Episode 75

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Hello. Welcome to the show. - Despite all the doom and gloom,

0:00:04 > 0:00:07the property market is still a tempting place to invest your money.

0:00:07 > 0:00:09Yes, and if you're cautious and do your research,

0:00:09 > 0:00:13there are still bargains to be found buying your home under the hammer.

0:00:13 > 0:00:16PROGRAMME THEME MUSIC

0:00:38 > 0:00:40If you're looking for variety and good value,

0:00:40 > 0:00:42then the auction may be for you.

0:00:42 > 0:00:46Here are the properties that lured our buyers on today's show.

0:00:48 > 0:00:50Property development is unpredictable.

0:00:50 > 0:00:52But, in Kent, confidence seems high.

0:00:52 > 0:00:56I feel the risk of us losing money here is small or nonexistent.

0:00:57 > 0:01:01In this Surrey semi, on the upside, the bathroom's upstairs,

0:01:01 > 0:01:02on the downside,

0:01:02 > 0:01:05to get to it you've got to walk through one of the bedrooms.

0:01:07 > 0:01:11And in a Stoke three-bed with huge problems, well,

0:01:11 > 0:01:12let's just say a bit of luck might help.

0:01:12 > 0:01:15I was going to say touch wood, but there's none left, is there?

0:01:15 > 0:01:17THEY LAUGH

0:01:19 > 0:01:21All these properties went to auction.

0:01:21 > 0:01:24We'll find out who bought them and what they paid

0:01:24 > 0:01:27- when they went under the hammer. - Sold!

0:01:32 > 0:01:36We're in Kent now, and did you know that the historic dockyard

0:01:36 > 0:01:38was recently used in the opening scenes

0:01:38 > 0:01:42of the Oscar-nominated film, Les Miserables?

0:01:42 > 0:01:47# I dreamed a dream in time gone by... #

0:01:49 > 0:01:51I'm hoping to find a dream property here.

0:01:52 > 0:01:55This part of town is all very suburban and leafy.

0:01:55 > 0:01:58You've got a kids' play area and bowling green over there.

0:01:58 > 0:02:03School just down the road, and a graveyard to my left.

0:02:03 > 0:02:08Now, that will put some buyers off, although the way I look at it is,

0:02:08 > 0:02:12you've got a quiet, well-maintained space right next door to your home.

0:02:12 > 0:02:15Because the house is just here.

0:02:15 > 0:02:21It's got three bedrooms and a guide price of 180,000-185,000.

0:02:21 > 0:02:27# All I want is a quiet place to live... #

0:02:27 > 0:02:30It isn't just the quiet that I think's an advantage here.

0:02:30 > 0:02:33You can be pretty sure that it will stay that way, that there isn't

0:02:33 > 0:02:36going to be a massive development springing up on your doorstep.

0:02:36 > 0:02:39Intriguingly, the property lot comes with

0:02:39 > 0:02:42an extra little annexe building. But more of that later.

0:02:42 > 0:02:44First, to the house itself,

0:02:44 > 0:02:47which I understand was built around the '50s,

0:02:47 > 0:02:50and the first quirky thing I rather like is the front door

0:02:50 > 0:02:52on the side of the house.

0:02:52 > 0:02:55I'm not expecting loads of hidden features in this one,

0:02:55 > 0:02:59due to the period of the property, but look at all this space! Wow!

0:02:59 > 0:03:01Really nice, wide hallway,

0:03:01 > 0:03:04and a rather luminous green kitchen, don't you think?

0:03:04 > 0:03:07But it's a great area. Overlooks that pretty garden.

0:03:07 > 0:03:10You've got a second reception room here which, of course,

0:03:10 > 0:03:13you could knock these two into one, and have one big

0:03:13 > 0:03:17kitchen/open-plan breakfast room, wonderful for families,

0:03:17 > 0:03:20and then you've got this sitting room

0:03:20 > 0:03:23at the front of the property. These old windows -

0:03:23 > 0:03:28it's such a shame, because I really quite like the way they look -

0:03:28 > 0:03:30but you would need to replace them,

0:03:30 > 0:03:33hopefully something in keeping with the period would look lovely.

0:03:33 > 0:03:37You've got to get rid of these horrible polystyrene tiles.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40Get them all down. They're a fire hazard.

0:03:40 > 0:03:45But my first impressions of this property? I really, really like it.

0:03:45 > 0:03:47So far, no olde-worlde charm worth keeping,

0:03:47 > 0:03:51but the two bedrooms upstairs are also a good size.

0:03:51 > 0:03:55It's all a bit tired, and, oh, dear, those polystyrene tiles, again!

0:03:55 > 0:03:57And in the bathroom!

0:03:57 > 0:03:59Aesthetics aside,

0:03:59 > 0:04:03I really do want to emphasise the fire risk with those old tiles.

0:04:03 > 0:04:05If you have a fire, they will promote the spread.

0:04:05 > 0:04:08If they are painted, they will drip onto the floor,

0:04:08 > 0:04:12again, spreading the fire, and possibly burning anyone underneath.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16And just for good measure, they let off toxic fumes.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19They're not really something I would want to have around.

0:04:19 > 0:04:22The bathroom and separate loo are pretty dated.

0:04:22 > 0:04:24Now, I said there were two bedrooms,

0:04:24 > 0:04:26but there is a third room up there.

0:04:26 > 0:04:29I've always wanted a property with a pool! Ha!

0:04:29 > 0:04:31But this isn't exactly what I had in mind.

0:04:33 > 0:04:35How's this for an added bonus?

0:04:35 > 0:04:38I bet they were CUEING up for this one!

0:04:38 > 0:04:43# I need a hot shot... #

0:04:43 > 0:04:46Well, it's worth remembering that anything inside the house

0:04:46 > 0:04:48when the hammer falls at auction is yours.

0:04:48 > 0:04:51So that means this pool table as well.

0:04:51 > 0:04:55Although I think there's a better home for it - this little annexe.

0:04:56 > 0:05:00I was expecting the doorway to lead into the annexe from that

0:05:00 > 0:05:04little sort of coal shed/utility space, but there isn't one. So,

0:05:04 > 0:05:08assuming you've got to walk under this covered walkway into the space,

0:05:08 > 0:05:10it's going to be quite exciting to see what it's like in here,

0:05:10 > 0:05:14because it's always good to have that little extra with a property.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17Wow! This is brilliant!

0:05:17 > 0:05:22As a mum, straightaway I'm thinking kids' playroom.

0:05:22 > 0:05:25My children would love this, they would be getting that pool table

0:05:25 > 0:05:28straight in this room for starters. But you know what?

0:05:28 > 0:05:32You could use it as a nanny annexe, a granny annexe, you've got plumbing

0:05:32 > 0:05:35you've got a nice loo, you could even put a shower in down here.

0:05:35 > 0:05:39It's quite dark though, and that's because the windows are boarded up.

0:05:39 > 0:05:40I think I'd like to frost them over,

0:05:40 > 0:05:44because you don't actually look out onto your own land.

0:05:44 > 0:05:48But this will certainly add value to a property like that.

0:05:48 > 0:05:49And, of course, don't forget,

0:05:49 > 0:05:53you could even rent this out as a separate entity entirely.

0:05:53 > 0:05:56Although you enter the annexe from the side of the property,

0:05:56 > 0:05:58it's a bit of an odd arrangement,

0:05:58 > 0:06:01as it actually sits in the cemetery grounds.

0:06:01 > 0:06:05It used to serve as an office and home to the cemetery attendant.

0:06:05 > 0:06:09Lots of space seems to be the story of this property,

0:06:09 > 0:06:11with great interior space, a garage,

0:06:11 > 0:06:15and it continues into the generous front and back garden.

0:06:15 > 0:06:17This is a decent-sized plot,

0:06:17 > 0:06:20and I'm wondering if you could make more of it.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24How about building a double-height extension to the left,

0:06:24 > 0:06:28where the garage is, extending to the right, where the walkway is, and

0:06:28 > 0:06:33splitting the property in the middle to create a pair of semis?

0:06:33 > 0:06:36I have seen it done before very successfully,

0:06:36 > 0:06:39and it could be a way of increasing your return.

0:06:39 > 0:06:43So there's a neat twist for you. No development will happen next door.

0:06:43 > 0:06:45Instead, it could all happen right here.

0:06:45 > 0:06:48Of course, it would all be down to planning

0:06:48 > 0:06:50and whether the numbers stack up.

0:06:50 > 0:06:51All in all, I reckon,

0:06:51 > 0:06:54for the 180,000-185,000 guide price,

0:06:54 > 0:06:57there are some really interesting possibilities here.

0:06:57 > 0:07:00What does a local agent think of this property?

0:07:02 > 0:07:04Actually, a lot better than I imagined.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08The great thing is, it hasn't been abused by the DIY enthusiast.

0:07:08 > 0:07:11- It's natural. It's how it was built. - Ha-ha! Absolutely!

0:07:11 > 0:07:14But does he think building an extension would be worth doing?

0:07:14 > 0:07:16In my opinion, if you were to extend on this

0:07:16 > 0:07:19and start spending too much money, you would end up regretting it.

0:07:19 > 0:07:20It's a lovely three-bedroomed,

0:07:20 > 0:07:22detached house with three double bedrooms.

0:07:22 > 0:07:26It's got the annexe, which I would call an annexe, it's got

0:07:26 > 0:07:29the potential as an annexe opposite, it's got everything it needs.

0:07:29 > 0:07:32I don't think you need to go into the building side of things.

0:07:32 > 0:07:35I think it's more cosmetic, get it tidied up, get it nice,

0:07:35 > 0:07:37get it ready and sell it.

0:07:37 > 0:07:42So if it was just renovated, how much value could be added here?

0:07:42 > 0:07:45I honestly believe, if it's done to a good standard,

0:07:45 > 0:07:48you could command £275,000 for the whole lot once done.

0:07:48 > 0:07:51And what if it was put on the rental market?

0:07:51 > 0:07:53Once this property's done up for rental,

0:07:53 > 0:07:56we'd have people fighting for it.

0:07:56 > 0:08:01And I believe you'd get between £950-£1,000 per calendar month.

0:08:01 > 0:08:05This isn't a standard, suburban, three-bed house.

0:08:05 > 0:08:09I think it's an exciting opportunity to do something different

0:08:09 > 0:08:11with all the added extras you have here.

0:08:11 > 0:08:17Or, if that doesn't appeal, refurb and sell on for a decent profit.

0:08:17 > 0:08:20Let's see who went for it at the auction.

0:08:20 > 0:08:23Lot 13, detached house for improvement,

0:08:23 > 0:08:25start me where you will, 170 will get it on the way.

0:08:25 > 0:08:27£170,000 bid on my right.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29170 I have.

0:08:29 > 0:08:32172, I'm obliged. 172.

0:08:32 > 0:08:35And 5. 175. And 7.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38And 7. 178, I'm obliged.

0:08:38 > 0:08:41178. And 9. 179.

0:08:41 > 0:08:45Thank you. 180 in the front. Fresh place.

0:08:45 > 0:08:47181, sitting down. 182.

0:08:47 > 0:08:51182. And 3. And 5. 187.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54190. 192, thank you, ladies.

0:08:54 > 0:08:57195. 197, I'm bid.

0:08:57 > 0:09:01£200,000, sir, may I say it? 198.

0:09:01 > 0:09:06199 from the ladies, if you like. 199, may I say?

0:09:06 > 0:09:12First time, then, at 198. 199 I'm bid. 200, if you like. 200 I've got.

0:09:12 > 0:09:16At £200,000 I've got for the first time.

0:09:16 > 0:09:19200,000 for the second time.

0:09:19 > 0:09:21Third and final time, to the gentleman at the back.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24For the third and final time, £200,000, are we all done?

0:09:24 > 0:09:26You've got it, sir. Well done.

0:09:26 > 0:09:31And that final bid of £200,000 was from Steve on the left,

0:09:31 > 0:09:33and his business partner, Andrew.

0:09:33 > 0:09:35The pair have been working together

0:09:35 > 0:09:38developing property for about a year now.

0:09:38 > 0:09:41Andrew, the builder on the right, originally from Poland

0:09:41 > 0:09:44and Steve, the spreadsheet money man.

0:09:44 > 0:09:48Let's find out what attracted them to this house in Chatham.

0:09:48 > 0:09:50Steve and Andrew, congratulations.

0:09:50 > 0:09:53So how did you guys end up in Chatham?

0:09:53 > 0:09:55We came here via the auction room, looking for a house to do up,

0:09:55 > 0:09:58and we were struggling with the estate agents,

0:09:58 > 0:10:00so we thought we would look at the auction route.

0:10:00 > 0:10:03And why this area in particular? Are you from here?

0:10:03 > 0:10:06No, we are based in Surrey but because it's a very easy

0:10:06 > 0:10:08commute for us, and the prices in Chatham

0:10:08 > 0:10:11are much lower than where we are, we can do up

0:10:11 > 0:10:15more properties here than in Surrey, actually.

0:10:15 > 0:10:17So, you feel you've got a lot of house for your money

0:10:17 > 0:10:19in Chatham? And in particular, this one?

0:10:19 > 0:10:21- I think so, yes. - You certainly have, haven't you?

0:10:21 > 0:10:24What was it about this property that you liked so much?

0:10:24 > 0:10:27It's detached, which is great, over in this part of Chatham.

0:10:27 > 0:10:30Loads of space and, although it's very tatty,

0:10:30 > 0:10:33it hasn't been ruined by somebody going through with bodged DIY,

0:10:33 > 0:10:37- so we think we can tidy it up pretty quickly.- I think it's the uniqueness.

0:10:37 > 0:10:40There isn't a second house like this in the neighbourhood.

0:10:40 > 0:10:41There are no neighbours around,

0:10:41 > 0:10:44and you know that nobody will develop around you, therefore,

0:10:44 > 0:10:47if you want to develop, there is nothing stopping you.

0:10:47 > 0:10:50Nobody can disagree to some sort of extensions to build on the house.

0:10:50 > 0:10:54And I think that that was the main reason why,

0:10:54 > 0:10:58why we were actually buying this house, more than the others.

0:10:58 > 0:11:02Well, we're all agreed on what a good position this house

0:11:02 > 0:11:05sits in, but do they see the possibilities I see?

0:11:06 > 0:11:09What I love about it, of course, is that little annexe.

0:11:09 > 0:11:10That's like a real bonus to this property.

0:11:10 > 0:11:13Well, that's fascinating because, in the auction catalogue,

0:11:13 > 0:11:15there was no sign behind the hedge

0:11:15 > 0:11:17of either the garage at one end of the house

0:11:17 > 0:11:20or the link between the pitched roof annexe and the main house.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23And we really think we can do something with that.

0:11:23 > 0:11:26We were considering converting that annexe into a living space.

0:11:26 > 0:11:28What it's going to be in the future, we don't know,

0:11:28 > 0:11:30but we have a few ideas to do here.

0:11:30 > 0:11:33I think you really have got to convert that into

0:11:33 > 0:11:37some sort of living space, granny annexe, nanny annexe, playroom.

0:11:37 > 0:11:39But what about the sort of, well, it's covered, the walkway,

0:11:39 > 0:11:41but it's open to the elements,

0:11:41 > 0:11:44would you try and make that an integral part of the property?

0:11:44 > 0:11:48What we'd really like to do is turn the front door to face the front,

0:11:48 > 0:11:50so put a new cavity wall across the front of that walkway,

0:11:50 > 0:11:53put the front door onto it and then use that as a corridor to link

0:11:53 > 0:11:55the main house and the annexe together.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57I'm so focused on talking about the annexe.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00What about the main centre of the property? What about in here?

0:12:00 > 0:12:03What are you going to do to turn it around?

0:12:03 > 0:12:05You've got some ideas, haven't you?

0:12:05 > 0:12:07I think, pretty much, the rooms are going to stay as they are,

0:12:07 > 0:12:09starting from the top floor.

0:12:09 > 0:12:11You have two double bedrooms, one single bedroom.

0:12:11 > 0:12:15The bathroom and the toilet, though, they are going to be changed.

0:12:15 > 0:12:17Where you have a dividing wall, that's going to come down.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20And we're going to move the main entrance into the bathroom forward.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24So you have one big toilet, bathroom, family bathroom, upstairs.

0:12:24 > 0:12:27We find that there is no need to put in an extra en suite,

0:12:27 > 0:12:28although we have an idea actually

0:12:28 > 0:12:31to sacrifice some of the space from the back bedroom

0:12:31 > 0:12:35and make an en suite, but probably because it's a two-bedroom,

0:12:35 > 0:12:392+1 three-bedroom house, there's no need for an extra bathroom upstairs.

0:12:39 > 0:12:41- It's a two-bedroom and one pool room.- Yes! There is that.

0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's not a bedroom, there's a pool table currently up there,

0:12:44 > 0:12:46which, I take, is going to go?

0:12:46 > 0:12:49Well, it's available! Yep, that'll be going.

0:12:49 > 0:12:54Yes, we'll probably advertise it in the local paper for someone to take.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57I need to ask you this question. What's the budget?

0:12:57 > 0:13:03The budget here is to try and get the house done for about £30,000.

0:13:03 > 0:13:05OK, and your timescale?

0:13:05 > 0:13:08Timescale? Typically, what?

0:13:08 > 0:13:10Between eight to ten weeks.

0:13:10 > 0:13:13What would your sort of top valuation of this property be,

0:13:13 > 0:13:16once it's done up, looking fabulous?

0:13:16 > 0:13:20- We reckon we can achieve a price between 300-320,000.- Really?- Yes.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Wow! - Without doing any extension work.

0:13:22 > 0:13:24We did consider extension work,

0:13:24 > 0:13:27but it works out not to be worth, at this stage.

0:13:27 > 0:13:29He's the optimist and I'm the pessimist!

0:13:29 > 0:13:32OK, so that really is breaking through the £250,000 barrier

0:13:32 > 0:13:34- and some, isn't it?- Yes.

0:13:34 > 0:13:36And how do you feel about that?

0:13:36 > 0:13:40I feel the risk of us losing money here is small or nonexistent.

0:13:40 > 0:13:43And so, I am seeing anything 260 and upwards

0:13:43 > 0:13:46would be a result in the right direction.

0:13:46 > 0:13:50Guys, good luck with this project. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

0:13:50 > 0:13:52Well, we have our fingers crossed. That's the main thing.

0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Lovely to meet you. Good luck. - Thanks.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59Well, Steve and Andrew will make this place work,

0:13:59 > 0:14:03I'm sure of it, but will they tip the value over 300 grand?

0:14:03 > 0:14:05There's only one way to find out.

0:14:05 > 0:14:07Join us later in the show.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16Leatherhead in Surrey is now a pretty desirable area,

0:14:16 > 0:14:19with both rail and road access into London and beyond.

0:14:19 > 0:14:21Situated on the River Mole,

0:14:21 > 0:14:25the town has the symbol of a swan holding a sword in its beak.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30But is today's property going to be something elegant and serene,

0:14:30 > 0:14:32or just a bit of an ugly duckling?

0:14:34 > 0:14:38Well, just off the busy main road on this quieter side road

0:14:38 > 0:14:40is the property I'm here to see.

0:14:40 > 0:14:43Now, property prices in Leatherhead, not surprisingly,

0:14:43 > 0:14:48are quite high, so what does a guide price of 150,000 quid get you?

0:14:48 > 0:14:52Well, you might be quite surprised, because it's a little bit...

0:14:52 > 0:14:58What's the word? ..not looked after on the outside. But it's a cottage.

0:14:58 > 0:15:01It's semidetached, two bedrooms, let's take a look.

0:15:03 > 0:15:06So, possibly not expecting it to be too sparkling in here

0:15:06 > 0:15:10but what have we got? It's got a front living room area.

0:15:10 > 0:15:12Not exactly massive.

0:15:12 > 0:15:14Nice, open fire which is a good sign,

0:15:14 > 0:15:18although, looking round the room, I don't think there's any other form

0:15:18 > 0:15:21of heating apart from some electric heaters on the walls, there.

0:15:21 > 0:15:24Stairs up to the bedrooms there, and through into your rear sitting room.

0:15:24 > 0:15:28Another fireplace in here, a bit more dated, some floorboards

0:15:28 > 0:15:30that could be stripped. Let's see what else we can find.

0:15:32 > 0:15:34So, what's through here?

0:15:34 > 0:15:36Well, little kitchen.

0:15:36 > 0:15:38Seems to me this is built into some kind of extension

0:15:38 > 0:15:41on the property, which immediately means you're going to be

0:15:41 > 0:15:45thinking about damp-proofing. How many courses of bricks is it?

0:15:45 > 0:15:48There is an overriding feeling in this place, I think,

0:15:48 > 0:15:49of having to sort out the damp,

0:15:49 > 0:15:53because it smells and feels a little bit like it needs it.

0:15:53 > 0:15:55But, overall, not a big space,

0:15:55 > 0:15:58but it's a cutesy-wutesy cottage, I guess,

0:15:58 > 0:16:00so it depends what you're expecting.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03And it could be nice with a better interior layout, I guess.

0:16:03 > 0:16:07One thing you're going to have to do, though, is get rid of this.

0:16:07 > 0:16:09As I said, no central heating, as such.

0:16:09 > 0:16:14So maybe a combination boiler and sort that out at the same time.

0:16:14 > 0:16:17Ah, yes, the kitchen does need work.

0:16:17 > 0:16:20With one of the biggest hot water heaters I've seen,

0:16:20 > 0:16:22in one of the smallest kitchens.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25A bit of a rethink needed, all round.

0:16:25 > 0:16:27Reposition a combi boiler elsewhere,

0:16:27 > 0:16:30perhaps knock through into the rear dining room to make

0:16:30 > 0:16:33a much bigger kitchen-diner with doors out into the garden and, then,

0:16:33 > 0:16:37I think the whole place would be much brighter and welcoming.

0:16:40 > 0:16:43So upstairs and you've got your two bedrooms.

0:16:43 > 0:16:47Not a bad size, but in some ways, they feel

0:16:47 > 0:16:50even more in need of tender loving care than downstairs does.

0:16:50 > 0:16:52They've got these nice fireplaces, which is a good touch.

0:16:52 > 0:16:55And floorboards which I think you could strip back,

0:16:55 > 0:16:57again, which would give loads of character.

0:16:57 > 0:16:59But what about that bathroom? Well, here it is.

0:16:59 > 0:17:01The good news is, it's upstairs.

0:17:01 > 0:17:03The bad news is, to get to it,

0:17:03 > 0:17:06you have to walk through one of the bedrooms.

0:17:06 > 0:17:09# World just passed me by... #

0:17:09 > 0:17:11People traipsing through a bedroom

0:17:11 > 0:17:14to get to a bathroom is far from ideal.

0:17:14 > 0:17:16# Oh, pass me by... #

0:17:16 > 0:17:20And, really, a corridor will need to be built to separate the rooms.

0:17:20 > 0:17:23And that will eat into your bedroom space, which is a shame.

0:17:23 > 0:17:27So, could there be an alternative solution?

0:17:27 > 0:17:31I wonder if maybe there is some room at the rear of the property

0:17:31 > 0:17:32that could be utilised.

0:17:32 > 0:17:34So, what's out the back?

0:17:34 > 0:17:36A cutesy-wutesy cottage garden, hopefully.

0:17:36 > 0:17:37One thing is for sure, though,

0:17:37 > 0:17:41that extension looks like it was original, which is a nice surprise.

0:17:41 > 0:17:45And so is the garden. Look at this. Goes all the way back there.

0:17:45 > 0:17:46Yes, it's overgrown

0:17:46 > 0:17:49and you're going to have to spend a good amount of time out here

0:17:49 > 0:17:53with a strimmer but, actually, it's a really nice space.

0:17:53 > 0:17:55It's a pretty good, if overgrown, garden.

0:17:55 > 0:17:59And there certainly is room for a bigger and better extension,

0:17:59 > 0:18:00if you fancy it.

0:18:00 > 0:18:05And, overall, this place needs some work, yes,

0:18:05 > 0:18:09but most of all, it just needs love and attention.

0:18:09 > 0:18:15# Oh, love is all I need

0:18:15 > 0:18:19# Love is all I need... #

0:18:25 > 0:18:28What does a local estate agent make of this

0:18:28 > 0:18:31two-bed, semidetached cottage, with its rather quirky layout?

0:18:32 > 0:18:35As far as the layout of the house is concerned, at least it's got

0:18:35 > 0:18:38an upstairs bathroom, which is rare in these buildings.

0:18:38 > 0:18:40They're usually downstairs.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44The downside of that is, it's off of one bedroom.

0:18:44 > 0:18:48So it's got to be for a family that get on well.

0:18:48 > 0:18:51Hmm. Certainly, there are some issues to address.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54But would it be worth the time and effort

0:18:54 > 0:18:57to get this £150,000 guided property up to scratch?

0:18:57 > 0:19:00In my opinion, I think the resale value of this,

0:19:00 > 0:19:06with all the works done, would be around £230,000.

0:19:06 > 0:19:11OK, so that's encouraging. Now, does it have much rental potential?

0:19:13 > 0:19:15Rental value for this with all the works done

0:19:15 > 0:19:19would be £1,050 per calendar month.

0:19:19 > 0:19:21Well, it's not without its issues,

0:19:21 > 0:19:23but what you've got here is a really cute cottage

0:19:23 > 0:19:28in need of modernisation, in a very popular location.

0:19:28 > 0:19:31Just the sort of thing that I know would have been very popular

0:19:31 > 0:19:33when it went under the hammer.

0:19:35 > 0:19:38Lot 97 is a two-bedroomed, semidetached house,

0:19:38 > 0:19:40requires upgrading.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42What about 150?

0:19:43 > 0:19:47Yeah, 150, will start there.

0:19:47 > 0:19:50151, thank you. 152. 153. 154.

0:19:50 > 0:19:54155. 156.

0:19:54 > 0:19:57157. 158. 159.

0:19:59 > 0:20:01160, thank you. 161...

0:20:01 > 0:20:03Well, this was turning out to be a hot lot,

0:20:03 > 0:20:07and we rejoin the bidding at £180,000.

0:20:07 > 0:20:09..180. 181.

0:20:09 > 0:20:13181, new place. 182.

0:20:14 > 0:20:17182. 183. 184.

0:20:17 > 0:20:19185.

0:20:21 > 0:20:24185. 186, on my left. 187, sir.

0:20:25 > 0:20:33No? If not, 186 for the first, 186 for the second, 186 for the third

0:20:33 > 0:20:35and final time, all done?

0:20:35 > 0:20:37Sold, 186.

0:20:37 > 0:20:42And so, for 186,000, that's £36,000 over the guide price,

0:20:42 > 0:20:46the new owner of a two-bed, semidetached cottage in Leatherhead

0:20:46 > 0:20:48is Michael.

0:20:48 > 0:20:51Michael lives just 15 minutes away in nearby Epsom,

0:20:51 > 0:20:56and I met him back at the property to find out his plans.

0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Michael, good to meet you. - And you.- Congratulations.

0:21:00 > 0:21:03Tell me why you wanted to buy this place.

0:21:03 > 0:21:06Erm, I bought it, really, to give myself a job.

0:21:06 > 0:21:09Refurb it and hopefully make a bit of profit.

0:21:09 > 0:21:12Right, tell me about you. What do you actually do?

0:21:12 > 0:21:14- Carpenter by trade.- Oh, great.- Yeah.

0:21:14 > 0:21:18- There is some woodwork to be done, isn't there?- Absolutely.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21I can do most of it. I don't do the electrics or the plumbing

0:21:21 > 0:21:23but most of the other stuff I can turn my hand to.

0:21:23 > 0:21:27- Great. So, tell me, then, what you're going to do.- Extend the back,

0:21:27 > 0:21:30erm, to make the kitchen bigger.

0:21:30 > 0:21:34- Right, similar to the neighbouring properties?- Yeah.- Similar story?

0:21:34 > 0:21:36Similar story.

0:21:36 > 0:21:39And then, perhaps, lose these walls.

0:21:39 > 0:21:42Maybe, possibly, make the downstairs all open-plan,

0:21:42 > 0:21:46move the staircase, bring the staircase coming up the side.

0:21:46 > 0:21:48I'll have to get rid of the chimney breast

0:21:48 > 0:21:51to get the staircase starting from here.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54And upstairs, I'm going to separate the bedrooms,

0:21:54 > 0:21:58so you don't go through the bedrooms to the bathroom.

0:21:58 > 0:22:00So, is the idea to create a corridor upstairs then,

0:22:00 > 0:22:02- and have the bedrooms coming off that?- Yeah.

0:22:02 > 0:22:05- The trick to that is moving the stairs.- Yes.

0:22:05 > 0:22:08I'll bring the stairs over here.

0:22:08 > 0:22:11I can then, hopefully, gain a bit of passageway and then,

0:22:11 > 0:22:15by moving the stairs, add it, put it back into the bedroom.

0:22:15 > 0:22:18Now, you're lucky you're a carpenter, because that kind of job

0:22:18 > 0:22:24- falls perfectly into your areas of expertise, doesn't it?- Yup. Yup.

0:22:24 > 0:22:25Should be OK.

0:22:25 > 0:22:27No biggie for you, putting a staircase in.

0:22:27 > 0:22:29No, no, that should be fine.

0:22:29 > 0:22:33Michael has already two renovations under his carpenter's belt.

0:22:33 > 0:22:34And, from his experience,

0:22:34 > 0:22:38he thinks that working on this will take between 10 and 12 weeks.

0:22:38 > 0:22:41However, I can't help thinking that there's a lot to do here,

0:22:41 > 0:22:45and he's already invested 186,000.

0:22:45 > 0:22:48So talk me through the numbers. In an ideal world,

0:22:48 > 0:22:51how much are you going to spend on it, doing it up?

0:22:51 > 0:22:55If I can, I'll try and get it in around the 20 grand mark, erm...

0:22:55 > 0:22:59but maybe edging towards 25.

0:22:59 > 0:23:03And what's the plan for it? Is it to rent it out or sell it on?

0:23:03 > 0:23:08Ideally, I want to spin it over, sell it, go and do another one.

0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Listen, congratulations.- Thank you. - Good luck with it.- Cheers.

0:23:11 > 0:23:12We'll see how you get on.

0:23:14 > 0:23:18Well, I like the idea of buying yourself a job with a property,

0:23:18 > 0:23:24and that's exactly what Michael has done. And a nice project it is, too.

0:23:24 > 0:23:26However, with what he's planning, especially that extension,

0:23:26 > 0:23:30that £20,000 budget sounds a little bit tight to me.

0:23:30 > 0:23:33You can find out how he gets on later in the show.

0:23:34 > 0:23:39Still to come, this Stoke-on-Trent house has severe dry rot -

0:23:39 > 0:23:44a dreaded problem, one that really has people running for the hills.

0:23:46 > 0:23:49Back in Surrey, it's gone well for carpenter, Mike.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51Most of the character I've tried to keep -

0:23:51 > 0:23:54fireplaces, the wooden floor, the architraves.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01We're now returning to the Kent town of Chatham, where,

0:24:01 > 0:24:04earlier in the programme, this three-bedroomed, detached property,

0:24:04 > 0:24:08adjacent to a graveyard, was bought for £200,000

0:24:08 > 0:24:13by Steve on the left and Andrew, who are based in Surrey.

0:24:13 > 0:24:15The pair have been working together for about a year,

0:24:15 > 0:24:17developing properties.

0:24:17 > 0:24:21Andrew is originally from Poland and he does the building work,

0:24:21 > 0:24:25whilst Steve is an ex-lawyer, looking after the finances.

0:24:25 > 0:24:29They saw great potential for the extra building on the site.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32There was no sign behind the hedge of either the garage

0:24:32 > 0:24:34on one end of the house or the link between

0:24:34 > 0:24:36the pitched roof annexe and the main house.

0:24:36 > 0:24:38And we really think we can do something with that.

0:24:38 > 0:24:41What about the main centre of the property? What about in here?

0:24:41 > 0:24:43What are you going to do to turn it around?

0:24:43 > 0:24:46Pretty much, the rooms are going to stay as they are.

0:24:46 > 0:24:47Starting from the top floor,

0:24:47 > 0:24:49we will have two double bedrooms, one single bedroom.

0:24:49 > 0:24:52Hold on a minute. It's a two bedroom and one pool room.

0:24:52 > 0:24:53Yes! There is that.

0:24:53 > 0:24:56It's not a bedroom, there's a pool table up there,

0:24:56 > 0:24:57which, I take, is going to go?

0:24:57 > 0:24:59Well, it's available!

0:25:00 > 0:25:04They were going to sell and hope to pocket a profit, and they hoped

0:25:04 > 0:25:07their budget of 30,000 wouldn't leave them snookered.

0:25:07 > 0:25:10They set a timescale of about eight to ten weeks.

0:25:13 > 0:25:15Now it's eight months later.

0:25:15 > 0:25:18And, next to the quietest part of town, there is now

0:25:18 > 0:25:20definitely something to shout about.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37The property has replacement windows throughout.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40But the living room is only the beginning...

0:25:43 > 0:25:45..because the former dining room and kitchen

0:25:45 > 0:25:47have been knocked into one.

0:25:49 > 0:25:51This is the kitchen, before, it was split.

0:25:51 > 0:25:54Where I'm standing right now, there was a dividing wall

0:25:54 > 0:25:57and the door was on my left from the hallway,

0:25:57 > 0:26:02and we decided to open this up and create a larger dining/kitchen room

0:26:02 > 0:26:05with very high standard gloss units, curved units,

0:26:05 > 0:26:07and we're very pleased with the results.

0:26:07 > 0:26:09Obviously, it's going to continue

0:26:09 > 0:26:11throughout the house into the utility room

0:26:11 > 0:26:14and into the annexe room that's on the other side of the property.

0:26:14 > 0:26:18The utility room will be placed in what used to be the store shed,

0:26:18 > 0:26:21while the annexe is going to be linked to the main house

0:26:21 > 0:26:24by creating a corridor with a parallel wall.

0:26:24 > 0:26:26We decided to apply for planning permission.

0:26:26 > 0:26:28We took a certain amount of time,

0:26:28 > 0:26:32and that's enabled us to get the part of the house between the main house

0:26:32 > 0:26:36and the annexe absolutely approved and ready for conversion.

0:26:36 > 0:26:38I thought that little annexe was intriguing,

0:26:38 > 0:26:40and offered tons of possibilities.

0:26:40 > 0:26:43So what did they do with it in the end?

0:26:43 > 0:26:46This annexe was the former office building.

0:26:46 > 0:26:49And what we've done is convert it in such a way

0:26:49 > 0:26:52that all the windows have been changed.

0:26:52 > 0:26:54We've gone for these high-level windows

0:26:54 > 0:26:57instead of the previous single-glazed metal windows,

0:26:57 > 0:27:00and we've put a good cloakroom/bathroom over on this side,

0:27:00 > 0:27:02so whoever buys the house

0:27:02 > 0:27:05can either use it as a bedroom or as another living room.

0:27:05 > 0:27:09I think it's a really elegant and flexible solution.

0:27:10 > 0:27:13Although they decided on cost grounds

0:27:13 > 0:27:16to leave the front door as it was, on the side,

0:27:16 > 0:27:18there has been more work outside.

0:27:18 > 0:27:21A terrace with French windows is under way,

0:27:21 > 0:27:24and the other foundations are the beginning of the garden room,

0:27:24 > 0:27:27which they have decided is a cost-effective addition.

0:27:29 > 0:27:32Back inside the main house, the former bathroom and loo

0:27:32 > 0:27:35have been knocked into one well-equipped family bathroom.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39The pool table's also gone

0:27:39 > 0:27:43and the three bedrooms have been tastefully redecorated.

0:27:44 > 0:27:46There's still the garden to landscape,

0:27:46 > 0:27:48and with the additional work on the extension

0:27:48 > 0:27:52and with the high-level finish kitchen, I wonder what effect

0:27:52 > 0:27:56all of that has had on their original £30,000 budget.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59We spent about 40,000, perhaps a little above, in the end,

0:27:59 > 0:28:02but we're still very comfortable that

0:28:02 > 0:28:05what we spent makes good sense for this particular house.

0:28:05 > 0:28:08With the £200,000 they spent at auction,

0:28:08 > 0:28:12it takes the total investment to £240,000.

0:28:12 > 0:28:15And have the plans remained the same?

0:28:15 > 0:28:17Yes, the plan is to sell the house.

0:28:17 > 0:28:20Agents, from time to time, like to try and persuade us to rent them,

0:28:20 > 0:28:23but our business is selling them and moving on to renovate the next.

0:28:25 > 0:28:29What will these two local estate agents make of the renovation work?

0:28:29 > 0:28:32My first impressions are that no expense has been spared,

0:28:32 > 0:28:35particularly the kitchen and bathroom, which are the key rooms.

0:28:35 > 0:28:37The layout works particularly well.

0:28:37 > 0:28:39I think with the proposed garden room that's going to be added

0:28:39 > 0:28:41to the back of the property,

0:28:41 > 0:28:45that's going to help with a separate area for other entertainments.

0:28:45 > 0:28:47I think, with the extension, it is a good idea,

0:28:47 > 0:28:50because it's connecting the rest of the building together.

0:28:50 > 0:28:52However, in the future, if they do want to expand,

0:28:52 > 0:28:54at least they've got room to do it.

0:28:54 > 0:28:57Now, I know they don't want to let the house out,

0:28:57 > 0:29:00but out of interest, how much could this fetch on the rental market?

0:29:00 > 0:29:03I predict a rental income of £1,400 per calendar month.

0:29:03 > 0:29:05If this property was rented out,

0:29:05 > 0:29:08they would achieve around £1,500 per calendar month.

0:29:08 > 0:29:11Well, that's an impressive yield of 7%.

0:29:11 > 0:29:14It would be a good rental return, by the sound of it.

0:29:14 > 0:29:16Depends where they pitched the price,

0:29:16 > 0:29:20but 1,500 a month would be a good rental income.

0:29:20 > 0:29:22And what about that all-important resale figure?

0:29:22 > 0:29:25Do the agents think the property would be worth more than

0:29:25 > 0:29:29the 240,000 that Andrew and Steve have invested here?

0:29:29 > 0:29:34I would value this property for £300-£330,000.

0:29:34 > 0:29:37We'd aim to sell this property for £365,000.

0:29:37 > 0:29:40Well, a real disparity in the valuations there.

0:29:40 > 0:29:44One valuation would give a £60,000 profit,

0:29:44 > 0:29:47while the other would produce a whacking 125 grand,

0:29:47 > 0:29:50minus all the usual taxes and expenses.

0:29:50 > 0:29:52365 is a very good achievement

0:29:52 > 0:29:56but I think the 350 mark is where we're going to land.

0:29:56 > 0:29:59This has been the fifth property that Andrew

0:29:59 > 0:30:01and Steve have refurbished.

0:30:01 > 0:30:05Their development business is going well, so, what next?

0:30:05 > 0:30:08We've got another house we're working on already, which is

0:30:08 > 0:30:10an even bigger project than this one,

0:30:10 > 0:30:13potentially including some new development in the garden as well,

0:30:13 > 0:30:17but at the moment, unless Andy has different ideas, we carry on.

0:30:17 > 0:30:19I think so. We didn't plan anything

0:30:19 > 0:30:22in the near future. Once we have this house sold

0:30:22 > 0:30:25we'll probably start looking and go back to the auction again.

0:30:28 > 0:30:31Well, a success story there in Kent.

0:30:31 > 0:30:35Will we find another one here in Bradely, Stoke-on-Trent?

0:30:35 > 0:30:37It's suburban and rather pleasant

0:30:37 > 0:30:42and it's also played a part in the rising fortunes of the local area.

0:30:42 > 0:30:46Well, the area formed part of an urban expansion

0:30:46 > 0:30:51plan in the 1950s to provide housing for local miners

0:30:51 > 0:30:54and factory workers whose homes in nearby

0:30:54 > 0:30:57Burslem and Tunstall were condemned,

0:30:57 > 0:31:00so it was bricks and mortar to the rescue.

0:31:00 > 0:31:03There are still some older Victorian terraces along the main road

0:31:03 > 0:31:06leading to Burslem town centre. There are buses

0:31:06 > 0:31:09aplenty for all your commuting requirements.

0:31:09 > 0:31:10So, what am I here to see?

0:31:10 > 0:31:15It's a three-bed, mid-terrace in this fairly attractive

0:31:15 > 0:31:17row of similar properties.

0:31:17 > 0:31:21I like the brick-built frontage and from the outside, this is it.

0:31:21 > 0:31:26Looks pretty good. The guide price £40,000 plus.

0:31:26 > 0:31:29Hmm. Sounds suspiciously low.

0:31:29 > 0:31:32Even more suspicious, when you know the ceiling

0:31:32 > 0:31:36price around here is around the £80,000 mark.

0:31:36 > 0:31:40So, let's investigate what we have. Little corridor here.

0:31:40 > 0:31:42I don't like that as a layout.

0:31:42 > 0:31:46It feels claustrophobic the moment you come through the front door.

0:31:46 > 0:31:49I am not even going to go there for a second, but through

0:31:49 > 0:31:54here into your main sort of living area and this is quite a nice space.

0:31:54 > 0:31:57Obviously full of lots of stuff at the moment, but get rid of that

0:31:57 > 0:31:59and it's got this dual aspect which is always good.

0:31:59 > 0:32:03So living area at the front, rear area at the back.

0:32:05 > 0:32:06Hmm.

0:32:09 > 0:32:10HE INHALES SHARPLY

0:32:10 > 0:32:14We'll come back to that. Onwards through here

0:32:14 > 0:32:19is your kitchen and I think onwards through to a bathroom.

0:32:19 > 0:32:23I am just going to go upstairs. Hmm.

0:32:23 > 0:32:26OK, OK, I know, I know I am avoiding a big problem down here.

0:32:26 > 0:32:28But I promise I will come back to it.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31# Come back

0:32:31 > 0:32:34# Baby come back... #

0:32:34 > 0:32:38Well, up here, the good news is there is a bathroom

0:32:38 > 0:32:42and a sink, the bad news is there is no loo and that's not ideal.

0:32:42 > 0:32:44I think you have also stolen space from the bedrooms

0:32:44 > 0:32:47because it does actually feel a little bit cramped.

0:32:47 > 0:32:52The good news again though is that it seems that the majority,

0:32:52 > 0:32:57if not all, of the walls are actually stud partition.

0:32:57 > 0:33:01Not that difficult to take down and rejig the layout up here.

0:33:01 > 0:33:03And I think with a bit of careful thought

0:33:03 > 0:33:05you could make it much better than it is.

0:33:05 > 0:33:11Would you keep it as three bedrooms or go for two bigger ones?

0:33:11 > 0:33:15Could you turn that sort of washroom into a proper bathroom with a loo?

0:33:15 > 0:33:19OK, nothing else for it. Back downstairs.

0:33:19 > 0:33:22Well, I can't get away with it any longer.

0:33:22 > 0:33:26It is time to address the elephant in the room, as they say.

0:33:26 > 0:33:29The obvious thing with this property, which is

0:33:29 > 0:33:31clearly pretty bad!

0:33:31 > 0:33:36This is one of the most incredible examples of dry rot

0:33:36 > 0:33:39I have ever seen in a house.

0:33:39 > 0:33:42I mean, this bit here with plastic over the wall and you have the

0:33:42 > 0:33:43tendrils of this fungus there.

0:33:43 > 0:33:47This is something you'd see in a museum case or a natural

0:33:47 > 0:33:52history kind of show. This is the, if you like, the result of dry rot.

0:33:52 > 0:33:55It's a fungus. It grows, it eats its way through wood,

0:33:55 > 0:33:59it smashes its way through...

0:33:59 > 0:34:00anything.

0:34:00 > 0:34:02Look, look, look.

0:34:02 > 0:34:04Look at that, there.

0:34:05 > 0:34:09There's the tendrils of this nasty little thing.

0:34:09 > 0:34:12It is one of the classic issues

0:34:12 > 0:34:14and problems or potential problems in a property,

0:34:14 > 0:34:17one that really has people...

0:34:17 > 0:34:18Oh, my goodness me!

0:34:18 > 0:34:20..running for the hills.

0:34:20 > 0:34:24It's caused by water and a combination of that

0:34:24 > 0:34:27and an enclosed space as in under these floorboards.

0:34:27 > 0:34:31The problem is the tendrils stretch everywhere,

0:34:31 > 0:34:35they go through wood and concrete, they are a disaster, as you can see.

0:34:35 > 0:34:37It's expensive to put right

0:34:37 > 0:34:40and it needs to be done properly otherwise it comes back.

0:34:40 > 0:34:44Dry rot is a fungus which can travel much faster than your average

0:34:44 > 0:34:48mushroom and if it goes on the rampage this is the result.

0:34:48 > 0:34:52# My world is crumbling My world is crumbling... #

0:34:54 > 0:34:57And bear in mind that this is what you can see.

0:34:57 > 0:34:59The joists and everything could be shot.

0:34:59 > 0:35:04It could even have crept next-door, all very expensive.

0:35:04 > 0:35:07I'd get a survey done before I even thought of buying this

0:35:07 > 0:35:10property to find out the extent of the infestation.

0:35:10 > 0:35:13Maybe outside will cheer me up.

0:35:13 > 0:35:17Well, there is a good-sized back garden to the property

0:35:17 > 0:35:18and it would seem even bigger

0:35:18 > 0:35:22if you got rid of, or trimmed back, at least, that privet hedge.

0:35:22 > 0:35:27But another bit of really good news is at the back here, there is

0:35:27 > 0:35:30actually a rear access

0:35:30 > 0:35:33so pretty much like other people have done, put a garage in here,

0:35:33 > 0:35:37gets your car off the road, yes, a nice additional bonus.

0:35:37 > 0:35:41I say additional bonus, but that is of course assuming that

0:35:41 > 0:35:44something can be done to solve the problems inside.

0:35:44 > 0:35:49What will a local estate agent make of this crumbly terrace?

0:35:49 > 0:35:53Compared to a standard renovation project, this probably

0:35:53 > 0:35:57requires little bit more work, there is some dry rot knocking around.

0:35:57 > 0:36:00Obviously that may need a specialist to have a look at that

0:36:00 > 0:36:03and replace the whole floors, really.

0:36:03 > 0:36:07I think all that taken into consideration, and when all done,

0:36:07 > 0:36:12and in a nice order, this could be somewhere around £85,000-£90,000.

0:36:12 > 0:36:17OK, so that is the potential value, what could the rental income be?

0:36:17 > 0:36:21In a good condition, I'd place this on the rental market

0:36:21 > 0:36:25somewhere between £400 and £425 per calendar month.

0:36:27 > 0:36:29Well, it's sometimes said

0:36:29 > 0:36:32that mid-terrace properties are a safe bet.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35Since, as long as the ones on either side are all right,

0:36:35 > 0:36:37how bad can the one in the middle be?

0:36:37 > 0:36:39Well, this is a case in point...

0:36:39 > 0:36:44of that theory being complete rubbish because it is horrendous!

0:36:44 > 0:36:46As we've seen.

0:36:46 > 0:36:49Still, as long as you get it at the right price,

0:36:49 > 0:36:51it could still be a good investment.

0:36:51 > 0:36:54Let's see who went for it under the hammer.

0:36:54 > 0:36:59Lot 53, a large mid-townhouse, first floor bathroom,

0:36:59 > 0:37:01the majority double glazed, gas central heating.

0:37:01 > 0:37:03Three bedrooms, good-sized garden.

0:37:03 > 0:37:07Lot 53, 35 to start me on this one.

0:37:08 > 0:37:1035 bid, thank you.

0:37:10 > 0:37:13At £35,000.

0:37:13 > 0:37:16£35,000, I'll say 38. Shall we say 38?

0:37:16 > 0:37:18The bid is at 35. 38 bid. Thank you.

0:37:18 > 0:37:21£38,000. 40?

0:37:23 > 0:37:25£40,000. 42?

0:37:25 > 0:37:29£42,000. 44?

0:37:30 > 0:37:34One, you are saying? £43,000. 44?

0:37:35 > 0:37:38A half. He's saying 43½. 44?

0:37:38 > 0:37:40At 43...

0:37:40 > 0:37:4444 seated. At 44. Another 500?

0:37:47 > 0:37:50No. The bid is seated at 44,000.

0:37:50 > 0:37:54Back in 44½. 45?

0:37:56 > 0:38:00A new bidder at 45. 45½. 46.

0:38:03 > 0:38:0646. 46½. 47.

0:38:06 > 0:38:1047. 47½. 48?

0:38:10 > 0:38:1348. 49.

0:38:13 > 0:38:1550? 50.

0:38:17 > 0:38:22No, at £50,000, standing there at 50,000. 51 anywhere else?

0:38:24 > 0:38:27At £50,000 then for the first time.

0:38:27 > 0:38:31New bidder, 51. 52?

0:38:34 > 0:38:3652. 53?

0:38:38 > 0:38:41No. 53,000, the gentleman in the blue T-shirt.

0:38:41 > 0:38:43Just wave again so there's no mistake. Thank you.

0:38:43 > 0:38:45£53,000 then, all done now?

0:38:45 > 0:38:48At £53,000 once,

0:38:48 > 0:38:50£53,000 twice,

0:38:50 > 0:38:53third and last time at £53,000.

0:38:55 > 0:38:57Your lot, sir, well done.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01That final bid of £53,000 was made by Clint.

0:39:01 > 0:39:06He and his wife Kerry own a stud farm for Welsh cob horses

0:39:06 > 0:39:09and have just finished renovation work on their own home.

0:39:09 > 0:39:12Clint builds horseboxes amongst other things.

0:39:12 > 0:39:14It seems he can turn his hand to most things,

0:39:14 > 0:39:18but is even he going to find this troubled terrace a challenge?

0:39:18 > 0:39:21I met the couple to find out more.

0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Clint, Kerry, great to meet you both.- Thank you.

0:39:24 > 0:39:28Clint - an interesting name. What is the background to it?

0:39:28 > 0:39:33My dad was a cowboy fanatic really, so I was named after Clint Eastwood.

0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Do you like Clint Eastwood?- Yes, I must admit, I like cowboys as well.

0:39:39 > 0:39:41Buying at auction might seem like the Wild West,

0:39:41 > 0:39:44but not if you do your research, view the property,

0:39:44 > 0:39:47read the legal pack and know your limit.

0:39:47 > 0:39:51- Please tell me you looked at this house before you bought it.- No.- No.

0:39:51 > 0:39:54Aargh!

0:39:55 > 0:39:57The typical mistake.

0:39:59 > 0:40:01Right, why?

0:40:01 > 0:40:05We decided on the way that we were going to pay about £50,000.

0:40:05 > 0:40:09I was working on the assumption that I needed to spend about 10 on it.

0:40:09 > 0:40:13- Resell it for about 75, not a bad profit.- Oh, no!

0:40:13 > 0:40:18- The actual auction, it stopped on our limit of £50,000.- Right.

0:40:18 > 0:40:21So I just put my hand up for 51.

0:40:21 > 0:40:22I then got a kick off my wife

0:40:22 > 0:40:25- to say, "What are you doing?" - I was nudging, yes.

0:40:25 > 0:40:28Somebody went 52, I went 53, and we bought it.

0:40:28 > 0:40:31After that I thought to myself, "That's a good price."

0:40:31 > 0:40:34Then I thought, "Why was it a good price?"

0:40:35 > 0:40:40Why was it a good price? Well, the clue, Clint, was in the legal pack.

0:40:40 > 0:40:44Now, it's bad enough they didn't view the property beforehand,

0:40:44 > 0:40:46but guess what else they didn't do.

0:40:46 > 0:40:49Yep, that's right, they didn't read the legal pack.

0:40:49 > 0:40:53If they had, they would have spotted information that said they had to

0:40:53 > 0:40:58pay the seller's fees, upping their total spend thus far to £56,000.

0:40:58 > 0:41:02And, by the way, the pack also mentioned the dry rot.

0:41:02 > 0:41:04So, what is the plan to deal with that?

0:41:04 > 0:41:08We're just going to rip everything out. All the wood is coming out.

0:41:08 > 0:41:11Obviously treat the walls and floors

0:41:11 > 0:41:14- with the fungal disinfectant, basically.- Yeah.

0:41:14 > 0:41:17New stairs going in, so that will eliminate the dry rot.

0:41:17 > 0:41:20We've looked up, it's only travelled halfway up the stairs.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23So there's no actual dry rot upstairs.

0:41:23 > 0:41:27Clint and Kerry intend tackling the dry rot themselves.

0:41:27 > 0:41:31On a tight budget, fair enough, but I would always recommend

0:41:31 > 0:41:33getting in the experts because if you don't get it right,

0:41:33 > 0:41:37it will return. If you do decide to treat it yourself,

0:41:37 > 0:41:41bear in mind that you should go past where you think the dry rot ends

0:41:41 > 0:41:45because it travels, and never replace boards, skirting or whatever

0:41:45 > 0:41:49with untreated wood, otherwise you'll just be inviting trouble.

0:41:49 > 0:41:52And of course, you need to find the source of the damp

0:41:52 > 0:41:55that caused the problem in the first place.

0:41:55 > 0:41:57You are now the proud owners.

0:41:57 > 0:42:00- What are you going to do? - Just basically refurbish the lot.

0:42:00 > 0:42:03We'll knock some walls out, extend the kitchen,

0:42:03 > 0:42:05extend the rooms upstairs.

0:42:05 > 0:42:09One bedroom upstairs, we can move the wall only about 250mm,

0:42:09 > 0:42:12which doesn't sound a lot, but it means we can get a single bed in.

0:42:12 > 0:42:15We can turn the bath around upstairs so we can put the toilet

0:42:15 > 0:42:18- which is downstairs and make a functional bathroom upstairs.- Great.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21How much extra is it going to cost you

0:42:21 > 0:42:24to put right all the problems you didn't know about?

0:42:24 > 0:42:26- No extra really. - What do you mean, no extra?

0:42:26 > 0:42:28- We were planning on spending £10,000. - Right.

0:42:28 > 0:42:32So whether it meant 10,000, we were just going to come in

0:42:32 > 0:42:35and we'd have better fixings, you know,

0:42:35 > 0:42:39the finished product, or 10,000 meaning the work we've got to do.

0:42:39 > 0:42:41And we are going to be doing the work ourselves.

0:42:41 > 0:42:44So we don't need to get anybody else in.

0:42:44 > 0:42:49- You'll then potentially make some money, won't you?- Yes.

0:42:49 > 0:42:54It's standing at 56 now. If we spend £10,000 on it, that's 66.

0:42:54 > 0:42:58Obviously then, depending on what it's valued at when it's finished,

0:42:58 > 0:43:01if that still went up to a value, we thought, of about 75,

0:43:01 > 0:43:05there's still 9,000 or 10,000 in there.

0:43:05 > 0:43:09- Right.- Anyway, so... We are planning on having it done in about 10 weeks.

0:43:09 > 0:43:12- Right.- So it should be a nice little earner...- Right.

0:43:12 > 0:43:13..if it goes to plan.

0:43:13 > 0:43:16I was going to say touch wood, but there's none left, is there?

0:43:16 > 0:43:19Congratulations. Good luck with it.

0:43:19 > 0:43:21- Thank you very much.- Thank you.

0:43:23 > 0:43:27Well, I think Kerry and Clint recognise that they did break

0:43:27 > 0:43:30every single rule in the book buying this place.

0:43:30 > 0:43:32But you've got to love their attitude.

0:43:32 > 0:43:36And it seems like they have an action plan to sort it out.

0:43:36 > 0:43:40There's only one big question for Kerry and Clint.

0:43:40 > 0:43:42Are you feeling lucky?

0:43:45 > 0:43:48Well, time has simply flown by.

0:43:48 > 0:43:52Have our buyers managed to make progress with their properties?

0:43:52 > 0:43:55Let's go back and check out what's happened.

0:43:55 > 0:44:00Back in Surrey, we are returning to a property in Leatherhead.

0:44:00 > 0:44:04Where Mike, a carpenter, bought this neglected, two-bedroom cottage.

0:44:04 > 0:44:07He paid £186,000 for the property

0:44:07 > 0:44:10and had a timescale of 10 to 12 weeks.

0:44:10 > 0:44:15The layout was one of the many things he intended tackling.

0:44:16 > 0:44:19The bathroom access was off one of the bedrooms.

0:44:19 > 0:44:23And Mike had radical plans to change that.

0:44:24 > 0:44:29If I bring the stairs over here, I can then hopefully gain a bit

0:44:29 > 0:44:34of passageway and then by moving the stairs, put it back into the bedroom.

0:44:34 > 0:44:37Mike also planned to extend at the back

0:44:37 > 0:44:43and had set a budget of £20,000 up to a maximum of £25,000.

0:44:43 > 0:44:46What's the plan for it? Is it to rent it out, or to sell it on?

0:44:46 > 0:44:50To sell it on. And then, fingers crossed, hopefully make a profit.

0:44:50 > 0:44:55Seven months later, has Mike swanned through this renovation

0:44:55 > 0:44:58or will this be his property swansong?

0:44:58 > 0:45:01Well, the outside looks much better,

0:45:01 > 0:45:05with smart paintwork, new windows and door - very tasteful.

0:45:09 > 0:45:13And inside, the derelict property has been transformed.

0:45:21 > 0:45:24# Right time, the right place

0:45:24 > 0:45:28# The right body, the right face

0:45:28 > 0:45:34# Timber, I'm falling in love

0:45:36 > 0:45:40# Timber, I'm falling in love... #

0:45:42 > 0:45:44As you would expect from a carpenter,

0:45:44 > 0:45:48the timbers have had a lot of loving attention.

0:45:48 > 0:45:53The sanded floors look fabulous, as does the restored fireplace.

0:45:53 > 0:45:55Michael has taken longer than planned

0:45:55 > 0:45:57because he took on other work.

0:45:57 > 0:46:01After seven months, I had expected to see the ground-floor extension.

0:46:01 > 0:46:02What happened to that?

0:46:02 > 0:46:05Originally, I'd planned to extend at the back,

0:46:05 > 0:46:07but that would involve a planning application,

0:46:07 > 0:46:12take maybe two to three months more time than I wanted to wait for,

0:46:12 > 0:46:17so I decided to go down a permitted planning route

0:46:17 > 0:46:20and fill in the L-shape,

0:46:20 > 0:46:22extending it on the side.

0:46:22 > 0:46:24I'm pleased with the glass roof,

0:46:24 > 0:46:27it does allow a lot more light into the two rooms

0:46:27 > 0:46:30and it gives the place another feature.

0:46:30 > 0:46:32I'm pleased with the way it all turned out.

0:46:32 > 0:46:35By just extending into what was the original side return,

0:46:35 > 0:46:38Mike has created a lovely kitchen.

0:46:42 > 0:46:47And look at the garden. Who'd have believed there was so much space?

0:46:50 > 0:46:54Mike decided against repositioning the staircase and yet he still

0:46:54 > 0:46:58managed to create a corridor and keep the rear bedroom a good size.

0:46:58 > 0:47:00If you remember,

0:47:00 > 0:47:05originally there was a door here that led straight into the bedroom.

0:47:05 > 0:47:08So you'd have to go through the bedroom to get into the bathroom.

0:47:08 > 0:47:11So I've taken the door off, used the door for the bedroom,

0:47:11 > 0:47:16created a false wall here and then removed the chimney breast -

0:47:16 > 0:47:18the chimney breast was sticking right out here -

0:47:18 > 0:47:21so I've taken as much of the chimney breast as I could away.

0:47:21 > 0:47:24I'm pleased with the new layout.

0:47:24 > 0:47:28I'm hoping that it makes it more user-friendly, from the fact

0:47:28 > 0:47:31that you don't have to go through a bedroom,

0:47:31 > 0:47:33and ultimately an easier place to sell.

0:47:33 > 0:47:37Always remember, removing a chimney breast is structural work.

0:47:37 > 0:47:40So make sure that whoever does take it on

0:47:40 > 0:47:43knows exactly what they are doing.

0:47:43 > 0:47:47Mike has had experts in to do the electrics and plumbing.

0:47:47 > 0:47:49But the retention of the original features

0:47:49 > 0:47:51is definitely down to his skills as a carpenter.

0:47:51 > 0:47:55The replaced sash windows are beautiful.

0:47:55 > 0:47:58Most of the character in the house I've tried to keep,

0:47:58 > 0:48:03ie, the fireplaces, the wooden floor, the architraves and the doors.

0:48:03 > 0:48:05I sanded all the floors

0:48:05 > 0:48:09and just kept as much of the original stuff as I could.

0:48:11 > 0:48:14It's a lovely job and just what this cottage needed.

0:48:14 > 0:48:18Mike did pay a lot over the guide price and I'm hoping that

0:48:18 > 0:48:19if he's going to make a profit,

0:48:19 > 0:48:22that not having done some of the major structural work

0:48:22 > 0:48:26he planned means he's kept his preferred budget of £20,000

0:48:26 > 0:48:30and not his absolute maximum of £25,000.

0:48:30 > 0:48:32How much has he spent?

0:48:32 > 0:48:35In total I've spent £25,000,

0:48:35 > 0:48:385,000 more than I had intended,

0:48:38 > 0:48:42but there was a wee bit more work in the decorating of it.

0:48:42 > 0:48:45Some of the walls had to be replastered.

0:48:45 > 0:48:48Hence it pushed it up to the £25,000.

0:48:48 > 0:48:52With the £186,000 he paid at auction,

0:48:52 > 0:48:56it takes Mike's total investment here to £211,000.

0:48:58 > 0:49:00Time to find out what two local estate agents

0:49:00 > 0:49:02think of the transformed property.

0:49:02 > 0:49:06We'll start with the one who saw it first time around.

0:49:06 > 0:49:08I think the owner has done a very good job

0:49:08 > 0:49:10with the access to the bathroom.

0:49:10 > 0:49:13Without reducing the size of the bedroom too much,

0:49:13 > 0:49:15it's still a good-sized double.

0:49:15 > 0:49:18I particularly like the new extension on the kitchen

0:49:18 > 0:49:22which allows natural light to flow into the kitchen and dining room.

0:49:22 > 0:49:25The fact that the owner has kept the original flooring

0:49:25 > 0:49:27and the original fireplace makes it very attractive

0:49:27 > 0:49:30to anyone who wants to purchase the property.

0:49:30 > 0:49:32Positive noises all round then.

0:49:32 > 0:49:34Mike wants to sell, but if he had to rent,

0:49:34 > 0:49:39the agents agree he could ask for £1,100 per calendar month.

0:49:39 > 0:49:42That would make a yield of just over 6%.

0:49:42 > 0:49:46Really? Yes, that's fab. Really good.

0:49:46 > 0:49:48Would he be tempted?

0:49:48 > 0:49:50Well, I am still planning to sell it,

0:49:50 > 0:49:55and hopefully sell it soon, and move on to the next one.

0:49:55 > 0:49:58So what about that all-important resale figure?

0:49:58 > 0:50:03Is the property now worth more than the £211,000 Mike has invested?

0:50:03 > 0:50:05I would estimate the value to be

0:50:05 > 0:50:09somewhere in the region of £265,000-£285,000.

0:50:09 > 0:50:10In my opinion,

0:50:10 > 0:50:15the sale price of this property is around £250,000-£260,000.

0:50:15 > 0:50:19A potential profit of between £39,000 and £74,000

0:50:19 > 0:50:21before taxes and expenses.

0:50:22 > 0:50:25Anything over 250 I would have been happy with.

0:50:25 > 0:50:29So 280, 285 would be brilliant.

0:50:29 > 0:50:32How nice to see the transformation that Mike has made

0:50:32 > 0:50:35to this old house that had seen better days.

0:50:36 > 0:50:39And what's next for carpenter Mike?

0:50:39 > 0:50:41Does he fancy another refurbishment?

0:50:41 > 0:50:47Well, I've actually got a few jobs for customers to do.

0:50:47 > 0:50:53Sell this place, get back to the auction and hopefully buy another.

0:50:53 > 0:50:55Do it all again.

0:50:59 > 0:51:02So, from a renovation with hardly any problems

0:51:02 > 0:51:07to one year in Bradely, Stoke, with, er, well...more than a few.

0:51:10 > 0:51:13Clint and his wife Kerry paid £53,000.

0:51:13 > 0:51:17Clint was named after the Dirty Harry star Clint Eastwood

0:51:17 > 0:51:20but I'm afraid he didn't make my day when we met.

0:51:20 > 0:51:23- Please tell me you looked at this house before you bought it.- No.- No.

0:51:23 > 0:51:26Aaargh!

0:51:27 > 0:51:29It's no laughing matter

0:51:29 > 0:51:32because this house was riddled with dry rot on the ground floor.

0:51:32 > 0:51:37And I could see it costing Clint a fistful of dollars to put it right.

0:51:38 > 0:51:42Well, you are now the proud owners. What are you going to do?

0:51:42 > 0:51:45Just basically regut... refurbish the lot.

0:51:45 > 0:51:47All the wood is coming out downstairs -

0:51:47 > 0:51:50floors, skirting boards, door frames, stairs -

0:51:50 > 0:51:55and we're going to be knocking some walls out, extending the kitchen.

0:51:56 > 0:51:59The only toilet was behind the kitchen

0:51:59 > 0:52:02and Clint and Kerry were going to move that upstairs.

0:52:02 > 0:52:05The couple planned to renovate and sell the property on.

0:52:05 > 0:52:08They were going to do a lot of the work themselves.

0:52:08 > 0:52:12They both breed horses and Clint rebuilds horseboxes,

0:52:12 > 0:52:15so his practical skills are going to come in handy.

0:52:15 > 0:52:17They set a budget of £10,000

0:52:17 > 0:52:20and reckoned it would take a couple of months.

0:52:22 > 0:52:24Well, it's now five months later

0:52:24 > 0:52:27and we've returned to check on the progress.

0:52:28 > 0:52:32The wall between the hall and the living room has been removed.

0:52:33 > 0:52:36They waved goodbye to the rotten floor, replacing it with

0:52:36 > 0:52:40these rippling tiles, a bit like the tide on a beach.

0:52:40 > 0:52:44# I know we can turn the tide

0:52:44 > 0:52:49# Together we can change the way things are... #

0:52:50 > 0:52:53And the house has washed up lots of other treasures.

0:53:03 > 0:53:05With so much dry rot to tackle,

0:53:05 > 0:53:08it meant the floor could be completely opened up.

0:53:10 > 0:53:13OK, what we've done here is we've taken down the dividing wall,

0:53:13 > 0:53:16which has taken away a dingy corridor that was

0:53:16 > 0:53:20leading in from the front door and has given us a lovely open space.

0:53:20 > 0:53:25Yeah, and the wooden floor we had, with it being dry rot,

0:53:25 > 0:53:29and the more we dug into it the more it was really bad,

0:53:29 > 0:53:32so we ripped it all out and put a concrete floor in.

0:53:32 > 0:53:35It's given us a good, substantial room now.

0:53:35 > 0:53:38Removing the infected timbers was only half the story.

0:53:38 > 0:53:42The house was stripped right back and the walls were treated

0:53:42 > 0:53:46with a fungicidal wash to prevent any future problems.

0:53:46 > 0:53:50Only then could the impressive layout changes begin.

0:53:50 > 0:53:53OK, what we've done is we've taken a wall out from behind us

0:53:53 > 0:53:57to open the kitchen up and give us a kitchen-dining room and an open flow.

0:53:57 > 0:54:01There were two walls at the end, we've taken the coalhouse wall out

0:54:01 > 0:54:03and the downstairs toilet out.

0:54:03 > 0:54:07We've had to put the toilet upstairs into the bathroom.

0:54:07 > 0:54:09It was the smallest bathroom I've seen.

0:54:09 > 0:54:12So that meant us moving a dividing wall.

0:54:12 > 0:54:14It made one of the bedrooms are bit smaller,

0:54:14 > 0:54:17but we've got a nice, bigger bathroom now.

0:54:17 > 0:54:21By moving the stud walls, they gained valuable space,

0:54:21 > 0:54:23which allowed the bath to be turned,

0:54:23 > 0:54:26leaving room for the loo from downstairs.

0:54:26 > 0:54:28With help from qualified experts,

0:54:28 > 0:54:30the house now has new central heating.

0:54:30 > 0:54:33And there's new lighting and the plumbing has been changed.

0:54:33 > 0:54:37Clint and Kerry did a lot of the work themselves, but I'm wondering

0:54:37 > 0:54:40how long it's actually taken. We last met five months ago.

0:54:40 > 0:54:43It was hard because we've both got full-time jobs.

0:54:43 > 0:54:49So it was a case of coming down in the evenings and at weekends.

0:54:49 > 0:54:51In total, it's taken us,

0:54:51 > 0:54:55counting up the hours we've actually spent on the house, 12 weeks.

0:54:55 > 0:54:58Which is pretty good going considering all the work

0:54:58 > 0:54:59they've had to undertake.

0:54:59 > 0:55:02I wonder what effect it had on their budget.

0:55:02 > 0:55:04We had a budget of £10,000.

0:55:04 > 0:55:07As we got further on through the project,

0:55:07 > 0:55:10we upped the standard a bit, didn't we?

0:55:10 > 0:55:12Which meant the glass balustrade was coming in,

0:55:12 > 0:55:15the shinier tiles we were going to have,

0:55:15 > 0:55:19so, yes, we spent £12,000, so we are really chuffed with it.

0:55:19 > 0:55:23Clint and Kerry, if you remember, didn't read the legal pack

0:55:23 > 0:55:26and the seller's fees cost them three grand on top of their bid,

0:55:26 > 0:55:29bringing the auction total to £56,000.

0:55:29 > 0:55:33I'm really not surprised they went over that £10,000 budget.

0:55:33 > 0:55:37But that brings their total spend now to £68,000.

0:55:39 > 0:55:41We asked two local estate agents to come along

0:55:41 > 0:55:43and give their opinions.

0:55:43 > 0:55:46I'm worried they are almost at the price they were looking to sell for.

0:55:46 > 0:55:49Have they done enough to take it to a higher value?

0:55:49 > 0:55:52Much improved from the last time I was in the property.

0:55:52 > 0:55:56Nice new kitchen in there, nice new bathroom and fitments.

0:55:56 > 0:55:57Nice flooring all the way through.

0:55:57 > 0:56:00Vendors look like they've done a good job.

0:56:00 > 0:56:02My first impressions were that the vendors have spent

0:56:02 > 0:56:04a lot of time on the attention to detail,

0:56:04 > 0:56:07with unique flooring, it's quite a selling point.

0:56:07 > 0:56:09They've opened up the kitchen, the lounge

0:56:09 > 0:56:11and the living area to create some more space.

0:56:11 > 0:56:14Also upstairs, the bedrooms have been moved around

0:56:14 > 0:56:16to create more room in the bathroom.

0:56:16 > 0:56:18Well, the plan has always been to sell,

0:56:18 > 0:56:21but how much rental income could the property generate

0:56:21 > 0:56:24if Clint and Kerry did have a change of plan?

0:56:24 > 0:56:27The rental value would be £495 per calendar month.

0:56:27 > 0:56:30If I was going to place this on to the rental market,

0:56:30 > 0:56:32I would be asking somewhere around £500 per calendar month.

0:56:32 > 0:56:35And that's a yield of around 9%.

0:56:35 > 0:56:38Not a bad return, Clint.

0:56:38 > 0:56:41If we were to rent a property around here, then, yes,

0:56:41 > 0:56:44- we would be looking at something around £450-£500 a month.- Yeah.

0:56:44 > 0:56:45So, yeah, we'd be happy.

0:56:45 > 0:56:49How about that all-important value on the resale market?

0:56:49 > 0:56:53Will they get their money back? They've invested £68,000.

0:56:53 > 0:56:57Will they make their target profit of around ten grand?

0:56:57 > 0:56:59Given the level of finish and detail on this property,

0:56:59 > 0:57:03I would place it on the market for £94,950.

0:57:03 > 0:57:04If I was in the owner's shoes,

0:57:04 > 0:57:07at the moment I'd be looking to get this back on the market

0:57:07 > 0:57:10and hopefully achieve somewhere around £100,000.

0:57:10 > 0:57:12Whoa, a result!

0:57:12 > 0:57:14That would mean a possible profit

0:57:14 > 0:57:19of around £30,000-£35,000 before taxes and expenses.

0:57:19 > 0:57:21I think, if we could get 95, 100,

0:57:21 > 0:57:24- we'd be more than happy, wouldn't we?- Yes.

0:57:24 > 0:57:28In fact, the couple have already had their own valuation done

0:57:28 > 0:57:32and are going to put it on the market for around £110,000.

0:57:32 > 0:57:35All in all, a fantastic job and a great potential profit

0:57:35 > 0:57:38when you consider the house was riddled with rot

0:57:38 > 0:57:39when they bought it blind.

0:57:39 > 0:57:42Despite all the trials and tribulations,

0:57:42 > 0:57:44will they do another property?

0:57:44 > 0:57:47Yes, hopefully we're going to sell this

0:57:47 > 0:57:49and then get another one straightaway.

0:57:49 > 0:57:53- It was definitely hard work, but it has been worth it.- Yes.

0:57:53 > 0:57:55- Definitely worth it.- Yes, we come here

0:57:55 > 0:57:58and every time you walk through the door, you're sort of...

0:57:58 > 0:58:01Yes, every day you are sort of, "We've done that," sort of thing.

0:58:01 > 0:58:03You get the same feeling.

0:58:06 > 0:58:09Well, whether it's a bungalow, a mansion or a piece of land,

0:58:09 > 0:58:13we'll be here to see what happens to it on Homes Under The Hammer.

0:58:13 > 0:58:17- So make sure you join us next time. - Goodbye for now.- Goodbye.