loves the large, private deck,
but the rest of the house needs work,
and without space to dock a boat, Huw feels lost at sea.
If we can't access it,
it kind of defeats the object, really.
House 3 goes beyond the budget, at $475,000.
Wow.
Wow. Okay.
$475,000 is a bit steep.
NARRATOR: Despite an open and spacious layout,
Huw can't look past its distance from the water.
Bit further than I'd hoped.
May be just a compromise,
because everything else is so lovely in the house,
and you can just move straight in.
HUW: That is true.
To make it easier, maybe we rule out a property.
My thoughts are -- The renovation project --
I mean, the whole thing had to be pretty much
ripped out and started again.
Yeah, it had that amazing outlook, but, for me,
I think it could just be a complete nightmare.
Right now, it's not the right time in our lives.
True -- It's a shame,
'cause it did have that fantastic outlook.
Okay, so, that leaves the blank canvas,
and then we've got Colibri Court, as well.
Okay.
How about the blank canvas, wasn't it?
Yeah.
That was a nice property,
but for me, personally, the privacy was a big issue.
It was, wasn't it?
Yeah.
The fact that I could see those houses across the water,
I wasn't particularly keen on.
But apart from that, I mean, it's so under budget,
and we can really put our own mark on it.
And you've got to admit -- It ticked off my box,
and it had a really nice deck and a good dock.
This is really true.
Yeah.
How about Colibri Court?
It was probably my favorite one, actually.
Yeah, I could tell that.
Beautiful furnishings, that fantastic kitchen.
Yeah, the space was fantastic, wasn't it?
It was.
But the reason I don't like your choice is purely because --
well, there's no water, is there?
And that was such a huge thing on our list.
And, of course, look at the price.
That's right at the top of our price bracket.
So not to have water at that price
is difficult for me to go for it.
Yeah, I see what you're saying.
You know, it's difficult for me to register these things,
you know, buying a house for the first time.
So, what are we gonna do? [ Laughs ]
I don't know.
Come on!
The rental that we've been living in
actually has everything that we already want.
It does, yes.
It's got the privacy.
It's got your boat dock. It's on the water.
It's the two bedrooms and two bathrooms that we want.
Okay.
I know it's not on the market,
but if we put in a really good offer, who knows?
Maybe they would accept it.
So, why don't we give Nadia a call
and see if she'll put the offer in for us?
I knew that was the reason I married you.
[ Both laugh ]
NARRATOR: Unsatisfied with the homes they toured,
Huw and Charlie take a chance
and put an offer in on Huw's rental.
With Nadia's help, they close for $350,000.
CHARLIE: It was completely successful.
Our first offer was accepted,
which we were completely shocked by.
So, now we are here in our lovely rental --
now our own purchased home. [ Chuckles ]
CHARLIE: Such a great day for boarding.
Beautiful.
Moving to Antigua was probably the best decision I ever made.
Coming here, my whole lifestyle has changed.
The way of life here is way more relaxed.
Huw likes to think that he's better
at paddleboarding than me, but, you know, it's okay.
If you fall in, I'm always gonna be there to help you out.
I'm better than you.
I don't think so.
Yes, I am.
No.
I have been hunting around
and trying to see what I can come up with,
and there's definitely options out there.
Where you been at?
I can captain something up to 200 tons.
I live here all year 'round now.
Now that we're settled, I think,
give it another couple of months,
and we might consider starting a family.
We have enough room to do that now,
so it could be exciting.
HUW: It's not exactly a harsh life --
Paddle out off into the sunset.
[ Both laugh ]