0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello, and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Whether you're buying property as a home or an investment,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08you want to make sure you've bought wisely.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Mmm, now it's difficult to find,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13but what you are looking for is value for money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17And one way you can find that is by going to the auctions.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45From run-down flats to sprawling, gorgeous mansions,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48there are all sorts of properties on offer at auction.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51So here are the properties that made our buyers
0:00:51 > 0:00:55put their hands in their pockets on today's show.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01In Lewisham, London, this two-bed flat could have a problem.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03What you can do about it...
0:01:03 > 0:01:04It's a bit of a tricky one.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09But in Rainham, Kent, I know exactly what I want to do.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11I kind of think that's in the way.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14And in Northwood, Staffordshire,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16will two properties mean double trouble?
0:01:16 > 0:01:21First-time property developer. It's, you know, it's a bit of a risk.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25All these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:28 > 0:01:29when they went under the hammer.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30We all done?
0:01:37 > 0:01:40This is Lewisham in south-east London,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44a borough which borders Bromley, Greenwich and Southwark.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Lewisham is considered one of the more affordable parts of London to live in,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and yet you've got really good connections into the city itself,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54you've got DLR station, mainline, no tube,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56but who cares when you're getting
0:01:56 > 0:01:58the kind of property that I'm here to see
0:01:58 > 0:02:00for the kind of money we're talking about?
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Because, I'm here to see a two-bedroom ground-floor flat.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09It had a guide price of 130,000 quid.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Ooh, it's got you interested, hasn't it?
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Especially when you consider some of the ground-floor two-bed flats
0:02:15 > 0:02:17in the neighbouring borough of Greenwich
0:02:17 > 0:02:21are being marketed for over three times the guide price of this property.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23And this particular ground-floor flat
0:02:23 > 0:02:25comes with its own private section of back garden,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28its own parking space and shared freehold
0:02:28 > 0:02:31with the other two flats in the building.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Obviously one of the big bonuses is it's a ground-floor flat
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and in general, I think, they are well liked.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43But through the door, um, big kind of like entrance area here,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46which is currently, rather disastrously,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48being used as the kitchen.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Well, that just doesn't work, does it?
0:02:49 > 0:02:54In terms of the layout, you've got the bathroom there, that looks pretty grimy there.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Bedroom there, second bedroom at the end,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59and then through into the living room.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02And it's not a bad size, but so much more you could do with this place.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05I'm thinking knocking through that wall,
0:03:05 > 0:03:06so at least you get more light
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and maybe access out into the garden.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11It's one of those flats, it could be so much
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and right now it just ain't fulfilling its true potential.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17There is undoubtedly a flat here,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20but the layout is quite frankly all over the place.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24MUSIC: "Neighbourhood" by Space
0:03:24 > 0:03:27And the general condition's not great either.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Now there are signs of damp around the flat,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35which you definitely have to look at,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37a few little things like this boxy thing on the wall,
0:03:37 > 0:03:42that's actually a forced air pump, actually pumping air into the flat,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45obviously to try and get rid of some of the stagnant air
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and hopefully aid that damp problem,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50but something you definitely want to consider.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52The other thing when you're buying a flat is
0:03:52 > 0:03:55it's not just about where your flat is, it's about the other flats
0:03:55 > 0:03:59in whatever building you're talking about
0:03:59 > 0:04:01and how they're maintained. For instance, if you look up here,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04you've got all this water staining on the ceiling.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Now, clearly that hasn't come from this flat, it's come from the flat above.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10So what you can do about it...
0:04:10 > 0:04:12It's a bit of a tricky one.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15The potential good news is that the flat above
0:04:15 > 0:04:18was also up for auction and that may mean
0:04:18 > 0:04:21the new owner is going to carry out some renovation too
0:04:21 > 0:04:25and that could be the perfect time to sort out any leaking pipe issues.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29So, I would make it my priority to get to know the neighbours.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Another bit of good news about the flat
0:04:31 > 0:04:33is the ground rent you have to pay.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Now, when you buy a flat, there are costs associated.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Often there will be some shared management charge,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41which is shared with the other flat holders,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and that will look after things like the exterior of the building,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46maintenance of the gardens, etc.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And you also might have to pay a rent to the freeholder
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and, in this case, this property has -
0:04:52 > 0:04:54this could be something of a clue -
0:04:54 > 0:04:56something called a peppercorn rent.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59So, exactly what is peppercorn rent? Well, in years gone by,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03the rent was basically so small
0:05:03 > 0:05:06that in order to save them the problem of actually collecting it,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08the freeholder would actually ask
0:05:08 > 0:05:11for the rent to be paid in peppercorns.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- # Colours of the world - # Spice up your life
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- # Every boy and every girl - # Spice up your life
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- # People of the world - # Spice up your life
0:05:17 > 0:05:18# Ah... #
0:05:18 > 0:05:21And I think I've found another way to spice up this flat
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and give it a wow factor.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27One of the things about ground-floor flats is it often gives you
0:05:27 > 0:05:29the opportunity to do some kind of extension
0:05:29 > 0:05:31and that's certainly the case out the back of the property here,
0:05:31 > 0:05:36where I think some kind of French doors in THERE would be ideal
0:05:36 > 0:05:40coming out into some extension in this area here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Now, the only issue is you've got to get the approval, in this case,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46of the other owners of the other flats,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49because you actually own a third of the freehold of the building.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50So as long as they're in approval,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53then some single-storey extension here and maybe, you know,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56with lots of roof lighting, etc, so you get lots of light,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00would make such a difference to the flat.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It will, of course, need the all-important planning permission,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05as well as consent from the other freeholders,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07but potentially what a great opportunity.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14So, is a local estate agent as enthusiastic as I am
0:06:14 > 0:06:17about what's on offer here?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20First impression, needs quite a lot of work.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Cooking in the corridors is a no-go.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I would definitely suggest moving the kitchen into the lounge area,
0:06:27 > 0:06:28or hope to extend.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30That would probably be my recommendation.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36Layout aside though, this flat was guided at £130,000.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37For a two-bedroom flat in London,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40well, quite frankly that's pretty cheap.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44So, what might it be worth if it was fully renovated?
0:06:44 > 0:06:48I would expect to achieve around £225,000 to £230,000.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50If you put an extension on the side,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54I would expect to achieve anything from £250,000
0:06:54 > 0:06:56to £265,000.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Well, either way, that's quite a jump up from the guide price.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02What about rental returns?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05If you decorated this property to a nice standard,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08you'd be able to achieve around £1,200 per calendar month.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13So, a few layout and potential damp issues with this flat,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16but intrinsically one that you could definitely add value to.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Now to Lot 132.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27A two-bedroom lower-ground-floor flat.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Direct access to the garden.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Somebody want to start me off 140?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Thank you, 140 I've got. 141?
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Thank you, 141. 142. 143, 144.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43This was turning out to be a hot lot.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47We rejoin the bidding at 180,000.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48180. 180.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51181, 182, 183,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55184, 185, 186,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57187, 188.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58No?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Back to you, sir, bid's at £187,000.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04187 for the first,
0:08:04 > 0:08:05187 for the second,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09187 for the third and final time, we all done?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Sold, 187,000.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16The hammer finally went down on 187,000,
0:08:16 > 0:08:21meaning buyer Roy paid a whacking 57,000 over the guide price.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Roy, who used to be a gas engineer,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28and his wife Jenny, have bought this two-bedroom flat as their new home.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- Jenny, Roy, good to meet you.- Good to meet you, Martin.- Congratulations.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Thank you.- Yes, we think we've done well.- Yes, fantastic.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Tell me why you wanted to buy this little flat.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40We looked at basically three separate properties, really.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41There's this one, the one upstairs
0:08:41 > 0:08:44and the one, you know, further along in Lewisham.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46This one, though, it had the most potential,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48you could do things with this one.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49Not only that,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- it led straight into the garden, it's a garden flat.- Yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55And I think that was one of the key points.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- Also of course, share of the freehold.- Which is good, that gives you some options.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- It's a lot better than I thought it was when we first looked at it.- Ooh.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Because we came here on a cold, damp,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07you know, horrible day, to be honest with you, a rainy day.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11And we, you know, didn't see things as they were
0:09:11 > 0:09:13when we first came in here. I didn't, anyway.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16When I walked in this morning, it looks bright,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18it's a lot better than I thought it was.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Well, I'm glad Roy is managing to be so sunny in his attitude.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26That could be because he, Jenny and their daughter Ria
0:09:26 > 0:09:31have just returned to London from a few years in much sunnier climes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33We were living in Jamaica for about 10 years.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36What happened, my daughter, you know,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40she wanted to come back and to go to work here and study
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- and so forth. And then also, our family's here as well.- Right.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47And so that's why, you know, we decided to come back.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And what kind of a place did you leave in Jamaica?
0:09:49 > 0:09:51It was a...
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- A six-bedroomed house with four bathroom...- Oh.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- As a matter of fact, it was stupidly big.- Yes.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01That's what I call it, it was just too big for three people.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- So, you're happy to be back though? - Yes, definitely.- Definitely, we're so happy to be back.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Yes, with their 17-year-old daughter keen to return, Roy and Jenny
0:10:09 > 0:10:13decided to take on the challenge of this two-bedroom ground-floor flat.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16They plan to live in it for a while and then sell it on.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So tell me what you're going to do to this place, then.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21First of all what we're going to do
0:10:21 > 0:10:23is put an extension at the back there.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- We're going to put the kitchen out there.- Oh, OK.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- Cos that's not a kitchen, that's a hallway.- Yes.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So we're going to put the kitchen out there,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34and we're going to have an open-plan kitchen/dining/lounge area,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36we're going to get rid of this wall here,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40and new bathroom, new flooring...
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Basically, we're going to try and get an en-suite bathroom
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- in that front bedroom as well, change it around a bit.- What's the budget?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Well, the budget's around 15,000.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50I don't want to spend anything like that,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53so we're going to do it in a way that we like.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56We're going to be living here for a couple years,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- and then we're going to move out. - Who's going to do the work?
0:10:59 > 0:11:03I've got builders lined up for the extension
0:11:03 > 0:11:07when I've got the approval from the individuals upstairs.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10The rest of the stuff, though - the kitchen, the flooring,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11the bathroom - I'll do all of that.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Have you got much experience in building?
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Yes, we've actually done two flats before, me and my wife,
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- but that was more than ten years ago, I was a lot younger then.- Right!
0:11:21 > 0:11:23A couple of flats...matter of fact,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25one of them was in worse condition than this.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28And how long is it going to take, do you have any idea?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Hopefully four to six weeks,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33or I'm going to give a couple weeks on top, say eight weeks.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34- Bing-bang-boom.- Mmm.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Well, bing-bang-boom, yeah, but done well.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Listen, congratulations, good luck with it,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43and we look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47So, from a mansion in Jamaica to a flat in Lewisham,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50it has been a big move for Jenny and Roy.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Still, they seem happy enough,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54as long as they can get the approval
0:11:54 > 0:11:57of the other leaseholders for that extension.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00How will it all go? You can find out later in the show.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07So, leaving London behind, if you hopped on a train
0:12:07 > 0:12:11it would only take you an hour to get here - Rainham, in Kent.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15One of the most desirable of the Medway towns,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18with easy access on to the M2 motorway,
0:12:18 > 0:12:23train links to London, as well as plenty of local facilities,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27including a shopping precinct, a library and parkland.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31For convenience, this street definitely gets a tick in the box,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34as I've just turned off the main road,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38which has both local shops and the train station.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The property I'm here to see is a two-bed semi,
0:12:40 > 0:12:45it had a guide price of £120,000 to £125,000.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Looks in pretty good condition from the outside.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Let's head on in and see if that theme continues.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Always nice to see a porch, keeps the cold out in the winter!
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Storage for muddy boots and coats.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Little bit of character still left on the inside, which is nice to see,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04although it completely needs updating,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08you can see by the wallpaper and the carpets.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11First reception room, lots of damp under that window,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13so that definitely needs to be looked at,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17and the second reception room at the back of the property,
0:13:17 > 0:13:19this is a fantastic space.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Not only this, you get a big cellar down there as well,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25so you could definitely convert that or do something with it.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28But look. This is the kitchen!
0:13:28 > 0:13:32It goes on for ever. You've got a downstairs loo as well,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35which is fantastic, this would be great for families.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39The only negative at the moment is there's only two bedrooms upstairs.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Not only does it go on and on, but it also goes down and down.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57This house is a real TARDIS of a property.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Travelling upstairs,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03there's a decent-sized double to the front, another at the back,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and uh-oh - my old nemesis -
0:14:06 > 0:14:11a bathroom that leads off the bedroom with no independent access.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Urgh! Not ideal.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16If it was me, I would switch the stairs round,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18create a corridor to the end room
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and perhaps turn that big bathroom into another bedroom.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Oh, and it goes without saying, the yellow loo is a no-no.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30There's loads of work to be done in this peculiar property,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and it doesn't end here.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38This Victorian semi has had many, many additions over the years,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and you only need to look up - da-da-da -
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and you can see, an extension here, an extension there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44And, of course, look -
0:14:44 > 0:14:47you could extend even further if you wanted to.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49You've got a little bit of yard,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53and then you've got this brick-built structure.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Now, I'm not quite sure whether you would want to keep this,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58although it could be handy to store your tools,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00you could have it as a work space,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03but then as you move further away from the property,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06you've got your other piece of garden.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I kind of think that's in the way.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11I think I'd be inclined to knock that down
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and stick a nice wooden shed up at the end here.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15But come and look at this.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18It gets even better.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21You've got a shared driveway running alongside the house,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25leading to five parking spaces right at the end.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Another great bonus.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30MUSIC: "Pull Up To The Bumper" by Grace Jones
0:15:31 > 0:15:35This unassuming semi, with all its versatility, inside and out,
0:15:35 > 0:15:40is so brimming with options that it's hard to know where to start.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Just the off-road parking, should you decide to rent it out,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46could earn you £20 a month per space.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49As for the rest, what does the local agent think
0:15:49 > 0:15:52of the possibilities for this house,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55guided at £120,000 to £125,000?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Options really are...not endless,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00but there's a lot of options, unusually.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04But I would think you would try to get at least four bedrooms here.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07You've got a loft space you could utilise,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12possibility of extending at the back to either go out or to come up.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Basement, I've looked at,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I don't think would be a serviceable room,
0:16:18 > 0:16:23but definitely could be a space, i.e. a playroom, gym.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26So somebody's got to sit down, plan it, cost it,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29then they can decide which way they're going to go.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33We're agreed this house could be extended up, down and sideways,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36but will the numbers keep going upwards?
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Once renovated just as a two-bedroom property,
0:16:41 > 0:16:47this property should be worth in the region of £160,000 to £170,000.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50If this property was renovated as a three-bedroom,
0:16:50 > 0:16:55then I think you could achieve a price around £180,000 to £190,000.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58If you took the renovations further,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02then I think you could achieve £250,000.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03Wow!
0:17:03 > 0:17:08So extending further and creating a fourth bedroom may pay dividends.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The potential rental incomes range from
0:17:11 > 0:17:13750 per calendar month for a two-bed
0:17:13 > 0:17:17to £900 per calendar month for a three-bed
0:17:17 > 0:17:21and up to £1,200 per calendar month for a four-bed.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24The potential of this property
0:17:24 > 0:17:27really could get the auction buzzing.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Well, this semi has surprised me, and in a really good way.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34There are so many options here,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37but the right decisions need to be made
0:17:37 > 0:17:39so that you can maximise the potential
0:17:39 > 0:17:41that this property definitely has,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and I think finding that extra bedroom is key.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Let's see who was up for this challenge when it went to auction.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53It's a semidetached house, start me at 120. Rainham address.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56120 I have, thank you. 122 do I see?
0:17:56 > 0:18:01122, 125, 125 is bid, and 127.
0:18:01 > 0:18:07127, 130, 132, 135, 137...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and 140.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12140 is bid, 142, 145, sir.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16At £145,000, the gentleman's bid in the blue shirt.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20146, 147, 147...
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And 148. 148 in a fresh place.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25149, and 150.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29151? Either of you. 152? 151 is bid on my right.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31For the first time then,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35the gentleman in the blue shirt at 151,000.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39At £151,000 for the second time...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42151,000 for the third and final time...
0:18:42 > 0:18:45at 151,000, are we all done?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50MUSIC: "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone
0:18:53 > 0:18:56The successful bid of £151,000
0:18:56 > 0:19:00was made by experienced property developer Gerry,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04who has recently employed son Dan to join his company.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I met the father-and-son team
0:19:06 > 0:19:09back at the property to decipher their plans.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Guys, congratulations. How well do you know Rainham
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and why did you want to buy here in particular?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18We know Rainham very well, we've got our business here,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22we've been here for 25 years, a lot of properties that we own.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24We were involved in the development next door,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25kept an eye on this place,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and when it became available, obviously was interested in buying.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30You snapped it up on auction day!
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Let's talk through some of the changes
0:19:32 > 0:19:33you hope to do with this property,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35starting with upstairs.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37What we're going to do is,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40the bathroom we are going to make into a third bedroom,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43then we're going to move that bathroom, make it a shower room,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46make a bit of room out of the front bedroom and middle bedroom,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48so there'll be a shower and WC and a wash-hand basin there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51So you're going to be creating a corridor upstairs as well?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Yes, we're going to put a stub wall up
0:19:53 > 0:19:55with an entry-door into the middle bedroom.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Because upstairs is where it's pinched for space
0:19:58 > 0:20:00and where you need to change it.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02You've got a basement down there,
0:20:02 > 0:20:03what are you going to do with that?
0:20:03 > 0:20:07The basement we're going to convert into the fourth bedroom.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10The basement is where the money's going to be spent.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13We've got to tank it first to make it watertight,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17then we've got to open up the window to let natural light in.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Then dry-line and Gyprock and insulate the floor.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24So you're going to turn this into a four-bedroom family house, really.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27I'm a bit worried about the downstairs bedroom,
0:20:27 > 0:20:28- the basement room.- Right.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Where are you going to steal the natural light from?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32There is a window there
0:20:32 > 0:20:34and we've got to open up the space on the outside
0:20:34 > 0:20:36so that it reflects the light back in.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It'll be light.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39- Enough?- Enough.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Not what I was expecting.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46The basement does not seem an obvious choice for a bedroom to me.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Gerry and Dan also have plans to create a second bathroom
0:20:49 > 0:20:51at the back of the existing kitchen.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54Along with the basement plans,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58this house will be transformed from a two-bed semi
0:20:58 > 0:21:01to a four-bed with two bathrooms.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Big plans afoot then,
0:21:02 > 0:21:07so they'll need every penny of the £30,000 budget they've set.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10There's lots of work to be done for that sum of money.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Now, Dan, do you get involved in the renovation side of things?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I try and keep as much off my dad as possible,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21so I try and organise the trades to get in, give us prices,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24give them time periods to get in and get the work done
0:21:24 > 0:21:26and organise the order they go in.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29But, yeah, I try and get involved
0:21:29 > 0:21:31in the dirty work of ripping it out
0:21:31 > 0:21:35and getting it clear for work to be started,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37but apart from that, just organising the trades is the main thing.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Well, Dan has certainly got his work cut out,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43because we haven't even got to the plans for the outside yet.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- What about that brick-built shed in the garden?- There's two options.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50One, we leave it as it is, as a shed.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Alternatively, a potential buyer could convert it,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55or ask us to convert it into an office.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Something I find appealing as well
0:21:56 > 0:21:59is all the car parking you've got at the back here,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01because this is not the best road to park on, let's be honest.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04That was one of the appeals, there's parking out there -
0:22:04 > 0:22:06once we clear that area - for about five cars.
0:22:06 > 0:22:07So plenty of space.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Well, the plans Dan and Gerry have got
0:22:10 > 0:22:12will require some handy manoeuvring.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14But with Gerry's experience,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17not to mention a portfolio of 60 properties,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19these guys are ideal developers.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Gerry started off in finance,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24a pretty sound background for property developing.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Used to be a finance rep many years ago for a finance company
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and used to do the funding for high-end cars,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and a lot of the guys I seemed to be doing the funding for
0:22:35 > 0:22:37was for property developers.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Like my cars, and it's something I always wanted to get into.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Went into financial services, then the estate agency,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47and then got my foot in the door as far as finding properties...
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Did you get the fast car?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- Oh, most definitely.- Yay!
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I would say Gerry's passion for fast cars
0:22:53 > 0:22:56is matched with his passion for property,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59with 60 properties under his belt.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I reckon Dan has got a great opportunity
0:23:01 > 0:23:03with his dad in the driving seat.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05It's a different thing every day, it's not the same every day,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09so there's always something new to learn and take on board,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12so it's a good learning process, definitely.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15So, chaps, how long is this project going to take you?
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- Four months, maximum.- Yeah. - What were you going to say?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I was going to say three, but...just...I don't know.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Your dad's got more experience.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Exactly, I'm not going to argue with him, as I said.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Three to four months.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Well, it's going to be really interesting
0:23:29 > 0:23:32seeing it when it's done, and I'm really looking forward to it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Congratulations, guys, lovely to meet you.- Thank you.- Thanks, Gerry.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Well, Dan and Gerry have big plans for this place,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43but is converting that basement really worth the time and money?
0:23:43 > 0:23:48They're going to have to do a SUPERB job of it to win people over.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Join me later in the programme and you can find out
0:23:50 > 0:23:52if this project is a smooth ride
0:23:52 > 0:23:55or whether it skids out of control.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Coming up, some not-so-hidden gems in this long-abandoned house.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I absolutely love this fireplace.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And careful budgeting isn't always an exact science.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11This small section about there
0:24:11 > 0:24:14cost me about £3,500.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Back now to Lewisham in Southeast London,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27where Roy, a former engineer with British Gas,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30and his wife Jenny have just returned to London
0:24:30 > 0:24:33having lived in Jamaica for the past ten years.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- It was a six-bedroom house with four bathrooms.- Oh!
0:24:37 > 0:24:40As a matter of fact, it was stupidly big.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- So you're happy to be back though? - Yeah, definitely.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Definitely, we'd say we're happy to be back.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49They snapped up this two-bed maisonette for 187,000.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Roy intended doing all the renovations himself,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and hoped to keep to a timescale of six to eight weeks.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59What we're going to do is put an extension at the back,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- put the kitchen out there.- Oh, OK.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Cos that's not a kitchen, that's a hallway, basically.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09We're going to have an open-plan kitchen/dining/lounge area,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13and new bathroom, new flooring.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- What's the budget? - Well, the budget's about 15,000.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19We're going to do it in a way that we're going to like it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Roy put his job as a gas engineer on hold
0:25:22 > 0:25:25so they could focus on getting the property just the way they wanted.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29And he's set himself a rather tight six-to-eight-week schedule.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32So, Roy, how did that go?
0:25:32 > 0:25:37It was meant to take me six to eight weeks, it actually took me a year.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Um, why did it take a year?
0:25:40 > 0:25:45- I don't know.- A year?! I can't wait to see what's been going on.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00At least the year hasn't been wasted.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I think you'll agree he's managed to transform
0:26:03 > 0:26:04this tired, dated flat
0:26:04 > 0:26:07into something that looks contemporary and bright.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The whole flat feels much more spacious,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13so how does the layout differ?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16We built an extension and put a kitchen in there.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18We knocked the wall down that was in the bedroom,
0:26:18 > 0:26:22from the hallway, actually, and we opened it all up.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25We changed the bedroom into the lounge
0:26:25 > 0:26:28and we turned the lounge into the bedroom,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32so we can have an en-suite bathroom in the new bedroom,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and basically that's it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36We just kind of done everything else.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Roy has carried out a major rejig of this property - no small feat.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And the rate of work did slow down after they moved in,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52but it turns out there are other reasons
0:26:52 > 0:26:54why his timescale slipped so much.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Problems, problems, problems, OK...
0:26:57 > 0:26:59When we started to do the work, first of all,
0:26:59 > 0:27:04what I noticed was, as I went into what was the front room, the lounge,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and I went over to the corner, stepped there,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09everything just went through.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11The joists had rotted away and the column was gone.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15So I had to build a new column in there, replace the joist,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- that was one thing. - Problem number two?
0:27:18 > 0:27:20There was an issue with damp, but it wasn't rising damp,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22it was damp from above, actually.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23So what happened was
0:27:23 > 0:27:26we had to replace the soffits and the fascia and the guttering,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29so after that was done and we put the central heating on,
0:27:29 > 0:27:30the damp went away.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Problem solved, bring on problem number three.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I said to Jenny, "OK, it's time to decorate now,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I said, "Just take the wallpaper off the wall."
0:27:39 > 0:27:41And all the plaster came off with it!
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- So we had to have the place re-plastered.- Number four?
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Then the plasterer, he done a wonderful job,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50he plastered the bathroom, and once Jenny was having a bath,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and all the plaster came off the ceiling and fell down.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55So there was a lot of challenges,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58but of course, we overcame them in the end.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Ha! Great attitude.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Having taken on all the work himself, apart from plastering,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07with all those problems to deal with, how did Roy cope?
0:28:09 > 0:28:12This has been a renewed apprenticeship for me.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Things I'd forgotten that I could do,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16I've just actually spent a year
0:28:16 > 0:28:18learning to do those things again.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And how did the original budget hold up?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It was meant to be £15,000 to £17,000.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Because I've done a lot of the work myself,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I've managed to keep the budget
0:28:29 > 0:28:31and I've done that very well.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33What it is though,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36whatever I've got left over to make it up to 17,000,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I'm going to spend it by having a good meal with my wife,
0:28:39 > 0:28:40a good holiday, whatever it is.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Just to make sure that I do spend the 17,000.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Roy, that's my kind of budgeting!
0:28:47 > 0:28:50So, if we include the holiday or meal in the budget,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54and add it to the purchase price of 187,000,
0:28:54 > 0:28:58it means Roy and Jenny have invested £204,000.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01So, will there be any other treats in store
0:29:01 > 0:29:03once our two local property experts
0:29:03 > 0:29:07have looked over Roy and Jenny's handiwork?
0:29:07 > 0:29:08The layout's very good,
0:29:08 > 0:29:09I like the large lounge
0:29:09 > 0:29:13with all the accommodation running off of it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Generally speaking,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17their specification is very, very high.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20The kitchen, the bathroom, it's finished very well.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Looks like a very good job's been done refurbishing it
0:29:23 > 0:29:26and making it a very nice, spacious flat.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Especially the access directly on to the garden.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31There are no negatives to this property.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Generally speaking, it's a fine property
0:29:33 > 0:29:35and it will sell and let very, very quickly.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36If I was going to let the property
0:29:36 > 0:29:40I'd be looking at it to achieve £1,200 per calendar month.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45I would start off at a rent between £1,250 and £1,300 per calendar month.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46With these valuations,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50that would give a rental yield of around 6.5% to 7%.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Would this tempt Roy and Jenny to rent the property out?
0:29:53 > 0:29:56No, we wouldn't consider renting it,
0:29:56 > 0:29:57we're definitely going to sell
0:29:57 > 0:30:00because we need to live in a house, so we have to move.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03As Roy and Jenny close the door on the rental amount,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06let's try them with the resale figures.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08If I was to put this property on the market,
0:30:08 > 0:30:12I would market the property for £325,000.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16I would market it at £300,000 to £325,000.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Words fail me!
0:30:21 > 0:30:24I think we can take it that Roy and Jenny are pleased
0:30:24 > 0:30:26with the possible profit,
0:30:26 > 0:30:30minus taxes and expenses, of between £96,000 and £121,000.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34So, would they be tempted to go through it all again?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Looking at the profit at the end of it,
0:30:36 > 0:30:37it's really made it worthwhile.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40But I'm not certain I want to do it all again, no.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Yeah, for me it was really hard work,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46but at the end of the day, it's rewarding.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54How true. Pick wisely at auction and the rewards can be high indeed.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57And I'm here in the Staffordshire town of Northwood
0:30:57 > 0:31:00to see another property with potential.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04So, what was on offer at the auction?
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Interesting one this - two lots, both at the same guide price,
0:31:08 > 0:31:10both next to each other,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13both physically and in the auction catalogue.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Let's take a look at this one first.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18This, I'm afraid, is going to be a very cursory look.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Both of these lots have a prohibition order on them.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24That's a formal notice served by the Environmental Health Officer
0:31:24 > 0:31:26or the fire service
0:31:26 > 0:31:28that says this house can't be occupied
0:31:28 > 0:31:30as it's in a dangerous state.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Looking at this one, I don't think that's up for debate.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37The order also means the council will want to supervise and certify
0:31:37 > 0:31:39any works carried out on the property.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44The guide price for each of these lots,
0:31:44 > 0:31:49which have been abandoned for many years, was £18,000.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51I think I'll check out next door,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55which is apparently not quite so bad - thank goodness.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Always a sense of trepidation...
0:31:57 > 0:31:59HE LAUGHS
0:31:59 > 0:32:02..when a house is so heavily boarded up on the outside.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05What are you going to find when you walk through the door?
0:32:05 > 0:32:06But actually...
0:32:08 > 0:32:11..this is not too bad, I like it.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Good-sized front lounge area, got an open fire,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16it's been knocked through.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18The tiles on the floor,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20realistically, they're going to be very cold
0:32:20 > 0:32:22and not something you'd want to live with,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24but they're actually quite beautiful
0:32:24 > 0:32:27and very typical of this area, so in a way, it's a shame to lose them.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30But you've got the front area there, rear area here,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I absolutely love this fireplace -
0:32:33 > 0:32:37I mean, how fantastic a feature is that?
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It really brings this rear area to life.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Little door there going down to - yep - some kind of a cellar.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Kitchen through there.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Very traditional layout, two rooms here
0:32:48 > 0:32:51and then through to a kitchen, which is probably an extension.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Then, yeah, up to the bedrooms. Let's take a look at the kitchen.
0:32:55 > 0:32:56Well, it's a bit grubby,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59looks to me like there's been some kind of fire in there,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01judging by the soot on the walls.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03But it's not a bad size,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05lots of light from those windows,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09and I think, hidden beneath all this stuff...
0:33:11 > 0:33:14..is actually some lovely, lovely things, like this door.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Get that stripped or polished up and it'd be absolutely charming.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21It's a good size and I really like the ceiling height as well.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24So, strip it out, what a difference.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Restoring a property that's been derelict for decades
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and suffered fire damage means safety first.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33The electrics need to be thoroughly checked out,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36and of course, the structural integrity of the building
0:33:36 > 0:33:37might have been compromised here.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Just because it's not obvious
0:33:40 > 0:33:43doesn't mean it's not something to worry about.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Next door, well, clearly there's a lot more damage.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I'll leave the upstairs of that one to your imagination,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52as it wasn't safe to go up.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55But looking round the other house, it's not hard to see potential.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01It has got a nice feel to it, this house, I can't put my finger on why,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05but nice, spacious rooms up here. Good-sized rear bedroom there.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09A really nice-sized front bedroom,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12maybe a bit of noise from the road, but... I don't know,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15it's got a few quirky things, love that old fireplace.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Then over there, what looks like a cupboard.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21It's actually an upstairs bathroom and loo,
0:34:21 > 0:34:25obviously built into the extension above the kitchen.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Not the sort of thing you would expect
0:34:27 > 0:34:30from this type of property, and a real positive thing to have.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33A shower in it, no actual loo,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36but there's all the pipework there, which is the important thing.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39It's just a really, really good bonus.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42The extension makes this hose a little larger
0:34:42 > 0:34:44than its poorly neighbour.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46And the good news continues here,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49to what might possibly be a sizeable garden.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Tricky to tell until it's cleared of greenery and the outside loo.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55The auctioneer who sold it
0:34:55 > 0:34:58came along to tell us a bit about these properties.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02The pair of houses here
0:35:02 > 0:35:04have been empty for a long time.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07One of the properties seems to be in more disrepair than the other.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10The council have put a prohibition order on both properties,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13so any buyers really should investigate the content of that.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16There is various works that have to be done
0:35:16 > 0:35:18in a certain way
0:35:18 > 0:35:21before the properties can be occupied.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24That means the new owner
0:35:24 > 0:35:28will need to get the work signed off by the council as things progress,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30to ensure the work meets approval.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Remember, these are separate lots.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37You could buy one, but maybe it makes sense to buy both of them.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39There might be economies of scale,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42but there are going to be a lot of hoops to jump through
0:35:42 > 0:35:46and there is a lot of work - not a project for the faint-hearted.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48So would it be worth a gamble?
0:35:48 > 0:35:51What could these two-bedroom properties be worth once renovated?
0:35:52 > 0:35:55After renovation, each of these properties
0:35:55 > 0:35:58would be placed on the market in the region of £70,000.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01And the rental potential?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05After renovation, the rental values of these properties
0:36:05 > 0:36:08would be in the region of £400 per calendar month.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Well, in this instance,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14the sum of the two may be greater than the two individual properties.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Double the trouble? No, I think double the potential.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Let's see who agreed when it went under the hammer.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22And as far as I can recall,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25this is a first for Homes Under The Hammer,
0:36:25 > 0:36:27as we followed the fate of two lots.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29First, the more damaged of the properties.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32It's a mid-terrace house, it does need full renovation,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34it has two bedrooms
0:36:34 > 0:36:39and there is a suspended prohibition order placed on the property.
0:36:39 > 0:36:4115, can I say?
0:36:41 > 0:36:44Lot number 38. 12 then?
0:36:44 > 0:36:45Am I going to get 12?
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Lot number 38. 12 bid, 13?
0:36:50 > 0:36:56- And the bidding rapidly moved up to £23,000.- 23...
0:36:56 > 0:37:0024, 25...26?
0:37:00 > 0:37:05No, at 25,000, on the front row. 26, 27...
0:37:05 > 0:37:09£27,000. 28, anywhere else?
0:37:10 > 0:37:16If not, I'm selling it at 27. 28, 29...30?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Sure? 30, anyone else?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23If not, £29,000 for the first time...
0:37:23 > 0:37:26£29,000 for the second time...
0:37:26 > 0:37:30third and final time at £29,000...
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Well done.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34The first house was purchased by Adam for 29,000.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Lot 39 is the adjoining property.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Now I think the wise thing here to have done
0:37:41 > 0:37:43is to go for the second house too.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46I wonder if Adam agreed?
0:37:46 > 0:37:49..third and final time, 38,500...
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Bought it, well done.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Yes, he did! Buying the second house for £38,500.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58He's going to need that hard hat for the first property,
0:37:58 > 0:37:59but I met up with him
0:37:59 > 0:38:04in his relatively safe second purchase to find out the plans.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Adam, great to meet you.- You too, Martin.- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12So, just before we go any further, tell me what happened there then.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Well, one lot came up and I got that,
0:38:15 > 0:38:20saw this one next door as well and thought, "Have them both."
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Did you go to the auction anticipating buying both?
0:38:23 > 0:38:24Yes, it was in the back of my head,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27I'd actually been to see about 15, 20 properties
0:38:27 > 0:38:29throughout the catalogue,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32so I'd really hedged my bets.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35First-time property developer, it's a bit of a risk,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39but it was these two we wanted.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Adam has a silent business partner for this investment project
0:38:43 > 0:38:44who won't be hands-on,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47but they've worked before on two other properties,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49so they've got experience.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Tell me why, then, you wanted to buy them.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Well, I worked in human resources back in London,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56but I've always wanted to get into property development,
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- I've got a couple of buy-to-lets in London as well.- Right.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Remortgaged the house and... here we are, really.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05I've had to come up north a little bit,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07cos obviously down south is very, very expensive,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09so hopefully this is the start of something big.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11New business, new career.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- So it was the price that attracted you to this location?- Yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- And what about these houses in particular?- Well, these houses...
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Next door is a traditional two-up two-down, this one the same
0:39:21 > 0:39:23but they've had the extension done to the back
0:39:23 > 0:39:24so you've got the separate kitchen.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Beautiful big gardens, both of them actually,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29which would be real selling points for both properties.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Right, you say "selling", is that the idea?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33We would like to sell, ideally,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36however, we know the market's not great at the moment,
0:39:36 > 0:39:40so we've got renting in the back of our minds as well.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43So you are going to be down and dirty, getting your hands...?
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Yes, as much a possible, obviously to think about costs as well,
0:39:47 > 0:39:48to keep the costs down.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52Digging holes for extensions... MARTIN LAUGHS
0:39:52 > 0:39:54..taking plaster off. I'll be doing all the dirty stuff.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56The professional stuff I can't do.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Got a brother who's an electrician as well, so be saving some money there.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Let's start with the one in the worse state, next door,
0:40:03 > 0:40:04what are you going to do to that?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Well, there's been some dry-rot issues,
0:40:07 > 0:40:08the guttering fell down at the back.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Over a couple of years a lot of water's got in.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Dry-line it, build an extension out the back,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- kitchen and then bathroom at the back.- Plans for this one?
0:40:19 > 0:40:21We've got two bedrooms upstairs,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23one of them's really big at the front,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25so we're hoping to split that into two bedrooms
0:40:25 > 0:40:28so we've got three bedrooms altogether upstairs.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Lovely bathroom at the back upstairs as well,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33which is rare for this area, most are downstairs.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34And just bring the house back
0:40:34 > 0:40:37to something that people would like to live in.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42There are some lovely features remaining in this house.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44I wonder if the upstairs of its neighbour,
0:40:44 > 0:40:48which we haven't been able to see, holds as much potential.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Both properties have a prohibition order on them,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53what do you know about that and how's it going to affect you?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56I've been in touch with the council and had discussions with them,
0:40:56 > 0:41:00they've said obviously what needs doing, so double-glazing,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02there's an issue with the chimney,
0:41:02 > 0:41:04got to get it up to a modern standard.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07These are basic things we were going to do anyway,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09so it's not a huge issue.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Adam and his business partner
0:41:11 > 0:41:16have set aside a budget of £12,000 to £15,000 for this house
0:41:16 > 0:41:19and £20,000 for the house next door,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22to include all the repairs and that hoped-for extension.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Budgets that on the face of it seem pretty tight,
0:41:25 > 0:41:27but because of the economies of scale,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31and getting two houses done at the same time by the same people,
0:41:31 > 0:41:35it's likely that some savings can be made.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Adam's hoping to have the two properties finished
0:41:37 > 0:41:38within the next four months.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42And once you've finished these two, what's next?
0:41:42 > 0:41:45We are looking at getting something else.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Yeah, move on to our next development.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- Listen, congratulations.- Thank you. - Few challenges ahead.- Definitely.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- But we wish you all the best with them.- Thanks, Martin.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58So, will it be double the trouble or double the profit for Adam
0:41:58 > 0:42:01as he takes on these adjoining properties in Stoke?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04You can find out how he gets on later in the show.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Well, the clock has been ticking, work should...ahem,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14have been progressing on those properties.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Have those piles of bricks, bags of cement gone,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19is the paint dry on the walls?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- No chance.- Let's find out.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26We now head back down south to Rainham in Kent,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29where earlier we visited this two-bed semi.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31How it only had two bedrooms was a mystery,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34because the ground floor had no shortage of space.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38This is the kitchen! It goes on for ever.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Not only this, you get a big cellar down there as well.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Well, this semi has had many, many additions over the years,
0:42:52 > 0:42:56and you only need to look up and you can see.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58There was definitely a mismatch,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00but father-and-son team Gerry and Dan
0:43:00 > 0:43:03had big plans to make this into a four-bed house.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Controversially, for me at any rate,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09was that they planned to put one in that basement.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11I'm a bit worried about the downstairs basement room.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Where are you going to steal the natural light from?
0:43:14 > 0:43:15There is a window there
0:43:15 > 0:43:17and we've got to open up the space on the outside.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20So, chaps, how long is this project going to take you?
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- Four months, maximum. - What were you going to say?
0:43:24 > 0:43:28- I was going to say three, but... - Your dad's got more experience.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Exactly, I'm not going to argue with him, as I said.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33- LAUGHING:- Well, maybe it's just as well Dan didn't argue
0:43:33 > 0:43:35because, five months later, we return.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52It's a stunning transformation, so how did the teamwork pan out?
0:43:52 > 0:43:57Dan was more on-site than I was, I would pop in every couple of days.
0:43:57 > 0:44:02- I got more involved towards the end cos...- He's got the keen eye.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04I'm the critical one, shall we say, and I want it done right.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12They always intended on making this a four-bed,
0:44:12 > 0:44:15but I can see jobs that they didn't intend.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21We've actually moved the stairs.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25We also didn't intend to put a mini extension on the back.
0:44:25 > 0:44:26But we've ended up doing that
0:44:26 > 0:44:29because what was there before just wasn't practical.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Blimey, an extension on a house with so many extensions?
0:44:32 > 0:44:33That was brave.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Previously, the back door was here,
0:44:35 > 0:44:38and there was a single-storey brick extension.
0:44:38 > 0:44:44We decided to square off this section here
0:44:44 > 0:44:47and this small section about here
0:44:47 > 0:44:50cost me about £3,500.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Because we had to go for full planning,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54because it was an extension on an extension.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57But I think it's been worth it, it's opened this area up,
0:44:57 > 0:45:00you've got nice French doors out onto the garden.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02So much for the problems above ground,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04but what about underground?
0:45:04 > 0:45:07The basement was a big hurdle.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10We thought it would be reasonably straightforward,
0:45:10 > 0:45:12but to conform with buildings regs,
0:45:12 > 0:45:14dry-line, damp-proofing, materials etc,
0:45:14 > 0:45:18then we had to build an internal wall then line that out.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20Got to have bright colours in the basement
0:45:20 > 0:45:22to reflect the light you're going to get in,
0:45:22 > 0:45:25and the window is quite a decent size,
0:45:25 > 0:45:27and we've painted outside to reflect more light in there,
0:45:27 > 0:45:31and with the grill over the top, which we have to have for security.
0:45:33 > 0:45:37Having successfully tackled all the major building issues,
0:45:37 > 0:45:40what about the general refurbishment?
0:45:40 > 0:45:44Well, downstairs, the two rooms have been knocked through
0:45:44 > 0:45:48to provide a bright, spacious area which leads to the kitchen.
0:45:48 > 0:45:53Also downstairs, a new shower room replaces a dilapidated toilet.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58Upstairs, some careful planning has created a new bathroom
0:45:58 > 0:46:01and three double-sized bedrooms.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Now, we haven't mentioned the garden
0:46:03 > 0:46:06and all those all-important parking spaces.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08We've extended the garden by -
0:46:08 > 0:46:09we actually own the land -
0:46:09 > 0:46:12from the back of the fence where it originally was,
0:46:12 > 0:46:14to the end of the parking area at the back.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16And there were five car spaces, which was too many.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19So we moved the fence panels out a bit,
0:46:19 > 0:46:23moved the gate, and reduced it so there's three parking spaces.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25So has the addition of two extra bedrooms
0:46:25 > 0:46:28led to an addition to the original budget of 30,000?
0:46:28 > 0:46:31MUSIC: "Money's Too Tight To Mention" by Simply Red
0:46:31 > 0:46:33We decided that we were going to
0:46:33 > 0:46:35go for the extra cost of the extension
0:46:35 > 0:46:37and the patio doors out the back.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39The overall cost -
0:46:39 > 0:46:42I wouldn't be surprised if we've spent less than 45k.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44I was keeping an eye on that,
0:46:44 > 0:46:47updating him as we were going along, but it was OK,
0:46:47 > 0:46:50as long as it sells for what we think it should do, we'll be OK.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52We'll be OK.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Well, let's see if they are going to be OK.
0:46:54 > 0:46:59That £45,000 added to their purchase price of 151,000
0:46:59 > 0:47:02brings the grand total to £196,000.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06What did two agents make of this unusual conversion?
0:47:06 > 0:47:08It's not what I expected.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10I expected to come and see a two-bedroom semidetached house,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12which is what he bought,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15I've come and seen a really, really well done-up four-bedroom,
0:47:15 > 0:47:17and it's a big difference, it's lovely.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19What I would try to get across is
0:47:19 > 0:47:22appealing to those people who like a bit of character
0:47:22 > 0:47:24but want a new house.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27What you've got here is the two blended together -
0:47:27 > 0:47:30nice, neat new house, but it's an old building, built better,
0:47:30 > 0:47:33doesn't have the problems of a new-build, hopefully.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36This society - modern people, modern living,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38they want it nice, new, clean, don't they?
0:47:38 > 0:47:41"I'll move straight into it." And I think they've done really well,
0:47:41 > 0:47:44so I've got to say well done to the guys.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48I love to find something wrong. And this particular property, I can't.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50He's thought it out well, he's obviously not a beginner,
0:47:50 > 0:47:53he's thought it out and done the job that needs doing in here
0:47:53 > 0:47:55in order to get the best possible price.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57The estate agents like this property
0:47:57 > 0:47:58and they think it could rent
0:47:58 > 0:48:02for around £1,200 to £1,250 per calendar month.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04That would mean a yield of over 7%.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06We've got a portfolio of our own
0:48:06 > 0:48:09and we're not looking to add to it at the moment.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11This one purely is for redevelopment.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13The resale market's difficult on this one
0:48:13 > 0:48:16because it's so close to the 3% threshold on the stamp duty
0:48:16 > 0:48:18at 250,000.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21I would put it on "offers in excess of"
0:48:21 > 0:48:23in order to get the best possible audience,
0:48:23 > 0:48:27and expect to sell it for between £260,000 and £262,000.
0:48:27 > 0:48:31This property could achieve in excess of £250,000.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34With a total spend of £196,000,
0:48:34 > 0:48:39this figures would give Gerry and Dan a profit before tax and expenses
0:48:39 > 0:48:43of between £54,000 and £66,000.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45Yeah, that's about the market value, 250,
0:48:45 > 0:48:47and as soon as this one sells
0:48:47 > 0:48:50it will release up the funds to buy one or two more.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52And that's what we do, this is one of the businesses
0:48:52 > 0:48:55and we use cash flow from this to do other projects.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59And will this father-and-son partnership carry on?
0:48:59 > 0:49:02The idea is for Dan to take a more active role in it.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04When he can actually come into the house
0:49:04 > 0:49:07and not find any little mark on the wall,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10that is when he'll know that he can leave it to me.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Cos every single time there is one little bit
0:49:13 > 0:49:15that he needs to change, or touch up, or do,
0:49:15 > 0:49:19so when he can come in and say absolutely nothing, just say,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23"Fair play, well done", that's when he knows he's ready, I think.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25And then he can go off and do his own projects
0:49:25 > 0:49:28and I'll just take an advisor's fee out of the profit.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35So, taking on an unusual property can pay off,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38and here in Northwood in Staffordshire,
0:49:38 > 0:49:40I saw a very unusual lot indeed.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Two neighbouring properties
0:49:42 > 0:49:47that were each under prohibition orders and needed serious work.
0:49:47 > 0:49:48Both were bought by Adam,
0:49:48 > 0:49:51a former HR consultant who had recently quit
0:49:51 > 0:49:54to pursue a career in property development.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58He bought not one, but both properties,
0:49:58 > 0:50:00for £67,500 in total at the auction.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03The question in my head was,
0:50:03 > 0:50:05with so much to do, where on earth would you start?
0:50:06 > 0:50:09So are you really going to be down and dirty, getting your hands...?
0:50:09 > 0:50:15Yes, I am, as much as possible, obviously to keep the costs down.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19Both Adam and his silent business partner
0:50:19 > 0:50:21were fairly inexperienced developers,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23but even for seasoned pros,
0:50:23 > 0:50:26this double project would represent a big challenge.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29They aim to make these properties less "hard hat"
0:50:29 > 0:50:32and more "soft furnishings" in just four months.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36Well, NINE months later we've returned.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40First, the smaller property on the right,
0:50:40 > 0:50:42which was definitely the worst of the two.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56By knocking through the wall between the living and dining room,
0:50:56 > 0:50:59they've created a double-aspect dining and living space
0:50:59 > 0:51:01which is absolutely brimming with light.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05They've replaced the old extension at the back
0:51:05 > 0:51:08and fitted a lovely downstairs bathroom...
0:51:09 > 0:51:12while moving the kitchen into the old dining space.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Heading upstairs to the two bedrooms
0:51:17 > 0:51:20we couldn't even inspect first time round,
0:51:20 > 0:51:23I'm guessing they look a bit better now.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30The transformation from this once-derelict building
0:51:30 > 0:51:32is not just evidenced on the inside.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43What was once an unusable jungle full of trees
0:51:43 > 0:51:46is now a lovely family garden.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48It looks to me that just as much work
0:51:48 > 0:51:51went in to transforming the outside as the inside.
0:51:52 > 0:51:57There were trees going right up to and growing out the side
0:51:57 > 0:51:59of the falling-down extension.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02It was horrendous.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Sounds tough, especially when you consider
0:52:05 > 0:52:08that Adam had to do it all twice.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Speaking of which, let's take a look next door.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25This slightly larger property
0:52:25 > 0:52:28is now also transformed into a bright and appealing space.
0:52:31 > 0:52:32With a brand-new kitchen,
0:52:32 > 0:52:36it's a far cry from the smoke-damaged shell it once was.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42Upstairs, and the good work continues
0:52:42 > 0:52:44with a brand-new bathroom suite.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49And lovely bedrooms that have been decorated to a high standard.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53But I'm sorry that that nice old fireplace has gone.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01As with next door, the back garden is unrecognisable,
0:53:01 > 0:53:03and pays testament to the blood, sweat and tears
0:53:03 > 0:53:07that have clearly gone into transforming these two properties.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15So, does Adam still feel it was a good idea to take on both?
0:53:15 > 0:53:19Initially, I was very happy with the things I bought,
0:53:19 > 0:53:23and I thought that having two properties side by side
0:53:23 > 0:53:26would enable economies of scale,
0:53:26 > 0:53:28would make the job a little easier,
0:53:28 > 0:53:30the fact you've got two for the price of one.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32But the reality of it
0:53:32 > 0:53:36was slightly different.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39I think, in my ideal, I had the two houses in my head,
0:53:39 > 0:53:43I'd completely forgotten about the garden,
0:53:43 > 0:53:46and that turned out to be such a huge problem in itself,
0:53:46 > 0:53:48thinking we need to get sorted in the summer,
0:53:48 > 0:53:51as well as dealing with the houses, or not dealing with the houses,
0:53:51 > 0:53:53they kind of went to one side
0:53:53 > 0:53:55because I was trying to find tradesman.
0:53:55 > 0:53:59And the realisation of what I had to do as that went on,
0:53:59 > 0:54:01i.e. getting an architect,
0:54:01 > 0:54:04dealing with the council for the suspended prohibition orders.
0:54:04 > 0:54:08All these things that came to the fore that I had to deal with,
0:54:08 > 0:54:11and the most important thing, finding a builder,
0:54:11 > 0:54:13became an issue.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17And as time went on, and I spent more time in the garden,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20yeah, the houses got left by the wayside
0:54:20 > 0:54:23and then it was like, "Oh, my God, I've got these houses to sort out,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26"not just the garden." Yeah, it became a bit scary.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30Obviously this has been a real learning curve for Adam,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33all the red tape he had to sort through
0:54:33 > 0:54:35and just finding builders
0:54:35 > 0:54:38that were willing to take on this project
0:54:38 > 0:54:41meant his initial time frame of four months ballooned to eight months.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46Plus, this whole project was a long way out of his comfort zone.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Before, I was in an office,
0:54:51 > 0:54:54so I went from sitting behind a desk,
0:54:54 > 0:54:56dealing with customers,
0:54:56 > 0:55:00dealing with job applicants -
0:55:00 > 0:55:02cos my previous role was recruitment -
0:55:02 > 0:55:04to obviously getting my hands dirty
0:55:04 > 0:55:06and having to project-manage
0:55:06 > 0:55:10and deal with things I'd never felt before.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13This became DIY to another level.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15You're not kidding!
0:55:15 > 0:55:17Having eventually found builders,
0:55:17 > 0:55:19both properties have been fitted
0:55:19 > 0:55:21with new windows, bathrooms and kitchens.
0:55:21 > 0:55:26They've re-plumbed, painted, plastered, re-floored,
0:55:26 > 0:55:29as well as had central heating installed in each.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32Adam's brother, who's an electrician,
0:55:32 > 0:55:35came and rewired both properties.
0:55:35 > 0:55:40So how is that budget of a combined £32,000 to £35,000
0:55:40 > 0:55:43for both properties looking now?
0:55:43 > 0:55:49I'd say we're up to about £45,570-ish.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53From the accounts that I've gone through and figured it all out.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55So, yeah, we've gone over budget,
0:55:55 > 0:55:59but as I said, there were issues with the garden that we had to deal with.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02We had to get that done, we just thought it's a real selling point.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05A lot of properties in this area don't have gardens like that.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09It's been a tough few months for Adam,
0:56:09 > 0:56:13but he has done a great job on what was a very tricky project.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17He's always planned to sell,
0:56:17 > 0:56:20so fingers crossed that two local property experts
0:56:20 > 0:56:25will tell him that his total investment here of £113,000
0:56:25 > 0:56:27has been money well spent.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32Starting with the agent who saw it originally.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35The property's been completely transformed
0:56:35 > 0:56:39since my last visit, it's now done to a very good standard inside
0:56:39 > 0:56:42and it really feels like a new-build property internally.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44The property will be of interest to many people,
0:56:44 > 0:56:46first-time buyers mainly.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48I feel that this property would sell
0:56:48 > 0:56:50within the first month of going on the market
0:56:50 > 0:56:52and get quite a lot of interest.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55I would anticipate the value for the larger property
0:56:55 > 0:56:57to be in the region of £90,000,
0:56:57 > 0:57:02and for the next-door property in the region of £80,000.
0:57:02 > 0:57:06I feel this property will sell in today's market at £85,000.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09The property that's smaller, next door,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12I feel that this will achieve, in today's market, around £75,000.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14Those valuations could mean a profit
0:57:14 > 0:57:17of between £47,000 and £57,000
0:57:17 > 0:57:19before tax and expenses.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23It may have taken a lot longer than he anticipated,
0:57:23 > 0:57:28but surely he must be feeling well chuffed with those numbers.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31They're very pleasing figures, I must say,
0:57:31 > 0:57:34and hopefully with the market the way it is,
0:57:34 > 0:57:37they will sell quite quickly.
0:57:37 > 0:57:42Potentially I'd like to sell one of the properties as quickly as possible
0:57:42 > 0:57:44to pay off a few debts we have built up.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47Then, with the other one, I think we'd look to sell
0:57:47 > 0:57:49and then potentially do another project up here.
0:57:49 > 0:57:53Something much easier that we can turn round a lot quicker.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56It's been a steep learning curve for Adam,
0:57:56 > 0:57:57but after all that work
0:57:57 > 0:58:01he's ended up with two great properties and a well-earned profit.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06Well, that's it for today's show,
0:58:06 > 0:58:09so join us next time when we meet more brave buyers
0:58:09 > 0:58:13either making a killing on property or just finding somewhere to live.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17- We look forward to seeing you next time.- Goodbye.- Goodbye.