0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello! Now, despite the credit crunch,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05people still want to delve into the property market.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10And, if you're prepared to take the plunge, auctions are a great place to start.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Yes, it can be fast, it can be frantic,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16but, you know what, you can get yourself a bargain buying your home under the hammer!
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Now, some lots are very popular at auction, others go unsold.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50And the auction room can be a very difficult place to conquer.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54So, what won the hearts of today's buyers? Let's find out.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00This Cardiff house has seen better days, but I've spotted something very interesting.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04It all looks a bit tired and dated. I think the interesting stuff's back there, though.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10In the seaside town of Broadstairs, this semi might be about to come out.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14I've got the feeling that this should be an outdoor area, not really an indoor area.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20And there are three floors in need of attention at this Devon property,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23but don't be put off - the work could be quite entertaining.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I think you could have great fun down here.
0:01:26 > 0:01:32All these properties went to auction. We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:32 > 0:01:34when they went under the hammer.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35It's yours, sir. Thank you.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41I'm in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45It's seen a great deal of regeneration in recent years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48There's some striking architecture popping up around the city,
0:01:48 > 0:01:53but I'm off to the suburbs to see something more residential.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Well, just ten minutes' walk from Cardiff city centre,
0:01:57 > 0:02:01you find yourself in Splott, an area known for its slightly more affordable houses,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03very popular with first-time buyers, therefore.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08I'm here to see a three-bed mid-terrace at a guide price of £79,000.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Let's take a look inside and see why you might want to snap it up.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Now, I can't imagine there are too many surprises in store with this kind of property,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21but you never know! Certainly, the layout is fairly standard.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Through the front door, you've got a corridor, front sitting room there.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Nice that you've got open fires, we like that, and it comes with a free piano!
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Don't forget that when you buy a property, on completion, whatever's left here is yours,
0:02:33 > 0:02:39so that's good news. The rear of the property, a kind of rear living room area again with an open fire.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41So that's good. It all looks a bit tired and dated.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I think the interesting stuff's back there, though.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47A bit of useful space under the stairs there,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and then through into the kitchen, as you can see, in a bit of a state.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Slightly lacking in things like kitchen cabinets.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Still, we've got a sink, so what more do you need?
0:02:55 > 0:02:57An open fire. We quite like that,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01but clearly you're going to have to play around with this quite considerably.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02Through there, fairly traditional layout.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05You've got your loo and your bathroom. Again not ideal,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and you'll want to look at the costing of moving that upstairs.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But I think I'm going to get a better flavour of this property by going out the back.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18You get there through this lean-to which is definitely on its last legs.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25The property went under the hammer guided at £79,000.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31It is deceptively large, but I suspect the interior wouldn't be to most people's taste,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35not in this state anyway. And the exterior is no better either.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40Quite an interesting sort of bit of space here. You've got all these outbuildings.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43I daresay that's an outdoor loo or something.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But it's not until you come out here that you really see the kind of state that the property's in.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Look at the roof, look at the fact you've got cracks in the rendering there,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53and from here it just looks horrendous.
0:03:53 > 0:03:59Suddenly, I've added around, what, £10,000 on the renovation budget?
0:03:59 > 0:04:02It leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and just goes to show that it's always worth giving properties a thorough going-over
0:04:06 > 0:04:08before you think about buying them.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Deterioration apart, what else is on offer?
0:04:11 > 0:04:16So, upstairs, three bedrooms, and I guess this is one of them.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20But to my mind this is just crying out to be the bathroom.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25So the key thing to know is can you change the layout up here to still retain three bedrooms?
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Well, let me investigate.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31I reckon you might be able to.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36Perhaps all you need to do is divide the front bedroom, which is a pretty good size, into two,
0:04:36 > 0:04:42taking the total back up to three, as the second bedroom will be turned into a bathroom.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48So I think you could end up with, well, basically, three really decent-sized rooms
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and that bathroom upstairs, so problem solved.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Before that, though, there's a lot of work to be done.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57I mean, the ceilings need to be taken down. My guess is they're lath and plaster
0:04:57 > 0:05:00so you'd want plasterboard, the electrics need doing,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and I've just noticed something slightly more sinister...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Look at this. This isn't just random dust!
0:05:07 > 0:05:10That...is what happens when you have woodworm,
0:05:10 > 0:05:15and when they've chewed through the wood, they turn it into this fine dust.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19That indicates to me that they're also still very active.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23In fact, if you listen very carefully...
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- CHOMPING - ..You can hear them chewing.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- BURP! - Pardon you!
0:05:29 > 0:05:32# Yummy, yummy, yummy, I've got love in my tummy... #
0:05:32 > 0:05:36So the house has got woodworm and rendering problems.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41It's going to need rewiring and trains thunder past the back fence.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Let's hope that at least the piano's in tune!
0:05:44 > 0:05:46We invited along a local estate agent
0:05:46 > 0:05:49to see if there's anything else he'd add to the list
0:05:49 > 0:05:51of things to be done.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54The roof at the present time is the original roof
0:05:54 > 0:05:57where numerous plates have slipped, water has come into the property,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00there's water staining to the ceilings which has caused more damage
0:06:00 > 0:06:03and, in fact, there's even tree roots,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07young tree roots in the gutters growing, so it does need a complete overhaul and new roof.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14The good thing about this property is its size. You've got good proportions and there's a good garden as well,
0:06:14 > 0:06:19so if the prospective buyer does wish to extend, there's scope there as well.
0:06:19 > 0:06:26The property went to auction guided at £79,000, but how much could it be worse with some TLC lavished on it?
0:06:28 > 0:06:32In my opinion, this property in its current layout, fully modernised,
0:06:32 > 0:06:39bearing in mind it does need an awful lot of expenditure, would reach £140,000.
0:06:39 > 0:06:45What about renting? Is that an option and how much income could it generate?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48In my opinion, this particular property in its current state,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53fully renovated, would achieve a rental figure of £600 per calendar month as a family unit.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58However, if let on individual rooms, it would achieve £1,000 per calendar month.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08So, intrinsically, a good place in a popular area.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Needs some work and you have got those uninvited guests to deal with,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15but who fancied the challenge when it went to auction?
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Now we go on to lot number 2,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22which is a mid-terraced house for refurbishment, two reception rooms
0:07:22 > 0:07:23and three bedrooms, as you can see.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Tell you what, I'm going to start straightaway on my reserve. I have a proxy bidder
0:07:28 > 0:07:32and I'm putting it straight in the market. At £85,000 I'm bid.
0:07:32 > 0:07:38At 85. Up to 8, anybody? 6, then. 86, thank you. 7 for my proxy bid.
0:07:38 > 0:07:4387. Come 8. 88. My proxy bid will go 90.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45At £90,000, try one more, then, in the back.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51Thank you. At 91 I'm bid. 2 for my proxy bid. You're still out, I'm afraid. Proxy bid is in.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56At 92. 93, thank you. 94 for my proxy bid.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02You're out, sir? 5, can I? 95, I'm bid. 6 for my proxy. At 96...
0:08:02 > 0:08:0897- 98 for the proxy. 9. 100 for my proxy bid.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13At 101. 101 I'm bid there. My proxy bidder is out.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18At £101,000. And I am selling all the time. My proxy bidder has finished.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23At £101,000, it's yours, sir, thank you.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28And the final successful bid of £101,000 was made by Kim.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35He's an experienced property developer with a portfolio of around 100 properties,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and he's no stranger to Homes Under the Hammer!
0:08:40 > 0:08:42We met him before
0:08:42 > 0:08:44when he renovated another house in Wales.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48You might recall that it was in a terrible state,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51so Kim obviously doesn't mind hard work.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00I caught up with him at his latest purchase to hear about his plans for it
0:09:00 > 0:09:04and what he's been getting up to since we last met.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Kim, lovely to see you again! - Hi, Martin. Nice to meet you again.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- Now, it's been a few years, hasn't it?- Yeah, five, I think, is it? - Five.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- And we met at some really decrepit old property.- Yes, Penrhiwceiber.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- So that all got sorted out, did it? - Yeah, all finished,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19I still own the property, and there's a lady there...
0:09:19 > 0:09:23She's been there for the five years. As soon as I finished it, she moved in and she's still there now.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- So what's happened since we last saw you?- Er...
0:09:26 > 0:09:30still doing exactly the same thing, doing the building, the developing and whatever.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Sort of added to the portfolio a little bit and here we are with this one again.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36So here we are. Why have you bought this one?
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Good location, Cardiff. I mean, Splott, it'll rent easily, and it would sell easily,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- if I wanted to. - In terms of its internal layout and just the general state of it,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48that was important or was it more the location?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It was the location. I didn't actually come into the property, I drove past it.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- You didn't see inside? - No, I didn't come in. No, I know,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57but I wouldn't advise probably a lot of people to do that,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00but again because of my background with the construction,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04it doesn't matter really what we find inside. As long as the structure is good,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06then we can do the rest no problem at all.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I knew it was going to be in a state. You don't buy something
0:10:09 > 0:10:13in Cardiff for £101,000 unless you're going to have to do some work to it,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16so, you know, it's just the same old thing to me. We'll just sort of go right through the property
0:10:16 > 0:10:20and bring it right back to life, so it's no problem.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Kim trusted his instincts and knew what to expect from the property.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27He's broken one of the basic rules of buying at auction,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31but the state of the place hasn't come as too much of a shock to him.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- So what exactly are you going to do to sort this place out? - Basically everything.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42I mean, it needs a full revamp from a new roof outside to rerendering the rear of the property,
0:10:42 > 0:10:49new windows, back and front door, render right through, skirtings, doors, kitchen, bathroom...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52you know, everything that you need to do to the house, really,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54so then, when it's done, it'll be done for good.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55What kind of cost for doing that?
0:10:55 > 0:11:01With the roof and the scaffolding and obviously the render outside and everything that's got to be done,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I would put it in the region of between £25,000 and £30,000.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10- Is that costing in your time, your labour time?- Yeah, everything that would be, yes.- Right.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- But that gets it sparkling?- Yes.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17Kim's got a regular team of builders who will get stuck into the job.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19They aims to complete in about 6-8 weeks.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25That's a pretty optimistically tight schedule, I'd say, especially as he's got to add a new roof.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27So what about the woodworm upstairs?
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Because that's quite... You can almost hear them! - Yeah, buzzing around, aren't they?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Again, you know, we do this all the time.
0:11:34 > 0:11:40I'll get a specialist in to look at it, and we'll spray everything so that all the joists are done.
0:11:40 > 0:11:46If there's any joists that are too badly infected, we'll take those out and treat the new joists,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48and again with the floorboards, a lot of those will have to be changed,
0:11:48 > 0:11:52because there is a lot of woodworm in them, but some of it will stay because we'll have it treated,
0:11:52 > 0:11:57and there'll be a guarantee with that, so it isn't really a major problem, so it's fine.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58So what next for you?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Just more of this, really, I suppose.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I mean, that's what I do, isn't it? I've just bought a pub as well...
0:12:05 > 0:12:11- A pub?- Yeah, yeah, I know. Yeah, yeah. That's a long story, but yeah, it's in the local village,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13and it came up for sale as a freehold.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I bought it and we've renovated that at the moment and it's going well.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- I'm getting married in a couple of months' time to Jackie. - Congratulations!
0:12:20 > 0:12:25Thank you very much. She's gorgeous and, er...yeah. So couple of months, here we go!
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- We'll come back in a few months and see how you've got on.- That's good. - Look forward to it.- Cheers.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34So Kim adding to his portfolio with this property
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and he clearly knows exactly what he's doing with this place.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Healthy budget, tight timescales, though,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44and doesn't he have a few more important things to worry about in the coming months?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48You can find out how he gets on later in the show.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55MUSIC: "I Do Like To be Beside The Seaside"
0:12:55 > 0:13:00If you do like to be beside the seaside, then it may be worth paying a visit to Broadstairs in Kent.
0:13:00 > 0:13:07The town developed as a Victorian seaside resort and has changed very little in the last 50 years or so.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10There are buckets of Kentish character and charm here,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14so can we detect a bargain hidden in the sand?
0:13:14 > 0:13:19About a mile from the sea and suddenly we're in the suburbs,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21surrounded by 1930s semis.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27Now, it's not a bad spot and I love this old-fashioned cul-de-sac here. It's very practical.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29The property I'm here to see today is this.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33It's got two bedrooms and a guide of £100,000-£110,000.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38And it'll come as no surprise that it's in need of modernisation.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41You'd be surprised if it was any other way.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47It's desirable to have off-street parking, but the tatty gutters are less pleasing.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51They suggest the inside may also be a little rough around the edges.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55OK. So, yes, it does need a bit of doing-up,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58but do you know what? It's not that bad. I've certainly seen worse.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03You've got a lovely big window here letting lots of natural light in, which is fantastic.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08They've double-glazed. You can see there's been some central heating recently installed,
0:14:08 > 0:14:14and somebody's taken the time to knock through here to create one big, open through room which I love!
0:14:14 > 0:14:16You know, there's a lot of space in here.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Now, through here...
0:14:18 > 0:14:25call me stupid, but it just looks like somebody has covered over an outdoor patio...
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Bit of a strange one. I think that is exactly what they've done.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34But you have got some beautiful flowers over here. They smell amazing,
0:14:34 > 0:14:39but, really, I've got the feeling that this should be an outdoor area, not really an indoor area.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Let's see what's round here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44# In and out, and in and out... #
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Inside, outside, then inside again.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Interestingly, another little lean-to, but do you know what?
0:14:52 > 0:14:57It feels as though in the wind this would just collapse. Not quite sure about that.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Also here, it looks as though the flat roof is having a few problems, a bit of water damage.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06I'd definitely recommend getting someone to come and have a look at that.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09But, you know, I've come in the back way. This would obviously be quite a nice breakfast area,
0:15:09 > 0:15:15you could put a table and chairs here, you've got a very, very long thin galley kitchen.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21Not the best, it needs refurbishing, but you have got some good space to work with, so, not bad.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26At the moment it feels like the house is sliced in two, right down the middle.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29You could save on gym membership and just do laps around the ground floor!
0:15:29 > 0:15:31# In and out
0:15:31 > 0:15:35# Inside, outside Leave me alone... #
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Upstairs is a much more standard layout.
0:15:40 > 0:15:47There are only two bedrooms, but the one at the front is huge, spanning the whole width of the house.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The second one at the back is smaller but still a good double.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57The bathroom suite looks fine, although the new owner could perhaps change the tiles.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03But, upstairs, this house that went to auction guided at £100,000-£110,000
0:16:03 > 0:16:08doesn't need much work. It's downstairs that the challenges are lurking.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12So you've got rid of these dodgy old things, so what now?
0:16:12 > 0:16:19Build a nice brand-spanking-new conservatory, extend out the back with a proper brick structure maybe?
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Well, I'm not sure. Because with those gone, look at all the lovely garden you'll be gaining.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28And with only two bedrooms upstairs, do you need that extra living space?
0:16:28 > 0:16:34As always, it comes down to cost. If you think you can make the money back on a super sunroom,
0:16:34 > 0:16:39then go for it! But if you're looking for a quick turnaround here with minimal spend,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41you know, I don't think it's worth it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46I reckon it was once a well-stocked garden with this big fishpond,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50but it's going to need a lot of time spent on it to get the best out of it now.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52What does the local estate agent think
0:16:52 > 0:16:54about the prospects for this property
0:16:54 > 0:16:56just a mile from the seafront?
0:16:56 > 0:16:59# Do you want to go to the seaside?
0:16:59 > 0:17:04# I'm not trying to say that everybody wants to go... #
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Broadstairs is a very popular town.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09It has beautiful beaches, excellent shops...
0:17:09 > 0:17:13This area is popular for families, people relocating from out of the area.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18There is certainly a ceiling for what I feel this property would achieve as a resale.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23So I think the clients need to modernise the property with a very strict budget.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29The property went to auction guided at £100,000-£110,000,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33but how much could it be worth after some refurbishment work's been done?
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The maximum I feel this property would be worth is £135,000.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41What's the rental potential here? How much could it generate?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43The property would rent very well,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47and I would achieve a rental figure on this property of £600 per calendar month.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53So there's work to be done, but that means there's also value to be added,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55which is what you should always be looking for.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59But I don't think there's a fortune in this and you don't want to overspend,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03or you'll be in danger of having the most expensive house on the street.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Let's find out who went for it at the auction.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Lot 87, this is Broadstairs,
0:18:07 > 0:18:12two-bedroom semi in a good location. It's a nice-looking house,
0:18:12 > 0:18:13gas central heating, double glazing.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18Start me where you will. Can I see £100,000 for it?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21£95,000. I'm obliged. I should think so, in Broadstairs. £95,000 I've got.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25And 100, now, do I see? 100 in the front row I've got.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29And 5. 105? 105. And 10? 100?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32At £105,000 I've got, 110 I want.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Are we all done at £105,000? I'll take 8 if you like. 107?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39106 you're saying?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42106. And 7, 107.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45107. And 8. 108.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49109 now if you like. £108,000 I'm bid.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51109 I'm looking for.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55We're all done at £108,000. I'm selling at 108 for the first time.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59£108,000 bid for the second time. Third and final time.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02It's with you in the front row. It's against you at the back there.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04All done at £108,000.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07A house in Broadstairs for 108. Amazing!
0:19:07 > 0:19:13The successful bidders who paid £108,000 were mother-and-son team Val and Brad.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16# Mama said there'll be days like this
0:19:16 > 0:19:19# There'll be days like this Mama said... #
0:19:19 > 0:19:22They bought this two-bedroom semi in Broadstairs.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26I met up with them back there to find out why they were playing the Generation Game.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Guys, congratulations.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Well done.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- Why have you bought this? Have you bought this together?- Yes. - I'm the hired labour, really.
0:19:36 > 0:19:42Well, hired labour, yes. I financed it, you know, to give my son a chance.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46So, Brad, what is the plan and where are you going to move forward with this?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Do it up as quick as possible, get some good friends on line in the trade,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52get it back on the market, go for another one.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- So up until now what have you been doing?- Motor trade mainly from when I left school,
0:19:55 > 0:20:00right up until last year. But made redundant. Mum got the idea from your show.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03So we thought...let's have a go.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Well, I'm not sure this property will get Brad motoring into the developers' fast lane,
0:20:07 > 0:20:13but it is a great one to start with. Brad's separated with two children,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18and has currently moved back in with his mum after his dad sadly passed away.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23He's a keen handyman so that'll definitely help keep the costs down.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Why did they choose this place?
0:20:26 > 0:20:31When you saw the property for the first time, what potential could you both see?
0:20:31 > 0:20:36Nice family home. Look through the bits and pieces, the extra buildings out the back
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and just see a nice family home for someone. Rip it out, make it nice.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43So what about the room with the flat roof and the hole in it? What are you going to do with that?
0:20:43 > 0:20:48That's going to be a dining room, going to have a new roof put on and some French doors at the end.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Just carpet it as a walk-through out to the garden and keep this as one big nice open living room.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- What are you going to do with that lean-to?- Demolish it. It looks like Jack built it,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00so I think we're going to get rid of that and make it an open space.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Well, hire one of those jet washers and the patio could scrub up beautifully,
0:21:04 > 0:21:09and it could pave the way to a successful renovation here.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12What sort of budget do you intend spending here?
0:21:12 > 0:21:17We estimated about £10,000, although we've had some very good bargains...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20we've picked up some very good, you know, things along the way.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24We're going to keep a few thousand back just in case,
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- but hopefully 10.- So you know you're going to have to be very wise with your spending.- Mmm.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So what sort of bargains have you got, then, Val?
0:21:32 > 0:21:37Well, we've got a very good kitchen, we've got a beautiful bathroom,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40which we got a lovely discount on,
0:21:40 > 0:21:46almost half the price of what they're showing up in the big DIY stores.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- Got to say, your mum's the one to know! She's done very well.- A very good businesswoman, I tell you.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- You have got a lot to live up to! - Absolutely! I learn every day with her.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00The pair have given themselves three months to complete the refurbishment.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Brad's friends are going to lend a hand, but what about Mum?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Is she going to help?
0:22:05 > 0:22:10I'm going to get involved physically, rubber gloves, decorating, garden...
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and as much as I can. I'll probably be the hod carrier.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Hard labour! But Val's pretty used to that.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19She's certainly not short of business knowledge!
0:22:21 > 0:22:26I've owned shops, newsagents, top-of-the-range fashion, done hairdressing...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28had an antique shop.
0:22:28 > 0:22:34My latest was a dog-groomer which I did very successfully for nearly 15 years,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- and I retired at 65...- What? - And I think I deserved it.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- So you've retired but now you're back on it again?- Yes.- Here we go!
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- I can't keep still.- Job number 50! - Yeah, something like that.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47# Mama said there'll be days like this
0:22:47 > 0:22:50# There'll be days like this Mama said... #
0:22:50 > 0:22:55For all her experience, Val's never done anything like this before.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- So, Brad, you must be happy that your mum's on board to help out? - Oh, yes!
0:22:58 > 0:23:02The one person I can count on, got the level head that probably I haven't at the moment.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07- And, Val, you obviously are quite supportive and you think he can do it?- Oh, I'm sure he can do it.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09I wouldn't support him financially if I didn't!
0:23:09 > 0:23:15- I'm really glad to see that you're both going to get stuck in. Do you guys get on?- Yes, fine.- Very well.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- Yes, very well. Only son, you see. - I've got to look after Mum!
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- You know, I like that! You look after your mum and Mum looks after son!- Oh, yes!
0:23:24 > 0:23:30- Good luck, guys. It's been so nice to meet you and I can't wait to see that new kitchen.- Thank you.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34# There'll be days like this Mama said... #
0:23:34 > 0:23:39So from cars and dog-grooming to DIY and doing up houses.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44I think this mother-and-son team have got a great first project to whet their property appetite,
0:23:44 > 0:23:50but, you know, it's crucial that Val continues to shop around and Brad puts in some really hard labour.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55Now, will this project be a race winner or are the pair both barking?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Join us later in the programme and you can find out.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Coming up. Don't be put off by the condition of this Devon property,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04because lots of features have been covered up.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And overall the place is oozing character straight off.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14We return to Broadstairs where Brad's let his mate get on with it.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I left him to it. I just said, "That's yours, you do what you like with that."
0:24:20 > 0:24:24But first it's back to Cardiff where Kim's been in control.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Because I do quite a lot of this type of thing, I've got a good feel for how much things are going to cost.
0:24:31 > 0:24:37Earlier in the programme, local builder-developer Kim bought this mid-terrace in the Cardiff suburb
0:24:37 > 0:24:44of Splott for £101,000. It was to add to his impressive buy-to-let portfolio,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48which exceeds 100 properties.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53The house had woodworm, a leaking roof and needed a full refurbishment.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Kim was about to get married and is also a pub landlord.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59So he was going to be busy!
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Three-and-a-half months after our first visit,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05we returned to see what had happened to this auction lot in Splott.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Kim and his team have installed new windows and replaced the roof.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Inside, the two downstairs living rooms remain.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23Kim decided against knocking through to open it up into one large living space,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27so that he could potentially use one of the downstairs rooms as another bedroom.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32But the kitchen's been refitted and everywhere's been replastered.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35The wooden floors on the ground floor are now concrete,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39but the first question has to be, how did the wedding go?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43It was fantastic. I've just come back from Crete on my honeymoon which was lovely.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I'd two weeks there. So we're very happy at the moment, all good. Thank you.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52Many congratulations! But what about the house and those uninvited guests?
0:25:52 > 0:25:58Yeah, it wasn't a big problem, really. The woodworm was mainly confined to the first floor,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02a little bit of woodworm in the joists, but nothing that we couldn't sort of treat,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04so we had a specialist company in to treat the floors,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08and basically that's cured the problem so we're all free from the woodworm.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15Apart from the woodwork, the three upstairs bedrooms have been totally refurbished.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21There's new wiring, new windows and it's all been replastered.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32With the outbuildings all demolished you can now appreciate how much land there is here.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42We've rerendered everything, done all the roof, new fascias, new gutters,
0:26:42 > 0:26:48generally a complete overall of the outside, new windows, uPVC, and basically that's it.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51It's watertight and nice-looking, I hope.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Kim's a very successful developer.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59You don't manage a portfolio of over 100 buy-to-lets if you don't know your onions.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Most of the properties that I do, I rent them out,
0:27:02 > 0:27:07and I'm going to again on this one. I've got the local authority involved with us,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09because I've had dealings with them before,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12and explained I was doing this property and they came to see it,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and, hopefully, they'll have some tenants to come in in the next few weeks.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20From past experience, Kim knows that if he lets to a local authority
0:27:20 > 0:27:25they often have more stringent requirements than he might encounter in the private sector.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31He's going to box in the boiler and, to comply with the regulations, all the doors have to be fire doors,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35and the bathroom and loo need to be redesigned.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Well, I've split this into two toilets,
0:27:38 > 0:27:44because the local authority wanted me to actually put two toilets in. It's one of their specifications.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47So that's why we've got the two toilets. We try and please...
0:27:47 > 0:27:49That's what they wanted, so there they are.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56So the bathroom stayed downstairs and the three bedrooms upstairs have not had to change.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Apart from his property company, he also runs a building business,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07so from start to finish he's used his own tradesmen. How much did it all cost?
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Remember he budgeted between £25,000 and £30,000,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14which was to include his time and the labour costs.
0:28:14 > 0:28:19Because I do quite a lot of this type of thing, I've got a good feel for how much things are going to cost.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23And we've gone right through the property, so, yeah, we were inside the £30,000...
0:28:23 > 0:28:29exact figures, I wouldn't know, but it was between 25,000 and 30,000 completely finished as it is now.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Time now to see what two local property experts
0:28:35 > 0:28:40make of this mid-terrace that's been added to Kim's impressive collection.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43The quality of work is good, the standard is good.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47They've done a full renovation project on the property
0:28:47 > 0:28:49and I have to say I'm quite impressed.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51It's transformed, it's bright, cheerful,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54everything's been done which is essential.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59The arrangements for the bathroom, obviously there's a reason for that,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02which is it's not the conventional nothing house.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04The bathroom is done to a good standard.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Obviously, they've opted for a shower cubicle and two separate toilets.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12That's obviously not a great selling point if the property was being sold to a first-time buyer,
0:29:12 > 0:29:16but it certainly meets the necessary requirements for a rental option.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Now the work's finished, how much is the property worth?
0:29:20 > 0:29:26Remember, Kim paid £79,000 at the auction and has kept his budget between 25,000 and 30,000.
0:29:26 > 0:29:33So, assuming he spends £30,000 on it, is it worth more than his total outlay of £109,000?
0:29:33 > 0:29:40In my opinion, the resale value of this property in its present condition is £145,000.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45I think the resale value would be certainly around £145,000.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52So they both agreed it would generate a gross profit of £36,000 before tax and selling expenses.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Is Kim happy?
0:29:54 > 0:30:00Yeah, I think that's about the mark. £145,000, £150,000, that's what I thought at the beginning,
0:30:00 > 0:30:01so we're happy, no problem at all.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Kim's confident that the local authority will take the house,
0:30:05 > 0:30:11but how much rental income could it generate either as a house or multiple occupancy
0:30:11 > 0:30:15or if let out to one family as Kim would prefer?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18From a rental perspective, you've got two avenues here,
0:30:18 > 0:30:24You're either looking at four lets in which case the standard charge is £250 per room,
0:30:24 > 0:30:26£1,000 per calendar month.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31Alternatively, the single tenancy arrangement which is more towards the first-time buyer
0:30:31 > 0:30:36or small family would then be in the region of £750 per calendar month.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41As a family home, this property would rent in the region of £550 per calendar month.
0:30:41 > 0:30:47With the local authority taking the property, I would have thought it would be minimum 750,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50but, you know, I'd be happy with 750 anyway, so anything else is a bonus.
0:30:50 > 0:30:57The multiple occupancy, the four times the 250 then, is something I hadn't really looked at.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00I think I've done the deal already with the council, so I'll go with them anyway,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02so more than happy with that.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14I'm in Devon on the picturesque Bere peninsula.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19As well as the beautiful scenery, this area was once known for growing fruit and flowers,
0:31:19 > 0:31:25so trains to London would stop here to pick up the local produce.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Today it's still pretty and peaceful
0:31:27 > 0:31:30and only a short hop from city life in Plymouth.
0:31:32 > 0:31:38I'm in the village of Bere Alston near the picturesque Tamar Valley Railway Line
0:31:38 > 0:31:42which goes from Penzance to Plymouth with coastline at both ends.
0:31:42 > 0:31:49The property I'm here to see is a three-bedroomed end of terrace, at a guide price of £70,000.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53The question is, will it be full steam ahead as a property investment opportunity?
0:31:53 > 0:31:56# First train home I've got to get on it
0:31:56 > 0:31:59# First train home I've got to get on it
0:31:59 > 0:32:02# First train home I've got to get on it... #
0:32:02 > 0:32:07The house has three storeys. It was built in the mid-19th century.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11It does look a touch shabby and could do with a paint job,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15but judging by those windows there may be some period charm here.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Well, what's on offer? Let's find out.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Straightaway, look at the state of this electrical gubbins!
0:32:24 > 0:32:30Very old. That says to me straightaway you're going to have to factor in a rewire of this property
0:32:30 > 0:32:33before you do anything else. Must be in your budget that, for sure.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37But good-sized lounge, we like that. Not so keen on the fireplace,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39but judging by the depth of the fire breast,
0:32:39 > 0:32:43I reckon there's a really nice fireplace hidden underneath there, so sort that out.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46In fact the whole house straightaway is saying to me,
0:32:46 > 0:32:49"Strip back stuff to reveal the beauty of this property,"
0:32:49 > 0:32:53because it's certainly got loads of character! Little cupboards, we like that.
0:32:53 > 0:32:59And then through, down the corridor into the kitchen, and straightaway, love that, a wood-burning stove,
0:32:59 > 0:33:05looks like a really old one as well. Very nice, heavy, cast-iron...
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Imagine that burning away on a winter's evening, it would give a lovely feel to this kitchen.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13I also love the beams, I like the fact you've got floorboards revealed.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17This really has a lovely feel to it. Now the units in here are not bad, they're very serviceable.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22They don't quite work for me. I'd like to see sort of Shaker style, something that matched that,
0:33:22 > 0:33:28but it's not bad-sized space, and overall the place is oozing character straight off.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32There's certainly a fair amount of space,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36and under all that paint I reckon there's some real hidden beauty.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41Those period pane windows are crying out for a restoration job,
0:33:41 > 0:33:45and I'd love to take a sledgehammer to that fireplace to see what's behind it.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50All good so far. Let's see what's upstairs.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Well, up here, three good-sized double bedrooms,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59actually disproportionately large compared to the frontage of the property,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02which leads me to think maybe this was more than one property in the past
0:34:02 > 0:34:04that's possibly been knocked through into one.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08But up here also there is the bathroom and the loo. I don't know if you can see that,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12but look at the floor. It is sloping all over the place! It's also very small.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17So I'd think about maybe taking some space out of one of the bedrooms to make a much bigger bathroom.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Apart from that, I like this little house.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Actually, it's not that small at all.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29For the price it's really very spacious, and that's not all.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Remember I said it's on three floors? Well, there's an added bonus.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37Not up in a loft, but down two flights of stairs.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Now, here's a real surprise and a big bonus for the property as far as I'm concerned.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46There is a lower ground floor.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51Doesn't look like it's actually been used very much in its previous life, I don't think...
0:34:51 > 0:34:55possibly a utility room, there's a few bits and pieces there from washing machines and stuff.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57But I think you could have great fun down here.
0:34:57 > 0:35:03It's got reasonable size, it's got your beamed ceilings, there's a separate loo, which is good,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and, most importantly, it's got its own entrance there,
0:35:06 > 0:35:10so maybe you could think about even splitting the house up,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15and creating a separate kind of flat here or maybe a maisonette, this room and the room upstairs.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20I mean, it's a big change to the way the property is, but I don't know... it's something worth considering.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Another quirk of this house is the flying freehold,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32as upstairs the master bedroom overlaps the neighbours' front door.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36This could make mortgaging it difficult, mainly due to legal complications
0:35:36 > 0:35:40over sharing the upkeep of the shared part of the house.
0:35:41 > 0:35:46However, it's not a huge area, so fingers crossed that whoever bought this place
0:35:46 > 0:35:47will manage to get the finance.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50I met up with the auctioneer who sold the property
0:35:50 > 0:35:52to hear his thoughts on the place.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59The versatility of the property is what I really like.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03There's a maisonette to be had on the top two floors
0:36:03 > 0:36:05and a little basement studio flat underneath.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08I'm not sure you'd be allowed to actually split them
0:36:08 > 0:36:09and sell them separately,
0:36:09 > 0:36:14but you could certainly live very happily upstairs and rent downstairs out for extra income.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19The downside to the property is that's no actual parking,
0:36:19 > 0:36:24although, the front garden, you might be able to get yourself an off-street bay there,
0:36:24 > 0:36:29although, actually, parking's never going to be a major issue on street in Bere Alston.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34So, after all the work's done, how much could it be rented out for?
0:36:34 > 0:36:40As a full-blown three-storey house, you're probably looking at the better part of £600 per calendar month.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45But if you split it into a maisonette and a studio and rented them out,
0:36:45 > 0:36:50you're probably looking at 500 for the house or the maisonette, the upper floors,
0:36:50 > 0:36:55and probably still the better part of £400 for the studio on the lower floor.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00And if sold on, bearing in mind that guide price of 70,000?
0:37:00 > 0:37:03When the house is all singing and dancing,
0:37:03 > 0:37:09I expect it to be worth around £160,000, £170,000 if you're lucky.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15Well, there you go, a nice little property with lots of options, actually.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I mean, you could consider this as a separate flat.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20The rest of the house, though, you've got the wood-burning stove,
0:37:20 > 0:37:22you've got that lounge with that fireplace...
0:37:22 > 0:37:25I'm desperate to know what behind that horrible thing that's in there right now.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Bedroom, though, dual aspect, you can't go wrong.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32The only issues that might put people off are the flying freehold
0:37:32 > 0:37:34and of course the bathroom with that terrible slant.
0:37:34 > 0:37:41Still at £70,000 as a guide price, I'm sure it got them buzzing when it went under the hammer.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47It's a big old lump of a house.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50And Bere Alston underappreciated I've always thought.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54Commutable and all that to Tavy or Plymouth.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Who's going to say...? Well, it's got to be the guide. 70? 70 straight in.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02At 70, I've got at 70. 71? 71.
0:38:02 > 0:38:0572. 73.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09It's here against you at 73. 74.
0:38:09 > 0:38:1275. 75, front row, then.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15At 75 once...
0:38:15 > 0:38:17at 75 twice...
0:38:17 > 0:38:2176...right at the back. 76.
0:38:21 > 0:38:2377.
0:38:23 > 0:38:2678. Would a half help you?
0:38:26 > 0:38:2978,500. And the same, 79.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32At 79. 79,500.
0:38:32 > 0:38:3580. 80,500.
0:38:35 > 0:38:3681. At 81.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39At 81. 81,500.
0:38:39 > 0:38:4082?
0:38:40 > 0:38:43At 82 once...
0:38:43 > 0:38:45At 82 twice...
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Getting serious now, third and last time.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52Back stood has it at 82. Here we go at 82 and selling at that.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Right at the back. Sir, could you give a little wave?
0:38:56 > 0:38:59The successful bidder at £82,000 was Bevil.
0:38:59 > 0:39:05He and his wife Helena married recently and this is going to be their new home.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Bevil drives a digger and Helena works in a jewellery shop,
0:39:09 > 0:39:14so let's hope that together they've unearthed a real gem with this place!
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Bevil, Helena, it's lovely to meet you both. Congratulations.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20- Thank you. - Why did you want to buy the house?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24Well, it was purely the price, really. The guide price...
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- It can't just have been the price! - Yeah, pretty much.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29If you could have got a two-up two-down terrace in Derby
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- at the same price, you wouldn't have bought it?- No, no.
0:39:31 > 0:39:37It is also the fact that we thought we were...we were going to try and buy some land with it as well,
0:39:37 > 0:39:42- and we were hoping to have the lot because I've got ducks... we've got ducks.- Yeah.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46So we wanted to have our ducks as well.
0:39:46 > 0:39:52And then... but unfortunately, you know, we didn't manage to get the land,
0:39:52 > 0:39:56but decided to carry on with getting the house anyway because it's so nice inside and big.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58So what's going to happen to the ducks?
0:39:58 > 0:40:01- Er...- Don't say anything horrible!
0:40:01 > 0:40:04We're not entirely sure yet. Hopefully, somebody will take them off us.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Or my mum if I can convince her.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12- So you're giving her ducks as a loan? - That's right, a long-term loan.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Well, that's a first for me on this programme!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18I hope that this duck tale has a happy ending!
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Their ducks look as though they'll appreciate a new home.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24# White duck, doing what he oughtta... #
0:40:24 > 0:40:29What was it about the house, apart from its lack of duck-friendly facilities, that you liked?
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Well, when we came into the property, we were pleasantly surprised, weren't we?
0:40:34 > 0:40:37You know, it was a lot bigger than we first thought.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40From the outside, it doesn't look that great.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44We like all the old features as well, the beams...
0:40:44 > 0:40:48- And it's three bedrooms as well. - Three bedrooms...yeah. - And the basements were good,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- we've got plenty of space, because we've got lots of junk. - That's right, lots!
0:40:51 > 0:40:56Well, definitely no storage problems with this house!
0:40:58 > 0:41:01But outside space was always an issue here.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05However the good news is that the flying freehold wasn't an issue for the couple.
0:41:05 > 0:41:11As it affected less than 10% of the property, their mortgage lenders were happy to arrange the finance.
0:41:12 > 0:41:18- Tell me what you're going to do to the house.- Well, firstly, the kitchen's pretty much OK.
0:41:18 > 0:41:26Change the worktops, obviously, keep the wood burner, because that's got a back-boiler as well,
0:41:26 > 0:41:31- which does the water and heating, which is quite a nice period feature.- Yeah, it's lovely.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Plus with the property being so old, it's be nice to keep the beams,
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- and bring them back to wood, strip all the paint.- Great.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Then I think we'll change the bathroom.- Yeah.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- Mmm...it's hopeless, the bathroom. - What are you going to do with that?
0:41:46 > 0:41:50I was toying with the idea of losing part of one of the bedrooms.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55That's probably the best idea here as there's so much space to play with upstairs.
0:41:55 > 0:42:02And with Helena's son also moving in, the house would really benefit from a good-sized family bathroom.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07So what about the cellar? Because that's pretty much an underused sort of room at the moment, isn't it?
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- Well, we were maybe going to use it as a utility room. - That's right, yeah.
0:42:11 > 0:42:18And also there's a toilet downstairs. We thought you could make it into a little shower room...
0:42:18 > 0:42:21maybe, you know...it's ideas that are flying around really
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- more than anything else, isn't it? - That's right.
0:42:24 > 0:42:30- Bet the ducks know what they would like it to be!- They'd like grass put down!- Yeah, turf it!
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- A little pond. - A little pond, it would be lovely!
0:42:33 > 0:42:39Helena and Bevil have a healthy budget of around £15,000 to do the work here,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42but how long have they allocated to get it done?
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- We said round about six months. - Hopefully, six months.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48- But, you know...- You never know.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53Well, listen, congratulations! Good luck with it all. And we look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55OK, thank you.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00Well, a great project for Helena and Bevil to take on.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03It doesn't look like Bevil will need to use his digger on this project, though,
0:43:03 > 0:43:08and I'm a bit concerned whether or not Helena's ducks will have somewhere to live.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11And that £15,000 budget, living in the house?
0:43:11 > 0:43:16It's going to be interesting to see how they get on. You can find out later in the show.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23So did our fearless developers emerge victorious?
0:43:23 > 0:43:27- Or have the floundered in the shallow end?- Let's find out.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Earlier in the programme, we were in Kent in beautiful Broadstairs,
0:43:30 > 0:43:36a popular seaside town. This two-bedroomed semidetached about a mile from the beach
0:43:36 > 0:43:43had some very strange outbuildings and was bought for £108,000 by Val and her son Brad.
0:43:43 > 0:43:48After being made redundant from the motor trade, Brad decided to try his hand as a developer.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52He'd contributed some inheritance money and was going to do a lot of the work.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56They've bought this house as their first to renovate and sell on.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00- So Val, the supportive mum, do you think he can do it? - Oh, I'm sure he can do it.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03I wouldn't support him financially if I didn't!
0:44:03 > 0:44:08It's now three months later and we meet up again with Val and Brad back at the house.
0:44:08 > 0:44:13Now the garden's been cleared and the porch removed, you can finally see the property!
0:44:16 > 0:44:22Inside in the hallway you instantly get the impression that a full-scale refurbishment has been carried out.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26That formerly dark lounge doesn't disappoint
0:44:26 > 0:44:30with its standard developers' sensibly neutral colour scheme.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40In the kitchen, the first of Val's bargain buys looks stunning...
0:44:40 > 0:44:43cheap price but quality product.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49So downstairs is looking great. We'll check out the upstairs in a moment.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53And what happened to those rickety conservatories that were bolted on the back?
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Right, out here we had a lean-to, it was all brick-built with a plastic roof,
0:45:00 > 0:45:06so we took it all out completely, opens it all up really nicely. You can put some chairs and tables.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Come through here, there was a really old rickety shed.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Move that, get rid of it, opened it all up as well,
0:45:12 > 0:45:17and again through here there was another lean-to, all glass,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21with some sort of cladding here which we took all off, which I think opens it up nicely,
0:45:21 > 0:45:23and then we landscaped the garden completely.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27As you can see it's opened it up from what it was, a jungle, really!
0:45:27 > 0:45:31# Jungle love It's driving me mad... #
0:45:31 > 0:45:36Well, it's not a jungle any more, but there's possibly a bit too much paving and gravel.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I'd prefer more greenery and some turf myself.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43We've seen Val's bargain kitchen purchase,
0:45:43 > 0:45:47and upstairs the new bathroom is equally impressive.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51The bathroom was totally ripped out, bare bricks,
0:45:51 > 0:45:58replastered, new tiles, new bath, new sink, new toilet, and I think it looks quite nice.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02I'm happy and I think whoever has the house will be happy.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09Apart from the bathroom, the two large bedrooms have been beautifully decorated.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13And all the wiring upstairs has been replaced.
0:46:13 > 0:46:20Brad and his mum Val have done a lot of the work, but who else has been involved in the refurbishment?
0:46:20 > 0:46:23Well, the main one is my school friend Ian.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25He's done all the garden.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29I left him to it. I just said, "That's yours, you do what you like with that."
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Another friend from school, my carpenter, George.
0:46:32 > 0:46:36- Another friend, Eddie, put the bathroom in. - And we'll have the same team
0:46:36 > 0:46:38- following us into our next one, hopefully.- definitely.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42Remember, the room behind the kitchen had a leaking roof and holes in the wall.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46So the flat roof has had to be replaced.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Insulation's been added and the walls replastered.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52It's been virtually rebuilt.
0:46:52 > 0:46:57So how much has the work cost? Did they manage to stick to their original 10-grand budget?
0:46:57 > 0:47:03Well, I think we're up to almost 12. The final bits I just haven't got round to.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06But I don't think we'll go much over 12.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11Time to find out what two local property experts,
0:47:11 > 0:47:15familiar with the Broadstairs housing market think of this property.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18This property's absolutely superb.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20The new owners have spent a lot of money
0:47:20 > 0:47:22getting it up to a high standard,
0:47:22 > 0:47:25and I think it really is just ready to move into now.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27I think the key features of the property
0:47:27 > 0:47:30are the contemporary kitchen and bathroom
0:47:30 > 0:47:32and the fact the property has been modernised very well.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36One of the main advantages with this property is you have got some really good off-street parking
0:47:36 > 0:47:40and I think that certainly adds value to the property.
0:47:40 > 0:47:45Lovely bathroom, very contemporary, and excellent with the shower over the bath.
0:47:45 > 0:47:51The back garden's changed from a real jungle and it's now really easy to maintain,
0:47:51 > 0:47:53it's been gravelled, there's some shingle down...
0:47:53 > 0:47:56I think it's the right thing to do with the garden.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58I think the only difference I would have made to this property
0:47:58 > 0:48:00is probably adding some lawn to the rear garden.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04That would certainly appeal to a family with young children.
0:48:04 > 0:48:11Their plan is definitely to sell, but, long-term, Brad hopes to build a portfolio of buy-to-lets,
0:48:11 > 0:48:15though he'd probably be interested to know how much income this one could generate.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19This type of property is in quite high demand with tenants at the moment,
0:48:19 > 0:48:25and I think the sort of rent achievable would be around about £700 per calendar month.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28The rental figure for this property would be £700 per calendar month.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32- That's not bad.- That's good. That's more than I expected.
0:48:34 > 0:48:40Remember they paid £108,000 at the auction. Their budget stretched to £12,000,
0:48:40 > 0:48:45making a total outlay of 120,000, so what's the house now worth?
0:48:45 > 0:48:50The resale for this property would be £137,500.
0:48:50 > 0:48:57I think in this challenging market at the moment the property would be worth in the region of £135,000.
0:48:57 > 0:49:03That range of valuation, between £135,000 to £137,500
0:49:03 > 0:49:08would produce a gross profit of about £15,000 to £17,500.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10Is that what they had in mind?
0:49:10 > 0:49:12Mmm...bit low.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14- Lower than what we anticipated.- Yeah.
0:49:14 > 0:49:20I know the market's gone down, but I still think possibly a little bit more than that.
0:49:22 > 0:49:28Provided they find a buyer, this mother-and-son development double act is up and running.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30and Brad's already thinking ahead.
0:49:30 > 0:49:35I've enjoyed doing this one quite a bit. It's new to me, but I'll definitely have a go at doing more.
0:49:35 > 0:49:41- I'd like to retire early...try to. - I tried to retire early!- Yeah. - Didn't happen.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43# Mama said there'll be days like this
0:49:43 > 0:49:47# There'll be days like this Mama said... #
0:49:53 > 0:49:59We're back in the village of Bere Alston in Devon, where this 160-year-old three-storey house
0:49:59 > 0:50:02was bought by recently married couple Bevil and Helena.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06They planned to make it their new home, along with Helena's son.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10They hoped to carry out the majority of the work themselves,
0:50:10 > 0:50:14whilst also holding down their day jobs and living in the house at the same time.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17There was just one downside to their dream home -
0:50:17 > 0:50:21the small garden meant there'd be no room for their pet ducks.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25- So what's going to happen to the ducks?- Er... - Don't say anything horrible!
0:50:25 > 0:50:28We're not entirely sure yet. Hopefully, somebody will take them off us.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31Or my mum if I can convince her.
0:50:31 > 0:50:36So we came back after 12 months to see how the renovation had progressed.
0:50:38 > 0:50:45From the outside, it looks like the couple have taken to property renovating like ducks to water.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47Let's see what's changed inside.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52Progress has been slow but steady.
0:50:52 > 0:50:57The couple are turning this property into a rural and rustic country home.
0:50:57 > 0:51:04They've uncovered fireplaces, installed beautiful oak lintels and replastered and decorated the walls
0:51:04 > 0:51:09in light and airy colours. So, how has the work gone over the past year?
0:51:09 > 0:51:13Well, we moved in sort of four or five months after we bought it.
0:51:13 > 0:51:19- Yes.- Didn't we? And we didn't have any heating... - Or plumbing.- Or plumbing.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23We just about had the electrics done, didn't we? We had no heating all the way through the winter period.
0:51:23 > 0:51:30- So we had just the wood burner and our coats. And then we bought a couple of...- Electric radiators.
0:51:30 > 0:51:31That's right. To see us through!
0:51:31 > 0:51:35Sounds chilly or cosy, depending on how many coats they put on.
0:51:37 > 0:51:42The kitchen on the ground floor and to the rear of the property has been removed.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47This space will become the new dining room,
0:51:47 > 0:51:52whilst the new staircase leads to the kitchen's new location,
0:51:52 > 0:51:56downstairs in the previously dank and dingy basement.
0:51:57 > 0:52:03It's been fully damp-proofed and the kitchen units from upstairs are being re-used.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09They've installed a new range
0:52:09 > 0:52:13and it's been lots of dirty work for Helena and Bevil.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17It's not very pleasant living in it.
0:52:17 > 0:52:22Because we've hacked all the walls back to the old stonework, there was a lot of dust.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25- It's not very nice to live with it. - I don't think we realised
0:52:25 > 0:52:28we were going to have to knock quite so much off the walls, did we?
0:52:28 > 0:52:32No, that's the trouble. You do one wall, then you've got to do the others.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36And he does like knocking holes in things, don't you? A bit of demolition.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39It's a man thing, I think, isn't it?
0:52:39 > 0:52:45Well, I'm not sure about that. I've met a few ladies on this show who are a dab hand with a sledgehammer!
0:52:47 > 0:52:52Up two flights of stairs to the first floor where the partition walls have been removed
0:52:52 > 0:52:56and the rooms reconfigured to make better use of the space.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59The first room to benefit is the master bedroom.
0:53:00 > 0:53:05Light now streams in from an extra window that had been bricked up.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08That had happened during the period of window tax
0:53:08 > 0:53:11when the tax was charged according to the number of windows you had,
0:53:11 > 0:53:14so people used to cover them over rather than pay.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18Bevil discovered its existence in a local-history book,
0:53:18 > 0:53:22so the couple set about reinstating and restoring its former glory.
0:53:22 > 0:53:28Work's continued in the second bedroom at the back of the property, and it's now ready to decorate.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36The small and pokey bathroom at the rear has been transformed and given extra space.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40the layout changes have meant that the third bedroom at the front of the house
0:53:40 > 0:53:43has been reduced to a single-bed size.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47It's taken a year to get this far and the couple have done all of this work
0:53:47 > 0:53:50whilst also holding down their day jobs.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55Working full-time you don't get much time to do a lot, evenings and weekends.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58I think you learn to sort of appreciate things a lot more,
0:53:58 > 0:54:03like not having water, and then when you get the water, it's like, "I've got water! Really exciting!"
0:54:03 > 0:54:06With my cooker, I was ringing people up and saying, "I can cook a roast!"
0:54:06 > 0:54:09We have enjoyed doing it, haven't we?
0:54:09 > 0:54:14It just is a lot of work and a lot of dust. It's just being able to live in it. We've got some good pictures,
0:54:14 > 0:54:17haven't we, covered in dirt and...
0:54:17 > 0:54:19# Cos you're filthy
0:54:21 > 0:54:24# Ooh, cos you're nasty... #
0:54:25 > 0:54:32Their six-month schedule has long since bitten the dust, but what about the couple's £15,000 budget?
0:54:36 > 0:54:40- I suppose it's going to be about 27, won't it, that we've spent? - Something like that.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44- So, obviously over our original... - But it's still not too bad.- No, no.
0:54:44 > 0:54:51Remember the couple paid £82,000 for the house at auction and spent about £27,000 on it.
0:54:51 > 0:54:56That takes their total outlay to £109,000. So how much is it now worth?
0:54:56 > 0:55:01We asked two local property experts for their opinions.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05The amount of work that I can see has been done has all been done to a really high standard,
0:55:05 > 0:55:07they're using good quality fixtures and fittings.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10There's a lovely range downstairs in the kitchen,
0:55:10 > 0:55:14good fitted kitchen coming on. It's going to be a really high standard.
0:55:14 > 0:55:20The house us more of a big cottage, really, so...
0:55:20 > 0:55:22there is lots of character detail already
0:55:22 > 0:55:26and you can always, like, buy it and put it in from a reclamation yard.
0:55:26 > 0:55:33It's got all the makings of a really quaint, but larger-than-you-expected home.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38The couple have no plans to put the house up for rental,
0:55:38 > 0:55:44but they do want to sell in the future. What could the market value of this place be once finished?
0:55:46 > 0:55:49When this property is completed, I would market this property
0:55:49 > 0:55:51at £145,000.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55When the house is completely done and as lovely as it's going to be,
0:55:55 > 0:56:01I would see the value at £150,000, maybe just a smidgen more.
0:56:03 > 0:56:09Those valuations would give the couple a pre-tax profit of between £36,000 and £41,000,
0:56:09 > 0:56:11minus the usual selling expenses, of course.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16- That sounds good. Sounds about right, what we thought.- Yeah.
0:56:16 > 0:56:21- Or hoping for.- I think over 140 we'd would have been happy. So...no, that's good.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25So, Bevil and Helena are happy with that.
0:56:25 > 0:56:30It looks like they've got all their ducks in a row for completing this renovation.
0:56:30 > 0:56:35Which reminds me...whatever happened to their pet ducks?
0:56:35 > 0:56:39Well, unfortunately, most of them fell victim to a hungry fox,
0:56:39 > 0:56:43but, luckily, one survived and has been rehoused.
0:56:43 > 0:56:48And when the couple finish this refurbishment, they'll have a lovely new home as well.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55Not enough for you? Well, there's plenty more.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00- So make sure you join us next time for more Homes Under the Hammer. - We'll see you then.- Goodbye.
0:57:03 > 0:57:08Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:08 > 0:57:12E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk