0:00:02 > 0:00:08Across the country, empty buildings that could be homes are just waiting to be brought back into use.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14I'll be finding out why and what you need to do to rescue a house for yourself.
0:00:14 > 0:00:21Along the way, I'll do some digging to find out more about our housing stock and why we should be
0:00:21 > 0:00:25reinventing and preserving Britain's empty homes.
0:00:30 > 0:00:36Finding your ideal home isn't an easy task. You can look through hundreds of properties
0:00:36 > 0:00:38and not find anything quite right,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42but if you go the extra mile and take a leap of faith,
0:00:42 > 0:00:48rescuing one of Britain's empty homes could help you realise your dreams.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56'Today I'll be meeting a couple with big ambitions for a little bungalow,
0:00:56 > 0:01:02- 'who may find it's more than just their accounts that are frozen.' Camp out?- Yes, camp out.
0:01:02 > 0:01:08- You'll be living here?- We will. - We've got to get on with it.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13'We'll meet people who took some big risks to renovate a derelict house.'
0:01:13 > 0:01:20Should we put the property back on the market or should we bite the bullet and proceed?
0:01:20 > 0:01:25'And we follow the property detectives who help breathe new life into empty houses.'
0:01:25 > 0:01:30When I come across an empty house, I don't see just bricks and mortar.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33I see a potential family house.
0:01:34 > 0:01:42Carpenders Park, Hertfordshire, and Janet and Trevor Smith have just bought a three-bedroom bungalow.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Everything is in complete disarray and I couldn't be happier.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51They married last year and this is their first renovation together.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Janet's tackled some large projects before, but Trevor is a novice.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00I've never done anything like this before, so it's a challenge.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03And I'm looking forward to it!
0:02:04 > 0:02:11Lots of painting, lots of sanding down, decorating and knocking things down.
0:02:11 > 0:02:17- The bungalow stood empty for six months after the owner passed away. - You can walk in somewhere
0:02:17 > 0:02:22and still have that feeling that you can make it a home.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27They bought this place because they want more space for them and their dog, Alfie.
0:02:27 > 0:02:34They plan to increase the size of their new home by adding a second storey and extending to the rear.
0:02:34 > 0:02:41I won't be here during the days. I'll be at work, so Jan will have to take it on her broad shoulders.
0:02:43 > 0:02:49The bungalow cost £245,000 and they have a renovation budget of up to £60,000.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55Hi, guys, nice to meet you. I'm Joe. 'I'm meeting them to find out more.'
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- What attracted you to the bungalow? - There's loads and loads of potential.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We can get our own stamp on it.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09It has been empty for a while. Is that an opportunity to go in and wreak havoc?
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Yes, an opportunity. When you walk in and it looks absolutely fab,
0:03:13 > 0:03:19you don't want to do anything to it. But when it's the way it is, a little bit unloved
0:03:19 > 0:03:24and uncared for, you want to rip everything out and start again.
0:03:24 > 0:03:30- And you're excited about doing that? - Yes, really... Well, I'm very excited!
0:03:30 > 0:03:33I've identified the Project Manager already!
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- Shall we go and have a look inside? - Yeah, sure.- Lead the way.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- Mind the step.- OK. - Hello, my darling. Hello.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47'As soon as you walk in, it's clear why Janet and Trevor, and Alfie,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49'need a bit more space.
0:03:49 > 0:03:56'Squeezed in are a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen/diner.'
0:03:56 > 0:04:02- Right.- Where we're standing here will be, hopefully, the staircase,
0:04:02 > 0:04:08leading to the room that will be built upstairs. The loft extension.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14- You do know you've bought a bungalow?- Yes! Not for much longer. That door will be blocked,
0:04:14 > 0:04:21the wall will stay as a partition wall which will separate the kitchen and dining area.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26And the whole of the back will open up onto the garden.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30As you walk in the front door, you'll see the garden.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36'They want to get started straight away, but that means doing all the major work in winter.'
0:04:36 > 0:04:43- You have to be aware that things will be a bit tough. We'll camp out for a few months.- Camp out?- Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:50- So you'll be living here? - We'll be here, yes, while we take the roof off.- Rather draughty!
0:04:50 > 0:04:56Yeah. How do you feel about this, Trevor, as a novice to the renovation side of things?
0:04:56 > 0:05:01A little bit of trepidation, but we've got to get on with it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:07'Being on a building site in winter with no roof will be hard enough, but as we move to the kitchen
0:05:07 > 0:05:12'I learn about their plans to take the back off the house as well.'
0:05:12 > 0:05:17- Right, so kitchen/dining area. - As it stands at the moment, yes. - What's the plan?
0:05:17 > 0:05:22This will be pushed through, extended through.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- Three metres-ish we're aiming for. - You're pushing out as well as pushing up.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- So it's about how to divide that £60,000...- Yes.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36'The projected budget feels very tight for these two ambitious extensions.'
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- Are you going to do a lot of the work yourself?- Oh, yes.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Labouring, essentially, will be done by us.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48That's where the money drains away. You have to be sensible.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53'Well, I'm keen to see what they're planning with the extension out the back.'
0:05:53 > 0:06:00This is a good view. You can clearly see what you're talking about. Next door have pushed out and up.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- This is very much in the style that you're thinking about.- Yes.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Exactly.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13Janet and Trevor have very exciting plans. Just a couple of concerns have popped up in my mind.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17One is the budget. They've got £60,000 to spend.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21I could easily see them getting through double that on this.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27The second is that they'll do the main work in the winter. Of course that is possible,
0:06:27 > 0:06:34but it's also pretty grim. Later I'll take them to meet somebody who can give some useful tips
0:06:34 > 0:06:39and also a reality check of what's in store for the months ahead.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Empty homes don't always get into the hands of owners like them.
0:06:44 > 0:06:51Across the country, councils' Empty Property Officers try to change the fortunes of abandoned houses.
0:06:53 > 0:06:59Dave Carter is one of Enfield Council's most senior Empty Property Officers.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04When I come across an empty house, I don't see just bricks and mortar.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I see a potential family house.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16Today Dave is on his way to investigate claims of squatters moving into a disused house.
0:07:16 > 0:07:22This morning we're going to visit a house that the council have recently had to take possession of.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26We realised it maybe has been squatted and I need to confirm that
0:07:26 > 0:07:32so that I can inform my legal team in order to start the eviction process.
0:07:36 > 0:07:42In recent years, Dave and his team have been dealing with an increasing number of squats in Enfield.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50The legal process for evictions relies on Dave getting a possession order and then serving notice
0:07:50 > 0:07:54within 24 hours. Once notice is served,
0:07:54 > 0:07:59any illegal occupants have two days to vacate.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04After this period, the bailiffs are usually sent in.
0:08:04 > 0:08:10But before the council can act, Dave needs to check the situation with the neighbours.
0:08:10 > 0:08:17I'm Dave Carter from Enfield Council. I'm trying to find out about the house a few doors along,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- whether anyone's living there. - I've seen some people coming in.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25- You've seen that recently? - Recently. At night.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Do you see a light on?- Yeah. - All right.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33There's definitely somebody living there. Thank you very much. Bye.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37'What I'm going to do is knock on the door and see if there's anyone'
0:08:37 > 0:08:41prepared to come and talk to me and confirm that they live there.
0:08:41 > 0:08:48I'll warn them that the council are taking proceedings to evict them and they need somewhere else.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57With confirmation that someone's living in the house, Dave decides to see if anyone will answer the door.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11There doesn't seem to be anybody in. I'll knock again.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16There are clear signs of life inside, but no response.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25DOG BARKS
0:09:27 > 0:09:33There is a dog in the house barking away. There's no build up of post. I had a look through the windows.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39I'm satisfied that the squatters are still here, so I'll nip back to the office
0:09:39 > 0:09:42and speak to our legal team.
0:09:43 > 0:09:49Dave is left with no choice but to push forward with the possession order and serve notice.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59Taking on an empty home isn't for the faint-hearted. Let's be very clear about that.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03But once you cross the threshold of an abandoned property,
0:10:03 > 0:10:10the potential for it to once again become a warm home full of character really does come alive.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15If you're the sort of person who can see past peeling paintwork and a dated decor,
0:10:15 > 0:10:22then with hard graft and determination, you really can create the home you've always dreamt of.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27Ten years ago, Ogilvie and Flora Dixon fell in love with this coachman's cottage
0:10:27 > 0:10:32in the small town of Melrose in the Scottish borders.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39The house included a coach shed, a hay barn and stables.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Even though it had been empty for over two years and was derelict,
0:10:43 > 0:10:50they felt compelled to buy the place, but there was one big hurdle. It was offered under sealed bids.
0:10:50 > 0:10:57The agent placed the property on the market at offers over £58,000.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02We thought long and hard, discussed it with our lawyer,
0:11:02 > 0:11:08and eventually placed an offer for £150,000.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12We reckon we went £30,000 over the highest offer,
0:11:12 > 0:11:18but nevertheless we were fortunate in obtaining the property and we have no regrets.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24But there was definitely uncertainty when their offer was accepted.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28We just hadn't time to establish the final cost of conversion,
0:11:28 > 0:11:34so when we got the quotations, we said should we put the property back on the market
0:11:34 > 0:11:38or should we bite the bullet and proceed?
0:11:38 > 0:11:45Well, after two sleepless nights, we made the historical decision to proceed.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50So proceed they did, but this was a year-long renovation project
0:11:50 > 0:11:58- and during that time the house was totally uninhabitable.- It was undeveloped for a number of years.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03So it was a bit of a shambles and certainly a huge challenge.
0:12:03 > 0:12:10For Ogilvie, having 20 years' experience in the construction industry had its benefits.
0:12:10 > 0:12:18The most important part was to gather around one a good team of builders, joiners
0:12:18 > 0:12:22and electricians. Above all, tradesmen that you could trust.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27This entire renovation cost Ogilvie and Flora around £275,000
0:12:27 > 0:12:32and they only went £1,500 over budget in total.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36We kept a very close eye on the entire contract and enjoyed it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42It was rather nice to think that we were sorry to see our builder leave at the end of the contract.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48Ogilvie and Flora now have a beautiful four-bedroom house with three bathrooms,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52a large garden and a spacious garage.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56There's a certain warmth and pleasure just looking out
0:12:56 > 0:12:59onto these craftsmen-built walls.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05Not only did they get a spectacular home in one of the most desirable locations in the area,
0:13:05 > 0:13:10they also saved a derelict building from falling into total ruin.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14It was fun, a challenge, oh, yes, a worry,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17but I'm glad to say that it's all paid for
0:13:17 > 0:13:21and we can relax now and enjoy living in it.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Many buildings that lie empty are not listed,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30but can still be hiding links to our past.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Often these properties don't draw attention to themselves,
0:13:34 > 0:13:41so they're reduced to rubble to make way for new developments taking with them their own unique history.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47'In Whitechapel, East London, these Georgian houses had been derelict and uninhabited
0:13:47 > 0:13:49'for almost two decades.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55'The buildings had been given to the London Development Agency by the former owner, Queen Mary's Hospital,
0:13:55 > 0:14:01'and were due to be demolished for redevelopment. These historic homes were nearly lost for ever,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05'but thanks to a campaign by a local trust, they have been rescued.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10'The Spitalfields Trust is passionate about saving historic buildings.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14'I'm here to meet resident Robin Forster to find out more.'
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Robin, tell me about the plan for demolition. All these were earmarked to be pulled down.
0:14:19 > 0:14:26These properties were going to be demolished to make way for a new build for Queen Mary College
0:14:26 > 0:14:30and they would have sat right where we stand.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34They were saved at the 11th hour, this land had been handed over?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37The plans had been drawn up for this new facility
0:14:37 > 0:14:41and we were just hanging in there, trying to change their mind.
0:14:41 > 0:14:48'The Spitalfields Trust eventually negotiated a redevelopment site exchange with Queen Mary's
0:14:48 > 0:14:52'by offering them a less architecturally significant site locally.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:56What was it the Spitalfields Trust saw in these buildings?
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- They weren't listed, were they?- No.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05I think what they saw in it was it was quite unique that there was actually ten houses all together
0:15:05 > 0:15:07in very similar condition
0:15:07 > 0:15:13and because they were vacant for between 15 and 20 years, they had kind of been stuck in time.
0:15:13 > 0:15:20'The agreement stipulated that new owners would have to preserve key features of these Georgian houses.'
0:15:20 > 0:15:22All of them are slightly different.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27There are tweaks and subtleties and the buildings stand out from one another.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31How does that happen? People have flexibility within the extensions?
0:15:31 > 0:15:37The great way Spitalfields went abou it was to give people enough scope t influence the design of their house,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- but still fit it within the masterplan.- What about inside?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Was there any dictum on how the interior was designed?
0:15:44 > 0:15:48No, there was no dictate at all as to what you did on the inside,
0:15:48 > 0:15:53but the people involved, their wish was to restore a Georgian house.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59'The Spitalfields Trust employed artisans who had the skills to replicate the Georgian era -
0:15:59 > 0:16:03'wood panelling, lime mortar and traditional-looking plaster finishes.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09'They also used low-grade greenhouse glass to give an authentic look to the windows.'
0:16:09 > 0:16:14This isn't complete, but this is a Georgian structure,
0:16:14 > 0:16:19it has been brought back to how it would have looked, but it has to be liveable in.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23To take a building like this or a series of buildings like this
0:16:23 > 0:16:28and make them great again and make them acceptable for modern living is fantastic.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34Restoration projects like this show that buildings condemned and earmarked for demolition
0:16:34 > 0:16:36can be brought back to life.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39We can't just remain stuck in the past.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44There is a time and a place for new building projects, including just up this street here,
0:16:44 > 0:16:49but when we can save buildings like this, retaining their historical identity,
0:16:49 > 0:16:55fusing it with a contemporary living space, not only is it good for the people that live here,
0:16:55 > 0:17:01but it benefits the whole community and it safeguards an important piece of our heritage.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08'Earlier, I met Janet and Trevor Smith who had just bought this 1930s bungalow in Hertfordshire.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13'They're planning a double extension up and out at the back for just £60,000.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18'I'm taking them to meet a couple who have completed a similar renovation project.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23'Richard and Alice Cann bought this 1930s three-bedroom semi in Harrow
0:17:23 > 0:17:26'for £305,000 back in 2009.'
0:17:26 > 0:17:29We'd been looking for various other houses
0:17:29 > 0:17:35that weren't working out, so when you found this property in Harrow and we came to see it
0:17:35 > 0:17:39and fell in love with it, it was really the kind of thing we were looking for,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43apart from the fact that it needed all this work on it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49'Just like Janet and Trevor plan to, the Canns have built a large rear extension.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'But the Canns had a higher build budget of £125,000.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58'And they opted not to live in a building site with their young baby Arthur
0:17:58 > 0:18:01'during the cold winter months.'
0:18:01 > 0:18:06It soon became clear that really we wouldn't be able to live here all the time.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09We were really lucky to have my parents to go and stay with.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14'Two years later, the Canns haven't fully done up the front rooms yet,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17'but they now have a large and comfortable family home
0:18:17 > 0:18:20'with a spectacular kitchen-diner extension.'
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Right, guys, here it is.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26It is a property of a similar period to yours.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31I want you to see this place because as a project, it's where you might be in half a year's time.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I think it will answer a lot of your questions.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Shall we go and have a look? - Absolutely.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43'This project is on a bigger scale to Janet and Trevor's, but it does have some interesting parallels
0:18:43 > 0:18:48'and I think the feature they'll be very keen to see is the large extension.'
0:18:53 > 0:19:01In terms of what you were telling me earlier, your inspiration of having glass at the back of a property
0:19:01 > 0:19:05and the sight line through to the garden, isn't that great?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- It is.- That's great.- It's beautiful.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- Very open.- Hmm.- Yeah.- Exactly, actually. Only flipped around.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Exactly with the sink, the window. - Plenty of light.- It's beautiful.
0:19:16 > 0:19:22Step over here because I know Richard is fairly keen on his doors here.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27I am because we don't like conservatories. I don't understand the purpose of them.
0:19:27 > 0:19:33This seemed like the next best thing, really, to have the garden pretty much in your living room.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Tri-fold doors.- Tri-fold doors, yeah
0:19:40 > 0:19:43That is clever.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- And so weird to suddenly see this one big rectangle. - That's what we were talking about.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Of light and green... - That's the photograph that you want.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57I haven't asked you how this property was when you got here.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Presumably, the building stopped here?
0:20:00 > 0:20:05Yeah, by that divide. You can see where the old kitchen was and that was a rear reception room.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10- Both quite small rooms compared to the feel of what you have now?- Sure.
0:20:10 > 0:20:17- And that's what you've got.- Yes. - Your bungalow is divided up into quite small compartments.- Yes.
0:20:17 > 0:20:23'With this open-plan kitchen-diner, Richard and Alice really have maximised the space,
0:20:23 > 0:20:28'but there was one big decision they made which I want Janet and Trevor to take on board.'
0:20:28 > 0:20:32It was one of the coldest winters in my memory.
0:20:32 > 0:20:38There wasn't a back to the house. This was open. You could feel the wind coming through the house.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41This was one extension on the back of the house.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46- You were talking about one on the back of the house and on top.- Yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52'Currently, Janet and Trevor are planning to live on site over winter during their building works.'
0:20:52 > 0:20:58The other thing if you're living on site is to maybe think about it from the builder's perspective.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Yes, that has passed through my mind.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06It does become more difficult for them to be sidestepping around you, what you're doing.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12'Janet and Trevor have a total budget of £60,000 for two extensions - roof and rear.
0:21:12 > 0:21:19'The Canns started off with a build budget of 90,000, but as so often happens, they went over budget.'
0:21:19 > 0:21:22The full project came to about 125
0:21:22 > 0:21:28and that's just from extras that aren't included with the builder, such as these doors.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34Was that an absolute maximum for you? You knew you could just about go to that, but no more?
0:21:34 > 0:21:39You can see the front of the house isn't finished. It was all meant to be finished.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42'Richard shows us the hallway and front room
0:21:42 > 0:21:46'to give Janet and Trevor a sense of what stage his renovations are at.'
0:21:46 > 0:21:52We've seen the hallway and this room. I've just run out of money. I'll just have to wait.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55That's interesting that you get to your limits as well.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00You've done the structural work, so you can save that for another year or two.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06'I'm hoping this visit will help Janet and Trevor consider the scale of what they're taking on.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11'Later, I'll find out what conclusions they've drawn after seeing this place.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15'First, back to Enfield where Empty Property Officer Dave Carter
0:22:15 > 0:22:19'has been investigating the possibility of squatters.
0:22:19 > 0:22:26'Despite no answer, Dave was happy with the evidence that squatters were living at the abandoned house.'
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I'm satisfied that the squatters are still here,
0:22:29 > 0:22:34so I'll nip back to the office and speak to our legal team.
0:22:34 > 0:22:41'Since then, Dave and his team have evicted the unwelcome house guests and secured the building.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46'Dave is now on his way to meet local auctioneer Brian Grant,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'but before Dave and Brian can put the house up for auction,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53'they need to see what condition the place has been left in.'
0:22:53 > 0:22:59- Good afternoon, Brian.- Hi, Dave. How are you?- Nice to see you at last. - And you.- So this is the house.- OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05We've had squatters in there, so it's in a bit of a tip, but you're probably used to that.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11Yeah, absolutely. We see all sorts in our business, so it won't be too much of a surprise to us.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Shall I show you around? - Yeah, after you.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25'It doesn't take long to spot the damage.'
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- So as you can see, it's in a bit of a state.- Yes, I can see that.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It's got a long history of being squatted.
0:23:36 > 0:23:43- OK.- Obviously, we just want to get shot of it as soon as possible.- No problem.- Which is where you come in.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We'll be able to turn this around quite quickly.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52'Upstairs hasn't been left in a much better state either.'
0:23:53 > 0:23:56There's the loft.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01- Yeah. I doubt there's much insulatio up there.- No.
0:24:04 > 0:24:11It's very sad, really, looking around because clearly it used to be someone's well-loved home.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16You can see the possessions that are still around here, despite the squatters wrecking the house.
0:24:16 > 0:24:23So I'd like to see that we can get i to someone that is going to bring it back up to modern standards
0:24:23 > 0:24:25and maybe get a good family in here.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31From the point of view of auctions, it's likely a developer or builder, maybe an investor will take on this,
0:24:31 > 0:24:37but we do get quite ambitious owner-occupiers prepared to take on quite heavy projects
0:24:37 > 0:24:39for the purpose of a family home.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45'With Brian on board, Dave is confident this house will be saved from falling into further decline.'
0:24:45 > 0:24:50- Right, good luck.- Thank you. - I hope the viewings go well.- I'm sur they will.- There's the keys.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56- Thank you.- Let me know how things go.- I will do.- Thanks a lot.- Thanks for your time.- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01It's fairly typical in condition with a standard auction property.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06It needs refurbishment. It's exactly what we're looking for to get into the catalogue.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08It will go very well at auction.
0:25:08 > 0:25:14I was very pleased. The auctioneer said this is just the sort of property developers are looking for.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19He's positive it will sell. We'll just go back to the office and work out a reserve price,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23then hopefully, it will be sold and renovated within a couple of months.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31'In Harrow, Janet and Trevor Smith visited this stunning home
0:25:31 > 0:25:35'to get inspiration for the planned extensions to their new bungalow.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:39How are you feeling about your project after what you've just seen?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Enthusiastic still. You've got to be positive.
0:25:43 > 0:25:49I'm not looking forward to the dust and the grime and we may rethink the idea of living in.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54Yes, because he was very against it. He didn't think it was a good idea. He talked his wife out of it.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58They came back for the final two weeks and even that was quite grim.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- So we could potentially rethink our plans.- Definitely.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07For the sake of living out for, I don't know, maybe four months even
0:26:07 > 0:26:13- Yeah.- Especially in the winter. - Yes, so that is something that we have definitely learned.
0:26:13 > 0:26:19And hearing that they spent more than your total budget on just one extension, not two,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21does that give you cause for concern?
0:26:21 > 0:26:26- That was a big reality check.- It was - More than double our budget.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30If push comes to shove, we will just do the extension.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35We'll forget lifting for the time being. We'll just do the extension.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40- I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you'll make a great job of it.- Thank you.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46I'm so pleased we could show Janet and Trevor this property today.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It has come at just the right time in their renovation.
0:26:49 > 0:26:55I have no doubt they'll take away loads of insight, inspiration and plenty of tips.
0:26:55 > 0:27:01I'm sure they can create a home together, their first home together, that they can be really proud of.
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