0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello. Despite slightly confused market conditions,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07people still want to grab a slice of the property action.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09And if you ARE prepared to take the plunge,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11auctions are a great place to start.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It can be fast, it can be frantic
0:00:13 > 0:00:16but it's interesting to buy your home under the hammer.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Now this show isn't just about bricks and mortar.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It's about real people with real stories to tell
0:00:49 > 0:00:51and we never know how things are going to turn out.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Is it a dream, is it a nightmare?
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Stay with us as we follow more lots which sold at auction.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01In Stratford, East London,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04the third bedroom in this flat is just a bit on the tight side.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Look, I can touch either side.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10In the north-east near Gateshead,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14this semi-detached house appears to have a pressing problem.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16I've just noticed this on the carpet.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Somebody having a bad day with an iron.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23And in Gravesend, Kent, this terraced house needs some loving.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Does the shed need a haircut?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Is it a thatched roof or even a bird's nest?
0:01:30 > 0:01:32All these properties have been sold at auction
0:01:32 > 0:01:34and we'll find out who bought them
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- and what they paid for them when they went under the hammer.- Sold.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47This is Stratford in East London,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50home to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Stadium,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53and now an area with thousands of new homes,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57fabulous transport links and a mega shopping centre.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58In fact,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01it sort of has a feeling of a new town rather than an old one.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Well, if you were after urban, you will be happy with this location.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Railway line just over that wall, busy road in between,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and Stratford itself only 15 minutes that way.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Now it's undoubtedly going to be noisy at times but, hey,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19you'll know that before you even walk in the door.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22The property itself is this, it's a first-floor three-bedroom flat
0:02:22 > 0:02:26and it had a guide price of £140,000.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30For a three-bed flat, that's pretty good going,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34especially when you consider that two-bedders around here achieve that easily,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36or in some cases, even more.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Well, what a nice surprise, loads of space up here.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43You've got three rooms to the front of the property,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46this nice little corridor, and then at the back
0:02:46 > 0:02:48I'm presuming this is a reception room.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50What have we got through here? A little bathroom.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53A bit disappointing, a bit on the small side.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57But it's nice and quiet, nice big window as well.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00And then right at the back, you've got the kitchen.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Now this certainly needs some redesigning.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06I would get rid of all these units along here.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10I don't usually like a sink under a window that cuts the window in half
0:03:10 > 0:03:12but in this instance, I think it would work.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15You only really need a little bank of units along here
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and then you could redesign it in such a way
0:03:17 > 0:03:18that you've got a lot more space.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20What have we got here? Oh!
0:03:20 > 0:03:23A bonus room. Everybody likes to see this.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Now, that gets me a bit excited
0:03:25 > 0:03:29because potentially you could think about opening this space up
0:03:29 > 0:03:33and having a much nicer kitchen, a little utility area.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35You could even think about going through into there.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39So what you thought was a very pokey, small reception room
0:03:39 > 0:03:43has now turned into a nice, big kitchen, dining, entertaining space.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I love it when what you thought was a cupboard door turns out to be
0:03:47 > 0:03:50a whole extra room that suddenly offers you options
0:03:50 > 0:03:52for altering the layout.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55This surprise room also has some stairs
0:03:55 > 0:03:57which leads down to a small garden at the rear.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Though with the garden door locked at present,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I best content myself with a sneaky peek out of the window.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08The three front bedrooms all seem to have a fair bit of wear and tear
0:04:08 > 0:04:11while one of the larger rooms looks like it's got a damp problem.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15But all in all, despite its shabby look, this would be ideal
0:04:15 > 0:04:18for a small family or three young professional sharers.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22They'd have to draw straws to see who ends up with this room, though.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27Now this is a teeny-weeny third bedroom by anyone's standards.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31A single bed measures three foot by six foot-ish,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and if you think your armspan is the same as your height, well,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39I'm five foot five and, look, I can touch either side.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42You will NOT get a bed in here.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46I reckon this is a study or a cot room at best.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And you would struggle to rent this out to a separate individual.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Hmm, I'd say it's more of a two-and-a-half than a three-bedder.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56So, the solution...
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Well, you could reconfigure the layout, have the living room
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and the kitchen at the front
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and turn the rear rooms into two decent-sized bedrooms.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Or you could think bigger.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11I've been told that the loft space comes with this flat, ie,
0:05:11 > 0:05:16it is included in the deeds and you own the roof and the space above.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Great if that IS the case, although I would check thoroughly
0:05:20 > 0:05:24as some vendors have been known to assume they own it
0:05:24 > 0:05:26just because it's only them who have access.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31But if you do, there's a clear opportunity to extend up there,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35make this a proper three-bedroom and increase the value.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38The lease has just over 80 years to run,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41so that's not a worry for the moment, but you would need to find
0:05:41 > 0:05:44out from the freeholder if you would be allowed to make major changes.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50If you could, there's a good opportunity to make this flat something very desirable indeed.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51# Just move on up
0:05:53 > 0:05:55# Move on up... #
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Loft conversions, of course, well, they don't come cheap,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01so would it be worth splashing the cash on this one?
0:06:01 > 0:06:06A local estate agent came along to give us his opinion.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08First impression, very spacious.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Three bedrooms, two good-sized doubles, a small boxroom.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17We don't get many three-bedroom flats coming up available in this area,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20and I think this particular property has got a lot of potential.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21No doubt about that.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25But, realistically, can you call this a three-bed flat?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27You can class it as three-bed because it has its own window,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31but, realistically, it's two-bedroom plus a study.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35So, with that £140,000 guide price,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37what sort of returns could the flat make?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39If it was fully renovated,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43I'd personally value it between £200,000 to £205,000.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48The agent also reckons that rental returns of £1,300 to £1,350
0:06:48 > 0:06:50per calendar month are possible,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54but how much value could a loft conversion add to this property?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58If it was just a loft extension with a loft room, with an en suite,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01potentially around ten, 15,000.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Whereas if it was a dormer, which will cost a bit more money,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06you can potentially add another 25,000.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- And the rentals?- Per calendar month, with an extra bedroom,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12you're looking at around another £300 extra.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17A reasonably priced flat in an affordable area
0:07:17 > 0:07:19with heaps of scope to improve.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Let's see who went for it at the auction.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Lot 89. Inviting bids on this.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29170 anywhere?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32If not, you tell me.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Thank you. 150 I've got.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36151 anywhere?
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Thank you, 151. 152, 153,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42154, 155,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46156, 157,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48158, 159.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50More competition. 159.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54160, 161, 162,
0:07:54 > 0:07:59163, 164, 165.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03One more? Round it off, 166?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05£165,000.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Anybody else? If not, 165 for the first.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12165 for the second.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15165 for the third and final time... All done?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- GAVEL BANGS - Sold, 165. Well done.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23And the successful bidders were married couple Yili and Joanna.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Joanna is from Lithuania while her husband Yili is Albanian.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Together, they help run a restaurant and Yili's building company.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I met them back at the flat to find out exactly what
0:08:34 > 0:08:36they had planned to serve up with this property.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Guys, congratulations. Lovely to meet you today.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41How much did you want this flat, Joanna?
0:08:41 > 0:08:46We had a few properties in mind and this one was one of our favourites.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48So we came to see it twice,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51which was the only property that we went to see twice.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53So, we went for it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56So, Yili, when the hammer went down - chakoom! -
0:08:56 > 0:08:58and it was yours, what were you doing?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Well, before that, I was really stressed.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05We were going for another property, and I was kind of... I wasn't sure.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08And with this one, we got it. I was just over the moon. Very happy.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11So what is it about the flat that you like so much? Tell me.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I mean, first, it's the location, second, it's the size.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Third is the roof, which is massive, like, a really good height,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23which you can convert into a loft conversion. And that's it.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Interestingly, you spotted the potential straightaway,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30which would be to go up into the loft. But my next question, guys -
0:09:30 > 0:09:33do you know that you own the loft space, have you checked it out?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35We did. We've checked.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Well, we checked with the neighbour, we've checked with a solicitor,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42and they said it belongs to us, so, hopefully, it's all good.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Keep checking. You need to check the deeds, you need to make sure.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Are you that confident? - Well, I am, because she wants...
0:09:48 > 0:09:52The lady downstairs who owns the property, she doesn't want nothing to do anyway,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56so even if it doesn't belong to us, I think it will be easy to sort it out.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58OK, so you're not 100% sure.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Now, Joanna, you've just let the cat out of the bag there.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Do you think that you've not exhausted it enough?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Maybe you need to do a bit more research?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Well, yeah. We like the property without the loft.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14The loft conversion is a benefit. But, yeah, the lady downstairs,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17she doesn't want to do anything to the loft because...
0:10:17 > 0:10:20She... She checked it anyway. She checked as well, herself.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24It has got some problems and she's saying, "It's yours. I don't want... I don't want to deal with it."
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- Still, you need to check.- But still, the papers are not checked yet.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Yili, tell me what you do. - I'm a builder.- Yeah.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- I've got a building company, a loft conversion company.- I love it!
0:10:35 > 0:10:37You've got a loft conversion company!
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I hope you can do the loft. Why wouldn't you want to do that?
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Ah, now it all makes sense.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- # You were made for me - You were made for me
0:10:46 > 0:10:50# Everybody tells me so
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- # You were made for me - You were made for me
0:10:53 > 0:10:55# Don't pretend that you don't know... #
0:10:55 > 0:10:59This savvy pair have their fingers in several pies.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Not only do they help run the restaurant with family members,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05they also own some rental properties. But it's Yili's
0:11:05 > 0:11:08loft conversion company, which Joanna also helps run,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11that improves the prospects for this loft,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13provided they sort out ownership.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16What about any structural work down here?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18You've got a kitchen that doesn't really work very well,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20little, odd utility room.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23How are you going to make the best of the space at the back?
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Well, I've looked at the chimney.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It seems not to be doing anything at the moment.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I have to check with the people downstairs as well, but I think that
0:11:30 > 0:11:35we can possibly remove it all off and just have an open space there.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Wow, THAT is going to be fantastic,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40because this isn't the biggest of rooms.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42If you could open it up, it will be fantastic.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43And what about the front rooms?
0:11:43 > 0:11:46The layout is going to stay as it is, isn't it?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I think, yeah, the front rooms, basically,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52rewiring has got to be done. And some of the plumbing bits.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55But in terms of opening them up, I'm not sure we're going to do that.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Probably keep it the way it is.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00They aim to spend £10,000 renovating the flat
0:12:00 > 0:12:03with £20,000 ready for the loft conversion.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06While Yili will be getting his hands dirty and project managing,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09qualified professionals will be called in for any plumbing
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and electrics that need seeing to.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14How involved are you going to be, Joanna?
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Well, I'll just look for cheap materials, that is going to
0:12:17 > 0:12:21be my job, to find the best prices on the market.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23But he's going to be managing the team.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26That's his responsibility, doing a good job on the...
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Probably, colours.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Yeah, colours and design is going to be mine, definitely.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Is that what you enjoy doing? - Yeah, I love it. I love it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The couple plan to add this to their rental portfolio,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41but if the right offer did come along, they'd consider selling it.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Obviously, once it's ready.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Down here, we can get it in, like, four weeks.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Up in the loft, we have to wait for six to eight weeks, most likely
0:12:49 > 0:12:52eight weeks, before we start any work.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55And after that, probably another four, five weeks.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58So, it's going to take about three months, I would say.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01This one will be done in four weeks and then the rest a bit later.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Hopefully, when we come back, we'll see that extra,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08that third bedroom, still with a nice little study downstairs.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Guys, good luck with this and I can't wait to see the outcome.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Congratulations. Well done. - Thank you very much.
0:13:13 > 0:13:19So, a restaurant, a building company and a development on the side.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Joanna and Yili have a busy time ahead
0:13:21 > 0:13:26and a real opportunity to make the most of this tired flat.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Find out how it all goes
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and if they do own the loft space later on in the show.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I'm in the northeast of England, three miles from Gateshead,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41four miles from Newcastle upon Tyne.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45This is Whickham. What's on offer? Let's find out.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49This area is situated in a high position which,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51on a fog-free day, overlooks the Tyne.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54And I wonder, while I'm on the lookout,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56if I'll find a property bargain.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01So, I am in this well-liked and desirable residential area,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and sitting on this corner plot is the property I'm here to see.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10It's a 1940s, 1950s semidetached. Three bedrooms.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15Guide price was £124,950. A bit precise, that, isn't it?
0:14:15 > 0:14:20But look - great kerb appeal, nice driveway, manicured borders,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22nice flowers and shrubs.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Let's hope the inside matches up.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28A bit of flaking paint and some maintenance to do,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32but first impressions are very promising.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Well, yeah. Good start.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39A nice sort of open feel the moment you walk through the door.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42You've got stairs leading up to your bedrooms. Bit of storage there.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44But a nice feeling of space.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Very classic layout for this era and style of property.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52A door there leading through into your front lounge area.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Through to your kitchen, now, this is classic.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57This often lets this style of property down.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It is too small for the size of the house,
0:14:59 > 0:15:02especially for today's modern living.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05So, I'm thinking immediately taking out a few walls to open that out
0:15:05 > 0:15:09into the dining room area there. Then through into the dining room...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I'm only laughing because I just noticed this on the carpet.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Somebody having a bad day with an iron. Don't ever iron on the carpet.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19But, more clues for the era of the property. Yeah.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Ah, lovely.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Dividing doors in between the rear dining area and front living room.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31They probably want to come out, don't they? As does this fire.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36What I'm seeing straightaway is this is just a really nice, solid house.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Just needs a little bit of updating.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43For a house that went to auction for just under £125,000,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47there's not that much to, er, iron out here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Although dated, it looks like it has been well cared for.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Apart from updating, the only pressing issue is
0:15:53 > 0:15:56a bit of rejigging, but there is space to do it.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Attached to the kitchen is a utility room which
0:15:59 > 0:16:02runs behind the garage, so that's something to think about.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05So, upstairs, and bathroom where it should be.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07A combined bathroom and loo, which is good.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09And you've got your three bedrooms.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12One at the back, a smaller one there at the front,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16and then this really nice-sized big double with the bay...
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- HE LAUGHS - ..there. I'm laughing because...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Built-in wardrobes. Hmm.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Lovely(!)
0:16:25 > 0:16:28# Baby, let's be forgivin'
0:16:28 > 0:16:30# And try to be willin'
0:16:30 > 0:16:35# To listen and just let it slide... #
0:16:35 > 0:16:40It's hard to believe that once upon a time these wardrobes were the height of fashion,
0:16:40 > 0:16:45but so were Louvre Doors and patterned tiles, like these.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Funky.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Ah, what doesn't ever date, though, is space.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55Now, this is where it all gets a bit weird.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Because through this slightly small door, you come into this area.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Now, I am actually above the garage and the little utility area.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08And there is this... Well, how do you describe it?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13It's a conservatory, a workshop - laid out for at the moment -
0:17:13 > 0:17:15erm, a greenhouse?!
0:17:15 > 0:17:17But, you know, it's space.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Whatever it is, I don't think it's successful.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It just kind of feels a bit stuck on.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26# I'm gonna stick like glue
0:17:26 > 0:17:30# Stick because I'm stuck on you... #
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Aesthetically, it's not going to win any design awards,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38and the unusual features don't stop there.
0:17:38 > 0:17:44Well, at the rear of the property, it does get very, very weird.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50Because you come out of the rear door onto this sort of decking area.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54I mean, there's a shed, a fence, and THAT is the neighbour's garden.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56I don't know what the history here is, whether or not this
0:17:56 > 0:17:59property sold its garden to build these houses or the other way round.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I just don't know. But, whatever happens,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06it's not what you expect, is it?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Yes, it's all a bit baffling.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13Can a local estate agent straighten me out on this property,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16guided at £124,950?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19I think this is a really lovely property. Could be lovely.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23In a great area. It does need work, obviously,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25but I think it will be beautiful when it's finished.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30And what does the agent see as the main challenges that the property presents?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The downsides of this property are the small garden at the rear.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35The kitchen is not very big either.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38That could be a little bit off-putting for families.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41And any advice to add value to the house?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43I think that this property would benefit greatly
0:18:43 > 0:18:47from an extension to the side, perhaps take off the workshop
0:18:47 > 0:18:52on the top of the garage and build up to make it more spacious.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54That's a fairly big job and costly,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56so we should think about the numbers.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00What if the buyer just went for a straight refurbishment?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I think if this property was done to a reasonable standard,
0:19:02 > 0:19:07then you could expect to achieve about £175,000 to £180,000.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10And the agent reckons that extending over the garage
0:19:10 > 0:19:15and adding another bedroom could take the resale value up to 200,000.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18But how did rental sound without an extension?
0:19:18 > 0:19:20If this property was to go onto the rental market,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24then I would expect to achieve around £750 per calendar month.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28What do we think of this solid little house
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and its quirky little workshop? You know what? We like it a lot.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Let's see who agreed when it went under the hammer.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37We're going to go to lot number 53.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Any bid at £125,000?
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I'll take 120 to start or we'll withdraw. Thank you, sitting down.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Gentleman sitting down at £120,000.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49122 standing.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54124. 124, 126, 128.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57130, 132.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02I'll take one if it will help. One bid. 131, 132. 132 bid.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04133. No?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Take 500. 132,500. 132,500 bid.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10500 as well. 133. 133,500.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14No? New bidder at 133,500.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17134. 134,500.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23134,500 bid. 135. 135,500.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27No? We're going once at 135.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I'm going for the second time at £135,000...
0:20:31 > 0:20:37Sold to the gentleman on the back wall at £135,000.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41The bidder who looked as pleased as Punch is Paul,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43at the auction with his girlfriend, Michelle.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47He got the house for £135,000, and Paul is a local lad.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49He has been buying and selling
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and refurbishing property for around 12 years.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Prior to that, he worked in computer-aided design, designing
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and installing industrial doors.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03I met him to find out his plans for the house.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Paul, good to meet you. - Nice to meet you.- Congratulations.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Thank you very much.- Tell me why you wanted to buy the house.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Basically, the price that I paid for it. It's a decent price.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- And the location as well. - What are you going to do with it?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Is it to rent out or what?
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- It's for me and my girlfriend to move into.- Oh, great!- A house together.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Great, so this is your first house together, is it?- Oh, yes, yes.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Ah, congratulations! - Thank you very much.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- How long have you been together for? - 18 months.- Right.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31What was it about this house that you really liked?
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I think the size and just the potential, really.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39It's been well kept but it's outdated. It needs doing up.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42So tell me what you're going to do to it to bring it up to scratch, in your eyes.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Well, what we're going to do is, obviously, first,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47take everything out, like the old wardrobes,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- take the wall out between the kitchen and the dining room.- OK.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And then it will be a case of getting electricians in, getting them
0:21:53 > 0:21:57to redo electrics, because I think the electrics are on the way out.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It's got a new boiler in but it's upstairs in the bathroom,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03so I want to take it down into the utility room, out of the way,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and then new kitchen in, new bathroom suite in.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08What kind of money have you got set aside for doing the work?
0:22:08 > 0:22:13I've got 15,000 set aside. That's just for materials, not for labour.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I'll be doing most of the work myself anyway.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Paul's a qualified tiler and he can plaster and fit kitchens
0:22:20 > 0:22:22and bathrooms.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26But he will use a certified electrician and employ a plumber.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28He thinks the work will take around six months
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and both he and his girlfriend Michelle have properties that they
0:22:31 > 0:22:36have to sell before they move in and make this their first home together.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Paul will obviously be hands-on,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42so will that workshop come in handy, I wonder?
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- It's a useful space. - Yeah, it is a useful space,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47but I would maybe just take it down, unfortunately.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51It is a bit of a shame, because it is quite unique and quite quirky.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52But it's just...
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Replace it with an almost identical thing built out of something
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- more substantial, perhaps? - Yeah, that could be.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01I mean, maybe as, like, a conservatory, I suppose, on the roof.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05But, yeah, price would be the main concern for that.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07So, how much input will your girlfriend have?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09She'll be helping me where she can, y'know.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11She's not got any experience in this sort of thing.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15But even if it's just helping us tidy up at the end of the day,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17that'll be more than enough for me.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Well, it seems like you've done well, for sure. Congratulations.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- Thank you very much.- Good luck. Look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Thank you very much.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Well, I think Paul's done really well with this place.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30It's a lovely house. It just needs a little bit of modernisation.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35One thing for sure, his tiling experience will come in very handy.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38How will he get on? You can find out later in the show.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Still to come, in Gravesend,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43a couple who found the ideal life in property developing.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Mark's a lot happier now he's doing this.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I mean, it's changed his life around.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55And is there such a thing as an ideal renovation? Paul thinks so.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Very rarely do you buy a property and it works out exactly how you want.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10We now head back to Stratford in east London, where earlier
0:24:10 > 0:24:13we saw this three-bedroom first-floor flat
0:24:13 > 0:24:15sold at auction for 165,000.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19It was bought by Yili and Joanna, a busy husband-and-wife team
0:24:19 > 0:24:22who help to run a restaurant and Yili's building company.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24They also own some rental properties
0:24:24 > 0:24:27and plan to add this place to their portfolio.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32But before that, this shabby place needed a total make-over.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35And with one of the bedrooms barely big enough for a single bed,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Yili and Joanna aim to convert the loft
0:24:38 > 0:24:43to create a large en suite bedroom. Grand plans indeed!
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Do you know that you own the loft space?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Well, we checked with the neighbour, we've checked with the solicitor,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50and they said it belongs to us.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Keep checking. You need to check the deeds. You need to make sure.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- Are you that confident?- Well, I am, because the lady downstairs
0:24:57 > 0:24:59who owns the property, she doesn't want nothing to do, anyway.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01So even if it doesn't belong to us,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I think it will be easy to sort it out.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Handily, Yili's building company specialises in loft conversions,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10so that was one aspect taken care of.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14But I was still a bit worried about the ownership, as these issues
0:25:14 > 0:25:18can often turn out to be a legal wrangle - and expensive, to boot.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21No doubt about it, though, it would add value.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23And three and a half months later,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26we are back to see what Joanna and Yili have done with this flat.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Well, it's certainly an impressive start.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Yili has taken out that chimney to open up this space beautifully,
0:25:35 > 0:25:41to create a new kitchen/dining room, complete with stylish new units.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43The rear reception room has been made over
0:25:43 > 0:25:45into a more relaxing space...
0:25:47 > 0:25:50..while just along the landing, a new bathroom suite and tiles
0:25:50 > 0:25:53have a real touch of class and style about them.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05And as for the three bedrooms, all made over to a high standard
0:26:05 > 0:26:09and with the same decor and with laminated flooring throughout.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14But as great as all this looks, there's one thing missing.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16There's no loft conversion!
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So, does that mean that the question of who owns what
0:26:19 > 0:26:21is still up in the air?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24We do know we owned our loft space.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28We agreed to pay £1,000 for the freeholder to do a loft conversion,
0:26:28 > 0:26:33but that also included some other paperwork we had to do with him.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36There were, like, a bit of delays
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and asking for additional information,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40because a flat is not as straightforward
0:26:40 > 0:26:41as it is for the house.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44So, yeah, they were asking quite a few questions,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47and we have to answer them.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49We applied for planning permission,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53which we are due to get in the next week or so.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58With Yili and Joanna finally securing the loft,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00work will hopefully begin soon
0:27:00 > 0:27:02on the second phase of transforming this flat.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05But the negotiations on the freehold
0:27:05 > 0:27:08also led to another big change to the layout.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11So, when we bought the property, the kitchen was tiny.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15It had a funny room at the back and small kitchen here,
0:27:15 > 0:27:20so we knocked the wall down and made it nice and spacious.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25We installed a new kitchen, new tiles and decoration, lighting.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Everything was done from scratch.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31The kitchen is actually my favourite room in this flat.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33I like the colours, I like the decoration.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37So, yeah, hopefully someone will enjoy this.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42And as Yili and Joanna still plan to rent the flat out,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44the garden, which we now have access to,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47has been given the low-maintenance approach,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50with fence-to-fence, wall-to-wall decking.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Back inside, and the flat has a great contemporary feel about it.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58But having gone to all the effort of bringing the flat back to life
0:27:58 > 0:28:00and giving it that impressive finish,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Yili doesn't aim to undo all the hard work
0:28:03 > 0:28:06when the loft conversion starts.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Usually, we do most of the work from outside,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13so we don't really do much till the stage when we install the stairs.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17So by that time, then only we cut the ceiling here
0:28:17 > 0:28:21to install the stairs, and then there won't be any disruption here.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Project-managing the renovation was down to Yili,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27who didn't get his hands dirty as much as he'd anticipated,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29while Joanna contributed by digging out
0:28:29 > 0:28:32the best bargains for materials and furnishings
0:28:32 > 0:28:34and decided on the final decor.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39We wanted to put a bit of style in the property,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42because I think people are a bit tired
0:28:42 > 0:28:45of just magnolia walls in their rented properties.
0:28:45 > 0:28:51So we put in a bit of vintage retro style, just very nowadays.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54The couple took a month's holiday before getting started on the flat
0:28:54 > 0:28:57and managed to get it done in six weeks,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59two weeks longer than planned.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03They still anticipate the budget for the loft conversion
0:29:03 > 0:29:04to come to 20,000.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07But did the original ten-grand budget for this flat hold up?
0:29:08 > 0:29:13So far, we've spent about £15,000.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16That's including the furnishing and decoration and everything.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Add that to their purchase price of 165,000,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26and the couple have spent £180,000 on the flat.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Time to find out what two local estate agents thought
0:29:29 > 0:29:31of Yili's and Joanna's investment.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The property's very nicely decorated. I do like it. It's very presentable.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39It's very tidy, done up to a very good specification.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41The colours are very good, very well co-ordinated.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Very spacious bedrooms, as well.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46The property's actually quite nice, very, very modern, bright and airy,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and I believe it'll sell or rent straightaway,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52because there's not a lot of properties on the market
0:29:52 > 0:29:53in this kind of condition.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56So the vendor has done quite a great job on this property.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01The couple plan to rent the flat out, but should the flat be sold,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05the agents reckon that this £180,000 investment could be sold
0:30:05 > 0:30:08for between 180,000 to 200,000.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12But with the loft conversion possibly taking their total outlay
0:30:12 > 0:30:16to 200,000, what could a resale then achieve?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19With a loft conversion, I would say £200,000.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23With the loft conversion, I would say in the region of
0:30:23 > 0:30:26225,000 to 235,000.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Those very different valuations could mean just breaking even
0:30:30 > 0:30:31after that loft conversion
0:30:31 > 0:30:37or a profit of up to £35,000 minus the usual taxes and expenses.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40However, Joanna and Yili set off on this project
0:30:40 > 0:30:43with the aim of adding it to their rental portfolio.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47They hope to get £1,400 per calendar month without the loft conversion.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50So I'm sure they'll be more interested in the rental values.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54As it is now, I would say 1,300 per calendar month.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56With the loft conversion, I would say
0:30:56 > 0:30:591,400 per calendar month. Very comfortable.
0:30:59 > 0:31:04I would say in the region of £1,300 to £1,400 per calendar month,
0:31:04 > 0:31:08and with the loft conversion from £1,400 to £1,500 per calendar month.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11In fact, the good news is that since we filmed them,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15they've managed to rent the flat out for £1,500 per calendar month,
0:31:15 > 0:31:19giving them an annual yield of 10%!
0:31:19 > 0:31:23So, will this entrepreneurial couple be dishing up some more properties?
0:31:23 > 0:31:26We're going to do this. This is the thing we like to do.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30We've just purchased one, just two or three days ago.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- But, yeah, I think that's what we're going to be doing.- Yep!
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Leaving London by way of a leisurely boat trip along the Thames,
0:31:42 > 0:31:46you could eventually disembark here, in Gravesend, Kent.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Its riverside setting helped it become
0:31:49 > 0:31:53one of the first resort towns back in the 19th century.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56If you're in more of a hurry, though, the train from London
0:31:56 > 0:31:58will get you here in just 20 minutes.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00# Dear River Thames
0:32:00 > 0:32:04# You keep moving along
0:32:06 > 0:32:13# Not knowing where you're going or where you've come from.... #
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Now, you've probably already guessed from the properties around me today
0:32:16 > 0:32:19that I'm here to see a mid-terrace house.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24It's got three bedrooms and it had a guide price of 65,000 to 70,000.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26That sounds pretty reasonable.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29But the auction catalogue does state
0:32:29 > 0:32:33that it needs complete refurbishment and modernisation.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37That means a little bit more than a lick of paint, I think!
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Here it is. Yes, the exterior certainly needs some attention.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I think it's time to head inside
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and see what "complete" really does mean.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Oh, yes! A big renovation job in here.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Lots of wood-chip wallpaper to get off.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58That is a very difficult task, let me tell you.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01And you can just see it needs painting.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02The sitting room?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Well, there's no fire surround. That's been ripped out.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07All the windows will need replacing.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11There's no carpets, there's no flooring, there's holes everywhere.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Oh, a few little hidden features to get excited about. Or not.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Now, you've heard about taking things back to the bare brick.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21There's a visual example for you.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But, you know, beyond that you can see it's a nice-sized room.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It would work really well.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29You've got some light coming in, a fireplace you could work with.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34Er, interesting! Follow me. Yes, this is the kitchen.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38Nothing other than an old sink thrown in the corner.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42And as I suspected, the bathroom's shoved right at the back.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46It's not even a bathroom. There's just a little shower tray here.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Now, I think this would work really well as a utility room.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52You could tuck the washing machine in there, a tumble dryer.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57But that's only if you can get a bathroom upstairs.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I'm going to investigate.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02This might be a bit of a dilemma. This is not a big shower room.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06If it has to be the only bathroom for this house, it's not ideal.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Let's hope upstairs will supply the answer.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09So, what have we got?
0:34:09 > 0:34:14Three bedrooms. Maybe we CAN find that extra bit of, erm, space.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17# I was the first man in space on our street
0:34:17 > 0:34:21# It was a chance I could not pass up on... #
0:34:22 > 0:34:27Another dilemma, again very typical of a terraced house like this.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31You get a very small room off the main bedroom.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Now, that room is so small, it's barely a bedroom.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37There are a few ways you can get around this.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41That is screaming out to be the bathroom, which is making me smile.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46I've seen this done quite a few times before. You create a corridor.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Along here you can have access from the bedroom next door
0:34:49 > 0:34:51through a doorway here.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55The corridor continues along here into that bathroom.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00You can close this door off, and then every room will have
0:35:00 > 0:35:03independent access into that bathroom.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05I think it'll make this house much more saleable,
0:35:05 > 0:35:10and it would be so much better than having the bathroom downstairs.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Yes, you would lose that third bedroom,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16but it's so small I see it as wasted space at the moment.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Yes, the corridor would take some space from the middle bedroom,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22but I think there would still be room for a double bed in here.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25And the front bedroom is a great-sized master.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29However, I suppose you might accuse me of fiddling while Rome burns,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32because it can't have escaped your notice that this house
0:35:32 > 0:35:36is in a pretty bad state and really needs a lot of work.
0:35:36 > 0:35:43# Lights will guide you home
0:35:43 > 0:35:50# And ignite your bones
0:35:50 > 0:35:57# And I will try to fix you... #
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Well, something else that needs fixing up is the garden.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Now, this is what happens if you don't look after your garden shed.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Is it a thatched roof?
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Or even a bird's nest?
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Looking at all the rubbish in the end of the garden,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16if ever there was a time to invest in skips, it's now.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21# Did you know your garden's overgrown?... #
0:36:21 > 0:36:24But there's a lot of opportunities here, I think.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26But also a lot of work.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Let's find out what a local property agent thought of this house,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33guided at £65,000 to £70,000.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Renovations required within this property would be
0:36:36 > 0:36:39to completely rip out the floorboards, because it's smelly,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42it needs a new bathroom, a new kitchen,
0:36:42 > 0:36:47complete overhaul throughout, including new windows, boiler,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and the garden needs a lot of attention.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55So once the new owner has done the renovation work,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58what does she think it could resell for?
0:36:58 > 0:37:01If you were to renovate this property throughout,
0:37:01 > 0:37:06it would fetch in the region of £135,000 to £140,000.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Well, that valuation means that if you were to get this house
0:37:10 > 0:37:12for anything like the guide price,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15you could make a substantial profit here,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17even after the cost of a total refurbishment.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19However, the agent thinks
0:37:19 > 0:37:21that if the bathroom were to be moved upstairs
0:37:21 > 0:37:24with the loss of that titchy bedroom,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28the resale value would still be around 135,000.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Hmm, don't need a calculator to work out
0:37:30 > 0:37:33that it wouldn't be worth the hassle or expense if sold on,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37although perhaps it would make it more appealing to a buyer.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39And what about the rental value?
0:37:40 > 0:37:44This property would fetch £700 to £750 per calendar month.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Well, on this occasion, appearances weren't deceptive,
0:37:48 > 0:37:52and complete, well, it really does mean a total renovation,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55not to mention addressing those layout issues.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57But still, after a lot of hard work,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00I think this property will make a great home for someone.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Let's see who felt up to the challenge when we went to auction.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Lot 45. What may I say on this one? Start me at 65,000.
0:38:08 > 0:38:1265 I have. Thank you. At £65,000 I'm bid.
0:38:12 > 0:38:1967 I have. And 70. 72. 72 in the back. 75.
0:38:19 > 0:38:2177. And 80. And 82.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24And 85. 85.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27And 87. And 90. 90 is bid. 92.
0:38:27 > 0:38:3095. And 97. 100.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35100 I have. 102. 105. 107.
0:38:35 > 0:38:4010? 110. 112. At 112,000 on my left-hand side.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45At 112,000. For the first time, then, at 112,000.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48For the second time at 112,000.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Third and final time at 112...
0:38:50 > 0:38:55113. I can lip-read. 113 I'm bid. 114.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59114,000 in the front row for the first time.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03114,000, front row, for the second time.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Third and final time at 114,000. Are you all done?
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Sold at 114,000. Well done, sir.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13That final bid of 114,000
0:39:13 > 0:39:16was a whopping 49 grand over the guide price.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19The bidders were Mark and his wife Elaine.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Hang on a minute, that beard looks familiar!
0:39:22 > 0:39:27I met Mark back in 2011, when he bought a terrace around the corner.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Mark had been an ornamental plasterer
0:39:30 > 0:39:33but was embarking on a career in property development,
0:39:33 > 0:39:35and his first renovation job was a success,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38which he puts down to hard graft and his lucky beard!
0:39:39 > 0:39:44Well, he still has the beard, and with Elaine, a college lecturer,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47I reckon he's going to need all the help and maybe some more luck
0:39:47 > 0:39:49to get this place fixed up.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Mark, lovely to see you again. - Good to see you again.- How nice.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54- And Elaine. We've not met. - No, we haven't.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- So, have you been developing since we met?- Yeah.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- We've done another one in the area.- Right.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00That went successful.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03The original one was successful as well,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06so onwards and upwards to this one.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Well, I do wish him success for this one, too.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10However, I can't help worrying
0:40:10 > 0:40:14that he's paid so much for this house, 114,000.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Now, the agent reckons a resale value of between 135,000 to 140,000.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23With so much refurbishment needed,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25well, there's not an awful lot in it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27New bathroom, new kitchen.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Moving the bathroom from that little shower room at the back
0:40:31 > 0:40:33- up to that third bedroom upstairs. - Interesting.- Yes.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35How are you going to work that?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Well, in the front bedroom, there's a cupboard in the corner,
0:40:38 > 0:40:41and that's just a little partitioned stud wall between that cupboard
0:40:41 > 0:40:44and the middle bedroom, so we're going to knock that out
0:40:44 > 0:40:47and create a corridor in the second bedroom.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50We're going to move the door across from the third
0:40:50 > 0:40:52bedroom at the moment to create access into that,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56so, at the end of the day, no-one will have to go through
0:40:56 > 0:40:58someone else's bedroom to use the bathroom.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Have you spoken to lots of agents to warrant this advice?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Yeah, well, the other two properties we've done in the area, I've done
0:41:05 > 0:41:09exactly the same thing in the last property, and it worked a treat.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11And the value is still there.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13It's great to hear he's done his homework,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16because you don't want to spend all that money on the work
0:41:16 > 0:41:19and then end up making a loss, not good business sense.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22We'd like to bring it in about 12.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Hmmmmm! Ooh!- But... I know!
0:41:25 > 0:41:30- I thought you was going to say something like 20!- No!
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- We were expecting 15-ish.- OK.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- So, £15,000, but you hope to bring it under that.- Yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38So, Elaine, how involved are you going to be with the project?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I'll be choosing the colours, picking the kitchen,
0:41:41 > 0:41:46getting my hands dirty, getting out in the garden.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49To keep costs down, they will need to do most of the work over
0:41:49 > 0:41:54a four-month timescale, except for electrics and gas, of course.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Do you work well together doing things like this?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- No rows, really, do we?- No. - No disagreements.- No.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- It's not worth it, no time for that! - Yeah, but there's quite a lot of pressure in doing
0:42:02 > 0:42:05a renovation like this, because it's quite a big undertaking.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07- Yeah. Just don't let it get to you.- It is but...
0:42:07 > 0:42:11It's just wasted sort of effort and time, you know.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- But also, Mark is a lot happier now he's doing this.- Yes.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15I mean, it's changed his life around.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20So, in himself, he's not so stressed and that's good, really.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Good luck, guys, I really hope it works out for you.- Cheers.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- Really nice to see you. Elaine, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you. - Thank you.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Well, it's great to see that Mark and Elaine are still going
0:42:31 > 0:42:33strong with their property developing business.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Mark's lucky little rings have served him well. However,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41this time, they paid a lot over the guide price and I'm not
0:42:41 > 0:42:44sure they'll complete all the work within their budget.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Let's hope they've learned from their past experiences
0:42:47 > 0:42:49and keep all their figures in mind.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52You can join me later on in the programme to find out if this
0:42:52 > 0:42:55really is lucky number three!
0:42:58 > 0:43:02Well, I'm sure all our buyers hope their journey has been worth it.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04They took the right turns and avoided the pitfalls.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Decisions, decisions, have they made the right ones?
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Let's go back and find out.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13We now head back to the north-east of England
0:43:13 > 0:43:15and to Wickham near Gateshead, where earlier,
0:43:15 > 0:43:21we met Paul, who bought this semidetached house for £135,000.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24He's already bought, sold and refurbished several properties
0:43:24 > 0:43:28and this one was the next in line, except for the selling part,
0:43:28 > 0:43:29because once done up,
0:43:29 > 0:43:33he aimed to move in and live in it with his girlfriend Michelle.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36The house was solid, but while we all want something with
0:43:36 > 0:43:40a bit of character to make it stand out from the crowd, for Paul,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43this workshop above the garage was possibly a step too far.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46I would maybe probably take it down, unfortunately.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49It's a bit of a shame, because it is quite unique and quite quirky.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Replace it with an almost identical thing
0:43:52 > 0:43:55- built out of something more substantial?- Yeah, that could be.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58As you say, maybe a conservatory, I suppose, on the roof.
0:43:58 > 0:44:02But, yeah, it'd be price that would be the main concern for that.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06The couple had a budget of £15,000, which hopefully should have
0:44:06 > 0:44:08been enough, and a six-month schedule.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12It was six and a half months later that we returned to Wickham to catch
0:44:12 > 0:44:17up with Paul to find out if they had finally made this their home.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28Well, if home is where the heart is, Paul has certainly
0:44:28 > 0:44:33put his into this wonderful, fresh and spacious new downstairs layout.
0:44:35 > 0:44:40And it's farewell to the tiny kitchen and hello to a spacious,
0:44:40 > 0:44:44open-plan kitchen/dining room, perfect for modern living.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50And upstairs, the bedrooms have been given the same treatment,
0:44:50 > 0:44:53those sliding wardrobes have slid off into history to be
0:44:53 > 0:44:57replaced by contemporary units much more suited to the 21st century.
0:45:02 > 0:45:03And overall, I think
0:45:03 > 0:45:06Paul's got a lot to be pleased about with this renovation.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12Over the moon. Very rarely do you buy a property
0:45:12 > 0:45:15and it works out exactly how you want it, but for this property,
0:45:15 > 0:45:19- it's just, yeah, I'm absolutely over the moon with it.- Quite right too.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23He's certainly added a lot of space down here by creating a new
0:45:23 > 0:45:25downstairs layout.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29For the hallway, we got rid of this
0:45:29 > 0:45:33entrance from the hallway to the kitchen and made that a cupboard.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36As a consequence, you got to walk through the living room
0:45:36 > 0:45:38and we got rid of the sliding doors,
0:45:38 > 0:45:41opened all this area up, which is a nice, open space.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46And we took the wall between the dining room and the kitchen out,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50and now we've got a lovely entertaining area, which we have
0:45:50 > 0:45:53already had a couple of parties here and it is great for entertainment.
0:45:53 > 0:45:58This is Paul's seventh renovation job, so he's used to finding
0:45:58 > 0:46:01any hidden horrors lurking in the woodwork or the structure,
0:46:01 > 0:46:05but here, he was surprised that there were no surprises!
0:46:05 > 0:46:10This house, for once, basically, everything was nice and square. Plum.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14And it was just great to work on. It was a nice, solid house.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16There were no issues whatsoever,
0:46:16 > 0:46:20and it was quite a nice feeling to sort of finish it
0:46:20 > 0:46:24and to know that everything is just, you know, pretty much spot-on.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28You don't often hear that, a trouble-free renovation!
0:46:28 > 0:46:30And as for that workshop above the garage, well,
0:46:30 > 0:46:36the doorway is now bricked up, which can only mean one thing. It's gone.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40It was just going to cost too much to keep it as it was. And to update it.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44So, it was just the cheapest option was just to get rid of it completely.
0:46:44 > 0:46:45Easier said than done.
0:46:45 > 0:46:50- Remember, Paul did say that this was a solid house.- It was hard work.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53It had been well put together. It had been built to last.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57I had my father helping me and a couple of my mates at times just
0:46:57 > 0:47:01basically trying to pull the thing apart, and it was hard work.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05The workshop was finally taken down, but that meant the garage had
0:47:05 > 0:47:10to have a sloping roof installed and the newly exposed wall rendered.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13At the back, the garden has had a decking overhaul,
0:47:13 > 0:47:17but its limited size means that what you see is what you get.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20For the house, Paul got his usual team of certified
0:47:20 > 0:47:22professionals in for the electrics
0:47:22 > 0:47:26and plumbing with the remainder of the work being done by himself.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29And since this was going to be their new home together,
0:47:29 > 0:47:32girlfriend Michelle gave Paul a helping hand.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34Michelle did a lot of the painting and decorating,
0:47:34 > 0:47:38and to be fair, her input was a massive help to me,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41because any job that I gave her, she was brilliant.
0:47:41 > 0:47:46She's never picked a paintbrush up in her life until this house now.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48And to be fair, she was absolutely fantastic.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51You'd expect a house that would be their own to have a high
0:47:51 > 0:47:55standard of finish, and this place doesn't disappoint.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57But would that come at a cost to their budget
0:47:57 > 0:48:01- and their six-month timescale? - We hit the target on moving in.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04However, for the budget, I said originally that I think it
0:48:04 > 0:48:08was going to be about 15,000, it ended up being 18,000.
0:48:08 > 0:48:09Just over 18,000.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14So, to be fair, I suppose when it was in my mind that we may be
0:48:14 > 0:48:16moving in, we've gone for a bit better quality
0:48:16 > 0:48:19and we've been here for a month now, and it's a nice place to
0:48:19 > 0:48:22sit down in the evening after work and just sit and relax.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26And why not, after all this hard work?
0:48:26 > 0:48:30With that renovation cost added to their purchase price of 135,000,
0:48:30 > 0:48:35the total outlay for the house is now £153,000.
0:48:35 > 0:48:39So, time to find out from two local estate agents
0:48:39 > 0:48:40if it's money well spent.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42And we start off with the agent who visited
0:48:42 > 0:48:45the property before Paul got his hands on it.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I think the property has been done to a fantastic standard,
0:48:50 > 0:48:52it's beautiful. Really beautiful.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55When I first saw the property, I don't think it flowed properly.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59Erm, really got that flow going. It's just tremendous.
0:48:59 > 0:49:04The kitchen, the living room, it's just lovely.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06My first impressions of the property were
0:49:06 > 0:49:09what a beautiful finish the property has.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12The real selling features for me are the beautiful kitchen
0:49:12 > 0:49:15and dining area, also the log-burning stove
0:49:15 > 0:49:18and smashing bathroom upstairs.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21The only thing that I do find is the gardens are a little
0:49:21 > 0:49:23bit of a let-down at the back.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26Front is great, the back is a little bit disappointing.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29The lack of a decent-sized rear garden may put off some buyers,
0:49:29 > 0:49:31but in reality, it hasn't put off Paul
0:49:31 > 0:49:34and Michelle from making this their home.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37If they do decide to sell this house, what sort of return could
0:49:37 > 0:49:41they expect to make from their £153,000 outlay?
0:49:43 > 0:49:45If I was to put this property onto the market,
0:49:45 > 0:49:48I would recommend an asking price of £185,000.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51I think the property could be worth somewhere in the region
0:49:51 > 0:49:55of £175,000 to £185,000.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58Those valuations mean that Paul and Michelle could stand to make
0:49:58 > 0:50:03a pre-tax profit of between £22,000 and £32,000.
0:50:03 > 0:50:04Over the moon with that.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07I mean, that means that everything is covered anyway,
0:50:07 > 0:50:11so, all the hard work was worth it, so, yeah, happy with that!
0:50:11 > 0:50:14Paul has carried out a really fantastic refurbishment
0:50:14 > 0:50:18to this house, and created a lovely, cosy family home.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20But with those possible profits,
0:50:20 > 0:50:24is he tempted to treat it like his other projects and sell it on?
0:50:24 > 0:50:27As far as the figures are concerned, fantastic price,
0:50:27 > 0:50:30I mean 185 at the top.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34But it's irrelevant, we're going to stay here and hopefully,
0:50:34 > 0:50:36for a long time.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38And maybe start a family.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Earlier, we were at the mouth of the Thames in Gravesend, where we met
0:50:49 > 0:50:54Mark and his wife Elaine, who bought this terraced house for 114,000.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58Mark, an ornamental plasterer, had been on the show before,
0:50:58 > 0:51:00when with some hard graft and his lucky beard,
0:51:00 > 0:51:04he renovated this terraced house, also in Gravesend.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08This latest purchase is his third renovation job, and I reckon
0:51:08 > 0:51:12he must've had deja vu, because this shabby, rundown,
0:51:12 > 0:51:17decaying three-bed also had the same mixed-up layout upstairs.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19It's going to take quite a bit of effort
0:51:19 > 0:51:22and no doubt money to sort this place out.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26- We'd like to bring it in about 12. - Hmmmm! Ooh!- But...
0:51:26 > 0:51:30- Oh, I know.- Oh, I thought you was going to say something like 20!
0:51:30 > 0:51:34- No, no.- But no! - We were expecting 15-ish.- OK.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38- So, £15,000, but you hope to bring it under that.- Yes.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41The couple reckoned the house would be ready to sell on in four
0:51:41 > 0:51:44months, but it was seven months later when we returned to
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Gravesend to find out just how Mark and Elaine have got on.
0:51:49 > 0:51:54First things first, the house now has a new front door and windows.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58So, have they managed to do what I really hoped for
0:51:58 > 0:52:00and create a new bathroom upstairs?
0:52:02 > 0:52:04Yes, they have.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08Well, there wasn't a bathroom in the property initially,
0:52:08 > 0:52:11so, what we've done, we've utilised the area within this dead room
0:52:11 > 0:52:15at the back, we moved the door across to the edge of the house
0:52:15 > 0:52:19and then we created a corridor through here, which then gains
0:52:19 > 0:52:23access from the front bedroom straight into the bathroom.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27Again, just as I was hoping for, a corridor meaning both
0:52:27 > 0:52:32good-sized bedrooms have separate access to a spanking new bathroom.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35And for visitors, there's still the loo downstairs,
0:52:35 > 0:52:40with the old shower room now the new utility room.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44After solving this problem, everything else was plain sailing.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46All pretty straightforward, nice structure to the house,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49nothing untoward like damp or anything like that,
0:52:49 > 0:52:51so, structurally very sound.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54It was just a re-plaster job and rewiring, new windows,
0:52:54 > 0:52:58new kitchen, new bathroom, yet to be complete.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00Carpets, everything you see, really.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04And just like the upstairs,
0:53:04 > 0:53:07the ground floor is still a work in progress.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10Everywhere has been re-plastered and redecorated and it's good
0:53:10 > 0:53:14to see that Mark has kept some of the original character features.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18Through the newly re-plastered rear reception room,
0:53:18 > 0:53:23the new kitchen still needs some attention to finish this area off.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26Mark did most of the hard graft on the house,
0:53:26 > 0:53:28with a lot of help from Elaine.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Family members in the certified trades such as electrics
0:53:31 > 0:53:34and plumbing also pitched in to help.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37However, the couple weren't able to stick to schedule,
0:53:37 > 0:53:40because there's been a big change to their life.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43To our own property, we've had to get it ready to put on the market.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46Some of the rooms needed re-plastering,
0:53:46 > 0:53:48which was quite a big job for Mark.
0:53:48 > 0:53:53And now, that's been sold, so, hopefully within a month to
0:53:53 > 0:53:58- two months, we're going to be going and living in France.- Sacre bleu!
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Mark and Elaine are upping sticks
0:54:00 > 0:54:04and moving across the old briny to take up residence abroad,
0:54:04 > 0:54:07something they've been planning for a while.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10Well, we've been looking, really, for about six to eight months,
0:54:10 > 0:54:11we decided.
0:54:11 > 0:54:16And we're going to buy an old farmhouse and, hopefully,
0:54:16 > 0:54:17run some gites.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20A whole new life, so, we'll give it a go and see what happens.
0:54:20 > 0:54:25# Non, rien de rien
0:54:25 > 0:54:30# Non, je ne regrette rien. #
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Well, I'm sure they won't be regretting the move,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36but what exactly are their plans for the house now?
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Initially, we were going to sell it, but it's going to be a stepping stone now for us.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42We're going to move in, live in it for a couple of months, two,
0:54:42 > 0:54:45three months, and we'll put it back on the market
0:54:45 > 0:54:48and hopefully sell it once we're ready to move to France.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51There's lots of finishing touches to do here, but it's mainly
0:54:51 > 0:54:55superficial work. However, there's still one big job to face up to.
0:54:55 > 0:55:00# Out of sight, out of mind
0:55:03 > 0:55:06# So the story goes. #
0:55:09 > 0:55:13We attempted to do the garden, but it had to take a back seat
0:55:13 > 0:55:16because of getting our own house done up.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19So, we decided that while we're here, we're going to order
0:55:19 > 0:55:24a couple of skips and hopefully some bodies to come and help us.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28Free of charge, I hope, because when it came to the finances
0:55:28 > 0:55:32for this renovation, I was a bit worried about their original budget.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36Well, we initially thought we were going to spend 12,500 to 13,000,
0:55:36 > 0:55:4014,000 on it, but at the current time, it's at 12,500.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42We've got a little bit more work to do still,
0:55:42 > 0:55:45so that'd probably take another thousand or so,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48so about £13,500, £14,000, I think will be spot-on.
0:55:48 > 0:55:51Add that to their purchase price of £114,000,
0:55:51 > 0:55:55and Mark and Elaine's total spend should be £128,000.
0:55:55 > 0:56:00So, time for two local estate agents to give us
0:56:00 > 0:56:02their thoughts on the renovation,
0:56:02 > 0:56:06starting with the agent who saw the house in its original condition.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10It's certainly a lot fresher than last time I came.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13I really like the fact the bathroom has been moved from
0:56:13 > 0:56:17the small shower room downstairs up to the full-size bathroom upstairs.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19I think the property is great.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21It's had all of the right things done to it with
0:56:21 > 0:56:23the redecoration, carpets.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26And I think the bathroom really does work, by the way that they
0:56:26 > 0:56:30have separated it from the bedrooms and it has its own corridor.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32I think that works. That's an excellent idea.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35As the couple plan to move to France, what could they get
0:56:35 > 0:56:37when they sell the house?
0:56:37 > 0:56:41Remember, their final outlay will be around £128,000.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44This property, in the current market,
0:56:44 > 0:56:49should fetch in the region of £140,000 to £145,000.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52I would recommend that this property would sell
0:56:52 > 0:56:56somewhere in the region of £150,000 to £155,000.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00Well, those valuations mean that Mark and Elaine could earn
0:57:00 > 0:57:06themselves a nice pre-tax profit of between 12,000 to 27,000.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08We were aiming for about 150.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12We felt the ceiling price was a bit below that, so, I think we
0:57:12 > 0:57:17have achieved what we were looking to achieve, so, we're more than happy.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21So, with a new life waiting for them across the Channel,
0:57:21 > 0:57:25- will it be a new look for Mark? - I'm going to keep the lucky beard.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28It's been good to me so far, so I daren't shave it off.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30It might, well...
0:57:30 > 0:57:35- I don't want you to. - No, no. It's been a good omen.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37So, I think I'll keep it for a while yet.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40Personally, with Mark and Elaine's hard work,
0:57:40 > 0:57:42I don't think luck comes into it.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45But after all their efforts, I'm sure they're looking forward to
0:57:45 > 0:57:48a new life, but will they be on French TV soon
0:57:48 > 0:57:50on Maisons Sous Le Marteau?
0:57:50 > 0:57:52Homes Under The Hammer to you and me.
0:57:52 > 0:57:56I don't think we'll be looking to expand the company over there.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59It's just sort of, you know, a whole new way of life
0:57:59 > 0:58:02and something totally new for us, so that's what we're looking to do.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09Well, that's it from the plucky buyers on today's programme.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11But there's plenty more where they came from.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14So, join us next time for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:14 > 0:58:15- Goodbye.- Bye.