0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello, we find property absolutely absorbing.
0:00:04 > 0:00:08Yes, in order to do well, you must buy at the right price.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11And one way to do that is to buy your next home under the hammer.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39You need to do your homework if you buy at auction,
0:00:39 > 0:00:44but once it's proved the one for you, you could get a real bargain.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48So I wonder if there are any bargains on today's show. Let's find out.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52This terraced house in Devon is full of character,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55but the kitchen's a bit of a shock.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59You're not going to believe it because this... is it.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04In London, this house has already had some DIY.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Somebody's done some modern adaptions. Double doors leading through to the lounge.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12And this two-bed bungalow in Leeds
0:01:12 > 0:01:16has a lounge, a kitchen, plus a paved garden.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20What we haven't got is any plaster. That's a bit unusual.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27All these went to auction. We'll find out who bought them and what they paid
0:01:27 > 0:01:29when they went under the hammer.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And it's sold.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37The first property we're looking at today is in Okehampton,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39North Devon.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43The auction catalogue describes the property as "handsome",
0:01:43 > 0:01:46which definitely sets it up for a bit of a fall.
0:01:46 > 0:01:47The big question is,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51will it be mildly attractive or devilishly good-looking?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Well, from the outside,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57I don't think it would stand up that well in a beauty pageant.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Maybe it gets better inside. Let's take a look.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06# I am beautiful no matter what they say
0:02:06 > 0:02:10# Words can't bring me down... #
0:02:10 > 0:02:14With an exterior that's a little rough around the edges,
0:02:14 > 0:02:19the house went to auction with a guide price of £125,000.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22This conservatory that sits in front of the living room
0:02:22 > 0:02:24looks like it's on its last legs.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26It certainly needs some attention.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30And those upstairs windows don't look too hopeful either.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Let's hope it's better inside.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Nice big hallway.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Er, ooh, look at these floorboards as well. That's a good start.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Ooh, exciting!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It is the simplest things that get me going in a house like this.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47For instance, I know that underneath the paint on here
0:02:47 > 0:02:50is a gorgeous pine door just waiting to get out.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And things like this, the original skirting boards here.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56You don't see this height in modern skirting boards.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Again, strip those back, it'll be lovely.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03But look at this. Fantastic old fireplace. And I just wonder...
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Oh, look at that. Absolutely beautiful.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Plenty of plusses in the living room,
0:03:13 > 0:03:14but there's also a downside.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18These doors that lead out onto the ramshackle sun room
0:03:18 > 0:03:21don't do the room any favours at all.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25It needs to be addressed.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30Maybe a stylish conservatory that's an integral part of the room could be built at the front.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33But the good news is the character of the house.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36What else does the property have to offer?
0:03:37 > 0:03:42So, through to the rear of the property, where you would expect to find the kitchen.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45But you don't. This is almost like a dining room.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Nice views out of the windows, again, beautiful floorboards.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53But the kitchen, well, you're not going to believe it,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56because this... is it.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58No, really.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59And it gets worse.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05Because this is the nearest thing to a bathroom that the property has.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Well, they say, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
0:04:11 > 0:04:14If you can't stand the heat in here, you can always hop in the shower.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19# If you can't stand the heat Keep out of the kitchen... #
0:04:19 > 0:04:23The auction catalogue described this as a three-storey property,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27but the third level is not up in the loft, it's down in the basement.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It's a fair-size space down here,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and with natural light coming in,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36could be ideal to convert into another room, a utility area, maybe.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Or what about a huge wet room,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42as that shower in the kitchen has to go?
0:04:45 > 0:04:51It gets even weirder because halfway up the stairs is the loo.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Now, I personally think this is disastrous.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58It's dangerous because you've got this very small area outside it, it doesn't work.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02It reminds me of that song, Halfway Down The Stairs Is The Stair Where I Sit.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08# Halfway down the stairs Is a stair where I sit... #
0:05:08 > 0:05:11So what are we going to do about it?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Well, you've got to try and get a bathroom upstairs.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Thankfully, there is a lot of space up here,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21and I think with some rejiggling, you could get your bathroom up here.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Frankly, you've got to, haven't you?
0:05:23 > 0:05:25There is enough space to do that,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28but I'd hate to eat into this lovely landing.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32So much light comes in here, making it a great bonus.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37The character continues in the three bedrooms.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40The largest two have lovely fireplaces,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44and the views from the windows are tremendous.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50The garden could do with attention, and some grass wouldn't go amiss.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The windows and the wall need some work as well,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and I'd definitely change the colour scheme.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00One thing to be aware of is the shared access at the back.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05You'd have to get on with your neighbours, as they'll be traipsing through to put out their rubbish.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07I've invited a local estate agent
0:06:07 > 0:06:10to come and see this Okehampton property.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15The location's good, with easy access to the coast and the A30,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but how does the property compare to others locally?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I think it's nice house,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24It's got a nice, warm feel about it,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27and it's going to make somebody a good family home.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31It would need a new kitchen, new bathroom,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and decorating, and just basically upgrading.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40OK, let's talk figures. The property went to auction guided at £125,000.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42But once it's had some money spent on it,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45how much could it be worth if resold?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48And what rental income could it generate?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Because it's situated in a nice location,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52rental would be quite popular,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and I think it could achieve in the region of £600 per calendar month.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02If I was going to re-market this property, I'd put it on the market at £189,950,
0:07:02 > 0:07:07with an absolute bottom line figure to achieve £180,000.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18Well, such a lot of house for that guide price, and I love it.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22It's quirky, it's unusual, beautiful views and a nice area.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Obviously needs sorting out, especially the whole bathroom and toilet situation.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28But a great opportunity.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Let's see who fell in love with it
0:07:30 > 0:07:32and bought it when it went to the auction.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Character house, Okehampton,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37right at the top of the town.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Nice garden, lovely view out the front.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41Paddocky bit there. Private lane.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Really, really pretty. Just got something about it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Who's going to say to us, er, £125,000? It's not a bad shout.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50125.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52120?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56It's a nice house. 110 is as low as... 110. Thank you. At 110.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58At 110. 112.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00115.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01118.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03120. 120.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05At 120.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07122. 124.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08124?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10126.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12At 126. 128. 128.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14130.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15At 130.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It's a lovely spot. At 130 once.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21At 130 twice.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23At 130, are you sure and done?
0:08:23 > 0:08:28500 will do it, but at 130 it's going to be sold. You're missing one. At 130.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- GAVEL - That's a nice house.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33That final successful bid of £130,000
0:08:33 > 0:08:36was made by Andy and his partner Ingrid.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Andy is a carpenter and site manager
0:08:39 > 0:08:41while Ingrid's a swimming teacher.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46I met them to see if they'd be able to keep their heads above water on this project.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Lovely to meet you. Congratulations. Why did you want to buy the house?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Well, it's, er very nice, um, period features,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and we knew the area, we used to live down the road.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00And we'd come back from France recently and saw it
0:09:00 > 0:09:02and just fell in love with it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04So have you bought it to live in?
0:09:04 > 0:09:09Yeah, it's going to be our home, as well as a project, yeah.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- So tell me more about you two. - I'm a carpenter and I trained as a site manager as well.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Um, for the last 18 months,
0:09:16 > 0:09:22we've taken some time out to do a couple of ski seasons up in the Alps,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and some time out to do a little bit of travelling as well.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28When they left, the market was at its peak.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34But just 18 months later, a character property like this has become more affordable.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37What was it about the house that you particularly loved?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I love the space, it feels really elegant because it's quite big,
0:09:41 > 0:09:46and, like Andy said, we've got the period features as well, all the fireplaces.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It's got a nice feel about it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Just immediately, on walking in, it felt like a really nice house.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Obviously, as Andy explained, we knew the location,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57so really positive.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00So, I mean, quite a challenge. Is it daunting at all?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Um, no, cos Andrew's a carpenter,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and he's done a lot of renovations before for other people.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08So actually, it's quite exciting.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12We're looking forward to owning it and being able to do what we want.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14What are you planning to do with it?
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- I'm planning to add a bathroom downstairs.- Where?- In the basement.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21And then, create a bathroom downstairs,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and a kitchen in the dining room.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Why the bathroom right at the bottom of the house?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30We don't particularly want to break up the bedrooms
0:10:30 > 0:10:33because we'll lose space in the bedrooms,
0:10:33 > 0:10:38and it sort of loses part of the character of the house as well, which we love.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40What about the loo on the stairs?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Really weird, but are you going to keep that?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Definitely.- We love it. - You love the loo on the stairs?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47It's a bit quirky, isn't it?
0:10:47 > 0:10:52And having the bathroom in the basement, we really need something upstairs.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Especially if we resell it and a family wants to buy it,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57the children can go to the toilet at night
0:10:57 > 0:11:00without going all the way to the basement.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06Whilst the quirky loo location is a feature they can live with,...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Strange place to have a toilet.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11..the same definitely can't be said about the shower.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Bit bizarre, to be honest.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19Um, having a shower in the kitchen is nothing I've seen ever before.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22So that's a bit quirky,
0:11:22 > 0:11:27but generally the rest of the house layout is a good layout, I think.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Tell me what you're going to do
0:11:29 > 0:11:31to restore some of the original features.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35The fireplaces upstairs, we're going to take out and have them sandblasted
0:11:35 > 0:11:41so they go back to the metal, and then have them blackened so you can see all the detail.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The fireplace in the living room, we'll clean the tiles on the inside,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48the original tiles, and replace the ones on the hearth
0:11:48 > 0:11:51with a beautiful emerald green-type colour.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53The floorboards, we're going to sand,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57just keep them as they are and sand them and give them a lacquer.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01And just, yeah, just kind of take it back to its glory, really.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07The house has plenty of lovely features and real character.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10I get the impression that Andy and Ingrid
0:12:10 > 0:12:13are really keen to restore this period property sensitively.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20So much so that they plan to spend up to a year on the renovation while they live here.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23But it's going to be quite a challenge.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29What are you going to do about the front of the house? Cos it's a bit shoddy.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Yeah, we're going to replace all the wood and re-glaze it,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35put new panels up on the roof,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38just bring out the character of the house.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41What money have you set aside for renovations?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Around about £10,000 to put into it,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47but we want to work on a tight budget
0:12:47 > 0:12:50so we'd like to save some of our money.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53A lot of work to do for £10,000. You sure you can do it for that?
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I know it sounds a very unrealistic budget,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59um, but most of the work will be done ourselves.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01And I used to work in this area,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05so I've got friends which I can pull in to save the cost,
0:13:05 > 0:13:10cos it's usually labour costs which span out instead of materials.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Congratulations. Good luck and look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Thanks very much.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27So, Andy and Ingrid, truly delighted with their purchase,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29and quite right too.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I think they got a great buy at that price.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36However, there is a lot of money to spend sorting this place out,
0:13:36 > 0:13:37and it could be a money pit.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39They'll have to watch their budget.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Find out how they get on later in the show.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I'm in Clapton, East London,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51an area which hasn't always been considered the most desirable.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54However, with good transport links into the city
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and some charming period properties lining the streets,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01it could be about to gain a new lease of life.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The property I'm here to see is in Lower Clapton.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06It's a Victorian end-of-terrace,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10it's got a guide price of £170,000 plus.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Now, a lot of this area looks much like it did
0:14:13 > 0:14:17when it was first developed in the second half of the 19th century.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Let's see if there's anything left of the Victorian era in this place.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Well, the exterior is in pretty fair condition
0:14:24 > 0:14:26with these lovely sash windows.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The property definitely has some appeal.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35So inside, it's quite typical of a Victorian terraced house.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It's not absolutely bursting with features,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39but you've got this nice dado rail here
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and this lovely curved wall,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45and quite an interesting staircase with some nice sort of spindles.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48But interestingly, someone's done some modern adaptions.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Look, double doors leading through to the lounge.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54And somebody's already knocked through here.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55You can see this arch.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59So it makes it an incredibly huge entertaining space.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01There's no lovely Victorian fireplace
0:15:01 > 0:15:06but you have got this beautiful bay window here with gorgeous sashes.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09So once you've done this room, it could look quite nice.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I'm just wondering, where's the kitchen?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15There's a lot to be done here.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I'd lose this flooring, for a start.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21There could be original floorboards underneath, which would be a great feature.
0:15:22 > 0:15:28# Tell me That you'll open your eyes... #
0:15:28 > 0:15:33A property like this requires you to look at it through developers' eyes
0:15:33 > 0:15:35to imagine the potential.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40OK, well, apart from this house needing a complete overhaul,...
0:15:40 > 0:15:44I mean, look at the state of this kitchen. Frankly, it's a dump.
0:15:44 > 0:15:50..I think there is so much space to play with, and it quite excites me, actually.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53One thing I'd do would be to knock this wall down here
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and have a kitchen-diner,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00and I would probably put that wall back up in the lounge area
0:16:00 > 0:16:03so you could have this as a lovely big kitchen-dining space.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Though you could get a table and chairs here.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11What I really like is that it's got a door and you can go straight out to the back garden.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Sounds promising, let's take a look.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Garden? More like back yard, I think,
0:16:17 > 0:16:21which could appeal to a professional couple
0:16:21 > 0:16:23with not much time for watering the roses.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29As a family home, I think you'd find this outside space a bit restrictive.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32It's small. So a bit disappointing on the outside front.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36There's another tiny strip of land just to the side of the kitchen,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40up to the neighbours' fence, but it's not very big,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43and I'm afraid there are no far-reaching views from this garden.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Upstairs in this three-bedroom house that's guided at £170,000,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51bedroom two overlooks the yard and is not huge.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But it appears as though the bathroom suite could be salvaged.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Up here, you've got bedroom number two.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Again, you could call it a double. Bit on the small side.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And this is the master bedroom.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08Now, pretty impressive.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13You've got loads of space here, this beautiful bay window with the sashes.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14Needs a bit of work.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17All in all, a fair bit of space to play with,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and you've got the potential to go up into the loft.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25Loft conversions aren't cheap, so you'd want to add perhaps two bedrooms up there
0:17:25 > 0:17:27and I'm not sure if it would be worth it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33But Clapton is attracting a lot of interest, so it might be a favourable time to buy here.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36To find out if this area is moving up in the world,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I asked a local estate agent for his assessment.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47The street still has a way to go.
0:17:47 > 0:17:53There are three or four, a small network of roads round here that are better.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56But there's only so many houses on those streets,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59so this will move into that category sooner or later.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04And what about this house? What's his advice about changing layout? Is it a good idea?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I think you shouldn't mess with these houses too much.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I think you should leave them as they are.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13They were designed the way they were because that's the best way.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18Most people that buy them really want them to have that period feel.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22The more you mess with them, the less desirable they become.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Once this place has had a full refurbishment,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28leaving aside any loft conversion,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30how much would it be worth?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Once the house is finished to a reasonably good standard,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35depending what you do with the house,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39you'd be looking at somewhere in the region of £375,000 to £380,000.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Could this be a viable rental?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45It is only two double bedrooms.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49The third bedroom, I'd call more of a study than anything else.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51And whilst it remains to be a study,
0:18:51 > 0:18:57you would only be able to rent this for in the region of £330 to £350 a week.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03That could mean a monthly rental income of between about £1,300 and £1,400.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07So a great house.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12A lot of work, but structurally, well there doesn't seem to be anything alarmingly wrong with it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It just needs a total overhaul.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Let's see who snapped this up at the auction.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Er, Clapton, E5.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Three-bed, end-of-terrace house.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Start 150 on this and go up.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27150 down here.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28155?
0:19:28 > 0:19:30155.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31160.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32165.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34170.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35175.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37180.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39185 with you.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41190.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42190. 195.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44200.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45205.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47210.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48215.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50220.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52225.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53230.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56235.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58240.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00245.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02245.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03250.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06255.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07260.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09265.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11270.
0:20:11 > 0:20:12275.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14280.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16285.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18290.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20295.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22300.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24305.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26305.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28310.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30311.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31Have a think.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33311. New spot.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It's cheap. 312.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39312
0:20:39 > 0:20:41313.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44You can't bid once and that's it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Er, where am I? 313.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48313. 314.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50You're back in. 314.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52315.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54316.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56317.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00318.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02319.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04319? 320.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08319. First time.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10As long as you bid again.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12320.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14321.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17322?
0:21:17 > 0:21:22321. First time, second time, third and last time if you're done.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- GAVEL - Sold. 321. Well done.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Goodness, that's staying power for you.
0:21:27 > 0:21:34That final bid of £321,000 came from Phil and Genevieve.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36After graduating from art college,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39they set up their own spatial design company,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and have lived in nearby Hackney for three years.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47Apart from their own home, the couple have renovated two other properties.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50They sold one and are currently letting out the other.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55I caught up with them at their latest purchase to find out the plans.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Congratulations, Genevieve, Phil. - Thank you.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- Well done.- Yeah, it's exciting.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05You paid £321,000. Bit different from the £170,000 guide price.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Yeah, it was. But I think we knew the market,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11we know this area very well, we know the market value,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15so even though it went quite a bit above what we hoped for,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19it's still within an OK range for us to make a profit, hopefully.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Phil, tell me about your background in design.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Well, I have a... I'm a sculptor by trade,
0:22:25 > 0:22:30so I began sculpting in bronze and stone.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32So, for this project, particularly,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36while we'll be designing the house as a whole,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38I'll also be doing some stonework.
0:22:38 > 0:22:44For example, we'll be reinstating the fireplace, putting in a new fireplace in stone.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So, what are we going to see when we come back?
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- You may not see bronze, depending on how things work out.- On budget.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54But you certainly will see some stonework around the place.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Um, Genevieve will be designing a new staircase.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Yeah. A lot of the original features have been ripped out.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05We haven't been left with much inside, so lots to play with.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07So the staircase when you come in,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10well, it's quite rickety and a bit falling apart,
0:23:10 > 0:23:15so we'll put in a statement staircase as the initial thing you see when you come in,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19then basically open up the living space to get as much light in as possible.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24We're going to keep the kitchen separate, with bi-fold doors and a picture window
0:23:24 > 0:23:27to get as much light into the kitchen as possible.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Wow. Phil and Genevieve have some inspirational ideas.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Sounds like they're really going to use their design expertise
0:23:35 > 0:23:38to put their own, individual stamp on the place.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Does Phil intend to do any of the work himself?
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I will be doing some of it.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Er, but for a lot of the work, we'll be getting guys in.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Talk me through what's going to happen upstairs.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55The three bedrooms are staying as they are.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58We'll take out the mouldy, gross carpet, and sand down the floors.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Interior design is what will happen with them,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05whereas the bathroom, we'll shift some of the walls to get more space.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Let's get number-crunching. What's your budget?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Our budget is £30,000.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14We'll get a carpenter to make bespoke cabinets for the kitchen
0:24:14 > 0:24:17so a lot of the cash will go into the kitchen.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- You're very passionate about this house, aren't you?- We are.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- What is it that you love? - We always like to renovate Victorian houses.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27When we saw the facade, we just loved it.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31So anything that's a complete doer-upper, that we can change the space and redesign,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33is something we're interested in.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38I shouldn't say this, but I think it's going to look stunning. Good luck.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- I can see you're excited by it. Well done.- Thank you so much.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Thanks a million.- Thanks, Phil.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Genevieve and Phil have got pretty ambitious plans for this place.
0:24:53 > 0:24:59If anybody can breathe life into this house and give it the contemporary edge it needs, it's them.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03I just hope they don't get carried away and spend more than they should,
0:25:03 > 0:25:08even though I am sure this house is going to look fantastic.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Join me later in the programme and see what happens.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Coming up, this bungalow in Leeds has some work to finish off,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17but what goes where?
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Sitting room? Bedroom, perhaps? Hm.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Back in London, what will this design team create?
0:25:25 > 0:25:29We found when we stripped the paint off from 150 years ago,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33it was beautiful underneath, so we decided to keep it.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39But first in Devon, did skiers Andy and Ingrid find this refurb all downhill?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41This house really needed a lot of work.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Time now to return to Okehampton in Devon.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Earlier in the programme,
0:25:48 > 0:25:54Andy and Ingrid had paid £125,000 for this unusual mid-terrace.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Apart from a tired old conservatory at the front,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00it had a tiny kitchen with a shower in it,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04a loo halfway up the stairs, and a cellar.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Andy's a carpenter who's done several refurbishments for other people.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13Ingrid's a swimming teacher, and they were certainly about to take the plunge here.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15What are you planning to do?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18I'm planning to add a bathroom downstairs.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20- Where?- In the basement.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25And then create a bathroom downstairs and a kitchen in the dining room.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28So why the bathroom right at the bottom of the house?
0:26:28 > 0:26:31We don't want to break up the bedrooms
0:26:31 > 0:26:33because we'll lose space in the bedrooms,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37and it loses part of the character of the house, as well.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Andy and Ingrid plan to take a year for the project,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44however they spend the winter working for a ski chalet company in the French Alps,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47so it's been a bit stop and start.
0:26:47 > 0:26:5116 months later we met up again with the couple,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and congratulations are in order
0:26:53 > 0:26:56because since we last saw them, they've tied the knot.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59So what's changed, property-wise?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Well, the house has been painted,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05and it now blends in far better with the neighbours.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Whilst inside, they've done the sensible thing
0:27:09 > 0:27:12and relocated the kitchen to the old dining room,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15and kitted it out with all mod cons.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21The former kitchen is now a utility room with a new boiler installed,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24and yes, the shower has gone.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Upstairs, apart from a few finishing touches,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31the bedrooms are almost ready for use.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37And the neutral colour scheme
0:27:37 > 0:27:41has made these rooms feel fresh and spacious.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48So in here, when we took the wallpaper off,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51the plaster was coming away, so Andy re-plastered all the walls,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55and we've decorated, and the floors have been sanded and lacquered,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58and we've sandblasted the fireplaces
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and put them back in their original place.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03The landing also looks stunning,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06with the waxed floorboards and the glossed staircase.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08But where's the bathroom?
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Well, they've kept that quirky but practical toilet
0:28:11 > 0:28:13on the halfway landing,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16but the bathroom itself is a bit further away,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18and is still work-in-progress.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22We decided to put the bathroom in the basement
0:28:22 > 0:28:25to avoid cutting into the rooms upstairs.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28We also decided we needed to make it special
0:28:28 > 0:28:31because people have got to go down an extra level to get to it.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35We decided to build a shower like a wet room,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38re-use some old roofing slates, which have come up beautifully.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40We're really pleased with it.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Andy had to dig down two feet
0:28:42 > 0:28:44to maximise the head height down there,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and the walls have had to be tanked as well.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49But it's not just the bathroom
0:28:49 > 0:28:51that's still going through its makeover.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56Back on the ground floor, the hall and living room have been completely replastered
0:28:56 > 0:28:59and are just waiting to be redecorated and finished off.
0:28:59 > 0:29:05Through those French doors are signs that Andy has put his carpentry skills to good use.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08This conservatory, I built last year before going off to the Alps.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13The way I styled it was slightly mimicking what was there originally.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15With this detailing, what I've done is,
0:29:15 > 0:29:22the stop chamfers are the same distance apart from the glazing bars
0:29:22 > 0:29:26and just try and basically keep it the same as it was
0:29:26 > 0:29:28but in a good condition.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I think it's a good idea to use traditional timbers for their conservatory,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36as it gives the frontage a more natural feel.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40At the back, the soil that Andy dug out of the cellar
0:29:40 > 0:29:43has been used to level out the back garden.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Now it's been laid to lawn, and what a difference.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48It's been a big project.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52The house has been rewired, new plumbing's gone in,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56and there's still lot of work to do, especially down in the cellar.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58But how much have they had to spend
0:29:58 > 0:30:01on top of the £125,000 they paid at auction?
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Have they stuck to their £10,000 budget?
0:30:04 > 0:30:09I think what we've put into it material-wise so far
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and with the labour as well,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15got to be around about the £15,000 mark.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19There's not much left to be spent because the major works are done,
0:30:19 > 0:30:24and the major things have been bought, like the bathroom suite, which has yet to go in.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29So £1,000 to £2,000 should finish it because we'll be doing the work ourselves.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32They reckon they've got another £1,000 to £2,000 to spend,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35but the finish line is still some way off.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39We're heading back to France in six weeks' time,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and we're going to be working the winter out there,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46then we'll come back and finish it off before we put it on the market.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Put it on the market?
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Well, that's because after all their hard work,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55the couple are now considering a more permanent move to France.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58So what could they make?
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Time to hear some advice from two local estate agents.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Will they like Andy and Ingrid's plans for the cellar
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and layout of the house?
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Ground floor layout's great. It's very much suited to a family.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15It's got the breakfast room table in the kitchen,
0:31:15 > 0:31:20the living room's big and has great original features, the fireplace and windows.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21The layout's very good now.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Previously there was the bathroom upstairs and the half landing.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Having a big bathroom downstairs now benefits the property.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Retaining the landing toilet, there's access from the bedrooms.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36I think the bathroom on the lower ground floor is superb.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39It's clearly going to be one of the wow factors.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41It's not ready to sell just yet,
0:31:41 > 0:31:43but in the current market,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46what valuation would the experts put on the house?
0:31:46 > 0:31:50Remember, Andy and Ingrid paid £125,000 at the auction,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54and anticipate the final budget being £17,000
0:31:54 > 0:31:57making a total outlay of £142,000.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59So could there be a profit here?
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Er, it's my opinion that when the property's completed,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06it should fetch between £185,000 to £190,000.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07When the property's complete,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12I would suggest a retail or marketing value between £190,000 and £200,000.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Well, that spread of valuations from £185,000 to £200,000
0:32:17 > 0:32:21would produce a gross profit, before the usual selling expenses,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25ranging from £43,000 to £58,000.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28That's pretty much what we expected, but it's nice to hear.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Yes, it's reassuring after all the hard work.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Let's hope that the property market gets its strength back
0:32:34 > 0:32:37when they come to sell in around six months' time.
0:32:37 > 0:32:43So have these newly-weds enjoyed their first renovation together?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Yeah, really proud, actually.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49It's really nice to see it in a more finished state
0:32:49 > 0:32:51and look at it through other people's eyes.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53This house needed a lot of work,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57and it's nice to actually see it come together,
0:32:57 > 0:33:01and it'll be fantastic to see the house finished and rejuvenated,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and hopefully give a lot of pleasure to the people living in it after us.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I'm in Belle Isle, a large suburb,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16three miles to the south of Leeds city centre.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Local development is on the increase around here,
0:33:19 > 0:33:23and as far as property goes, it represents value for money,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26with a good variety of house styles on offer.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Despite its great connections,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34properties on the south side of Leeds are cheaper than in the north.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36In fact, 15 to 20 per cent cheaper.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40So I'm hoping to find something to suit my developer's pocket.
0:33:40 > 0:33:41And in fact, this might be it.
0:33:41 > 0:33:431960s bungalow, two bedrooms,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47and a guide price of £55,000 to £75,000.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48Let's take a look.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52First impressions are promising for this semi-detached bungalow.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55The roof appears sound, as do the windows,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58and this access ramp is a useful addition.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Let's check out inside.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02So what have we got?
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Well, er, straight away, what we haven't got is any plaster.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11That's a bit unusual. Somebody's done a bit of preparation for you.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Kitchen there, at least I think it is. No units.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19Um, in fact, this whole thing could be guess work in terms of what the different rooms are.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Um, reasonably-sized room at the back here,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25um, rear sitting room, bedroom perhaps?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Um, don't know.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Um, that, ah, now that looks more like a living room and it's a reasonable size.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Nice fireplace there too.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Bathroom there. At least I know what that is.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40They're old and dated so you probably want to take them out,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43but I suppose at a push, you could live with it.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48And through to the front of the property, where there is, I guess, your second bedroom.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51All in all, bit of a guessing game, but it's not a bad property.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54# Guessing game
0:34:54 > 0:34:57# I don't wanna play no guessing game
0:34:57 > 0:35:01# Please don't make me play No guessing game... #
0:35:01 > 0:35:06You could argue that since the plaster's been taken off most of the walls,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09this house has little to hide.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15So the question is, would you bother changing the internal layout around?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Let's look through the options.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20This is your rear, well, I guess your bedroom area.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Maybe you think about creating this more as a living area.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Move this wall over, make that a bedroom,
0:35:26 > 0:35:28maybe think about knocking that wall
0:35:28 > 0:35:32to create more of a sort of kitchen/living room/dining area.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36And then, the logical thing to do would be to take that out there,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38put a set of double doors onto the garden.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43That would create a nice living area at the back with smaller bedrooms at the front.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Maybe. Is it worth doing? The amount of effort, nah.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52If you're looking to rent this property out, or sell it on to make a quick return,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55I'm not sure restructuring the layout would justify the cost.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Another option worth considering could be to build a conservatory,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01as the back garden's a good size,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04though it's in need of a good tidy-up.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07To find out more about the potential of this bungalow
0:36:07 > 0:36:11which went to auction guided at between £55,000 and £75,000,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13I asked a local property expert for his opinion.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The superficial, cosmetic condition is-is poor.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24There's rooms where there's no plaster on the walls,
0:36:24 > 0:36:28the skirtings are missing, the kitchen's been taken out.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30But it won't be rocket science
0:36:30 > 0:36:32to put this bungalow back in a very nice way.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35And it'll be very bonny when it's done.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Once the property's been completely done up and refurbished,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41what would he advise is the best course of action?
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I think if this property was finished to the sort of standard I have in my mind's eye,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50it would let at about £400 a calendar month.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53So a good rental potential here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57What could be the resell value once all the work here is done?
0:36:59 > 0:37:03I see a very hard ceiling of value for this property, fully done,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05at just under £100,000.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Well, there are works to be done,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13but I think this could work for somebody's bank balance,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15as there are profits to be made.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Let's see who fancied the opportunity when it went under the hammer.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Lot 22, two-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Very sensibly priced to reflect the need for total refurbishment.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Anyone like to start the bidding at £55,000?
0:37:28 > 0:37:3055, I have. 55.
0:37:30 > 0:37:3157, I'm looking for.
0:37:31 > 0:37:3457,000 on my left.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35Do I have 59?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37£59,000.
0:37:37 > 0:37:3961? 61 on my left.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41I'm looking for 63.
0:37:41 > 0:37:4363 I have. 65, sir?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Take it in ones if you like. 64?
0:37:45 > 0:37:48£64,000. 65.
0:37:48 > 0:37:5065? Yes, it was a nod.
0:37:50 > 0:37:5366, sir? £66,000 I have.
0:37:53 > 0:37:5567, thank you. £67,000.
0:37:55 > 0:37:5768.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00£68,000, sir. At the back on the left, now.
0:38:00 > 0:38:0169?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03£69,000. 70, sir?
0:38:04 > 0:38:07£70,000. Looking for 71.
0:38:07 > 0:38:0871?
0:38:08 > 0:38:1171. Thank you very much indeed. 72, sir?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14£72,000 I'm bid. £73?
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Shake of the head. Any further bids?
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Selling at £72,000 unless I get a catalogue in the air.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23£73,000 at the front. Thank you very much indeed. 73 on my right.
0:38:23 > 0:38:2674? Out at 74.
0:38:26 > 0:38:2873 at the front here on my right.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30It's going for the first time,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32it's going for the second.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- GAVEL - Sold, sir. Congratulations. £73,000.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39That final successful bid of £73,000 was made by Andy
0:38:39 > 0:38:42who was at the auction with his wife Lynne.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47They live in Leeds, and a year ago, sold their IT and project managing training company.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52They took a year off to spend more time at their holiday home in Spain.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57Andy went on a training course, and is now a qualified electrician.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01I met up with him at the bungalow to find out the plans.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08- Andy, good to meet you. Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Tell me why you wanted to buy this bungalow.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Basically to find something to do.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16I've been very lucky enough to have a year off with my family,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20and my wife had got to the point where I was under her feet a little,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23and I ought to go out and do something,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26so we decided that with our best friends, Dale and Gemma,
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- we'd set up a property redevelopment business.- Oh, great.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Which we did, then went to the auction in Leeds,
0:39:34 > 0:39:38decided to buy this place, and here we are today.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42- This is numero uno.- This is numero uno of however many we get to.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44How come you got to have a year off?
0:39:44 > 0:39:46I used to run a training company in Leeds
0:39:46 > 0:39:48with a business partner of mine,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50and I sold it last September.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54And it put me in the situation where I was fortunate enough
0:39:54 > 0:39:57to have a year off with family and my young son, Red.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01- What did you do for a year? - Spent a lot of time on holiday in the sun.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- Great.- Which was very nice.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06But, as I said, it's time to get on and do something else.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08So why this property for your first venture?
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Well, we looked at probably five or six different auctions,
0:40:12 > 0:40:16picked out three or four different properties in each auction,
0:40:16 > 0:40:18then really came and had a look at it,
0:40:18 > 0:40:23decided that it stood one of the best potentials for making a small amount of money on,
0:40:23 > 0:40:27and the experience was what we wanted to get started with.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Part of the work has been done.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Yeah, they've done the easy bit,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34which is taking it all down and throwing things away.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35They've had the fun bit.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Now we've got to put it all back and make it work.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41So tell me what you're going to do to it.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Um, basically, it needs completely rewiring,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I'm going to put gas central heating in it, a new kitchen.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Basically, bring it back up to a decent standard.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- With a view to what? - Initially with a view to selling it.
0:40:53 > 0:40:58But obviously, it depends on what the market's going to be like in six weeks' time.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03If we decide it's better to rent it while the market picks up, we'll do that.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08Right. And why have you gone into a business venture with a partner?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Um, I've had experience of it before
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and I think sometimes one, two, three, four heads
0:41:13 > 0:41:16are sometimes better than just one.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Especially when it comes to budgeting with my wife.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22You can imagine that I'll put something forward,
0:41:22 > 0:41:27and Lynne will say, "We need to cut back, Andrew, we don't need to spend that."
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Good to have more than one head.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- You've brought in arbitration. - We've brought in arbitration, yes.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Well, that arbitration might get called on.
0:41:35 > 0:41:40Going into business with friends can be tricky, and doing up houses can be stressful.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43With all four of them planning to do the work when they can,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46I'm sure tempers could flare occasionally,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49even if only about whose turn it is to make the tea.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56They only paid £73,000 for the bungalow,
0:41:56 > 0:42:01but doing the renovation won't be cheap, bearing in mind the state of the inside.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- So what is the budget? - £14,200.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- Approximately? - Well, £14,178 if you want it exactly.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- Have you got it down to the penny or the pound? - Down to the penny or the pound.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Whether we stick there or not is a different question.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Hopefully we'll do it cheaper.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22What are the plans for the business?
0:42:22 > 0:42:26Initially, the plans were to attempt ten to 12 properties a year,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28but once we started budget plans,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31figuring out how long it would take, if we were lucky,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33then we had to cut that back.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35It depends on how we get on, to be honest.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Right. But in your ideal world?
0:42:37 > 0:42:42Well, in my ideal world, in five years' time, I'll be retiring again.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- Congratulations. Well done. - Thank you very much.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49- Look forward to seeing how you get on.- Look forward to seeing you.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Well, a good property for Andy to begin
0:42:55 > 0:42:58the path to his second retirement.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02But how will he and the team get on restoring this property?
0:43:02 > 0:43:06And will they stick to that £14,178 budget?
0:43:06 > 0:43:08What do you think?
0:43:08 > 0:43:10You can find out later in the show.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Well, time has passed since we saw those properties.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Do they look any different now?
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Has time and money been well spent?
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Let's go back and find out.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Earlier in the programme, we were in Clapton, East London,
0:43:27 > 0:43:32where Genevieve and Phil had bought this semi-detached for £321,000.
0:43:35 > 0:43:39The couple are both art college graduates and have a spatial design company.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44This property is the third house they've bought to redesign and then sell.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49- You're very passionate about this house, aren't you?- We are.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53- What is it that you love?- We like renovating Victorian houses,
0:43:53 > 0:43:55so when we saw the facade, we just loved it.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58So anything that's a complete doer-upper
0:43:58 > 0:44:03that we can change the space and redesign, is something we're very interested in.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Three months later, we met up again with Genevieve and Phil
0:44:09 > 0:44:13back at the property, to check on the progress.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18Outside, the house is looking very smart.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21The original features now really stand out.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26Once you're through the front door,
0:44:26 > 0:44:30you're now met with a wonderful, open living space.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35The two original rooms had already been knocked into one,
0:44:35 > 0:44:39but removing the walls to the hall really opens the space up,
0:44:39 > 0:44:41and makes a real design statement.
0:44:43 > 0:44:48At the back, the large kitchen now has sharp, clean lines
0:44:48 > 0:44:50and looks stunning.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59Patio doors draw your eye through towards the lovely outside courtyard.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Upstairs, the front master bedroom
0:45:03 > 0:45:05continues with the subtle colour scheme,
0:45:05 > 0:45:09set off by this striking period-style bed.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14And the new bathroom also looks very contemporary.
0:45:20 > 0:45:21But as Genevieve explains,
0:45:21 > 0:45:26it's the ground floor layout where the main changes have taken place.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28We kept the original staircase.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31We initially were going to take it away,
0:45:31 > 0:45:34but when we stripped all the paint off it from 150 years ago,
0:45:34 > 0:45:38it was actually beautiful underneath so we decided to keep it.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41We fit this oak veneer panelling to clean it up,
0:45:41 > 0:45:43make it a bit more modern, streamlined.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45We put in quite a dramatic wallpaper
0:45:45 > 0:45:47but I felt the space was big enough
0:45:47 > 0:45:50to be able to deal with that big, bold print.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53And it just kind of zones off this dining area
0:45:53 > 0:45:56from the other seating lounge area.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00Remember, Phil's a sculptor, and he intended to make a stone fireplace.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03So what happened to those plans?
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Well, there isn't a fireplace there because
0:46:06 > 0:46:09we thought we would just knock back a bit of the wall
0:46:09 > 0:46:11and open up this old fireplace.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15But we discovered that somebody prior to us
0:46:15 > 0:46:18had taken out the entire chimney breast,
0:46:18 > 0:46:20so we tried to create something instead of it
0:46:20 > 0:46:25by using a concrete shelf with a light underneath.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28And Phil has designed a feature in the kitchen.
0:46:28 > 0:46:33Not in bronze or stone, but with a different material.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36This is the concrete tabletop that I've designed.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39It's got three angular points that meet the glass top.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41It took a while to design
0:46:41 > 0:46:43because there were a number of issues.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46I began designing the top and bottom
0:46:46 > 0:46:50and then it became on the side and I ended up having to make it thinner.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54But in the end, I think it looks well and I'm very pleased with it.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56Using their spatial design skills,
0:46:56 > 0:47:01the couple have managed to get the most out of every room in this house.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04The bathroom upstairs was very, very small,
0:47:04 > 0:47:07and the bath ran along one side of the whole wall,
0:47:07 > 0:47:09so just by moving the bath round
0:47:09 > 0:47:13and incorporating the shower and bath, it feels a lot bigger in there.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15And it's not the only loo,
0:47:15 > 0:47:18as they've also built a cloakroom under the stairs
0:47:18 > 0:47:21and designed it with a very contemporary look.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Once the kitchen had been gutted,
0:47:24 > 0:47:28it was ready for Phil and Genevieve to add their design skills,
0:47:28 > 0:47:33but as it's a kitchen, you still have to have somewhere to store the food.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38We took out a lot of units in the kitchen. They ran both sides.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Because we took that space away,
0:47:40 > 0:47:43we've created kind of four big larders
0:47:43 > 0:47:44that are made of oak veneer.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48So it's just to have a space to put away all the junk.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50How much has it all cost?
0:47:50 > 0:47:53Did they manage to stick to their £30,000 budget?
0:47:53 > 0:47:59Well, we ended up spending more like in the region of £36,000,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02so we went over what was planned.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06The wiring was a big cost. We've ended up rewiring the whole house.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08And it's oak flooring, which was a big cost again.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16Time to find out what two local estate agents think
0:48:16 > 0:48:19of the refurbishment of this Clapton property.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21In terms of the ground floor space,
0:48:21 > 0:48:25it's not what you'd expect to find in one of these houses.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27It makes the place feel a bit bigger.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30The property does feel very contemporary.
0:48:30 > 0:48:31It's presented quite nicely.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35The kitchen is nice and modern, the bathroom is fully-fitted.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37Not much garden at the back,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40but I don't think that will take away much from the value.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Selling features, I would say, the kitchen.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47It's a great space, they've done a great job, gone very high-end.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48The bathroom's a good finish.
0:48:48 > 0:48:53Phil and Genevieve plan to sell and move on to their next project.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56They paid £321,000 for the house at auction,
0:48:56 > 0:48:59and have spent £36,000 on the work,
0:48:59 > 0:49:02making a total of £357,000.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05How much is it now worth?
0:49:08 > 0:49:12I would say this property would sell for around £425,000.
0:49:12 > 0:49:17Er, I would consider putting the property on the market for £400,000.
0:49:17 > 0:49:22That range of valuations from £400,000 to £425,000
0:49:22 > 0:49:26would produce a pre-tax profit of between £43,000 and £68,000.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29Is that around what they expected?
0:49:30 > 0:49:33We have spoken to a few local agents
0:49:33 > 0:49:35who've come around £425,000, £435,000,
0:49:35 > 0:49:40so that's kind of what we've been told, so yeah, it's good, positive.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42And if it works out like that, we're doing OK.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44So it's not too bad.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47It's not actually the buying and selling of a house,
0:49:47 > 0:49:50it's the blank canvas that we can just go for.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52This is the fourth project we've worked on.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56We're not crazy. We realise we need to make money out of it.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59But for us, the real buzz is that.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02So if we can do both, fantastic.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11Back now to the Leeds suburb of Belle Isle.
0:50:11 > 0:50:12Earlier in the programme,
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Andy, his wife, and their two best friends
0:50:15 > 0:50:19bought this two-bed bungalow for £73,000.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22Refurbishment had already been started previously,
0:50:22 > 0:50:24but there was still plenty to do.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26After selling their business,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29Andy and his wife Lynne had taken a year out of the rat race
0:50:29 > 0:50:32to spend more time at their home in Spain.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37During that time, Andy studied part-time and qualified as an electrician.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40They've now set up a property development company
0:50:40 > 0:50:43with their two best friends, and this is their first project.
0:50:43 > 0:50:49Andy was very precise when it came to his estimated outlay here.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57- So what is the budget?- £14,200.
0:50:57 > 0:51:02- Approximately?- Well, £14,178 if you want it exactly.
0:51:02 > 0:51:07- You've got it down to the penny or the pound? - Yeah, to the penny or the pound.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Well, it's now seven weeks later.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12Back in Leeds, the weather's not been as sunny as Spain,
0:51:12 > 0:51:15which has held up the outside work.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22But inside, the bungalow's been plastered, rewired,
0:51:22 > 0:51:25and they've added cavity wall insulation.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28Andy and the team have installed a new kitchen,
0:51:28 > 0:51:31which, despite the tight budget, looks high-quality.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38Plus gas central heating's been added.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43The bathroom's been stripped out and re-tiled.
0:51:43 > 0:51:49The bath has been installed, but the rest of the suite is still in storage in the bedroom.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53Once the walls have been painted, the room looks ready for new carpet.
0:51:55 > 0:51:59The sitting room at the front is the largest room in the house.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01What had to be done here?
0:52:03 > 0:52:07OK, this is one of the rooms that needed very little doing to it
0:52:07 > 0:52:10other than we had to take the old fireplace out.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12A lot of the work, you really can't see.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15The majority of the floorboards have come up,
0:52:15 > 0:52:18we've installed central heating, as you can see,
0:52:18 > 0:52:20the house has been completely rewired
0:52:20 > 0:52:24and we've installed new downlighters in here to make it more modern.
0:52:24 > 0:52:29As I said, most of it is quite hidden, but it was a lengthy task to get it this far.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33The previous owner had already done quite a lot of work in this room.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35It was one of the most advanced.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39But Andy wasn't happy with the plaster, so that's been redone.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43Andy's got a novel way of keeping track of the progress.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46# That writing on the wall... #
0:52:47 > 0:52:49There are a few things left to do
0:52:49 > 0:52:54and you can probably see over my shoulder about seven lists, which have been there a while.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Still a few bits left to do, but hopefully only minor.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01Going into business with friends can cause friction.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05This team have got on well, tackling most of the work together.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07Between myself, Dale and the girls,
0:53:07 > 0:53:10we've done the majority of the work ourselves.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14So far, we've had about eight days of other people
0:53:14 > 0:53:16on top of the work we've done.
0:53:16 > 0:53:20As Andy's a qualified electrician, he was able to do the wiring.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23But of course, they had to employ a registered fitter
0:53:23 > 0:53:26to attend to the boiler and all gas appliances.
0:53:27 > 0:53:31One of my closest friends, Jason, helped me with the plastering,
0:53:31 > 0:53:33and one thing I discovered is,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37you can do no work whatsoever when the plasterers are in the house.
0:53:37 > 0:53:42They run madly from one room to another, and you can't get anything else done at all.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44That delayed the work inside by about a week,
0:53:44 > 0:53:48whilst the weather stalled the progress outside.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52Andy reckons it'll take a couple of weeks to finish both inside and out.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Then they plan to put the bungalow on the market and sell.
0:53:56 > 0:53:57But the big question is,
0:53:57 > 0:54:03did they keep to that very precise budget of £14,178?
0:54:06 > 0:54:10Well, believe it or not, although it was extremely supposedly accurate,
0:54:10 > 0:54:13we're actually still about £2,000 under budget.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17We've got about another £500 allocated to landscape the garden,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20so we should come in well under budget.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Time now to see what two local property experts
0:54:28 > 0:54:32will make of the refurbishment that's taking place here.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34It's been done to a good standard
0:54:34 > 0:54:37and it's ready for someone to move into.
0:54:37 > 0:54:41Nice and neutral and modern so if they want to change it, it's a blank canvas.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43It's sparkly, it's minty.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45It's freshly done, everything's new,
0:54:45 > 0:54:49everything's been done to a standard rather than to a price.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52You walk in and think, "That's a proper man done that."
0:54:52 > 0:54:56Still some work to be done in the front and rear gardens.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59The only other thing you could have done is go up into the loft,
0:54:59 > 0:55:04but in this market, you might not get your money back for what you'd spend on it.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07This first property for their new development company
0:55:07 > 0:55:10cost £73,000 at auction.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14They then spent £12,678 doing it up,
0:55:14 > 0:55:18making a total outlay of £85,678.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21So what could its resell value be?
0:55:21 > 0:55:23The sales market is flat,
0:55:23 > 0:55:29and there is an over-supply of broadly similar bungalows within a 500-yard radius,
0:55:29 > 0:55:31and they're not going anywhere.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33This bungalow is worth £110,000.
0:55:33 > 0:55:38In my opinion, we'd be looking to market this property at £104,950.
0:55:39 > 0:55:44Well, that valuation range between £104,950 and £110,000
0:55:44 > 0:55:49would generate a gross profit of between approximately £19,000 and £24,000.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53Does Andy think that's a satisfactory return?
0:55:56 > 0:56:00There are a number of properties around here pretty much identical
0:56:00 > 0:56:03for sale at £125,000 to £135,000.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06So I'd certainly try and aim to achieve a bit more than that,
0:56:06 > 0:56:09um, but either way, we won't have lost money.
0:56:09 > 0:56:14After taking a year off to spend more time at his holiday home in Spain,
0:56:14 > 0:56:19Andy and his new development company look to have picked a good property.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22The experts think the bungalow could rent out
0:56:22 > 0:56:26for between £495 and £525 per calendar month.
0:56:28 > 0:56:33That's certainly gone up from what they said seven weeks ago, which can only be good.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36Might those rental figures change Andy's plans here?
0:56:38 > 0:56:41Er, not really. Still put it up for sale, still sell it.
0:56:41 > 0:56:46But if I don't make enough on it, I might go back to Spain.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48And on a day like this, I can see the appeal.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58We hope you've enjoyed watching, and perhaps learned some lessons.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02- Join us next time for more Homes Under The Hammer.- See you then.- Bye.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:22 > 0:57:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk