0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello. Welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Like many people, Lucy and I are really interested in property.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09And that means every aspect of it. I know I'm always up for a bargain.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Yes, but where do you get your hands on them?
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Well, one place good be your local property auction.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Well, there are property auctions held all over the country,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45so you are spoilt for choice.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49So let's see what made our buyers part with their cash
0:00:49 > 0:00:51on today's programme.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55The last word in kitchens in Manchester...
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- Did I have the final say? - No.- Yes, I did!
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I only did it when I knew it was right.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06How best to tackle a literally cracking property in south London?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I would definitely, definitely,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12want a professional to take a look at that.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15And in Northumberland I can't quite believe my eyes.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21I just thought for a minute I'd come into the wrong house. Look at this!
0:01:23 > 0:01:26All these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:29 > 0:01:30when they went under the hammer.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41This is the popular, leafy North Manchester suburb of Prestwich.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45But will today's auction lot be dressed to impress?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Or downright depressed?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Well, close to the Metro link in this really popular
0:01:53 > 0:01:58and lovely residential area is the house I'm here to see.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02This falls classically into that category of worst house
0:02:02 > 0:02:07on a nice street because, tucked away in the corner here
0:02:07 > 0:02:12behind all this foliage is a three-bedroomed detached property.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Now, similar houses around here are selling for a lot of money.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19This, the guide price was 50,000 to 70,000 quid.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Phooof!
0:02:21 > 0:02:23# That don't impress me much... #
0:02:23 > 0:02:27First on the list, a tree surgeon. Lop off a limb or two, or three.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33And only then will you see the true glory of this one.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Ah.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47Well, there's always a reason why houses are going cheap, isn't there?
0:02:49 > 0:02:51It's not in a very good state.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55There's a smell that meets you when you come through the front door.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Which I really am terribly pleased you're not experiencing right now.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Holes in the floor. I mean, nice size rooms.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08That's a half decent sort of double fronted living room there.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But again, more holes in the floor.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It's one of those houses that clearly hasn't been
0:03:14 > 0:03:15lived in for some time.
0:03:17 > 0:03:24And when that happens, damp, ingress of water, plant infestations,
0:03:24 > 0:03:29they all just take over, don't they?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32So, it's one of those ones where we have to rise above
0:03:32 > 0:03:34what we can see to what this place could become.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And in terms of layout, I like it. Through the front door, nice there.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Stairs up to your bedrooms. A big double-fronted lounge, we like that,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43into this kitchen. It's a good space, lots of storage.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Lots of light from all these windows.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50But it's clearly one of those "rip it out and start again" jobs.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Yep, it looks like what you're buying here is pretty much
0:03:55 > 0:03:56a brick shell.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Once you've gutted the place, you can then start
0:04:01 > 0:04:03to put things back more or less as you like.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Although at some stage,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08some of the windows have been replaced with UPVC ones.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11But not all of them.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Upstairs there is a bathroom and separate loo.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18I seem to be out of step with everyone else, as I like them
0:04:18 > 0:04:20being separate.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22But here, there's no sink in the loo,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25so maybe, in this case, you'd want to knock them together.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28The master bedroom is a great size.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32And bedrooms two and three are pretty roomy too.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37Although the decor is a bit... Not so New Romantic for my liking.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42# Break me down, break me down break me down... #
0:04:45 > 0:04:47The rear jungle is another indication
0:04:47 > 0:04:50of how the property has been left to its own devices.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56# And it's going to take some time this time... #
0:04:57 > 0:04:59But, get rid of the undergrowth,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03and I think there's enough room for a decent extension here.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10We asked along an agent from the auction house which sold
0:05:10 > 0:05:13the property to tell us a bit about the positives.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It's a good area. It's got easy access to popular schools.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21Local amenities, network links
0:05:21 > 0:05:23and Heaton Park.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I would basically recommend taking it all back to the brickwork
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and completely starting again.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30A woman after my own heart.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34And we also agree an extension would be a good idea.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Bearing in mind the guide of £50,000-£70,000,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and the cost of refurbishment, what could it sell for?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I think, if the property was extended,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47I would expect the property to achieve £190,000.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And, done up, extended and then rented out?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I would expect the property to achieve
0:05:53 > 0:05:56a £725 per calendar month rental.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Well, this could be a really lovely property,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and it's certainly well located.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05But it's going to take quite a lot of money to sort it out.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Let's see who wasn't daunted when it went under the hammer.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13In your catalogue is a three-bedroom detached property.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Needs a lick of paint. Located in the most popular residential area,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20benefiting from Paso PVC double glazing.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It would suit the professional developer,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25maybe a touch more than a lick of paint...
0:06:25 > 0:06:2860 in the room? 60 here.
0:06:28 > 0:06:34- At £60,000.- Now, this auction took an absolute age. He was keen.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- 64...- And so was he.- 72...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- And then this one had a go. - New bidder here.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- At 85.- And then the gentleman at the front!- 92.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48But in the end...
0:06:48 > 0:06:55So, £94,000, then. First time at 94 second time at 94, selling out.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58You're out, you're out, you're in.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- Third and final time, all done, all out. Selling away, £94,000. - BANGS HAMMER
0:07:03 > 0:07:09- Well done.- It was builder Darren who placed the winning bid of £94,000.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I met Darren and his partner Linda back at the house
0:07:19 > 0:07:20to find out their plans.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- Linda, Darren, great to meet you both.- You too.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- Congratulations. Thank you. You like a challenge then?- Certainly!
0:07:29 > 0:07:30Yeah!
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Tell me why you wanted to buy the house.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Well, it was a joint venture between me and my son.- Oh, right.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40He'd spotted it on the internet. He lives in London.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44He phoned me up, asked me would I go and have a look at it.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47We came up with a price together for the do,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49and then we ended up just getting it.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- So what does your son do at the moment?- He's a footballer.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Oh, great. What, professionally? - Yes.- Oh great, which team?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Charlton Athletic.- Oh, good! You raised your eyebrows.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Charlton Athletic, brilliant. Is it a team you support?- No.- No?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05MARTIN LAUGHS
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- It's my second team I follow now. - Who do you support?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Bolton Wanderers.- Oh, blimey. Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Are they big rivals?- No.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18They're doing the championship, but Bolton should be in the premiership.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19MARTIN LAUGHS
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Oh, great. So how long has he been a professional footballer?
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Since he was 17. Five, six years now.- Oh, right. A lot of hard work.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28So why was he buying up here?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30The prices are better than down south, or what?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Well, it's very expensive down south for houses. And he's from up here.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- He's only staying down there because of the football.- Right.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41He's hoping eventually to come back up here.
0:08:41 > 0:08:49- But this, he wants to do up and sell on, and start... Like a hobby.- Right.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Like a second profession. - Yeah, yeah. Brilliant.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54And obviously I'm a builder so we knew it wouldn't cost him
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- as much to do.- Right. It works out quite well having a builder dad.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03He's invested, he's looking at investments at the moment,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- but this is his first venture.- OK.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- But he's getting Mum and Dad to help out.- Yeah, very much so.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Good trick if you can do it.- Yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15What did you think about it when you first saw it?
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I've done thousands, thousands of refurbishments.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25I've been in worse. But this is bad. But I thought, for the price, yeah.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- Not one for the unwary, probably.- No.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- You were a bit different, weren't you?- Yeah.- What?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I'd heard rumours that you were falling through ceilings
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and different things,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39so I trod very carefully yesterday when I came in with Darren, didn't I?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41And I sent him first because I thought if anybody's going,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45it's him, not me! And his size as well.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47I like your thinking, Linda!
0:09:47 > 0:09:51But thankfully the old joists are holding out. For now, at least.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55That said, there's plenty of work, both structural and cosmetic,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57to get through here.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00So, tell me what you're going to do to it then, to sort it out?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Everything.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08First we're going to rip everything out. Windows, doors, floors,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11all the plaster off the walls. All the ceilings down.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13We're going to take a wall out,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15build an extension right across the back,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19so it will make a dining room. A bigger kitchen,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22make the lounge bigger.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Upstairs is staying pretty much the same,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26cos it's three decent sized bedrooms.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28We're going to knock the wall... it's got
0:10:28 > 0:10:32a separate toilet and bathroom, make all that one, put a shower in,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- the lot.- Wow.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Wow, wow, wow. Tell me more about the extension.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- Single-storey is it?- Single-storey, yeah. Permitted development.
0:10:41 > 0:10:433m right across the back of the house.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- Open-plan kitchen-diner, bi-fold doors...- Oh, nice.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50..and a kitchen window.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53And two skylights on the pitch to let the light in.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- Gosh, that sounds lovely. That will transform it, won't it?- Yeah.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01And the garden's big enough, so, once we've cleared the garden,
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- it won't take room off the garden. - A few trees to chop down, of course.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- Yeah.- The forest!
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- The neighbours will be happy to see it.- Yeah.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- And what will your involvement be? - I'll just project manage, I think.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20"Just" project manage? That's an important job!
0:11:20 > 0:11:24I don't think I'll be picking a hammer up or anything like that.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27I'll stick to the at home design.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33As project manager, Linda will keep an eye on the budget,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37which Darren and footballer son Dale have set at £35,000, with Darren and
0:11:37 > 0:11:40the guys from his building firm doing as much of the work
0:11:40 > 0:11:42as they can.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46And what sort of timescale for sorting it then?
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I'd say three to four months.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Cos once we start it, we'll be on it every day.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- You will?- Yeah.- OK. - Weather permitting.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Cos obviously with the winter months coming up now,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- so weather permitting, three to four months.- And then what is the plan?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00To sell it on, or to rent it out?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I think we would look to sell it on first.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Depending on what price, and the market.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09And if we can't sell, probably rent.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Right. Well, a few challenges ahead, but good luck with it all.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- And I really look forward to seeing how you get on.- Thank you.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Thank you.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Well, it's a project that would faze most people,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26but it's water off a duck's back for Darren. Or so it would seem.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31Still, a lot of work to be done. Major transformations in store.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Can't wait to see what it looks like.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36You can find out later in the show.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43I, too, have major transformations in store for me
0:12:43 > 0:12:44here in south London.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I'm two minutes' walk from the Elephant And Castle roundabout,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49just into the Borough Of Lambeth.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52But it's 15 minutes' walk to the London Eye,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55and being in the central London transport Zone One area,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59it only 11 minutes by Tube to Oxford Circus.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03This location is real inner-city London living.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08Loud, fast paced, and super central. Not for everyone, that's for sure.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12But opportunities around here are few and far between, and to find
0:13:12 > 0:13:15a whole house in need of refurbishment
0:13:15 > 0:13:18is an opportunity not to be missed.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22And the guide price? £390,000.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30Oh, yes! Now, scope and potential springs to mind.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32It's in a bit of a bad state,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35but nothing that a bit of flair can't remedy.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Sadly, all the features are no longer here.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Even in the lounge you can see the fireplace has been ripped out,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45although you do have that beautiful window still intact.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I'm hoping there's something you can do to preserve that.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Down the long corridor, you've got another room here,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54hopefully there's a hidden fireplace behind that piece of plastic.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57And under here, do we have the little spindles?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59So, it will be quite exciting getting in here
0:13:59 > 0:14:04and ripping it all apart. Nice space for an under-stairs loo, perhaps.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07And the kitchen, really disappointing.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Small, lumped at the back of the property.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Although... Again, that word "potential"
0:14:12 > 0:14:15springs to mind, you could easily shift all this over,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19have a nice extension, and have double the width of the kitchen.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I've seen that done on so many houses like this in London.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25It would be quite costly, but definitely would be the way forward.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Upstairs, there are two reasonable sized bedrooms.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32You can look at this house in two ways.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35You can either be completely put off by the state of it,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39or think, "Wow, I could put my own stamp on this."
0:14:39 > 0:14:41You know, rooms like this really excite me,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43because you've got these two...two!
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Two beautiful Victorian sash windows.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51You've got a potential fireplace lurking, maybe under there.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54And the proportions of this room are fantastic.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58But what I really like about it is... It's so quiet!
0:14:58 > 0:15:01And you're in Zone One! That is amazing.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05The bathroom is enormous. Never mind the Lambeth Walk.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07we could have a dance in here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10But it would need a bit of sparkle first.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It's all a bit dingy. But so far, pretty standard.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Until this!
0:15:14 > 0:15:19# A crack appeared inside a wall
0:15:19 > 0:15:23# And a door sprang up around it... #
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Unfortunately the bathroom crack isn't alone.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29There are cracks of varying widths and lengths
0:15:29 > 0:15:32on several of the internal and external walls.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36If you find cracks like these here's a few pointers.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40First off, check outside to see if there are any external signs.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Large or v-shaped ones can be a very big concern.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49'Horizontal cracks are generally more serious than vertical cracks.'
0:15:49 > 0:15:52But of course, it's best to have no cracks at all.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Because you don't want the worst to happen...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57# And the walls kept tumbling down in the city...
0:15:57 > 0:16:01# That we love... #
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Before I parted with any of my hard-earned cash to buy this,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I would definitely,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11definitely want a professional to take a look at that.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13In the meantime, another professional,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16a local estate agent,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18is going to take a look around this property
0:16:18 > 0:16:21with a guide price of £390,000,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23to see if he thinks it's a cracking deal.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25This area is extremely central.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28We are on the borders of Elephant And Castle and Kennington.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32'What has drawn people to the area over the last couple of years'
0:16:32 > 0:16:35is the fact that you get great value for money in comparison
0:16:35 > 0:16:38to other areas that are very close to the city and the West End.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40'My first impressions of this property is that it's'
0:16:40 > 0:16:42a great-looking property,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44but it could benefit from a lot of refurbishment.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Great layout at the moment. A good, well-proportioned space.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50But certainly could do with a bit of TLC.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Yes, I'm interested in those ideas about extending the house.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58There's the obvious kitchen expansion into the side return,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02as it's known in the trade, giving a much more useful kitchen space.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06There is a precedent with the neighbouring properties
0:17:06 > 0:17:09going upwards, assuming the possible structural issues
0:17:09 > 0:17:11don't prevent developing the property.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14How would the numbers stack up?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16In terms of extending to the side return,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19I certainly would look into doing that.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20It would give you a bigger kitchen
0:17:20 > 0:17:22and thus making it a kitchen-breakfast room,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and allows you to draw in more natural light into the property.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I could certainly expect to achieve in the region of £650,000.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30In terms of converting the loft, there is a possibility.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I can certainly see the value in that.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37It would give you an extra bedroom and an extra bathroom.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40However, I do feel as a two-bedroom property,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42you would still get probably more benefit.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45There aren't too many two bed houses in and around this immediate
0:17:45 > 0:17:47location, and so you will appeal to more people
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and you'll get a stronger demand.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51If you were to make this property into a three-bed,
0:17:51 > 0:17:57you could certainly expect to achieve in the region of £725,000, £735,000.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59This house is interesting and exciting
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and a rare opportunity in such a central location.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07It will be very interesting to see who bought it at the auction.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09You can tell from the photograph, great property.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15Who would like to start off on this? 400? 405?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19405. 405.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23After a slow start, eventually three bidders begin competing.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27We rejoin the bidding at 450,000.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32450, 450 down here. 455. 460.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35456, trying to help. Might just help.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42456. 457. 458. 459.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45460.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46460, 461.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53Two then fight it out in £100,000 steps, climbing to 475,000....
0:18:53 > 0:18:57475, 476...
0:18:57 > 0:19:00475, first time, second time...
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Third and last time, if you're all done...
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- BANGS HAMMER - Sold 475. Well done.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Good buy, that. I like that property.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Fiona from north London paid £475,000 at the auction.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16She has restored properties before and works with an architect
0:19:16 > 0:19:19and a team of builders.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Fiona, why do you want to buy this house?
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Because I saw the potential in it. As soon as I walked in, I could see...
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- I mean, having looked at the house next door...- I know!
0:19:29 > 0:19:32That looked lovely. And also that they'd gone off into the roof.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34So, coming in I knew that, OK, we can go up into the roof
0:19:34 > 0:19:38and we can go out the back. And just the layout of it I really liked.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40So are you a developer?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43I think it's a bit premature to call myself a developer right now.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- So how many have you done then? - This is number four.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50What is the enjoyment factor? Is it the fact that you're making money?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Is it the chase, so at the end of it you're going to cash in?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Well, I'd be lying to say that the money isn't part of it, of course.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59But the thing I've enjoyed the most out of the properties we've bought is
0:19:59 > 0:20:02watching something come back to life just fills me full of joy.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05You see, that's exactly how I felt when I walked into here.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08A lot of people are put off because of the state of it.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- But it's a blank canvas for somebody.- Yes.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12What are you going to do to change it? There's so much
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- you could do. There's a lot of scope.- Yes, there is.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19So, hopefully we'll go into the roof, planning permitting,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22to create a large bedroom ensuite.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26And actually where the bathroom is at the back of the house
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- at the moment, that's going to be a bedroom.- That's huge, isn't it?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- That's such a lot of wasted space.- Yes.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35So the bathroom will actually be next to this room,
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- so that we can get a staircase in up to the roof.- What about downstairs?
0:20:40 > 0:20:47We'll extend out to the back, just slightly, and into the side return.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51So creating a large kitchen-dining room at the back.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- So you're really going to be adding lots of valuable space?- Yes.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58What worries me slightly, I mean, it's going to be quite a big house.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- Yes.- For this location.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Who are the people that you think are going to be buying this?
0:21:03 > 0:21:07I think it's possibly a young couple.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Many couples want two or three bedrooms,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and perhaps that is with a view to having children.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16So, when are you going to start and how long is it going to take you?
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Er... Well, hopefully within the next 12 weeks.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22But that's all down to planning.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27And we'd like to do it within three to four months.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30But before Fiona can estimate how much she'll need to spend,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32she'll need to get a survey done.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- I have noticed a few cracks here and there.- Yes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38We walked up here into the room we're standing in now and the
0:21:38 > 0:21:42architect said, "So, the wall's trying to fall out onto the road."
0:21:44 > 0:21:47And we said "Right, OK," but he said, "That's not a problem,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50"we'll just stitch it up with a few bricks."
0:21:50 > 0:21:55So Peter has a really lovely way of making everything seem like it
0:21:55 > 0:21:59isn't a problem, and the builders are great at making sure it isn't.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I just trust that they know what they're doing.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I can't wait to see the outcome.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06And I cannot wait to see the finish in a property like this,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08because it's in a brilliant location.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- Congratulations, and well done, Fiona.- Thank you very much. Thanks.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17So, Fiona is really maximising the potential of this place.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21I hope that's the right decision, bearing in mind the location.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23But whatever she decides,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I know it's going to be pretty exciting to see the transformation.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28You can see it for yourselves later on in the show.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32It's all about those important finishing touches
0:22:32 > 0:22:37for the buyers of a holiday let in Amble, Northumberland.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44In Lambeth, south London,
0:22:44 > 0:22:48the cracks really start to show with the planning department.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Planning is never easy.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58It was just outside Manchester in the town of Prestwich
0:22:58 > 0:23:01where we first came across a three-bed semi-detached house,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04which was sadly lacking in kerb appeal.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Surrounded by greenery,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11it really was a case of not seeing the wood for the trees.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15# Find your way out of the wild, wild wood... #
0:23:16 > 0:23:20And the inside really wasn't much better than the outside.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25This was without doubt a "rip it out and start again" job.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32And it was bought for £94,000 by builder Darren as a joint project
0:23:32 > 0:23:36with his son Dale, who's a professional footballer.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40But it was going to be down to dad Darren and Darren's partner Linda
0:23:40 > 0:23:44to manage and coach the house back from the brink.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- You like a challenge then? - Certainly.- Yeah.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52So, tell me what you're going to do to it then to sort it out?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55First we're going to rip everything out.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Windows, doors, floor, all the plaster off the walls,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00all the ceilings down.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04We're going to take a wall out, build an extension right across the back.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Wow, wow, wow.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11And having agreed a budget of £35,000, they hope to complete
0:24:11 > 0:24:15this comprehensive refurbishment in 324 months.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20And now, nearly seven months later we're back with Linda and Darren
0:24:20 > 0:24:23to see if they're winning.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25# How did you find me
0:24:25 > 0:24:32# Came out of nowhere like lightning
0:24:32 > 0:24:38# It's kind of amazing how you found me
0:24:38 > 0:24:42# Through all the noise somehow... #
0:24:42 > 0:24:46First of all we had to do the garden. We had to cut all the trees down.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It took us about a month just to find the house.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54# You broke through the darkness and you reached me
0:24:54 > 0:24:59# It's kind of amazing how you found me
0:24:59 > 0:25:03# Through all the strangers somehow... #
0:25:03 > 0:25:07And not only have they found the old house, they've made it bigger
0:25:07 > 0:25:12and better, with a great single-storey extension at the rear.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14But what about the inside of the house?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18All the floors had to come out.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20All the plaster had to come off the walls.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22All the windows had to come out.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Apart from the outer skin, we've rebuilt it, basically, haven't we?
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Yeah.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34And the kitchen would certainly not look out of place
0:25:34 > 0:25:36in any new-build show house.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43With a dining area and patio doors out onto the terrace,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45the extension really scores.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52The front of the house has new vistas too.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55You can see out the windows.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57A modern sleek fire
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and neutral carpet add the finishing touches to this room.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Off the hallway,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05a cloakroom completes the ground floor refurbishment.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Originally, when we walked upstairs
0:26:07 > 0:26:12there was a door to your right which led into a separate toilet,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16and then a door from there which led to a very small bathroom.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20And then on an angle you had the three doors to the bedrooms.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23So what I had to do is, I had to take all the walls out upstairs
0:26:23 > 0:26:25and then rearrange it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And that much-needed layout change has helped Darren balance
0:26:28 > 0:26:32the bedrooms and make much better use of the space.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34The front bedroom is the biggest bedroom,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36which is like the master bedroom.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40And the other two bedrooms are roughly the same size.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42That's such an improvement.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47Not only does it flow better, the whole house feels so much lighter.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50And then we knocked the wall out in the bathroom,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54took the wall over to make it so we could get a shower in,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57and a bath. So it's like a family bathroom.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Darren and his team of builders have done a fantastic job.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04And it's hard to know which is my favourite bit.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07But I think it must be that extension with the kitchen.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I was up at a shopping centre one day
0:27:12 > 0:27:14and I walked into this kitchen place, just looking for ideas.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19And I found this kitchen. And it was in the sale at half price.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21So we didn't even have the form of the kitchen.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24We didn't even have the extension up. But I bought it there and then!
0:27:24 > 0:27:27SHE LAUGHS And I just got a picture on her phone, saying,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30"This is the kitchen you're fitting. Make it fit."
0:27:33 > 0:27:36So, like everything else about this house,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39in the end it's all fitted together beautifully.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I guess that's down to good teamwork.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- We're still together, put it that way!- Yeah!
0:27:46 > 0:27:49No, it's been good, because Linda's been sourcing everything,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and then she's also come here, "Right, this is what we need to do.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56"This is what we want. We want this here, we want that there."
0:27:56 > 0:28:01- I have the final say. Yes? - But I've done the work.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- Will you please say it on camera? Did I have the final say?- No.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09- Yes I did!- I only did it when I knew it was right.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12We're at it now.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Oh, dear!
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Well, before that kicks off, more importantly,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19have they scored a success with their footballing son, Dale?
0:28:19 > 0:28:22He's seen pictures, he's only seen pictures.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26He saw it as a shell, and he came back when we'd just plastered.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29But he's not seen it complete. He's only seen pictures.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31And he said, "Wow, what a great job."
0:28:36 > 0:28:40I think he ought to be wowed. Mind you, he is paying for some of it.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43So, how is that £35,000 budget going?
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Our budget stands us now at roughly £50,000.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56Well, a £50,000 spend on top of their £94,000 purchase price
0:28:56 > 0:29:01takes their total costs to £144,000.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03It does seem like a winner to me,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07but what did two local estate agents think?
0:29:07 > 0:29:10First up, the agent whose firm auctioned the property.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11It's incredible.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14From being a dark, dingy property that you couldn't see into,
0:29:14 > 0:29:15because of the trees around it
0:29:15 > 0:29:17that you couldn't see out of,
0:29:17 > 0:29:21it's now been transformed into a bright, airy home
0:29:21 > 0:29:22and terrific outdoor space.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25I think the standard of finish is excellent.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27The whole property has been re-plastered
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and generally looks like a show home as soon as anybody walks in.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33The plan really is to sell on.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36But how would it fare on the rental market?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39The rental potential in the area is very good.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42We would expect to achieve £750 per calendar month.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45The rental valuation we would put on a property like this would be
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- £750-£850 per calendar month. - Yeah, that's very good, that.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- That's excellent.- Pleased with that.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Even the lowest £750 per calendar month would generate
0:29:55 > 0:30:00a yield of around 6%. But with an investment of £144,000
0:30:00 > 0:30:05in the house, is there going to be a gross, or even a net profit here?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07I would expect to put his property on the market for somewhere
0:30:07 > 0:30:10between £175,000 and £185,000
0:30:10 > 0:30:14and look to achieve in excess of £170,000 for it.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17The sales valuation we would put on this property would be
0:30:17 > 0:30:20anywhere between £175,000 to £180,000.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I think that's a bit low, to be honest.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Darren and Linda might be a little disappointed with those valuations,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29as they reckon from their research in the area that
0:30:29 > 0:30:32some semi-detached houses in the vicinity have been
0:30:32 > 0:30:34selling for nearly 200,000.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39So they're confident they will sell their lovely detached house easily.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I wouldn't be surprised if they did get nearer
0:30:42 > 0:30:46to that £190,000 asking price they were hoping for,
0:30:46 > 0:30:51giving them a possible pre-tax profit of £46,000.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53So, what's next?
0:30:56 > 0:30:58- A good rest!- A bit of a rest, yeah.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01I think we'll be going to Spain for a couple of weeks.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02Or maybe a couple of months.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Because I think Dale will probably be thinking
0:31:05 > 0:31:07along the lines of another one.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10So hopefully it won't be as horrendous as this one.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- It might be in better shape! - Hopefully, not as much to do.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24I'm in Amble, a former coal port that's now moved back
0:31:24 > 0:31:27to its more traditional roots as a fishing port.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31But it's on the most spectacular Northumbrian coastline.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32I say spectacular.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36If you haven't been here, it really is gobsmackingly beautiful,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38even on a fairly cold day like today.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Whatever you're into - ambling, rambling, scrambling -
0:31:45 > 0:31:49there's an abundance of things to do in and around Amble.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55# A rambling man... #
0:31:56 > 0:31:59So, what am I here to see in this beautiful part of the country?
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Well, it's this. Stone-built, mid-terraced house
0:32:03 > 0:32:09at a guide price of £74,950. Looks pretty spanking from the outside.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Let's take a look inside.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14# Ta-da-da-da... #
0:32:14 > 0:32:17Hang on a minute! Um...
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Yeah, this is the right house.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25I just thought for a horrible minute I'd come into the wrong house.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Look at this.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32It's incredible. Furnished, warm, carpeted.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Doesn't smell. Nicely laid out.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41But this is actually the house that was up for auction. Wow.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44This is a bit of a first. What have we got?
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Through the front door, it is the right front door,
0:32:46 > 0:32:47stairs up to your bedrooms.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51This is the main living area downstairs. It's a nice size.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56A bit too good to be true. It can't go on, surely?
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Ah, well. There you go, actually.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04The kitchen is possibly not as big as you might like it.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06But again, it's in lovely condition.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09It looks like it's been recently refurbished,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12quite modern-looking with those kind of tiles and everything.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Again, laid out, it's got stuff in it, you can have bins,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20all the things you need, even a kettle. Yeah.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23You could basically move into this place as it is. Wow.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27But before we start counting our chickens,
0:33:27 > 0:33:31the kitchen does seem to be lacking an oven. Though there is a hob.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34And I don't see a washing machine anywhere.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38However, out back there is a yard, complete with shed.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40We do like a shed. And you might be able to plumb
0:33:40 > 0:33:43a washing machine in there.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45So, what have we got on the first floor?
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Well, upstairs, no great surprises, it's all in pretty tiptop shape.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Bedroom there, it's a good sized double down this corridor.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Bathroom, again, in nice condition.
0:33:56 > 0:33:57You might spend a bit of money in there,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59but I don't know if it's worth it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03And then here, through to the second, pretty nice sized double.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05So, it's all looking pretty good.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07The only downside I suppose is that sometimes
0:34:07 > 0:34:10when you're buying auction properties, or any properties in
0:34:10 > 0:34:12general, you want to buy something you can add value to.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15So something that's a bit run down but you could maybe redo
0:34:15 > 0:34:18the kitchen, redo the bathroom, and add a bit of value to it.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Obviously you're not going to be able to do that here,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23cos it's pretty much great as it is. So it's horses for courses.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26If you're after something you could pretty much move into
0:34:26 > 0:34:29straightaway, or rent out as it is without any hassle,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31this is your baby.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34# Yes, sir That's my baby
0:34:34 > 0:34:38# No, sir I don't mean maybe
0:34:38 > 0:34:42# Yes, sir That's my baby now... #
0:34:47 > 0:34:49You could move in, rent it out,
0:34:49 > 0:34:51or how about setting it up as a holiday let?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56What does a local expert make of the property?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06A property like this would appeal to a variety of buyers
0:35:06 > 0:35:10from holiday let investors, with the fact that it is close
0:35:10 > 0:35:13to the beach, it's on local bus routes and it's got local amenities.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Also it would appeal to first-time buyers,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19up to people looking to retire back to the area.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25As a holiday let, the property could fetch around £250 a week
0:35:25 > 0:35:30in low season, rising to around £450 per week in high season.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34But what about a longer term tenancy?
0:35:34 > 0:35:37The property itself would usually bring in around £450
0:35:37 > 0:35:41per calendar month, to £475 per calendar month.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44And it would do quite well on the rental market.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52And, bearing in mind its £74,950 auction guide price,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55what might the property fetch on the resale market?
0:35:55 > 0:35:57A property like this would usually come onto the market
0:35:57 > 0:36:00for around £90,000 to £95,000.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06So, who fancied this hassle-free property investment opportunity
0:36:06 > 0:36:12in Amble? Let's find out when it went under the hammer.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15So, we're moving rapidly on and we're here at lot number 89.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Fantastic terraced house, well presented, great location.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Anybody want to start at 75,000? Do I have 75 anywhere?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27I'll take 73.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Any bid at 73? Lady sitting down, £73,000.
0:36:30 > 0:36:3574 anywhere else? I have one bid, £73,000.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40We want to sell, I need one more. 74,000? I'm going to go at 73,000.
0:36:40 > 0:36:4574? 74, sorry, nodding, 74.
0:36:45 > 0:36:5075. 76. 77. 78.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Are you sure? At 77. 78 I'm selling.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58No? Second row, I'll take a half.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00I'm here, I'll take a half anywhere else.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04I'm selling at £77,000 on the second row. 500?
0:37:04 > 0:37:08I'm going once at 77. I'm going for the second and final time,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10at £77,000...
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- BANGS HAMMER - Sold at £77,000.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21And that successful bidder of £77,000 was made by Linda,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24who attended the auction with her husband John.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27And I met them back at the property to find out their plans.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33- Linda, John, great to meet you both. Congratulations!- Thank you.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- It's an amazing house, isn't it? - Just a bit.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Not the sort of thing we normally see at the auctions.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Tell me why you wanted to buy it.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- As a holiday let.- Oh, perfect.- Yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Is it something you do?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50No. We've never done it before.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53We didn't come up to Amble to look at this specific property.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55It was another property that we came to see.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Then the girl at the estate agents handed us the particulars
0:37:58 > 0:38:01on this one. We thought, "What have we got to lose? We'll go and have a look at it."
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Right, OK. So have you got other properties at all?
0:38:05 > 0:38:09Yes, we've got another property that's rented at the moment.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13We had another property which we did up a couple of years ago and sold.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17- Right.- So it's something we're looking to get into more and more.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Right. What do you do when you're not doing property?
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- I have an alloy wheel refurbishment business in Newcastle.- Oh, right.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25When people bang their wheels on a kerb?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Yes, when they scrape them or just want a colour change.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- They come to us and we powder coat them.- Oh, great.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- So we renovate wheels and houses.- OK!
0:38:36 > 0:38:40# Spinning wheel, spinning true
0:38:40 > 0:38:45# Drop all your troubles by the riverside
0:38:45 > 0:38:50# Kept your painted pony on the spinning wheel ride... #
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Linda helps John with the alloy wheel business, but before
0:38:55 > 0:39:00he got into that, John worked in the building trade, so he's quite handy.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Not that there's much need for DIY skills in this one.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08The idea of doing holiday lets, where's this come from?
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- Purely on the basis of coming to see this house.- Oh, really?- Mm-hm.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- This is where it started then?- Yes.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18And we only live 15-20 minutes from here.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21So we're not too far away from the property.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24And we like the coastline up here.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28We've got two Labradors, so we come up here quite often,
0:39:28 > 0:39:32to walk the dogs on the beach. So it's very much a dog walker's place.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36So, clearly doing holiday lets is a different business proposition
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- to just doing a long-term let. - Mm-hm.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42How are you going to go about doing that as a business?
0:39:42 > 0:39:45I've approached a holiday letting agency,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- and they're actually going to come on Monday.- Right.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52So we're going to listen to her and get her advice and go from there.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- But I just think it lends itself to being a holiday let.- Right.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59And what about the management of the property?
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Cos obviously you have got things like changeovers and cleaning,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05and looking after the holiday-makers' needs.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Initially I'm going to do it myself.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I've also got two daughters that will be more than willing
0:40:11 > 0:40:14to come up and help for a bit of pocket money!
0:40:14 > 0:40:17So, no, we're doing it ourselves, definitely.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- And because you live close, that's not too much of a chore.- Yep.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22# Walking the dog
0:40:24 > 0:40:26# Just walking the dog
0:40:29 > 0:40:32# But if you don't know how to do it
0:40:32 > 0:40:34# I'll show you how to walk the dog... #
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Linda and John reckon that a holiday let can work for them.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41They know the area well, along with their two daughters
0:40:41 > 0:40:43and dogs Lolly and Tessie.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48But will John have his work cut out before they can let out the house?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Looking around, there's not a lot that can be done with the kitchen.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55It's very small, but there's not a lot can be done with it.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- The bathroom, almost fully take that out and retile it.- Really?
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- Possibly put a new suite in.- Really? - It definitely needs a new floor.- Yep.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Yeah. Down here we've discussed the possibility of putting in
0:41:07 > 0:41:11- a wood-burning stove.- Oh, wow. - A wood-burning fire.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And decor-wise, upstairs, that's got to change.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Yeah, we'll definitely decorate up the stairs.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Obviously put new ceilings up.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21The ceilings look a little bit worse for wear.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24- So we'll re-plasterboard those. - Right.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27It strikes me that you are actually looking for work where
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- there isn't any necessarily to do. - I know!
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It's fine. Leave it as it is.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34I know! But we do that all the time.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36It's almost like you can't accept that it's...
0:41:36 > 0:41:38I can understand where you're coming from. It's like,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40"Darn it, there's nothing to do!"
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Well, when we came here initially we thought we had a zero budget,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45but now we've had a bit of a look around...
0:41:45 > 0:41:47You start finding things, don't you?
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- OK.- And then out the back definitely needs some tender loving care.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54We want to make it a nice patio area
0:41:54 > 0:41:56so people can sit out there in the summer.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Obviously the dogs will be on there. - Right.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02- Make it a dog-friendly property? - Yep, definitely.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04- Definitely, yes. - So, what is the budget now?
0:42:04 > 0:42:08- I wouldn't have thought more than £1,000.- Right, OK.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12- You were talking about putting new ceilings in.- Head to tail?
0:42:12 > 0:42:17- Yeah. I'd be doing all the work myself anyway.- OK, fine.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- Cost-wise, it wouldn't be a lot. - Right. And the timescale?
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- You seemed surprised. - I know, I know.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28I think you'll probably triple that by the time we're finished. MARTIN CHUCKLES
0:42:28 > 0:42:31The timescale, this is a bit of a tricky one,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34because we're coming up to the season now really for rentals.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38And we're quite busy at our own work.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41It'll probably be the end of the season before we actually
0:42:41 > 0:42:43get round to doing anything.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Linda and John are going to resolve this time dilemma by renting
0:42:47 > 0:42:52the house out at a reduced rate until it meets the standards.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54A very sensible move in my book.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57They then aim to do the major work, like the bathroom,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00after the season is over.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01If this holiday let goes well,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03would you look for another holiday let?
0:43:03 > 0:43:07I think it's basically, see how this one goes, and then think from there.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10It's a complete new venture, this, for us, isn't it?
0:43:10 > 0:43:13So we'll see how it goes. But we'll give it 100%
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Well congratulations, both of you.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- We look forward to seeing how it all turns out.- Yes, thank you.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19Definitely.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23So, a holiday let. It makes perfect sense when you think about it.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27And, you know, as I said when I first saw this place,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30it really could be left exactly as it is.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34And sometimes it is OK to leave well alone.
0:43:34 > 0:43:39Do John and Linda really need to do anything at all? I don't think so.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42What will they do? You can find out later in the show.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48Well, there's been plenty of time for our buyers to start
0:43:48 > 0:43:53- work on their properties.- But have they actually done anything?
0:43:53 > 0:43:57- Or have they been delayed?- Time is money. Let's go back and find out.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Now we're back to Lambeth, south London, where a tired,
0:44:02 > 0:44:06two-up two-down terrace was in need of some TLC
0:44:06 > 0:44:08to make its beauty shine through.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14It was purchased by Fiona for £475,000,
0:44:14 > 0:44:17and this big challenge was only her fourth property project.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21However, she reckoned she'd done well, as the poor condition
0:44:21 > 0:44:26and ominous cracks may have deterred other bidders. But not her.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29You can see from this house, it's pretty sad at the moment.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32But watching something come back to life just fills me full of joy.
0:44:32 > 0:44:36You see, that's exactly how I felt when I walked into here.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38A lot of people are put off because of the state of it.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41- But you know, it's a blank canvas for somebody.- Yes.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44So, how has that blank canvas turned out?
0:44:44 > 0:44:47Well, 13 months ago this is how the kitchen looked.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Fiona planned to extend it sideways.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00Well, Fiona's done it.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Not only has she made a fabulous kitchen,
0:45:09 > 0:45:13she's also created a light and airy, spacious high-quality room.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18The house now flows right from the lounge, which has been knocked
0:45:18 > 0:45:23through into the smaller second room right to the back of the house.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26# A room full of sadness
0:45:26 > 0:45:29# A broken heart... #
0:45:29 > 0:45:32You can hardly recognise it!
0:45:32 > 0:45:35And the magic continues up into the loft space,
0:45:35 > 0:45:37where Fiona picks up the story.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41I've created a second floor with a mansard roof
0:45:41 > 0:45:45with a lovely master bedroom with four windows - two in the roof
0:45:45 > 0:45:50and two out to the front - and an en-suite shower, which is
0:45:50 > 0:45:54I think my favourite room in the house now, actually.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56But has it all been plain sailing?
0:45:57 > 0:46:02To improve the property, we had to literally take it back to the
0:46:02 > 0:46:09bare walls and re-plaster, repaint, reconfigure a couple of the rooms.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13The third bedroom was originally the old oversized bathroom.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Now, a new bathroom has been created
0:46:19 > 0:46:21between the two first-floor bedrooms.
0:46:26 > 0:46:31Fiona initially had a very ambitious timescale of three to four months.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34So why did it take 13 months?
0:46:34 > 0:46:39The planning process was arduous.
0:46:39 > 0:46:43Planning is never easy, and you have to really stick to your guns.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47The mansard actually was fairly easy, although I think partly
0:46:47 > 0:46:51that's because there was already a mansard roof next door.
0:46:51 > 0:46:57But the rear expansion took three rounds of application.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00So it was eight months before we could actually start
0:47:00 > 0:47:03any work on the rear of the property.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06And also we didn't realise that there were drains underneath
0:47:06 > 0:47:09the property, which needed to be moved back,
0:47:09 > 0:47:12so you have to apply for permission to do that also.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14So that's why it took longer than anticipated.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16The build itself wasn't difficult.
0:47:16 > 0:47:20It's just the planning that takes the time.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23I remember feeling that several rooms in the house
0:47:23 > 0:47:26were wanting to go their own way.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28We did investigate the crack,
0:47:28 > 0:47:32and the structural engineer was absolutely happy that we just
0:47:32 > 0:47:36needed to basically knit the wall back together.
0:47:36 > 0:47:41As he said, buildings are moving all the time, and as these properties
0:47:41 > 0:47:45are so old, naturally over the course of time things like that happen.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48But, yes, it was just a case of knitting it back together.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53And a fine piece of knitting it is, especially in the creation
0:47:53 > 0:47:57of the ground floor open plan space, which stretches from front to back.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00But not without its costs.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Added to the £475,000 Fiona paid at auction for the house,
0:48:03 > 0:48:09she estimates the renovation cost upwards of £100,000.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16We asked two estate agents to give us their opinions.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26It's a fantastic property. The layout is really good.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28I can't think of any reason why the layout wouldn't work
0:48:28 > 0:48:30for a young family.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34'I'd say the extension they've done at the back is fantastic.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37'It brings a lot of natural light into the property.'
0:48:37 > 0:48:39'Having a wander around the property, I think that the finish
0:48:39 > 0:48:41'is absolutely superb.'
0:48:41 > 0:48:43Great natural light throughout the property,
0:48:43 > 0:48:46and there's a great flow throughout the property as well.
0:48:46 > 0:48:47A really good finish.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50The market at the moment in this area is fantastic,
0:48:50 > 0:48:52both on the lettings and sales side.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55There's a huge amount of regeneration in the area
0:48:55 > 0:48:58which has had a huge effect on capital values and rental values.
0:48:58 > 0:49:03The local market at the moment is extremely high. It's unprecedented.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05What we have at the moment is people coming from Clapham
0:49:05 > 0:49:08'and Battersea, which are neighbouring areas.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10'The market here is extremely, extremely hot.'
0:49:10 > 0:49:15The finish is fantastic. They've spent a lot of money on details.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19The flooring is fantastic quality and the lighting is also great.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22I would probably think it's more in line for the sales market
0:49:22 > 0:49:24as opposed to the rental market.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28The finish is quite high, and probably not needed as much
0:49:28 > 0:49:30for the rental market in this particular area.
0:49:30 > 0:49:34So we are agreed it's fabulous.
0:49:34 > 0:49:35Initially I had a small concern
0:49:35 > 0:49:39that she was over-developing a house in this location.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42But given the quality of the property, and the changes
0:49:42 > 0:49:44in the market, well, it now looks
0:49:44 > 0:49:46like things have moved on, big time.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Fiona spent £100,000 upwards on this property,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54but I don't think there's any doubt she's going to make a profit
0:49:54 > 0:49:58on an approximate spend of £575,000.
0:49:59 > 0:50:05I would say the current market value of the property is £1.2 million.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08If this property was to be available to the market for sale,
0:50:08 > 0:50:12I would expect them to achieve in the region of £1.2 million.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16Those values are about right, I think.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19They're what we expected it to be. So that's very good news.
0:50:19 > 0:50:23A selling price at £1.2 million would give Fiona
0:50:23 > 0:50:31a profit in the region of £625,000, minus taxes and expenses.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33The agents think the rental for the property would be
0:50:33 > 0:50:38between £2,600 and £2,700 per calendar month.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43As rental values I think they're lower than I would have expected.
0:50:43 > 0:50:48But as we're selling it's probably not too relevant, which is good news.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52This really is a fabulous renovation,
0:50:52 > 0:50:54and Fiona can be rightly proud.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58She saved a dilapidated and cracked up old house
0:50:58 > 0:51:00and made a...cracking profit.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03She said she loved breathing new life into properties.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05Does she still feel the same?
0:51:05 > 0:51:08Oh, I love the way the property's turned out. It couldn't be better.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10It's exactly how I imagined it
0:51:10 > 0:51:14when I first walked in on a very rainy February morning,
0:51:14 > 0:51:18and just thought, "Wow, there's so much potential in this little house."
0:51:18 > 0:51:21And it's been amazing to watch what was a very tired,
0:51:21 > 0:51:26dilapidated two-up two-down turn into a lovely, bright, airy,
0:51:26 > 0:51:30three-bedroom, three reception room house.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32It's fantastic.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35Well, I've got a feeling we're going to be seeing Fiona
0:51:35 > 0:51:37again at the auctions.
0:51:37 > 0:51:38Personally, I can't wait.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50Back to Amble on the beautiful Northumbrian coast now,
0:51:50 > 0:51:54where Linda and John bought this perfect two-bedroom terrace house
0:51:54 > 0:51:57for £77,000.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59And I mean perfect.
0:52:02 > 0:52:03Well, I thought it was.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07But Linda and John had a list of things they thought needed doing.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Everything from creating a dog-friendly patio
0:52:10 > 0:52:12to re-doing the bathroom.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15It strikes me that you're actually looking for work where
0:52:15 > 0:52:19- there's not necessarily any to do! - I know!- It's fine! Leave it as it is.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23OK, so they didn't listen to me.
0:52:23 > 0:52:24I'm glad.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30As I said earlier, I do love a shed.
0:52:30 > 0:52:36But I like this smart patio area better. What about inside?
0:52:36 > 0:52:37Linda, lead on.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44OK, into what we call the master bedroom in here.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46We've done quite a lot of work.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49We've stripped the walls right back to the bare.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53It's all been replastered. The ceiling's been replastered.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56As you can see, there's been new furniture put into here,
0:52:56 > 0:52:59the new bed, new carpet.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03New curtains, voiles, radiators.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05We've replaced everything.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09That's true of the second bedroom too.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12Much more in keeping with a holiday let.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24Downstairs, the lounge was given a lick of paint, a table
0:53:24 > 0:53:26and chairs and a new kitchen.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32The kitchen now has a washing machine, cooker, microwave
0:53:32 > 0:53:35and fridge in the bijou space.
0:53:35 > 0:53:36That does all look great,
0:53:36 > 0:53:40but what about the bathroom that John was determined to get rid of?
0:53:40 > 0:53:45I really liked the original Art Deco suite. I hope they've reconsidered.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49The biggest transformation in the house is probably the bathroom.
0:53:49 > 0:53:54- Oh, well.- We've totally stripped it back down to the bare.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57My husband was insisting that he wanted a separate shower
0:53:57 > 0:54:01cubicle put in, which he got. We've got a brand-new bathroom suite.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04You can see that the bath is a lot smaller to the last one that was in.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08The radiator, which was over on this side here, my husband decided
0:54:08 > 0:54:12it would look better over this side, which, fair enough, it does.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15Tile-wise, we were just going to tile halfway up and then paint,
0:54:15 > 0:54:19but as usual, overboard, we decided to tile the whole lot.
0:54:19 > 0:54:20But it looks great.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24For a holiday let, the standard of fittings is, well, fitting,
0:54:24 > 0:54:29because after all, the bottom line is all about attracting visitors.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31# I love it when you call
0:54:31 > 0:54:35# I love it when you call I love it when you call... #
0:54:35 > 0:54:37The couple hadn't quite agreed on the budget.
0:54:37 > 0:54:42John thought £1,000, and Linda thought £3,000. So who was right?
0:54:42 > 0:54:46We reckon it's about 13,000 that we've spent altogether.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48And that's including the labour cost as well.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52Well, £13,000 is a significant amount more
0:54:52 > 0:54:54than both of their estimates.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58But looking at the quality of the finished, I'm not really surprised.
0:54:58 > 0:54:59So, what happened next?
0:54:59 > 0:55:04We gave it to a holiday company who let it out, we were really lucky,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07for the whole of the season. So it's good news, really.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11So, what type of holiday-maker does it suit?
0:55:11 > 0:55:14A lot of walkers. You know, people with dogs.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17We get an awful lot of people come here for the coastline,
0:55:17 > 0:55:20for the bird-watching as well.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23Northumberland has been described as a birder's paradise.
0:55:28 > 0:55:32One of the big draws for bird watchers are the boat trips
0:55:32 > 0:55:35to view the colony of scarce roseate terns
0:55:35 > 0:55:37which breed on the nearby island of Coquet.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45It's the agents' turn. Now, what do they make of this little nest egg?
0:55:48 > 0:55:49The bathroom's really nice.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52It's very spacious and it's really nicely fitted out.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55I like the size of the rooms downstairs,
0:55:55 > 0:55:57the lounge downstairs. A nice, big, open lounge.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00They've made the most use of the space in the kitchen.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02The finishes have been pretty good as well.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05So there should be a lot of keen interest in the property.
0:56:05 > 0:56:09Remember, Linda and John paid £77,000 at auction
0:56:09 > 0:56:14and John's materials-only budget of £1,000 has gone over by £12,000.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19So that makes a total spend of £90,000.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22If they were to sell, are they Amble-ing towards profit?
0:56:22 > 0:56:26If I was to market this property, I would market it for £110,000.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29On open market I would probably put it on the market
0:56:29 > 0:56:34for about £125,000, looking to achieve anywhere from £115,000.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37If someone came along and offered me £125,000,
0:56:37 > 0:56:39I would definitely be selling.
0:56:39 > 0:56:40Hardly surprising.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45That would mean a possible profit of 35,000, less the usual taxes
0:56:45 > 0:56:48and expenses. What about a permanent rent?
0:56:48 > 0:56:51On the residential rental market I would expect this to achieve
0:56:51 > 0:56:55approximately £475 per calendar month.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56The rental market is pretty buoyant.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59You should be able to achieve £475 per calendar month.
0:56:59 > 0:57:05- That would equate to a yield of 6.3%.- I think that's very good.
0:57:05 > 0:57:06It's not something that I would consider,
0:57:06 > 0:57:08but I do think it is very good.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12And, being in a seaside town with all its attractions
0:57:12 > 0:57:14means there is one other option open to them.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17I think during the high weeks you should be achieving
0:57:17 > 0:57:19about £500 per week.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22I think you'd be looking at around about £550 per week
0:57:22 > 0:57:24in the peak season.
0:57:24 > 0:57:28So, on average, a holiday letter is paying £50 a week more
0:57:28 > 0:57:32than a permanent letter pays per calendar month.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36But then again, holiday lets are seasonal. What do you think, Linda?
0:57:36 > 0:57:40I think that's wonderful. It's more than we're getting at the moment!
0:57:41 > 0:57:45Linda and John have been very lucky to be fully booked in their first
0:57:45 > 0:57:49season, so is it something they would consider doing again?
0:57:49 > 0:57:53We've loved the house. We still do love the house. We love the area.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57Amble is a fabulous holiday destination for anybody looking
0:57:57 > 0:57:59to come on a break up here.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01We would definitely do it again.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04I mean, I know we'll buy another one at auction, cos we love it.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09Well, that's it for today's show.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12We'll be back next time with more stories from the auctions
0:58:12 > 0:58:14to inspire you, or warn you.
0:58:14 > 0:58:17We look forward to seeing you then for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19- Goodbye.- Goodbye.