Diana and Jeffrey, a couple who participated in the second season of the ratings hit Buy without looking, enjoy their house in Nieuw-Vennep, even though it is not the house that the program purchased for them. The two put that property up for sale after one day. “We immediately came clean,” Diana says now.
It had to be a house in Haarlem three years ago. At least 90 square meters, with a south-facing garden and preferably nice and light. The budget? Maximum 400,000 euros. These were the wishes with which Diana Villa Martinez (39) and her boyfriend Jeffrey Kuipers in season 2 of Buy without looking ended up.
“Despite the craziness on the housing market, we did not think these were unrealistic requirements. Maybe we were in a bit of a bubble, because this was mainly because friends of ours could buy a house with the same wishes,” says Diana. The two lived for years in an 81 square meter apartment in Haarlem, but could not find a suitable larger home in the city. They were also often outbid. “I spontaneously decided to register for the program and after a week my friend was also convinced.”
The episode in question showed how real estate agent Alex managed to buy a nice house for the couple in Haarlem. Unfortunately, the place turned out to be a bit too small for the duo and they were also not very enthusiastic about the gray, rather drab exterior of the building.
“We only gained ten square meters. It was at the beginning of the corona epidemic, so we realized that more space at home was needed,” Diana reflects. “In addition, my work mainly consists of creating social media advertisements, where I also record videos for clients. In addition, companies can hire me for photography, so it is important that there is sufficient light in the house.”
At the time, the couple made available five thousand euros to renovate the house, because they had not yet put their old apartment up for sale due to serious doubts. Interior stylist Roos did her best to make something of the dark house. It did not help. Diana and Jeffrey bumped into an old neighbor during a visit to the Sligro. “He asked how things turned out Buy without lookingadventure and why we shouldn’t look in Nieuw-Vennep.” This turned out to be a bull’s eye, also because this place is conveniently located between family in Rotterdam and Den Helder. “We took a look and fell in love immediately.”
A for sale sign immediately appeared in the garden of the renovated house in Haarlem. The couple has been very happy with their 155 square meters for four years now. “We now have plenty of space and patio doors to our garden! Our house is decorated in ‘hotel chic’. I also really like the Japandi style, so who knows, we might change that in the future.” For Diana, this is the best thing about owning her own home. “We also designed the bathroom completely ourselves.”
‘Bob can’t do magic’
Although the program did not go as expected, Diana has absolutely no regrets about her participation. “We both thought it was a shame that it turned out this way, because you naturally hope for your dream house. That’s exactly what you live for during the entire period that you participate in the TV program.” She therefore regrets that they were not able to take advantage of the renovation options. “Of course you never know in advance what kind of house you will get.”
Laughing: “Bob can do a lot, but of course he cannot create extra square meters.”
Diana also sees it as a risk you run when you participate. “We agreed that we wouldn’t do it if either of us didn’t feel good about it.”
Has the couple had any comments from it? Buy without lookingteam, after that quick sale of the Haarlem house? “We immediately came clean, but the program was very happy for us that we had found a new home. I know that it was leaked on social media that we had moved so quickly. Moreover, we could close it neatly this way and there was no bitter aftertaste.”
Diana sometimes misses the city, but also enjoys the space and light in Nieuw-Vennep. “Fortunately, we live a twenty-minute drive from Haarlem. We are grateful for our house with all the square meters we have: after all, that is not so obvious nowadays.” Rejoin Buy without looking does not erase them. “It appeals to us to one day live completely on the ground floor. Who knows, we might call in the experts again.”
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