0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello, and welcome to the show. Now, when you're investing in property,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07whether it's your first time or you've lost count of
0:00:07 > 0:00:11how many properties you've bought, you must always do your research.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Yeah. The advice is always the same. There's always something to learn.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15You don't want any nasty surprises.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Yep. Whether you are a first timer, or a seasoned pro,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22now could be the right time to buy your home under the hammer.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Well, there are many factors at play to decide
0:00:50 > 0:00:53whether you make profit from your property, or not.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Yeah. Sometimes, you're not in control of all those factors.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Sometimes, you just need that little bit of luck.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02So, were today's buyers lucky or not? Let's find out.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05It's professional developers day.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08You can't stop Sue in Burton-on-Trent.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09I bought two on the same day.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- Andy, how are you keeping control of her?- I just let her go.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15In Maida Vale, London,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19the client has a tight timescale at this one-bed flat.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Four to five weeks. That's the timescale.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25And there was a surprise in store for the new owner
0:01:25 > 0:01:28of this bungalow in Chesterton, Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Dad didn't know he was buying this house.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- He'd never seen it.- Oh, right.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37All these properties were bought at auction.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39We'll find out who got them and what they paid for them,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41when these homes went under the hammer.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43You've bought it. Well done.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Burton-on-Trent, in East Staffordshire,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53is a busy market town that grew up around Burton Abbey.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56But for me, that's not the main attraction of the town.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Being on the Trent means that the town has some
0:01:59 > 0:02:03really great river walks, and can you imagine on a day like today?
0:02:03 > 0:02:06You've got your dog and maybe an ice cream.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08To me, that's perfection.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The superb water quality in Burton-on-Trent made it
0:02:14 > 0:02:17the epicentre of the county's booming industry.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23There's another product that began its life here, in 1902,
0:02:23 > 0:02:28but I'd better not name it, as the BBC doesn't carry advertising.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31What I can say is people either love it or hate it
0:02:31 > 0:02:33on their toast in the morning.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Now, the house I'm here to see is just a short walk away
0:02:38 > 0:02:41from that river walk along the Trent.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44So, this house has already got something going for it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47And here it is - it's a traditional two-bed property,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52with a guide price of £56,000. It looks in great condition,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55but, personally, I'd want to change that front door.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I hope it's not a sign of things to come.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02# Green door What's that secret you're keeping? #
0:03:02 > 0:03:04OK.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10So, the door is misleading. Lots of space on show, open plan.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13In the front room, a nice big window.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16It all looks in really good condition. You've got a fireplace.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18The television would've gone in the corner.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22And, judging by the carpet marks, the sofa would've been there.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24You've got a table.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26That would've been where they watched the television.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Into the second reception room,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31which would've been a dining room, I'm pretty sure.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Again, lots of light, lots of space.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Not my choice in wallpaper, but each to their own.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41And the kitchen. Really big galley kitchen.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42Lots of space.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46It actually looks like you might be able to renovate some of this,
0:03:46 > 0:03:51give it a bit of a clean, but again, it's just the choice of the owner.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52I like this, I really do,
0:03:52 > 0:03:57and there's lots of space to do exactly what you want. Good start!
0:03:57 > 0:03:59The appliances I'd get rid of,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but you could save yourself a few quid here.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Keep the kitchen carcasses and maybe buy some new smart doors.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11The garden is narrow but long, so outside space isn't a problem.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17A coat or two of paint, and new carpets, and you'd be good to go.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Right, upstairs is two bedrooms. There's a nice long hallway.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25OK, this is the front bedroom and it's a really good bedroom.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28A good size. Lots of space. Big window, letting lots of light in.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Yet again, radiator. That is a nice-sized bedroom.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Across the hallway, and this feels really low.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39They've lowered that for some reason.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40It just feels really enclosed.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44And the second bedroom. A decent size, again.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48And a false wall. This would have been one bedroom on its own.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51And, back in the day, when this house was built,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53this would've been another room upstairs.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56But when they started to modernise these houses,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58they brought the bathroom into the house.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00There isn't a lot that needs to be done in this house.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03For me, it's totally cosmetic.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Now, if it was mine, brand-new bathroom.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Carpets. Maybe even a little paint,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and this place would be turned around sharpish.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15To find out a bit more about the property,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17and the area of Stapenhill,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19we called in a local property expert
0:05:19 > 0:05:21from the auction house that sold this two-bed terrace.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25This street is well-placed,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29close to the centre of Stapenhill. Stapenhill has good facilities,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32close to the town centre, excellent shops and schools,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and a great football team.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Yeah, I know them, I played against them -
0:05:36 > 0:05:38The Swans - Eastern Counties League.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Anyway, how much will it cost to get this place up and running?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I think, to get this property up to a good standard, you wouldn't need
0:05:44 > 0:05:47to spend a great deal. Maybe £5,000-£6,000 would do the job.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And, once up to the mark, what would it rent for?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I would think that this property, offered in a good condition,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56would rent for approximately £550 per calendar month.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Given the guide price of £56,000,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02what are the resale prospects after refurbishment?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05If this poverty were offered for sale on the sales market,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07in good condition, I would expect it
0:06:07 > 0:06:09to achieve somewhere in the region of £90,000.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13If ever there was a house that just needed a face-lift, this is it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15It hardly needs anything doing to it,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18which should mean a quick turnaround. Let's find out
0:06:18 > 0:06:21who was lucky enough to get it when it went under the hammer.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22Lot Number 52.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25An investment property.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28A traditional two-bedroom terrace house.
0:06:28 > 0:06:3056 on the guide price.
0:06:30 > 0:06:3356,000. Who's got 55, then, to start me?
0:06:33 > 0:06:3755. Thank you. 55, I've taken the seated bid. 56.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- 56. 56...- After a little hesitation, the guide price was achieved,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45and four bidders compete, going in £500 steps.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49We rejoin the bidding at £73,000.
0:06:49 > 0:06:5173.
0:06:51 > 0:06:5273.
0:06:52 > 0:06:5473.5.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56And a half. 74.
0:06:56 > 0:06:5874.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01500? Yes. 74.5.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06No, definite? At £74,500
0:07:06 > 0:07:09for the first time, for the second time.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10Third chance.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Sold to the lady at 74.5, thank you.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18The successful bidder was Sue, at the auction with her partner, Andy.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21We've seen them on the show before,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23when they bought a two-bed mid-terrace.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Instead of adding it to their good-sized portfolio,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Sue told Martin she was aiming for the sales market.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31So, why the change of strategy?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35It is hard work, so I just want to buy something, concentrate
0:07:35 > 0:07:40on renovating it, getting money back and do this and go again.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Well, they did sell, making a £17,000 profit before taxes
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and expenses. And they've gone again.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50But not just with this property either.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Sue admits she's a bit of a compulsive purchaser.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55I met them back at their £74,500 addition.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- Sue, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.- Congratulations. Andy.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you, too.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- This is not the first time you're on the show.- No.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Last time, Martin interviewed you. - That's right, yes, last year.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11So the pressure's on. Slightly. You know, with the master.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13I'll do my best, I'll do my best.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Firstly, tell us why this particular property?
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- It didn't want too much work doing to it.- As we can see.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25But nothing like knocking walls down. I'm getting too old for that.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26THEY LAUGH
0:08:26 > 0:08:28And I do like the area,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31but I thought, with the structure of the house, everything's here.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Every property we go into, looking to buy,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38we have a feel for it and, if we like it, we'll go for it.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- If it's got a "don't like that" feel...- No.- ..we don't bother.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44We don't buy it. And you do know.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46If you feel happy, families are going to feel happy.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49I suppose that's experience, because you've been doing it
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- for some time, you know exactly what you're doing.- Many years.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Now, about that compulsive buying thing I mentioned earlier.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59For some, it's shoes and handbags. Sue's? Buying houses.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02But when I bought this, I bought two on the same day.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I put a bid in for a house at an estate agents.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10And I just nodded my head and bought this, and the phone went,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14and they said, "Oh, your offer has been accepted," on the other one.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18And that's about 500 yards
0:09:18 > 0:09:21from the one I was on last year.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Oh, you're stopping?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Andy, how are you keeping control of her?- You just let her go.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- Just let her go.- Tell me, what are you going to do to this property?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- From what I can see...- Not a lot.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Well, the paper will come off... - THEY LAUGH
0:09:35 > 0:09:40..to start with. You know, to start with. Right the way through.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44There's a storage heater in there that will be removed.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- A nice fireplace put in. - Yeah, with...
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Carpet, these carpets. They look...
0:09:49 > 0:09:54I think we'll rip them out. New carpet. Revamp the kitchen.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Revamp the bathroom.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Probably the tiles, and pop a nice white suite in.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- And a shower.- OK.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Nice, light fittings.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Get rid of that fire surround, put a nice white one in there.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13New windows in the back, and I thought I'd save the front door.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15THEY LAUGH
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- For what?- Bonfire Night.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23So, this is very much a sort of superficial turnaround, really.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27It is. There's no damp, it's what I want. What I'm looking for.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Tell us what you're going to do upstairs.- Well, it is...
0:10:30 > 0:10:33All the papers are going to be stripped off, again.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38We will redecorate. The carpets, actually, look very good up there.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42We'll have a professional cleaner in. And it's the bathroom.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46I quite like the grey. I've never seen a grey bathroom before.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Feel free to try and refurb if you can.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50No, we'll have a white one in there.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I think it might be a bit of a challenge.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And I think the kitchen units in the bathroom might have to go.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Yes, it's strange.- Very.- Strange.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So, what is your budget to turn this one around?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Well, I think... We are going to have a look at the kitchen.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07If it wants new units, I want new work surfaces in there.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- I would say probably £15,000 to do it properly.- Yes.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15If we can have it looking really nice,
0:11:15 > 0:11:19which we'll get a good idea when the paper is all off, it might...
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- If we come in at ten, that would be an absolute bonus.- Yes.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- Is there anything here that you've found you didn't know about?- No.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29No, because we had a good look around when we viewed the property.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31I can sniff damp out.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33THEY LAUGH
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Rotten floorboards.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- So, how long is it going to take to get this finished?- About 14 weeks.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Hopefully, it'll be quicker than that,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43but we've got four on the go at the moment.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48The one we bought on the same day, that's going through sort of now,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50and then we've got two more,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54one that a tenant's just gone out last Monday, and then we've got
0:11:54 > 0:11:58another quite big project, it's a four-bedroomed house.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00So you're not making it easy for yourselves,
0:12:00 > 0:12:01- with four...- She never does.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- ..being done at the same time. She never does.- She never does.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Who's going to do the work for you?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Don't forget, you've got four on the go.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I do a lot of it, I always project manage.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Andy, because of his arthritis, doesn't,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17he can't do anything manual. But he sources things at home,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22and we've got trade accounts everywhere, so they're very fair.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Very fair.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26And, if they know you've got a lot of properties being done,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- they'll do you a good discount. - Look after you.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Yeah, "We'll look after you, if you come to us."- So we go to them.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- Contact, contacts, eh?- Yes, it is. My bugbear's paperwork.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- I absolutely hate it. - Who does it?- Me.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42THEY LAUGH
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- You surprise me.- Oh, yes.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47So what do you guys do when you're not property developing,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- because you must be busy? - We have dogs.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- You do?- Yeah, we have lots of them.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56We have Tibetan spaniels, and we also have German shepherds.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Oh, beautiful.- So, our weekends are usually taken up with showing,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- and we go all over the country showing.- That's incredible.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09- I'm a judge, and Andy is a judge as well.- You surprise me.- Oh, yes.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Good luck, I wish you all the best. - Thank you.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Good luck. - Nice to meet you, thank you.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Now, there's two people that know what they want
0:13:18 > 0:13:20and how to achieve it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I haven't really got any reservations on this project.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Or maybe I have just the one. Their timescale. 14 weeks?
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And they're doing four houses at the same time. I'm not too sure.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34But you can find out how they get on later in the programme.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Maida Vale in West London is a sought-after and, consequently,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45expensive location.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49The neighbourhood, known as Little Venice, has particular attractions.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Leafy, tree-lined streets, boats, lovely period mansions and
0:13:53 > 0:13:59purpose-built mansion blocks, making this part of London very desirable.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03# I've tried a West End pad and a classic car
0:14:03 > 0:14:07# My favourite drink in my favourite bar... #
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The property I'm here to see is not a lovely period conversion
0:14:13 > 0:14:17or in a grand mansion block, it's a one-bedroomed flat
0:14:17 > 0:14:20on the fourth floor of this much more modern tower block.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23The views might be good. Let's go up to the fourth floor
0:14:23 > 0:14:25and take a look.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The flat has a guide price of £295,000,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34but there's something else to bear in mind.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38The block comes with 24 hour concierge service and a lift.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40All very convenient,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45but the result is a hefty service charge of £775 a quarter.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49That's over £3,000 a year, but there is some good news.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51With 91 years left on the lease,
0:14:51 > 0:14:53that's one less thing you'll have to worry about.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00What I love about these 1960s modernist blocks is
0:15:00 > 0:15:04the space it offers. I mean, look at this room.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08I personally like this, because it's square, it's functional.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11There's a massive, big window at the end, letting loads of light in, it's
0:15:11 > 0:15:15double glazed, although you can still hear London outside there.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Through here is the kitchen.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And, of course, you have a sliding door to either open or close.
0:15:20 > 0:15:21If you like. And then, round here,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24you've got a really nice-sized bedroom.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26We'll have a little chat about that in a while.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29And then you've got bi-folding doors leading into it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31So the space is functional, it works,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33you could have a really nice social time in here,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36invite your friends round for dinner, there's plenty of space.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38And it really does work for me.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42This flat could be party central.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45The kitchen is a good size with plenty of storage space,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48and the units look, well, recently installed.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50But before I send out the party invites,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I'd better check out the other rooms.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59So, on the other side of these spectacular folding doors is
0:15:59 > 0:16:02the bedroom, which really is a good-sized double.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07But what I love about this flat is the fact you get a walk-in wardrobe.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I mean, look at this! That is such a luxury to have.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Plenty of space, you've got a little cupboard area at the back,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17you've also got a really spacious bathroom, so all that's good.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21The only downside is, your visitors are going to have to walk
0:16:21 > 0:16:24through your bedroom to use your bathroom.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25And that's not good.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31No, you could rejig the layout
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and create a second entrance off the living room, but then,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37you'll be in danger of losing all that lovely storage space.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40If you leave things as they are, you'll have to put up with
0:16:40 > 0:16:43party guests knocking on your bedroom door.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46MUSIC: Just Can't Wait by The J.Geils Band
0:16:46 > 0:16:49And I'm happy to tell you there's some outside space
0:16:49 > 0:16:52in the form of a little balcony.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56But it's great to be able to get outside and get some fresh air.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Although it is a little noisy, you can hear all the police cars
0:16:59 > 0:17:03and the fire engines whizzing by. But there's one thing I will say -
0:17:03 > 0:17:05I think we have got a better outlook,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09looking onto that mansion block, than they have looking back at us.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Well, they do say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17But one less attractive aspect of this flat is that,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20if you're looking to finance the purchase through a high street
0:17:20 > 0:17:23mortgage lender, well, you may struggle.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26The height of the block, its age and location,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30and whether it's ex-local authority are all factors
0:17:30 > 0:17:33that could affect their decision to lend you the cash.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37# Isn't she lovely...? #
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Now, I'm sure you've seen enough Homes Under The Hammer to know
0:17:40 > 0:17:44that most developers, when faced with a separate kitchen in a flat,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49in London, will always try and turn it into a separate bedroom
0:17:49 > 0:17:52and then put the kitchen into the living room.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Reason being, it adds value, and if you're going to rent this
0:17:55 > 0:17:59property out, well, it increases your income by a huge amount.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Is it worth doing? Yes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Does it sometimes make the flat feel a little bit cramped? Yes.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07The choice is yours.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12However, before you start any works,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15it's worth bearing in mind that some councils have
0:18:15 > 0:18:18regulations about the minimum size of room
0:18:18 > 0:18:21if you're hoping to rent, so check that out first.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24So, what would a local property expert advise?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Are two bedrooms always better than one?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29I would keep this as a one-bedroom property,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31purely because of the square footage.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34And if you were to convert it into a two-bedroom,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37then most people will look at the second bedroom as being too small,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39and the demand would drop.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Therefore, a one-bedroom property would be more desirable.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48So, if this flat was kept as one-bedroom,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51what sales and rental return would the new owner expect?
0:18:51 > 0:18:55I would be looking at putting it on the market at £520,000.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59And look to achieve between 500 and £515,000.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01As a one-bedroom property, it would rent very easy.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04You would be looking at achieving between £1,625
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and £1,750 per calendar month.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12But if the buyer decided to add a second bedroom,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15what difference would that make to the values?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18We'd be looking at putting it on the market at £535,000,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23and you'd be looking at achieving between 515 and £530,000.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26As a two-bedroom property, you'd be looking at achieving
0:19:26 > 0:19:29anything between £1,800 and £1,900 per calendar month.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34This Maida Vale flat is in a desirable location,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36it also offers scope to add value.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41Either by just refurbishing what's here, or by tweaking the layout.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43So let's find out who bought this fourth floor flat
0:19:43 > 0:19:45when it went to auction.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Well-located one-bedroom flat with balcony, in need of modernisation.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54What about 300? 300 I've got.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56305 anywhere?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59305. 310.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00315.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02There was much competition for this lot,
0:20:02 > 0:20:08- and we rejoin the auction with the bidding at £430,000.- 430.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11435. 440.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15No? It is with you, madam, again, the bid is £435,000.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Anybody else? For lot 170.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20440. New place.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22More competition. 445.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24450.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27445 for the first, 445 for the second,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29445 for the third
0:20:29 > 0:20:31and final time. All done?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34450, cutting it fine. 455. 460.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40If not, 455 for the first, 455 for the second.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42460. 465.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47465 for the first, 465 for the second,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50465 for the third and final time.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52All done. Sold. 465, madam.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56# Ain't no mountain high enough
0:20:56 > 0:20:59# Ain't no valley low enough... #
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Paying a mountain of cash for that one-bed flat was Remy.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06She works for a company that buys
0:21:06 > 0:21:09and renovates property on behalf of clients.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13This particular client was clearly very keen on the purchase, as that
0:21:13 > 0:21:16final bid of 465,000 was a whopping
0:21:16 > 0:21:20170 grand over the guide price.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Remy, why did you want to buy this flat, tell me the story?
0:21:23 > 0:21:28My client was looking for something in a central location.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32He wanted a place where, once he comes into London,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34rather than staying in a hotel, you know,
0:21:34 > 0:21:40he could stay in a nice place with a porter, which this block has.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44So I found this in the auction, told him about it,
0:21:44 > 0:21:49he was interested, and we did some research about the development,
0:21:49 > 0:21:50and he was happy with it.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And how many years have you been doing this yourself?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I've been doing this, well, in the business, about ten years,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59but proper acquisition, five years.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Remy is already very familiar with this particular block of flats,
0:22:05 > 0:22:06because, not so long ago,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10she purchased a flat a few floors above for a different client.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Currently, she's weighing up the options and is considering
0:22:13 > 0:22:17making this a two-bed flat, turning that kitchen into a bedroom.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- So, it will be quite small in that bedroom.- Yes.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25And where would the doorway for the bedroom be?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It will be on, you know,
0:22:28 > 0:22:30when you come in, there will be a door right there,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- going straight into the bedroom. - OK.- This bit will be blocked off.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37I mean, currently, it has a really nice dressing area.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39The thing I love most about this flat.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41But you're going to have to get rid of that
0:22:41 > 0:22:44to create that second entrance leading to the bathroom, aren't you?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Yes, we are, but the room is spacious anyway,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50so what we're going to do is create a proper door into the bedroom,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and, on the other side of the wall, we're going to create a door,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57so the person using the second bedroom can use the bathroom
0:22:57 > 0:22:59without going into the bedroom.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Plans to move the kitchen and the bedroom will have to be
0:23:04 > 0:23:06cleared by the building's freeholder.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09But Remy doesn't foresee any problems.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Well, we need to speak to the block managers, which we've done before,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16when we dealt with the flat above.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20As long as we've got insurance in place for the flat,
0:23:20 > 0:23:25so that if anything goes wrong, like leaking or, you know, during the
0:23:25 > 0:23:29times where they're doing the works, then that can be sorted out easily.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31So it shouldn't be a problem.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Loads of people, I believe, have done this
0:23:34 > 0:23:37sort of conversion before in the block, so it shouldn't be a problem.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41So what sort of budget has your client given you to play with here?
0:23:41 > 0:23:45To convert this into a two-bed,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47he's given us 25 grand.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- OK.- Just under 25 grand. So we'll try...
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We'll try our best and use that.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56So, does your client have a set timescale,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58or is it completely up to you?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01No, he's looking more of about four to five weeks,
0:24:01 > 0:24:06so we really have to work within that timescale.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07THEY LAUGH
0:24:07 > 0:24:08- That's pretty tight.- I know.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- Do you think you can cope with that? - We can. We'll try.- Yes?
0:24:12 > 0:24:15We've done it before, so, you know, it will put us under pressure,
0:24:15 > 0:24:17but, you know, we'll do it.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19So, what will the feel and the look of this flat be
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- when we come back to see it? - Much better than this.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- And total transformation. - Wow, I'm really excited.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28I can't wait.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33- It's been lovely meeting you today. - Thank you, thank you so much.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Buying and renovating property on behalf of clients is
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Remy's full-time job,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41so she's confident she can make the changes she wants here.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Converting this from a one-bed into a two-bed property.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Now, will her client be happy with the end results?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Will she be able to stick to that £25,000 budget
0:24:50 > 0:24:54on a five-week timescale? Join us later in the programme
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and you can find out how she gets on.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Coming up, this bungalow in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04seems perfect, but there's a problem hiding in plain sight.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08What is the catch with this one? It's what it's made of.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12And has Remy made that timescale in Maida Vale, London,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14or is she just treading water?
0:25:14 > 0:25:17We'd done about 95% of the work, and then we had a leak.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23But now to Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25where, in the Stapenhill district,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I saw a two-bed terrace with a rather jaded front door.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34# I'd walk from Cork to Larne to see
0:25:34 > 0:25:39# The 40 shades of green... #
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Upstairs, the bathroom was one shade of grey.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44But when they started to modernise these houses,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46they brought the bathroom into the house.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Now, if it was mine,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52a brand-new bathroom would be turned around sharpish.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Sue and Andy were the proud new owners facing that task.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Seasoned property developers,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Sue had already brought properties on this street.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04So what is your budget to turn this one around?
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- I would say probably £15,000 to do it properly.- Yes.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13- If we come in at ten, that would be an absolute bonus.- Yes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Sue and Andy were also renovating
0:26:15 > 0:26:20a further three houses at the same time as this 74,500 purchase.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Any spare time they had was spent with their 16 dogs
0:26:23 > 0:26:25or judging dog shows.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30An active life like that would leave me feeling a little bit "ruff!"
0:26:30 > 0:26:31So who's going to do the work for you?
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I do a lot of it, I always project manage.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Andy, because of his arthritis, doesn't,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40he can't do anything manual. But he sources things at home.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42And we've got trade accounts everywhere.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45If they know you've got a lot of properties being done,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48- they will do you a good discount. - They'll look after you.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52- Yeah, "We'll look after you if you come to us."- So we go to them.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55- Contacts, contacts, eh?- Yes, it is.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58They did have a 14 week timescale,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02but they were doing an additional three properties at the same time.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04To see how their investment property is shaping up,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06we've returned 13 weeks later.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11There's new kitchen flooring...
0:27:11 > 0:27:14and a new kitchen sink.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18A new cooker, new worktops,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20new window...
0:27:20 > 0:27:22and new wall tiles.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25But are the units new?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28No, just the handles.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30The old cupboard doors cleaned up a treat
0:27:30 > 0:27:33to produce this modern, functional galley kitchen.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Now, let me take you back to that once grey bathroom upstairs.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44# Take me back to where it all began
0:27:44 > 0:27:46# To where our memories grow
0:27:46 > 0:27:49# Before they take us over
0:27:49 > 0:27:51# Tonight
0:27:51 > 0:27:53# We're gonna live for
0:27:53 > 0:27:56# We're gonna live for these days... #
0:27:56 > 0:27:58There's a new suite,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00new flooring,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03new fixtures,
0:28:03 > 0:28:04but the tiles are original.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Downstairs, the open-plan room had a bold feature wallpaper scheme
0:28:15 > 0:28:19at either end. In my view, it had the effect of closing the room in.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Now, the tones are monochromatic, making the space feel much bigger.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32# Take me back to where it all began
0:28:32 > 0:28:34# To where our memories grow
0:28:34 > 0:28:38# Before they take us over... #
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Finally, to the two bedrooms.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Another bold pattern in the biggest, but look again at the carpets.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49They've been professionally cleaned throughout the whole of the house.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53In the smallest bedroom, the changes are a little more subtle.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56But the redecoration carries through here.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58So, how are Sue and Andy coping?
0:28:58 > 0:29:01# These days. #
0:29:01 > 0:29:04We've had one painter down at another house.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07And two painters have been here.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11Andy's been sourcing things we need. And doing a bit of paperwork.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16And I've been dashing round, dropping tins of paint off
0:29:16 > 0:29:20all over the place and picking up bits and bobs we wanted.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22And, of course, supervising.
0:29:22 > 0:29:23THEY LAUGH
0:29:23 > 0:29:25How's the budget gone?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28You were planning on 15,000, but hoping for ten?
0:29:28 > 0:29:32Totalling it up over the last couple of days,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35we've come in at about 7,500.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39- So we're pretty pleased with that. - So you should be. And credit, too,
0:29:39 > 0:29:44for coming in under your original 14 week timescale at just 11 weeks.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Bet you were glad to get rid of that ugly front door, though.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Our painters and decorators came in, looked at it, said, "Oh, it's
0:29:51 > 0:29:55"a nice door, we can renovate that," so they rubbed it right down.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58And I think it looks really, really good.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Worthy of Number Ten, I'd say.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03And have plans changed for the property?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05We did think about selling it.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08We've got two people that are interested investors.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11But I like this house, so I'm not going to sell it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14I've got someone moving in tomorrow to rent it.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Blimey, you don't hang about.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Getting a tenant in as well as all the rest,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21anything else you want to mention?
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Last week, we got married.
0:30:23 > 0:30:29Er... Absolutely wonderful, looking out onto the river, with the swans.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33It was an absolutely fantastic day.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36I wonder if Sue had a day off supervising.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Somehow, I doubt it.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- So, we're now married, aren't we, darling?- Yes, we are.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46Congratulations.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49We couldn't think of a better present than to invite
0:30:49 > 0:30:53two local property experts around to give their opinions and valuations,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57starting with the one who saw the property 11 weeks ago.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59It's my second time in the property
0:30:59 > 0:31:02and I think the work's been carried out to a great standard.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03It really does look lovely.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06The standard of finish in the property is very good.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07I think people will like what they see.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09There are clean, contemporary lines
0:31:09 > 0:31:12and it's one of those places that people will fall in love with.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Sue already has a tenant,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18but did she do the right thing business-wise in not selling?
0:31:18 > 0:31:21The purchase price was £74,500,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24with a further £7,500 for renovation.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29What could they expect for their £82,000 investment
0:31:29 > 0:31:30on the sales market?
0:31:31 > 0:31:34I would put it on at £95,000.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36I would anticipate a sale being achieved very close to this.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40I would expect something between £90,000 and £95,000.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- I'd be pleased with the top end, £95,000.- Very good.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46I think the house is worth that, and they're going up all the time,
0:31:46 > 0:31:47but I don't want to sell it.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49I love the house.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53So, that's goodbye to a potential £13,000 profit before taxes
0:31:53 > 0:31:56and expenses. What about rental?
0:31:56 > 0:31:59If I were to offer this property to the rental market,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01I would offer it at £550 per calendar month.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04I would expect to achieve, in the current market,
0:32:04 > 0:32:06around £550 per calendar month.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- Exactly.- Yes.- £550 a calendar month, we've asked for the property.- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14That translates to a yield on investment of 8%.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Was the experience worth it?
0:32:17 > 0:32:20This is one of the easiest ones we've done, in all fairness.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22It's worked out well.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26And Sue says she's heading back to the auctions next week.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38Time to visit Staffordshire now, and I'm heading to a village
0:32:38 > 0:32:41three miles from the market town of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46So, I'm in Chesterton, just outside Newcastle-under-Lyme.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51I'm here to see a kind of property I really love. It's a bungalow.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55It makes sense as an investment or a place to live, and this is it.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58£60,000-plus was the guide price.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00That sounds pretty good, cos it's detached.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02It looks to be in reasonable condition.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04The only thing I can see straight away -
0:33:04 > 0:33:06a bit of a potential issue - this tree.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08A little bit close for my liking.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Now, I am a bit of a green chap -
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I do love to be surrounded by nature -
0:33:13 > 0:33:17but trees this close can make houses very dark.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20The roots can play havoc with drains and foundations and, of course,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23if they're on your land, it's your responsibility to make sure
0:33:23 > 0:33:25they're healthy and therefore safe.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Let's have a look inside.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29So, what have we got?
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Well, into a, sort of, corridor off which the rooms all spread,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35and the whole place seems to be in pretty good condition.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Nice, clean carpets and recently painted. Yeah, pretty good.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Two bedrooms - the one there, a good size.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44A slightly smaller one towards the back.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Bathroom, there, with a nice, white suite.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48It's all looking pretty good, so far, isn't it?
0:33:48 > 0:33:49Let's have a look at the lounge.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52And a pretty nice space, it seems, too.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Yeah, all in all, this is looking pretty good, isn't it?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Obviously, you've got double glazing, you've got central heating,
0:33:58 > 0:34:00and then, through there, to the kitchen,
0:34:00 > 0:34:05which looks to me like it's pretty serviceable.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09All in all, you could almost move into this as it is.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10Wow.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15On the face of it, this looks like a cracking buy
0:34:15 > 0:34:18for anything like that guide price of £60,000,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20but, if you read the legal pack,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22you would discover an important detail.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25More of that in a minute.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Well, the bungalow, of course, is detached, which is good news,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31cos it benefits from gardens on three sides.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Yeah, I mean, small one to the edge,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35but a reasonable one to the front and the back.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37I mean, look at this - absolutely brilliant.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I mean, it could do with a bit of a tidy-up, but you've got this
0:34:39 > 0:34:43very interesting sort of shed-y thing going on here.
0:34:43 > 0:34:44So, it's all looking good,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and it's all perhaps a bit too good to be true.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Well, you know, in property,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52if it seems to be too good to be true, generally, it is.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54What is the catch with this one?
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Well, in case you hadn't guessed already, it's what it's made of.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02It's non-standard construction - probably concrete blocks -
0:35:02 > 0:35:06and although it's probably going to outlive me and you,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09some mortgage lenders don't like it,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11so it does limit the kind of person who will be able to buy this
0:35:11 > 0:35:14to basically what they call a cash buyer.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17So, as long as you know about it beforehand, you're fine.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Find it out after the auction,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20when you're trying to get a mortgage... Ooh!
0:35:20 > 0:35:23You're in a bit of a pickle.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Yes, that's the motto for auctions, isn't it?
0:35:26 > 0:35:30"Don't put your hand up unless your finances stand up."
0:35:30 > 0:35:33But, even if you're still keen on buying this property,
0:35:33 > 0:35:37there's things to consider, like, "Is this a good area to buy in?"
0:35:37 > 0:35:40A question that we put to a local estate agent.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Chesterton is not a bad area to purchase a property in.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46There are parts of the area that are very popular
0:35:46 > 0:35:47and there are parts of the area that aren't.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49When considering buying a property,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51that is not of traditional construction,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54you should be aware that the vast majority of mortgage lenders
0:35:54 > 0:35:57will not touch a property that is non-traditional construction.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01If you are a cash buyer or if you get a specialist lender,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04what does the property need doing to it?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08The property is in need of some internal updating.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11It's a little tired in parts.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14The property really requires complete internal redecoration,
0:36:14 > 0:36:16recarpeting, and consideration to
0:36:16 > 0:36:19updating the bathroom and parts of the kitchen.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22To get this property into tiptop condition,
0:36:22 > 0:36:23perhaps a spend of around £10,000,
0:36:23 > 0:36:25replacing kitchens, bathrooms, decoration,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29carpeting, and the boiler could probably do with changing.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Assuming you got this property for anything like
0:36:31 > 0:36:34that attractive guide price of £60,000,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and you spent £10,000 on it with the aim of selling or renting it,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41what kind of return could you see and what would be the best option?
0:36:43 > 0:36:47There would be quite a limited demand for this property as a sale,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50mainly because of its restriction due to its construction type.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53For rental, there would be quite a strong demand for the property.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55This property, if it was put on the market for sale,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59once renovated, would probably fetch in the region of £90,000.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03The rental for this property should be £550 per calendar month.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Well, bungalows are enduringly popular,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and this one is no exception,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18the only issue being that non-standard construction,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22so, let's hope that somebody who bought it read the legal pack first.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Let's find out who that was when it went under the hammer.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Lots six and seven, sold.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Lot eight - a two-bedroom detached bungalow with gas central heating,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37double glazing, gardens front and rear.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40We understand that the property is of non-traditional construction,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43so lot number eight, guiding this at 60.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Can I say 55 to start?
0:37:45 > 0:37:4855 bid. Thank you, at £55,000.
0:37:48 > 0:37:4956, can I see now?
0:37:49 > 0:37:5156.
0:37:51 > 0:37:5357, 58,
0:37:53 > 0:37:5759, 60...
0:37:57 > 0:37:5861. At 61.
0:37:58 > 0:38:0262, 63, 64...
0:38:02 > 0:38:06At £63,000, then, seated on the front, at £63,000.
0:38:06 > 0:38:0964.
0:38:09 > 0:38:1165.
0:38:11 > 0:38:1266.
0:38:12 > 0:38:13No, 66.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Lady's bid, second row, £66,000.
0:38:16 > 0:38:1867, anywhere else?
0:38:18 > 0:38:22If not, I'm selling it at £66,000, for the first time...
0:38:22 > 0:38:25£66,000 for the second time.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Third and final time, £66,000...
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Bought it. Well done.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Donna-Marie and her mother Christine were a little obscured
0:38:36 > 0:38:40from our view at the auction, but we have seen them before.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44In 2014, the mum-and-daughter developing team,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46who had around 30 properties between them,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49came along with Christine's husband Dennis
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and Donna-Marie's partner Stephen.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54They met Dion at Donna-Marie's Tunstall terrace.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00This time around, it falls to the father-and-daughter duo
0:39:00 > 0:39:04to explain their plans for their £66,000 purchase.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Donna-Marie, Dennis, great to see you again.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- You too.- I say again, cos we have seen you a couple of times
0:39:10 > 0:39:12- on Homes Under The Hammer, haven't we?- Yes, yes.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16- How have the previous projects gone? - OK, yeah.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- The first was a house in Balderton. We met with yourself...- Mmm.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- ..and that's still going strong. - Yeah.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- And the more recent one was in Tunstall...- Right.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25..and we've got some nice tenants moved in there
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- and that's all fine and dandy. - So, onwards and upwards?- Yeah.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Tell me about this particular property, then.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35- Why did you want to buy it?- Well, this one is my dad's, actually.- Oh.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Yeah, it's a... It's a matter of opportunity
0:39:38 > 0:39:39and the price is right.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Dad didn't know he was buying this house. He'd never seen it...
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- Oh, right. - ..until we rang him and said,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47"The hammer's gone down. Come down with your passport.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- "You've got to sign."- Oh.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- And he said, "I didn't think you were buying any more."- Oh.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Cos my mum did state, at the last time we filmed with you,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57"Ten." She only wanted ten and that would be it.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00And I said at the time, "Yeah, OK."
0:40:00 > 0:40:03But then she bought two that week. This one and another, so...
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- She got the bug and she couldn't get rid of it.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07So, sorry, I'm a bit confused.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- Then, you've bought it with your advice?- Yes.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Me and my mum happened to view it,
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- because it was me that was shopping for houses, not my mum.- Right.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17We went to the auction.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21I was really unsuccessful with all the ones I was trying to go for.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23I think she must have... was a little bit bored.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25She'd seen it and thought, "Oh, I'll start this off."
0:40:25 > 0:40:29She thought it would go for a lot more money, but it didn't,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31so she bought it.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35- This ones to go towards my dad's portfolio...- Right.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39..now she's got her ten, and so we just phoned him and said,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42"Come on down with your passport. You've bought a house."
0:40:42 > 0:40:45You make buying houses sound like shopping for sausages
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- or fruit or... - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:48 > 0:40:49She's very astute.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- Who, your daughter?- Both of them.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- I'm blessed with two astute ladies. - Right.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57But, on the Thursday, she's come and informed me, "You've got another."
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- Oh, what, as well as this?- Yeah.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- Another one I'd looked at. - Oh, right.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02It wasn't through the auction, though.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- She bought two that week, when she wasn't even shopping.- Right.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08I mean, and did you have anything to do with the purchase
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- other than signing on the dotted line?- No.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- No? Right. Fine. - SHE LAUGHS
0:41:12 > 0:41:14So, why did you pick this property for your dad?
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- Right, well, it was me and Mum... - OK.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18..and we came to see it and it was no good for my portfolio,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- because it's of non-standard construction...- Right.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23..and the majority of mine, I normally mortgage one,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26buy one cash, and work on that cycle,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29so non-standard constructions normally fall into,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31"Mum, is it any good for you?"
0:41:31 > 0:41:33And it's...
0:41:33 > 0:41:36It needs pretty much no work doing to it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38It'll be easy...
0:41:38 > 0:41:40- Well, we've already let it, so... - Oh, have you?
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- ..and we knew that would be that case.- What, as it is?
0:41:43 > 0:41:48We're changing the carpet in the kitchen to cushion floor
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and cutting the grass, but the tenants moving on Sunday.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- You're joking?- No, no.- Really?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- Yeah.- Wow.
0:41:55 > 0:42:02# It's the not knowing that hurts the most... #
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Well, it sounds like Dennis is not the only one not in the know, here.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08I've just arrived and it's tenanted already.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12It's like reading the last chapter of a book first.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Anyway, Dennis doesn't appear to mind not knowing he was
0:42:16 > 0:42:20buying a house, and why should he, when he has it tenanted already?
0:42:20 > 0:42:21Without having to do,
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- well, anything. - HE LAUGHS
0:42:24 > 0:42:26The most pressing job they have to carry out is to reconnect
0:42:26 > 0:42:29the gas, and make sure the gas boiler is checked out
0:42:29 > 0:42:32by a qualified Gas Safe Registered engineer,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35which, of course, all landlords must do by law.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40So, basically, for two weeks, cut the grass, new carpet,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- and you've got it rented it. - Yeah, we've got the...
0:42:43 > 0:42:44My cousin's helping with this one,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- so he's coming to take up the carpet...- Helping?
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- How much help do you need? - ..and mow the grass,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and the flooring guy is here tomorrow afternoon and...
0:42:52 > 0:42:54we'll be along with the gas guy to the gas certificate.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Your cousin's helping?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Well, you know, you really need to draft in the family,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00given what you're doing, yeah. That's amazing.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03You certainly are building a property empire, this family,
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- aren't you?- Well, enough to make us comfy, hopefully.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- Yeah, well, that's great.- Yeah.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Dad, are you going to let her go to the auction on your behalf again?
0:43:10 > 0:43:11I have no objection.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13No, no?
0:43:13 > 0:43:15I've got two ladies that like to do everything
0:43:15 > 0:43:17and, being a gentleman, I let them.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19And as long as he can do what he wants, when he wants,
0:43:19 > 0:43:21and there's the money to fund it, he's happy.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- Yeah, I've been retired 20 years now.- Oh, have you?
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- We'd finished, yeah, and I'm disabled so...- Right.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29- But you start using your brains, then.- Yeah, for sure.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31And marrying the right woman helps.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36So, what... The time's come down to just days.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39The budget is, erm...
0:43:39 > 0:43:41£200 or £300 should be... should cover it all.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44- Listen, congratulations. Good luck with it.- Thank you very much.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48- Right, thank you.- Nice to meet you.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51HE CHUCKLES
0:43:51 > 0:43:55So, another property for Donna-Marie and her family
0:43:55 > 0:43:57to add to their portfolio
0:43:57 > 0:44:02and, with those kind of returns for that little effort,
0:44:02 > 0:44:04who can blame them?
0:44:04 > 0:44:08How will they get on? How will the newly-mown grass look?
0:44:08 > 0:44:10You can find out later in the show.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17So, that's one of our properties that's sailed off into the sunset.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20But, luckily, there are two more on the horizon.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Will they flounder on the rocks? Let's find out.
0:44:29 > 0:44:30Earlier in the show,
0:44:30 > 0:44:33I was in the affluent area of Maida Vale in north-west London.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38Among the multi-million-pound mansions and leafy boulevards,
0:44:38 > 0:44:40I found a potential auction bargain -
0:44:40 > 0:44:42well, relatively speaking -
0:44:42 > 0:44:46with this one-bed flat, guided at £295,000.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49It had 24-hour concierge, double glazing...
0:44:49 > 0:44:50It was spacious.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53This was certainly a place to live the high life.
0:44:57 > 0:45:02But what I love about this flat is the fact you get a walk-in wardrobe.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06I mean, look at this. That is such a luxury to have!
0:45:07 > 0:45:08Oh, yes, but before you start
0:45:08 > 0:45:11planning a life on Millionaires' Row,
0:45:11 > 0:45:14there were a few issues to address.
0:45:14 > 0:45:15The only downside is,
0:45:15 > 0:45:18your visitors are going to have to walk through your bedroom
0:45:18 > 0:45:22to use your bathroom, and that's not good.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25It generated a lot of interest at the auction,
0:45:25 > 0:45:28and it generated a big sales price, too.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31All done. Sold. 465.
0:45:33 > 0:45:38Remy paid a whopping £465,000 on behalf of a client
0:45:38 > 0:45:41who wanted the flat as a second home,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44and he had tasked her with solving that toilet issue
0:45:44 > 0:45:46and adding a second bedroom,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50all with a budget of £25,000 and a timescale of five weeks.
0:45:50 > 0:45:51Yikes.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53But Remy was confident that she and her team
0:45:53 > 0:45:56could deliver something special.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00So, what would the feel and the look of this flat be
0:46:00 > 0:46:01when we come back to see it?
0:46:01 > 0:46:06Much better than this and a total transformation.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12Well, you promised a total transformation, Remy,
0:46:12 > 0:46:16and, six months on, this flat certainly delivers.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Remy has created a second bedroom where the kitchen was.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33I'd been worried that this would make the flat seem cramped,
0:46:33 > 0:46:35but, the new kitchen-cum-living space,
0:46:35 > 0:46:38well, it's better than I'd thought.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42So, erm, what we've done here is, this used to be the living room
0:46:42 > 0:46:46and there was a door right there in that corner.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51We've blocked that up and created a door entrance here
0:46:51 > 0:46:56to access the bathroom and the main bedroom,
0:46:56 > 0:47:01and we've also made this into an open-plan kitchen reception.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04For the kitchen area, we've got tiles,
0:47:04 > 0:47:08and for the living area, we've got engineered wood floors.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11So, that's solved the bathroom conundrum, and it's given
0:47:11 > 0:47:16a real flow to the whole flat, and this finish throughout is great,
0:47:16 > 0:47:19but this certainly wasn't the easiest project.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22We had a few delays.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25The first was getting approval from the managing agents.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28That took a bit of time after the property was completed -
0:47:28 > 0:47:30the process was completed -
0:47:30 > 0:47:33and after that the work started.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35We had gone...
0:47:35 > 0:47:37We'd done about 95% of the work,
0:47:37 > 0:47:41and then we had a leak that came from the flat above.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43I believe it was some pipes that were burst.
0:47:43 > 0:47:48The leak messed up the kitchen units and the flooring,
0:47:48 > 0:47:53cos they had just been placed and everything had to come off.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57What I've learnt on this project is that anything can happen, you know.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01We were not expecting that leak to mess things up, you know,
0:48:01 > 0:48:04so you have to be prepared for the unexpected.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Well, you said it, Remy, and that aquatic incident,
0:48:11 > 0:48:13and waiting for permission from the building's managers to
0:48:13 > 0:48:17go ahead with the work, has meant the project has taken six months
0:48:17 > 0:48:19rather than the intended five weeks.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21Ouch!
0:48:21 > 0:48:23And the budget is equally painful,
0:48:23 > 0:48:28with the total cost at £30,000, rather than the £25,000,
0:48:28 > 0:48:31and not just because of the plumbing problems, either.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35The client actually didn't like the colour of the kitchen that
0:48:35 > 0:48:38was being placed initially,
0:48:38 > 0:48:40before the whole thing was messed up with the leak,
0:48:40 > 0:48:43and also, when you come in from the entrance,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47we had tiles there, and he wasn't pleased with that.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50He wanted carpet, so we had to take out the tiles,
0:48:50 > 0:48:55change the colours and all that, so we went above budget a bit.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57Well, it's not been as straightforward as Remy hoped,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00but is she pleased with how it turned out?
0:49:00 > 0:49:05I'm pleased that it all came out well, as planned,
0:49:05 > 0:49:07even though it took a bit of time,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10and most especially I'm pleased
0:49:10 > 0:49:13because the owner is pleased as well.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16He's happy with the job.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19All's well that ends well, but our time with Remy doesn't end
0:49:19 > 0:49:23until we invite two local estate agents along to give us
0:49:23 > 0:49:26their views, including the agent who saw it before the renovation.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31In their opinion, was it the right decision to go for two bedrooms?
0:49:31 > 0:49:33I think the layout suits very well.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35The space hasn't been compromised
0:49:35 > 0:49:38turning it from a one-bedroom to a two bedroom.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40I think it works well as a two-bed.
0:49:40 > 0:49:41I mean, as a one-bedroom,
0:49:41 > 0:49:44it would be a very nice and spacious one-bedroom,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47but I think it gets away with being a two-bedroom.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50The client doesn't intend selling or renting the flat in the
0:49:50 > 0:49:54short-term, but what kind of rental and resale value would it have?
0:49:54 > 0:49:59And how would that stack up against the total £495,000 spend?
0:50:01 > 0:50:03On the open resale market,
0:50:03 > 0:50:06you should be looking at expecting somewhere in the region of £575,000,
0:50:06 > 0:50:08and, on the rental market,
0:50:08 > 0:50:12you should be expecting £1,800 to £1,900 per calendar month.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16On the sales market, I would suggest £585,000,
0:50:16 > 0:50:20and, for the rental market, I would suggest £1,900 per calendar month.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23Well, that sounds good.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26I mean, you want to go with the higher figure,
0:50:26 > 0:50:31but 575 is, I believe, more realistic,
0:50:31 > 0:50:34so, yeah.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38Yes, it sounds good and it looks pretty good, too.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40Those top figures would give the client a choice between
0:50:40 > 0:50:46a pre-tax profit of £90,000 or a rental yield of 4.5%,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49but the client has chosen to stick with the intended plan
0:50:49 > 0:50:52and have this as a second home.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55How has the renovation experience been for Remy?
0:50:58 > 0:51:02The experience has been interesting, but, so far, it has been good.
0:51:02 > 0:51:06It's been good, cos the finished product is good, so we're happy.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15- MARTIN:- Earlier on in the show, I was in Chesterton,
0:51:15 > 0:51:19a suburb around Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Bungalows are ever popular on the market
0:51:22 > 0:51:25and this one was in excellent condition, with double glazing
0:51:25 > 0:51:29and central heating, and all for a guide price of £60,000.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34If it seems too good to be true, generally, it is.
0:51:34 > 0:51:35What is the catch with this one?
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Well, just in case you hadn't guessed already,
0:51:37 > 0:51:39it's what it's made of.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43The ever problematic non-standard construction makes it tricky
0:51:43 > 0:51:48to get a mortgage, but daughter and dad Donna-Marie and Dennis
0:51:48 > 0:51:51weren't dissuaded, paying £66,000,
0:51:51 > 0:51:56although it may have come as a bit of a surprise for Dennis.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59Dad didn't know he was buying this house. He'd never seen it...
0:51:59 > 0:52:02- Oh, right.- ..until we rang him and said, "The hammer's gone down.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05- "Come down with your passport. You've got to sign."- Oh.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07And he said, "I didn't think you were buying any more."
0:52:07 > 0:52:11Actually, Dennis had been looking for a first property for a while,
0:52:11 > 0:52:15and thanks to his wife Christine and Donna-Marie's know-how,
0:52:15 > 0:52:18that had seen them build a portfolio of around 30 properties,
0:52:18 > 0:52:24they didn't come much easier than this one for a debut development.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27It needs pretty much no work doing to it. It'll be easy...
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- Well, we've already let it, so... - Oh, have you?
0:52:30 > 0:52:33- ..and we knew that would be the case.- What, as it is?
0:52:33 > 0:52:38We're changing the carpet in the kitchen to cushion floor
0:52:38 > 0:52:41and cutting the grass, but the tenants move in on Sunday.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43- You're joking? Really?- No, no.
0:52:43 > 0:52:47# There's no great change that's coming along
0:52:47 > 0:52:51# There's nothing to gain from all the alarm... #
0:52:52 > 0:52:55There's certainly no financial gain in renovating it
0:52:55 > 0:52:58in such good condition and the tenant ready.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02We left it a month before we came back to see what,
0:53:02 > 0:53:05I have to admit, is probably one of the easiest refurbishments
0:53:05 > 0:53:08we've seen on the show.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11But, come on, guys, it's still Dennis's first property,
0:53:11 > 0:53:14so he deserves the full Homes Under The Hammer treatment.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17- RECORD SCRATCHES AND MUSIC STOPS - Give us some dramatic music.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20- MUSIC: Theme from Kill Bill - Oh, yes, that'll do very nicely.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23And some effects and excitement, too, if you please.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26- LASER BLEEPS AND CHEERING - OK, let's begin,
0:53:26 > 0:53:28and reveal!
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Well, I hope you enjoyed that, Dennis.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45As you can see, the bungalow is already tenanted,
0:53:45 > 0:53:50but let's get a run down of that extensive work from Donna-Marie.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57We've completed the works that we said we were going to complete
0:53:57 > 0:54:00in changing the flooring in the kitchen.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03Erm, the garden has been mowed
0:54:03 > 0:54:07and we've put a carbon monoxide detector in,
0:54:07 > 0:54:09and cleaned.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Well, it's easy to forget things you've done
0:54:11 > 0:54:14when you've so much to do, eh, Donna-Marie(?)
0:54:14 > 0:54:18Look, all right, joking aside, this was a smart purchase on behalf
0:54:18 > 0:54:23of dad Dennis and one that everyone in the family could help with.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26So, the work here was done by Rob, my cousin,
0:54:26 > 0:54:28who sorted out the garden, cos he's got all the kit,
0:54:28 > 0:54:32and our usual carpet supplier sorted out the flooring,
0:54:32 > 0:54:35and that's it, really.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38Everyone needs a man with a mower. Well done, Rob.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41To be honest, it feels like this part of the show has taken
0:54:41 > 0:54:45longer than the actual renovation, but how long did it actually take?
0:54:47 > 0:54:52To do the work on the property took about two days
0:54:52 > 0:54:55and the tenant was signed, sealed and sorted within a few days.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58So, from the day we collected the keys,
0:54:58 > 0:55:00to the day that I did the check-in with the tenants,
0:55:00 > 0:55:02was about two weeks.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04And what about budget?
0:55:05 > 0:55:09We thought we'd probably spend on this project about £200-£300,
0:55:09 > 0:55:11and we've come in at below £200,
0:55:11 > 0:55:14so just another good project that's come in on budget,
0:55:14 > 0:55:18within timescale, and has started to bring revenue in on the investment.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24A very businesslike attitude from a seasoned developer -
0:55:24 > 0:55:26find the right property, pay the right price,
0:55:26 > 0:55:29and keep a handle on any renovation.
0:55:29 > 0:55:33It's been a recipe that served Donna-Marie and her family well,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36so what will be the case here?
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Has that £66,200 investment done the business
0:55:39 > 0:55:43or could they - should they - have done more?
0:55:43 > 0:55:45We asked that very question to two local estate agents,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48including the agent who saw it before the...
0:55:48 > 0:55:52Well, before the extensive changes to the house(!)
0:55:52 > 0:55:54The property's had some work done, but I understand
0:55:54 > 0:55:57there's a quick tenancy that's been allowed on this property.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00When it comes to re-let, I do think it needs more substantial work,
0:56:00 > 0:56:04such as redecoration, recarpeting and a possible replacement bathroom.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Well, I'm surprised that they've not done more work to the property,
0:56:07 > 0:56:11but, having said that, it's in quite good condition to start off with.
0:56:11 > 0:56:15I would have put a bit more consideration into the carpeting
0:56:15 > 0:56:17and, also, with the bathroom,
0:56:17 > 0:56:20it might be worth putting a bath with a shower over the bath,
0:56:20 > 0:56:24so it gives people the option of bath or shower.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27Donna-Marie and Dennis are renting out the property for
0:56:27 > 0:56:30£550 per calendar month,
0:56:30 > 0:56:32giving them almost 10% yield.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36This property was always for rental,
0:56:36 > 0:56:40and it hasn't been renovated with the sales market in mind,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43but what could it sell for in its current state?
0:56:43 > 0:56:46The property is of a non-traditional construction,
0:56:46 > 0:56:48so I'd expect that to affect the price slightly.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52We've been looking at marketing this at £75,000.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54This property, if it was put on the sales market,
0:56:54 > 0:56:58should be put on the market for £89,950,
0:56:58 > 0:56:59but it may need some adjustment
0:56:59 > 0:57:02as it's a non-traditional construction.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Erm, non-standard construction properties are always
0:57:04 > 0:57:06quite hard to value.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09I think the £90,000 might be slightly on the high side
0:57:09 > 0:57:12and the £75,000 - it's going to be there,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15or thereabouts, I would have thought.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17You said it perfectly, Donna-Marie.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19They're hard to value for resale,
0:57:19 > 0:57:22as you're probably looking for a cash buyer,
0:57:22 > 0:57:26but even that lower £75,000 valuation would give them
0:57:26 > 0:57:31an £8,800 profit before the usual taxes and expenses,
0:57:31 > 0:57:33so, with a good return,
0:57:33 > 0:57:36will dad Dennis be taking his daughter and wife's advice
0:57:36 > 0:57:37at the auctions again?
0:57:39 > 0:57:43I think my dad will probably let me and Mum buy him properties again.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46I don't know if he's got much choice in it, really,
0:57:46 > 0:57:48but, yeah, yeah, we'll probably be looking for some more for him
0:57:48 > 0:57:50later on in the year.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52And so, what's next for Donna-Marie?
0:57:54 > 0:57:58Next, for me, is I'm getting the keys for my next project tomorrow -
0:57:58 > 0:57:59a bit more extensive than here,
0:57:59 > 0:58:02but hopefully I'll be done and dusted in three weeks
0:58:02 > 0:58:04and the tenants will move in straightaway.
0:58:06 > 0:58:07Well, that's it for today's show.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11We'll be back with more properties and their owners for you next time.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14So make sure you join us then for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16Yeah, we'll see you then. Goodbye.
0:58:16 > 0:58:17- Goodbye.- Goodbye.