0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Hello.- We know investing in property can be frightening,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06especially if you've never done it before.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Yeah, do your research, make sure the property's for you
0:00:09 > 0:00:10and it won't feel as daunting.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12No, and one place you might be able to pick up
0:00:12 > 0:00:16that perfect opportunity is at your local property auction.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45There are so many different types of property that come up for auction.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Yeah, but don't be swayed by all the options.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- It's all about making one right choice.- Yeah.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Let's find out what today's buyers on the show decided to go for.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Two sisters don't need the bank of mum and dad
0:00:58 > 0:01:02to buy in No Place, Durham, but DID need them at the auction.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- Did you need them there? - Moral support.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07In Wellington, Shropshire,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12could that be baby Monty offering moral support on dad's DIY?
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Is your DIY getting any better? - MONTY BURBLES
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And Bal the buyer has promised his son a home
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and it's not this Ealing flat.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22I promised Tom a house,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25a small house with chickens at the end of the garden.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28All these properties were bought at auction.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32We'll find out who bought them and how much they paid
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- when these homes went under the hammer.- Sold!
0:01:37 > 0:01:41MUSIC: No Place Like Home by John Holt
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Only 11 miles from Durham and a stone's throw from Beamish,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49a village famous for its open-air museum, is No Place.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51And you know what they say...
0:01:51 > 0:01:57# There is no place like home... #
0:01:57 > 0:01:59So, a lovely little village
0:01:59 > 0:02:03with one of the strangest but coolest names I've ever heard - No Place.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05You've got to love it, you really have.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Anyway, it's a two-bed mid-terrace house with a guide price of £20,000.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14What I want to know is, is No Place really like home?
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Let's get inside. It's cold out there, really cold.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Anyway, straight into the lounge area.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25You've got this retro banister here on the stairs
0:02:25 > 0:02:27going up to the bedrooms.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30But a nice size lounge area and look at that fireplace.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33If you could restore this to its past glory,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36you'd have a nice feature in this lounge area.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Open-plan to what I think would have been the kitchen
0:02:40 > 0:02:43but it looks like they've actually turned this into a dining area now,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45judging by the flooring.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Nice open-plan, lots of space. Let's have a look through here.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55# There is no place like home... #
0:02:55 > 0:02:59This is a promising start. Viewed from the outside,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I wouldn't have expected as much space in here,
0:03:02 > 0:03:07but the open-plan living area and dining areas are deceptively roomy.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Into the kitchen and it's definitely colder in here. There's no heating.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I have read the legal pack
0:03:13 > 0:03:17and I know for certain there's no insulation on this flat roof.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19That said, get a new kitchen in here,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21take this out, clean it up, tidy it up,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25I think you'd have a nice space to do your Sunday roast.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31# Baby, it's cold outside... #
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Or, if you would rather have a barbie,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38then the fairly decent size yard at the back of the house
0:03:38 > 0:03:41would serve nicely, but not today. It's freezing!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms and a bathroom.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50The front bedroom has painted floorboards
0:03:50 > 0:03:53but it's a shame to hide what could be a real selling point.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58I reckon they'd look fabulous stripped back, sanded and varnished.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04The back bedroom is a bit untidy but with complete redecoration,
0:04:04 > 0:04:05would be as good as new.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11The bathroom is the perfect size for this house - small.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14But if your budget was tight, I think some paint
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and perhaps a bit of new flooring would freshen it up nicely.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23That guide of £20,000 looks very tempting
0:04:23 > 0:04:26as there doesn't seem to be much work needed
0:04:26 > 0:04:29to get this place up and running.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33A local estate agent battled the elements to give us his opinion.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35No Place is an area
0:04:35 > 0:04:37that will appeal to, perhaps, some first-time buyers.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40The majority of properties here are two-bedroom
0:04:40 > 0:04:41and with the price range,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44they're likely to appeal to first-time buyers,
0:04:44 > 0:04:45but also to buy-to-let investors.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47There's a lot of rental properties here
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and I think it's a good investment for a buy-to-let investor.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53I think a new kitchen would certainly be in order
0:04:53 > 0:04:55and replacing the current bathroom.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58The heating system looks to be in decent order,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01so I don't think there's anything required there,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04so it's mainly cosmetic and decorative improvement required.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09And what valuations could the new buyer be expecting?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I think this house would refurbish to a decent standard.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18You could be looking at a resale price in the region of £40-45,000.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I think, from the rental side,
0:05:20 > 0:05:25you'd be looking at a price of roughly £350 per calendar month.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29There isn't a lot that needs doing to this property. It's very superficial.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33New kitchen, new bathroom and the insulation in this roof above me.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36But if you get it for anywhere near the guide price of £20,000,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I think you could be onto a winner.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Let's see who agreed when it went to auction.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44OK, 20's your guide. First lot of the day.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Two-bedroom mid-terrace house.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Benefits are gas central heating, double glazing.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Start me off at 20. At £20,000 am I bid?
0:05:51 > 0:05:5415? Need a bid. Can't sell it without one.
0:05:54 > 0:05:5615 here, just beat you to it.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00With you, madam, at 15. 16, can I? 16. 17?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03At 17 I'm bid now. 18?
0:06:03 > 0:06:0518 I'm bid. 19? At 19 I'm bid.
0:06:05 > 0:06:0820? Yeah, 20 I'm bid.
0:06:08 > 0:06:131, madam? Can you? 21. 22? 22 I'm bid.
0:06:13 > 0:06:1723? 24? Shake of the head.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23Here at £23,000. At £23,000, in the middle of the room, first time...
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Take a half, sir? 23.5.
0:06:26 > 0:06:2924? 24 I'm bid. Half?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Maybe not. Here at 24.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34At £24,000 then, for the first time,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37lot number one, second time,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40at £24,000 if you're all done, selling away.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- HE BANGS GAVEL - Well done, madam.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46# This is the right time... #
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Leading from the front, with some confident bidding,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51was 27-year-old Charlotte.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Along with her 20-year-old sister Sophie,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59she had decided the time was right to begin building a property portfolio.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03This is the first purchase for the sisters at auction
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and we met up back at the house for a chat.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09# This is the right time... #
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Charlotte, nice to meet you.- You too. - Sophie.- Nice to meet you.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Congratulations.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Now, you went to auction. You didn't go alone, did you?
0:07:16 > 0:07:19No, we went together and we took our mum and dad with us as well.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Did you need them there? - Moral support.- Did it help?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Um...- Not really.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28We were OK on our own but it just offered a bit of support for us.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Who was doing the bidding? Who was in charge?- Charlotte.- I was.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- I wasn't trusted.- Were you not?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Did you only go for this property? Was this the only one you looked at?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Yeah, at auction, we just went for this property.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- And did you get it for what you wanted it for?- Mmm, less.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- So you saved some money?- Yeah.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49We expected it to go a bit higher than what it went for.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51So, tell us why this property in particular.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Did you look at any others or did this one catch the eye?
0:07:53 > 0:07:56We did look at some others and we went to auction
0:07:56 > 0:07:59and we didn't win those so I came and viewed this one
0:07:59 > 0:08:02before the auction and there wasn't a great deal to do.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06No structural work, it's just mainly the interior.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10It's a nice area and the properties aren't too expensive
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and I think they're let out quite well and sell on, so...
0:08:14 > 0:08:17We thought the price was really good as well for the property,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- so what we were getting for our money.- And are you happy?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Did she do good?- Yeah, she did good. I didn't see it before, so...- Good.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- And you read the legal pack as well? - Yeah, had a look.- Good.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Now you've got this property, what are you going to do with it?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We're going to start by stripping everything out.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33We'll replaster, do upstairs,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37like change all the skirting boards, door frames.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41New kitchen, bathroom and then just decorate throughout.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44And what about the extension out the back?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47There's no insulation in the ceiling. How are you going to warm it up?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49We're going to have to put insulation in.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51The ceiling will have to be lowered slightly
0:08:51 > 0:08:53so we can get some spotlights in as well.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56And then we're going to put some blow heaters
0:08:56 > 0:08:59in the plinths underneath, so on the floor.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It'll need it, cos you'll be throwing money away,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04the heat going through there. So, the ceiling's coming lower,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07so I'm not going to be able to fit in there.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Thank you very much for that.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Not welcome back for a cup of tea, I understand.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15# There's no room in your world for me
0:09:15 > 0:09:21# There's no room in your world for me... #
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Looks like I'm off the guest list.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26But the girls will be issuing a special invitation
0:09:26 > 0:09:28to their dad, Neil.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31A builder by trade, Neil's help will be crucial
0:09:31 > 0:09:34in getting this renovation project completed.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Once upon a time, he would nag THEM to do their homework
0:09:37 > 0:09:40but now he'll be the one doing their HOME-work.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Our dad's going to do most of the work cos he's a builder
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- and he's got his own company. - What will he do for you?
0:09:47 > 0:09:51All of it, really. And then we'll do the decorating.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54What do you see are the biggest problems to overcome?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Probably getting our dad up here.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Expecting him to come up every weekend might a be a bit too much.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- How far's dad away from here then? - About an hour away.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10But the girls are prepared to get their hands dirty
0:10:10 > 0:10:13and once Dad has got the big jobs out the way,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17they will get to work making the place look bright and modern.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20And as this is going to be a family affair,
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Mum will also lend her expertise on kitchen layout and tiling
0:10:25 > 0:10:28and she's a dab hand at decorating as well.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31All seems a doddle - so far.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35How long are you hoping it's going to take him to get it completed?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Roughly about 6 months. - So tell us about the budget.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40How much are you looking to spend?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42As little as possible I know, but what would you like to spend?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Roughly between about £8-10,000.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Their plan to sell this house once renovated
0:10:54 > 0:10:57means that if Charlotte and Sophie manage
0:10:57 > 0:10:59to keep within the £10,000 budget,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02their total spend would be £34,000.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Based on the estate agent's top valuation of £45,000,
0:11:06 > 0:11:11the girls could be looking at a potential profit of £11,000 -
0:11:11 > 0:11:13not bad for a part-time occupation.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17So, what do you do when you're not buying properties?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21I work in renewable energy in training and forecasting.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- And yourself?- I'm at university, studying at the minute
0:11:24 > 0:11:25but I'm on a two-year placement
0:11:25 > 0:11:27at a car manufacturing company in the north-east.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Enjoying it?- It's really good, interesting.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Now you're into the property-developing world,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35are you going to stop here? Is this a one-off?
0:11:35 > 0:11:38No, we'll probably carry on. If this goes well,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41we'll look to buy another one, maybe at auction again.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Pricing's good and we found a good buy here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46There's quite a lot of properties that come up on the market
0:11:46 > 0:11:49quite frequently around here, so...
0:11:49 > 0:11:52And will you change from buying to sell?
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Will you rent any? Will you keep any yourselves?
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Yeah, once we've done a few, we'll maybe do some buy-to-lets.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Create a bit of a portfolio maybe.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03And will you actually look at properties
0:12:03 > 0:12:06that maybe need a bit more work doing or would you steer clear of them?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Potentially in the future.- Is that only because you've got Dad there?
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Yeah.- To do everything for you? - He's got to help.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And you're so young to start doing this.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17I think you're doing it just at the right time as well.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20And if you can find some gems like this, I think you'll do well.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- I wish you good luck.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Good luck.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28So, dad Neil has got his work cut out with his two lovely daughters
0:12:28 > 0:12:30who have their heads screwed on
0:12:30 > 0:12:32getting into the property-developing world so young.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36And if they can get the work done within the timescale and the budget
0:12:36 > 0:12:37and they can receive that healthy yield,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39I think they'll be onto a winner
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and I don't think it will be the last property they buy.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Find out how they get on later in the programme.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49This is Wellington,
0:12:49 > 0:12:54a historic market town on the outskirts of Telford in Shropshire.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59The town once played host to King Charles I, who in 1642,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02declared war on parliament from right here.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07So, that's the history, but what about the property I'm here to see?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Well, it is on a bit of a major road,
0:13:11 > 0:13:12which is a bit of a disadvantage,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15but the good news is the flat I'm here to see
0:13:15 > 0:13:18is only five-minutes' walk from the railway station.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Guide price of £50,000 for a two-bed. Sounds good.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29Oh!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32So, it's an upstairs flat...
0:13:33 > 0:13:37..which actually, some people really prefer.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38But what's it like?
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Well, first impression is pretty good. In nice decorative order.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45You might not like the wallpaper. It's a bit dark for my taste,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48but it seems to be in pretty good condition.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Very large bedroom there, which is nice to see.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Second bedroom which isn't as big but is pretty reasonable.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Bathroom there. It could do with a bit of modernisation
0:13:58 > 0:14:01but it's a nice size, as, indeed, is the lounge.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Really good size space. And then, to cap it all,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08into the kitchen which could do with a bit of modernisation.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11It would certainly benefit from new units, perhaps,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14but you've got to figure out what you're going to use this place for.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Are you going to rent it out? Would this be serviceable?
0:14:16 > 0:14:21I think it probably could. So, all in all, a pretty good little flat.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I can't see anything that worries me
0:14:23 > 0:14:26and it's a reminder that sometimes properties sent to auction
0:14:26 > 0:14:30are just there for a quick sale or for different reasons,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33other than being really problematic.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37But still, take nothing for granted. There's that legal pack to check.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40And some wallpaper catalogues, possibly!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43So, because I am a good boy, I've done some homework,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and I can tell you that the flat has a 99-year lease
0:14:46 > 0:14:50and, with no communal areas to worry about,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54only the shared roof and exteriors are a joint concern.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The service charge is £180 per year.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00See, that's the sort of stuff you need to know.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06When you start out as a property investor, you have, in your mind,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09grand ideas of the kind of properties you're going to take on.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14Big castles or huge great houses with turrets and all sorts of stuff.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16You know what? When you start out,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19you need to start small to hone your skills
0:15:19 > 0:15:21and this is exactly what you should be looking for.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24If you are an inexperienced property developer,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27something like this, which isn't going to cost you so much to buy,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29which you can do a little bit to tart up,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32add a bit of value to, gain that knowledge,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35start with something like that and then buy your castle.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40# Come on by some night My castle's rockin'...#
0:15:40 > 0:15:45A castle it might not be but what it lacks in turrets and tiaras,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48it more than makes up for with layout and proportions,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51not to mention being a sound investment
0:15:51 > 0:15:53with that guide price of £50,000.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57We asked a local estate agent along to hear his opinion.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01The flat itself is very, very spacious. Very good layout.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03In terms of the actual rooms,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06nothing really to be done to them at all.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Some of the decor is a bit iffy/ psychedelic
0:16:10 > 0:16:14and I'd certainly be doing some redecoration if I was to buy this.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Possibly put in a new kitchen and new bathroom
0:16:17 > 0:16:20but probably not spending an awful lot on that,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23so probably going for the budget ranges of both those things.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26And also, I'd get the electrics checked.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30One of the plugs appears to have got tape round it,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32so it would be prudent to get that inspected,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36particularly if someone is looking to let this property out.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Good call. Some of the electrics do look rather dodgy.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42This exterior trunking is less than desirable
0:16:42 > 0:16:47but the agent is impressed with this flat. Time to talk dosh here.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51What could it make on the sales and rental market?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53If this property was to go on the open market
0:16:53 > 0:16:55once it's been freshened up,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I would suggest a marketing price of £70,000.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00However, if they decided to go down the rental route,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04I would suggest a rental income of £495 per calendar month.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Well, it's a nice little flat in a good location.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10If you wanted to, you could pretty much move into it as it is,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12although I, personally,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14would think about replacing the kitchen and the bathroom.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18But let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's a leasehold first-floor apartment
0:17:23 > 0:17:27with two bedrooms and it is in need of modernisation.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30What's this? £50,000 start?
0:17:30 > 0:17:3248 then? Can we get it going at 48?
0:17:32 > 0:17:3548 bid, thank you. At £48,000.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Bid's at 48. 49 on the front row.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41At 49. 50? 50.
0:17:41 > 0:17:4551. 52. 53.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48At £53,000 on the front row.
0:17:48 > 0:17:5154. 55?
0:17:51 > 0:17:55No, at 54. At £54,000 to my left.
0:17:56 > 0:17:5855.
0:17:58 > 0:17:5956?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03At £55,000 to my right then.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05At £55,000. 56 anywhere else?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08If not, £55,000 once.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11£55,000 twice.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Third and final time... Got you. 56.
0:18:15 > 0:18:1957. No? 57, still with you, sir.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21£57,000 then once...
0:18:21 > 0:18:24£57,000 twice...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Third and final time, £57,000.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- HE BANGS GAVEL - You bought it, sir. Well done.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32# Let's try again... #
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The successful bid of £57,000 was made by Ben.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40He and his wife, Emma, have bought this, their eighth property.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43We first met Ben and Emma in 2012
0:18:43 > 0:18:47when they bought a fire-damaged property in Telford
0:18:47 > 0:18:49which proved to be rather tricky.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53But, clearly, it hasn't stopped them trying an auction buy again.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Time to find out their plans for this nice flat.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59# Let's try again... #
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Ben, Emma, good to meet you. Again.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08- But first of all, who's this little chap?- This is Monty.- Monty.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- How old is Monty?- He's seven months old.- Seven months old.- Yeah.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16So, the last time we met, you didn't have Monty.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- No, just the other two girls.- Right, so new addition to the family.- Yes.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Bit of extra work, bit less sleep.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- Right, but you've also got a new baby with this place.- Yes, indeed.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Tell me why you wanted to buy this one.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38It just seemed like a nice flat in a reasonable area at a good price.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Doesn't need much doing to it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We got our fingers burnt last time, taking on a bit too much.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Right. Last time we saw you, you got your fingers burnt a bit or...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Yeah, we probably shouldn't have bought that particular house,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- so it's the first time we've been to auction since then.- Oh, wow.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55What happened? What went wrong?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57It was a fire and smoke-damaged house,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00so we didn't quite appreciate the implications of that.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05- We thought a bit of wiping down the walls and job done.- Right.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- But what was the reality?- Well, it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Quite a lot of replastering, a lot of very expensive sealants
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and it just took forever, didn't it?
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Yeah, specialist paints
0:20:17 > 0:20:20and lots of extra expense that we just didn't know about.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- And the big one was it wasn't mortgageable...- Oh, wow.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25..which we hadn't realised at the time we bought it,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- so it caused a certain amount of stress.- No kidding!
0:20:28 > 0:20:30So it's been three or so years
0:20:30 > 0:20:32before you ventured back into the auctions.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Did it turn out all right in the end? Did you make any money on it?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Er, yes, I think so. I think we made a reasonable return.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Probably, we could have earned as much just doing a paper round
0:20:41 > 0:20:44or something but... Some time taken, but it's fine.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It's a good buy-to-let house and it's a good house to have.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51OK, so you moved on to this one which, on the face of it,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- is in pretty good condition. - Yeah, that's what we thought.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Is that one of the things that attracted you to it?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I wasn't at the auction. Ben went on his own.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01He vaguely said he wanted to see a flat
0:21:01 > 0:21:05just to see what the land was like and he went on his own
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and came back and said, "I've bought a flat."
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- I was like, "Oh, good." - So you didn't know.- No.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13So, were you happy when you saw it?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I saw it yesterday for the first time,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- so yeah, it's much better than I thought it would be.- Right.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Ben did lead me to believe it was key-ready.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Yeah, I remember it being totally immaculate,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26ready to give a key to someone and thank you very much.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Seems to have deteriorated a bit since I last saw it, but...
0:21:29 > 0:21:30It must be the mice!
0:21:30 > 0:21:34You must be the ultimate person who wears rose-tinted spectacles
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- when you go round to look at houses. - I think so, yeah.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Because judging by the experience,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42the only experience I've had with you is they haven't been quite as...
0:21:42 > 0:21:46No, they seem to differ on the second viewing but, you know.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49So, what's the plan for this place? What are you going to do to it?
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- Ideally, as little as possible, just redecoration...- Yeah.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Fix the obvious issues, tart it up a bit -
0:21:56 > 0:22:00new lino in the kitchen and bathroom, regrout the bathroom.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Fairly basic stuff really.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Probably a budget of £2,000-£2,500. - Right.- And then get it let out.- OK.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10# Now we've got to keep it simple and that's that... #
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Thankfully, this does look like a far more straightforward proposition
0:22:14 > 0:22:16than the last auction property they bought.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19However, there was, last time, I recall,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22a question around Ben's DIY skills.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Now, who's going to do the work? Cos last time we did discover
0:22:27 > 0:22:30that you weren't the world's best DIY-er.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Yeah, I can probably manage slapping some emulsion on the wall
0:22:33 > 0:22:36but we've got another...
0:22:36 > 0:22:39This is property eight now.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- We've done a few others not through the auction.- Right.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43We bought a few others not via the auction,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47so we've got a team of builders who have done general work.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Is your DIY getting any better? - MONTY BURBLES
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Not really. - Monty knows! He just said.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Thanks for the input, Monty.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Ben will be getting the builders in,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02so he'll not be testing his DIY skills.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04He also has a painter and decorator lined up
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and the timescale will depend on his availability.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Once it's done, it'll be rented out.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Do you know what rental you might achieve?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Er, hoping for about £475.
0:23:17 > 0:23:18But potentially a good turn?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Yeah, we're hoping for something approaching a 10% yield
0:23:21 > 0:23:23which is kind of what we hunt for
0:23:23 > 0:23:27so that we can get the mortgages paid off within 10 years or so
0:23:27 > 0:23:30and hopefully retire at some point, but that's a long way away.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- Congratulations on lots of levels.- Thank you very much.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34The house and the baby.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- We look forward to seeing how you get on.- Wonderful.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- Nice to see you again.- You too. Thank you.- Nice to meet you.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48So, an unfortunate experience at the auction last time
0:23:48 > 0:23:51didn't put Ben and Emma off from visiting again
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and I think they've done really well in this instance.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Not too much work to be done,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00which is just as well when it comes to Ben's DIY.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02And, of course, they've got Monty to help out.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06How will it all turn out? You can find out later in the show.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Coming up, this Ealing flat is taking me
0:24:10 > 0:24:12all the way back to the '80s.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I would have been listening to Duran Duran
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and wearing ra-ra skirts in those days.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21And whatever era the wallpaper was from in Wellington,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24someone has decided it was catch of the day.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Monty particularly liked the fish, so we thought we'd go with it.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35There's no place like No Place.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39And it's to No Place we're now returning.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44This small village in northern County Durham
0:24:44 > 0:24:49is home to this two-bed terrace house which was up for sale at auction
0:24:49 > 0:24:52for a mouthwatering guide price of only £20,000.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56The village definitely had a cool name
0:24:56 > 0:24:59but this house's kitchen was even cooler.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Into the kitchen and it's definitely colder in here. There's no heating.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06I have read the legal pack
0:25:06 > 0:25:10and I know for certain there's no insulation on this flat roof.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Aiming to bring a little warmth to proceedings
0:25:14 > 0:25:19are sisters Charlotte and Sophie who bought this place for £24,000.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21They put up the cash
0:25:21 > 0:25:25but would be relying on their dad, Neil, to put up the muscle.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Our dad's going to do most of the work cos he's a builder
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- and has his own company.- What will he do for you?- All of it, really.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35And then we'll do the decorating.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38MUSIC: Diamonds by Rihanna
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The house was dated and in need of a new kitchen and bathroom
0:25:42 > 0:25:44but it presented the girls with a great opportunity
0:25:44 > 0:25:46to begin their property portfolio.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54With a budget of £8-10,000, they aimed for a finish of six months.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00And guess what, one month ahead of schedule, we're back to see
0:26:00 > 0:26:04how first-time property developers Charlotte and Sophie have fared.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Well, I'm actually speechless.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22The girls have transformed
0:26:22 > 0:26:25what was a very tired and old-fashioned house
0:26:25 > 0:26:27into a bright and modern family home.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31# Shine bright like a diamond Whoa
0:26:31 > 0:26:35# Shine bright like a diamond Whoa... #
0:26:35 > 0:26:38With its new tile job, the bathroom looks completely new.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42But in fact, the old suite was in such good condition
0:26:42 > 0:26:44that the girls decided to keep it,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46adding new taps to spruce up the style.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Both bedrooms have had a complete makeover
0:26:52 > 0:26:57with fresh new wallpaper and paint, new carpets and electrical fittings.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02But my favourite room has to be the kitchen.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07It's the girls' pride and joy and not just because it looks great.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12An accident at work meant that dad was unable to help assemble
0:27:12 > 0:27:16and fit the units, so it was all down to Charlotte and Sophie.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Dad fractured some of his ribs at work,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23so it was a bit difficult when we were trying to fit the kitchen.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- The flat-pack kitchen, putting that together was...- Challenging.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30..challenging, yeah and a lot of the walls were out of plumb
0:27:30 > 0:27:34in the kitchen, so nothing fitted right to the back of the wall.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37We had to cut them down and fill them out.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42It took a lot of time and effort and a lot of rubbish instructions.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44MUSIC: Relight My Fire by Take That
0:27:44 > 0:27:49Girls, we've all been there with flat-pack instructions.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Let's hope there are no bits left over though.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55From flat-packs to flat roofs,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Neil recovered in time to insulate that problematic kitchen ceiling
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and he replaced the roof felt for good measure.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04A new window and door finished the job.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09The half-height wall in the open-plan area was taken away
0:28:09 > 0:28:12and instead of ripping out that old fireplace,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Charlotte spent four painstaking days turning it
0:28:15 > 0:28:19from an eyesore into a fantastic focal point for the living room.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25I stripped the fireplace as well and took it back to its original colour
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and then that's all been waxed
0:28:27 > 0:28:30and we've had some new slate as well for the hearth.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33# Relight my fire
0:28:35 > 0:28:38# Your love is my only desire... #
0:28:38 > 0:28:41And as a finishing touch, the girls turned their attention
0:28:41 > 0:28:44to that rather sad and nondescript backyard.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46# Need your love... #
0:28:46 > 0:28:50MUSIC: Lust And Lies by The Ramona Flowers
0:28:53 > 0:28:56With some decking, paint and a few plants,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58even the most unappealing garden
0:28:58 > 0:29:01can be turned into an attractive outdoor space.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Very pretty.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05When we first saw this house,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09it seemed it could have had a simple redecoration job,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13but appearances, as we know on Homes Under The Hammer, can be deceptive.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Initially, we didn't expect to have to take
0:29:17 > 0:29:20all of the paper off right back to the brick.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23We've had to replaster basically the whole house.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26When we first started stripping all the walls,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28we noticed that there was a leak running down
0:29:28 > 0:29:31and when my dad had a look, the whole ceiling just came down
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and there'd been a leak coming from the toilet in the bathroom.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36I think it had been there quite a while.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38So, we had to plasterboard all the ceiling
0:29:38 > 0:29:40before we could then plaster it.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Completing the project
0:29:47 > 0:29:50a month ahead of their original six-month timescale
0:29:50 > 0:29:53is testament to the girls' hard work and project management.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58But has keeping control of their £8-10,000 budget
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- been a piece of cake? - We actually spent about £12,000.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05That's because we had to have things done like plastering the whole house
0:30:05 > 0:30:07and originally,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10we thought it would only be the odd room that might need doing.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12We finished things to quite a high standard as well,
0:30:12 > 0:30:14so we spent a bit more on finishing.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20I think the girls have unearthed a little diamond
0:30:20 > 0:30:22in this former coalmining area.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25But will it dazzle two of the local property experts
0:30:25 > 0:30:28we've invited along to give us their valuations?
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I'm very impressed with the work
0:30:30 > 0:30:32that the vendors have done on the property.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34I think the standard of the finish is very high
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and it'll certainly attract the right type of buyer to the property.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41The layout is very traditional in a terrace-style property,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43although it has had an extension to the kitchen.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45It's been refurbished to a very high standard
0:30:45 > 0:30:48and it's excellent living space for a family.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Charlotte and Sophie bought this house for £24,000
0:30:52 > 0:30:56and have spent £12,000 on its renovation,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59bringing their total spend to £36,000.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Has this been a good investment?
0:31:03 > 0:31:08On today's market, the property would be marketed at £64,950
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and for rent, it would be on the rental market
0:31:11 > 0:31:14for £375 per calendar month.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16On the sales market I would expect this property to achieve
0:31:16 > 0:31:19in the region of £60,000 and on the rental market,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21I would expect the property to achieve
0:31:21 > 0:31:24in the region of £350 per calendar month.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Although a rental value of £350 per calendar month
0:31:29 > 0:31:32would bring in a return of 11.5%,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35the girls are content to sell and move on.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37With that top valuation,
0:31:37 > 0:31:42they could be looking to make a pre-tax profit of £29,000,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45which would be a great start to their property development scheme.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48We've already been looking at other properties
0:31:48 > 0:31:51and hopefully we'll pick something up at auction again
0:31:51 > 0:31:53and carry on doing the same thing.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Welcome to Ealing in West London.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02It's long been a popular suburb
0:32:02 > 0:32:06due to its leafy streets and busy town centre,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09giving rise to the nickname the Queen of the Suburbs.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14- # And we'll never be royals- Royals
0:32:14 > 0:32:16# You can call me Queen Bee
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- # And, baby, I'll rule - I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule
0:32:20 > 0:32:23# Let me live that fantasy... #
0:32:24 > 0:32:29And this popularity, along with property prices, is set to increase,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32as in 2019, the new Crossrail high-speed rail link
0:32:32 > 0:32:37will cut journey times to the city centre to just 11 minutes.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40The property I'm here to see
0:32:40 > 0:32:43is a couple of miles from the nearest Crossrail station
0:32:43 > 0:32:45and it's on this fairly busy main road,
0:32:45 > 0:32:49but its W5 postcode is still desirable,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52albeit it is kind of on the boundaries
0:32:52 > 0:32:54between Ealing and Brentford.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56But the property itself is a two-bedroom flat.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's on the first floor of this purpose-built block
0:32:59 > 0:33:04and it went to auction with a guide price of £250,000 plus.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09These flats were built in the 1980s
0:33:09 > 0:33:11and the grounds look pretty well-kept.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14And the good news is there's a parking space
0:33:14 > 0:33:16allocated in the communal car park.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20So, that's the outside. What about the inside?
0:33:21 > 0:33:25So, let's have a look around the flat. Well, good size single.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29It certainly is a single there. We've got a double bedroom here.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Ooh, we have got a pink bathroom!
0:33:32 > 0:33:37Yes, that probably needs a repaint and a new shower, a new loo,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40a new sink. You could do with upgrading all of that in there.
0:33:40 > 0:33:46The doors also need replacing. And a really nice lounge. A big space.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Not a lot to write home about. It's a bit bland.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52This is built in the '80s, typical of what you'd expect.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58Kitchen through here. Again, some very dated units, painted yellow.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01You could really give that a good old face-lift.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Over here we've got single glazed windows.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07They're broken and because there's a busy main road out there,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09you can hear a lot of the road noise,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11you can hear the wind howling.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13If there is a chance to upgrade those windows,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15I would certainly try and do that.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18This flat is typical of the '80s era.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I would have been listening to Duran Duran
0:34:21 > 0:34:23and wearing ra-ra skirts in those days.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Ooh, that's a scary thought!
0:34:27 > 0:34:29# Please, please tell me now
0:34:29 > 0:34:33# Is there something I should know?
0:34:34 > 0:34:35# Whoa... #
0:34:35 > 0:34:40Well, like my ra-ra skirt, this is past it and needs updating
0:34:40 > 0:34:44but, like Simon Le Bon, it's still in good nick.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Still, if you were looking to buy this,
0:34:47 > 0:34:49there IS something you should know.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Now, like a lot of flats, this property is leasehold
0:34:54 > 0:34:57and, unfortunately, there's only 71 years
0:34:57 > 0:34:59left to run on the current lease.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Mortgage companies hate short leases,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05so if you opted to do this flat up and sell on,
0:35:05 > 0:35:07without paying for a lease extension,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09then you'd probably have to sell to a cash buyer
0:35:09 > 0:35:12which certainly narrows the market you're selling to
0:35:12 > 0:35:15and it'll have a negative effect on the sales price.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19So, your best option is to cough up the cash for that longer lease.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24So, this auction lot isn't quite as straightforward
0:35:24 > 0:35:26as it first appeared.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29It's time we got the opinion of a local estate agent.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34What does he think of the property, guided at £250,000 plus?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38The main things of focus here would be
0:35:38 > 0:35:39it will require a new kitchen,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42it certainly would benefit from a new bathroom.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Unfortunately, with this type of building,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47replacement windows is quite difficult to do.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Management companies would have to be involved.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52You may or may not get the permission to do that,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55so noise could, potentially, be an issue.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58And what about that short-term lease?
0:36:00 > 0:36:04A 71-year lease is now going to be considered far too short.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Anything less than about 80 years now,
0:36:07 > 0:36:09lenders will be very reluctant to lend upon.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13# Just give me just a little more time
0:36:13 > 0:36:16# And our love will surely grow... #
0:36:16 > 0:36:21Assuming the lease extension would cost £20,000
0:36:21 > 0:36:24on top of the guide price of £250,000 plus,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26what could this flat be worth?
0:36:27 > 0:36:30So, once done up, I would expect this property to achieve
0:36:30 > 0:36:33somewhere in the region of £395,000.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36When this property is put back on the rental market,
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I would expect to achieve a figure
0:36:38 > 0:36:42of somewhere around £1,295 per calendar month.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Well, this two-bedroom flat needs an update
0:36:46 > 0:36:50and that 71-year lease could be a bit of a sticking point with buyers.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53But it's a good little flat and it could prove to be popular.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Let's head to auction and find out who bid for this one.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58A well-located two-bedroom first-floor flat.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03I've seen this one myself. It's a good renter, this. Great location.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06270 anywhere? Right, 240 then, try and help.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Thought it was cheap. 240 I've got. 245 anywhere?
0:37:11 > 0:37:15245. 250, yeah? 250.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17255? I'll come to you. 255.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21This property was proving popular and soon the price shot up.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25We rejoin the bidding at £307,000.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29307. How much? 308, yeah? 308, back in.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33309 on the floor. 310.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36311, thank you. At 311. 312? No?
0:37:36 > 0:37:40It's with you again, sitting on the floor here on my extreme right.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42311 for the first...
0:37:42 > 0:37:44311 for the second...
0:37:44 > 0:37:48311 for the third and final time. All done?
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- HE BANGS GAVEL - Sold. 311. Well bought.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55The flat went for a final value of £311,000.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01So, who was the mystery bidder? Well, it was Bal.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05MUSIC: Sweet Little Mystery by Wet Wet Wet
0:38:07 > 0:38:11We met up with him and his son, Tom, to find out more.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14# It's just that sweet little mystery
0:38:14 > 0:38:17# That makes me try.. #
0:38:17 > 0:38:19- Bal, congratulations.- Thank you.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22We didn't actually see you at the auction. Were you there?
0:38:22 > 0:38:24I was. I was sitting in a no-film zone
0:38:24 > 0:38:26because it was the only seat available.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28So you were being naughty. You were hiding from us.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Just in case you were wondering what a no-film zone is,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35we always try to respect bidders' wishes not to be filmed at auction
0:38:35 > 0:38:38by reserving part of the room our cameras avoid.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41But this was a busy, busy room on the day,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43hence Bal having to bid from there.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46He was looking for a property to live in with his son Tom,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48aged four and a half.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52But this wasn't the one he intended to buy.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55I wanted one of three others but I was outbid,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- so I got this one instead.- Had you even looked at this property before?
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- No.- You hadn't even seen it? - I knew nothing about it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03- So you purely went on the photograph?- Yes.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05So, why did you think, "I'll go with my gut.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07"I think this will be a good one to bid for"?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Just cost and because I live in a one-bedroom flat
0:39:09 > 0:39:11and now I need more space, I thought,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13"If I can go for two that would be great."
0:39:13 > 0:39:15So, obviously, now you've got a nice room for Tom here,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17is this going to be your family home?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Possibly, and if I don't like it,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24I will move out of London and buy a house.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26I promised Tom a house, a small house
0:39:26 > 0:39:28with chickens at the end of the garden.
0:39:28 > 0:39:34And I'm a country person and I've lived in London for so long,
0:39:34 > 0:39:39all over it, but it would be nice to go and just...
0:39:39 > 0:39:43I like green fields and woodlands and that sort of stuff.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Well, as lovely as Ealing is,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48it's not quite the country idyll Bal hopes for.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51But it does seem to fulfil his current needs
0:39:51 > 0:39:54and it's another step up the property ladder
0:39:54 > 0:39:55and closer to his end goal.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59And, besides, Tom looks like he's got comfy already.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03So, what are his plans to turn this into a home for him and Tom?
0:40:04 > 0:40:08Maybe replace the windows cos you open them and then they crack.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10I realise that's one issue.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Tickle up the kitchen,
0:40:12 > 0:40:16do something with the carpets which are horrendous,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19the bathroom needs a major sort-out
0:40:19 > 0:40:22and, apart from that, I don't know.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Now, you mentioned a tickle-up in the kitchen.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26I think it needs a bit more than a tickle-up.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28So, what are you going to do in there?
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Are you going to drastically change it or will funds not allow you?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- Funds don't really allow me to do a lot.- Mmm.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36But I'll come back again with a pen and paper
0:40:36 > 0:40:39and I'll write down what I think I can do
0:40:39 > 0:40:43and maybe bring somebody in that renovates places.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46So, how much budget have you got to spend in here?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- Nil.- So, you've got nothing? You spent all your money on auction day?
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Yes, I've got nothing left but I can work that one out somehow.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Oh, Bal, you're breaking all the Homes Under The Hammer rules.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59First you buy without viewing
0:40:59 > 0:41:01and now you've not left a budget to renovate?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Mind you, over the years,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Bal has done up many a property he has lived in,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09including one that was almost derelict,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11so that side of things doesn't faze him.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14What about that short lease?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I've spoken to the solicitor and he gave me a price
0:41:20 > 0:41:23of bumping up the lease, but I can't do that yet.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27- So, how much is it to bump the lease?- About £17-20,000.- Ooh.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- That's what he said. - Were you expecting that?
0:41:30 > 0:41:35Mmm... The last lease I bumped up was £53,000,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37so £17-20,000 isn't bad.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42Bal seems pretty relaxed and will sort out the lease later,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46as he knows it could make a big difference to any eventual resale.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49In the meantime, the exciting thing is,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51this is going to be a home for him and Tom.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54So, how many months, days, weeks is it going to be
0:41:54 > 0:41:56before you guys move in here?
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I think it'll take a month, maybe, or six weeks, perhaps.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01So, have you always been involved in property, Bal,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03or have you had other jobs as well?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I've had lots of other jobs, one of which was at Buckingham Palace.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09I was senior footman at Buckingham Palace.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I had the privilege of travelling the world
0:42:11 > 0:42:13with Her Majesty the Queen
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and I was on Princess Diana's carriage in 1981
0:42:16 > 0:42:18going to the church.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Marvellous job and the loveliest job I've ever had.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25It was really great and it sets you up for life.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27It teaches you so many things,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29so I was very grateful for that opportunity.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31What kind of things does it teach you? Tell me.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34I don't know. A way of being, communication,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38everything, all life skills, which is not bad.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- And I'm sure you've met a lot of the lovely Royal Family.- All of them.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- Tell me what they're like. - Great, really, really nice people
0:42:45 > 0:42:47and a wonderful family to work for.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- Bal, it's been wonderful meeting you.- Thank you very much.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53- Good luck and I hope you and Tom are very happy here.- OK, thank you.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Well, from working in Buckingham Palace
0:42:56 > 0:42:59to possibly living in the Queen of the Suburbs, Ealing,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Bal certainly has his royal connections,
0:43:02 > 0:43:06but will he and Tom be able to turn this place into a palace?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09And that short lease - will it be a problem for them?
0:43:09 > 0:43:13You can find out how they both get on later in the programme.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17Now, there are endless reasons
0:43:17 > 0:43:20why property renovations can take a lot longer than expected.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Yeah, even the most straightforward projects
0:43:23 > 0:43:25can hit unexpected complications.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29Will the remaining two buyers stick to their deadlines? Let's find out.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37Back now to the historic town of Wellington
0:43:37 > 0:43:39on the outskirts of Telford.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Just five minutes' walk from the local railway station
0:43:42 > 0:43:44was this two-bed top-floor flat
0:43:44 > 0:43:47that had an attractive guide price of £50,000.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Now, usually a low guide price would have my alarm bells ringing,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56but this well-proportioned flat was in really good order,
0:43:56 > 0:43:59despite some fairly fishy wallpaper choices.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04Plenty of people were happy to dive in on auction day
0:44:04 > 0:44:08with the property eventually selling for £57,000.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11You bought it, sir. Well done.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16That bid was made by father-of-three Ben.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19He and his wife, Emma, had appeared on the show back in 2012
0:44:19 > 0:44:22and had struggled with a fire-damaged property,
0:44:22 > 0:44:24but Ben wasn't put off
0:44:24 > 0:44:27and was raring to go with his latest purchase.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29# You keep on trying, darling
0:44:29 > 0:44:31# Keep on trying... #
0:44:31 > 0:44:34Ben did lead me to believe it was key-ready.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Yeah, I remember it being totally immaculate,
0:44:36 > 0:44:39ready to give the key to someone and thank you very much.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Seems to have deteriorated a bit since I last saw it but...
0:44:42 > 0:44:44Must be the mice!
0:44:44 > 0:44:47You must be the ultimate person who wears rose-tinted spectacles
0:44:47 > 0:44:50- when you go round to look at houses. - I think so, yeah.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Because judging by the experience,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54the only experience I've had with you,
0:44:54 > 0:44:56is they haven't been quite as...
0:44:56 > 0:44:59No, they seem to differ on the second viewing but, you know.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03# I'm looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses
0:45:03 > 0:45:07# Everything is rosy now... #
0:45:07 > 0:45:11Ben is obviously a glass-half-full kind of guy,
0:45:11 > 0:45:15but I remember all the trouble he had last time, not to mention,
0:45:15 > 0:45:20by his own admission, his somewhat questionable DIY skills.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23This was a different prospect altogether though,
0:45:23 > 0:45:26with the couple earmarking a budget of £2,000-£2,500
0:45:26 > 0:45:29and a timescale of just one to two weeks
0:45:29 > 0:45:32to get this property ready for the lettings market.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37Six weeks on, we return to see
0:45:37 > 0:45:40if our own second viewing is going to be a positive one.
0:45:58 > 0:46:03Wow! This has been made into the ideal rental property,
0:46:03 > 0:46:07with a well-executed neutral decoration plan throughout.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18I'm happy to say the majority of that rather garish wallpaper
0:46:18 > 0:46:23has been replaced and the property now looks clean, fresh and bright.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Although in the bathroom, that fishy wallpaper has clung on.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33It may not be everyone's cup of tea,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36but it adds a certain amount of charm and character.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41I can't wait to hear from Ben and Emma
0:46:41 > 0:46:44and, of course, Monty to see how it's all been.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48We've cleaned the place up. We've stripped everything.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51The hall, stairs and landing, all the wallpaper's come off.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53Everything's been painted.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Bathroom and kitchen just had a quick tidy-up and that's it.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00In the bathroom, we decided to leave the wallpaper.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Monty particularly liked the fish, so we thought we'd go with it,
0:47:03 > 0:47:07but we've given it a bit of a clean-up, replaced the taps,
0:47:07 > 0:47:10put a new toilet in, replaced in behind the sink,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12and it just looks brighter and cleaner.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16This is the couple's eighth property, so they are no novices
0:47:16 > 0:47:20but Ben, by his own admission, is not the world's best DIY-er,
0:47:20 > 0:47:25so did he resist the urge to get his hands dirty?
0:47:25 > 0:47:28Yes, I was hoping to repair my DIY reputation
0:47:28 > 0:47:31by doing some of the work but it didn't really happen in the end.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33We pretty well handed the keys to our builder.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36My role, really, was just buying it on auction day
0:47:36 > 0:47:38and manipulating the finances,
0:47:38 > 0:47:42so we could actually afford to pay for it come completion day.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46Emma's role was bossing the builder around
0:47:46 > 0:47:48and the builder did everything else.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51A big part of property renovation is knowing what you can do
0:47:51 > 0:47:54and what's best left to the professionals,
0:47:54 > 0:47:57which Ben has clearly taken on board.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59But with Emma taking on management duties,
0:47:59 > 0:48:05how's their £2,000-£2,500 budget and one to two-week timescale looking?
0:48:05 > 0:48:08We spent £1,700, so we're quite happy with that.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11In terms of timescales, it took about three and a half weeks
0:48:11 > 0:48:13which was about what we were expecting.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16- We're quite happy with the time.- Hmm.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20It seems that Ben and Emma have found this project
0:48:20 > 0:48:23as easy as taking candy from a baby.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25With the couple keen on letting,
0:48:25 > 0:48:28but with an eye on selling the property in the future,
0:48:28 > 0:48:33will a total investment of around £58,700 prove a wise one?
0:48:34 > 0:48:37We asked along two local estate agents to take a look,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40starting with the agent who saw it originally.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Second time I've visited the property.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46Overall, the changes that have been carried out
0:48:46 > 0:48:48are OK for a rental standard.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51It's been pretty much what looks like a quick makeover,
0:48:51 > 0:48:56decoration throughout and some new floor coverings.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59Kitchen's, bathroom's pretty much the same,
0:48:59 > 0:49:01apart from the toilet in the bathroom,
0:49:01 > 0:49:03which I can see has been replaced.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06But, as I say, pretty much acceptable for rental standards.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08The standard of the finish is good.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11Kitchen, bathroom, very neat and tidy,
0:49:11 > 0:49:13a lot better than others I've seen in the area,
0:49:13 > 0:49:15so I'd say the condition is good for the area.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19Time to get some numbers then. Let's start with sales valuations.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23I would expect the property to achieve £70,000 to £75,000.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25If this was to go on the open market today,
0:49:25 > 0:49:29I would expect this property to achieve £75,000.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31If it did achieve that top valuation,
0:49:31 > 0:49:35it would mean a pre-tax profit of £16,300,
0:49:35 > 0:49:39which for three and a half weeks' work isn't too bad at all.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43But for the time being, the couple are looking at the rental market.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45I'd expect the property to achieve, as a rental,
0:49:45 > 0:49:49£475-£495 per calendar month.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52If this property was to go on the rental market,
0:49:52 > 0:49:57I would suggest a marketing price of £495 per calendar month.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01That top rental estimation would mean a yield of over 10%,
0:50:01 > 0:50:04which makes Ben and Emma's second go at buying at auction
0:50:04 > 0:50:06a resounding success.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10So, with baby Monty taking a well-earned nap, let's hear
0:50:10 > 0:50:13how Ben and Emma are feeling about property renovation now.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18It's good fun, I think. It's turned out OK.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22It's a nice flat, we've made a reasonable profit, if we sell it,
0:50:22 > 0:50:25or it's a good buy-to-let investment, so we're pretty happy.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35Back to Ealing, the queen of London suburbs now.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39Earlier, I saw a two-bed flat valued at £250,000 plus.
0:50:39 > 0:50:40But outside and inside,
0:50:40 > 0:50:44the flat reminded me of a time when shoulder pads, fingerless gloves
0:50:44 > 0:50:47and crimped hair were all the rage. I had them all.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51Yep, if you were a New Romantic, you'll remember it well.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56This flat is typical of the '80s era.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58But, back in this decade,
0:50:58 > 0:51:03Bal paid £311,000 for the property at auction.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07He planned to make this the family home for himself and his son, Tom,
0:51:07 > 0:51:10and it might be palatial, given his background.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14I was senior footman at Buckingham Palace.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17I had the privilege of travelling the world with Her Majesty the Queen.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Marvellous job and the loveliest job I've ever had.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23# Prince Charming, Prince Charming
0:51:23 > 0:51:27# Ridicule is nothing to be scared of... #
0:51:27 > 0:51:29No, there wasn't anything to be scared of,
0:51:29 > 0:51:33as Bal had experience renovating two properties before.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37Well, nothing except the less than princely sum of his budget.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41So, how much budget have you got to spend in here?
0:51:41 > 0:51:44- Nil.- You've got nothing? You spent all your money on auction day?
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Yes, I've got nothing left but I can work that one out somehow.
0:51:48 > 0:51:49Oh, dear.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53And somehow, he might have to factor in the renewal of the lease
0:51:53 > 0:51:57which only had 71 years left. That was a long-term issue.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02But how has he got on in the short term, namely six weeks on?
0:52:02 > 0:52:06From the outside, I can see those broken windows have been repaired,
0:52:06 > 0:52:07but what about inside?
0:52:19 > 0:52:21OK, so I know what you're thinking.
0:52:21 > 0:52:25Much of it looks the same, but this was a property
0:52:25 > 0:52:28where there was more subtle but essential work needed,
0:52:28 > 0:52:31as Bal explains.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36I have recarpeted, put a new boiler in,
0:52:36 > 0:52:39bought a washing machine, put a new bathroom in,
0:52:39 > 0:52:42got rid of the death trap in the cupboard which blew the fuse box.
0:52:42 > 0:52:43Death trap?
0:52:43 > 0:52:47There's a description you never want to hear about your electrics.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48So what happened?
0:52:48 > 0:52:50The electrical box was in a cupboard
0:52:50 > 0:52:54and it collected electricity at night, but it didn't work
0:52:54 > 0:52:59and it was connected somehow to the boiler which didn't work
0:52:59 > 0:53:01and the bathroom didn't work, so nothing worked.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04So, I've replaced the boiler,
0:53:04 > 0:53:07got rid of that storage thing in the cupboard.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11The electrics have been checked. I need to finish the painting.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15The kitchen sink has gone in, the oven now works.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18I'm changing the handles on the kitchen cupboards
0:53:18 > 0:53:20and I'm doing another coat of paint in there.
0:53:20 > 0:53:25I'm not sure what colour, but not lemon yellow. It was horrendous.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29I'm glad the flat's decor is coming into this decade.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33Bal reluctantly had to change the carpets, as they were beyond saving.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37I made a mistake with the measurements for the carpet in here,
0:53:37 > 0:53:41so they had to put an inset into this room, but it's OK.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44Bal's learning curve extended to the bathroom,
0:53:44 > 0:53:48where he decided to replace the bathroom suite.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50I made a mistake with the bathroom measuring.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53They put the floor down before I bought the new one so, of course,
0:53:53 > 0:53:58I had to put a little in-fill in there too, so it's not my forte.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00I've been quite hands-on with this project
0:54:00 > 0:54:03because I bought the bathroom suite with a friend of mine
0:54:03 > 0:54:05and she helped me -
0:54:05 > 0:54:08not that she knew anything about it either, but we helped each other.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11I now know a lot about sink traps and bath traps
0:54:11 > 0:54:14and shower attachments and I know what they're all called
0:54:14 > 0:54:18and so, if I ever have to do this again, I'll be a bit wiser.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21And he went two weeks over his timescale,
0:54:21 > 0:54:22due to waiting for tradespeople
0:54:22 > 0:54:25for the parts he couldn't do himself.
0:54:25 > 0:54:30So, now that tough question - how's that nonexistent budget looking?
0:54:30 > 0:54:32My original budget was zero,
0:54:32 > 0:54:38borrow as much as you can from friends, so I did.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41But then I borrowed a bit more, then I said,
0:54:41 > 0:54:44"Well, can you just pay for this for me, please?"
0:54:44 > 0:54:46So, now I've got to pay it back.
0:54:46 > 0:54:52I think, in total, I have spent probably about £7,000 or £8,000,
0:54:52 > 0:54:54which I think is reasonable.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56That's what friends are for,
0:54:56 > 0:54:59although I'd like to know your generous mates, Bal.
0:54:59 > 0:55:03Is the plan still for him and his son, Tom, to move in?
0:55:03 > 0:55:07Right now, I plan to finish this flat, then I could rent this out
0:55:07 > 0:55:10for six months and then wait until I start working,
0:55:10 > 0:55:13so either way, I think something will work.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15So, with that plan in mind,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Bal will be keen to know what rental figures he could get.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Time to ask two local estate agents
0:55:21 > 0:55:22their opinion of the property,
0:55:22 > 0:55:25starting with the agent who saw it the first time.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29I think the property now has improved substantially
0:55:29 > 0:55:33on what it first appeared when I originally inspected it.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Obviously, it'll be repainted, new doors.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39Nice to see the current owner has put a brand-new bathroom suite in
0:55:39 > 0:55:40to a very good standard.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43I think it would have been nice to have, perhaps, seen
0:55:43 > 0:55:47a new kitchen go in, however, it has been improved substantially.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50So, we've got a new boiler, new bathroom,
0:55:50 > 0:55:52new carpet and flooring, which is good.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56I can see there are a few areas that just need to be finished off.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59One outstanding issue is that short lease.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03Bal was advised it could cost around £17,000 to extend it.
0:56:03 > 0:56:08That would mean more borrowing. So, what would the agent advise?
0:56:08 > 0:56:11My advice would be to speak to the freeholder,
0:56:11 > 0:56:14find out how much the lease extension's going to cost,
0:56:14 > 0:56:16advertise the property with the full lease,
0:56:16 > 0:56:20so that you can get maximum exposure and the best price
0:56:20 > 0:56:23and then pay for the lease extension on the draw-up to exchange,
0:56:23 > 0:56:26so then he gets his money back for the lease extension,
0:56:26 > 0:56:30first-time buyers get a property with a long lease
0:56:30 > 0:56:33and they pay the going rate for the property in the local area.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36If he fails to do that, then the only people, really,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39who's going to be looking to purchase this property
0:56:39 > 0:56:41is going to be a cash buyer or an investor.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43If we include the cost of the lease,
0:56:43 > 0:56:47the total investment in this flat would come to £336,000.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50The agents think that, with that extension,
0:56:50 > 0:56:55it could sell for between £375-400,000.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58And that would mean Bal stands to make,
0:56:58 > 0:57:02based on that top figure, a pre-tax profit of £64,000.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04But Bal thinks he might rent
0:57:04 > 0:57:08so, leaving the lease cost aside for that calculation,
0:57:08 > 0:57:10what are those figures like?
0:57:11 > 0:57:14I would expect it to achieve somewhere in the region
0:57:14 > 0:57:17of £1,400 per calendar month.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19Rental expectation for the property
0:57:19 > 0:57:23would be in the region of £1,400-£1,500 per calendar month.
0:57:23 > 0:57:28It's a little higher than I thought, but if it could go for that,
0:57:28 > 0:57:30that would be great, if only for six months.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34At an average of £1,400 per calendar month,
0:57:34 > 0:57:36Bal would see a 5% yield.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40After renting for six months, they might move in -
0:57:40 > 0:57:43that is if the contractors get the painting finished.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46I will keep this for six months,
0:57:46 > 0:57:48possibly convert the flat that I'm living in,
0:57:48 > 0:57:52which doesn't belong to me, and stay there or move here
0:57:52 > 0:57:56or rent it for six months or sell it, if I can sort out the lease.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59I don't know what to do, but I'm doing something.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02Who knows? I might win the lottery!
0:58:06 > 0:58:08Have these stories struck a chord with you?
0:58:08 > 0:58:11Could you be inspired to take on a project of your own?
0:58:11 > 0:58:15Well, we will have more property auction buyers for you next time.
0:58:15 > 0:58:19- You never know, it could be you. - See you soon.- TOGETHER:- Goodbye.