0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Now there are all sorts of reasons why you might want to
0:00:05 > 0:00:07consider investing in property.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Yeah, but you'll need to be well prepared
0:00:09 > 0:00:11if you want the route to success to be a smooth one.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Yes, everybody loves a bargain,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16so why not try your local property auction?
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Thorough research into the property and the area is vital
0:00:45 > 0:00:47before you bid in the auction room.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Yeah, and that doesn't just mean a quick trawl of the internet.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53You've got to visit the property beforehand and read the legal pack.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Yeah. Were today's buyers as prepared as they should've been?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Let's find out what they bought.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03In Derby, it's the exterior of this house that is a cause for concern.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05So, is there a solution?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Of course there is.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13But in Nottingham, the problems with this property lie on the inside.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Get someone to look at it, get it sorted.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17I don't like that.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20Whereas in Kent,
0:01:20 > 0:01:25the signs don't bode well for this building's future.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28My fear is - will it ever be used again?
0:01:30 > 0:01:32All these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:35 > 0:01:37when they went under the hammer.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38It's gone.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46This is Mackworth, a rather leafy district of Derby.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Mackworth largely consists of an estate of over 3,000
0:01:54 > 0:01:58ex-local authority houses that were built in the 1950s.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02And they thought it through, with schools and shops
0:02:02 > 0:02:04and recreational areas.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Well, in the intervening 60 years,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08some of the properties have been sold off.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And what you've been left with is a really pleasant suburb
0:02:11 > 0:02:14with green spaces. Yeah. It's a good place to be.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21In fact, Mackworth has around 40 acres of open green space
0:02:21 > 0:02:25and parkland. And yet, it's only two miles from Derby city centre.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Well, up for auction with a guide price £65,000 was a
0:02:34 > 0:02:37three-bedroom semi on this little cul-de-sac.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Well, first thing you notice...
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Is it's what's called non-standard construction.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50And a dead giveaway, of course, is those concrete panels or blocks.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51Hey-ho.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54But before I go worrying about the construction,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56let's see what the inside has to offer.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59So let's focus just on the layout for now.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00What have we got?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Well, there's a reasonable sense of openness as you
0:03:03 > 0:03:04come in through the front door.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Very strange-looking heating thing going on there.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Really old-fashioned gas heater thing, I think.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12But it looks like we've got central heating as well.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Hmm. Bit strange.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Stairs up to your bedrooms there. And then through into the property.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Front living room there.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23But straightaway, I'm seeing too many walls.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27I mean, the house obviously needs walls, but not as many as it's got.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29I'll tell you why. This is the kitchen.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32And it just feels a little bit cramped.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34And then you come this way,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and you've got what was obviously originally the dining room.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- But... - HOLLOW THUD
0:03:39 > 0:03:42A wall there which feels like a stud partition.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44You've got another wall here.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Get rid of them. Open the whole thing up. Right.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51That would give such a great feeling when you walk into the house,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53cos at the moment, I...
0:03:53 > 0:03:56HE MUMBLES
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Which roughly translates to, "Nah, it's not working for me."
0:03:59 > 0:04:02# Walls come tumbling down
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- # Yes, they do - Yes, they do
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- # Yes, they do - Yes, they do... #
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Though it's a big job, I think
0:04:10 > 0:04:14getting rid of these walls would make a big difference.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And besides, there won't be so much to do upstairs
0:04:17 > 0:04:20as the layout works much better.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The two double bedrooms are in decent condition.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25As is the third.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Although you might be pushing it to call it anything other
0:04:28 > 0:04:30than a box room.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The bathroom and toilet are separate, and while I tend
0:04:33 > 0:04:37to like that, I know most people would prefer one big bathroom.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Outside, the garden does need a bit of TLC,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45but it's a good size and has a brick-built shed.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Talking of things brick-built, that reminds me.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Time for a history lesson.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55After the Second World War, when a lot of houses were destroyed
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and there was a huge demand for housing,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00houses needed to be built quickly, and they stumbled on,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03came across, decided on this way of construction,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05which was basically using concrete blocks
0:05:05 > 0:05:07to create houses that could be built quickly.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12They were relatively cheap to do. And this is a classic example of it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Basically, concrete panels form a skin on both sides
0:05:15 > 0:05:17around the metal frame.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20This particular house was built by a company called Unity.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23But lots of companies had their own versions.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Some 400,000 prefabricated,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28reinforced concrete houses were built.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Many were meant to have a lifespan of just 20 years.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Who would have guessed they would still be here today?
0:05:35 > 0:05:36So why is that a problem?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39They've lasted this long, won't they last a bit longer?
0:05:39 > 0:05:40Well, they probably will.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43However, some of them have started to deteriorate.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Let's face it, they weren't meant to last 50 years.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50They had basically metal rods often inside them,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and if water gets in at any point, if the concrete starts to fail
0:05:53 > 0:05:57or there are any cracks, then those reinforcing rods start to rust.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59That causes all sorts of problems.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01So, as a result,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05these properties more often than not become unmortgageable.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09They're not all unmortgageable. But it does create a bit of an issue.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13So you've got to know what you're buying. So, is there a solution?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Of course there is.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17For a start,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20not all non-standard construction properties are the same.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22So it's really important to know what you're buying.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25And a good local surveyor will probably be able to help.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29He'll be able to know what kind of construction was used in this area.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33But there is one generally acceptable way of resolving
0:06:33 > 0:06:36most of the problems which come with non-standard construction houses.
0:06:36 > 0:06:42And that is to add a layer of bricks on the exterior.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45That's exactly what's been done to this neighbouring property.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46So basically,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49what you do is you either just put a layer of bricks here
0:06:49 > 0:06:51or you take this off and replace it,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55leaving basically a skeleton of a house which you basically rebuild.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57That then makes the property re-mortgageable,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59you get a certificate, happy days.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Not doing any of that could mean getting a mortgage
0:07:03 > 0:07:05will be difficult.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09And my guess is, as it stands, this might be one for a cash buyer.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12So, with all that in the mix, we've asked a local estate agent along
0:07:12 > 0:07:16to give us an idea if this house, guided at 65,000,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18could still be worth a punt.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24With the thought of rental, if work is done just internally,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28we'd be looking at around £525 per calendar month.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32If they go the full extent and carry out the structural works,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36it won't be a great deal different. Perhaps £550 per calendar month.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39So, adding the brick skin doesn't give a huge
0:07:39 > 0:07:41difference in the rental valuation.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Could the property be sold on the open market?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46To sell the property onto the open market,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49it will need the structural external brick skin going on.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53And once that's completed, coupled with the internal works,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55it will be £125,000 or so.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Well, this could be a really nice family home.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Yes, it's non-standard construction.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06But that does mean you get a lot for your money.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08And as long as you know what you're buying,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10maybe you could be on for a good deal.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Let's see who went for this non-standard semi
0:08:13 > 0:08:15when it went under the hammer.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Lot 70 is next.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21An investment property with a good yield.
0:08:21 > 0:08:2365-plus. Start me on this.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25I'll be generous and say 62 to start me.
0:08:25 > 0:08:2662,000?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Who's got 60 for a three-bed semi?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31£60,000. It's worth more than that, really.
0:08:31 > 0:08:3360,000 to start me.
0:08:33 > 0:08:3660? 58? 58,000?
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Thank you. 58, I have bid here.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41At 58,000. 59 is bid at the back.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43£60,000.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46At 60. 61. 62.
0:08:46 > 0:08:4863. 64.
0:08:48 > 0:08:5165. 66.
0:08:51 > 0:08:5267?
0:08:52 > 0:08:5866,000 I have here. It's against you. At 66,000. 67 somewhere else?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01It's in the market, ladies and gentlemen. It's going to go.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03At £66,000. It's handy money.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06At 66,000 for the first time.
0:09:06 > 0:09:0966,000 for the second time.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Third opportunity. Final bid.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14At 66,000.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Sold at 66. Thank you.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20That successful bid of 66,000 was made by a rather delighted
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Anthea and her husband, Bill.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24As they were on holiday,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27their grandson, Rugni, came to meet me,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29along with family friend Matt.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30Rugni was also at the auction,
0:09:30 > 0:09:35but was that just for moral support or did he have a vested interest?
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Time for me to do a little digging.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- Rugni, Matt, great to meet you both. - Morning.- You too.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- Congratulations.- Thank you.- Tell me why you wanted to buy this place.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I've always either lived in one of my nan's properties
0:09:47 > 0:09:50or at my nan's house. And I've been trying to rent.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53But rather than waste money renting, my nan came up with a scheme, you
0:09:53 > 0:09:56know, investing money in a house and I mortgage it and buy it that way.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57- So this is your granny?- Yeah.- Oh!
0:09:57 > 0:09:59She went out and bought a house for me,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and now I'm buying it off her and such.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Fantastic. And how do you fit into this, Matt?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Well, I'm going to project manage it.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Do mainly the windows, joinery work, cosmetic work.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Are you family, friends, what? - Family. Friend of the family.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- It feels like a family.- Yeah, yeah. Might as well be.- Right.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- But you've got a bit of building experience?- Yeah, yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23I've been in the trade 22 years. We've been doing it for the last ten.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- And doing well, really.- Fantastic.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28So why this particular house, then?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Well, I work in Mickleover,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34it's literally less than a five-minute drive for myself.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- What do you do? - I'm a kitchen manager,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- but I've just recently been promoted to an area support chef.- Great!
0:10:40 > 0:10:44So it's even better that I'm near the A38, the M1, so I can travel.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46I've got to travel up to like, where is it,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Yes, we are not joking
0:10:50 > 0:10:53when we always say that good transport links can attract buyers.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57And it's this house's location that will make Chef Rugni's commuting
0:10:57 > 0:10:59so much easier.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01But I hope that wasn't their only consideration.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Did they know this house was of non-standard
0:11:04 > 0:11:06construction before they bought it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12I'm from off this estate, so I do know about the houses, yeah.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15There's only a few left now that's not been done.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Done, you mean as in...?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yeah, the outer skin being redone.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Right.- We've got an engineer coming from Bristol.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25He's going to manage it. And he just gives us a certificate
0:11:25 > 0:11:26when it's all done.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29And then it's mortgageable and you've added the value.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33What is the cost of doing just that, nothing else?
0:11:33 > 0:11:37For taking the bricks down and putting a new skin on, windows,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40we've had quotes of around 30 grand.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- OK.- And we think we can do it for about 20.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Great. By doing some of the work yourself?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Yeah, well, doing all the windows ourselves, the fascias, soffits.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51The builder is just coming in,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54taking the skin off and re-bricking it up.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56# And that perfect skin
0:11:58 > 0:12:01# And that perfect skin... #
0:12:01 > 0:12:05In a way, Rugni is future-proofing his house with its new skin
0:12:05 > 0:12:08as it will be mortgageable should he ever want to sell.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11But it's going to cost him at least £20,000.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15So what does he intend to do to the inside, and more importantly,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17will he have any budget left?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20This wall is going to be knocked out.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22The kitchen is going to be all open.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25It's south-facing so this is going to be like, well,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- a wee kitchen and diner. This wall here as well, knocked down.- Oh, wow.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32And then pushed back so this room itself will be a lot bigger.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- The garden is going to have French doors opening into it.- Nice.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39So it's all going to very big, open, a lot of space, basically.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Right, cos obviously being a chef,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43your kitchen's going to be quite important.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Yeah, kitchen's the most important.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Going to have some nice equipment in there.- Oh, really?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- What are you going to have? - Nice big oven.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Five gas burners and then lots of preparation space in areas,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55some decent cooking equipment.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Fantastic. And then what about upstairs?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Upstairs, it's obviously three bedrooms.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04There's me, my cousin, and a mate moving in.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06And then the bathroom, it's big.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Cos there's a wall in there separating the bathroom,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10and that will be knocked through.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12And then all modernised again.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Wow. So what's the budget in total?
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Overall, we're looking to get in at around 100 grand with the house.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Right, time for me to get my trusty calculator out.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The house was bought for 66 grand.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30£20,000 for the brick skin.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34That will give Rugni a budget of £14,000 for the interiors,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37if they want to keep that total spend below 100,000.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Rugni's hoping in about three months' time he'll be able to
0:13:41 > 0:13:44move in, while some of the work is still being finished.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47And he hopes he'll be cooking by gas in four to six months.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Is this something your granny has done before?
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Has she done it a lot?
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Yeah, she's got a couple of houses that she just buys from the auction,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59does them up and then obviously either rents them or sells them.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But this is the first one where a family member has moved into it.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Yeah.- After this, another project perhaps?
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Well, we'll see how things go.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11More than likely cos there is more Rugnis, you know what I mean?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The grandchildren are queueing up.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Good luck with it. - Thank you very much.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- We look forward to seeing how you get on.- Cheers.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21So, big plans for this little house,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23to make it mortgageable and liveable.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26How will that fantastic kitchen turn out?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28You can find out later in the show.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Nottingham is the birthplace for many great inventions,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39from bicycle gears to ibuprofen, as well as many more.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44The invention I like most from Nottingham is something
0:14:44 > 0:14:49I used to wear during my 22-year career. It's the shin pad.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54It was invented by Sam Weller Widdowson back in 1874.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Sam used to play a bit of cricket and he used to play a bit of football.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01During a cricket match, he thought, "I'm going to
0:15:01 > 0:15:05"chop these pads down into the size of pads that footballers can wear."
0:15:05 > 0:15:08All I can say to you, Sam, is, on behalf of all the footballers,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10thank you very much.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- # Can I kick it? - Yes, you can
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- # You can? - Yes, you can... #
0:15:15 > 0:15:18And there may have been some property developers
0:15:18 > 0:15:21in the past years who thought they needed some protection
0:15:21 > 0:15:23from the down-turning property prices.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26But with the new tram system being constructed for easy
0:15:26 > 0:15:28access into Nottingham town centre,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31this area at least certainly seems to be on the up.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34One good sign when you are looking for a property,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37if you see building work, as you can see behind me, it's probably
0:15:37 > 0:15:41a sign of investment and regeneration in that particular area.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Just a stone's throw away is the house I'm here to see.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49It's a two-bed mid-terrace house with a guide price of £80,000 to £85,000.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I'm going to take a look.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Right.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58We've come straight into the front room. Stairs at the back of the room.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Or is this the kitchen?
0:16:01 > 0:16:03No, it's definitely the living room.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08Through to the other reception room which, again, is a similar size.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Nice high ceilings as well.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12The kitchen is through here.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16You'd have to start again in there, but it's a nice, big space.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18But over here is this.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20A huge piece of damp.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Which looks pretty severe. Actually...
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Yeah. It does go up a long way.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31And you can see it flaking away there when I touch it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34So I think you'd have to go through the whole of this house to
0:16:34 > 0:16:37make sure it's not too bad. Get a damp course running through here.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Get someone to look at it. Get it sorted.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Don't like that.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Damp isn't unusual in a house of this age with no damp course.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47But it's worth also checking the guttering
0:16:47 > 0:16:51and the drains to make sure they're not the cause of the problem.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54For the most part, it requires the old plaster to be ripped off
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and a damp-proof membrane to be installed,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58then to have it replastered.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04But get it checked and sorted. It needs to be your number one priority.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06There's no point in putting in new flooring,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10installing a new kitchen, or painting walls until it's sorted.
0:17:10 > 0:17:11So get it done.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16So upstairs doesn't seem as straightforward as downstairs.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19They have a wet room just here.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23And then in here, you've got the water tank.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28And just here, you've got a bit of a void, a bit of a not-being-used room.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32But if you were to relocate the water tank in the corner,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35pop a door on here, it would
0:17:35 > 0:17:39give you a really nice size family bathroom with shower and bath.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41That's a bit of a no-brainer to me.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43And if you go down the hallway just that little bit more.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I've got to show you these quirky, or should I say this quirky radiator.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49It's sort of recessed into the wall,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52which gives you a bit more space down this narrow hallway.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56And then you get to the standard part of upstairs, the two bedrooms.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01I guess this was originally a three-bed house with
0:18:01 > 0:18:02an outside toilet.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05And one of the bedrooms has been converted into this
0:18:05 > 0:18:07wet room-cum-bathroom.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09To be honest, it's hard to see how you could change it back
0:18:09 > 0:18:12without ending up with a very tiny bedroom.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15And a very small bathroom.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16So I would stick with what's here
0:18:16 > 0:18:20and give this house the family bathroom it deserves.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23So, out in the back, small yard out here.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26But if you were to tidy it up, get rid of all this rubble
0:18:26 > 0:18:30and rubbish, you'd get a table and chairs in here no problem at all.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33If you wanted to create a bit more space, you can
0:18:33 > 0:18:37take out the old outside toilet and that storage cupboard there,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39which would give you another few metres.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And then I think you'd have a small but very pleasant back yard.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48OK, so it's not massive, but a few pot plants,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50decent garden furniture, a barbecue perhaps,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53and it could be made into somewhere pleasant to sit out in.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55# Oh sit down
0:18:55 > 0:18:56# Oh sit down
0:18:56 > 0:18:58# Oh sit down
0:18:58 > 0:19:01# Sit down next to me
0:19:01 > 0:19:05# Sit down, down, down, down, down... #
0:19:05 > 0:19:08But can the house as a whole be made into something that
0:19:08 > 0:19:11a prospective tenant can sit up and take notice of?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14What does a local property expert think of the house
0:19:14 > 0:19:15and the area it's in?
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Well, this property is based in The Meadows.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25There is a mix of private ownership
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and also council ownership properties.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I personally think it's under-rated.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It's very close to the city centre.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35There's a plethora of amenities nearby.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39And yes, I think it hasn't been fully appreciated so far.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Now that's music to my ears. Just as I thought.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44A potential up-and-coming area.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47But how is it best to maximise the house for the local market?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49If this was my property,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I would certainly address the shower room area.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Convert it into an open-plan bathroom.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56You've got plenty of space there.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Get rid of the airing cupboard. Have a combination boiler.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01And obviously have a new kitchen.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Far more improved central heating system, new windows,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06and just give it a really good spruce.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10But will it be worth all the effort on a house that was
0:20:10 > 0:20:13guided at £80,000 to £85,000?
0:20:13 > 0:20:17I see this property, once fully modelled and completed,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20and also once the travel links have been completed, you're
0:20:20 > 0:20:24looking at this property within the region of £110,000 to £115,000.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26With regards to the rental market,
0:20:26 > 0:20:31you're looking within the region of £450 to £475 per calendar month.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So who wanted to get their thinking cap on and the wheels in motion,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and take on that damp in what otherwise should be a pretty
0:20:40 > 0:20:42straightforward transformation?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Let's go to auction to find out.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Lot 28, ladies and gentlemen.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52A lot of interest in this lovely,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54traditional, two-bed, terraced house.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58It is freehold with possession. Start me at 80 for it.
0:20:58 > 0:21:0170 then, surely. 70 I've got. Straight in at 70.
0:21:01 > 0:21:0472 for it. 72. 74. 76.
0:21:04 > 0:21:0778. At 80.
0:21:07 > 0:21:0980. 82 for us anywhere?
0:21:09 > 0:21:14At 81 I will take. 81. 82? 82. 83?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19No? At £82,000. I'll take half to help.
0:21:19 > 0:21:2182,500. 83.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26No? All finished with it then? Third row at £82,500.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I'm going to sell it then. First time on it.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Second time. Third and last chance at only 82,500.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35That is yours, sir.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38And that's bid of £82,500 was made by Ed.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Ed is a property developer but has bought the house as a joint
0:21:43 > 0:21:46project with his friend Michael who works in finance.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51They both join me back at the property to tell me their plans.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Michael, nice to meet you. Congratulations.- Thanks.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55- Same to you, Ed.- Thanks.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58What made you go into the property world, the two of you?
0:21:58 > 0:22:03I first started when I was 25. Just given advice to invest in property.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06So I went into buy-to-let.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09I finished uni when I was about 23.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I had a bit of money to invest, so I just bought a house.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17It was right at the start of a real bad time, so I found buying
0:22:17 > 0:22:20really easy then cos you could pick things up so cheaply.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Did one just by itself, and I've been doing that ever since.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27OK. And how long is this business relationship?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Oh, it is the first property we've done together.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- This is your first one? - Together, yeah.- First venture?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Ed has helped me with mine in the past when I have asked him
0:22:35 > 0:22:38for advice, but this is the first time we've actually
0:22:38 > 0:22:39put our money together and done a project.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42What attracted you both to this area in particular?
0:22:42 > 0:22:44You must have done your research and why it's going to work.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Both very local to here, we live just across the river.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50We found a lot of our friends around our age are buying in this area
0:22:50 > 0:22:52because you get so much more house for your money.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55I think the area as a whole has changed quite dramatically
0:22:55 > 0:22:57over the last few years.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01It is attracting a new type of buyer or tenant as well.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Their land for the house is a long-term rental.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07But what are they going to do to entice this new
0:23:07 > 0:23:10type of tenant to come and live in their two-bed terrace?
0:23:12 > 0:23:14It's just very simple.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Strip it back, get all the wallpaper back
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and re-plaster complete throughout.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21We'll probably carpet in here, strip the floor back down there.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22I've already bought a fireplace,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25an original fireplace to go back in the front room.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26New kitchen, new bathroom.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28We won't really do anything structural
0:23:28 > 0:23:31apart from the strange bathroom that is upstairs.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Just kind of create a small cupboard,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35so we'll knock that through and that will be a really,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38really big bathroom for a house this size.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- You've got a bit of a damp issue, obviously.- Oh, yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42I mean, these houses always do.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45I've got guys who have been doing damp course for me for years
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and years, so they will probably be in tomorrow,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49hacking the walls off, and it will be done.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50How long will this all take?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Be disappointed if we don't do it in three months.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Work-wise, you would probably get it done in six weeks
0:23:55 > 0:23:57but it is just getting everybody in.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00How much is it going to cost you chaps to turn this around?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Looking at about 10,000 to 12,000, I think.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06If it was me, we'd be going a lot more,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08which is why Ed is taking control.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10So, why a difference of opinion? What is your thinking, Ed?
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Michael loves to spend money.- OK. - Whereas I know that I can...
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Because I've been doing this, I know what things should cost,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20whereas Michael likes more extravagant things.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22And your thinking is?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24I'm thinking that Ed makes a lot of sense right now.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26ALL LAUGH
0:24:26 > 0:24:30# You and I You and I too. #
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Wise man, Michael.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34There is no doubt between the two of them
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Ed has the most experience in this type of extensive renovation.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41He also has the contacts in the building trade to get the job done,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44and more importantly, at the right price.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48But I was wondering, how hands-on are they going to be?
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Initially, I'll be doing all the stripping, ripping out.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54I'll be making Michael pull his weight as well.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56There was silence there.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Ed, when you said you're going to get Michael involved.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Nothing to talk him out?
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- I've been known to be unable to put a picture on the wall.- Ah.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- So this will be a learning experience for me as well.- OK.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- It's that hammer and pin lark. It's hard work, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12It's harder than you think.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15So, Ed, when you start, where you get the guys in first and then you
0:25:15 > 0:25:17do your bit, or will you start stripping, then they'll come in?
0:25:17 > 0:25:19- Tell us...- No...
0:25:19 > 0:25:21First of all, I just rip everything out.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23That will probably only take two or three days.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Bit of excitement there in his voice,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Michael, ripping things out, bit of aggression there.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29He did say I was allowed to help with that as well.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- Which I think you'll be fine. - Yeah, I can do that.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34With the frame like that, mate, I think it'll go down well, to be fair.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36- Michael, nice to meet you.- And you. - Well done, pal.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- Ed, good luck.- Thank you.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Michael and Ed seem pretty competent and committed
0:25:42 > 0:25:44in what they want to achieve on this project.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Ed has got seven years' experience,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48so that should stand them in good stead.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52Big question is, can Ed keep a lid on Michael's spending?
0:25:52 > 0:25:54You can find out how they get on later in the programme.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Coming up, I'm exploring the Kent coast,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and I think I found a real treasure.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06It's definitely a development opportunity in the making.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08We returned to Nottingham to find out how Ed
0:26:08 > 0:26:10and Michael's relationship is going.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15We often had many discussions over a pint where we sorted everything out.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23But first, it is a return to the Mackworth area of Derby,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26where we came across a three-bed house.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28From the off, it was clear that this wasn't
0:26:28 > 0:26:30a standard construction property.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34In fact, built after the Second World War in the early 1950s,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37this unity construction of block concrete
0:26:37 > 0:26:41and steel frame had potential corrosion issues,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43which unfortunately, compromised its value
0:26:43 > 0:26:46and ideally would need a new outer skin.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51What you do is you either just put a layer of bricks here,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54or you take this off and replace it, leaving basically
0:26:54 > 0:26:58a skeleton of a house, which you basically rebuild.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00That then makes the property re-mortgageable,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02you get the certificate... Happy days.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07And although obviously a big and costly job, in fact,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10with a good internal space, three bedrooms and a large garden,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13this house was perhaps worth the time and money.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17Sold at 66. Thank you.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22And it was bought at auction for £66,000 by Anthea
0:27:22 > 0:27:23and her husband, Bill.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26But it was their grandson, Rugni, and the family
0:27:26 > 0:27:30friend and window fitter Matt who met me back at the house.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I lived in one of my nan's properties or at my nan's house.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35And I've been trying to rent, but rather than waste money
0:27:35 > 0:27:38renting, my nan has come up with this scheme, you know,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40invest her money in a house and I mortgage it and buy it that way.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Oh, great. So this is your granny?- Yeah.- Oh.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45She's bought a house for me and I'm buying it off her and such.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Fantastic. And how do you fit into this, Matt?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Yeah, well, I'm going to project manage it.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Do mainly the windows, joinery work, cosmetic work.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57And we've got builders coming to do the outer skin.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Granny Anthea has stumped up the cash
0:28:01 > 0:28:03until the property becomes mortgageable.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Then, Rugni can take it over.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07And with a helping hand from Matt to oversee
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and do some of the building work,
0:28:10 > 0:28:14trained chef Rugni hoped, with a £35,000 budget
0:28:14 > 0:28:16and a timescale of six months,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18he could have his first new home.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And now, just over seven months later, we've returned to see
0:28:22 > 0:28:24whether it has got a more modern exterior.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Well, take a look at that. Isn't it looking great?
0:28:35 > 0:28:38# I love your skin
0:28:38 > 0:28:40# And what's within
0:28:42 > 0:28:43# I love you. #
0:28:45 > 0:28:48I sure do. Just look at that kitchen!
0:28:50 > 0:28:55The wall behind us, we knocked that down and moved it over three foot.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57- Four foot.- Four foot.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59That has made the front room smaller,
0:28:59 > 0:29:01this kitchen/dining room larger.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Cos it is south-facing as well, so we've got lots of light in here.
0:29:04 > 0:29:05I guess being a chef,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08the kitchen space was always going to be important to Rugni.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11And it is certainly quite impressive,
0:29:11 > 0:29:15with new patio doors which lead out onto a much-improved garden area.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28Upstairs, we knocked the bathroom through so it is one large bathroom.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30The bedrooms, we made the smaller one bigger
0:29:30 > 0:29:33and the bigger one just slightly smaller but still a decent size.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Still got double beds in both of them.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Upstairs, the bedrooms are looking great
0:29:42 > 0:29:45and have been finished off to a high standard.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54And the bathroom is really quite swish
0:29:54 > 0:29:56and now even has room for a shower.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59I think the finished article is fantastic.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02But this really was a renovation from the ground upwards.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07# I love your skin. #
0:30:07 > 0:30:11We dug out - I think it was 600 mil deep -
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and widened the foundation.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Put steel reinforcing bars in.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18Then once that set,
0:30:18 > 0:30:23we took all the outer skin off and started re-bricking it up.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27At one stage, this house wasn't much more than a shell.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30And then bit by bit, it has been built.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33# Build you together again. #
0:30:34 > 0:30:37But apart from the main structural work which was carried
0:30:37 > 0:30:40out by builders, who else was involved?
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Well, Matt was project manager.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46We have had lots of friends and family help, and my nan as well.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50She has drove a lot as well with kind of helping me with ideas
0:30:50 > 0:30:51and everything how to put it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55But again, Matt and friends and family have massively drove this.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Well, there is no doubting they've all done a brilliant job
0:31:00 > 0:31:03and given Rugni a fantastic new home of his own.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I moved in not so long ago.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10The plan was to, you know, one of my mates
0:31:10 > 0:31:12and my brother wanted to move in with me.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15But to be honest, it's, you know, it's so cosy and I'm thinking
0:31:15 > 0:31:18of just living in it by myself for a while,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21just to see what the outcome if it is, really.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24It's a nice little spot around here. It's wicked.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Well, they do say you can have too many cooks in the kitchen,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31so maybe it is a wise move to keep the space for himself,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34if he can afford it that is.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39So, budget was 35 and we have gone over budget.
0:31:39 > 0:31:40- Not massively.- No.
0:31:40 > 0:31:4347,000 we spent in total.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46But that is because we didn't expect to do the garden or the roof.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Especially with the interior, we didn't think we would put
0:31:49 > 0:31:51as much stuff in it as we have.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58A £47,000 spend on top of the £66,000 purchase price takes a total
0:31:58 > 0:32:03cost here to £113,000.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07But what do two local estate agents make of this new look house?
0:32:07 > 0:32:09First, the agent who saw it last time.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14The work that has gone into the property - both structurally,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18dealing with some of the concerns, and the aesthetics - is super.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20This is the first time I visited this house,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24and I must say that the standard of work carried out is fantastic.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Every property will have its limits in any particular area.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30The owners here really have taken it to the extreme,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32and it is as good as it gets.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35The only drawback to me with the whole house is
0:32:35 > 0:32:37the size of the living room, which is quite small.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40But I think that in the kitchen,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43it would be quite easy to move a piece of the worktop
0:32:43 > 0:32:45to create more space.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50Well, perhaps some minor changes could be done, but this house
0:32:50 > 0:32:53has really been designed and laid out how Rugni wanted it.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55And it seems to work for him.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58But has it worked as an investment
0:32:58 > 0:33:01with £113,000 spent on the property?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03If the property were to be sold at the moment,
0:33:03 > 0:33:07I'd expect it to fetch somewhere between £135,000 and £140,000.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10I would suggest the property, if it were offered for sale,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14would make a sale price of around £150,000.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16A lot better than what we thought, to be honest with you.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Yeah, definitely. We thought we were capped at 125.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22But you're not going to sell it anyway, are you?
0:33:22 > 0:33:24No, definitely going to keep it for myself.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Yes, there may be no plans to sell,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29but along with a potential pre-tax
0:33:29 > 0:33:34profit of £22,000 to 37,000 on the resale market, the agents
0:33:34 > 0:33:38thought rental values of £600 per calendar month would be possible.
0:33:38 > 0:33:44So, like its new brick structure, it now is a very solid investment.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46And with the house now mortgageable,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Rugni will have to start paying back his grandparents.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53But what do they think of their investment?
0:33:54 > 0:33:56My grandparents, yep, they love it.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Especially the garden, they love, because it is south-facing.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01They can come out here and just enjoy the sun.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03They're thrilled with the house as well.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Today, I'm off to an island on the Kent coast.
0:34:09 > 0:34:1336 square miles of the Isle of Sheppey to be precise.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15I'm in the pretty village of Eastchurch.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19The property I'm here to see is on the east side of this rural village.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22It used to be a club and institute.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25The building stands on about half an acre of land,
0:34:25 > 0:34:30and it was up for sale with a guide price of £150,000 to 160,000.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35And this formal social club at one time would have been
0:34:35 > 0:34:38an important village gathering point
0:34:38 > 0:34:40with, no doubt, many a wedding reception,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44kid's party and anniversary dance held here.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46A place full of memories.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50But it does seem that echoes of its past still linger on.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Well, it really smells of stale beer and smoke in here.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58So, this has been the old local social club of the area. Wow!
0:34:58 > 0:35:01For many, many years, it would have been full of working men and their
0:35:01 > 0:35:06families playing darts over there, having a game of snooker over here.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08Somewhere just to relax and have some fun.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Order a few pints over here at the bar.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Wow. Got the manager's office just here, full of stuff.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Look, the fruit machine would have sat there.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21It would have been heaving in its heyday,
0:35:21 > 0:35:23despite the fact there are a couple of pubs just along the road.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Now...
0:35:26 > 0:35:28..you can hear a pin drop.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31They might say silence is golden, but not in this case.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35# Sounds of silence. #
0:35:35 > 0:35:38I think its golden days have long passed.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Though one thing that does continue on is the size of this building.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Now, the huge entertaining space through here.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Now, from what I can fathom, kids were allowed in this part.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55You've got the bar here. I mean, the room is just massive.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56You've got the dance floor.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58See, this is where I would usually end up.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01But, look, you can see the old parquet...
0:36:01 > 0:36:02Look, it's all been lifted.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05It hasn't been used for many, many years.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08My fear is, will it ever be used again?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Well, I do like a good dance.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13# Dance all days, love. #
0:36:13 > 0:36:16There is plenty of room to strut your funky stuff in here.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17# Dance all days. #
0:36:18 > 0:36:21But, come on, let's stop sidestepping around the issue.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26This place really is unlikely to be viable as a social club.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30It is the site and the land that are much more interesting.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35Follow me and have a look at this for a view.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Wow! That is the local cricket ground.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43Now, wouldn't it be lovely to look out onto that?
0:36:43 > 0:36:47You've got all this space along here to accommodate cars to park.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50I think it is definitely a development opportunity
0:36:50 > 0:36:53in the making because I certainly can't see any more
0:36:53 > 0:36:56weddings or discos going on inside here.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Do you agree?
0:36:58 > 0:37:03# Is this the end of the road? #
0:37:04 > 0:37:07And the answer surely is yes.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Times change and I reckon a new development would be
0:37:10 > 0:37:11good for the village as a whole.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13But what would be the best option?
0:37:15 > 0:37:19We asked along a local estate agent to tell us what she thought.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22There are stacks of positives to this plot.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26First of all, Eastchurch has a real community spirit to the village.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Everyone kind of knows everybody, and everybody is there to help out.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32There is a great deal of interest with the island at the moment.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34There is a lot of movement on the island from London,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36suitable midway towns
0:37:36 > 0:37:39and we are absolutely crying out for new properties.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Absolutely, this would not be any reason why this wouldn't get
0:37:42 > 0:37:43planning commission.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46OK, well, that really is encouraging. Planning commission.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48For what, though?
0:37:48 > 0:37:53I would see between seven and ten three-bedroom houses.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56These days, the average build cost of a three-bed house
0:37:56 > 0:37:58is in excess of £100,000.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02So, with seven houses and with what was a guide price of
0:38:02 > 0:38:04£150,000 to £160,000 for the plot,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08could you actually get any return for the site if you did develop it?
0:38:09 > 0:38:10In the current market,
0:38:10 > 0:38:16I see these houses achieving between £165,000 and £175,000.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18So, get that planning permission
0:38:18 > 0:38:20and there might be a sizable return here.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Would they have much rental value?
0:38:22 > 0:38:23For rental purposes,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I see these houses achieving £750 per calendar month.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34So, a former social club which has clearly seen better days with
0:38:34 > 0:38:38a lack of demand, leading to its inevitable demise.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41But what now for this huge space?
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Houses? I think so.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48You can see what happened when this place went under the hammer.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54We have the former Eastchurch club premises,
0:38:54 > 0:38:55possible redevelopment.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57And as you can see, it is a big site.
0:38:57 > 0:39:03Can I see 150 anywhere? Give me 140 then. 140 I'm obliged. 140 I have.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06At 140 I've got. And five now, do I say.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09145. 150. Is that a bid? 150.
0:39:09 > 0:39:14And five, 155 if you like. 155, 160.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17160. And five. 70.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20After a bit of a slow start, things really hotted up.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24We rejoin the bidding at 195,000.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Fresh bidder. 195,000.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28198. 198.
0:39:28 > 0:39:34200. 200. And two. 202. 203.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39204. 204. 205. 205?
0:39:39 > 0:39:43No? At 204,000, second row back. Five I am looking for.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Are we all done at 204,000 for the first time?
0:39:46 > 0:39:49£204,000 unless you come back with your hand in the air
0:39:49 > 0:39:51for the second time.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Third and final time at 204,000.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Yours at 204,000, sir.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58And your number please?
0:39:58 > 0:40:01So, after a real battle out of sight of our cameras,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05the successful bid of 204,000 came from Chris, who is on the left,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and Dave, a property duo who we have met before.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14Dave has a background in finance while Chris has many years building
0:40:14 > 0:40:18experience, and they came together as business partners a couple of
0:40:18 > 0:40:22years ago and have since built and developed a number of properties.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25So, I was interested to know what their plans
0:40:25 > 0:40:28were for the former Eastchurch social club.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Dave and Chris, we meet again. Lovely to see you.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Did you view this property prior to auction?
0:40:35 > 0:40:36We walked around the outside.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38I don't think you saw it, did you?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- No, I didn't. - So, what was it that took your eye?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Why did you want to buy this on auction day?
0:40:42 > 0:40:45What we do a lot of the time is we look for the land now.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48We don't look at the club. I mean, the club is semi-irrelevant to us.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51We look at what is around it, the surroundings and all,
0:40:51 > 0:40:52what is behind it.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55So here there is a big cricket pavilion right behind,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58so we are thinking if we knocked down the club and do houses,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00they've got a lovely view out the back. And it is just huge.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02It is almost half an acre.
0:41:02 > 0:41:03This is a commercial property,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06obviously going to need to get change of use for this.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07What are your plans? Are you going to turn it
0:41:07 > 0:41:09into something residential?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Yeah, definitely. We've already gone in with a set of plans.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14We've gone for a terraced seven, three bedrooms with parking
0:41:14 > 0:41:17out in the car...the original car park for the club.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19See what the planners say.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Well, that sounds like the ideal scheme.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24But planning is likely to take ten to 12 weeks.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27And with other projects on the go, they don't anticipate doing
0:41:27 > 0:41:30anything to the site until they've got the green light.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33If you get the go-ahead,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36how long do you think it's going to take you to do the actual project?
0:41:36 > 0:41:41It really depends if we decide to the project. This is where we...
0:41:41 > 0:41:43humming and hawing about at the moment.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Do we get a site like this, get planning consent
0:41:45 > 0:41:48and the see what we would get on the market?
0:41:48 > 0:41:49That would be our first option.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Would you consider putting it back in auction with planning permission?
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- Yeah.- Tell me.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56It would be good to build some things and, you know, you can get
0:41:56 > 0:41:58these timber-framed houses,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00so that is what we're looking at, at the moment.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04There's a local company who do these five-meter wide two-storey
0:42:04 > 0:42:06straight three, one room in the attic,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- and they can go up within a month. - Wow.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- Just for the timber frame.- That is incredible. That is so quick.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15It's so quick, but it is just an economic equation, you know?
0:42:15 > 0:42:18What can we make money from? How long is our money tied up for?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And that means you've got to fund it as well.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Yeah. Well, this is it because banks will lend, but you have to own it
0:42:24 > 0:42:26without a charge and you have to have planning.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30So we are financing the initial leg of that,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32but then we need more finance to come in.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35You know, a friend of mine has come in on this as well,
0:42:35 > 0:42:36and he is investing.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Do you fancy doing the project or do you think it will be much
0:42:39 > 0:42:41easier and safer to flip it?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- You do.- Chris, what do you want to do?
0:42:44 > 0:42:48I'm either way, really. The project, I think, is a fairly easy build.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50The site is clean.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Demolition isn't really a problem.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54I don't think there's any contamination,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57i.e. asbestos or anything like that. It's too young for that.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59So, the build itself would be relatively easy.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03Whereas, you know, my view is you can do a build, which is fine,
0:43:03 > 0:43:04but your money is tied up longer.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Whereas if you do three projects here and you stagger them,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11the cash is coming back, you're building up your asset in cash terms
0:43:11 > 0:43:12and you can flip it, you know?
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- Are you sort of disagreeing a bit on this one?- No, no.- No.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- We'll just have a pint and we'll work it out.- Oh, boring!
0:43:19 > 0:43:23- I thought you wanted it, you didn't.- No, we're not...
0:43:23 > 0:43:27To be honest, we'll do whatever is economically sensible.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31If we build them, great, we build them.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Well, you can see where each of their passions lie.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Dave used to work in finance
0:43:35 > 0:43:38and Chris worked in the building trade before they got together.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41So it is not hard to see how this partnership works so well.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44And so successfully.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47So, let's get back to that build or not to build conundrum.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50What do you think you'd get for something like this with planning?
0:43:50 > 0:43:52- So, all-in costs versus what we could sell it for?- Yes.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54You know, if we can turn 50k on it, I'd...
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Cos if you are doing this on a regular basis,
0:43:57 > 0:44:00a lot of 50ks build up.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02So, yeah, I mean, you know, if our all-in costs on here
0:44:02 > 0:44:05is going to be 208 to buy,
0:44:05 > 0:44:10let's say it's 220 grand, 225 to get us the planning.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14Yeah, if we sell it for 300-odd then that is an easy turnaround.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17Just from commercial to residential, you've earned yourselves 50 grand
0:44:17 > 0:44:20- for not having all the hassle of building the houses.- Yeah.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22And we haven't got paint all over ourselves for months.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- Exactly. You like to keep clean, I know you do, Dave.- Yes, I do.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27So, it's pleasant.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29It's been such a pleasure meeting you both again.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33I'm really excited to find out, do we see the houses,
0:44:33 > 0:44:35- do we see it back in the next auction?- Yeah.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38- Good luck with it all.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Take care.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40Thank you.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43So, we meet again.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47Ex-banker Dave and carpenter Chris, well, they certainly make up
0:44:47 > 0:44:51a great team to bring this project together whatever the outcome.
0:44:51 > 0:44:55But will they get planning for those seven houses or will
0:44:55 > 0:45:00they sell with planning? Or will they build the houses themselves?
0:45:00 > 0:45:02It's all up in the air.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05You can find out what the outcome is later in the programme.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10We've seen how everything turned out for our first buyer,
0:45:10 > 0:45:14- but what about the others?- Ooh, was it a bumpy ride?- I wonder, Lucy.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Let's see how they got on.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22The Meadows area of Nottingham certainly looks like it's
0:45:22 > 0:45:25going places, with a soon-to-be finished tram line taking you
0:45:25 > 0:45:26directly to the centre.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33And it was here where I first came across a two-bed terraced house,
0:45:33 > 0:45:37slightly dilapidated, a bit run down and certainly had some damp issues.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41This property needed some attention to get it back on track.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45But in an up-and-coming area, it suddenly had long-term
0:45:45 > 0:45:47investment material written all over it.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49That is yours, sir.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53It was bought for £82,500 by friends Ed and Michael,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56as their first joint property investment.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58Ed is an experienced property developer,
0:45:58 > 0:46:01having done refurbishment work for seven years.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06Michael's expertise lay more in finance.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09So each of them brought something different to the table.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13So, initially, I'll be doing all the stripping, ripping out.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16I'll be making Michael pull his weight as well.
0:46:16 > 0:46:17There was silence there, Ed,
0:46:17 > 0:46:19when you said you're going to get Michael involved.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21Nothing to talk him out? Nothing?
0:46:21 > 0:46:23I've been known to be unable to put a picture on the wall.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- Ahh.- So this will be a learning experience for me as well.- OK.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32So, this might not be a perfectly balanced partnership,
0:46:32 > 0:46:35but Ed was hoping that the combination of tradesmen,
0:46:35 > 0:46:37his know-how and Michael's, um,
0:46:37 > 0:46:41picture-hanging skills, they could get the house ready for the rental
0:46:41 > 0:46:45market in just three months and on a ten to 12 grand budget.
0:46:47 > 0:46:51And now, just over 3.5 months later, we've returned with Ed
0:46:51 > 0:46:53and Michael to check on progress.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01Yes, it is looking good with new doors and windows.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03Nice touch with the hanging baskets, lads.
0:47:10 > 0:47:14Inside, the wood flooring certainly gives it a welcoming feel.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20And they've put some character back into the rear reception room
0:47:20 > 0:47:22with a traditional fireplace.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24But perhaps the biggest change here isn't
0:47:24 > 0:47:27what they have added, it is what they have got rid of.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30We had rising damp down here and penetrating from some
0:47:30 > 0:47:33historical bad guttering where rainwater had just been coming in.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37So, the whole of this section had to be taken right back to brick,
0:47:37 > 0:47:38injected all the way around here
0:47:38 > 0:47:42and then rendered in a waterproof sand and cement.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45So, that was probably the biggest bit of damp-proofing we did.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48So, with the damp sorted, they could tackle the rest of the house.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51There is now a stylish, modern kitchen.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59While upstairs, the two bedrooms benefit from new paintwork
0:47:59 > 0:48:00and flooring.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10But up here, it is the bathroom that has the most impressive change.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14So, in the bathroom, we opened it all up.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18There was a room here with a door with the hot water tank.
0:48:18 > 0:48:19We took all of that out.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22It gave us a big space so we added a nice bath,
0:48:22 > 0:48:25which of course we have tiled all the way around.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27Shower in the corner.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29All in all, we are absolutely delighted
0:48:29 > 0:48:30with the finish of the bathroom.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36Well, great minds do think alike. Opening up the bathroom is fantastic.
0:48:36 > 0:48:37I like it.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39And remember the outside space,
0:48:39 > 0:48:41which I reckon could be turned into somewhere pleasant to sit.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Well, it is spot on the money again. It looks brilliant.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54But try as I might, I can't see any pictures on the wall, Michael.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56So, how much was he involved?
0:48:56 > 0:48:59Everyone likes to have a joke about the fact I can't do anything,
0:48:59 > 0:49:01so I thought I might as well learn.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04So, we started off ripping the kitchen out, which was
0:49:04 > 0:49:05actually really good fun.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08With the wallpaper stripping, started off quite fun
0:49:08 > 0:49:13and then after probably three, four, five, six days, got very tedious.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15The main thing, I was asking a lot of questions.
0:49:15 > 0:49:20# There are more questions than answers
0:49:21 > 0:49:25# And the more I find out The less I know. #
0:49:27 > 0:49:29Well, hopefully Michael has learned from his experience.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33One question I had for Ed was, what was it like working with
0:49:33 > 0:49:36a business partner having gone solo for so many years?
0:49:37 > 0:49:40It took a bit of getting used to just having to run every decision
0:49:40 > 0:49:42through somebody else, whereas I have never,
0:49:42 > 0:49:44ever had to do that before.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47But, I mean, we always managed to find an answer to every problem,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49didn't we? And come to an agreement.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Yeah, but we often had many discussions over
0:49:52 > 0:49:55a pint where we sorted everything out.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57That sounds like the way forward, boys.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00But did they stick to their agreed ten to 12 grand budget?
0:50:02 > 0:50:05It came in at about 15 now.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09But we have increased the spec with a view of me possibly moving in
0:50:09 > 0:50:10in maybe six months.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Now that is a bit of a curveball. I wasn't expecting that.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19But I can see this being a great home for Ed.
0:50:19 > 0:50:20And if he does move in,
0:50:20 > 0:50:23then he will pay Michael his share of the rental income.
0:50:23 > 0:50:25But what will that be?
0:50:25 > 0:50:29We asked along two local estate agents to assess the work done here.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35My first impressions of the property are it is...it's been done very,
0:50:35 > 0:50:36very well.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39It is nice to see some more features like the fireplace
0:50:39 > 0:50:41and the cornice coving in some of the rooms.
0:50:41 > 0:50:42Yeah, it is good.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44The property is very nice. It's very spacious.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46It's been nicely refurbished.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48I particularly like the bathroom and kitchen.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52There's an old adage that bathrooms and kitchens sell properties,
0:50:52 > 0:50:54so it is good to see that the owner has spent time
0:50:54 > 0:50:56and effort getting those two areas right.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01The plan here is to rent the house out, possibly to Ed.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03But how does it fare as an investment?
0:51:03 > 0:51:07Their total spend now is standing at £97,500.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11I see the value of the property being in the region
0:51:11 > 0:51:17of £105,000 to £110,000.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20I would look to market this property at £110,000.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23One around the corner just sold for 130,000.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26That was a three bed, so I'd be minimum 150.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29I'd be very, very confident we would get that within a week.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33Well, some disagreement about values,
0:51:33 > 0:51:39but even the £105,000 would see a small profit of 7,500.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41But do the rental figures match up to their expectations?
0:51:42 > 0:51:45The rental market, they would be looking to
0:51:45 > 0:51:50achieve in the region of £500 to £525 per calendar month.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53I would look to market this property for a rental value
0:51:53 > 0:51:55of £550 per calendar month.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Yeah, that's also very poor.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00We've literally this morning spoken to somebody and agreed 650.
0:52:01 > 0:52:05OK, well, 650 per calendar month would see a rental
0:52:05 > 0:52:09yield of around 8%, so whoever the tenant turns out to be,
0:52:09 > 0:52:11that is a good return on their investment.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16But did they experience any ups and downs working together?
0:52:18 > 0:52:19I think we had a mixture of both.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22We've had arguments which end in laughter.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Arguments which end in a meeting with a beer which end up with
0:52:25 > 0:52:26a really good night out.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28I think like with any relationship in business,
0:52:28 > 0:52:30it is healthy to have disagreements.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33Yeah, it's just how you overcome them, and we are fine.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Still friends now.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38HE LAUGHS
0:52:44 > 0:52:46It was on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent that we first
0:52:46 > 0:52:51came across a former social club that was well past its sell-by date.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Sitting on half an acre of land,
0:52:53 > 0:52:56it did offer some real development possibilities,
0:52:56 > 0:52:59and that potential was spotted by familiar faces to
0:52:59 > 0:53:01Homes Under The Hammer Dave and Chris,
0:53:01 > 0:53:04who bought it for it 204,000.
0:53:06 > 0:53:08They were looking to get planning permission for seven
0:53:08 > 0:53:10houses on the site.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14Whether they build them or just sold the site on with planning permission
0:53:14 > 0:53:15was still up for discussion.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Do you fancy doing the project, or do you think it will be much
0:53:20 > 0:53:22easier and safer to flip it?
0:53:22 > 0:53:25- You do. - Chris, what do you want to do?
0:53:25 > 0:53:28I'm either way, really. The project, I think, is a fairly easy build.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32The site is clean. Demolition isn't really a problem.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36Whereas my view is, you can do a build which is fine,
0:53:36 > 0:53:37but your money is tied up longer.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40Whereas if you do three projects a year and you stagger them,
0:53:40 > 0:53:42the cash is coming back, you're building up your asset.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46- You can flip it, you know...- Are you sort of disagreeing on this one?
0:53:46 > 0:53:49- No.- No.- We'll just have a pint and will work it out.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51Oh, boring!
0:53:51 > 0:53:54- I thought you wanted it, you didn't. - No.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58I mean, to be honest, we'll do whatever is economically sensible.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Dave had a background in finance
0:54:00 > 0:54:03whereas Chris was a carpenter by trade,
0:54:03 > 0:54:07so perhaps it wasn't surprising which approach they erred towards.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09But neither options would be possible
0:54:09 > 0:54:11without planning permission.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15And now, nearly ten months later, we return with Chris.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17And he has some very sad news.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24Unfortunately, Dave, my business partner, suddenly passed away.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28So that has changed our business...route somewhat.
0:54:28 > 0:54:33It's currently on the market and we are due to sell it very shortly.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38This has obviously been a devastating time for Dave's
0:54:38 > 0:54:39family and for Chris.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42But Dave's widow felt it was important that his legacy
0:54:42 > 0:54:46should go on and that Chris would finish what they started together.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51The business we did run, it is going to close down.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53It was named with our initials in it.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55I'm starting a new business,
0:54:55 > 0:54:58but I am retaining the same initials within the wording so I can keep
0:54:58 > 0:55:03Dave's influence within the business as we grow and as we go forward.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06Part of this process is to sell the plot on which the planning
0:55:06 > 0:55:09permission for the seven three-bedroomed houses to let
0:55:09 > 0:55:12someone else build these properties.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15And they do look like they'll sit beautifully on this plot.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18However, Chris will be taking the path favoured by Dave,
0:55:18 > 0:55:21which was to avoid tying up the money in the demolition
0:55:21 > 0:55:25and building and just selling it on with planning permission.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29And that could well prove to be a very shrewd strategy.
0:55:29 > 0:55:30We bought this for 204.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Collectively with other bits and pieces,
0:55:33 > 0:55:37fees and architect fees, we have spent a total of 214,000.
0:55:37 > 0:55:42£214,000 seems like a great investment on a site
0:55:42 > 0:55:44that you can now build seven three-bed homes onto.
0:55:46 > 0:55:47What do a local estate agent
0:55:47 > 0:55:50and a chartered surveyor think of the plans
0:55:50 > 0:55:53on what these houses might bring to the local community?
0:55:55 > 0:55:58The plans that's currently in which the council is staggered
0:55:58 > 0:56:02terrace properties, which I think is best suited for the location.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05Semi-detached probably would have commanded more in resale,
0:56:05 > 0:56:07but the terraced properties will sell well.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11I think, viewing the plans, I think what they have gone for,
0:56:11 > 0:56:13terraced, or maybe
0:56:13 > 0:56:18adapt it to be semi-detached homes is the best option.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21I believe that there is always demand for new properties on the island,
0:56:21 > 0:56:23and although there are quite a lot of new builds
0:56:23 > 0:56:26happening at the moment, there is always demand for more.
0:56:26 > 0:56:31So, it seems that Dave and Chris got their plans just right for the area.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36How much value will they add to a site they had spent £214,000 on?
0:56:38 > 0:56:42I believe the site with seven units planned on it should achieve
0:56:42 > 0:56:46between £295,000 and £300,000.
0:56:46 > 0:56:52I would value this plot with planning at just above £300,000.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56We've got a buyer for it now and he has agreed a price of 300,000.
0:56:58 > 0:56:59And it has worked very well for us.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01It is testament to what Dave and I
0:57:01 > 0:57:04sort of built together, that the system works.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06You know, there is a loon to be made.
0:57:07 > 0:57:12Yes, £300,000 will see a tidy pre-tax profit of £86,000.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14And in the circumstances, it is
0:57:14 > 0:57:18understandable why Chris is selling the site on.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21So, how does he see the future?
0:57:21 > 0:57:24The fact that we are going to continue, cos we built up
0:57:24 > 0:57:28quite a little team of contacts and a business together,
0:57:28 > 0:57:32I'm going to carry that forward. I'm not going to let that stop.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36Dave's committed enough of his time, and so have I, to make that work.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39It would be foolish of us to just not utilise what we've now got.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42He'd be very pleased that we are going to continue.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45And he'd be very pleased that we sold this at a profit.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55David was such a lovely guy and I really enjoyed meeting him
0:57:55 > 0:57:57on the occasions he appeared on the show.
0:57:57 > 0:58:02It's just great to know his legacy continues in Chris' new company.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04I hope you can join me,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07Martin and Dion next time for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09Goodbye.