0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello, and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05The markets can go down as well as up, but, ultimately,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08a property's only worth what somebody's willing to pay for it.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Ah, Dion, and that's why it's so important to get your budget
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- and stick to it. Otherwise, well, you can end up paying too much.- Yes.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But one way to stack things in your favour
0:00:16 > 0:00:18and get property at the best possible price
0:00:18 > 0:00:21is to nip down to your local property auction.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Property auctions can be very popular.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Sometimes, it's just standing room only in there.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Yes, but it can be really exciting
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- as bidders vie to be the successful ones.- Yeah.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Will the buyers be happy with their decisions?
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Let's have a look and see what they went for.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04At this chalet bungalow in Drakelow, Burton upon Trent,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I might be going off track.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11This would make the most fantastic space for a train set.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I choo-choo-choose another colour
0:01:13 > 0:01:16for this three-bedroom semi in Croydon, South London.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Chocolate brown pebble dash exterior -
0:01:19 > 0:01:20paint it over.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And at our final stop in Coltishall, Norfolk,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28I have the perfect plot of land for train enthusiasts.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31As long as you don't mind the odd train passing through.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34All of these properties have been sold at auction.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37We'll find out who bought them and what they paid for them
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- when they went under the hammer. - That's yours now. Well done.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Burton upon Trent is synonymous with brewing
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and its offshoot industry - that stuff you spread on your toast,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53if you love it, not hate it, that is.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55There's also some lovely nearby countryside
0:01:55 > 0:01:58where the Derbyshire and Staffordshire counties meet.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Today, I'm in the village of Drakelow.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Well, all this talk of toast and ale
0:02:04 > 0:02:08has got me hungry for a property bargain. And you know what?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I think I might have found one because up for auction was this -
0:02:11 > 0:02:17a three-bed, chalet-style bungalow sitting in 1.25 acres of land.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Guide price was £220,000. I'm salivating.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Oh! So, what are we going to find inside?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Ooh, well, I tell you what, the carpet's in nice condition.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36That's a good start.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41Downstairs cupboard there. Stairs up to the bedrooms.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45I did say it was a chalet bungalow, so there you go.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Large-ish sort of central area here, off which the various rooms go.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Good-sized living room there with a nice, open fire.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55So, yeah, again, looks to be in reasonable condition.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Going that way towards some of your bedrooms.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59And then through into a kitchen.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I mean, it's all looking OK, isn't it?
0:03:01 > 0:03:03I mean, a little bit dated.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Things like this kitchen would definitely benefit
0:03:06 > 0:03:08from being modernised a bit.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But lots of space and a nice-size family kitchen here.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Benefit of a utility room over there.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16So, yeah, nothing to dislike so far.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21There is a toilet off the utility room
0:03:21 > 0:03:24and the main bedroom is a generous size.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31The other two bedrooms have some minor flaws,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35like the cracks in the ceiling in this one and signs of damp here.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44Finally, a bathroom, but as I said, nothing to dislike.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49# I'm liking everything I see
0:03:49 > 0:03:51# I like it, I like it... #
0:03:54 > 0:03:56So, upstairs, and this is why, you see,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58it's being called a chalet bungalow -
0:03:58 > 0:04:01cos you actually do have this extra floor.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05And quite big it is, too. On this side, a room.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10Um, shame about this thing, which I imagine is a chimney stack.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14But the thing that's, well, a bit weird - look at this.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19There's a kind of passageway through to this side of the property,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21where there's an almost identical room.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Now, this would make the most fantastic space for a train set.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Can you imagine? Wow. Wow! What a train set that would be.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32Um, if you can't afford to be quite so... What's the word?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35..giving space to things which some people might not think important,
0:04:35 > 0:04:40then it would make two superb dormer bedrooms, wouldn't it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Put a dormer in here looking out across the field
0:04:42 > 0:04:44and Bob's your uncle.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Yeah, well, you know, a great bit of extra value add
0:04:48 > 0:04:51to what is already a fantastic place.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55These spaces don't currently comply with building regulations,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but I reckon it wouldn't be too big of a job to modify it
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and turn it into a living space.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Well, ideally, what you'd want with a property like this
0:05:04 > 0:05:07is a bit of land, and that is exactly what you've got.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Good news. That paddock there came with the auction lot,
0:05:11 > 0:05:16as did this little bit of land here. Bit of garden here.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18More garden here. I mean, it really is lovely.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22And it gets better because you've also got this.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27It's a really substantially built garage and stables, I guess.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Well, that could be all sorts of things,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31from a workshop to a garage to whatever.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Looks like it's fairly substantially built,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35which is good news. And it just all adds
0:05:35 > 0:05:38to what is already a very appealing property.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43The bungalow stands on the site of former farm cottages,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and when originally placed with the auction,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49it had nine acres of land with it. But the auctioneer who sold it
0:05:49 > 0:05:53advised to sell the majority of the land as a separate lot.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55So, we called him in to explain
0:05:55 > 0:05:57and give us some idea of value
0:05:57 > 0:06:01after alterations and refurbishments.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05For most people who want some land, nine acres is too much.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07An acre, acre and a quarter, acre and a half
0:06:07 > 0:06:09is much more manageable.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14So, the idea was to face it towards the residential market
0:06:14 > 0:06:16where somebody would see its potential.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19It's crying out for some modernisation.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24It's crying out for some extensions. It's a perfect development scheme.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28It's almost as if he's been reading my scrip. Huh.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30What was the appeal of the property to the bidders?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34The positives with a place like this clearly are its location.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36You've got field views all around you,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38you've got no noisy neighbours,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41and yet, you're only two or three minutes' drive
0:06:41 > 0:06:44into facilities of shops, schools and so on.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48And what would this property's potential be once refurbished?
0:06:48 > 0:06:53I think, if you spent some money wisely,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55but simply renovate what's here,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59this would have a value in excess of £300,000.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Well, it's a great house already, but it could be so much greater.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06And you know what?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08It would be worth whatever effort you put into it
0:07:08 > 0:07:12cos you've got a fantastic location and it's just...
0:07:12 > 0:07:14I could just see what this could become.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Let's see who also had that vision when it went under the hammer.
0:07:18 > 0:07:25All right, so, we move on to lot 59. Start me on the guide price at 220.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29210 to put it into the bidding. 210? Thank you. 210, I've got.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32212. At 212.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36214. 214. 216. 216.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38It's nearing the end of the day,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41but there's still plenty of interest in this lot.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46The bids rise to where we rejoin at 272,000.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50272. 274. Happy with that? 274.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54276. 278. 280.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57One? 281 somewhere else?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02At £280,000, we're selling.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05For the first time at 280... 81.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06282?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10£282,000, then. Going once.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Going twice. Third and last opportunity.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Sold at 282. Thank you very much. Well done.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23The successful bidders were husband and wife Nigel and Jane.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27They paid £282,000 to secure the property.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Nigel's a sales executive
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and Jane works in accounts at a nearby brewery.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34The couple have a young daughter
0:08:34 > 0:08:38and I've heard a rumour that a pony is in their budget.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Jane, Nigel, great to meet you both. - Hello.- Likewise. Hiya.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Congratulations. - Thank you.- Fantastic.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- Tell me why you wanted to buy this place.- Well...
0:08:49 > 0:08:51We sort of half started talking about
0:08:51 > 0:08:54maybe getting somewhere with a granny annexe for my mum.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57And then we were looking for a plot of land, maybe, to buy,
0:08:57 > 0:08:58but there's not really a lot out there,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00and what is out there is very expensive.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03And then we just saw this up for auction and we thought, "Wow."
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- We couldn't miss it.- You know, it's got everything we need here
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and even a garage to convert, so we thought, "Yeah."
0:09:09 > 0:09:11All the space we need, all the opportunity we need,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- so, yeah, we saw it and we grabbed it.- Yeah.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- So, it's for you, for your family. - Definitely.- Oh, yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20The garage and workshop, we're going to convert to a granny annexe
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and we're, all three of us, or four of us,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- going to live here...- Oh, wow. - ..in a nice sort of family unit.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28We've already engaged an architect to...
0:09:28 > 0:09:31And we've got some plans drawn up. Some amazing plans drawn up.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34There's going to be some really good space in there for us.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36A couple of bedrooms, living space,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- kitchen, self-contained. - Yeah, it'll be nice, won't it?
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Put some garages probably at the front of the house.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42You drive round the front to the garages.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- And maybe a car port.- Yeah, yeah. We're looking to try and create
0:09:45 > 0:09:48a bit of an enclosed area round the back...
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- Right.- ..where the building's really...- Yeah.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- We've got space to do that. - Now, we are in a very rural area.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55Have you spoken to the planners
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- about converting that into a granny annexe?- We've made contact
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and have sent some information in
0:10:01 > 0:10:03for some pre-planning advice at this stage.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05We're waiting to hear back on that.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Because they could be sensitive about...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09They could be, but the architect we're using
0:10:09 > 0:10:12has dealt with the local authorities quite a lot,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14so she knows what they're going to be looking for.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17When it comes to cases like this,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I think it's a wise choice to seek out an architect
0:10:20 > 0:10:23who has a track record in dealing with the local authorities.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27But the garage conversion isn't the only change they're planning.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31We intend to build quite a large extension on the back. Two stories.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34As it stands at the moment, it's pretty much laid out
0:10:34 > 0:10:38as a bungalow use, but we're going to convert the use upstairs,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- have three bedrooms upstairs, a couple of en-suites.- Wow.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44When we saw it up on the auction, we had a look at the legal pack.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Oh, yes.- Good lad. - THEY LAUGH
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Came and viewed it.- Good. - Had a couple of viewings.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51And we came round with a builder, as well,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54to get a bit of inside information on whether it was doable,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- what we had in mind, and potential cost.- So, tell me about your family.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Tell me about your daughter. - She's nearly six.- Right.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- So, yeah, she's...- She's really looking forward to coming.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- ..very excited about the prospect of the pony and...- Right.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- What does she love about the house? - Um, probably the pony aspect.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11What, the fact that she might have a pony?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Potentially, yeah. - Yeah.- And the space.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Yeah, she's excited about her bedroom upstairs, isn't she?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Yeah, yeah.- Has she already picked her bedroom?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Oh, yeah.- Absolutely, yeah. - So, who's going to do the work?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Once we submit the plans to the council,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27we'll put a few tenders out to three or four companies
0:11:27 > 0:11:29just to get some costings in from them.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Right. And do you have any idea of how much it's going to cost to do?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The only guidance we've had, really,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- was kind of a ballpark figure for it all.- Around 150,000.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- 150,000 to do the whole lot?- Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Seems reasonable to me, but I'm not a builder.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Talk me through exactly what you're going to have to do to this bit.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- That wall's coming out.- It's being pushed out that way, isn't it?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Extend the living room. And, basically,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55it's just going to be this half of the house that will change.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57The other half will pretty much stay as it is.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59We'll extend the kitchen out
0:11:59 > 0:12:01and put a nice, open-plan dining room onto that.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Nice, big, open French doors or whatever onto the garden.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- And that'll obviously reflect upstairs, as well.- Right.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11There'll be probably a third extra space upstairs.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- Yeah, cos our bedroom doesn't actually exist.- No.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Our bedroom-to-be will be above the extension down here,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19so it's just one flat space.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Then we'll get that bedroom with an en-suite in there.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- Big windows or even a balcony? - We're going to make...
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Maybe not a balcony. - ..the windows bigger.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28This house, I think, needs more light.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- It's quite a dark house.- Yeah. - I don't think it's just the decor.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- I think the windows are too small, so...- Right.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35..we're going to let more light in.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It's everyone's dream, probably, to build their own house.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39This is probably the next best thing, I think.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42You know, we've got a complete blank canvas.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44The couple hope that, planning permitting,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46they will have the work done in nine months.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Bet you can't wait, can you? - No, go on.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51No, not at all. MARTIN LAUGHS
0:12:51 > 0:12:54If it goes to plan, we should have a good celebration when we get here.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Oh, brilliant. Well, I'm really delighted for you both.- Thank you.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- Congratulations. Good luck. - Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- We'll look forward to seeing you when we come back.- Thank you.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Well, as Hannibal from The A-Team would say,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11"I love it when a plan comes together,"
0:13:11 > 0:13:14and that certainly happened for Jane and Nigel.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16This place could not be more perfect
0:13:16 > 0:13:19and it's great to see them so excited about it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23How will it all turn out? You can find out later in the show.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I'm in Croydon, in South East London,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34near to the popular park Duppas Hill.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37700 years ago, it held jousting competitions,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41but, thankfully, today, it hosts slightly more sedate sports,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43like basketball and football.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49So, what have we got? Well, it's this - a three-bed semi.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Now, it's got a guide price of 255,000.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56One problem - it's on a very busy road,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00there's a junction right there and, well, that's if you can hear me.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Nothing you can do about the traffic,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08but hopefully lots you can do to the property. Let's have a look.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10I'd just like to say one thing.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Chocolate brown pebble dash exterior - paint it over.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Right, let's start with the property.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Well, we've got veneer doors everywhere in this property.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Got a really nice-sized room in here.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Ooh, a little bit of damp in the corner, but we'll come back to that.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Round here, we have quite a good-sized kitchen.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Obviously, the kitchen needs to be completely ripped out
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and something lovely and new and shiny put in its place,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37but it's a very, very good space through there.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39And right at the back of the property
0:14:39 > 0:14:42leading out onto the garden, you've got the lounge area.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44I mean, it's so dated, it's beyond words.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Look at the carpet. You might want to change this.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51You've got doors leading to outside and...
0:14:52 > 0:14:54..they are really dirty.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56But there's a lot you could do with this place.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00It does reek of years gone by, so it needs a big upgrade.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02It needs to be brought up to date.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04But, actually, it's quite a big house
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and it could be a really nice family space.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Yes, it reeks of years gone by, but there's a more worrying scent
0:15:12 > 0:15:14emanating from the other living room.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Now, one of the biggest challenges with damp
0:15:18 > 0:15:21is working out what is the cause,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24and down here, I think I can take a guess.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26If you look out this window,
0:15:26 > 0:15:28well, you can see the garden has been raised,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31and just out there is a drainpipe.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Yes, it could be that simple -
0:15:33 > 0:15:37water gathering next to the house is just slowly seeping in.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Now, this should be easily rectifiable,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42but my advice - always act as quickly as you can,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44especially around the D word.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47# Come on, baby Tell me what's the word
0:15:47 > 0:15:48# Word up... #
0:15:50 > 0:15:52The D word is damp, of course,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56but the other word I feel is dread whenever I see this issue.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Other D words that do come in handy here
0:15:59 > 0:16:02are damp-proof course and dehumidifier.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06So, upstairs, it really is just a mirror image
0:16:06 > 0:16:10of what's going on downstairs. One of the bedrooms... Ooh!
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I think there's been a bit of a serious leak upstairs in that loft.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Maybe some tiles are missing.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But that certainly needs sorting out.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Another really good-sized bedroom towards the back of the property,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23and a smaller bedroom just through there.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- SHE CHUCKLES - And I'm laughing because
0:16:25 > 0:16:26this is almost like a special room
0:16:26 > 0:16:28because, look, there's a couple of little steps -
0:16:28 > 0:16:32ba-doop, ba-doop - up into a rather special shower room.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Now, it is not special at all
0:16:34 > 0:16:36because there's not even a bath in there,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38and it certainly needs rearranging.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43I'm not sure whether this originally might have been the bathroom.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45I'm not sure, though, what that could be.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Was it put there because,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49you know, you need special head height for the stairs?
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Why are the steps there?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53It needs some rearranging and sorting out
0:16:53 > 0:16:56because, as it stands at the moment, it's not working.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59# When I think I'm on the right track
0:17:01 > 0:17:04# I take one step forward and two steps back... #
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Mm. Now it all just needs a bit of a rethink,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12but what can outside offer us?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16With this house, you get quite a lot of land wrapped around it,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18but it's all rather awkward in its shape.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21So, you've got a triangular little plot
0:17:21 > 0:17:25to the front of the building, this little side area along here.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28The blessing is you do have off-street parking -
0:17:28 > 0:17:30enough for two cars - which is great,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and then right over here at the back,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34another triangular piece of land.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So, you do have outside space, which is fantastic,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41but it's awkward in its shape. So, I really think
0:17:41 > 0:17:44landscape gardeners had better get their thinking hats on
0:17:44 > 0:17:48because it certainly does need a little bit of tweaking.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52And a little bit of weeding, too, for starters.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54We need a little bit of information on this house
0:17:54 > 0:17:56from a local estate agent.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59What are his first impressions of this property,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02guided at 255,000?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Coming through the front door, and it's evident that this property
0:18:07 > 0:18:09needs refurbishment from top to bottom.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12So, you'd start off with maybe doing the flooring, the walls,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14the central heating system. You'd have to check the electrics.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17There is a possibility of doing some extensions,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20and that may increase the value, but for the most part,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I think it just needs a general refurbishment.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27My ears pricked up at the possibility of extensions,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and the agent proposes an extension out the back
0:18:30 > 0:18:33or a loft conversion upstairs.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Would it be worth adding on to this house guided at £255,000?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Let's get some valuations and find out.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47This property would sell, in a totally modernised condition,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51of around £400,000 to possibly £415,000.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54This property, extended, possibly with a rear extension,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58you could get maybe up to the 425, possibly £430,000 mark.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05And how about the resale value if you extended into the loft?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Going up into the loft would give you two extra bedrooms
0:19:08 > 0:19:10and you may also be able to get another bathroom up there,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13solving the problem of having that small bathroom
0:19:13 > 0:19:14on the first-floor level.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18So, you could get up to maybe the £475,000 mark.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I think the cost of that would have to be taken into account.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Well, it's a big house on a generous plot,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26but there's certainly a lot to be getting on with here.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Let's see what happened when it went under the hammer.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Decent-sized semi. Where do you want to be on it?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Are you around 275 for it?
0:19:37 > 0:19:42Should be. Thought so. Thank you. 275, I'm bid. 277?
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Not surprisingly, the bidding climbed quickly
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and there were two determined bidders.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50We rejoin at 292,000.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53292. Make it 294, somebody?
0:19:53 > 0:19:57294 in front of you. 296. 298?
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Yours, then, at 298,000 for the first.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06298 for the second. Third, final...
0:20:06 > 0:20:10300, he's back in. 302? 302. 304?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14No? You're going to play that game again?
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Don't leave it to the last minute, otherwise you might lose out.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21There's gentleman in front of you now going at 302 once.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23302 twice.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Third and final time.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30Now that's yours at 302,000. Your bidder number is, sir...?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33A bid of 302,000 secured the property
0:20:33 > 0:20:36for the slightly obscured Artem.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Hailing from Moscow originally,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Artem came to the UK to study, and along with a business partner,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48this young entrepreneur is launching into the property business.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- # Go west - In the open air
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- # Go west - Where the skies are blue... #
0:20:56 > 0:21:01- Artem, congratulations.- Hi, Lucy. - So, 302,000, the hammer goes down.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04You've bought it. What are you going to do to change it?
0:21:04 > 0:21:08This house was built in the 1970s, so it has been quite a while ago.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11As you can see, there was no work done on the house since then.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13You've still got fireplaces in every single room.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15These ones have to go and will free up a lot of space.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- What, you mean you don't like this? - I do like it.- You don't like it?
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I do like it, don't get me wrong, but what I was thinking that
0:21:22 > 0:21:25if you just take this all out, you'll have a lot more space
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and it's going to add a little bit more light to the room, as well.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31It will need a lot of free planning. We will explore the possibilities
0:21:31 > 0:21:34of extending the current living space, as well.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The loft is a huge space there, as well.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39You've got about 3m-high roof there.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- Oh, wow.- So, we can do a lot with the loft
0:21:41 > 0:21:43and it's pretty much going to add another bedroom to the house.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49So, Artem plans this extra bedroom via a loft extension,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52but he's not done with increasing the size of the property yet.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57There is a lush space on the side of the house.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59We're probably going to take the extension
0:21:59 > 0:22:02to go pretty much up to the road, about 2m away from the road,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and then we'll explore the possibility
0:22:05 > 0:22:08of going slightly on the right, as well, where the driveway is now.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10OK, so, more like a wraparound extension.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12What about double-storey or single-storey?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Double-storey would be great,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and then we're going to solve the problem
0:22:16 > 0:22:19with our small bathroom, as well. It's a lot of space here,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21so there are a lot of things we could do.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Just because we simply didn't consider it yet,
0:22:24 > 0:22:25and we've just purchased the house,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28we'll definitely invite some more experts to have a look at it
0:22:28 > 0:22:30and give us an idea.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33My worry is I think an extension will be fine.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36What you don't want to do is extending it outwards,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38around and up and then you've got all these bedrooms.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You're still on a corner plot in Croydon
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and you're attached to a house next door,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47so overdevelopment is something that I would worry about with this.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Overdevelopment is definitely a concern.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Just like you said, if you add two or three extra bedrooms,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55probably simply no-one would want to buy a house.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58And then it turns into an HMO - a House of Multiple Occupancy.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59- You've got all these bedrooms. - Absolutely.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02But we want to make it a very large, comfortable family house.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05# If we're gonna do it, let's get to it... #
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Hmm. He's just exploring options at the minute.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Artem would ideally like a four- to five-bedroom house
0:23:13 > 0:23:18with two bathrooms, and has set aside a budget of £80,000.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Now, do remember that every house, and area it sits in,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25has a ceiling price.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29Adding a lot more bedrooms might not add a lot more value.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33# Too much of a good thing
0:23:33 > 0:23:37# You can never get enough of my good love
0:23:37 > 0:23:40# Open up and let me in... #
0:23:40 > 0:23:41He has a healthy budget,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and Artem plans a timescale of six months,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46if they get the go-ahead for the extension.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48# If we're gonna do it, let's get to it... #
0:23:48 > 0:23:51But this is a big change for Artem himself.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54He currently runs his own IT firm
0:23:54 > 0:23:59and his second company dealing in property is fairly new.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- And how is the business going? - Well, to be honest, Lucy,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I really enjoy working in this environment here in the UK.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07I think it gives you a lot of opportunities.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10It gives ability for young talents to actually prove themselves
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and to show something, something they can do.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14So, I really enjoy these times now
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and very, very excited about the construction company.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- You are very young. Do you mind asking how old you are?- Absolutely.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- I'm 27 years old. - So, you're 27 years old.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- And is this your first auction purchase?- Absolutely.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26This is the first auction purchase.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28The reason why I really like auctions
0:24:28 > 0:24:31is because you can actually seal the deal on the day.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33You come, you know what you're looking for.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I can imagine it suits you perfectly
0:24:35 > 0:24:38because it seems like you are in a big hurry to get everything done,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40- aren't you?- Absolutely. No-one wants to waste time.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43And, you know, with estate agents, there is a lot of fiddling about.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46So, is your business partner as excitable as you?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Is he as lively and as energetic and as go-getter as you are?
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I'm sure he is. I'm sure he is.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I like to speak a lot more than he does,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56but I think we kind of add to each here, you know.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Thank goodness he doesn't compete with you on the talking front.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01No, no, he doesn't. SHE LAUGHS
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Well, I am excited to see how it all turns out,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06how much you extend, how much you develop on this plot,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08and what it's going to look like at the end.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I hope you take time to just breathe and enjoy it.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15- Thank you so much, Lucy.- Lovely to meet you.- Thanks.- Thank you.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Artem is a man in a hurry,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and in his young life, well, he's already achieved such a lot.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24He's built up experience in construction,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26started up two companies.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30He certainly hopes to get a lot done in a short space of time here.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34But sometimes, you just need to pace yourself,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and with a project of this scale,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39could it be more of a marathon than a sprint?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Join me later in the programme and you can see how Artem gets on.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Still to come, a plot of land in Norfolk
0:25:48 > 0:25:52on the right side of the tracks, but will I catch it?
0:25:52 > 0:25:54If I run quick enough, I might get that, you know.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57And back in Croydon,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01we'll find out if Artem's big plans caused him problems.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Our first planning, that was a bit of a wait.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11We're ducking back over to the village of Drakelow,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13near Burton upon Trent.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17This is where I saw this fantastic rural residence.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22It was in OK condition, actually, if in need of modernising.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24As well as three bedrooms downstairs,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27it offered something extra upstairs.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31The thing that's, well, a bit weird - look at this.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35There's a kind of passageway through to this side of the property
0:26:35 > 0:26:38where there's an almost identical room.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Now, this would make the most fantastic space for a train set.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46But my loco-motivation wasn't on the same tracks
0:26:46 > 0:26:51as the new owners, Jane and Nigel, who paid £282,000 for this lot,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54which also came with a garage and workshop.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Their plan was to settle here and to make a home
0:26:57 > 0:27:00for daughter Emily and for Jane's mum.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03The garage and workshop, we're going to convert to a granny annexe,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06and we're, all four of us, going to live here.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It's everyone's dream, probably, to build their own house.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11This is probably the next best thing, I think.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13You know, we've got a complete blank canvas.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Well, I can't wait to see what's happened.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20They thought it would take nine months to complete,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24depending on planning, but we're back 12 months later.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Is their dream house complete?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32Wow! It sure is. I'm impressed.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36What will it be like inside?
0:27:50 > 0:27:54This fantastic kitchen/diner sits on a double-storey extension,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57and is the absolute hub of the home.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Elsewhere, the fireplace and chimney stack have been removed.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05Now a multi-fuel stove system provides the secondary heating.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12This means, upstairs, there's space for a second bedroom and en-suite.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13In that extension,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17the main bedroom has vastly increased in size and splendour.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28The three downstairs bedrooms have remained,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30so it's now a five-bedroomed house,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33although one is being used as a second lounge
0:28:33 > 0:28:36with double doors out onto that lovely scenery.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Also outside was the old garage and stables,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44which have now been transformed into a one-bedroom annexe
0:28:44 > 0:28:46for Jane's mum Sheila.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Back in the main house,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Jane and Nigel took the advice of one of their builders
0:28:59 > 0:29:02and didn't go with a third bedroom upstairs,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05as they had planned. But now the work's complete,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08do they think it's the right decision?
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I think it would have compromised our bedroom too much
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- having that third bedroom up there. - Without a doubt.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14So, now we've got all that space
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- and it's just got the wow factor. - It has, yeah.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- Well, people do literally say wow when they go up there.- They do.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23And that echoes throughout the rest of the house.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25But all this must have come at a price.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Well, the original budget was 150,000.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- We've gone slightly over that, I'd say, haven't we?- We have.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37- HE CHUCKLES - Probably more like 280,000.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Almost the same as we paid for the house.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42But, you know, we've got what we wanted, haven't we?
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- We don't mind.- We intentionally went over budget.- Yeah.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47We increased the specification pretty much throughout the house.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50We spent more on the kitchen than we perhaps intended.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Some of the finishes are much higher specification
0:29:53 > 0:29:55than, again, were originally intended.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57And that wasn't really taking into account all the patios,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59the fencing, the stables, the stable block.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02So, we're perfectly happy with what we've got.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04This is where we're going to live, so it needs to be right.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- We're not in it to make a profit. - No, it needs to be right,
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- and we're happy with it.- Yeah.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Well, who wouldn't be happy with this?
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Jane and Nigel certainly are,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15and their daughter Emily is bound to be.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18But I've noticed one thing is missing so far.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22There is still some work to do on the paddock, and a new stable,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26but by spring, Emily will have that promised pony.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30- And there may be a companion pony, as well.- Yeah.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33So, this family don't do things by halves.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Budget and ponies seem to double,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38but this was always meant to be a dream home,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41and they're not interested in profit.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43So, we know they won't mind if we find out
0:30:43 > 0:30:47if Nigel and Jane's £562,000 has been well spent,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51by asking two experts to trot along and tell us.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53The property's been totally transformed
0:30:53 > 0:30:54from when I saw it and sold it.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57You wouldn't really recognise it as being the same place
0:30:57 > 0:30:59cos we've had a total makeover.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Walls have been moved, extensions have happened.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07They made a terrific job out of it. I really, really like it.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09I think the layout's very, very interesting.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11It will suit many families in different situations,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13whether they have a disabled person
0:31:13 > 0:31:15or a granny annexe or teenagers,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17so it's going to be very, very popular.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20The general area is beautiful in the main property, as well.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23I think the main selling point now is just its appeal
0:31:23 > 0:31:27because of its space, because of its specification.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29We've already got the location and the paddock,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32and we've now got the added ingredient of an annexe,
0:31:32 > 0:31:33which wasn't here before.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37And if you've got a family who need that facility,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39they're a bit few and far between,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41so I think that's a really unique selling point.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46That's high praise indeed, but will the sales figures be as lofty?
0:31:47 > 0:31:51It's very, very difficult to value because it's got a unique location.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53You've got all these ingredients of a paddock and an annexe,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55which you don't normally get,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58even with a country residence, sometimes.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00But I think you could test the market
0:32:00 > 0:32:03at an asking price of somewhere around 695,000.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05I'm not saying you'll get that.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08I think you'd probably get nearer to 650 at the end of the day,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10but this will suit somebody out there
0:32:10 > 0:32:13and I think they would be prepared to pay for it.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16If I was to put this property on the open sales market,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20I would expect the value to be no less than £685,000,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24but no more, dare I say, than £700,000.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- That's really good, actually. - That's really good.- Yeah.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- That's kind of where we were hoping it would be.- Yeah.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31A bit higher than I was thinking, probably.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- Again, at the end of the day, we've covered our costs.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36But the house isn't going to be sold, so...
0:32:36 > 0:32:38It's nice to know that we've covered our costs,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41but we won't be moving, so it's irrelevant, in a way.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- But, yeah, it's good to know. - It's great to know.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46So, even though we've increased our budget by a considerable amount,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48we've still made money on it,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51so, you know, we've got to be happy with that, haven't we?
0:32:51 > 0:32:53- MARTIN CHUCKLES - That's for sure.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54With a profit of £123,000,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58I think it's certainly cause for a celebration. So, what's next?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- Pop a cork off a good bottle.- Yeah.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05That's what I'll do next. HE CHUCKLES
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- MARTIN CHUCKLES - Well, pour me a glass, please.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11But first, let's hear what Emily thinks of her new home.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16My favourite part of the house is my bedroom
0:33:16 > 0:33:19because I'm going to have a double bed
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and it's going to be covered in butterflies.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Just 20 minutes north of Norwich, in Norfolk,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33is the lovely little village of Coltishall.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Situated on the River Bure,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39this Broadland village boasts two pubs and a school.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Its tranquil setting makes it a very popular place to live,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46but with few properties coming to market,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50finding an opportunity to buy anything around here is pretty rare,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53but I think I've done just that with this piece of land.
0:33:54 > 0:33:55So, what have we got?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58It's a small plot just under a third of an acre
0:33:58 > 0:34:00next to what used to be the old station house,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03which has been defunct since 1952.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05It's already got planning in place
0:34:05 > 0:34:08for a four-bedroom, two-storey dwelling
0:34:08 > 0:34:13with a guide price of £125,000 to £150,000.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16Here it is. It's a very narrow plot. It's been split into two.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19The closer plot is the plot we're here to see.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24It looks pretty perfect as building plots go -
0:34:24 > 0:34:27flat, level, with good access to the site
0:34:27 > 0:34:30and with planning in place for a four-bed house.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33But there's something that might derail things
0:34:33 > 0:34:35right on its boundary's edge.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Normally, having a train track run through your front garden
0:34:40 > 0:34:43or your back garden would be a huge negative,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45but I've checked peak season times
0:34:45 > 0:34:48and only 12 trains run through here daily.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Now, it's not a high-speed passenger train.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53It's a miniature tourist train
0:34:53 > 0:34:57where you can see all the sites of Coltishall and Norfolk.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I think it's quite pretty and quite quaint.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05# Oh, little train, right on time Chug, chug, chugging down the line
0:35:05 > 0:35:09# Burning up the miles from you to me
0:35:09 > 0:35:11# There's his whistle, so beguiling
0:35:11 > 0:35:14# Watch the local yokels piling all aboard
0:35:14 > 0:35:16# And off he chugs again. #
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Well, you might need to wash your windows a lot,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24but I reckon, for a lot of blokes, this is a dream come true -
0:35:24 > 0:35:26a train set at the bottom of the garden
0:35:26 > 0:35:28and a service that isn't likely to bother you,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30especially if you're out at work all day.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35There is also water and electricity on site,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38though drains and sewage will have to be laid in.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41But with a second building plot adjacent to this lot,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43which will also require services,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47you might be able to share the costs with the owner of that site.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51This is a nice plot in a novel location.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55There's enough room here for a decent-sized house, parking,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57garden and you've got your privacy,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00as long as you don't mind the odd train passing through, of course.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03This is just waiting for someone to come along
0:36:03 > 0:36:06and build a lovely family home.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07It's perfect for it.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11So, I think it should be full steam ahead with this one,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13but now I've seen the building site,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17I'm quite keen to get on a train and see the local sites.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20If I run quick enough, I might get that, you know.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23# Stop the train, stop the train... #
0:36:23 > 0:36:24On second thoughts...
0:36:24 > 0:36:26I've never ran that fast in my life. I would never get it.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31But who will get on board
0:36:31 > 0:36:33with taking on a large construction project?
0:36:33 > 0:36:36What does the auctioneer who sold the plot think?
0:36:37 > 0:36:39There aren't that many plots available
0:36:39 > 0:36:40in this particular location
0:36:40 > 0:36:42that come up in this sort of environment.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44So, something like this,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47when it does become available, normally is pretty popular.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50This particular plot is likely to suit the family audience.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52It's someone who's going to build for themselves
0:36:52 > 0:36:54or a builder who's building for profit.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59And with building costs likely to be in the region of £200,000
0:36:59 > 0:37:04could a plot that was guided at 125 to 150 grand
0:37:04 > 0:37:05actually be value for money?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08We'd probably expect a property in this area
0:37:08 > 0:37:12to sell for about £450,000 to £500,000 once it's built.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15I suppose rental - probably £1,000 to £1,200 a month.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Will it be a developer that can see profit to be made here
0:37:21 > 0:37:24or somebody that's looking to build their dream home?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27That's what I love about plots - they're completely blank canvases.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Let's see who fancied it when it went to auction.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35So, moving on to the building plot overlooking the Bure Valley Railway.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36Watch the steam trains go by.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Don't mind where we start on this. £100,000 just to get me in? 100,000?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Thank you. We're in at £100,000.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46At 100 and I'll take it in fives if I may. At 105 here.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49110 now? 110. 15? And 20?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51120. 125?
0:37:51 > 0:37:57No. I'll take two from you now. 122? 124? 126?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00126. 128?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Now at £126,000.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07At £126,000. We're standing in the room at 126.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10At 126,000, then, for the first time.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14At 126 for the second time. And third time.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18Congratulations. Well done, sir. So, 126,000 for lot 14.
0:38:19 > 0:38:25For £126,000, the building plot was bought by Norwich-based Michael.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28He runs his own car, MOT and service centre,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32but has done a number of property projects as a sideline,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35and once finished, he hopes to make this place his home.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38- Michael, nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- And congratulations.- Thank you.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43I'm going to take you from this cold morning back to the auction house.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- How was it?- Yeah, that was good. That was exciting and exhilarating.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49So, did you go with sort of blinkers on thinking,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- "Right, I want this property. This is the one I want"?- No.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55I went to the auction to look at a different property
0:38:55 > 0:38:59and, funny enough, when I was at the last property,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01it was then when they gave me
0:39:01 > 0:39:03the brochure, and when I looked through the brochure,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05I saw the picture and the drawings for this place
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and thought they looked really quite pretty.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Did it sort of jump out at you thinking,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- "I can do something with that"? - Yeah, yeah.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13I'd been looking for over a year
0:39:13 > 0:39:17to find a property to either knock down and do up
0:39:17 > 0:39:18or something to develop,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22so this being a blank canvas was, I think, ideal, really.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25So, what were your first thoughts, right next to a railway line?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Well, when I first saw the auction catalogue
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and saw it was by a railway line, I nearly never came out.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33But it was a Saturday afternoon
0:39:33 > 0:39:35and I had nothing better else to do with myself,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38so I figured, "Well, just go and have a look, Michael,"
0:39:38 > 0:39:40thinking that having a big steam train
0:39:40 > 0:39:42coming past the house might be quite cute.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44But then when I actually got here
0:39:44 > 0:39:46and noticed that it was even a narrow-gauge railway,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48like almost a toy railway,
0:39:48 > 0:39:52I kind of figured that was really quite idyllic and pretty, really.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56So, yeah, I'm looking forward to maybe looking out doing the dishes
0:39:56 > 0:40:00and seeing a steam train coming past. Should be good fun.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04# Looking out my window down the railroad track
0:40:04 > 0:40:08# Can't you hear the whistle blowing down the line? #
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Michael might become a train spotter from his kitchen window,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13but what will the passengers see
0:40:13 > 0:40:15when looking back from the carriages?
0:40:16 > 0:40:19I'm going to go pretty much as per the plans
0:40:19 > 0:40:22because that's what drew me to it in the first place.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26I hope to have my garage up at this end built into the land.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27It'll be quite a large garage
0:40:27 > 0:40:30cos I quite like my cars and bits and pieces.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Where we're standing here is hopefully going to be
0:40:33 > 0:40:35the back garden or the side garden, as it were.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I intend on having a wall coming down the side
0:40:38 > 0:40:40going right to the entrance gate.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45Behind me here, I envisage is where the bi-folding doors
0:40:45 > 0:40:48will lead into the lounge and the dining room,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51so it'll all be nice and open in the summer,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54which will then lead into the house, which, hopefully,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I'm going to make as high-end as I can possibly make it.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00I intend on using, like, underfloor heating,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03nice sort of granite surfaces in the kitchen,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06that sort of thing, open-plan.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09And as much as I'm building it for myself,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12I still want to build it like a family home,
0:41:12 > 0:41:17so I intend to hopefully have all en-suite facilities
0:41:17 > 0:41:20in all the bedrooms, of which there'll be four.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22So, some grand expectations, I suppose.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25So, Michael, what sort of materials are you going to use?
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- Are you going brick? Are you going wood?- Yeah, I'm hoping to go brick.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32I'd like to try and keep it traditional,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34like the original railway building behind us,
0:41:34 > 0:41:36which is in a yellow buff-type brick,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39with then some sort of black-facing bricks
0:41:39 > 0:41:41to make it look nice and modern and pretty.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44I envisage actually having,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46rather than white window frames, actually black ones,
0:41:46 > 0:41:50which I think will set out nicely against the yellow with the brick.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52And also keeping some of the railway theme
0:41:52 > 0:41:55with simple, silly things, like, you know, on the entrance gate,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- maybe make it like kind of a railway crossing type gate.- OK.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00- Oh, as in the gate when you come in?- Yeah.- OK.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04So, yeah, just small touches that keep the railway theme
0:42:04 > 0:42:06cos, at the end of the day, it is here.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11I like Michael's plan to give a nod to the location
0:42:11 > 0:42:13where the house will be built,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16and though he will get involved with some of the labouring, in the main,
0:42:16 > 0:42:20he will employ a team of builders to complete the project for him.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23With that high-specification finish he's looking for,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26what has he budgeted for the work?
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Cost-wise, I imagine,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34and I'm pretty loose on this one, really,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37but I imagine between £150,000 and £200,000,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- hopefully, should be enough. - To go from what we see today
0:42:40 > 0:42:43to a nice, finished house that you're happy with, everything done?
0:42:43 > 0:42:44Yeah, fingers crossed.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46And how long are you hoping it's going to take you?
0:42:46 > 0:42:49I hope to get it done within a year, yeah.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52All done within a year, 150, 200 grand,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- you'll have your dream house? - Yeah, let's hope so.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57I think you'll do well. You've got all your bases covered.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01You seem happy, nothing's fazed you. There's nothing here at the moment,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03but we can't wait to see what you produce.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04I'm really looking forward to it.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- We wish you all the best, Michael.- Thank you.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09So, Michael has got his work cut out,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11but he did get this plot of land for a decent price,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13so he's off to a flyer.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16And I love the fact that he's keeping that railway theme
0:43:16 > 0:43:18running through the whole of this project.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20I can't wait to see how this looks a year down the line.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Well, we've seen how one of today's properties turned out,
0:43:30 > 0:43:34but is it over? No, no, no. There's still two to have a look at.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Yeah, have these projects gone to plan?
0:43:36 > 0:43:38I think it's time to find out.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42We're heading back to Croydon
0:43:42 > 0:43:45to see a pretty substantial three-bedroom property
0:43:45 > 0:43:49with a lot of space, but also a lot of problems.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52It was very dated and needed modernising throughout.
0:43:55 > 0:44:00It also suffered from water damage at the back and from above.
0:44:00 > 0:44:05Upstairs, the layout was also, mm, er, quirky.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Because, look, there's a couple of little steps -
0:44:08 > 0:44:12ba-doop, ba-doop - up into a rather special shower room.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Now, it is not special at all
0:44:14 > 0:44:16because there's not even a bath in there.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21Willing to take on this house with all its flaws was Artem,
0:44:21 > 0:44:23who, between him and his business partner,
0:44:23 > 0:44:26have experience in the construction business,
0:44:26 > 0:44:29so this project held no fears for him.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32He paid £302,000 at auction for this,
0:44:32 > 0:44:36and it sounds like he'll be spending a lot more.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38We're just probably going to take the extension to go
0:44:38 > 0:44:41pretty much up to the road - about 2m away from the road -
0:44:41 > 0:44:44and then we'll explore the possibility
0:44:44 > 0:44:47of going slightly on the right, as well, where the driveway is now.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49OK, so, more like a wraparound extension?
0:44:49 > 0:44:51What about double-storey or single-storey?
0:44:51 > 0:44:53Double-storey would be great.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Then we'll solve the problem with our small bathroom, as well.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Increasing the footprint of the house was dependent
0:44:59 > 0:45:02on Artem getting planning permission from the council,
0:45:02 > 0:45:06who might not look favourably on a double extension on this plot.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08Aside from that, I was getting worried
0:45:08 > 0:45:12that he was in danger of overdeveloping this property.
0:45:12 > 0:45:17We're back to see if Artem's ambitious plans have been realised.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19And, yes, looks like they have.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Plus, the chocolate coloured pebble dash is gone.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25I hope the changes to the old-fashioned interior
0:45:25 > 0:45:27are just as impressive.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33# State, state, state, state of the art... #
0:45:33 > 0:45:37Wow. The added extension, plus knocking the wall through,
0:45:37 > 0:45:41has really modernised this layout. And there's more.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51This lovely family bathroom on the ground floor
0:45:51 > 0:45:53is where the kitchen used to be.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59The damp was taken care of in the front room,
0:45:59 > 0:46:01and everything just looks so fresh.
0:46:04 > 0:46:09Thanks to the extension, upstairs has benefited from more space, too.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Last but by no means least
0:46:12 > 0:46:15is the change in that pokey little shower room.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21So, where has all this space come from?
0:46:21 > 0:46:23Time for Artem to fill us in.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29When we initially saw this house, the first-floor bathroom
0:46:29 > 0:46:33was of a tiny size, which couldn't be used by the family.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36So, what we decided to do, we decided to use this space
0:46:36 > 0:46:38and go into our extension on the first floor
0:46:38 > 0:46:40to create a larger bathroom.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42I think that the new homeowner's
0:46:42 > 0:46:45going to be really happy with the size of this bathroom
0:46:45 > 0:46:48and going to be enjoying using it every day.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50Yes, I'm sure they will,
0:46:50 > 0:46:54but has Artem enjoyed himself whilst working on this project?
0:46:54 > 0:46:57It's been a really exciting nine months.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01First, planning, it's taken the first two months,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05and that was a bit of a wait here and there.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08Once the planning passed through, we started the build.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11It's taken us about six months to do it.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14We did go for a top end with this house.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16A lot of people were saying to us,
0:47:16 > 0:47:18"This is probably not the best thing to do in Croydon."
0:47:18 > 0:47:21However, every job that we do, especially with our projects,
0:47:21 > 0:47:24we want to put a little bit of our personality
0:47:24 > 0:47:27in the projects that we do. We do put our soul in such a build,
0:47:27 > 0:47:31and that's the reason why they do come out the way they do.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35A high-spec finish doesn't just take a lot of attention and passion.
0:47:35 > 0:47:36It takes a lot of money.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42When we initially started this particular job, we sat down,
0:47:42 > 0:47:45choosing materials and the finishes that we were going to use,
0:47:45 > 0:47:47and we realised that, actually,
0:47:47 > 0:47:50we can invest a little bit more money into this property.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53We dropped our plans of going into the loft and extending it,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56which saved us quite a bit of money,
0:47:56 > 0:47:58which we could spend on internal works.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01Plus, we decided to go for a little bit more high-end finishes,
0:48:01 > 0:48:05such as the granite worktops and slightly more expensive appliances
0:48:05 > 0:48:08that were already in the house, which brought our costs slightly up.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12So, we did finish above 100,000 spent on this house.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14I think we got it right on the spot.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16Artem has clearly done the maths
0:48:16 > 0:48:19and worked out that adding the loft extension
0:48:19 > 0:48:21would not equal a good return.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24Has he decided if he wants to rent it
0:48:24 > 0:48:28- or sell this lovely family home? - It came out to be such a nice house
0:48:28 > 0:48:31that we can't even think of renting it out,
0:48:31 > 0:48:33so it went straight onto the market.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35We had a really, really successful open day.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38There were 24 people who viewed the house on the first day
0:48:38 > 0:48:40when the house went on the market.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43So, our initial plan was followed precisely
0:48:43 > 0:48:45in terms of selling the property,
0:48:45 > 0:48:50other than keeping it as our asset and rent it out.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53Well, I think it's time we added two more to those viewing figures
0:48:53 > 0:48:55and see what the local estate agents think
0:48:55 > 0:48:56of the changes here.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00The changes of this property are drastic.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02He's changed a lot. So, when I came in,
0:49:02 > 0:49:05I didn't actually recognise much of the property.
0:49:05 > 0:49:06He's done a great job.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09It's a lovely quality of finish. It's exactly what I recommended,
0:49:09 > 0:49:11actually - go out as much as he could and go across.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14I think he didn't really need to do the double-storey extension.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17That would have added a lot of cost and also time to his project.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20I think that it's the best house on the road bar none, really,
0:49:20 > 0:49:22in terms of the quality of the work
0:49:22 > 0:49:24and the amount of space available,
0:49:24 > 0:49:27so people would normally come here for a much smaller house.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31Having the best house on the street, well, that can be an advantage
0:49:31 > 0:49:34in getting you lots of interest and a quick sale,
0:49:34 > 0:49:38but there's always a risk of pricing yourself out of a particular market.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40Could Artem and his team have gone over
0:49:40 > 0:49:42the ceiling price for the street?
0:49:42 > 0:49:46They have spent a total of 402,000 here.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48I think he'll break the ceiling of the road, generally,
0:49:48 > 0:49:50which is around the 400 mark, of course,
0:49:50 > 0:49:53because it's such a fantastic house. It really is.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55But I think he might struggle
0:49:55 > 0:49:57to achieve the prices that are expected,
0:49:57 > 0:50:00given the amount of money that he's put in
0:50:00 > 0:50:02versus the potential returns.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06Oh, dear. So, what kind of figures could we expect here?
0:50:06 > 0:50:09This property would achieve approximately £500,000.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11If I were marketing this house,
0:50:11 > 0:50:15I would put the value at between £500,000 and £525,000.
0:50:15 > 0:50:17That's a very interesting valuation
0:50:17 > 0:50:21and a lot of agents are giving very, very similar valuations
0:50:21 > 0:50:23on this property. Thankfully,
0:50:23 > 0:50:25we've had high offers on that already.
0:50:25 > 0:50:29We're getting some offers in the region of £550,000.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32We don't expect it to be sold any higher than that,
0:50:32 > 0:50:34but it's already great news
0:50:34 > 0:50:37because it's just above the valuations that we're getting.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Even the lower 525,000 value
0:50:39 > 0:50:44would give Artem a very healthy £123,000.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48Well, that's great profit. So, what's next?
0:50:48 > 0:50:51We just started another big development in London.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53I'm really excited where it's going to go next.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03We're heading back to the quaint village of Coltishall, in Norfolk.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06I was there to see a plot of land
0:51:06 > 0:51:08with planning permission for a four-bed house
0:51:08 > 0:51:12that was quite literally from the other side of the tracks.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18Normally, having a train track run through your front garden
0:51:18 > 0:51:22or your back garden would be a huge negative, but I've checked.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Now, it's not a high-speed passenger train.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27It's a miniature tourist train
0:51:27 > 0:51:30where you can see all the sites of Coltishall and Norfolk.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32I think it's quite pretty and quite quaint.
0:51:34 > 0:51:39# Oh, little train, right on time Chug, chug, chugging down the line
0:51:39 > 0:51:41# Burning up the miles from you to me... #
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Norwich local Michael runs his own car, MOT and service centre,
0:51:48 > 0:51:52and he bought this lot for 126 grand.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55It certainly needed more than just a tune up,
0:51:55 > 0:51:57so he'll have plenty to be getting on with.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00I'm going to go pretty much as per the plans
0:52:00 > 0:52:03because that's what drew me to it in the first place.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07I hope to have my garage up at this end built into the land.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09It'll be quite a large garage
0:52:09 > 0:52:11cos I quite like my cars and bits and pieces,
0:52:11 > 0:52:15whereas standing here is hopefully going to be the back garden
0:52:15 > 0:52:16or the side garden, as it were.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19I intend on having a wall coming down the side,
0:52:19 > 0:52:22going right to the entrance gate, which will then lead into the house,
0:52:22 > 0:52:25which, hopefully, I'm going to make as high-end
0:52:25 > 0:52:27as I can possibly make it.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29Michael wanted to go full steam ahead
0:52:29 > 0:52:32and hoped to have the work completed in a year.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35So, we're back one year and four months later
0:52:35 > 0:52:38to see if he's reached his final destination.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42# Can you meet me halfway?
0:52:42 > 0:52:46# Right at the borderline is where I'm gonna wait... #
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Well, to be fair, overall,
0:52:48 > 0:52:52we are a little more than halfway complete here.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55Inside, the house is still coming together,
0:52:55 > 0:52:59so we better let Michael give us the lowdown on how things will look.
0:53:00 > 0:53:05In the kitchen, my intention is for this to be the utility area,
0:53:05 > 0:53:08obviously, to keep the noisy washing machines and bits out of the way.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11I'm hoping to have twin sinks underneath the windows,
0:53:11 > 0:53:12so you can do your dishes
0:53:12 > 0:53:14and look out at the little train when she comes past.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18I've lowered the ceiling here and it mirrors, hopefully,
0:53:18 > 0:53:21what I intend on having, which I've drawn on the floor -
0:53:21 > 0:53:25a breakfast bar area with a built-in hob and suchlike.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28So, it's kind of a central area
0:53:28 > 0:53:31that everyone can be in the same place,
0:53:31 > 0:53:33so I'm looking forward to using that for the first time.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35It should be a nice place to hang out.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39It might take a bit of imagination as it is now,
0:53:39 > 0:53:42but I think Michael is right.
0:53:42 > 0:53:47He has also made some slight changes to the layout in the original plans.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49All four bedrooms will have en-suite access
0:53:49 > 0:53:51with two of them being connected
0:53:51 > 0:53:53by a Jack and Jill bathroom in the middle.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Downstairs, he has widened the hallway,
0:54:00 > 0:54:04where, hopefully, we should see a grander staircase than this,
0:54:04 > 0:54:06but one step at a time.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09A lot of work has already gone into this project,
0:54:09 > 0:54:11but like a lot of trains that I've waited for,
0:54:11 > 0:54:13we are running a little late.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19Initially, I anticipated it taking about a year,
0:54:19 > 0:54:22but then I've not put myself under any pressures
0:54:22 > 0:54:24of specific timescales.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Ultimately, it'll be done when it's done
0:54:27 > 0:54:29and hopefully, it'll be done correctly.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31I'm actually quite happy and quite relaxed.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34I've had a nice couple of guys, builders,
0:54:34 > 0:54:37that have kind of taken me under their wing a little bit
0:54:37 > 0:54:41and guided me through a few things that I wouldn't know
0:54:41 > 0:54:43because, of course, I'm a mechanic, not a builder,
0:54:43 > 0:54:46so I'm very appreciative of that.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50So, I'm happy with the way it's all gone so far.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52I think Michael should be pleased,
0:54:52 > 0:54:55but splitting his time between managing this build
0:54:55 > 0:54:56and his garage must be tough.
0:54:57 > 0:55:01He still has to choose most of the internal fittings and decoration.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05However, he's already put some rather unique design features in.
0:55:07 > 0:55:09There's a few ideas I've put in myself
0:55:09 > 0:55:12that reflect my own character, I suppose, really.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15So, in the bathrooms, I've got a couple of little London scenes,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18probably cos that's where I come from, so I can't help it.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21And just to embrace the fact that there is a miniature railway
0:55:21 > 0:55:24going through in what I would call my back garden,
0:55:24 > 0:55:28I've had made some etchings for the front doors
0:55:28 > 0:55:29just with the steam trains,
0:55:29 > 0:55:31just to give that little nod to the fact that
0:55:31 > 0:55:36it is a nice, peaceful, tranquil, unusual place to be.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40For car man Michael, have all these added extras bumped up his budget?
0:55:41 > 0:55:43From a budget point of view,
0:55:43 > 0:55:47I've never had a specific amount to decide.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50I didn't want to put myself under that pressure,
0:55:50 > 0:55:54so I've more gone towards, "I will just carry on doing it
0:55:54 > 0:55:57"to the best of my ability until it's finished
0:55:57 > 0:55:59"or either my pot runs out."
0:55:59 > 0:56:01But at the end of the day,
0:56:01 > 0:56:04of course I'll add up and see what it's cost
0:56:04 > 0:56:08and then I can compare that with what its value will be
0:56:08 > 0:56:10and then that'll depend on whether I'm happy or not,
0:56:10 > 0:56:12but I'm sure it'll be fine.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15Although it's Michael's long-term home,
0:56:15 > 0:56:17that pot could end up being empty,
0:56:17 > 0:56:20so it's good to get a sense of what the property could be worth
0:56:20 > 0:56:23before Michael overstretches his budget.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25We've asked along two local property experts
0:56:25 > 0:56:27to get their opinions.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30I think it's come a long way
0:56:30 > 0:56:32since it was a bare building plot, but, yeah,
0:56:32 > 0:56:34still quite a lot of work to do.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36But the nice thing about this house is its space.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38I think it's a wonderfully spacious house,
0:56:38 > 0:56:41particularly when you come into the hallway and this kitchen
0:56:41 > 0:56:42we're standing in at the moment.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46I can visualise it being really the centre of the property in the future
0:56:46 > 0:56:49and I think this'll be one of those sought-after positions
0:56:49 > 0:56:52- that everybody will want to live in. - From what I can see at the moment,
0:56:52 > 0:56:54the layout of this property works very well.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57It's quite flexible. You've got a fantastic entrance hall.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01The garden leads from the side of the lounge and living area
0:57:01 > 0:57:04and the bedrooms work very well with an en-suite to two of the bedrooms,
0:57:04 > 0:57:07including the master, and a fantastic guest suite to the back.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09The work might not be finished,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12but can the agents give us an estimated sales value
0:57:12 > 0:57:15for the completed house?
0:57:15 > 0:57:17I think that, once this property is finished,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19if it's done to the right standard,
0:57:19 > 0:57:23it could fetch in the region of £500,000 to £525,000.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27Once this property is completed, I'd expect this property to sell
0:57:27 > 0:57:30for around £550,000.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34Well, obviously, the values have come kind of as expected,
0:57:34 > 0:57:37but it's nice to hear it confirmed.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40Obviously, my plan is to live in it, not to sell it initially,
0:57:40 > 0:57:43but then who knows what the future holds? Never say never.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46And although he's yet to move in,
0:57:46 > 0:57:48Michael is already enjoying the benefits
0:57:48 > 0:57:52of being able to call such an unusual location home.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55Building a house next to a tiny, narrow-gauge railway
0:57:55 > 0:57:58is very pleasant, and it's almost like being a big kid, really,
0:57:58 > 0:58:01having a little railway station coming through your back garden.
0:58:01 > 0:58:05So, it's nice, and it's nice to see the people wave as they go by,
0:58:05 > 0:58:07and I had a couple of comments coming from the train, like,
0:58:07 > 0:58:09"Keep up the good work."
0:58:09 > 0:58:11So, yeah, it's very good. It's very good.
0:58:13 > 0:58:16If you are thinking of buying your next property at auction,
0:58:16 > 0:58:18I hope we've been of some help.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20Yeah, and there are lots more stories where they came from.
0:58:20 > 0:58:23So, make sure you join us next time for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:23 > 0:58:25- We'll see you then. - Goodbye.- Goodbye.