0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to the programme.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Whether you are a long-term investor or a first timer, bagging
0:00:06 > 0:00:10a property at an auction, well, it can pay off as a great investment.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Yes, but it's not easy money.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15There are pitfalls and you need to go in with your eyes open.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17So how do you prepare for the best and the worst?
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Well, we might just be able to help you there.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49One thing I love to find out is exactly why people decided to
0:00:49 > 0:00:50buy at auction.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Yeah, that's right, Lucy, and who bought today's auction lots?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Yeah, let's find out.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's daughter and dad's day today on Homes Under The Hammer.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01And this dad is raring to go.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Buy yourself an apartment, get in there and get it done.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Another daughter in East Ham, London, gets a hand from Dad filling
0:01:10 > 0:01:12skips at her three-bed mid-terrace.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15All the rubbish I cleared myself.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19At this two-bedroom flat in Bournemouth, Dorset,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24it's time to call in the help of, you guessed it, Dad.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26That's what we are here for, at the end of the day.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29All of these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32We will find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:32 > 0:01:33when they went under the hammer.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Your bid...
0:01:38 > 0:01:43In 1807, the village of Mow Cop saw the birth of a new religious
0:01:43 > 0:01:46movement called Primitive Methodists.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48They may not be very well known today,
0:01:48 > 0:01:53but what they started here went on to play an important role in the
0:01:53 > 0:01:58early trade union movements as well as the creation of the Labour Party.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04In fact, Mow Cop, which straddles the Cheshire-Staffordshire
0:02:04 > 0:02:06border, is a town steeped in history,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and not just popular with tourists,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12because it is a short commute to either Stoke-on-Trent or Manchester.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Located in this lovely old mill is the property that was
0:02:18 > 0:02:19up for auction.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Now, it's described as a two-bed duplex apartment with a
0:02:23 > 0:02:25guide price of £45,000.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28So all very straightforward.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31But hold on, what actually is a duplex?
0:02:31 > 0:02:36Well, it can be a little confusing as it can be used in different ways.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40So I think I'll just need to see what it's like when I get inside.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45But I am thinking it's on two floors.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55From the outside, the building is full of character.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59The conversion into multiple apartments is sympathetic
0:02:59 > 0:03:01to a past life as a mill.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Inside, and the communal hallways are well-kept, which is
0:03:04 > 0:03:07another really good sign for the duplex itself.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Seeing how this property is laid out is what I'm most interested in.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16At this precise moment.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Well, you walk into the hallway
0:03:18 > 0:03:22and I can see two really good-sized bedrooms.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25So it's a bit upside down, topsy-turvy.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26You've got a bathroom through here.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The stairs are obviously going upstairs to the sitting area.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34So this is duplex living. It's quite interesting, actually.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Because I'm gathering they've done it because of the views.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40But it's like a little self-contained house almost.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42So this is one of the bedrooms.
0:03:42 > 0:03:48And what really gets you as you walk in here is a pungent smell of damp.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52And you only need to look up to see all around these doors here.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56It's quite wet to touch and it's really, really smelly.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59I'm not sure whether lots of water has got in underneath
0:03:59 > 0:04:02and above or whether it's just condensation.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But I think there has been some moisture in this room.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07I would certainly get an expert to have a look at this.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11You've got lovely views out there. I wonder what it's like upstairs.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14It's quite strange when you walk into this building,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17it does not feel like it's a converted mill.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20The only thing that sort of tells that tale is this bit of beam
0:04:20 > 0:04:22up here. It feels quite modern,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25quite luxury and it's actually in quite good condition.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Apart from that.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35So, one potential problem to look into, but plenty of positives.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39The two bedrooms are great sizes and light and airy with it.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48The bathroom could do with updating, but it's also a decent enough size.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Time to head upstairs to see what else this duplex has to offer.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56And at the top of the stairs, the living area.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59So this is what duplex living is all about.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03And I can completely understand why you would flip over,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06bedrooms downstairs, living room upstairs, because look at that view.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09It's even better than downstairs. It really is stunning.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And the good thing is, when you come up here, you don't
0:05:12 > 0:05:16have that real pungent smell of damp, which tells me
0:05:16 > 0:05:18there probably isn't anything wrong with the roof.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21You can see a few condensation marks around those windows,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24so I'd certainly get this looked at.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27But look, you've got an amazing, big, old original beam.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Beautiful. That would look nice sanded back.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32And then round here, look.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Ooh, I do love a latch.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37The kitchen! How sociable is this?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I'd be inclined to maybe lower this wall a bit,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43add a little breakfast bar area around the front.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46But it's really nice to be chatting to your guests.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It's quite spacious in here as well.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51And I think one of the best things is, for me anyway,
0:05:51 > 0:05:52there is an upstairs loo!
0:05:52 > 0:05:55So it will save you trotting down the stairs in the middle
0:05:55 > 0:05:57of the ad breaks. It's got everything.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01# Because you're gorgeous
0:06:01 > 0:06:05# I'd do anything for you... #
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Yep, a few home comforts and I'm happy.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11And this property is ticking a lot of my boxes.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13It's spacious and bright.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15And as long as that damp isn't too serious,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17there isn't a lot to be done here.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22And at a guide price of just £45,000, this apartment in a
0:06:22 > 0:06:26converted mill, I'm sure, will be setting pulses racing.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31We asked a local property expert along to see
0:06:31 > 0:06:33if he could have a mill about.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38The property is in beautiful condition.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40It's got lots of original features.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42It's in keeping with the style and age of the property.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44The layout is a little bit unusual,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46especially with having the bedrooms downstairs.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Most people would expect them to be upstairs.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51It is something that is becoming more common, and I think
0:06:51 > 0:06:53we are going to see a lot more of it in the future.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Once refurbished, we'd be expecting an asking price of around £75,000.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05And a rental price of £500 per calendar month.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11You've got yourself a beautiful location here. Solid old building.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16It's got tonnes of history. What is not to like about this duplex?
0:07:16 > 0:07:19But I guess country living might not be for everyone.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21And there is that damp to think about.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24So who was wanting to take on trouble at mill
0:07:24 > 0:07:26when this property went up for auction?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31It's a two-bedroom, first-floor duplex apartment.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It does need some refurbishment.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38In a desirable village location. So what should we say for lot 67?
0:07:39 > 0:07:4438 then. 38 bid. Thank you. At £38,000.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47After a hesitant start, the bidding quickly passed
0:07:47 > 0:07:51the £45,000 guide price until reaching...
0:07:51 > 0:07:53£57,000 for the first time.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56£57,000 for the second time.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Third and final time at £57,000...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02You bought it, well done.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08Just out of shot, the successful bid of £57,000 was made by Emma.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13She's a college lecturer who bought the two-bedroom flat with her
0:08:13 > 0:08:16partner, to make it their home.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I caught up with Emma at the mill to discuss their plans.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Emma, lovely to meet you today. - Nice to meet you too.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Look at the views. I mean, look where we are.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26It's stunning, isn't it?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Absolutely.- Was it that view that sold it to you?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Yeah, I mean, we loved the building as soon as we walked in.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34But coming up the stairs into this room, looking at the beams,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and then we saw outside.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39We both got butterflies. We were so excited, yeah.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40How much research did you do?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Obviously, you'd seen the property before, so you knew a bit about it.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Yeah, we came and viewed it a couple of times before the auction.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50We came and saw it in the morning. We were so excited about it.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Went back and told my dad. He rang my mum at work.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54She took an hour off and we came up and viewed it again.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56The estate agents were brilliant.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And then we actually viewed it again before the auction,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01just to make sure. But we did loads of research on it.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02With it being on the border,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05we weren't sure whereabouts we were going to be living.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Part of the front is on the Staffordshire border.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10And then the rest of it is in the Cheshire side.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12So it's half Staffordshire, half Cheshire.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14And isn't there a bit of a funny story about one of the flats
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- here that used to be a pub?- Yeah.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21I believe there was an old pub which was licensed in 1860
0:09:21 > 0:09:23called The Odd Fellows Arms.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26The bar ran through the border so on a Sunday evening,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30going to have a drink, they'd ring the bell for end of closing time...
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- On which end? - On the Staffordshire side.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Then all the punters would move over to the Cheshire side
0:09:35 > 0:09:37so they could carry on drinking for an extra half hour.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40That is classic! Sadly, that pub is no longer.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43No, it's now a flat, one of the apartments.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46# You just keep on pushing my love
0:09:46 > 0:09:50# Over the borderline... #
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Sounds like my kind of pub.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Shame it's not here any longer.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57But you know what they say, where there's a mill, there's a way.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Time to find out Emma's plans.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02What are you going to do to change anything, though?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Because you could just literally freshen it up.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Or are you going to be making any drastic changes?
0:10:07 > 0:10:08Structurally, no.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12We are limited, with it being a leasehold, of what we can do inside.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15But we will be putting new kitchen units in,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18depending on how bad a state the carcasses are in when I have a look.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Probably re-hanging the doors. New kitchen worktops.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Flooring all the way through. Big clean and paint.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28There's not really that much, you know, that needs to be done, really.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30What about all the natural-looking woodwork?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Are you going to be painting that or leaving it?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I like them as they are. It's something we will discuss
0:10:35 > 0:10:37and see what kind of theme we want to go with, and what
0:10:37 > 0:10:38colours we are going to take.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41But I quite like the latch doors and the colour of all the skirting
0:10:41 > 0:10:43and the architrave at the moment.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- It certainly gives it that sort of cottagey feel.- Yeah.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- And that beam! - It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50We go away to cottages all the time and we always say,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53"We should get a cottage." This is kind of like the next best thing.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55We are in a mill with brilliant views.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57We want to try and get them back to the original colours.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Make a feature of it so when you come in,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02like when I did the first time, people look at it and say wow.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06The only downside that I can see is the damp around the windows.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Is it condensation? It does smell...not so great.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Yeah, it's quite murky, isn't it, the smell?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15The day after the auction, we came in and opened the windows
0:11:15 > 0:11:18and the smell has gone down loads. We put all the windows on vent.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22The property was empty for two years before it went to auction.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24And all the vents were closed. I don't think that's helped.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27So we are going to give it a good clean and see what it comes up like.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28You've got to think,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31is that problems with the roof or is it condensation that's been
0:11:31 > 0:11:34trapped, that can't get out because of lack of ventilation?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36The builder downstairs has just finished on his.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39He says that the seals underneath have been screwed in the wrong
0:11:39 > 0:11:42way, so when the rain falls through, it's actually running underneath the
0:11:42 > 0:11:45windows. It's just a case of turning those around.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Gosh, having the seals screwed in the wrong way
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- can just cause so much damage. That is so annoying!- I know.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52He might be wrong, but we're going to have a look at that.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55It seems quite plausible. He's a builder and he's renovated
0:11:55 > 0:11:57a couple of properties. We'll have a look at that.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Great to get advice, but Emma is no slouch herself,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03having renovated the property she is currently living in.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Plus, she will be enlisting the help of her dad,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07who owns a cleaning business.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Very handy for this pongy pad.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15She and her partner have a budget of 3,000
0:12:15 > 0:12:18and hope to have the property ready in eight to nine weeks,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22although there are still a few little things to iron out first.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25What about those windows? How good a nick are they in?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Do you think you might have to change them?
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Will the management company be in charge of replacing the windows?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34That's something we are going to have to find out, yeah.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37I believe the outside of the windows is theirs.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39The inside of the windows is ours.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42So it's one of those things we are going to have to speak to the
0:12:42 > 0:12:44agency about it and see what they say.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- That is the only downfall of buying a leasehold property.- Yeah.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52You are not completely in control of your own walls, bricks
0:12:52 > 0:12:54and mortar, doors, everything else.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58I've never had a leasehold before, so it's something new that I've
0:12:58 > 0:13:01really got to get my head round and have a look at what it all means.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Cos it's just jargon at the moment.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Emma, I can see how excited you are and I am really excited
0:13:05 > 0:13:08myself to come and see what it's like when it's been done.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- You are very much welcome back. - Congratulations.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- It's been lovely meeting you today. Well done.- Thank you.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18Emma is clearly so happy with her purchase and the price she paid.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21But it's important to get to the bottom of that damp
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and who is responsible.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Then she can kick back and enjoy that view.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Once she's decided what county she lives in, that is.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Join me later in the programme and you can find out how she gets on.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Well, Lucy, your mill might not know where it is,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43but there is no doubt I know where I am.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46I am in East Ham, in the London borough of Newham,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48an area that is on the up.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Its affordable housing, sense of community
0:13:50 > 0:13:55and leafy surroundings mean you'd be a little nutty not to invest here.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59I'm on a really pleasant residential street. Tree-lined.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Nicely maintained houses.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The property I'm here to see sounds appealing.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07£245,000-plus was the guide price for a three-bed mid-terrace.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10But a fantastic bit of auction spin in the catalogue.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13It says that it is in need of modernisation.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16But that gives the prospective purchaser the ideal
0:14:16 > 0:14:21opportunity to carry out works to their own specifications.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23You've got to love it, though.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- # Why do you build me up - Build me up
0:14:29 > 0:14:32# Buttercup, baby Just to let me down... #
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Nice inner door.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36That would be really lovely stripped back.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39I bet that's beautiful wood underneath there.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42But into the property and straightaway, yes,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46that modernisation expression definitely springs to mind.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50We've got polystyrene ceiling tiles, they've got to go.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52A few nice original features.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Bit of the plasterwork is still in existence.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58That is something which I would definitely remove.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00I don't think that helps with the flow at all.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02You'd expect that to be a corridor.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05It's been blocked up, which I don't think works particularly well.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08You've got your stairs up to your bedrooms there.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Through into the main living area. And it's a nice-sized space.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Big bay window there, which is good.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Got a gas fire. Obviously been knocked through at some point.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22But it does create this really lovely living space.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26With sliding doors at the end there. Lots of light coming through.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Um, yeah, good, good.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The decor needs a full overhaul, but with a bit of elbow grease,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36this could be a really attractive space.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40In the kitchen, you start piece together
0:15:40 > 0:15:43why whoever it was blocked off that little corridor.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Because they were trying to create at least a bit of usable
0:15:47 > 0:15:50kitchen space. You've got all these doors going on at the end there,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53which doesn't really work. I guess that was the only way of doing it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55But in itself, I don't think this works.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57A kitchen being the heart of any house, I think
0:15:57 > 0:16:00you really want to spend some time in here sorting this out.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Maybe take that wall out to create a really nice sort of
0:16:03 > 0:16:05through-kitchen/living space.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08One thing that is pleasant, though, is coming out of the rear
0:16:08 > 0:16:11of the property, there is this, like, conservatory affair.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13I'm not quite sure how permanent it is,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17but it's a nice usable space and it leads out onto the garden.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21So... All this needs a bit of playing around with, doesn't it?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Thankfully, there is space to do that.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27And creating a more practical kitchen should be
0:16:27 > 0:16:29top of anyone's to-do list.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Hopefully, the layout upstairs won't require any jiggery-pokery.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38So upstairs and good news, you've got the bathroom and loo here.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Although it doesn't actually have a bath in it, it's got a shower.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42It looks like it would be tight
0:16:42 > 0:16:44to actually get a bath in there, which is a bit of a shame.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Just part of the general refurb you are going to have to
0:16:47 > 0:16:49do on this property.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51But a rear bedroom there, looks to be a half decent size.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Front... Well, the first of two front bedrooms.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56It's more of a box room.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Although they have got a sink there, which is a little bit strange.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Then into the other...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04HE LAUGHS
0:17:04 > 0:17:06..bedroom at the front.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I'm laughing just because, aren't bedrooms are supposed to be
0:17:09 > 0:17:14peaceful places where you relax and prepare for sleep?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I'm not sure I would decorate one with this kind of wallpaper.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Each to his own, though.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22# Flowers in the window
0:17:22 > 0:17:24# Such a lovely day
0:17:24 > 0:17:27# Let's watch the flowers grow... #
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Some work to do here too.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Even if flowers are to your taste.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34But with two well-proportioned double rooms
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and a single bedroom, it is looking good up here.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Although there was something peculiar that I spotted earlier.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45So here in the back bedroom... It's not a bad size.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49But that's not what's caught my eye. It's this.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- HE TAPS - It's a chimney breast.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57What's odd about that? Hmm.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I'll tell you what's odd about that.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Follow me downstairs into the lounge.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Uh.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12This is where it should be.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14But obviously, what's happened is
0:18:14 > 0:18:18they've taken the chimney breast out here but left it up there.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The danger with that is, you've got the weight of all those bricks
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and what's on the roof, the chimney stack itself, all resting
0:18:25 > 0:18:29probably, my guess is, now on the floorboards or the joist there.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Unless somebody has put structural steel in there to support that,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35at some point...
0:18:35 > 0:18:38That's going to cause a real problem.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42# And the walls kept tumbling down
0:18:42 > 0:18:45# In the city that we love... #
0:18:45 > 0:18:47OK.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51So maybe that has jumped to the top of the rather long to-do list.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54A bonus here, though, is the good-sized garden.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57And looking at neighbouring properties, a lot of them
0:18:57 > 0:18:59have added dormer extensions
0:18:59 > 0:19:02which, though costly, could add value to this property,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06which has a guide price of £245,000-plus.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10We've asked along a local estate agent for his opinion.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I think work internally with the property,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17it'll need a full refurbishment.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Plenty of decoration to be done. New kitchen, new bathroom.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22I like the fact that it's got the conservatory to the rear as well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25I think there is the option of putting in a loft conversion as well.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28There's two different variations to the work that we could do here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Doing it as a normal refurbishment property, I think
0:19:31 > 0:19:34you would probably spend around about £25,000 to £30,000 on the property.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Doing it with a loft conversion, I think
0:19:36 > 0:19:39you'd be looking to spend somewhere around about £45,000 to £50,000.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Either way, the costs are pretty high.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47But if you were to do a full renovation,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49what kind of returns could you expect?
0:19:52 > 0:19:53With a full refurbishment,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57price-wise you would be looking at around about £325,000 to £330,000.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59In a rental market, you'd achieve between £1,500
0:19:59 > 0:20:01and £1,600 per calendar month.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04With a full refurbishment including the loft conversion,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07you'd be looking at roundabout £375,000 to £400,000.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09And with the rental market,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13you'd be looking at roundabout £1,750 to £1,800 per calendar month.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17There is obviously work needed to sort this one out,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19but financially, I think it's worth it.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It's a good house in a nice location.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25So let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Our cameras didn't catch the auction, but it was a popular lot
0:20:32 > 0:20:35that eventually went for £267,000.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43# Your daddy knows best... #
0:20:43 > 0:20:48The successful bidder was property developing aficionado Harendra,
0:20:48 > 0:20:52bidding on behalf of his daughter, Forum.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Forum works for a multimedia company,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and this was her first venture into renovation.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I met her back at her new purchase with brother Jigar,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03who works in finance but also develops properties.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- Jigar, Forum, lovely to meet you both.- Pleasure to meet you.- Hi.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Congratulations. Tell me why you wanted to buy this house.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15My dad has been in the property business for quite some time now.
0:21:15 > 0:21:21He was hoping to get me started, so this is my first property
0:21:21 > 0:21:22- that he helped get.- Wow!
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Yeah, we are hoping it will be the first of a few more in the next
0:21:27 > 0:21:28few years or so.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Fantastic. Have you got an interest in property then?
0:21:31 > 0:21:34This is the first one for me. I haven't really been involved.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Hopefully, seeing as this is in my name, I'll start now, yeah.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42And what is your involvement in the whole thing?
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Previous ones that we have invested in have been for myself.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49So, on this one, I'm just helping out.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52I reviewed the legal pack and I'll hopefully be taking
0:21:52 > 0:21:56a proactive role in the redevelopment of the premises.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Great. Did you have some input in terms of which property was chosen?
0:21:59 > 0:22:04No, I didn't. It was all down to my dad, really.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- I only just saw the place a few days ago.- Wow.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- Yep.- What did you think when you walked in?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I think it needs a lot of work.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Hopefully, once we refurbish it, it will be nice
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and a good home for someone.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Do you know what's being planned in terms of the property?
0:22:21 > 0:22:26The major work that we plan to carry out is obviously the place
0:22:26 > 0:22:27needs central heating.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Which is a big requirement in this property.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36As you can see, the entire decor of the place - wallpaper, carpets,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- ceilings - they all need to be cosmetically uplifted.- Mm-hmm.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45From a structural standpoint, we plan to move the kitchen from its
0:22:45 > 0:22:49current position into what currently looks like a conservatory area.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- We want to make that a more permanent structure.- Wow.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Once it's a more permanent structure,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58the kitchen can move into there with a nice open diner.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Possibly some skylights for some nice lighting.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06And then the current kitchen area can become a wet room or
0:23:06 > 0:23:08a downstairs bathroom.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12That's the major structural part, the other structural part is the
0:23:12 > 0:23:16chimney, which is a consideration from a safety standpoint.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20It seems that there is a chimney upstairs without support downstairs.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22That we are going to consider.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26And the big question mark, it depends on builder
0:23:26 > 0:23:30review on cost, is whether to do a loft conversion or not.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33We've got an opinion that we could potentially get two bedrooms
0:23:33 > 0:23:35upstairs if it's done right.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36So it depends on the cost
0:23:36 > 0:23:39and whether it's going to come out profitable or not.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41What the timescale for the work?
0:23:42 > 0:23:46We anticipate, hopefully, two months.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49That's without the loft conversion.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53If the loft conversion seems financially feasible, then
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- the appropriate time longer. - Right. And what's the budget?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Let's assume we are not going to do the loft conversion to start with.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Without the loft conversion, we are looking maybe £15,000 to £20,000.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Upper side, 25.
0:24:06 > 0:24:12Depends on the builder's estimates, really, which we have yet to get.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17You can certainly tell that Jigar works in the finance industry.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20It looks like decisions will be made with a keen eye on expense
0:24:20 > 0:24:24and profit. But will they be picking up the paintbrushes?
0:24:26 > 0:24:28In terms of actually getting hands dirty,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31are you going to be here stripping wallpaper and painting?
0:24:31 > 0:24:36- Probably not.- You've got to answer for her, or do what she says.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42Probably not. I think someone will probably be in to do all of that.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Right, and will you be here getting your hands dirty?
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Um, probably not much.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52I have done in some properties in the past, but us being busy
0:24:52 > 0:24:55in our day jobs, we'll be getting...
0:24:55 > 0:24:58We have builder contacts from our other properties
0:24:58 > 0:24:59who will be getting involved.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- Congratulations, good luck with it.- Thank you very much.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- We look forward to seeing how you get on.- Thank you.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Dad doing a great job of setting the whole family
0:25:10 > 0:25:12up in the property developing world.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16And hopefully Forum's first project will be a success.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20I'm sure Jigar will help make that a reality. How will they get on?
0:25:20 > 0:25:22You can find out later in the show.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Still to come, my tip for Bournemouth barbecues.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Big glass double doors out, into the back garden,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and you've got your outside inside, or even your inside outside.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39And in East Ham, work is complete, but the truth is out.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43This is the one where we did it all. And in that extent, Dad did it all.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Back now to the picturesque village of Mow Cop,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53on the Cheshire-Staffordshire border,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57where earlier a two-bed duplex apartment in this former fustian
0:25:57 > 0:26:01cloth mill was bought for £57,000 by Emma.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04She planned to refurbish and move in with her partner,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08but one problem needed urgent attention.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Is it damp? It does smell...not so great.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It's quite murky, isn't it, the smell?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17The day after the auction, we came in and opened the windows
0:26:17 > 0:26:21and the smell has gone down loads. We put all the windows on vent.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23The property was empty for two years before it went to auction.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26All the vents were closed. I don't think that's helped.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28The windows may have been lacking in appeal,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31but Emma was keen on the original beams.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- That beam... - It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:26:33 > 0:26:35We go away to cottages all the time and we always say,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38"We should get a cottage." And this is kind of like the next best thing.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40We're in a mill with brilliant views.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43We want to try and get them back to the original colours.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Make a feature of it so when you come in,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48like when I did the first time, people look at it and say wow.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51And who could blame Emma for wanting the wow factor
0:26:51 > 0:26:52in other parts of the flat?
0:26:52 > 0:26:55But we will be putting new kitchen units in,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58depending on how bad a state the carcasses are in when I have a look.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Probably re-hanging the doors. New kitchen worktops.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Flooring all the way through. Big clean and paint.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Emma estimated two months for the work.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12To see how she's getting on with her topsy-turvy duplex life, we are
0:27:12 > 0:27:13back eight months later.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18# Angels watching over me
0:27:18 > 0:27:22# With smiles upon their face... #
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Upstairs is much brighter and damp-free.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32And I'm pleased to see the addition of a lowered wall and breakfast bar.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Emma had thought she might have to replace the kitchen units,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37but when it came to it, re-hanging the doors
0:27:37 > 0:27:41and fitting the new worktop brought it bang up-to-date.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43The more open plan aspect makes a huge difference
0:27:43 > 0:27:45to how this flat looks.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49# I'll tell you why
0:27:49 > 0:27:50# I'll tell you why... #
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Before, when you went down to bed, it looked like this.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56And now...
0:27:56 > 0:27:57# I'm upside down
0:27:57 > 0:27:58# Just upside down
0:27:58 > 0:28:00# Ain't got no pay
0:28:00 > 0:28:01# Ain't got no pay
0:28:01 > 0:28:02# I ain't got no room
0:28:02 > 0:28:04# I ain't got no room
0:28:04 > 0:28:06- # I think I like- I think I like
0:28:06 > 0:28:07# Living upside down
0:28:07 > 0:28:10# Living upside down... #
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Both bedrooms are a good size and now the former blue bedroom,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18with the beams resplendent in their natural colour
0:28:18 > 0:28:21and brighter paintwork, is worth hanging the bunting out for.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29# Got to see the world a little differently
0:28:29 > 0:28:32# When you turn it upside down... #
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I'm not usually a fan of a downstairs bathroom, but when
0:28:35 > 0:28:39the bedrooms are downstairs too, that's exactly where it should be.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41And Emma has done this one proud.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43# I'll tell you why
0:28:43 > 0:28:45# I'll tell you why
0:28:45 > 0:28:46# What I have found
0:28:46 > 0:28:48# What I have found
0:28:48 > 0:28:49# That I'm no fool
0:28:49 > 0:28:50# That I'm no fool
0:28:50 > 0:28:52# I'm just upside down... #
0:28:52 > 0:28:57Original features restored and intact, including those latches.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Time to ask Emma and her father, Kevin, how she likes...
0:29:01 > 0:29:03# Living upside down
0:29:03 > 0:29:04# Living upside down. #
0:29:04 > 0:29:09Since the last time I saw you, I am pregnant now, so I'm having a baby.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11It's due in a couple of months' time.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13So that's slowed everything down.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16But obviously it's going to be a big life change.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Congratulations! That's lovely news.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20But with a baby on the way,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23is Emma still sticking to her plans to move in?
0:29:24 > 0:29:27We think we are going to rent this one out,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30but it's really difficult because we do absolutely love the location,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32we love the apartment, so it's difficult.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34In realistic terms, we are going to have to rent it out.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37It's going to be too difficult with two dogs, a baby, shopping,
0:29:37 > 0:29:38trying to get up the stairs.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Exactly how did you get on with curing the damp?
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Because we are kind of against the elements up here, when it was
0:29:45 > 0:29:48raining in, there were enough trickle vents, I think they might be called,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50for the water to be caught in and kind of go out.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53We had some more of those holes put in.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55A bit like a plug in a bath, basically.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Just to get the water going out rather than back in.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- It was overflowing.- It was holding the water, basically.- Yeah.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03And as you said, we have had vents re-drilled
0:30:03 > 0:30:05so it shouldn't be a problem from here on in.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09How did the pregnancy affect the original eight-week timescale?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13I'd probably say about ten to 12 weeks, hasn't it?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15So not much over, really.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- Yeah, yeah.- Stop, starting.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20But if you were going to put it all together, it's, well,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22five months maybe, six months?
0:30:22 > 0:30:24What about the budget?
0:30:24 > 0:30:29The budget was originally £3,000, which we thought would be quite easy.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31We have met the budget, but we have...
0:30:31 > 0:30:33I wouldn't say we've taken any cuts,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35but in terms of laying the flooring, originally,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38we were going to pay someone to do it, we have done it ourselves,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41a lot of the tiling we've done ourselves, we've reused some of
0:30:41 > 0:30:44the old tiles from my house that were left over from another refurbishment.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46So that has cut down on costs a lot.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49We've also been quite resourceful in... Things that were here
0:30:49 > 0:30:50that we took out, we've sold.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53So that has, again, helped bring the budget down.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56So in total, we've come just under the £3,000.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- So we are really pleased with that. - Yeah, tremendous.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Well, that is very impressive.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05So over to two local estate agents to find out
0:31:05 > 0:31:07if Emma could turn a profit.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Add the £3,000 refurbishment costs to their purchase price,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and the total spend to date is £60,000.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18First, the opinion of the agent who saw the property
0:31:18 > 0:31:21before it was refurbished.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24If the property was going on the residential market,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I would expected to achieve around £120,000.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29If we were to sell the property,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33would look to market it at a figure in the region of £120,000.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34- Oh, yeah.- I think, wow!
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Really good, yeah. Really pleased with that, definitely.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Yeah, really, really pleased.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41No wonder she is pleased!
0:31:41 > 0:31:47That would give Emma a profit of £60,000 before taxes and expenses.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50But the plan now is to rent, so what about those figures?
0:31:50 > 0:31:52If the property is going on the rental market,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56we would look to achieve around 575 per calendar month.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58If we were to rent the property, I would look to market it
0:31:58 > 0:32:02at a figure in the region of £575 per calendar month.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- 575, can't be bad.- I think we're looking somewhere along that line.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07- Yeah, really pleased.- We're hoping.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11If you think you can get, you know, a house for that kind of money,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15we can get it here for our little apartment, up here in Mow Cop.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16Yeah, really, really pleased.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Yes, good news again.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23That rental value gives her a yield on her investment of 11.5%.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26So are there any tips for would-be developers out there?
0:32:26 > 0:32:29If you want to do a fitness regime, I would say,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33buy yourself an apartment and get in there and get it going.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Bournemouth, in Dorset, boasts seven miles of golden,
0:32:39 > 0:32:41blue-flagged beaches.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44It is just over a couple of hours away by road from the capital and has
0:32:44 > 0:32:49its own university, always a bonus when it comes to the lettings market.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Five minutes' drive from the centre or ten minutes by bus is
0:32:52 > 0:32:54the suburb of Charminster,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57popular for its cosmopolitan bars and restaurants.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03The property I'm here to see is a two-bed, ground-floor flat with
0:33:03 > 0:33:07a guide price of £125,000.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Now, it is looking a little bit tattered from the outside,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13but one of the bonuses is there is off-street parking,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16and it is always, always good to have that.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19The main entrance to the property is through this porch,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22which has obviously been added at a later stage.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24It is not a unique feature,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28as many properties in this vicinity have similar arrangements,
0:33:28 > 0:33:29something you often find
0:33:29 > 0:33:32where larger houses have been divided up into flats.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Wow, lovely and bright.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43And a lovely sense of light as well. This must be the first bedroom here.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45What a nice size bedroom.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49And that window is lovely, brings in all the light from outside.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50It is a good start. It is a good start.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56Into here, bedroom number two, which is even bigger. Again, lots of light.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59And they've had some of the lovely detail on the ceiling as well,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02which is lovely. Fireplace over there.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04And over here, to the sash window.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Might need a bit of repairing,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10but if they are in working order....which they are...
0:34:10 > 0:34:14A little bit rattly. Maybe just restore these windows,
0:34:14 > 0:34:19lick of paint, and you've got a lovely, lovely room here.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21So a quick recap.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23There is the slightly unconventional entrance
0:34:23 > 0:34:26shared with the upstairs flat.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Then two very well-proportioned bedrooms with original
0:34:29 > 0:34:32features like the fireplace, sash windows
0:34:32 > 0:34:35and mouldings on the high ceilings, but it doesn't stop there.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Coming to the back of the property, toilet there,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43into what would have been the lounge/living area.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Bit of a whiff of damp as well in the corner, I can see.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I am a little bit disappointed with this.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51I expected it to be a little bit grander. It is a bit dingy.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54It would have been the lounge or the living area.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56But not quite as grand as the front.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58There is a bathroom at the end.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03And, yes, the kitchen here, which is in decent condition.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05And what you could do, what I would do,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07is I'd be inclined to knock this wall through, have a
0:35:07 > 0:35:11nice kitchen/dining area, dining table just there.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16And look at that, it lends itself perfectly for big glass double doors
0:35:16 > 0:35:18out into the back garden.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21And you've got your outside inside. Or even, your inside outside.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Another benefit from removing the dividing wall between the living
0:35:25 > 0:35:28space and the kitchen would be to increase the light.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31A new room with two patio doors
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and a window would be a much brighter space.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40# He's a spacer... #
0:35:40 > 0:35:43On the plus side, there is also the bonus of having a
0:35:43 > 0:35:46separate toilet and bathroom.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51And I suppose to some, the lighting might be a little bit, well, disco?
0:35:51 > 0:35:54As for the damp, time to look for the clues.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59If you are viewing a property and you can get outside, have a
0:35:59 > 0:36:01look back at what you are looking at.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Now, in this occasion, you've got blocked guttering up there and
0:36:04 > 0:36:08there looks to be some kind of leak down there, within that guttering.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11So that you would have to factor up within the your budget, no question.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14But on the plus side, you've got all this space out here.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I can see a nice lawn. I can see table and chairs.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23For me, a nice big barbecue there for those big burgers.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Also, whilst you are outside,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29take the opportunity to check out the state of the house's pointing.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32As you can see, it is in a bit of a state.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36But even so, I don't think it is too bad for the guide price
0:36:36 > 0:36:38of £125,000.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Let's find out if a local estate agent feels
0:36:41 > 0:36:42it is a worthwhile bet.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49The property, I believe to be a great opportunity for somebody to
0:36:49 > 0:36:51redevelop and to modernise.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54I think that there is lots of potential here.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57And what about the damp?
0:36:57 > 0:36:59I think the damp is probably being
0:36:59 > 0:37:03caused by a lack of ventilation along the bottom of the property.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07And I also think that maybe the damp-proof course has failed,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09and that maybe should be looked at.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15And if you were to let out, what sort of rent would you expect?
0:37:15 > 0:37:16For a standard letting,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19the property would rent for £750 per calendar month.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22And if selling on after renovating?
0:37:22 > 0:37:26For resale purposes, if this property was fully modernised,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30I would value the property at £185,000.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33This property is a bit of a tale of two halves.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37The front is light and bright, but as you move towards the back,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40it becomes a bit of a disappointment. But there is definitely potential.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Let's see who has seen that when it went to auction.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45We are here at £125,000.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Anyone would like to start at 125?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50125?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52120?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55120, I'm bid. 125, can I say?
0:37:55 > 0:37:58120. 125 now. Back of the wall.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01At 125. 130, sir?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04130. 135.
0:38:04 > 0:38:072.5, perhaps? Whatever.
0:38:07 > 0:38:102.5? 132.5. 135?
0:38:10 > 0:38:13135. 137.5?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17No. Head down.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20At 135, and I call it for the first time to be clear.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24At £135,000, seated, for the second.
0:38:24 > 0:38:30Third and last time, calling at £135,000.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It is your bid.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34It is your purchase. Congratulations.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Could we have your bidding number, please?
0:38:36 > 0:38:38The successful bidder was Keith.
0:38:38 > 0:38:43He was bidding along with his wife, Val, for their daughter, Danielle.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Having been a builder for over 30 years,
0:38:45 > 0:38:50Keith has done lots of renovation work but usually for clients.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54I met Keith and Danielle to get the story behind this property.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- Keith, Danielle, nice to meet you. - And you too.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Had you seen the property before? Did you know what you want?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Yeah, we came and did a viewing a couple of weeks before
0:39:03 > 0:39:05and then Dad came back and did a second viewing as well.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Danielle, tell me why you bought this particular flat.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10This is going to be intended for my home.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12I'm going to be living in this one. So not for any other purpose.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15How long have you been looking for your perfect property?
0:39:15 > 0:39:17I've been looking about six months,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21and I probably looked at about 18 properties, roughly.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22And so quite a few.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I saw about two or three that we were quite serious about,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27but it didn't work out. And so...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30But this one was ideal, so it had everything I was looking for.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Good location as well. So it's perfect.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35So having seen 18 properties, you must have actually, you know,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- found out what your tastes were, what size you wanted.- Yeah.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- Does this fit the bill?- Absolutely.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42I think it has got enough space to sort of see me
0:39:42 > 0:39:44through for the next few years
0:39:44 > 0:39:47and there is a big enough garden to do an extension if you want to.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50And it is a great location as well, so it is perfect.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Good. And, Keith, what was the auction experience like?
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- Have you been to many before? - I have been, yes. It was...
0:39:56 > 0:39:59It can be daunting, but it was OK. We knew what we wanted.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03We knew what were going to pay, hopefully. Pleasantly surprised.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05So, tell me how you are going to be involved.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09I know you are an expert in this field. So what is your role?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Well, officially, I will be project manager,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15but I've got two ladies who might outvote me on some choices.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18So it is just the fiscal side of it that I will probably end up
0:40:18 > 0:40:21looking at and getting value for money in what we actually do.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24We've got three stages of work to do.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27First will be to tidy up everything.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Next, we end up with an extension.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Not too big because we want to reserve some garden.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32And the extension will be...?
0:40:32 > 0:40:37It will be a lounge on this room, hopefully a lounge/kitchen/diner,
0:40:37 > 0:40:38depending how far we go out.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41And then there are a few damp issues, are they a worry to you at all?
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Not really. We've got damp in here. I put a meter on prior to buying.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47The same, proofing, that's another issue.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49The wooden floors up top, it's quite noisy.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51We have high enough ceilings, but it will be a shame,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55we may lose some of the mouldings in the actual rooms.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57And we'd then introduce new lighting,
0:40:57 > 0:40:58brighten the property up a bit.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Keith is right, it would be a
0:41:00 > 0:41:02shame to cover up the ceiling mouldings
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and the cornice work - they give so much character - but it is
0:41:05 > 0:41:09a case of needs must when there is just floorboards between two flats.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Soundproofing has to take priority.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17And those windows at the front, you've got some lovely, big,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19bright windows, lots of light coming in.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We are going to renew those totally.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24And then there is a lot of pointing that needs to be done in the front,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28pointing on the outside. Gutters, fascias... But it's all there.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31The structure of the property is quite good.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- No, it seems to be pretty sound. - Yeah.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38Tell us about the financial side of the flat itself, who owns the flat.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41It is all in my name, but Dad gave me the deposit,
0:41:41 > 0:41:44so that's where he gave me a sort of a kick-start from that direction.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46That is what we are there for, at the end of the day.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49I've got a son to do the same for. So it's not just this one.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51So, tell me about your timescales, Keith,
0:41:51 > 0:41:55to go from as it is now to what your daughter would like.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Well, the first stage, probably three months.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01We then add another two and a half, three months on for the extension,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03for completion.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07So probably the whole ballgame is going to be six months.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Keith is planning three stages of financing -
0:42:09 > 0:42:12£10,000 to £11,000 for the initial work,
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Danielle then wants to buy the freehold which is estimated
0:42:16 > 0:42:19at another £11,000 to £12,000,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21and once she owns the freehold,
0:42:21 > 0:42:25structural work like an extension will be much easier to organise,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29which Keith reckons would add a further £12,000 to £14,000,
0:42:29 > 0:42:31giving them a ground total refurbishment budget of between
0:42:31 > 0:42:34£33,000 and £37,000.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39So the interior of the house, what are your ideas?
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Are you going to go high spec, low spec, middle spec?
0:42:42 > 0:42:43At the moment, the bathroom....
0:42:43 > 0:42:46The only thing that is really essential in the bathroom is
0:42:46 > 0:42:47to have a shower put in.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Apart from that, there is a lot of things just tidying up, really,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54in there. It is quite a clean bathroom as it is.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55And the same with the kitchen.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58It is not essential to have anything really changed in there.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Probably just a lick paint, so that shouldn't be too much work.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03I want it to look nice for her.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05I don't want any phone calls, more bills in 20 years' time.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- We'll do it once and do it right. - Exactly.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- Any additional cost, you want to try to get it done...- In one go.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14..in one go. And the back garden? Any plans for the back garden?
0:43:14 > 0:43:17- Yeah, well...- It just needs a lot of tidying up at the moment.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19And I think maybe just that.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22We can have a look and see if we need any lawn. Aren't we?
0:43:22 > 0:43:24- It has to do with the extension. - Yeah.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Once we've done the foundations, we may have built-up flower borders,
0:43:28 > 0:43:30which we can do with sleepers to actually save taking soil
0:43:30 > 0:43:34out from the house, keep your costs down, easier for maintenance.
0:43:34 > 0:43:35Patio area.
0:43:35 > 0:43:39We'll work it round the sun. And easy maintenance.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Danielle and Keith, been lovely talking to you.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44I wish you all the best. I hope it becomes a lovely home for you.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46- Thank you very much. - Good luck, Keith.- Thank you.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49It's great news that Danielle has found her first property,
0:43:49 > 0:43:52but there's still a lot of work to be done until she can call it home.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56But luckily, she has got father Keith to help her along the way.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59You can find out how they get on later on in the programme.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03Well, it is really fascinating
0:44:03 > 0:44:06to see how people renovate their properties.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Yes, we have seen one now, so how about the other two?
0:44:09 > 0:44:11Let's find out how they got on.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18Back now to the London suburb of East Ham,
0:44:18 > 0:44:22where previously, I saw this three-bedroom, mid-terraced house.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24Brother and sister team Jigar
0:44:24 > 0:44:26and Forum's father
0:44:26 > 0:44:31bought the house on behalf of his daughter for £267,000.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34It is Forum's first foray into property development,
0:44:34 > 0:44:38and I wonder if she'd take to it like her dad, who is a veteran.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42So, have you got an interest in property, then?
0:44:42 > 0:44:45This is the first one for me. I haven't really been involved.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50And hopefully, seeing as this is in my name, I'll start now, yeah.
0:44:50 > 0:44:56Although it is in her name, Forum wasn't planning to live here.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00She is hoping to attract the rental market to the house when completed.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Brother Jigar has had more experience
0:45:02 > 0:45:04in the field of renovation,
0:45:04 > 0:45:07so he is helping out with the vision for the project.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12From a structural standpoint, we plan to move the kitchen from its
0:45:12 > 0:45:16current position into what currently looks like a conservatory area.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19We want to make that a more permanent structure.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21Once it is a more permanent structure,
0:45:21 > 0:45:24the kitchen can move into there, with a nice open diner.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27And then the current kitchen can then become a wet room
0:45:27 > 0:45:29or a downstairs bathroom.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34Eight weeks later, we are back to see what Forum's brother
0:45:34 > 0:45:37and father have managed to conjure up.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40# Oh, oh-oh, oh
0:45:40 > 0:45:43# You don't have to be there, babe
0:45:43 > 0:45:46# You don't have to be scared, babe
0:45:46 > 0:45:48# You don't need a plan
0:45:48 > 0:45:51# Of what you want to do
0:45:51 > 0:45:54# Won't you listen to the man That's loving you
0:45:54 > 0:45:57# Oh-oh, oh, oh. #
0:45:57 > 0:46:02The old conservatory has a much more permanent structure, making
0:46:02 > 0:46:08room for a bright kitchen/dining area with a small sitting room off.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12As planned, the old kitchen is now a fully tiled bathroom.
0:46:12 > 0:46:18For me, a downstairs bathroom can sometimes be a compromise too far,
0:46:18 > 0:46:20but the break into the roof space,
0:46:20 > 0:46:23like some of the neighbours have done, didn't happen.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26So the downstairs bathroom is understandable.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30And with plans to rent out, a downstairs bedroom to go
0:46:30 > 0:46:34with the bedroom is an attractive proposition, according to Dad.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39# Won't you listen to the man that's loving you. #
0:46:39 > 0:46:42Upstairs, the box room makes a cosy single bedroom.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46And I'm pleased to report the front double bedroom has left
0:46:46 > 0:46:49the flower power era behind and gone neutral.
0:46:51 > 0:46:55The toilet and shower room have been tidied up too, with a tiled floor
0:46:55 > 0:46:56and a heated towel rail.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01Everything is much brighter and more practical,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05thanks to a builder the team knew and dad, Harendra,
0:47:05 > 0:47:08who project managed and lent a practical hand.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13All the rubbish, I cleared myself.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15That was the most part of enjoyment.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20Harendra must've got a lot of enjoyment, then,
0:47:20 > 0:47:23when it came to removing the chimney breast in the rear bedroom.
0:47:23 > 0:47:28Structural work like that was new territory for the team.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Everything else has been either, you know, an improvement to the
0:47:31 > 0:47:37kitchen or an improvement to the bathroom, cosmetic sort of changes.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40But this is the one where we did it all. So I mean...
0:47:40 > 0:47:42In that extent, Dad did it all.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44Yeah, dads are useful like that sometimes.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47And allowing for the Christmas period, this was all
0:47:47 > 0:47:51completed in two weeks less than the original eight-week timescale.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54So, how come?
0:47:54 > 0:47:57I think we just probably overestimated
0:47:57 > 0:48:01because of all the structural work that was put in.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04Did the shorter refurbishment have a positive effect
0:48:04 > 0:48:06on the £15,000 to £25,000 budget?
0:48:06 > 0:48:10The whole project ended up somewhere...
0:48:10 > 0:48:15£26,359.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Dad puts the overspend down to the laminate floor.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21So it is it all money well spent?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25To see if the finances stack up,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28we invited two estate agents to view the property
0:48:28 > 0:48:30and give us their thoughts.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34First, the agent who saw the property before the refurbishment.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37I am suitably impressed with what has been carried out.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40The additional extra bathroom downstairs, I think,
0:48:40 > 0:48:41is a very good benefit.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44The building of the extension to the rear is also
0:48:44 > 0:48:46very good to the property, where the new kitchen now sits.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48I like the fact that it has
0:48:48 > 0:48:53a shower upstairs, a shower room. And a separate bathroom downstairs.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56I like very much the extension at the back where the kitchen is,
0:48:56 > 0:48:59with the dining area.
0:48:59 > 0:49:03And it is nice and finished to a reasonable standard.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08The original plan was to rent out, but Forum likes the end result
0:49:08 > 0:49:12so much, she is now contemplating moving in herself.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15They paid £267,000 at auction,
0:49:15 > 0:49:19and with refurbishment costs of £26,359,
0:49:19 > 0:49:24the total spend is £293,359.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27So what sort of rental income could be achieved?
0:49:29 > 0:49:32As a rental valuation, I believe the property will realise
0:49:32 > 0:49:35a figure somewhere in the region of about £1,750
0:49:35 > 0:49:37to £1,850 per calendar month.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40I would re-let this property
0:49:40 > 0:49:44at a price between £1,750 per calendar month
0:49:44 > 0:49:48to £1,850 per calendar month.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52We had the opinion that it might go for about 1,600.
0:49:52 > 0:49:57Well, the top figure of £1,850 gives a yield of just
0:49:57 > 0:50:02over 7.5%. Not bad. What about resale?
0:50:02 > 0:50:04I would advertise this property
0:50:04 > 0:50:07in between £320,000
0:50:07 > 0:50:10to £350,000.
0:50:10 > 0:50:11For resale value, I think
0:50:11 > 0:50:15we'll be looking at somewhere in the region of £330,000 to £350,000.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19Again, taking the top figure, that gives a potential
0:50:19 > 0:50:24profit of more than 56,500, less the usual taxes and expenses.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27So how is the family with that figure?
0:50:29 > 0:50:33That is around the figure that we were expecting to be about,
0:50:33 > 0:50:36between 330,000 to 350,000.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39Dad is the seasoned property developer,
0:50:39 > 0:50:42has he any tips for would-be developers?
0:50:42 > 0:50:46Put your savings in a property and you never go wrong.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Hm. Well, I'm not sure everyone would agree with that.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00Time now to return to Bournemouth, on the south coast...
0:51:00 > 0:51:05# The seaside needs us more than ever. #
0:51:06 > 0:51:09..where earlier, the two-bedroom, ground-floor flat of this
0:51:09 > 0:51:12large house conversion was bought by Danielle,
0:51:12 > 0:51:16helped along by her dad, Keith, who owns a building firm.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19I do like it. Love, that's what I get. It's love.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25She paid £135,000 at auction and plans to live here,
0:51:25 > 0:51:27which ended a long search.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29I've been looking about six months,
0:51:29 > 0:51:33and I have probably looked at about 18 properties, roughly,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36but this one was ideal, so it had everything I was looking for.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Good location as well, so it's perfect.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Dad Keith runs his own building company,
0:51:40 > 0:51:44so he had plenty of plans in place, starting with the windows.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46We are going to renew those totally.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48And there's a lot of pointing to be done on the front,
0:51:48 > 0:51:52pointing on the outside. Gutters, fascias... But it is all there.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55It's not... The structure of the property is quite good.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58And there are a few damp issues, are they a worry to you at all?
0:51:58 > 0:52:00Not really. We've got damp in here.
0:52:00 > 0:52:03I put a meter on prior to buying, and that's not too bad.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04We can deal with them.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10Keith gave himself a timescale of three months to tidy
0:52:10 > 0:52:12everything up and sort out the damp problem.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17We are back six months later to see the result.
0:52:19 > 0:52:20# Is it real?
0:52:20 > 0:52:24# Real, real, real love... #
0:52:24 > 0:52:27What was the largest bedroom is now Danielle's lounge.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32The neutral pastel tones make the most of the natural light.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38The second bedroom has also seen changes.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42Before, the paint work needed a lift and the wooden windows a lot of work.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44Now everything feels better.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46# You give me that feeling
0:52:46 > 0:52:50# You give me that You give me that feeling!
0:52:50 > 0:52:55# Oh, before you I was searching for a rarity
0:52:58 > 0:53:03# Oh, you've shown me things I never thought that I would see
0:53:05 > 0:53:09# It's in the way you love It's in the way you love
0:53:09 > 0:53:13# And I can see that this is real... #
0:53:13 > 0:53:16There is a fine dining area thanks to the new colour scheme
0:53:16 > 0:53:17and laminate floor.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20# And now I can see
0:53:20 > 0:53:22# Is it real
0:53:22 > 0:53:25# Real, real, real, real love
0:53:26 > 0:53:28# Real
0:53:28 > 0:53:33# Is it real, real, real, real love?
0:53:36 > 0:53:40# You give me that feeling You give me that feeling
0:53:40 > 0:53:44# You give me real love
0:53:44 > 0:53:46# You give me that feeling! #
0:53:46 > 0:53:50The old lighter laminate is gone, with a new darker and warmer colour
0:53:50 > 0:53:54running through the dining area into the hall.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56The remaining rooms are largely unchanged,
0:53:56 > 0:53:59apart from the new tiling on the cooker splashback.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Time to find out Danielle and, Keith, her dad's thoughts
0:54:05 > 0:54:07and future plans for the flat.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09# You give me that love, real love
0:54:09 > 0:54:11# You give me that love Real love! #
0:54:11 > 0:54:15With the kitchen and the bathroom, I was fortunate enough that the
0:54:15 > 0:54:18suite was quite modern, so I haven't actually had to update those.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20But it just mainly has been tidying up
0:54:20 > 0:54:22and continuing to sort out the damp.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Which turned out to be a bigger problem than they first thought,
0:54:25 > 0:54:29resulting in all the wood floorboards needing to be replaced.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32But not before Keith had tackled the problem at source.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37I had to go round at three-foot spaces all around the outside
0:54:37 > 0:54:40of the house - dig out, clean cavities.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44And then on the inside, previous repairs had not been done correctly.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48This had meant that the plaster had plastered down the walls
0:54:48 > 0:54:49and gone over the damp course.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52So basically, the damp course was useless.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54And when Keith had sorted that out,
0:54:54 > 0:54:57he had a weightier problem in the hallway.
0:54:59 > 0:55:03The dividing wall that must have been put in perhaps 30 years ago was
0:55:03 > 0:55:08built in heavyweight breeze block and was built on the floorboards.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11Floorboards are no foundation for a wall,
0:55:11 > 0:55:15and the situation required an intuitive approach.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19A metre of concrete underneath, block the wall up
0:55:19 > 0:55:24and then point it, and then take the old joists out, put new ones in.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27All this work, some of it unexpected,
0:55:27 > 0:55:30must have had an impact on the budget.
0:55:30 > 0:55:34- You know, we ended up somewhere around about 14,000.- Not bad.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38The original budget for this phase of work was £10,000 to £11,000.
0:55:38 > 0:55:43And the 14,000 spent so far does include the 1,500 of solicitor's fees
0:55:43 > 0:55:45to obtain the freehold,
0:55:45 > 0:55:47which is technically part of stage II,
0:55:47 > 0:55:50so a £1,500 overspend so far.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53And what about the three-month timescale?
0:55:56 > 0:55:58These works in here have been extended on
0:55:58 > 0:56:00because we have done them ourselves.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03I mean, Danni has done some labouring - hedge cutting,
0:56:03 > 0:56:06dragging everything through from the back garden to the front to
0:56:06 > 0:56:08be taken away because we can't have a bonfire here.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11I don't have access to this garden, apart from through
0:56:11 > 0:56:14the neighbour's house, so we had to pull a lot of the bushes out,
0:56:14 > 0:56:17drag them through the house and through the old sash windows,
0:56:17 > 0:56:21so the garden actually needed doing before the house.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24Then that took us up to about the three-month period,
0:56:24 > 0:56:26so that already hit the original timescale.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29And now it has taken another about two,
0:56:29 > 0:56:33- three months on top of that to complete everything.- Could be.
0:56:33 > 0:56:37With some of the work being invisible - new joists,
0:56:37 > 0:56:38concrete foundations
0:56:38 > 0:56:40and sorting out the damp proofing -
0:56:40 > 0:56:43is the work going to make much of a difference to the
0:56:43 > 0:56:45value of a property?
0:56:45 > 0:56:48To find out, we called in two local estate agents.
0:56:48 > 0:56:53Add the £14,000 refurbishment spent so far to Danielle's purchase price
0:56:53 > 0:56:59of £135,000, and you get 149,000.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04So has Danielle made a wise purchase on the flat she bought to live in?
0:57:04 > 0:57:07First up, the agent who previously saw the property.
0:57:08 > 0:57:13I would be looking to put this property on the market for £205,000.
0:57:13 > 0:57:18I would place the property at just under £200,000.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22Probably 199,950 asking price.
0:57:22 > 0:57:29And I think you would get very close to £195,000.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34At the top valuation, Danielle stands to gain a potential
0:57:34 > 0:57:39profit of £56,000, minus the usual taxes and expenses.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41How does she feel about that?
0:57:41 > 0:57:42I'm really happy with that.
0:57:42 > 0:57:46I think it's a little bit higher than what we expected,
0:57:46 > 0:57:48so, yeah, I'm sure Dad will be pushing me
0:57:48 > 0:57:52to put it back on the market at some point in the next year or two.
0:57:52 > 0:57:56Well, property isn't all about investment. What is living here like?
0:57:56 > 0:57:58I am really pleased with the whole flat overall.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01It has come out really well. It is exactly as I wanted it.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04Now that I have got it and put all the personal touches in to
0:58:04 > 0:58:06make it mine, I'm really pleased with it.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12Join us next time when we'll have more from Britain's auction rooms.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15- Yes, don't miss it.- See you then. Goodbye.- Goodbye.- Bye.