5 MINUTES WITH...

Kirstie Allsopp, 46, and Phil Spencer, 48, are back with the series where they dish out advice to homeowners who can’t agree about upping sticks…

Why do you think people love this series so much? KIRSTIE: I think it’s a very common dilemma, with one person having a different relationship with their home than another (their partner) does. It can cause real aggro in relationships – if one is saying, “I love this house and I’m never moving anywhere,” but the other person is walking in the front door thinking, “I can’t wait to leave!” Can you explain the concept? PHIL: It stems from the realisation of a conversation that many households have: Should they invest in their existing home to make it work, or is it better to sell it, move on and buy something different…? Kirstie champions the “love it” side of things while Phil, your role is about selling up? P: Kirstie actually really loves decorating and helping people to get their place looking great. I really like house-finding and trying to put deals together. K: Although, I am spending other people’s money – which I don’t like doing. We don’t help them in any way financially and sometimes it’s really scary that I’ve scribbled something on a piece of paper then come back four months later to find out if it’s working! Do you practise what you preach? K: I totally do! I’m passionate about the idea that your home should facilitate your life and not the other way round. If your house is not enabling you to gather with your family and friends and do what you want to do, then it’s not fit for purpose and you have to alter that. What’s the secret of your success as a duo? P: We’re very different, although we usually get to the same answer. We bring different things to the advice that we give and, also, we get on extremely well. We are firm friends. That’s the bedrock of it.