Desperate to sell and finally retire

Maggie and Leon Cooper-Smith retired to a beautiful thatched cottage on the Norfolk Broads eight years ago, investing a lot of money and effort into renovating the property.

They had recently run a B&B to top up their retirement fund and were finally looking forward to finishing work.

But the pension plan that was meant to keep them secure in retirement was hit by a downturn in 2000, leaving them with 40% less than they had originally banked on.

Propertywatch, a new series on property prices and the downturn, will be broadcast from 11-14 May at 2000 BST on BBC Two.