Jules Hudson webchat 20 March 1:30-2:30pm

LyndaW

Hi jules, which areas would be your 'top tips' for good places to buy in? Particularly from a retirement point of view? Also, do you think that sometimes country life is over romanticised?

Country life can be romanticised, you're right, and there is a danger in selecting somewhere because you've been there once on holiday when in fact I think you've really got to fall in love with an area on its own merits before you start house hunting there. In terms of value for money, parts of Lincolnshire, the Welsh borders and Wales are hard to beat with landscapes to match.

highfive

Hi Jules - what do you think about the 'green deal'?

It appears to be a loan you pay back through the 'savings' you make on energy bills, and when you go to sell on your house, you pass on the loan.

Is there a risk that someone won't want to buy your property with a loan? Or do the benefits of having an efficient house outweigh the risk?

The Green Deal is an interesting and I think in many cases, really useful initiative. Much of the nation's housing stock, both in towns and the countryside, was never designed to be as thermally efficient as a modern building. I know people who have embraced the Green Deal and who are improving the efficiency of their homes with it. If you have any doubts I would advise booking an appointment with a local Green Deal advisor who can talk you through the pros and the cons.

merlotgran

Hi Jules,

Are applicants selected because their requirements match properties already researched for ETTC (Shropshire and Devon are often featured) or are the houses found after they have been chosen to appear? Do vendors ever pull out of an agreement to have their homes filmed?

I would like to find out more about the background music to ETTC. I have googled it and it appears I'm not the only one who enjoys it. Is it from a BBC library because I've heard it used on other programmes with a rural theme?

In answer to your question, properties are only selected once buyers have been selected, and the shortlist is tailored to their requirements. As for the theme tune, there was an occasion I believe, some years ago when we supplied a copy for somebody's wedding!

copycat

Hello Jules. Would you ever live in the city?

It's a question many people ask copycat. The short answer is no, but I do enjoy the odd city break, obviously London is a lot of fun and I have friends and a few work commitments there. But if I wanted a city escape, it would be in either Paris or Rome.

threesugars

Hello,
If you hadn't gone into presenting, what else would you most like to be doing?

Good question. I would probably be doing something very hands-on and creative restoring old buildings and making and designing furniture.

SwishySwoshy

Hello! I'm intrigued to know what you think about wind turbines - do you think they ruin the countryside?

Wind turbines can elicit very strong views both for and against. As with all renewable energy forms, we need to strive toward those that are most efficient and have the least impact on the environment. Wind turbines have played an important role in the journey to achieve that but my hunch is that as an island nation, our renewable energy future will ultimately be found at sea and the tides that surround us.

Orangesequins

Hi Jules! I've come over from Twitter...

There are so many property shows out there - which one is your favourite? I do like a bit of Kevin McCloud!

Clearly, Escape to the Country!

iMac

Hello - following on from your answer to goldengirl, where did your love for military history stem from?

I grew up in a military town in Colchester and I've alway had a fascination for all things military. My parents both loved through the war and remember it all too well, and as a kid growing up discussions about the war and its course happened all the time. I think it's very difficult to make sense of the modern world without understanding the calamitous events that shaped, in particular, the 20thC.

JoJo

I’ve got a question about your restoration of old furniture. Where do you get the furniture from? I get an urge for a really strong G&T when Kirstie comes on with her countrify your home or whatever it is. She always manages to find a lovely old bath, or chair or sofa just ripe for reupholstering. All I find in the skips in my area are rusty microwaves and old banana skins.

There are several places that I favour for looking for furniture bargains that could benefit form a new lease of life. An increasing number of charity shops, for example, your local hospice outlets, have dedicated furniture centres and you certainly can't beat a trip to your local auction room.

onefiveeight

As a first time buyer (and as someone who can't even put a photo up on the wall), do you think it's overly ambitious to renovating a run down property and making it into our first home? I keep thinking about the money I could save, and the thought of spending £200k+ on a house instead kills me!

I think, as a first time buyer, if you are able to find a wreck that is affordable with enough money left over to renovate it into something that's right for you, I personally would highly recommend that approach because that's what I did as a 25-year-old in mid-Wales. Creatively, it will be one of the most rewarding things you'll do and there's also a good chance that whatever you've spent may turn into an investment in the future as we hope prices will gradually rise, albeit modestly. I'm also a great believer in getting the estimated one million or so empty properties in the UK back into use before we start building more new ones.

cinnamonstix

My family and I are going to the Lake District this Easter. Can you recommend anywhere in particular we can visit? (bearing in mind I'm pregnant and have a 4yo - so no steep hills or long walks!)

Are you sure the Lake District is the right place for your planned holiday this year? Given your situation maybe somewhere a little flatter would be advisable? How about the Pembrokeshire coast? It's beautiful, still gives you access to water, bracing walks and the gentle slopes of the Preselli Hills. Maybe save the Lakes for a time when you can really explore those mountains!

breeeeezy

Hello Jules! Big fan.

What do you think about thatched roofs? I love the look of them but worry about the cost to maintain....

Thatched roofs are like Marmite - you either love them or you're very wary of them. There's no escaping the fact that they do require a little more maintenance than a slate roof. Typically a thatched roof may need renewing every 25-30 years. If you're buying a thatched house, it's reassuring to know that it has been recently re-done, but it's hard to beat the look of them and in many parts of the country, they typify the local architecture. They certainly are not something to be afraid of, but it is worth satisfying yourself about the pros and the cons.

SuperDog

Loved you on Sport Relief's Top Dog. What was the best bit for you?

The best bit about doing Sport Relief's Top Dog was the look in my Labrador's face when he realised he was going to spend an entire day in doggy Disney Land. He had probably the most exciting day of his 2 and a half year life and slept for a day afterwards.