0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07Now, there are plenty of reasons to try your hand at property investing.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Yes, but there are plenty of things you've got to do right
0:00:09 > 0:00:11if you want it to go smoothly.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Yes, number one is get the property at the right price.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17One way you can do that is by going to the auction.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45We always say, "Do your research before buying at auction,"
0:00:45 > 0:00:49and that means going to see the property beforehand
0:00:49 > 0:00:51and reading the legal pack.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53But it doesn't mean there won't be any problems.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Forewarned is forearmed.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Here's what tempted the buyers on today's show.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Today we test the temperature of the Midlands market in Nottinghamshire.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Talk about the hot seat!
0:01:04 > 0:01:07What a strange place for the boiler.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12This three-bedroom semi in Derby has a red-hot kitchen.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17It's like a red wine mixed with tomato. Clash!
0:01:19 > 0:01:23And the buyer of this Stoke property is going to need a cool head.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Now, clearly we are entering the realms
0:01:26 > 0:01:28of fairly specialist opportunity.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32All of these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:36 > 0:01:37when they went under the hammer.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45The village of Pleasley in Nottinghamshire
0:01:45 > 0:01:47is very pleasing on the eye.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The River Meden runs through the village and determines
0:01:50 > 0:01:53which parts of it are in Derbyshire and which are in Nottinghamshire.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Pleasley Pit, which formed the main employment for the area,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04closed in 1983 and then became a mining museum.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The nearby village of New Houghton was built to house the mine workers,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11like the property I've come to see.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Some real nice little details on these terraces.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18I love these arched bits above the windows. Brilliant.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19But what am I here to see?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Well, thankfully it is one of these very properties.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Three-bed, mid-terrace. Guide price of £40,000.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Boing!
0:02:27 > 0:02:31So what have we got? Well, a little entrance area here.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Interesting sort of cupboard area there underneath the stairs,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37but a useful place to store all those things
0:02:37 > 0:02:39you've got nowhere else to put. New carpet...
0:02:39 > 0:02:41That's not a bad thing to see,
0:02:41 > 0:02:46although you do wonder sometimes if it's covering up something.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49But front room here - big window underneath that archway,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51it's a nice size.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53A few signs of damp on that front wall -
0:02:53 > 0:02:55you'd want to investigate that.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Through into the rear sitting room, and I quite like this layout, actually.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02You've got that front room there, the stairs up to the bedrooms
0:03:02 > 0:03:04curving round there and then this...
0:03:04 > 0:03:08I guess this is your rear sitting room/dining room
0:03:08 > 0:03:11dominated by this fireplace.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14So what do you think? Keep it? Get rid of it?
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Personally, I think I'd put something slightly more in-keeping
0:03:18 > 0:03:22in its place. Definitely retain the lovely feature,
0:03:22 > 0:03:23but maybe not that one.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29Through into your kitchen. Well, it's not huge.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33You could contemplate basically taking out that wall -
0:03:33 > 0:03:36supporting it, obviously, with some beam over the top there -
0:03:36 > 0:03:41opening this into a really nice sort of kitchen/living area,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43a real family-friendly space.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Or you could leave it as it is, replace the units.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I mean, either way, it's just adding to, you know,
0:03:50 > 0:03:51a not bad little house.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Actually, not little at all.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56A not bad BIG house.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Opening up spaces like this and making a dining-kitchen
0:03:59 > 0:04:02is what's in demand for modern-day living.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04That and easy access to the garden.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Oh, I do like a nice set of sliding patio doors.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Only bettered by the slightly more modern trend of bi-fold doors,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17where you can literally pull back the whole glass wall
0:04:17 > 0:04:20to reveal the room and open out the house onto the garden.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I think you'd probably want to do a bit of work
0:04:22 > 0:04:24before you do that, though.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26It's largely laid to concrete at the moment
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and the rest of it is a bit of a jungle. But it is a good size.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31Look at this!
0:04:31 > 0:04:37And rear access, which is a bonus, so maybe decking, grass,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40water feature, place to park your cars...
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Ideal.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Out here, I've spotted a trio of bonuses - quiet back garden,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51secure off-road parking, and the vista from the front of the property
0:04:51 > 0:04:52over the fields is very nice.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59So far, I like everything downstairs and outside.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01There's just upstairs left to discover.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06So upstairs and just more confirmation
0:05:06 > 0:05:09that this really is a good-sized terrace -
0:05:09 > 0:05:12seemingly on the inside much bigger than it is on the outside.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17Three half-decent-sized bedrooms, so lots of ticks, really,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21and really importantly, the bathroom upstairs too.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25But what a strange place for the boiler.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29That's not very clever, is it?
0:05:30 > 0:05:32All in all, it's not a bad house,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35especially with a guide price of 40,000.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39But that carbuncle of a boiler and casing would have to go for me.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42A case of "mind your head on the way back out".
0:05:45 > 0:05:49And on the way in is a local estate agent invited along
0:05:49 > 0:05:52to give some opinions and valuations.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54I'd say the property is in very good condition.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It doesn't need a tremendous amount of work doing to it in order
0:05:57 > 0:06:01to put it up either for resale or onto the rental market.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03For the price bracket and for the area,
0:06:03 > 0:06:08if you were to sell the property, it would probably go to a first-time buyer.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I could see that - they could live in it as is
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and do up the kitchen etc in due course.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15What would be the market value, then?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18If the property was done up to a reasonable standard,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I would recommend an asking price of £70,000,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24to achieve in the region of £60,000-£65,000.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27For a rental value, I would recommend marketing
0:06:27 > 0:06:31the property at £400-£425 per calendar month.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Well, a few modifications required here and there,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39but intrinsically it's a good house in pretty good condition
0:06:39 > 0:06:45and I certainly like the location. So, yes, lots of boxes ticked.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Let's see who went for it when it went under the hammer.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Onto lot 279, it's New Houghton.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Mid-terraced house, three-bedroom,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56lot 279 in New Houghton.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Start me at...
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Start me at 30,000.
0:07:02 > 0:07:0430 I have...31, 32,
0:07:04 > 0:07:0733, 34,
0:07:07 > 0:07:1035, 36,
0:07:10 > 0:07:1137,
0:07:11 > 0:07:1438, 39,
0:07:14 > 0:07:1540...
0:07:15 > 0:07:20No. It's against you on my right, it's with you on my left at 39,000.
0:07:20 > 0:07:2440 anywhere else? Gentleman's bid. Bold bid. Thank you, 40 I have.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29Fresh place. 41? Fresh place for that, 41. 42, sir?
0:07:29 > 0:07:3043.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36No, he's not in. Your bid, 42,000. It's against you in the back.
0:07:36 > 0:07:3843, anywhere else?
0:07:38 > 0:07:39First for 42...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Second time, 42...
0:07:41 > 0:07:43The third and final time at £42,000...
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Your bid, I think you've got it...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Sold at 42.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51You may recognise Kate and Charlie,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55they've been on the show before with their family of little helpers.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57My work was painting
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and trying to get woodchip wallpaper off the walls.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04I scrubbed quite a lot of the skirting boards, hoovering...
0:08:04 > 0:08:09I did a lot of things, from stripping wallpaper to painting.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13I'm really pleased to see the house come back to life, really.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15In fact, they bought this house at the same auction as
0:08:15 > 0:08:18the previous one, so I met them to find out
0:08:18 > 0:08:20what their plans are for this one.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Tell me why you wanted to buy this place.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26We were looking to buy a new buy-to-let property and we came
0:08:26 > 0:08:30to look round here and it was just the house that we were looking for.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Ticked all the boxes, doesn't need a huge amount of work doing to it
0:08:33 > 0:08:35and we know the area, so, yeah.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37What was on your checklist, then?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39It ticks boxes - what was in your boxes?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Something that we could do and the family could do as
0:08:42 > 0:08:46a joint project, and so this really fitted the bill.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We'll get them to do as much of the refurbishment as we can do.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51We obviously get tradesmen in to do the electricity and gas
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and all those bits and pieces
0:08:53 > 0:08:55and the plastering - they're not plasterers yet.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56Let's talk about this place.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58What are you going to do to sort it out?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00It doesn't need a huge amount doing to it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03There's a bit of damp to sort out, we're going to get someone
0:09:03 > 0:09:05to come and have a look at that for us.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07We want to take out the feature fireplace
0:09:07 > 0:09:11and we're going to refurbish a little bit in the kitchen.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The only other thing we're going to check is the boiler.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17If that needs replacing, we'll put a combi boiler in
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and sort that out so it doesn't eat into as much space
0:09:20 > 0:09:23in the room, and try and get a shower in that bathroom as well.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25OK. What are you going to do with outside?
0:09:25 > 0:09:30I think we should leave the back area for space for three cars
0:09:30 > 0:09:35and then...we've actually had quite a lot of interest in renting
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- the property already.- Oh, right. Even before you've refurbished it?
0:09:39 > 0:09:42So we may even have a discussion with the tenant to see what they'd like.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45So let's talk about the refurbishment costs.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47How much do you think it's going to cost?
0:09:47 > 0:09:51We've put a budget of about £3,000.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53If we have to do the boiler, we might put that up to five,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57but we really are looking at a quick turnaround - four weeks.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Three weeks.- Oh, wow. Three weeks?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- It might slip to four. - Cracking the whip, then.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- Absolutely.- And will you two get involved as well?
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Yeah, very much so.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10It must be nice to be doing it as a family, actually.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14It actually is quite a teambuilding experience, we've found.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16It has been... Over the last year
0:10:16 > 0:10:19when we've done other houses up it's been really good, hasn't it?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It has, yeah. We enjoy it, really.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Not, perhaps, in the thick of it, when it's really late at night
0:10:25 > 0:10:30and everyone's hungry, but it is good, it's good.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32The family certainly seem to be on a roll.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36You might recall I mentioned earlier that they bought the two properties
0:10:36 > 0:10:38on the same day at the same auction,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41and the similarities didn't end there.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Both houses have the same street name.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45That's obviously going to be lucky for you, then, isn't it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Yeah, it is lucky. It causes lots of confusion, but it is, yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- It was meant to be, I think. - You say it caused confusion...?
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Well, unfortunately our solicitors decided to only convey
0:10:57 > 0:10:58- on one property...- Oh, no!
0:10:58 > 0:11:02..and we got to the exchange day and we said, "Where's the other one?"
0:11:02 > 0:11:05And they went, "Other one?"
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- You are joking!- I'm not, no.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10So we conveyed, though, they were marvellous.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14They conveyed on that whole second house in one week.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- So that shows they can do it. - That's a classic.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- So they sort of went, "What do you mean, two properties?"- Yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23There must have been a heart-in-the-mouth moment.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26There was, there was a slight moment of panic because we didn't want
0:11:26 > 0:11:31to incur huge fees for not completing within the 28 days,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- so we were only a week late. - Yeah, well, phew.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- It's good that the vendor was sympathetic.- Yeah, they were.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- So is it going to be rented out? - It is.- Both of them?- Yes.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- We're going to be renting them out. - Building a portfolio, or is this...?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48We are, yes. We already have two.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53Our first two houses we bought last year and then these two.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Well, congratulations for your double purchase.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Thank you.- Yes.- Good luck with it. - Thank you very much.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00We look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- Thank you, Martin.- Cheers.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Well, what an unusual set of circumstances,
0:12:06 > 0:12:11and a slightly problematic one, as it turned out.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Thankfully, though, it was sorted and Kate and Charlie
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and their children can get on with sorting this place out.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20How will they get on? You can find out later in the show.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34It's Derby day here on our meander round the Midlands.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38We are in Chaddesden, just east of Derby town centre.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40As well as lots of its own amenities,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43it has great transport links into the surrounding area.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I bet we'll be finding some interesting properties here.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Well, along this residential road is the three-bed semi I'm here to see.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Now, it had a guide price of £55,000.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00That sounds pretty reasonable,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03but I'm not fan of the pebbledash exterior.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05But there are a few positives I can see from the outside.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Firstly, there's double-glazed windows, and secondly,
0:13:09 > 0:13:14somebody has already built a porch which now only needs to be rendered.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15So far, so good.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I think porches are wonderful creations.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24They keep out the wind and the rain,
0:13:24 > 0:13:29somewhere to store your coats, bags, shoes and bikes - fabulous.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31So let's have a look around, then.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Well, nice hallway, reception room, double glazing - a real bonus -
0:13:35 > 0:13:37you've got central heating and a...
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Wowzer! Check out the kitchen.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43It's red. Black and white tiles...
0:13:43 > 0:13:48The funny thing is, though, it's like a red wine mixed with tomato.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Clash!
0:13:49 > 0:13:53I think I'd like to try and come down just a little bit in here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56But something else you need to think about - the guidelines
0:13:56 > 0:13:59to have your cooker and your sink...
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Well, you should have at least 40cm apart.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05You could think about switching this over so your sink's over here
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and your draining board's here,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10but I'd definitely have a little bit more of a gap between the hob
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and the sink, or even you could move it somewhere else.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14But a great space in here.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16If you think THIS is a good space, check this out.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It's only a utility room, and it's massive.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It's almost like a second kitchen.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25You've got a downstairs loo, door leading out to the front,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27door leading out to the garden.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32In fact, I would say this downstairs space is almost good to go.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36That's if you like red kitchens, of course.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40# Red rain is coming down
0:14:40 > 0:14:42# Red rain... #
0:14:45 > 0:14:47That's a great-sized ground floor.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50There is some work needing to be done, but it's all cosmetic.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Things are looking good.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56The upstairs bathroom looks freshly done.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I just hope that if the new owners do decorate the kitchen,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01they buy enough paint for the upstairs, too.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Lime green, anyone?
0:15:03 > 0:15:05When a property's already in good condition,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08there are less ways you can add value to it.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12However, one way you can give a place like this a boost
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and make it more saleable is to create some off-road parking.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I can see a lot of the neighbours along here, well,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20they've already done that. You will need to apply
0:15:20 > 0:15:23for permission from the local council to drop this kerb
0:15:23 > 0:15:26but the driveway should only cost around £800
0:15:26 > 0:15:31and it could add as much as £8,000 onto the value of the property.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Well worth it, don't you agree?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Along with the relevant permissions to get a driveway,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40the front and back gardens are going to need a good clear-out.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Never underestimate how much soil this produces,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46so factor skip hire into your budget.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51Still, all this space and a potential driveway for a guide price of 55,000!
0:15:51 > 0:15:53What's the catch?
0:15:54 > 0:15:58If something seems too good to be true, well,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02unfortunately it often is. I have a big bombshell to drop.
0:16:02 > 0:16:08This house is prefabricated, which means it's of non-standard construction.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10# Duh, duh, duh... #
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Yes, that is bad news.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16It means that this is susceptible to structural problems
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and, even though there are no signs of that yet,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22mortgage lenders will be very reluctant to provide money,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25which means it could be tricky to sell on.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Not only that, it reduces the value of this property
0:16:28 > 0:16:32compared to its brick-built neighbours by around £20,000.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Ouch!
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I hope the buyer of this one did their homework and
0:16:36 > 0:16:39they know exactly what they're dealing with.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41# I want to build you up
0:16:41 > 0:16:43# Brick by brick
0:16:43 > 0:16:45# I want to break you down
0:16:45 > 0:16:47# Brick by brick... #
0:16:47 > 0:16:51This issue can be resolved by building a brick skin, which
0:16:51 > 0:16:53could cost around £20,000.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58Oh, suddenly the colours inside the house don't seem like an issue.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00As long as the buyer has done their homework
0:17:00 > 0:17:03and is aware of possible constraints around the mortgageability
0:17:03 > 0:17:08of this property and the possible cost of making it mortgageable,
0:17:08 > 0:17:09then all should be well.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Time to find out if a local property expert thinks this is
0:17:14 > 0:17:17a secret gem or some fool's gold.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The property is a good size.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24It would certainly appeal, in my opinion, to a young family.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28All the big items of expenditure, in my opinion,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30have all been taken care of.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35I do feel it is ready for a cosmetic overhaul and general tidying up.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40I agree entirely, but what about that non-standard construction?
0:17:40 > 0:17:45It does pose some limitations in terms of resale value.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Some mortgage lenders are a little bit
0:17:48 > 0:17:52guarded about lending on properties of non-standard construction.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55However, that is easing a little bit more now.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59More lenders are taking a view that they will lend on these properties.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01That's certainly positive.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05What value will she put on this non-traditional house?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Once renovated, in my opinion,
0:18:08 > 0:18:13the property could resell for somewhere in the region of £95,000.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15And if the property was to be rented?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18In my opinion, the property would let for approximately
0:18:18 > 0:18:21£525 per calendar month.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25So this property already has double glazing,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28central heating, as well as a modern kitchen and bathroom.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It is of non-traditional construction, don't forget,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35which will always limit its end value.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Still, as long as the structure remains sound, I think
0:18:38 > 0:18:42it doesn't need too much work to bring it up to standard
0:18:42 > 0:18:46and, as a rental investment, it could provide a decent return.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Let's find out who that buyer was when we went to auction.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50The guide is 55-plus.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Who has got 50 to start me and let's get on? £50,000?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Thank you, 50,000 I've got.
0:18:57 > 0:18:5851 is bid.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00At 51, 52?
0:19:00 > 0:19:0252,000. 53?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04The bidding was very competitive.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08We rejoin the auction at £66,000.
0:19:08 > 0:19:0966.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11500?
0:19:11 > 0:19:1367.
0:19:14 > 0:19:1667,000, is it getting a bit warm?
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Or is it me?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21£67,000.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24500. I thought you might.
0:19:24 > 0:19:2568.
0:19:25 > 0:19:2768, definite?
0:19:27 > 0:19:3167,500, once, twice, third chance...
0:19:33 > 0:19:35It's yours for 67,500. Thank you.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41With a successful bid of 67,500, the house was to be
0:19:41 > 0:19:45developed by Hemi, who has recently become a full-time property manager.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50I caught up with her at her house to find out more.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Hemi, congratulations. - Thank you very much.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Is this the first one you've ever bought at auction?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59No, I actually bought another one on the same day.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Yeah, that one's already rented out.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07This is the first big refurb project for the business.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Tell me more about the business. - The business.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12What it is, I'm a property manager.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15I manage buy-to-let residential properties on behalf
0:20:15 > 0:20:17of landlords, clients.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19This one was the first purchased at auction
0:20:19 > 0:20:21that I've done for one of my clients.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Is this a fairly new business? - Yes, it is.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Within the last 12 months, it's all very "go, go, go",
0:20:27 > 0:20:30considering it's so new.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33I'm already managing, like, a dozen properties, two properties bought...
0:20:33 > 0:20:36No, it's really fun. Really a lot of fun.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39# I'm taking over
0:20:39 > 0:20:42# Now I'm in control
0:20:42 > 0:20:44# And the pressure is on... #
0:20:44 > 0:20:48A dozen properties? Hemi has certainly hit the ground running.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50What does she intend to do with this,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53the business's first big refurb?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56What is your plan - are you going to keep this,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58sell it on or are you going to let it out?
0:20:58 > 0:21:00I think initially it is going to be let out.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01It's a lovely house
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and we know the rental potential around here is quite good.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07We're going to see really what happens next year.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09No-one really knows what's going on in market.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12We're just going to wait and see.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Tell me a little bit more about your client.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I manage all his portfolio at the moment.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20When he approached me and said he wanted to expand his portfolio,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22I was the first person he thought of.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- Lucky for me, he also just happens to be my dad!- Well!
0:21:26 > 0:21:29So he's going to be doing that, so he's putting a lot of faith in me.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Do think your dad has helped you springboard
0:21:32 > 0:21:33into this business, really?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I think it's been more than springboarding,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38it's more inheriting his passion for it.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41The more he talks about it, the more I got interested in it
0:21:41 > 0:21:44and thought, "Yeah, I'm going to give that a go, actually."
0:21:44 > 0:21:48And guess what, Hemi's parents have been on the show before -
0:21:48 > 0:21:50in 2010, in fact.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Homes Under The Hammer spans generations of property developers.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Hemi, I've done my research
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and I know this is non-traditional construction.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03That might have put some people off on auction day. Did you know that?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06We were aware of some things about it.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It was more to do with the fact that we checked all the legal
0:22:09 > 0:22:10documentation before the auction.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13We made sure all the building regs had been in place for all
0:22:13 > 0:22:16the extensions and we were pretty happy with the fact that there
0:22:16 > 0:22:20wasn't actually any structural issues, it was just cosmetic stuff that we needed to do.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23What about the fact it is non-traditional construction,
0:22:23 > 0:22:28it's not built of typical brick, and therefore it's hard to get
0:22:28 > 0:22:31mortgages and, hence that's probably why this was at auction.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Do you think that might, in the future, be a bit of a hindrance,
0:22:34 > 0:22:35could put some people off?
0:22:35 > 0:22:40To be honest with you, if it does in the future come up as an issue
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and people do say, "OK, there is a problem with mortgages,"
0:22:43 > 0:22:44we will just keep it for rental.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47As Hemi is planning to rent the property,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51the house's construction is not much of an issue but, regardless,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I'm glad to hear she went in with her eyes open.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55With that concern out of the way,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Hemi's planning on leaving much of the ground floor as is,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03simply redecorating, which includes mercifully some paint to
0:23:03 > 0:23:06tone down that radical red kitchen.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07What about upstairs?
0:23:10 > 0:23:13The upstairs, to be fair, is actually pretty good.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16There's a few suspect colour choices.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20There's some interesting wood ceilings been put in.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23To be fair, I've actually had a couple of my contractors say
0:23:23 > 0:23:26it could be an interesting feature if we just tidy it up.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30I think we're going to do a bit of that. The bathroom is completely new.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32We just need to install a shower.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37The client, Hemi's dad, has agreed a £5,000 refurbishment budget,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39but what about the timescale?
0:23:39 > 0:23:42At the moment we've estimated between four and six weeks.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46I have to be honest, sometimes I look around and think,
0:23:46 > 0:23:51"I don't need that long." Other times I think, "Actually maybe, maybe."
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We've allowed six weeks, mainly because a couple of the contractors
0:23:54 > 0:23:56I'm speaking to are a little bit busy at the moment.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00So rather than starting when we were looking at, it might be delayed for a week.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Although the work won't be actually that long, to make sure
0:24:03 > 0:24:05the contractors are all there on time, we've allowed six weeks.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Hemi, I can't wait to see it once you've freshened it up.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Well, it's an exciting time for Hemi.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16She has her own property management company
0:24:16 > 0:24:18and her client for this house, her dad.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22She seems very relaxed about this project but will it all
0:24:22 > 0:24:25be as straightforward as it seems when she scratches the surface?
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Don't forget, it is non-traditional construction.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Join me later in the programme and you can find out how she gets on.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Coming up, I'm at a property ripe for redevelopment.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42The profit could be anywhere between 1.5 million and 2.5 million.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Mmm.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50And in Chaddesden, Derby, we find out what Hemi's dad
0:24:50 > 0:24:54makes of his daughter's handiwork in her fledging career.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Now back to New Houghton and the parish of pleasing Pleasley.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05The village that's partly in Derbyshire
0:25:05 > 0:25:07and partly in Nottinghamshire.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11This three bedroomed mid-terrace was bought at auction
0:25:11 > 0:25:15for £42,000 by Kate and Charlie.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17The family were going to get stuck in together,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20again having previously renovated another property
0:25:20 > 0:25:24bought at the same auction with an uncanny coincidence.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Both houses have the same street name.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30That has got to be lucky for you.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Exactly. It caused us lots of confusion.- Oh, yes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35It was meant to be, I think.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37You say it caused confusion.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Well, unfortunately, the solicitors only decided to convey on one property.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42Oh, no!
0:25:42 > 0:25:46We got to the exchange day and we said, "Where's the other one?"
0:25:46 > 0:25:48They went, "Other one?"
0:25:49 > 0:25:52One month later, we're back.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Remember that featureless front room
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and the heavily featured fireplace in the back?
0:26:03 > 0:26:04Well, it's all changed.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Both the downstairs rooms have been freshly painted and decorated
0:26:10 > 0:26:13and the new laminate flooring is practical and bright.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Extra and repaired kitchen units with new worktops
0:26:19 > 0:26:22and a new colour scheme refreshed the old kitchen.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Upstairs, the bathroom got a thorough transformation with
0:26:30 > 0:26:34that previously daft position for the combi boiler sorted,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36and a nice, new suite and shower,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40so no more cases of concussion from the combi.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's all looking much better.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Only the bedrooms remain much the same.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50It looks like a sensible refurbishment.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Much of the original fixtures and fittings
0:26:53 > 0:26:55have been cleaned up and reused.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59What's the story with the latest addition to the family portfolio?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04The main infrastructure of the house was pretty sound,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06apart from the wiring that we've done.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09The carpets upstairs were in good condition, so we've kept those.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11That's about it.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13In the kitchen, we've kept the same units
0:27:13 > 0:27:17but we've moved them around so it makes more sense of the space.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18It's quite small in there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22We've replaced all the worktops and really given it a coat of paint
0:27:22 > 0:27:24and made it look a lot brighter.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28We've installed a gas cooker and an extractor over it,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30again to make it a little bit more contemporary
0:27:30 > 0:27:34and really make it look a nice, workable kitchen.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37The family have been working round the clock - and still are,
0:27:37 > 0:27:38by the looks of it.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41How has renovating two houses at the same time been?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Panic! They've both gone well.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50I think, if the opportunity happened again, buying two
0:27:50 > 0:27:54houses at auction at the same time, we would probably do it again.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56They are gluttons for punishment.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Buying in pairs could mean double trouble
0:27:59 > 0:28:02but they seem to have got through it untroubled. How come?
0:28:05 > 0:28:07The kids have been brilliant.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11They have come in and done all the decorating,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13the cleaning, the tidying.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15They've strimmed the garden.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18The two older boys have painted the outside of the house.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22They've all taken on jobs and tried to do new things, as well.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It's been a really good learning experience for them.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28The main argument is it's 12 o'clock in the morning
0:28:28 > 0:28:30or 12 o'clock midday,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32it's time to get out of bed, kids.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Once they're here and working, it's good, lots of tea breaks,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38chocolate biscuits, bacon sandwiches.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42That keeps everybody fed and watered.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Hence the expression, "bringing home the bacon".
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Did they bring home a healthy budget?
0:28:48 > 0:28:52Initially it was set out at 3,000 to 5,000.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54We've spent just about £6,000 and that is
0:28:54 > 0:28:56because we did replace the boiler.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58We thought that was a good thing to do
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and we also went for a slightly nicer spec on the bath
0:29:02 > 0:29:05and the shower, just because it's a really nice bathroom
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and we wanted to give it a feel of space.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12£6,000 doesn't seem all that bad
0:29:12 > 0:29:16but what will two local estate agents make of the family's efforts?
0:29:16 > 0:29:19I think it's been renovated to a very good standard.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22The three bedrooms is obviously a benefit.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24It's got a good-sized third bedroom.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27The kitchen and bathroom are very modern.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31And the fact it has off-road parking is a bonus as well.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35The standard of finish is right for the market we're going to be
0:29:35 > 0:29:36appealing to.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It's been done to a high standard
0:29:38 > 0:29:41and you can tell a lot of hard work's gone into it.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44The house was bought for £42,000
0:29:44 > 0:29:50and then has had £6,000 spent on renovation - a total of £48,000.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55If the family wanted to sell, what could it fetch on the open market?
0:29:55 > 0:30:01I feel the property could resale between £65,000 and £70,000.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03If I was to put this property onto the market,
0:30:03 > 0:30:08I'd recommend an asking price of £70,000.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- At £70,000, that could mean a pre-tax profit of £22,000.- Wow!
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- That's good.- That's pleasing. - That's great.- That's very pleasing.
0:30:16 > 0:30:17Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20But of course, Kate and Charlie are going to rent this
0:30:20 > 0:30:24property as part of their portfolio and already have a tenant.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27So, what kind of rent should they have been looking for?
0:30:27 > 0:30:30If this property was to be on the rental market,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34I'd recommend an asking price of £400 per calendar month.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39I feel the property could achieve £425 per calendar month.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44- Got it rented at £425, so that's fair enough.- That's great.
0:30:44 > 0:30:49£425 per calendar month gives the family a yield of 10%.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51# Bringing home the bacon... #
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Their fourth property is sure to put even more
0:30:54 > 0:30:58pennies in their piggy bank. And what an interest rate.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02But will the kids continue property development when they're older?
0:31:02 > 0:31:05I think I'd need four children to go into property developing cos
0:31:05 > 0:31:08otherwise I don't know how I could afford it.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Yeah, all the free labour.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13We must have saved Mum and Dad a couple of grand helping out here.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- On each house.- On each house, yeah. But the money's good.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20I can see it's a worthwhile investment, so...
0:31:25 > 0:31:29I have lost track of how many times I've visited the Stoke area
0:31:29 > 0:31:32for Homes Under The Hammer.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35But let me tell you, it's a lot!
0:31:35 > 0:31:38And the lot I'm here to see is in Bucknall, which is
0:31:38 > 0:31:41about 1½ miles from Hanley.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44So far, so familiar.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47At this point, you're probably expecting me
0:31:47 > 0:31:52to say I'm off to see some two-bed terrace, or maybe a three-bed semi.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56But no. No, no, no!
0:31:56 > 0:32:02I'm here to see...this - a 43-bedroom former care home,
0:32:02 > 0:32:07sitting on an acre-and-a-half of land.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11So much to see, I don't know where to start.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15On the face of it, it seems like a bargain,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18for a guide price of £200,000.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Now, clearly we are entering the realms of fairly specialist
0:32:27 > 0:32:30opportunity scenario here,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33but I shall try and inspire you with the options.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Through what is a temporary door at the moment,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40into what, I guess, was the main community area. It's a big space.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43You kind of get a feeling when you come in here of...
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Well, there's a lot of clearing out to do
0:32:45 > 0:32:48and also the age of the building, and so you've got to be aware
0:32:48 > 0:32:52of some of the building practises of the era in which this was built.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56One thing I'm definitely looking out for is signs of asbestos.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Other than that, let's just see what we find.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04The building was built in the late '60s, early '70s,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07at a time when asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant
0:33:07 > 0:33:11and insulation. So, there's a reasonable chance it could be
0:33:11 > 0:33:14hidden behind ceilings or walls.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18So, I'd advise that the building was checked for asbestos.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Electrics and plumbing probably aren't up to modern standards
0:33:21 > 0:33:25either, so a lot of rooms, but potentially a lot of cost.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29It's quite hard to get a grasp, and even worse,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32trying to explain the kind of layout of this place, but I'll do my best.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Back there, sort of an industrial kitchen.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40More sort of staff areas, and just...facilities here.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42As you progress down this corridor,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44we're moving towards where the bedrooms are.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49In fact, this is quite useful. A map, a layout of the actual place.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Here's where I came in. There's that big lounge area there.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Through here, the kitchen.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Down here to where I was just a second ago. I'm now at this point.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04You can see the bedrooms spreading out down this long corridor,
0:34:04 > 0:34:05here and down here.
0:34:05 > 0:34:10So, you get an idea - a really extensive building.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13And that starts you thinking about what you could potentially
0:34:13 > 0:34:14use this for.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17That needs to be mulled over, but for now, as I said,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21one long corridor going down that way, let's head this way.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24This place is vast.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28Along with 43 bedrooms, there's washrooms, hair salons,
0:34:28 > 0:34:33six offices, a kitchen/dining area, three sitting rooms,
0:34:33 > 0:34:41and seemingly miles and miles... and miles and miles of corridor!
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Well, this place has certainly got my developer's mind racing.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53So, let's just look at the options.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56First of all, you could leave it pretty much as it is.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Obviously, you'd have to spend a bit of money doing it up, but converting
0:35:00 > 0:35:04it back into a care home or some kind of residential care facility.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06That's number one.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Number two, you could think about keeping the existing building
0:35:09 > 0:35:12but putting it to alternative uses.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Thirdly, what about the option of developing it?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I've been going through
0:35:17 > 0:35:20some kind of back-of-an-envelope calculation in my head
0:35:20 > 0:35:24and I reckon as an average in the UK at the moment,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27between 12 and 17 houses per acre, ballpark,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30so you've got an acre-and-a-half,
0:35:30 > 0:35:34so that's between 18 and, say, 25 houses on here.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39Let's say each of those houses would be worth £150,000
0:35:39 > 0:35:44and let's say each of them cost around about £50,000 to build.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Take off the cost of buying the land, social housing you might
0:35:48 > 0:35:51have to build, putting in utilities, general bits and pieces,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54architects' fees, blah, blah, blah...
0:35:54 > 0:35:57I reckon, ballpark, if you built houses on here, the
0:35:57 > 0:36:01profit could be anywhere between £1.5 million and £2.5 million.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Mm...
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Numbers like that are eye-watering.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10But there's an awful lot of hoops to jump through before you'd
0:36:10 > 0:36:12get to see any returns.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16You might not get planning consent, for a start, and then what
0:36:16 > 0:36:20you've got is a big building that might be hard to do anything with.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23So this investment wouldn't be without its risks.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26What does a commercial property agent think is the best
0:36:26 > 0:36:28use of this former care home?
0:36:28 > 0:36:31My opinion would be that whoever subsequently buys this property
0:36:31 > 0:36:35continues to use it on an existing use basis.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38That will obviously require a lot of refurbishment and investment,
0:36:38 > 0:36:44but in doing so, the existing Planning (Use Classes) Order will not
0:36:44 > 0:36:48need to be adjusted, which obviously makes life a lot more simple.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Simpler, indeed, but could there be any money in it?
0:36:52 > 0:36:56It is a tricky property to value as a completed project
0:36:56 > 0:37:00because the value of the care home largely depends on the revenue
0:37:00 > 0:37:02it produces once it's fully occupied.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05But knowing what we do about the size of the property
0:37:05 > 0:37:07and the revenue it's likely to generate,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11I would estimate that the value completed and fully
0:37:11 > 0:37:15occupied will be somewhere in the order of approximately £1 million.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20So, what do you think?
0:37:20 > 0:37:22A tantalising opportunity,
0:37:22 > 0:37:26or a project that's just too big to even think about?
0:37:26 > 0:37:27Depends who bought it, I guess.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Let's find out who that was, when it went under the hammer.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Lot number six is a former residential care home.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Has onsite parking, with gardens. Kitchens and lounge.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Site area of 1.5 acres. So, lot six.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48170, going to say? 170, bidding?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Yep. £170,000. Standing left.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54At £170,000. Looking for 175 now.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58At 175. At 175.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00180, right at the back.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04At 180. 185? 185.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Maybe not surprisingly, this was a popular lot,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11and we rejoin the bidding at £350,000.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14350.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15355.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17360.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19365.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21370.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23375.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Shaking his head. 375.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Bid's seated, right.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29At £375,000.
0:38:29 > 0:38:36Bid is seated, right. At £375,000, then, for the first time...
0:38:36 > 0:38:39At £375,000 for the second time...
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Third and final time, at £375,000...
0:38:44 > 0:38:46You've bought it, sir. Well done.
0:38:46 > 0:38:52And so, for £175,000 over the guide price, at £375,000,
0:38:52 > 0:38:56the new owners of the former care home in Hanley
0:38:56 > 0:38:59are father-and-son team Bill and Phil.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04I met them back at their new purchase to find out what
0:39:04 > 0:39:08they hoped to do with this extensive building.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13- Bill, Phil, great to meet you both. - And you.- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Why have you bought this place?
0:39:14 > 0:39:18It's a good business proposition.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Tell me more about the business proposition.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Well, we're going to convert it back to its old self.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27Right, so, old self being a care home.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31It'll be a care home with particular interest to those who have
0:39:31 > 0:39:34got dementia and Alzheimer's.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36OK. A very worthwhile project, then.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39Tell me more about your involvement in this sphere.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44We've been involved in it for 26 years.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47We now have five and this will be our sixth.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50And we're hoping that this will be a success,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53as the others have been as well.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Right. How much demand is there for what you're providing?
0:39:56 > 0:39:58We have looked into it quite a bit
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and there is quite a lot of demand in the area.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Residents won't like to travel too far from where they're
0:40:05 > 0:40:06normally based.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08But there is a lot of demand.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12'Bill is chairman of the care home company.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16'It is a very highly regulated sector that involves
0:40:16 > 0:40:20'a thorough knowledge of working practises,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23'but for Bill, it wasn't his first career.'
0:40:23 > 0:40:27So, how did your business start? Is this what your background is?
0:40:27 > 0:40:30No, I started off in the entertainment business.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- What kind of thing?- Discotheques.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38I opened the first discotheque in the country in Hanley,
0:40:38 > 0:40:43more or less 50 years ago this month, called The Place.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- 1963.- 1963.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50- And that was the first disco?- It was the first disco in the country, yes.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53So, what kind of music were you playing at the time?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- I suppose stuff of the era.- The Beatles, Rolling Stones...- Right.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59You had a lot of live bands, though, too.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- Oh, we had a lot of live bands, yes. - Like?
0:41:01 > 0:41:06Well, there was Elton John, Rod Stewart, Drifters,
0:41:06 > 0:41:12Four Tops... The Supremes, Martha Reeves And The Vandellas...
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- All the Motown acts.- Wow! And they were all playing in Hanley!
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- They were all playing in Hanley, yes.- In your disco.- Yes.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21So, how did that lead into what you do now?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23I had a chap who was working for me
0:41:23 > 0:41:28who suggested that I carry out a development on a house
0:41:28 > 0:41:33and he felt that it would make a good nursing home,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- convert it into a nursing home. - Right.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39And I said, "I know nothing about nursing homes."
0:41:39 > 0:41:43He said, "My fiancee's a nurse and it seems like a good prospect
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- "and there's a great demand for nursing homes."- Right.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50So I looked into it and this is where we went from there.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- 26 years ago.- Yes.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55So, in order to convert it to what you want it to be,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- what are you going to have to do?- A lot of the rooms aren't large enough.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01They've come at about nine square metres.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05We have to make them a minimum of 12 square metres, which means combining
0:42:05 > 0:42:09a lot, or the majority, of the rooms together, to make usable rooms.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12So, how many rooms will there end up being?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- There will be 42 bedrooms. - 42 bedrooms.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19- Does that mean 42 residents here? - Yes, up to. A maximum of.- Yes.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Are you going to do anything to sort of make your care home
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- stand out?- Well, we have speakers throughout the corridors,
0:42:26 > 0:42:27playing soothing music...
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- Oh, great. - Maybe music of the era as well.- Oh!
0:42:30 > 0:42:33We might have a sensory area,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35or a sensory room we might put in to the premises.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- Nostalgia, reminiscence. - Reminiscence.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41We'll have a sensory garden as well,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43which will be a secure sensory garden.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45What do you mean by sensory garden?
0:42:45 > 0:42:49So the residents are able to sit down, relax, have...
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Things that will heighten their senses.
0:42:52 > 0:42:58So smells, visual things, so from floral plants to fruit plants
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and fruit trees as well.
0:43:01 > 0:43:06- That type of thing.- Sounds like an expensive project.- Slightly.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09How much is it going to cost to get this place up and running?
0:43:09 > 0:43:15Well, we reckon about £550,000 to £600,000 and we expect it's
0:43:15 > 0:43:20going to take seven to eight months to complete the building works.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- Well, congratulations.- Thank you.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26- Good luck with it.- Thank you. - Pleasure.- Thank you.- All the best.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28Thank you.
0:43:28 > 0:43:33So, father-and-son team Bill and Phil taking on, well,
0:43:33 > 0:43:36an ambitious project by anybody's standards.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40However, they've got the experience to make it a success.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44How will they get on providing a very valuable service for the area?
0:43:44 > 0:43:46Let's find out later in the show.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52We've seen how our first buyer got on, now what about the others?
0:43:52 > 0:43:55Let's see if everything went as it should have.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04Back now to Chaddesden, Derbyshire, where earlier I saw a three-bedroom
0:44:04 > 0:44:10semidetached house which was bought for £67,500 to be
0:44:10 > 0:44:12developed by Hemi, a property manager.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15She has only recently gone into property management
0:44:15 > 0:44:20and this was to be her first full-house refurbishment
0:44:20 > 0:44:22for a rather special client.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25Tell me a little bit more about your client.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28Well, I manage all his portfolio at the moment,
0:44:28 > 0:44:31so when he approached me and said he wanted to expand his portfolio,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34I was the first person he thought of.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- Lucky for me, he also just happens to be my dad.- Wow!
0:44:37 > 0:44:40So, he's going to be doing that, so he's putting a lot of faith in me.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43Do you think your dad has helped you sort of springboard into this
0:44:43 > 0:44:46- business, really?- I think it's been more than springboarding.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49It's more sort of inheriting his passion for it.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52The more he talked about it, the more I got interested in it
0:44:52 > 0:44:55and thought, "Yeah, I'm going to give that a go, actually."
0:44:55 > 0:44:59I think it's fair to say the house had a rather unconventional
0:44:59 > 0:45:01palette of colours throughout.
0:45:03 > 0:45:08# Green is the colour of the sparkling calm in the morning
0:45:08 > 0:45:11# When we rise
0:45:12 > 0:45:15# In the morning, when we rise
0:45:16 > 0:45:20# That's the time, that's the time
0:45:20 > 0:45:22# I love the best... #
0:45:22 > 0:45:27So, you've got £5,000. Yes. How long have you got to do this up?
0:45:27 > 0:45:31At the moment, we've estimated between four and six weeks.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35I have to be honest, sometimes I look around and think, "I don't need
0:45:35 > 0:45:40"that long," and other times I think, "Well, actually, maybe, maybe..."
0:45:40 > 0:45:42So, time to see if Hemi was right,
0:45:42 > 0:45:46as we return eight weeks after our first visit.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49Let's start by looking at the changes in the multicoloured
0:45:49 > 0:45:51kitchen.
0:45:51 > 0:45:57# So open your eyes and see
0:45:57 > 0:46:01# The way our horizons meet
0:46:03 > 0:46:08# And all the lights will lead
0:46:09 > 0:46:14# Into the night with me... #
0:46:16 > 0:46:22The once tired utility has been spruced up with a new paint
0:46:22 > 0:46:24scheme and worktops.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28The downstairs loo is now fully operational.
0:46:29 > 0:46:36# All of these stars will guide us home... #
0:46:36 > 0:46:41Back at the front of the house, the lounge has a new vista,
0:46:41 > 0:46:43thanks to some hard landscaping.
0:46:53 > 0:46:58Upstairs, the once orange box room has had a bright face-lift.
0:47:09 > 0:47:14Lime green lovers need not apply any more,
0:47:14 > 0:47:17as the neutral tones continue in this bedroom too.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24The final bedroom had wall-to-wall bold wallpaper
0:47:24 > 0:47:27and a dark imposing ceiling. Not any more.
0:47:29 > 0:47:35# So open your eyes and see... #
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Now, there's just wallpaper on one feature wall. Much calmer.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45The bathroom is pretty much as was.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53And finally, let's take a look around the outside,
0:47:53 > 0:47:55where things are so much tidier.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Apart from the unsightly skip, which is going soon.
0:48:03 > 0:48:07Quite a change, thanks to Hemi's hard work.
0:48:07 > 0:48:08Did all go as planned?
0:48:10 > 0:48:13I think really most of the work was expected.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15There was a couple of little bits and pieces,
0:48:15 > 0:48:18like when we did take off the wallpaper, all the plaster
0:48:18 > 0:48:22came off the walls, so unfortunately we had to re-plaster all of that.
0:48:22 > 0:48:27There was a lot of garden waste, so we ended up having to hire a skip.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30And there was a couple of minor issues with the boiler,
0:48:30 > 0:48:34where we ended up having to do some repairs and what have you.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36But really speaking, I think
0:48:36 > 0:48:41we've been quite lucky in that there haven't been any major expenditures.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45Nothing significantly over budget. So that went quite well.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49- How did the budget end up? - So, the original budget was £5,000.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53We managed to get it in to £5,155.
0:48:53 > 0:48:58£155 over! Well, I always say, keep a contingency fund.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00What about timescale?
0:49:00 > 0:49:03It did take pretty much bang on the four to six weeks.
0:49:03 > 0:49:07I did have some allowance in that timeframe to allow for any contracts
0:49:07 > 0:49:11and scheduling issues and that kind of thing, but we did manage to finish
0:49:11 > 0:49:16on deadline and within the timeframe we imagined, so that was quite good.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20Hemi's dad has ruled out selling in the immediate future,
0:49:20 > 0:49:23so to find out what his daughter's work is worth on the rental
0:49:23 > 0:49:28market, we've invited two local property experts for their opinions.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32I've had a good look round the property.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37it's a very basic finish to the property, but ready to go.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39The finish is fine.
0:49:39 > 0:49:44It's perfectly adequate for particularly the rental market.
0:49:44 > 0:49:48With a total outlay of just over £72,500,
0:49:48 > 0:49:51what sort of return can he expect?
0:49:51 > 0:49:53And we may as well get the sale valuations too,
0:49:53 > 0:49:57just to find out if he would have made a profit.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01The resale value of the property would be up to around £85,000
0:50:01 > 0:50:06and the rental value would be up to £525 per calendar month.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09I would anticipate the property reselling for somewhere
0:50:09 > 0:50:14in the region of £85,000 and renting between £500
0:50:14 > 0:50:16and £525 per calendar month.
0:50:16 > 0:50:22That's a potential profit of £12,400, minus the usual taxes
0:50:22 > 0:50:28and expenses. And taking the highest rental figure, nearly a 9% yield.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32So, how do those figures stack up for Hemi and her client?
0:50:32 > 0:50:36I think that's a little bit lower than the research that I've done.
0:50:36 > 0:50:40I did do a lot of research before I recommended it to my client.
0:50:40 > 0:50:46So the rental income that I'm expecting is around the £650,
0:50:46 > 0:50:48if we're lucky, a bit more, towards £700.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51It has been advertised at that level and I've had enquiries,
0:50:51 > 0:50:55so that's why I'm managing it myself, really!
0:50:55 > 0:50:58- So we'll see what return we get. - I agree.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02The market here, the research that we've done seems that we
0:51:02 > 0:51:07might be able to achieve more like the £600-700.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10Well, they say the client is always right,
0:51:10 > 0:51:12and so it was with Hemi's dad.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16His prediction of renting for £600 per calendar month came true
0:51:16 > 0:51:18just after filming.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22Something tells me it's not just a case of first time lucky
0:51:22 > 0:51:24for Hemi's refurbishment future.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32It was just a few miles from Stoke-on-Trent,
0:51:32 > 0:51:36in the area of Bucknall where we first came across an auction
0:51:36 > 0:51:41lot with loads of rooms, loads of space, and loads of possibilities.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45A bit different to your average two-up, two-down -
0:51:45 > 0:51:47a substantial former care home.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50It's not often that you see properties like this going
0:51:50 > 0:51:53under the hammer, needing a specialist purchaser.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57Step forward father-and-son team Bill and Phil,
0:51:57 > 0:52:03who, along with Phil's brother Will, bought it for £375,000.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07And they knew exactly what to do with it.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Why have you bought this place?
0:52:09 > 0:52:14- Well, we're going to convert it back to its old self.- Right.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Old self being a care home.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20It'll be a care home with particular interest to those who have
0:52:20 > 0:52:23got dementia and Alzheimer's.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Many years ago, Bill ran a disco called The Place,
0:52:26 > 0:52:30before his career change into care homes,
0:52:30 > 0:52:34which he's now been specialising in for a quarter of a century.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38Tell me more about your involvement in this sphere.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42We've been involved in it for 26 years.
0:52:42 > 0:52:46We now have five and this will be our sixth.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49And we're hoping that this will be a success,
0:52:49 > 0:52:51as the others have been as well.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55Right. So how much demand is there, Phil, for what you're providing?
0:52:55 > 0:52:57We have looked into it quite a bit.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00There is quite a lot of demand in the area.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04Residents won't like to travel too far from where they're
0:53:04 > 0:53:07normally based, but there is a lot of demand.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10The refurbishment will be an extensive one.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14Bedrooms are required to be bigger than they were back in the day,
0:53:14 > 0:53:18so some rooms were to be combined and reconfigured.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21And they will be applying for planning permission to
0:53:21 > 0:53:22extend the facility,
0:53:22 > 0:53:27all in accordance with the Care Home Quality Commission's guidelines.
0:53:27 > 0:53:3219 months later and we're back to check on progress.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40OK, so not quite ready yet,
0:53:40 > 0:53:43but with another care home refurbishment taking priority,
0:53:43 > 0:53:46this refurbishment project was put on the back burner
0:53:46 > 0:53:50and it's only in the last year the work has properly started here.
0:53:52 > 0:53:57With Bill away in America, it was down to his son, Phil, to update us.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00In this entrance area, we're going to have a cafe.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03we're going to knock through the front area there, have a
0:54:03 > 0:54:07bar with a coffee shop, with maybe even an "Other Place" coffee shop,
0:54:07 > 0:54:10which will be nice. We're going to have seating through here,
0:54:10 > 0:54:14maybe windows into the dining area over there.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17And on the left here, we're looking at having an old sweet shop,
0:54:17 > 0:54:19which should be really nice.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22# Sweet, sweet memories you gave me
0:54:22 > 0:54:25# You can't beat the memories you gave me... #
0:54:25 > 0:54:29The home will have the latest in modern technology, like wi-fi,
0:54:29 > 0:54:33but there will also be a focus on various reminiscence tools,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37like visual images and music from the past, and even smell,
0:54:37 > 0:54:41as these have been proved to help people living with dementia.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Looking at putting a sensory garden in,
0:54:45 > 0:54:49which we're looking at putting some old-fashioned sensory items in,
0:54:49 > 0:54:54such as a phone box and a bus stop, and we'll have raised flower beds
0:54:54 > 0:54:58and it'll be a nice secure area for them to go into.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02# Something old, something new
0:55:02 > 0:55:08# Something borrowed, something blue
0:55:08 > 0:55:13# I've still got memories to cherish... #
0:55:13 > 0:55:16The Italian poet Cesare Pavese once said,
0:55:16 > 0:55:19"We don't remember days, we remember moments."
0:55:19 > 0:55:24And that's what Phil hopes the surroundings here will stimulate,
0:55:24 > 0:55:28but how many residents will this building cater for once completed?
0:55:30 > 0:55:34When the care home is complete, in about five or six months,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37we hope, we're looking to have 47 bedrooms,
0:55:37 > 0:55:41of which we'll have about four or five en-suites,
0:55:41 > 0:55:46and we're looking at putting a large living area in with an extension,
0:55:46 > 0:55:49and that's going in any minute now.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52This is clearly a large project, and with an extension,
0:55:52 > 0:55:56it's going to get bigger. What's it all going to cost?
0:55:56 > 0:56:01So far, we've spent about £200,000 on the project
0:56:01 > 0:56:06and we have another £500,000 to spend on the project.
0:56:06 > 0:56:13We will look in total at spending about £1 million.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18That £1 million includes the £375,000 it cost to purchase
0:56:18 > 0:56:20the building at the auction.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23So, they may end up slightly exceeding
0:56:23 > 0:56:27their hoped-for £500,000 to £600,000 budget.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29But will it be money well spent?
0:56:29 > 0:56:32What does a commercial property expert think?
0:56:32 > 0:56:34There's a lot of work that's been done over
0:56:34 > 0:56:37the course of the last few months.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39Some rooms have been altered and rearranged.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41I understand there's a plan for an extension to be
0:56:41 > 0:56:43added to the property.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Whilst there is still quite a lot of work that needs to be done,
0:56:46 > 0:56:49what's been done looks to be done to a good standard, so I expect
0:56:49 > 0:56:52they'll end up with a nice quality care home when it's all finished.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55Phil and his dad Bill, along with his brother Will,
0:56:55 > 0:56:59expect to have invested £1 million to get the care home up
0:56:59 > 0:57:03and running, but what kind of value could the end product be worth?
0:57:03 > 0:57:05Once this care home is finished,
0:57:05 > 0:57:09I understand it's going to be converted into a 47-bedroom home,
0:57:09 > 0:57:15the value will range from somewhere between £20,000 to £25,000 per
0:57:15 > 0:57:17room, which will give us a range of values of somewhere
0:57:17 > 0:57:21between £1 million to £1.2 million.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25I think that the value of £1 million to £1.2 million
0:57:25 > 0:57:27is on the low side, really.
0:57:27 > 0:57:32We see it being valued more along the lines of £2 million
0:57:32 > 0:57:34when it's full and operating.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37I guess, as they say, only time will tell what the finished building
0:57:37 > 0:57:40and the site will be worth.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42But for Phil and his family, the business is
0:57:42 > 0:57:46just as much about running the care homes as it is refurbishing them.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49How do the family manage to work
0:57:49 > 0:57:53so closely on such a big, expensive project without friction?
0:57:53 > 0:57:56You've always got your problems working with your family
0:57:56 > 0:57:59members, as I'm sure many family businesses would agree.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03We cover different areas, so there is a little bit of overlap
0:58:03 > 0:58:06but not much massive overlap, so it's working well as a team.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12So, join us next time for more stories behind those auction
0:58:12 > 0:58:16- properties.- Yes, here on Homes Under The Hammer.- Goodbye.- Goodbye.