0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello and welcome. When you buy at auction,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08just a nod of a head or a wink of an eye and you could end up with a property.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Whatever you end up with, you've got to decide are you going to live in it,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14turn it for a quick profit and sell it on
0:00:14 > 0:00:16or keep it as a long-term investment?
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Lots of options. Let's find out what happens on today's show.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50Buying under the hammer can be a quick and efficient way to purchase property.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53But whatever you do, make sure you do your homework,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56otherwise it'll be a case of act in haste, repent at leisure.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Let's see what inspired our buyers on today's show.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05'In Devon, it's not just the location of this lot that excites me.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:08As barn conversions go, this is looking fantastic.
0:01:09 > 0:01:16'This house in Sittingbourne, Kent, has an odd layout so you don't know if you're coming or going.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's almost like the house is the wrong way round.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25'And in Accrington, there's a grand-looking house with an interior that's far from it.'
0:01:25 > 0:01:29But see through that to what it could be. You know what? It's brilliant!
0:01:31 > 0:01:34'All these properties went to auction and we'll find out
0:01:34 > 0:01:38'who bought them and what they paid when they went under the hammer.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:39- HAMMER BANGS - Well done.
0:01:42 > 0:01:49I'm in Devon in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as the South Hams.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52You've got Dartmouth that way, Kingsbridge that way,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Plymouth's only 30 miles away, and you've got this kind of scenery.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02It is incredible. Not surprisingly, it's a highly desirable place to live.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07'It is truly beautiful and it's where we find today's property
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'in the village of Chillington, tucked away in this lush rural setting.'
0:02:15 > 0:02:20Well, apart from the scenery and the wildlife, this is what I'm here to see.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25It's a two-storey barn set in around one and a half acres of land.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29It had a guide price of £185,000, which sounds like quite a lot
0:02:29 > 0:02:37until you know that it had planning permission for conversion and extension. Ooh! Now it's exciting!
0:02:39 > 0:02:45# May I sleep in barn tonight, mister?
0:02:45 > 0:02:49# It's so cold lying out on the ground
0:02:49 > 0:02:54'From the outside, this barn looks in remarkably good condition.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57'Let's hope it's equally attractive inside.'
0:02:57 > 0:03:03I have to say, I'm really impressed with the external condition. The brickwork is great nick.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Then through the door of the barn, you've got two rooms, basically, and two levels.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12This room on the left. But of a higgledy-piggledy floor, but it's not a bad space.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Then a similar-sized room this side. But the thing that's getting me really excited
0:03:16 > 0:03:20is the fact that you've got reasonable-sized windows.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24When it comes to actually getting barns converted into places to live,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28one of the biggest issues is they hate it when you put new windows in.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33But here you've got the windows in place already. You've got a big door on that side. It's looking great.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38I also really like the head height. Really nice and high. You will dig out the floor a bit
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and put in some kind of damp-proof course, but apart from that, as barn conversions go,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45this is looking fantastic!
0:03:54 > 0:03:58'And the news gets even better on the first floor.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03'There are solid floorboards, some great-looking roof beams and a skylight window, as well.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:08But, of course, when it comes to converting something like this,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12there are rules and regulations by the bucketload,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16especially in an area of outstanding natural beauty like this,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20so you're going to have to talk to the conservation officer, the local planners,
0:04:20 > 0:04:25it all gets very complicated. However, the good news is somebody's already done that for you
0:04:25 > 0:04:30cos the plans have been passed, and they include things like using the natural stone,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32reclaimed slate work, which is what you'd want,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and actually building something which is in keeping with the area,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39which again is something that you'd absolutely want.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45'From the plans, you can see the extension that's been approved as part of the barn conversion
0:04:45 > 0:04:49'is going to be constructed below the existing level of the floor.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51'It will house a utility room.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58'The front of the extension will have lots of glass to maximise the views across the field.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03'The pitch of the barn's roof will continue down over the extension,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07'so softening the impact on the surroundings.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09'We invited a local estate agent
0:05:09 > 0:05:13'to give us his opinion of the opportunity here.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15'This is a lovely barn
0:05:15 > 0:05:19'with that all-important planning permission for conversion and extension.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24'It had a guide price of £185,000.'
0:05:26 > 0:05:30The plans that the property's been sold with are actually quite interesting.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33It's a very good use of the space.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36It still retains three bedrooms, a couple of bathrooms,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40a good open-plan living space and it makes use of the natural gradient,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44so you have an interesting split level as well as useful accommodation.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48'So, with his experience of local barn conversions,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52'how much does the expert think that this one could cost?'
0:05:53 > 0:05:57If the current plans are utilised by the purchaser, I would imagine
0:05:57 > 0:06:01to renovate it to a good standard would be probably between £150,000 to £200,000.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07'Once the barn has been converted in accordance with planning permission and conservation regulations,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11'how much could it be worth?'
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Once the property is renovated and if a good standard is achieved,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19I'd imagine the resale value being somewhere in the region of £450,000.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Well, lots of work to do to get this place sorted out
0:06:22 > 0:06:25but the hard job as far as I'm concerned has been done
0:06:25 > 0:06:28because it has got planning permission. And what would you create?
0:06:28 > 0:06:33An amazing place to live or potentially somewhere that you could rent out as a holiday let.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37So is it worth it? Oh, yes, it's definitely worth it.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:4458, a pretty detached two-storey stone barn,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47consent for conversion and extension to create a highly desirable...
0:06:47 > 0:06:50There's the makings of a wonderful house there.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54185, guide price, that's where we're going to go. 185. Two hands.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56185.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58188. 188.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01190. 190. At 190.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04192. 192. At 192.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06194. 196.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09198.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11200.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13202. 202. 202.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15204.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18206. I know he's right next to you but he's allowed to be. 208. 208.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21210. At 210.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24212. 214.
0:07:24 > 0:07:2715? Think of the home. 216.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30217.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31218.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35218 and a half.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37219.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39219 and a half.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42220. Straight in.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45At 220. At 220.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47At 220 once. At 220 twice.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52You're both out at 220, it's going to be sold at 220.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- And done. - HAMMER BANGS - Good bidding, sir. 220. Well done.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02'That final bid of £220,000 was made by Colin and his wife Carol.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07'They come from a farming background, so converting a barn should be right up their street.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11'I caught up with them to talk through their plans.'
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- Colin, Carol, lovely to meet you both. Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19This has such fantastic potential, doesn't it?
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- Yes.- We thought so, didn't we? - Yeah, we did.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- Tell me why you wanted to buy it. - There's several different reasons, really.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We were looking for a home for ourselves
0:08:31 > 0:08:33and we thought that this would be ideal.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38And the other thing is, we own the barn next door, which we actually rent out to holidays.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Which barn?- The one on the right-hand side.- Oh, right! OK.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- So you're the immediate neighbours! - We are. And we also recently,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51beginning of the year, bought the lane and the field next to the barn, as well.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- So it really was worthwhile considering purchasing it, wasn't it?- It was, yeah.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- Wow. Absolutely ideal for you, then, cos you own everything in this little area.- Yeah.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We do now, yes.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06So what do you think about it as a project?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- We're really excited, aren't we? - Yeah, we are.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13We're really looking forward to it because we're actually doing this for a project for us to live in,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- so that's really quite different to doing it to sell on.- Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21What kind of experience have you had up to now of construction?
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Well, we were farming for 30-odd years
0:09:25 > 0:09:31and then 15 years ago, we bought a barn complex where we live now
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and we've got a holiday complex there,
0:09:34 > 0:09:40built a bungalow on the farm and then we built two houses in East Allington.
0:09:40 > 0:09:48The daughter's in one of them. And obviously this barn here, the top one. So a little bit of experience.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52'A wealth of experience, I'd say.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56'As well as their holiday home at the top of the plot, they already own the next field
0:09:56 > 0:10:00'and have recently bought the road access to the plot, as well.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'So they're perfectly placed to take on this barn conversion.'
0:10:04 > 0:10:08So tell me what your plans for this place are, then.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13The size of the barn, there'll be another size going on it, as well.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Wow.- So it'll be a something-hundred square feet three-bedroom house.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22'The couple plan to stick to the approved external plans
0:10:22 > 0:10:25'but they hope to make some alterations internally
0:10:25 > 0:10:29'which will involve rethinking where the kitchen and lounge will be.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34'The previous owners had a two and a half year wait to get planning permission for this plot
0:10:34 > 0:10:39'so, in my opinion, Colin and Carol would be wise not to try and deviate much from what's been approved.'
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- What's your involvement going to be in all this?- Well, we like to add different aspects to the projects.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Colin's got responsibility for the overall project.
0:10:50 > 0:10:57But my involvement will be the interior design and things like that. It works very well.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01We both know each other's strengths and the plan is just to work to that, really.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Right.- So that's how we hope to do it.- And do you have to reign him in a bit?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Erm, at times.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12What normally happens, I've got all the ideas
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and Carol says, "I'm not sure about that"
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and we have a talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22THEY LAUGH And that's how we work.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28'The couple have already roped in friends and family to help them complete the work.'
0:11:28 > 0:11:30This could be a dining area here.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'That should save them quite a lot of money.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'But how much do they think they're going to have to spend?'
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Around £120,000.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42That's what we think we can do it for.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I do all the buying and the son-in-law's got the diggers.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49What kind of timescale are we looking at to get it sorted?
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- I'd like to think we would finish in eight months.- Wow.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57It's worked just right because my son-in-law's finishing on a site
0:11:57 > 0:12:03- and he's moving in here tomorrow. - Oh, really? - Yeah. So we'll be right on with it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- You must be delighted in general. - Absolutely delighted.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10I'm really excited about the barn because it's in such good condition, isn't it?
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- It is.- You've got a good one. Congratulations.- Thank you, Martin.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- I look forward to seeing how you get on.- Yeah, that's right.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Well, Colin and Carol have got themselves a fantastic property here
0:12:25 > 0:12:31and it's ideal for them, especially given what they own in the immediate vicinity.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Still, that budget seems a little bit tight,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37even if Colin and their family are going to do a lot of the work.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Will they manage to stick to it? And what will they build in this beautiful location?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44You can find out later in the show.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52'This is Sittingbourne, a town in Kent about eight miles east of Gillingham.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58'In the Middle Ages, it was a favourite place for pilgrims to take a rest on their way to Canterbury
0:12:58 > 0:13:03'and it's still a popular commuter town. You can get to central London by train in around an hour.'
0:13:05 > 0:13:09The house I'm here to see today is on this neat little development.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12It's almost got a villagey green feel to it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15You've got this lovely old period college behind me,
0:13:15 > 0:13:19a really nice house here, another nice house here.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23And yes, you've guessed it, the auction house I'm here to see today is there!
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Sticks out like a sore thumb, doesn't it? Yep!
0:13:26 > 0:13:31# Blue moon
0:13:31 > 0:13:37# You saw me standing alone
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Well, here it is. It's a three-bedroom detached house
0:13:40 > 0:13:43which once housed the caretaker for the nearby college.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Now, I admit it, I'm not a huge fan of 70s architecture
0:13:47 > 0:13:50and this house does look a bit different from the others,
0:13:50 > 0:13:56but on the positive side, it is on a good plot, it's surrounded by beautiful Kent countryside
0:13:56 > 0:14:00and it looks like it's got quite new UPVC double-glazed windows.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Shall we see if it's a little more to my taste on the inside?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08'This property also has another plus point.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12'It's guide price was £215,000 to £220,000.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17'That's relatively cheap for a three-bed property in this part of the country.'
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Ooh. Well, there's certainly no wow factor walking in here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Really small kitchen with touches of pink.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26It just feels rather narrow.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29A little bit boxy, as well, partitions everywhere.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32And it feels as though you've walked in through the back door
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and this look like the front door.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39So it's almost like the house is the wrong way round, which is rather strange.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44But good news, you've got a really big reception room here.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49This is what I like to see, loads of space, great views out of both windows.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55Not many features. Lots of woodchip everywhere. A little bit disappointing for me.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57# Back to front
0:14:57 > 0:15:02'It turns out that when this property was built, it was designed to face onto the then access road
0:15:02 > 0:15:07'with the college and green behind. But when the development was built behind it,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11'a new access road was also built, so the new houses looked out onto the college green,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14'leaving this one seemingly the wrong way round.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18# Back to front
0:15:18 > 0:15:21OK, let's see what the upstairs has to offer.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25There's a champagne bathroom suite with a corner bath. Not to everybody's taste.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30And three bedrooms. Two not a bad size, one small box room.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36I don't know what it is about this house, but it just feels like you could push the walls over.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40It's got a real sort of cardboard-boxy feel to it.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Something else I've noticed upstairs, no central heating.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48So all in all, there's just such a lot of work to do.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Great location, but the house, could do better.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56'Yes, this caretaker's lodge might need to go back to college
0:15:56 > 0:15:59'before it'll get top marks on appearance and finish.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03'All the bedrooms are OK and the bathroom certainly needs updating,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06'but I think a more radical approach is called for.'
0:16:07 > 0:16:12Now, one thing that is attractive about this house is that it offers plenty of potential to extend.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Under new regulations, there is a certain amount of permitted development allowed
0:16:17 > 0:16:20that you can do without having to go through planning.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24With this house, it makes sense to extend to the side. There's plenty of room here.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28You could add a single storey under permitted development.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Of course, there are sometimes exceptions to every rule,
0:16:31 > 0:16:37so it's always best to contact the local planning office first to discuss your proposal.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40'There are some definite plus points here.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44'It's certainly a good-size plot which gives plenty of room for expansion
0:16:44 > 0:16:46'and still leaves a decent-size garden.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51'You even get a greenhouse, a boat and a caravan. What more could you want?
0:16:52 > 0:16:57'So with a guide price of £215,000 to £220,000,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01'what does the local estate agent make of this back-to-front building?
0:17:01 > 0:17:03'Is it worth adding more square footage here?'
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Definitely worth extending. I would recommend that they extend
0:17:07 > 0:17:10maybe a two-storey to make extra bedrooms
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and extend downstairs to make a bigger kitchen.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17'It sounds like an extension is definitely the way forward here.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22'Bearing in mind that guide price of £215,000 to £220,000,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25'what could the property sell for?'
0:17:26 > 0:17:32If the property was renovated and had the two-storey extension,
0:17:32 > 0:17:39then you would be looking at a value of approximately £285,000 to £290,000.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44However, if it was in its current position and current state but renovated,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47then you'd probably be looking around about the £250,000 mark.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55This sad 70s house is less dazzling disco diva
0:17:55 > 0:17:59and more worn-out wallflower. It definitely needs an update!
0:17:59 > 0:18:02But there is potential here and there's plenty of room to improve.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06You can extend or even potentially knock down and redevelop.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11So who was ready to take this house in hand? Let's find out when we head to auction.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Lot 45. Start me at 200.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20At 200. 200, I'm on the way. At 200 I'm bid.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24200. Now 205. We've got 205 standing.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27210 now. At 210.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30And 15. 215 I've got.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33220 it's against you. 220 I've got.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37225 now. Shake of the head. £220,000 I've got for the first time.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41£220,000 sitting down for the second time.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44220 for the third and final time, if you're sure you're all done.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49Well done, sir. It's yours at £220,000.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52'So for spot on the guide price of £220,000,
0:18:52 > 0:18:57'the 70s Sittingbourne caretaker's house was bought by married couple Bill and Margaret.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02'Bill's a qualified plumber and has worked in the building trade for many years.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04'But this was the couple's first time as auction goers.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08'They just spotted the property on the internet and decided to go for it.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11'I met them back there to find out more.'
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Guys, congratulations.- Thank you. - This is really good news.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20What was it about this house that you liked enough to bid for it?
0:19:20 > 0:19:25The location. It's nice and quiet here. It's close to the town.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31- It's close to my family and granddaughter. South-facing is the main criteria.- South-facing.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- The granddaughter...- And it was south-facing.- The granddaughter's going to the school up the road.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Have you bought this house to live in yourselves?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Yeah. Well, hopefully.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Do you feel the same way about this house as Margaret does?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48No, I don't. It's just a house.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51She gets too excited about houses. It's just a house!
0:19:51 > 0:19:55To Bill, a house is a house, but I think for a woman, a house is a home
0:19:55 > 0:19:58and I can make this a nice home.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01'After selling their own bungalow a little while ago,
0:20:01 > 0:20:06'Margaret and Bill have been living in rented accommodation and on the look-out for a house,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08'or should that be a home, for some time now.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11'But it doesn't strike me that this is an obvious choice.'
0:20:13 > 0:20:19I've got to be honest, you don't walk into this property and think, "Great house, fantastic layout."
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- It's round the wrong way, for starters. - Yeah. I don't think that at all.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I think, I love where it is, I love the garden,
0:20:26 > 0:20:31I love the location and I know he can turn it around for us.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34So, Bill, what makes you the man to be able to turn this house around?
0:20:34 > 0:20:40Well, I've worked in building all my life. I do plumbing, heating. I know most of the trades.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46I'm not worried. There's nothing daunting about it, it's only going to have a bit stuck on the side.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50So this is bricks and mortar to you. You can turn this into whatever you want.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Yeah. It is, bricks and mortar.
0:20:55 > 0:21:01'With all his years of experience, maybe it's not surprising that Bill just views this as brick and mortar.
0:21:01 > 0:21:07'But I'm intrigued to know what he plans to do to make this pile of bricks more to their liking.'
0:21:07 > 0:21:12Put an extension on the side, put a bigger kitchen on, get rid of that silly little kitchen.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Then go upstairs, put a bedroom with a nice en suite on the side.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19So I'll do a two-storey extension on it.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23And have a little downstairs cloakroom and then just do the place up.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- How much money have you go to spend? - Realistically, we'll go to about £80,000.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32So £80,000 to do your extension and get your extra bedroom and bathroom upstairs.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- I think that's quite a healthy budget.- Alter the back a bit. Or the front.
0:21:36 > 0:21:42- And you'll be getting everything at cost price.- I hope so, yeah. - And good tradesmen on site.- Yeah.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47So are you going to be getting up early every morning, coming onto site, getting your team in place?
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- And are you going to be out there choosing colours, tiles, bathrooms? - Oh, yeah, I'll be directing!
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Tea, coffee, sandwiches, yeah.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58'On top of his full-time plumbing job,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01'Bill will project-manage the work and of course do all the plumbing here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05'They hope to have it all completed in six to nine months.'
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Aren't you supposed to be taking it a little bit easy, enjoying yourselves,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- not taking on a huge project like this?- He will never take it easy. - This is easy!
0:22:13 > 0:22:18He will never take it easy, full stop. We didn't think we'd be doing it still at this age.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- 95, no!- But that's the way it's gone, so we don't really mind.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Any arguments on the way? - Oh, hundreds.- Yeah, loads.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Are you a happily married couple? - Yeah, loads.- Hundreds!
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- But you get over them, don't you? - That's what the caravan's for.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- Cos you know you're going to be out there!- It's somewhere to live!
0:22:37 > 0:22:41I'll pop in there for a couple of nights, I'll be back again, no problem at all.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Guys, it's a big project but I think you are both going really enjoy it
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and I can't wait to see what the outcome is.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- I hope you do live here, Margaret. - I hope so.- I think you want to.- Yep.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- Well done. Lovely to meet you. - Thanks.- Good luck.- Cheers.- Well done.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00# I want a brick house
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Bill thinks of this as brick and mortar, just another house.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06And Margaret wants to make this their home.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09So will they be able to transform this place
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and make it somewhere they are both happy to call their own?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Join us later in the programme and you can find out.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21'Coming up, in Accrington, the sorry state of this house will leave you confused.'
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Here's your kitchen. I say that because it needs quite a bit of imagination at the moment.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31'Was working together on their Sittingbourne home a happy time for Bill and Margaret?'
0:23:31 > 0:23:36Stressful moments when he could've strangled me, there's been moments when I could've strangled him.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43'But first, has Carol and Colin's barn conversion done its bit for the local economy?'
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We're really pleased. We've used all local workmen.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52'Earlier in the programme in the Devon village of Chillington,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55'local farmer Colin and his wife Carol
0:23:55 > 0:24:01'paid £220,000 for this dilapidated stone barn set in one and a third acres.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04'It had planning consent for conversion and extension.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09'Their plan was to convert the barn and move in and make it home.'
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Colin's got responsibility for the overall project
0:24:15 > 0:24:20but my involvement will be the interior design.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- Do you have to reign him in a bit? - I've got all the ideas
0:24:23 > 0:24:26and Carol says, "I'm not sure about that"
0:24:26 > 0:24:32and we have a talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide that I was right.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34That's how we work.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37'Well, it's now 14 months later.
0:24:40 > 0:24:46'The original desolate barn has been converted into a magnificent country house.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52'As you move around the property, the first glimpses of the extension appear
0:24:52 > 0:24:55'but the full impact isn't apparent until you reach the back.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03'Where the stunning oak extension is clearly visible.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'Inside on the ground floor, a beautiful living room
0:25:07 > 0:25:11'enjoys wonderful views across the countryside.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17'There's oak everywhere and the build quality is faultless.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'In the original barn where the cattle once stood...
0:25:30 > 0:25:33'..the conversion has been equally impressive.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36'An exquisite open-plan kitchen/diner has been built.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44'There's beautiful slate flooring and oak beams.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:48The kitchen is much larger than we initially anticipated
0:25:48 > 0:25:51because it was originally two separate rooms.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56But we've taken down a wall which went from the other side of the door across the room,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59recycled all the stone and stone walling externally
0:25:59 > 0:26:03and had a hand-painted kitchen. The only thing that we would add
0:26:03 > 0:26:06is just an island here in the centre
0:26:06 > 0:26:12so that we've just got a little bit more worktop and we can speak to our friends and family while they sit
0:26:12 > 0:26:15in the dining area over there.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27'Upstairs in the original barn, there are now two bedrooms, one at each end.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35'Plus a shared bathroom.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42'Everywhere there are oak timbers and wooden floors.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52'As you step into the new extension, you find the huge master bedroom.'
0:26:52 > 0:26:57To comply with building regs, we actually had to bring the landing through into the bedroom
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and have some form of steps down into the bedroom.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05But I think it's turned out to be a really nice, unique feature of the room now
0:27:05 > 0:27:10so I'm really pleased with it. There's a nice big area here for the bedroom.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15We don't need a lot of furniture because through there we've got a dressing room
0:27:15 > 0:27:20and then we've got our own bathroom, shower room and en suite to the side, and well.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26'Before any building work could start, the surrounding land had to be prepared,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29'so Colin roped in the family.'
0:27:29 > 0:27:34Me and my son-in-law, we started doing the roadway and clearing the fields.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37My brother, Philip, he came to help with foundations.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41And then the chippies came in and started to put the roofs on.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44We're really, really pleased. We've used all local workmen
0:27:44 > 0:27:48and we've used the different skills. We're not builders ourselves.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Colin has managed the whole project.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56'The oak timbers were sourced from Europe but a local mill, about five miles away,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59cut the timber and it was assembled on site.
0:27:59 > 0:28:05I just can't believe what we've actually done here thanks to all the men, really.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09And when it comes to the workmanship, they're in a league of their own.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13'Apart from the house, a separate garage has also been built,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15'blending perfectly with the former barn.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20'Originally they didn't plan to use oak in every room,
0:28:20 > 0:28:27'but having decided to make it a feature, what effect did it have on their budget of £120,000.'
0:28:27 > 0:28:30It cost around £165,000 in the end
0:28:30 > 0:28:35and that's with all the legal fees, the architect fees, all the fees included.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39'Well, an overspend, but on this project, you can clearly see where the money's gone
0:28:39 > 0:28:42'and I think they made the right decision.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45'Do they still intend to make this their home?'
0:28:45 > 0:28:49The plan is that we'll move in ourselves within the next month.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52There's just a few more jobs that we'd like to finish.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56'Time to see what two local property experts think of the barn conversion
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'with its superb extension and lovely views.'
0:29:00 > 0:29:05I'm very, very impressed. They've used a lot of very nice materials
0:29:05 > 0:29:09in terms of the light oak. They've created a very light feel.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12I particularly like the rounded reveals on the render, actually.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15It's really good attention to detail.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Personally, I like a house that flows,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20rather than doors you've got to keep opening and hallways
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and here you've got the kitchen and the breakfast/dining area
0:29:23 > 0:29:28and then it flows into the living room where I don't think I'd bother turning the telly on,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- I'd just want to look out of the windows.- The land is a big bonus,
0:29:32 > 0:29:37bearing in mind that the main accommodation looks out onto the land, it's a great amenity.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41There's an obvious level of quality of work and materials.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43But when you look at the little stuff,
0:29:43 > 0:29:47they've really thought about this and done just an amazing job.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52'What's the value of the property now? Remember, Colin and Carol paid 220 grand at the auction
0:29:52 > 0:29:55'and have spent £165,000 on it,
0:29:55 > 0:30:00'making a grand total of £385,000.'
0:30:00 > 0:30:08If we had to put this up for sale, I would be talking about an asking price of £575,000.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12The house and its grounds and its land is worth over half a million pounds.
0:30:12 > 0:30:19I'd probably ask £595,000 and then negotiate hard to get as close as I could to that.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22'Wow! That valuation range could give Carol and Colin
0:30:22 > 0:30:27'a staggering pre-tax profit of somewhere around the £200,000 mark.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30'Is that what they were hoping for?'
0:30:30 > 0:30:33It's roughly what I would've thought it would've been.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- I didn't expect it to be any less than that.- No.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40I think, after a couple of years of growth in the gardens,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43it will be worth all of that.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47'Would they contemplate taking the profit, or after all their hard work,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50'is this property just too nice to leave?'
0:30:51 > 0:30:55No, we're not tempted to sell. We're going to make this our home.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00We feel it's unique and it would be difficult to get another barn to convert with land surrounding it.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03I wouldn't change anything about it at all.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07It would be done exactly as it's done if I had to do it again.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16'I'm in the Lancashire town of Accrington now on the western edge of the Pennines,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19'20 miles north of Manchester.'
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Famous probably for, amongst other things, Accrington Stanley Football Club,
0:31:23 > 0:31:30but more importantly, as the centre of the mill industry in the north in the 1800s.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35And a lot of character still remains.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40'Accrington may no longer be the centre of the material world,
0:31:40 > 0:31:45'but judging by the catalogue's description of this property, it's anything but run of the mill.'
0:31:45 > 0:31:49A lot of the social and industrial history of the area
0:31:49 > 0:31:52permeated through to the housing stock.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56Your basic factory workers would've lived in your two-up, two down terraces
0:31:56 > 0:32:00and your middle management of the time, I suppose your factory foremen,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02would've lived in the kind of house I'm here to see.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Built in 1843, three-bedroom mid-terrace,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09had a guide price of £55,000 to £60,000. Let's take a look.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14# Got brass
0:32:14 > 0:32:16# In pocket
0:32:16 > 0:32:20'This sort of house was for someone who had a bit of brass in their pocket
0:32:20 > 0:32:23'and could afford something a little more imposing.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26'From the outside at least, it doesn't disappoint.'
0:32:28 > 0:32:31So, great anticipation as you walk through the front door.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34And straight away you're not disappointed.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39It's in a bit of a state but we've got a really grand entrance here,
0:32:39 > 0:32:44nice corridor, and look at some of these features. Love that archway. Get that cleaned up.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48Front sitting room there. Again, pretty shoddy state
0:32:48 > 0:32:52but you could do great things with that. Some original features still there.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Liking it to start off with.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Through to your second rear sitting room, I suppose.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02Again, high ceilings. Look at that ceiling rose. Absolutely beautiful.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08This is a classic case of what on those properties there you've got to see through the state that it's in,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11which to be fair, isn't that brilliant.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15But see through that to what it could be. You know what? It's brilliant.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Right at the rear of the property, you've got what I guess is your kitchen.
0:33:20 > 0:33:25I say that cos you need quite a bit of imagination at the moment. But it's not a bad size space.
0:33:25 > 0:33:31A little area that you could have as a utility room, lots of light through this unusual window area.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34It's obviously going to need completely gutting and sorting out.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38But look. One thing you don't have to replace is the cooker! It's perfect.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40# I like the way you cook
0:33:40 > 0:33:44# The whole production and how you serve it up
0:33:44 > 0:33:46# The whole seduction...
0:33:46 > 0:33:50'Oh, dear. This really is in a sorry state.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54'There's damp all over the place and the house is beginning to rot.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57'As far as the kitchen's concerned,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00'it needs to be completely stripped back and started again.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02'There's really very little worth saving.
0:34:02 > 0:34:08'But the rest of the downstairs is more encouraging, with some fantastic plasterwork on the ceiling
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'and those old ceiling roses.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15'There are some stunning features hidden beneath the grime and decay.'
0:34:15 > 0:34:19So, upstairs and there's a real great feeling of space,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21really high ceilings even up here on the first floor.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26And a bathroom. That's great to see. Lots of room in there.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31Clearly, again, total refurbishment required, but at least you've got the space to do it.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34One thing you'll have to sort out straight away in this banister.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39It's way dangerous, especially if you've got children, they could topple over there.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42So that needs to be sorted out straight away.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46Stairs, well, a temporary ladder up to the loft. I wonder if you could go up there.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50At the moment, it is only three bedrooms. Not a bad size.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54But I reckon there could be scope to extend upwards.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Let's have a look at the bedroom.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06'This really is quite an intriguing house and still potentially a great one.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10'The three bedrooms and that enormous bathroom mean this is a good size property.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15'The outside space is a bit disappointing with just a small yard at the back.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19'But at what was a guide price of £55,000 to £60,000,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'I reckon this has potential to be a successful development purchase.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26'What does the auctioneer who sold it think?'
0:35:27 > 0:35:30It needs a full overhaul. I think I'd start at the top and work down.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33The roof needs checking. It's been so long since
0:35:33 > 0:35:35it's had anything done to it.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40It needs a damp-proof course, electrics, central heating. It needs ripping out and starting again.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45'Clearly there's an enormous amount of work to be done on the house.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47'Its location is good and it's got three bedrooms.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51'So once done up, how would it fair if rented out?'
0:35:51 > 0:35:55I think probably, for rental, about £500 per calendar month.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'And if it was sold on?'
0:35:58 > 0:36:04I think once the property is renovated, we're probably looking at a value of £110,000 to £115,000.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10Well, it may be in a bit of a state now, but in its day, this would've been a really grand house
0:36:10 > 0:36:14and I think, spend a bit of money on it and you could get it back into its glory days.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Lot 135. 40,000 anywhere?
0:36:24 > 0:36:2740 I've got there. 45 we're looking for.
0:36:27 > 0:36:2945. 45 I've got there.
0:36:29 > 0:36:3350 now we're looking for. 50 off you, sir, far right.
0:36:33 > 0:36:3655 we're looking for. I've got it.
0:36:36 > 0:36:3860? Is that 60, sir?
0:36:38 > 0:36:40It is. 60,000. 65, then.
0:36:40 > 0:36:4265 I've got. 70.
0:36:43 > 0:36:4670 I've got there. There was several hands I noticed go up.
0:36:46 > 0:36:4970,000 I've got. 75 we're looking for.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I'll take 2 if it helps anybody. Does that help?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54New bidder, 72, striped T-shirt.
0:36:54 > 0:36:5672 I've got, then. 74 we're looking for.
0:36:56 > 0:37:0074. New bidder here, 74 I've got. 76?
0:37:01 > 0:37:0476 back on my right. 78,000.
0:37:04 > 0:37:0678 I've got. 80 we're looking for.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08I'll take one if it helps anybody.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12One, it does help. That's 79. 80 then I've got, straight up.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15New bidder there. 80 I've got. 81 we're looking for.
0:37:15 > 0:37:1781 there on my left.
0:37:17 > 0:37:1982 then. 83.
0:37:19 > 0:37:2283. 84. 85.
0:37:22 > 0:37:2485 I've got. 86.
0:37:24 > 0:37:2786 I've got. 87, then.
0:37:27 > 0:37:3087,000 we've got there. 88.
0:37:30 > 0:37:3389. 89 we've got. 90.
0:37:33 > 0:37:3891. No. Back with the gentleman right at the back in the blue T-shirt, 90,000.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Are we all done at 90,000, then? First time at 90,000.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Second time at 90,000. Third and final time.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- HAMMER BANGS - Paddle number 567. It's with you, sir.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53'The successful bidder at £90,000 was Francis.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59'He owns a number of commercial and rental properties.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02'Along with his eldest daughter, Alyssa,
0:38:02 > 0:38:06'he joined me back at the Accrington house to explain the plans for this one.'
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Francis, Alyssa, lovely to meet you both.
0:38:12 > 0:38:17- Nice to meet you.- Congratulations. - Thank you.- Tell me the story behind you buying this house.
0:38:17 > 0:38:23Well, we've been involved in buying an odd one or two properties over a short while now that we've renovated.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27This is a little different because Alyssa lives in Accrington
0:38:27 > 0:38:32and her and her sister are going to move into it, so this is one to keep rather renovate and sell or let.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Oh, great. So were you involved in the decision process to buy this?
0:38:35 > 0:38:41In the area, yeah. It's the better area, I think, in town. So, yeah.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- What was it about this house that you liked?- Character.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49It's oozing character. I know it's hard to see now but the features,
0:38:49 > 0:38:54- the bathroom, things like that, brilliant.- Is this going to be your house to live in? Do you own it?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57How does the financial thing work out?
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Actually... I've paid for it.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02THEY LAUGH It's in my other daughter's name at the moment.
0:39:02 > 0:39:07- It'll probably finish up in both of their names and then they'll live here.- Are you going to give them it?
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Yeah, ultimately they'll have the house. The other houses I've funded.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15But I'm expecting a refund of the purchase when they sell or rent them.
0:39:15 > 0:39:21'The plan for the property is that his daughters, Alyssa and Olivia, will live there with their mother.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25'Dad Francis used to run a gas company which he sold off.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30'He's now semi-retired and lives off the income from his investment property portfolio
0:39:30 > 0:39:33'so he's in the fortunate position of being able to help them out.
0:39:33 > 0:39:39'Eldest daughter Alyssa certainly has a clear vision of how she wants her new home to look.'
0:39:39 > 0:39:44I want to keep some of the old features, definitely, but then completely modernise it, as well.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- I want to get a big roll-top bath in the bathroom. - The bathroom's fantastic.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51It's huge, yeah. Proper pamper room.
0:39:51 > 0:39:56And then downstairs, new kitchen, but I still would like a bit of a 60s feel,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- so I want to go right through it. - Right.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02And how much involvement in the design are you going to have?
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Hopefully all of it, really. Yeah, I want to choose pretty much everything in it.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11'Well, it's all very well having grand plans for this former grand property
0:40:11 > 0:40:17'but there's a fair amount of work to be done before any of Alyssa's plans come to fruition.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21'It's also going to cost a few grand to put it right, as well, I would think.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26- Talk me through exactly what you're going to do.- To start with, we'll to strip the room,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29get all the rubbish out and get all the paper off the walls.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31In the damp area which is more towards the back,
0:40:31 > 0:40:35we're going to knock all the plaster off back to brickwork,
0:40:35 > 0:40:37damp-proof the back, new kitchen,
0:40:37 > 0:40:42new bathroom, as she's described, new central heating
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and decorations right through and keep all the original features
0:40:45 > 0:40:50and look to source some others to put in to make it look how it would've done in years past.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53And an idea of how much you're going to spend?
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Erm, I think we'll be lucky to get out of this for less than £15,000 to £20,000.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01'Francis not only bought this house but will fund the renovation.
0:41:01 > 0:41:07'In addition, he'll project manage and will no doubt get involved in some of the finishing-off tasks.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09'With a planned timescale of two to three months,
0:41:09 > 0:41:13'how much practical involvement will he get from his two daughters?'
0:41:13 > 0:41:15# Here come the girls
0:41:15 > 0:41:20You're moving in with your sister. Are you going to split the workload?
0:41:20 > 0:41:25- Erm, she's more into stripping walls and things like that.- Are you sure?
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- Yes.- Would she say that if she was here?- Yes.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Yeah, she's quite hands-on. She'll mix the plaster.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34- Right.- She's keen.- And you?- No.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37I'll come in when it's nearly finished
0:41:37 > 0:41:40to do the painting, boss people around.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44- Wouldn't you get your hands dirty and do stuff?- Yeah, eventually.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49- It's just now that it's a bit too much for me at the moment. But I will do, definitely.- Great.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- Congratulations.- Thank you. - Good luck with it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- We look forward to seeing what you do to it.- Thanks.- Thank you.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59It's great to hear that Francis and Alyssa
0:41:59 > 0:42:03both want to keep the wonderful features that this old house has.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06However, it hasn't really been touched for a long time,
0:42:06 > 0:42:10so what are they going to uncover when they start the renovation process?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13You can find out by joining us later in the show.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20It's time to find out how those property purchases have progressed.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25- Has it been an uphill struggle or a walk in the park? - Let's go back and find out.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31'Back now to Sittingbourne in North Kent where married couple Bill and Margaret
0:42:31 > 0:42:36'bought this three-bed detached house for £220,000.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39'It was fairly unexciting to look at
0:42:39 > 0:42:46'and the inside didn't get the pulse racing, either. But Margaret was already getting rather attached.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49'As their family live in the area, she could see a future here.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52'Bill wasn't convinced, though.'
0:42:52 > 0:42:56- Do you feel the same way about this house as Margaret?- No, I don't.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01It's just a house. She gets too excited about houses. It's just a house.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03To Bill, a house is a house.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08But I think for a woman, a house is a home and I can make this a nice home.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12'Margaret was hoping that once the work was done, Bill would fall for the place.
0:43:12 > 0:43:19'The plan was to build a two-storey extension at the side and fix the layout which was back to front.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24'11 months later we're back to see not only if this house was turned round
0:43:24 > 0:43:28'but also whether Bill had a turnaround on how he felt about it.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35'And right away, from the outside we can see
0:43:35 > 0:43:42'a fantastic new extension and a whole new frontage has really added some kerb appeal to this place.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45'The extension houses a new garage.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51'And upstairs there's a new master bedroom with an en suite.
0:43:55 > 0:44:00'From the back garden, that makeover looks just as successful.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06'Inside, the new kitchen really does catch the eye.
0:44:17 > 0:44:23'Bill and Margaret have really transformed this from a rather drab, unremarkable 70s-style house
0:44:23 > 0:44:26'into a stylish and modern home.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29'But how did they literally turn this place around?'
0:44:31 > 0:44:36What is now the front of the house was the back of the house. That was the back garden.
0:44:36 > 0:44:41And now what is the back of the house was the front with the front door, so we took the front door off,
0:44:41 > 0:44:45took the patio windows out and just moved it round.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48So now the back of the house is the front of the house.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53'Well, let's face it, that does make sense.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57'Bill and Margaret were sensible about the original house,
0:44:57 > 0:45:02'keeping the living room but giving it a makeover to make it look fresh and neutral.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05'It looks like it's now all ready for the sales market.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09'But it seems like Margaret may have finally got her own way.'
0:45:09 > 0:45:13It feels like home cos it's nice and bright, which I like,
0:45:13 > 0:45:16and I've spent a lot of time down here
0:45:16 > 0:45:21and the more I came down, the more I thought, "No, I don't want to sell it, we're going to stay here."
0:45:21 > 0:45:24'Well, in fact, Margaret has indeed won the argument here.
0:45:24 > 0:45:29'Like the downstairs living room, the original upstairs bedrooms have retained their shape
0:45:29 > 0:45:36'but they've been completely overhauled with fresh decoration and new central heating and wiring.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43'Bill and Margaret are moving in pretty soon.
0:45:43 > 0:45:48'Having the family nearby was always a big factor in choosing this house
0:45:48 > 0:45:52'and granddaughter Lace is impressed by what her grandparents have achieved here.'
0:45:53 > 0:45:56It was just awful. It was so tiny.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00You wouldn't have thought it would look like this now compared to the start.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03And I thought it would've taken a bit longer than it has
0:46:03 > 0:46:07but I think they've done it quite quick, actually, considering what it was like.
0:46:08 > 0:46:14'In fact, building that extension and renovating the old property took nine months.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18'But I'm sure that Bill and Margaret got on like a house on fire!'
0:46:18 > 0:46:21Most of the time, it's been fine.
0:46:21 > 0:46:26Erm, there's been stressful moments when I'm sure he could've strangled me.
0:46:26 > 0:46:31There's been moments when I could've strangled him. But most of the time, we work well together.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35- I'll take the Fifth Amendment. - HE LAUGHS
0:46:35 > 0:46:37Excellent.
0:46:39 > 0:46:45'Bill, being a plumber by trade, installed all the new central heating throughout
0:46:45 > 0:46:48'while his grandson-in-law Luke did the brickwork.
0:46:48 > 0:46:54'His contacts in the trade did most of the building work. So how did the £80,000 budget bear up?'
0:46:54 > 0:46:57We've done about 68, I suppose.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00So we're under-budget, really.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03'With the house costing the couple £220,000,
0:47:03 > 0:47:07'their total spend would now add up to 288 grand.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13'Surely with that sort of outlay, Bill must now find something to love about his new home.'
0:47:14 > 0:47:19It's a house. It's somewhere to come home to, somewhere to live, that's all.
0:47:19 > 0:47:24It's a house. They're all houses. You can't love a house, can you?
0:47:27 > 0:47:31'Well, Bill finds it difficult to love this house
0:47:31 > 0:47:35'but let's see if two local estate agents feel any passion for it.'
0:47:37 > 0:47:41I think the property's been extended and converted to a really high standard.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45They've really paid attention to detail, especially with the kitchen.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48And adding a garage is a great idea.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52It's an amazing property. They've obviously extended it,
0:47:52 > 0:47:56they've done a fantastic job, great position, great location,
0:47:56 > 0:47:59a very, very desirable property.
0:47:59 > 0:48:04Very good finish. I mean, you can see everything in it has been fitted
0:48:04 > 0:48:06and done to a very, very high standard.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09I mean, it's absolutely immaculate. It's absolutely beautiful.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14'Both estate agents give the house a big thumbs up.
0:48:14 > 0:48:21'But was it money well spent? Remember, Bill and Margaret invested £288,000 building their new home.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24'So what could a resale fetch?'
0:48:24 > 0:48:28I would put this property on the market for £320,000.
0:48:28 > 0:48:34Sale price would be probably between £330,000 and £350,000.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38- Yes, that seems pretty fair.- We were thinking something like that.- Yeah.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43330, 335. But at the moment, we're not thinking of selling it.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47- I am!- You're not. - THEY LAUGH
0:48:47 > 0:48:54'That top resale value would give the couple a possible pre-tax profit of £62,000.
0:48:54 > 0:49:00'That must be something Bill could fall in love with! But for now, this will be a home for the couple
0:49:00 > 0:49:05'and there are many reasons why Margaret's not planning to sell it.'
0:49:06 > 0:49:10I just like it so much. I like the south-facing garden,
0:49:10 > 0:49:12I like what Bill's done.
0:49:12 > 0:49:18Him and Luke have worked very, very hard on it and I just don't want to up and leave it now.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21It's near the family, it's just everything I want.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25So what's your excuse for not selling it?
0:49:25 > 0:49:28I haven't got one now, have I? THEY LAUGH
0:49:32 > 0:49:34'In the Lancashire town of Accrington,
0:49:34 > 0:49:38'we came across what would've been a very grand house in its day.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42'But sadly its outward appearance was not reflected on the inside.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45'This place was in a very sorry state of repair.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49'But despite the crumbling walls and dilapidated condition,
0:49:49 > 0:49:53'it was bought for £90,000 by local man Francis.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57'Along with his daughter Alyssa, they had grand plans for it.'
0:49:57 > 0:50:02We've been involved in buying one or two properties over a short while now that we've renovated.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05This is a little different because Alyssa lives in Accrington
0:50:05 > 0:50:11and her and her sister are going to move into it, so this is one to keep rather than renovate and sell or let.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15'Francis used to own a gas company that he sold on a number of years ago.
0:50:15 > 0:50:21'He's since developed a number of properties and has also worked as a building site manager.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23'So, armed with a £15,000 budget,
0:50:23 > 0:50:27'he hoped he had the experience and know-how to bring the house up to scratch
0:50:27 > 0:50:33'to make a home for his daughters, Alyssa and Olivia, and their mother to live in.
0:50:33 > 0:50:38'Five months on, we're back. Alyssa's hair may have changed from last time we met her,
0:50:38 > 0:50:41'but has the house undergone a transformation?
0:50:41 > 0:50:47'Well, with new windows and doors, there's a crisp and cleaner look to the outside.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51'But it was the inside that really needed more than a short back and sides.
0:50:58 > 0:51:04'Well, it certainly doesn't disappoint. The house has been brought bang up to date,
0:51:04 > 0:51:10'a sympathetic mix of old and modern, adapting the materials where necessary to fit their surroundings.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14'So, Francis has married new materials into the old structure,
0:51:14 > 0:51:20'with modern double-glazed windows blending in with traditional panelling and architraving.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23'Remember that terrible kitchen?
0:51:25 > 0:51:28'Well, that's now been consigned to the past.
0:51:28 > 0:51:34'It's now fully-fitted and contemporary, complete with French doors to the back yard.'
0:51:34 > 0:51:37Yeah, the French doors were quite a substantial bit of work for us.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41Previously they were a very old bay window that was dilapidated and falling down.
0:51:41 > 0:51:47So we took that out, supported the wall and installed the doors. It's quite good now.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54'And the sleek refurbishment continues upstairs
0:51:54 > 0:51:59'with a master bedroom now incorporating an en suite bathroom.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08'The other two bedrooms are completely ready to move into.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15'And did Alyssa get her dream bathroom?
0:52:15 > 0:52:17'Well, what do you think?'
0:52:20 > 0:52:25OK, a lot of the bathroom suite is mix and match.
0:52:25 > 0:52:30It was just generally shopping around and looking at a load of different bathroom suites.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33For instance, the taps didn't come with the bath,
0:52:33 > 0:52:37so I ordered them separately, just to make it how exactly I wanted it.
0:52:38 > 0:52:44'Well, Alyssa may now have got her bespoke bathroom but it was an enormous task to get to this stage.
0:52:44 > 0:52:51'To start with, it took Francis four to five weeks and five skip-fulls just to clear the house
0:52:51 > 0:52:54'before any of the renovation work could begin.
0:52:55 > 0:53:02'Even though it's five months since we've been back, the bulk of the work was done in just ten weeks.'
0:53:02 > 0:53:06Well, I made a lot of the arrangements for the hands-on physical stuff,
0:53:06 > 0:53:11the clearing of the place and so on, and then my daughter helped with the attentive bits,
0:53:11 > 0:53:18the colours and so on, carpet choice and a little bit of painting after we'd finished.
0:53:18 > 0:53:24It's brilliant. Obviously, I'll be sharing it with my sister and my mum at the moment,
0:53:24 > 0:53:28but cos I've done it to how I like, it's just...
0:53:28 > 0:53:31I know I'm really lucky.
0:53:31 > 0:53:36'Alyssa, her sister and mother hope to move in in around a week's time.
0:53:36 > 0:53:41'With this house destined for his daughters, Francis acted as a project manager
0:53:41 > 0:53:45'with Alyssa in effect being the client. So, how did that work?'
0:53:45 > 0:53:51Yeah, it's been great. It's brought us together a little bit more. We've seen a lot more of each other.
0:53:51 > 0:53:56But at times, we have had our arguments. But, yeah, we're closer than ever now.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05# My girl
0:54:05 > 0:54:10'One area there was no disagreement about was the desire to keep or reinstate
0:54:10 > 0:54:12'as many character features as possible.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14'Not necessarily the cheapest approach,
0:54:14 > 0:54:20'it was always likely to stretch Francis's proposed £15,000 budget.'
0:54:20 > 0:54:25We've gone a little over that. We're probably over £20,000, maybe even £22,000 now.
0:54:25 > 0:54:30Predominantly, that's because some of the fixtures and fittings we put in were of a better standard
0:54:30 > 0:54:36than the cheaper-end stuff, so that's why we've bust the budget a little, but my daughter encouraged that.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40'A £22,000 budget on top of the £90,000 purchase price
0:54:40 > 0:54:44'plus costs and fees will take Francis's total outlay here
0:54:44 > 0:54:47'to around £115,000.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51'So, has he made a wise investment choice for his daughters?
0:54:51 > 0:54:53'What do two local estate agents think?'
0:54:56 > 0:54:59I think it's absolutely superb and the amount of work
0:54:59 > 0:55:02that's been put into it is absolutely excellent.
0:55:02 > 0:55:08I like the fact that they've actually put a lot of traditional character back into the property
0:55:08 > 0:55:11but kept it modern for today's requirements.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18The property's done to a fantastic standard.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20It's fantastic that they've kept original features
0:55:20 > 0:55:23like the windows, which are in keeping with the building,
0:55:23 > 0:55:25and the coving. It's a very good finish.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29'Does that good finish equate to good returns?
0:55:29 > 0:55:33'How, for instance, would the house fare on the rental market?'
0:55:34 > 0:55:38We could rent this house out for £600 per calendar month.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42I'd be able to rent this out for £575 per calendar month.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45Yeah, I think that's probably a fair rental in this area.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49But I think Alyssa would be most distressed if I rented it out now.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Yeah.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55'Yes, Alyssa may not be ready to rent it out quite yet.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59'But has dad invested around £115,000 wisely
0:55:59 > 0:56:02'on her and her sister's behalf?'
0:56:02 > 0:56:06In the current market, we'd be able to sell this property on at around £140,000.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10I'd be able to market this property for £140,000.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12Yeah, quite chuffed about that.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16That's what we expected. But obviously we're going to keep hold of it
0:56:16 > 0:56:21and if the time comes, it won't be for a couple of years yet, to sell.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24'With a potential pre-tax profit of £25,000,
0:56:24 > 0:56:29'not only has Alyssa got her first new home, but thanks to dad,
0:56:29 > 0:56:32'she's also starting out on a firm financial footing.'
0:56:33 > 0:56:38I'm just glad that I've been able to help them out to get their foot on the housing market ladder.
0:56:38 > 0:56:45Yeah, I mean, I know I'm really, really lucky to get this helping hand
0:56:45 > 0:56:52and I'd be really struggling for years to come if I didn't have my dad to help me out.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58Well, we hope you've found our advice useful and our ideas inspiring,
0:56:58 > 0:57:03- even in today's economic climate. - So from Martin and I, we'll see you next time.- Goodbye.- Goodbye.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:10 > 0:57:14E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk