0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello and welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Buying a property at auction can be full of thrills and spills.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Yeah, when the hammer goes down and you are the successful bidder,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11it is a fantastic feeling.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13And that is when the real work begins,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16so why not buy your home under the hammer?
0:00:41 > 0:00:44It's all go at an average property auction and, I tell you what,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47the bidding can sometimes go at quite a frantic pace.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Yes, you have to keep on your toes to keep up
0:00:49 > 0:00:52but make sure you don't let things run away with you.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Let's hope today's buyers took that advice on board.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57How did they get on? Let's find out.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I want to see a different decor
0:01:00 > 0:01:03at this three-bed semi in Walsall, the West Midlands.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Floral wallpaper, floral carpet, floral lino.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10And I want to see something more radical
0:01:10 > 0:01:13at this flat in Ilford, Essex.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I want to see a different layout straightaway.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17What is going on here?
0:01:18 > 0:01:20And I'm desperate to see the finished development
0:01:20 > 0:01:24in East Horsley, Surrey, from 2012, an eight-house development.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26We bought the site
0:01:26 > 0:01:28and then we managed to acquire the site next door.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32All these properties were bought at auction.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34We'll find out who got them and how much they paid
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- when these homes went under the hammer.- It's yours, sir.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43MUSIC: Side Saddle by Russ Conway
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Walsall in the West Midlands
0:01:45 > 0:01:48was once the leather capital of the world
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and was home to nearly a third of Britain's saddle-makers.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Nowadays, Walsall offers affordable house prices
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and good connections to Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02The property I'm here to see
0:02:02 > 0:02:05is just a ten-minute drive away from Walsall town centre
0:02:05 > 0:02:11and just a stone's throw from the noisy M6 which is just there.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Anyway, the property I'm here to see is a three-bed semidetached house
0:02:16 > 0:02:20with a guide price of £68,000 and this is it.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Looks pretty cool from the outside. Let's take a closer look.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25I do like this '50s-style build,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28but is there something more modern behind the door?
0:02:31 > 0:02:33OK, we're straight into the hallway.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37We've got the stairs right in front of me going up to the bedrooms.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41In here, you've got a nice big lounge with a fireplace
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and a lovely big bay window.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Down the hallway, you've got some hanging space here,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51under the stairs. Very much a '50s feeling.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54As you come into the kitchen, very old-fashioned.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56People would call it retro nowadays,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58but I think you'd have to start again,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01take all this out and you've got the dining room here.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06OK, you can keep it as two separate rooms
0:03:06 > 0:03:08but if you're going to change the whole of your kitchen,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10you might as well change the whole of the feel.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I'd be inclined to take this whole wall out,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15create a nice kitchen-dining area.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I would also be inclined to change the windows,
0:03:20 > 0:03:21which are single-glazed
0:03:21 > 0:03:25and very much of the era the house was built in.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27There's no central heating either
0:03:27 > 0:03:29and the electrics are about 15 years older than I am,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33if you can believe it. They would definitely need a rewire.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Suddenly '50s chic is making me blue.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38# Do you know what?
0:03:38 > 0:03:42# But this is 1950
0:03:42 > 0:03:47# And I won't be your dog no more... #
0:03:48 > 0:03:51But there is something to cheer me up.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Through the kitchen, there is a lean-to area
0:03:53 > 0:03:55with cupboard space and a loo.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57It is a good space for your washing machine and dryer
0:03:57 > 0:04:00or you could even use it to extend the kitchen.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07So, upstairs to the three bedrooms.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10To my left, you've got a small bathroom just there,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14box bedroom there and quite a decent size bedroom there.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And the third bedroom is here.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21There's a bit of a running theme through the whole of this house -
0:04:21 > 0:04:23floral wallpaper, floral carpet
0:04:23 > 0:04:27and there's even a piece of floral lino next door.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Ah.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Flowers everywhere on the inside and on the outside.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39The garden is well-kept and a good size.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41This is a solidly-built house,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44guided at £68,000, but what does an agent
0:04:44 > 0:04:47from the auction house who sold it think needs doing to it?
0:04:50 > 0:04:52It's a good sound, solid property.
0:04:52 > 0:04:541950s-built, three-bedroom semidetached.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It would make a really good family home.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59The property does require modernisation.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02It needs new windows throughout, a central heating system fitting,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05it needs rewiring, a new kitchen and bathroom fitting
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and full decor and carpets all the way throughout.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10There's a nice green area to the front of the property
0:05:10 > 0:05:13which gives a nice outlook, however, that does hinder
0:05:13 > 0:05:16the possibility of putting off-road car standing there.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Some people might think that that is a disadvantage,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22but a green space with no-one looking into your house
0:05:22 > 0:05:24is a bit of a bonus.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Does the agent agree with me that the outbuildings could be used
0:05:28 > 0:05:29to extend that kitchen?
0:05:29 > 0:05:33The outbuildings to the side are quite commonly converted
0:05:33 > 0:05:36or extended, demolished and extended over the top of,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38to give further space to the kitchen areas.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41In my opinion, we'd knock the kitchen into the dining room,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43we'd take out the dividing wall
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and make one big, open family dining-kitchen.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49The agent and I are on the same page here.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51So, once all the work is done,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55what kind of money could this house, guided at £68,000, make?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Once renovated,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I would expect the property to achieve in the region of £125,000.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06So, keep your costs low and there could be some good profit in this.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08How about rentals?
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Once fully renovated, I'd expect, if the property were to be rented out,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16to achieve somewhere in the region of £500 to £550 per calendar month.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24This is a great little property. What's not to like?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Let's see who fancied it when it went under the hammer.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Lot number 8. There are two telephone bidders on this.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Who will start me off on the guide at £68,000?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Looking for a start. Let's get this under way.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Start me where you will. £65,000.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44Who will start? 65? £65,000 is bid, thank you.
0:06:44 > 0:06:4766 I'm bid. 67. 68.
0:06:47 > 0:06:5069? 69 is bid.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53And 70? 70 is bid.
0:06:53 > 0:06:581? £70,000 is bid. And 1? And 1?
0:06:58 > 0:07:0071 I have.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Take the half at 71.5.
0:07:02 > 0:07:0572 is bid. In the room, stood at the back of the room.
0:07:05 > 0:07:0872 is bid. 72.5, I'll treat you the same.
0:07:10 > 0:07:1272 is bid. Treat you the same.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15If not, for the first time at £72,000...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I've got two of you at the back of the room, so 72.5. 73, sir?
0:07:18 > 0:07:2173 is bid. And a half.
0:07:21 > 0:07:2474 is bid with you, down the centre.
0:07:24 > 0:07:2774.5, sir? 74.5. 75?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31In the centre, 75 is bid. And a half, sir?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33And a half. 76?
0:07:34 > 0:07:3775.5, away at the back of the room.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39At 75.5 for the first time,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42for the second time at £75,500.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45For the third and final time, if we're all done with it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46It's yours, sir, at 75.5.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Lee was the successful bidder at £75,500.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55He has recently made the move into being a full-time property developer
0:07:55 > 0:07:57and came along with his eight-year-old daughter, Lucy,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59to meet me.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Sorry, Lucy, I just need to borrow your dad just for a moment,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05to find out what his plans are for this property.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08# So, little Lucy
0:08:08 > 0:08:11# Little Lucy, don't you cry
0:08:13 > 0:08:16# So, little Lucy, say goodbye. #
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Lee, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you, Dion.- Congratulations.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Thank you. - What made you go into property?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Um, just as an investment, basically.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Just wanted an income, something to support my family, basically.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Is it a big difference to what you were doing?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- What were you doing before? - I was a car salesman.- OK.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38But before that I was an estate agent.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Before that I was an electrical and gas engineer,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45so I've had various different careers, as it were.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48So you've had your hand in lots of stuff.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Learnt lots of skills, so hopefully, I can bring those over to this now.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Lee has two other buy-to-let properties that he bought
0:08:56 > 0:08:59with tenants in situ, so this is his first renovation job
0:08:59 > 0:09:02and it didn't get off to the best start.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06I didn't view on the inside.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08It's a Hammer rule, you know that, don't you?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I know it's the golden rule. I knew I'd get slapped for that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14But I went through all the legal pack,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I checked as much information as I could on the area
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and on the property and everything like that,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22had a look round the outside and the area.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Are you happy with what you've seen now you've seen it?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Now I've seen it I've wiped the sweat off the brow, I am happy.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30It seems like a good, solid house.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33It does need a fair bit doing to it
0:09:33 > 0:09:36but I knew that it didn't have central heating, for example,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I knew that the windows and doors needed doing,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43so I had an expectation and it's hit that expectation,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46so I'm happy, from that point of view.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49I wanted something that would keep me a bit busy,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52so something that I could put some input into,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56rather than buying a property that had a tenant already sat in it,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59that I couldn't actually do anything with the house.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04So, this one is for us to come in and see what I can do, basically.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09I've got lots of skills from previous experience, and everything.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I want to see how they translate, practically,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14into a project like this,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17and then this will then go on the rental market.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Tell us what you're going to do. Start from downstairs.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21What are you going to change downstairs?
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- I'm going to change... The carpets need updating.- Yes.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30My wife's going to come in, we're going to strip all the wallpaper.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33All the rooms need wallpaper stripping and everything.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37There's a lot of colourful wood decoration throughout this house,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39so that will all be sanded and painted.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Ceilings aren't too bad,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43so probably a lick of paint for most of those.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46The back of the house is going to have more doing to it.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49There's going to be a cupboard in the kitchen taken out.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53My daughter, all she wants to do is knock a wall down.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57So, the wall between the kitchen and the dining room at the back there
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- is probably coming out. - That's hers!- That's hers.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- That is HER wall. - It's got her name on it.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I've got a hammer ready for her
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- and she's going to be knocking it through.- Good on you, Lucy.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- I might come round and give her a hand.- Please do.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10She might need the extra muscle, actually.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14I reckon that what Lucy will lack in muscle power
0:11:14 > 0:11:17she makes up in enthusiasm but, seriously,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Lee will have the help of his wife, Sarah,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21and his teenage daughter, Hannah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Upstairs, he plans to fit a new boiler and redecorate.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30But what are his plans for that lean-to area?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Probably leave the front half of it kind of as it is,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38a utility area, washing machine, tumble dryer space and everything,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42maybe open up the cupboard and the loo at the back there
0:11:42 > 0:11:45and just redo the loo and fit a sink out there as well.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- It's a nice extra additional space to the property.- It is.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51And if you wanted to do something else with it,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54you could use that space and incorporate it into the house.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56There's always that possibility.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00I think it would be over budget to do that sort of thing right now.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03But there's always the possibility of that later on, which is great.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Taking Lucy's hammer out the budget,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07how much have you got to spend on this?
0:12:07 > 0:12:11I'm looking at budgeting about 15. Could...
0:12:11 > 0:12:14There's money there to go more if I need to,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17but I would hope to be somewhere between 10 and 15.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I'm going to try and do everything myself,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24so stripping everything is going to be done just by me and the family.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- This is a learning experience for me.- Yeah.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31So, I'm sort of throwing myself in at the deep end
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- and hopefully, I'll swim. - So you've given me a £15,000 budget.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38How long is it going to take to turn it round?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Well, I'm setting myself a deadline of about three months.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- OK.- We've got a holiday booked.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Is that within the three months or afterwards?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49That's going to be at the end of the three months,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51so I want to get this completely done
0:12:51 > 0:12:54so I can then just hand the property over to my agent
0:12:54 > 0:12:58and he can get it tenanted while I go off sunning myself.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- That's perfect! - It's a great way to do it.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- That would be a nice celebration, wouldn't it?- It will.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I don't want to let myself down.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- If you don't, it feels like a failure, doesn't it?- Exactly.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10The sooner we've got someone living in here,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13the house is better protected and the money starts coming in.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Having not viewed the property - you did everything else, I know -
0:13:17 > 0:13:19you didn't view the property, I think you fell on your feet.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- I think I was very lucky. - Good luck. Hope it works out.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Cheers, thank you.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Considering Lee didn't view this property,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29I think he's fallen on his feet.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31There's hardly anything that needs to be done.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35A bit of modernisation and drag it into the 21st century.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37He's got the whole of his family behind him
0:13:37 > 0:13:39but will he get it done before his holidays?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41You can find out later on in the programme.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49The town of Ilford in Essex is great commuter territory,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52with easy access to the North Circular
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and Charing Cross under 40 minutes away.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56And things can only get better,
0:13:56 > 0:14:01with the much-anticipated completion of Crossrail due in 2019.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Five minutes' walk from the centre of Ilford
0:14:07 > 0:14:09is the property I'm here to see -
0:14:09 > 0:14:12one-bedroom, ground-floor leasehold flat,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15guide price £135,000.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Plus points - off-street parking
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and the property has 97 years left on the lease.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23Negative marks -
0:14:23 > 0:14:26being leasehold means you will need the freeholder's permission
0:14:26 > 0:14:28for any significant changes,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32but does it need lots of alterations inside?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35So, down the communal hallway and a little bit shabby,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37not the best of first impressions.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39But you'd want to spend a little bit of money, I think,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41sorting that out as well.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44But then, into the flat and straightaway, bleurgh,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47what is going on? It's not the best, is it?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Toilet and bathroom there,
0:14:50 > 0:14:55a small bedroom here and then - it's not a massive flat anyway -
0:14:55 > 0:14:58but I want to see a different layout straightaway.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02What is going on here? We've got the kitchen,
0:15:02 > 0:15:07which has been built into this kind of cubicle thing
0:15:07 > 0:15:09and you just have to ask yourself why?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Make it open-plan, make this a lovely open-plan kitchen,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15breakfast bar, living space.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18This is actually not bad, and by doing that, straightaway,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21you would make this...flat,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24which is full of rubbish, a whole lot better.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27# Take, take, take out the trash
0:15:28 > 0:15:31# Take out the trash, take... #
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Skip hire will be a necessary outlay here,
0:15:34 > 0:15:39especially if you junk the extraneous glass partition.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44What this small space needs, to use a trendy parlance, is zoning -
0:15:44 > 0:15:46a big open-plan room
0:15:46 > 0:15:49with kitchen, dining and sitting area clearly defined.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I have a funny feeling
0:15:51 > 0:15:55that an order for skip number two might be coming up.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59So, the one bedroom at the rear of the property here,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03full of rubbish again. But it's not a bad size.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05However, not ideally located.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10I can't think of where else you'd put it but to have, basically,
0:16:10 > 0:16:15the access to the garden from this room doesn't really work.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21But before you decide that this flat is just plain rubbish,
0:16:21 > 0:16:27potential outside might make small and scruffy into big and lovely.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30There's currently a bit of a mess that needs tidying up,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32but the good news is you've got a half-decent garden
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and that is obviously one of the big pluses of a ground-floor flat.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Often they come with garden space
0:16:38 > 0:16:41and, in London especially, that is a massive premium.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43But the other good thing I notice out here
0:16:43 > 0:16:46is some of the neighbours, they've built extensions on the back,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49so again, a bonus of a ground-floor flat
0:16:49 > 0:16:51is that you might have the opportunity
0:16:51 > 0:16:53to do exactly that, to extend,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56which would be so much harder if you were on one of the upper floors.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59So, I think an extension on there would be fantastic.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01It would enable you to move that kitchen, perhaps,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03and give all-important extra space.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05# One, two, three, four... #
0:17:05 > 0:17:10So, you could turn what looks like a landfill into filled land.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14This being a flat, you can't extend under permitted development rules.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16You'd need planning permission
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and, of course, it would also be subject
0:17:18 > 0:17:21to getting permission from the freeholder.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Before going down that road though, it is worth establishing
0:17:24 > 0:17:29if extending this flat, with a guide price of £135,000,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31would make sense financially,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34something a local property expert can tell us.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37First of all, what is the local market like?
0:17:38 > 0:17:42The area surrounding this property in Ilford is very cosmopolitan.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44There's a lot of community spirit here.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The street you're in at the moment is very first-time buyer.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's a good-size property.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53It's for first-time buyers who want to commute on a daily basis.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55There'll be a lot of buy-to-let investors buying this as well.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58There's a very strong rental market around here.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So, potential in the market for resale and rental.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06But what about the extension idea for this property?
0:18:06 > 0:18:08I would do a flat-roof rear extension
0:18:08 > 0:18:11cos the kitchen's a bit small and it's right into the lounge space.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14If you moved it from the front to the back of the property,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17it would be much more beneficial for things like summer parties.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Kitchen straight out to the garden
0:18:18 > 0:18:20is what first-time buyers are looking for.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Now, that is the best solution by far.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25By turning this flat around
0:18:25 > 0:18:28and putting the living space at the back,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and turning the bay-windowed room into the bedroom,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33that would make much more sense.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37With this property guided at £135,000,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41the agent thinks a basic refurb might set you back 12 grand
0:18:41 > 0:18:46and, renovated with an extension, could cost you up to £30,000.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Would it give you a profit on the resale market?
0:18:50 > 0:18:51On the resale market,
0:18:51 > 0:18:56the property after refurbishment would be £175,000 to £185,000.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59On the open market, if you'd done a rear extension on this property,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02you would achieve £195,000.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05So, getting it at the guide price and extending
0:19:05 > 0:19:10could see a potential pre-tax profit of around £30,000.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14How about rentals? Could an extended property with a second bedroom
0:19:14 > 0:19:15produce a better yield?
0:19:17 > 0:19:23Rental for this property is about £750 to £850 per calendar month.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26If we completed the property to a two-bedroom flat,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28it would be on the market for £950 per calendar month.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Quite a lot of work required to bring this one up to scratch
0:19:36 > 0:19:38but, intrinsically, a good little flat
0:19:38 > 0:19:41and certainly well-located in terms of transport links.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Let's see who bought it when it went under the hammer.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Lot 205, in Ilford. Start me at £120,000.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Straightaway on my left, by the camera. 120.
0:19:55 > 0:19:5722.5?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59120. 122.5. 125.
0:19:59 > 0:20:0127.5.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02130.
0:20:02 > 0:20:0432.5.
0:20:04 > 0:20:0635? No.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10132.5 with you. 135 anywhere else? Against you, standing.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13135 anywhere else?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Fresh place - 35. 37.5. 40?
0:20:18 > 0:20:2040? Give me 40, sir?
0:20:20 > 0:20:25OK. 137.5 I have. First time at 137.5.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Second time at 137.5.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30140, front row. 42.5.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's against two of you now. Your bid at 140.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36First time. Second time.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Third and final time, gentleman's bid, front row, 140.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- Going to sell. We're done. - HE BANGS GAVEL
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Sold at £140,000.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49The pleased-looking bidder at £140,000 was Shazad,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51accompanied by his son, Hamza.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Shazad paid £140,000 for the flat,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01while also showing Hamza the ropes,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04should he want to follow in dad and mum Milan's footsteps
0:21:04 > 0:21:07with their construction company.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10How was he planning to build on a successful auction?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- Shazad, lovely to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Tell me why you wanted to buy this place.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Basically, the plans are to buy, do it up and sell it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- You obviously think there's profits to be made.- Yeah, I still think so.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Good. Talk me through your due diligence
0:21:28 > 0:21:31and what you've found out about the area and prices and things.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Well, I didn't even view the property before I bought it,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- just checked the legal pack slightly and...- What do you mean "slightly"?
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Well, I spent about five minutes on it, basically.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44MARTIN TUTS
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Right, so you glanced at the legal pack.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50What other sort of research did you do
0:21:50 > 0:21:52to make you think this was a good one to buy?
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Er, I think I went on my gut feeling,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58knowing the local area, and I knew the flat would need a renovation
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and, to be honest, no surprises.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Talk me through the numbers that you've discovered.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06How much do flats like this go for when they're done up?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Well, done up should be around 190, 195,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and I think it's probably going to cost me about £15,000
0:22:13 > 0:22:18to bring it to that state, so hoping to be £25,000 to £30,000 margin.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Profit, so that's worth doing. Is this something you do a lot of?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- This is my first project, as such.- Oh.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I am in the construction industry for the last 12 years,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31so I know the ins and outs of it, but this is the first time.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Right, and why has it taken you 12 years to do it for yourself?
0:22:35 > 0:22:39Just been tied up with other things and now I've seen the opportunity
0:22:39 > 0:22:41to start on this side, so new adventure.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45# Well, I've been down but I'll get up again
0:22:45 > 0:22:48# Everyone makes mistakes You're not down
0:22:48 > 0:22:51# Everyone make mistakes... #
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Not viewing a purchase beforehand
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and only skimming the legal pack are big no-noes,
0:22:56 > 0:23:01as far as we on the Homes Under The Hammer team are concerned.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04However, hopefully, Shazad's experience in the building trade
0:23:04 > 0:23:07will win through on this new adventure.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11So, what are you planning to do to sort it out?
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- We already put in an application for an extension.- OK.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19There's going to be reconfiguration of all the areas inside.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Tell me about the extension. What's that going to be like?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It's a 3.8-metre extension
0:23:24 > 0:23:28and hopefully convert that into a bigger sitting area.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31The extension would cost about £8,000 to £10,000
0:23:31 > 0:23:34and I think it will add about £15,000 to £20,000 to the value.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It will create another 25%, 30% of space.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Where will the kitchen go then? - We are double-minded at the moment.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It might stay where it is.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44It would still be an open-plan kitchen
0:23:44 > 0:23:47or we might move it to where the toilet is and move the toilet here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49OK, wow.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Tell me about the internal walls.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54What are you planning to do with the internal layout?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I think I'll probably keep it as it is, only make it bigger.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Keep this as a bedroom
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and the back room as a reception-dining room area
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and, yeah, that's it really.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08By doing most of the work himself,
0:24:08 > 0:24:13Shazad's budget, including the extension, is just £15,000.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17But he will need to get the council and the freeholder nods
0:24:17 > 0:24:20before he can put cement on the hods.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22We've already done that.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25We need their permission and I don't think there will be a problem
0:24:25 > 0:24:29because the previous owner or the leaseholder did apply for it
0:24:29 > 0:24:32abut ten years ago and he got the permission,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34so we basically asked for the same permission
0:24:34 > 0:24:36and I don't think we'll have a problem.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- It's owned by the local council, Redbridge council.- OK.- Yeah.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- And then quick in, quick out, get it done and sorted.- That's it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Timescales for the work?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46- About six to eight weeks after the planning is approved.- OK.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49So, that could take up to about six to eight weeks from now,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- so we're looking at about 16 weeks altogether.- 16 weeks in total.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And then, for you, onto the next project?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Yeah, cash this one and go back to auction again.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02So, having waited 12 years before you started,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- now you're keen to get on with it. - Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- Hopefully, buy one as soon as I sell this and move on.- Great.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Congratulations.- Brilliant. - Good luck with it. Nice to meet you.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Nice to meet you. Thank you.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Well, Shazad breaking a few rules there -
0:25:17 > 0:25:19not visiting the property
0:25:19 > 0:25:23and not checking out the legal pack properly. Tut, tut.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25But it does seem like he's got some good ideas here,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28especially that extension, and he's going about it the right way,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31applying for planning permission, of course.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34And he's done the numbers. It makes financial sense.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37So, how will he get on? You can find out later in the show.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Coming up, this East Horsley, Surrey, development
0:25:42 > 0:25:45took three years, but it's well worth the wait.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49I think we did pretty well with our first auction purchase really.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And in Ilford, Essex, it's taken Shazad a year
0:25:54 > 0:25:57to complete his blind-bought flat.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I would buy blind again, but I wouldn't recommend.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05MUSIC: I Was A Part Of The '50s by Paul Evans
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Earlier in the show, Walsall in the West Midlands
0:26:08 > 0:26:14was where I saw this three-bed, '50s-style semi, guided at £68,000.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19# I was a part of the '50s
0:26:19 > 0:26:21# That was a time
0:26:21 > 0:26:23# But now it's gone... #
0:26:24 > 0:26:25And it needed to go.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28The house required a good modernisation
0:26:28 > 0:26:30and, in my opinion, a layout change too.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I'd be inclined to take this whole wall out,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36create a nice kitchen-dining area.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44Something Lee agreed with when he paid £75,500 for it.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48He aimed to add it to his rental portfolio
0:26:48 > 0:26:52but his daughter, Lucy, had her hammer at the ready.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55All she wants to do is knock a wall down,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58so the wall between the kitchen and the dining room
0:26:58 > 0:27:00at the back there is probably coming out.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- That's hers.- That's hers. - That is HER wall.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04That's got her name on it. We've got a hammer ready for her
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- and she's going to be knocking it through.- Good on you, Lucy.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- I might come round and give her a hand.- Please do.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12She might need the extra muscle actually.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Although this wasn't Lee's first property,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18it was his first full renovation
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and he was keen to use it as a test of his skills
0:27:21 > 0:27:23from several past careers.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27So, nine months on, I wonder if he's been tested to the limit.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30# Light
0:27:32 > 0:27:34# Is all over us... #
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Light is all over here for sure, with brand-new windows
0:27:38 > 0:27:40and a bright, neutral palette.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43It makes the house feel fresh and spacious.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46In the bathroom upstairs, Lee has taken it back to brick
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and expanded into the airing cupboard for more space
0:27:49 > 0:27:52and he's fitted a whole suite and tiled himself.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56No more flowery decor in the bedrooms
0:27:56 > 0:27:58and a replaster throughout the whole of the house
0:27:58 > 0:28:00gives it a nice, clean finish.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09But what about that wall that Lucy wanted to knock down?
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Well, her dad went halfway with her,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14having a builder knock down most of it,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17but a few bits were knocked out by Lucy herself.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19You certainly couldn't say
0:28:19 > 0:28:22that this kitchen-diner has been done by halves.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24# Tell me, tell me you'll meet me
0:28:24 > 0:28:26# Will you meet me more than halfway...? #
0:28:30 > 0:28:34This is obviously the new kitchen-diner that we've created.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39There was, originally, a wall just going across the room just here.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40Once the wall was gone,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43we realised that the two floor levels were at different levels,
0:28:43 > 0:28:48so I levelled the floor off before then laying the tiles.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51There was no heating in the property at all,
0:28:51 > 0:28:55so we had an instant combi boiler fitted in the corner there.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58We then had a fitter come and help install the kitchen.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01He was brilliant and allowed me to stick with him
0:29:01 > 0:29:05for the two days and learnt a lot about installing kitchens from him.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07He was fantastic.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09And we're really happy with the result.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12I think it finishes off the kitchen really nicely.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17I couldn't agree more, Lee. It feels like the heart of the house now.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19But has he got the renovation education
0:29:19 > 0:29:21that he wanted from this project?
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I've learnt that - like I didn't know already -
0:29:26 > 0:29:28I am a bit of a perfectionist.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31What I've done, personally, with the property is everything
0:29:31 > 0:29:36that you can see that hasn't involved a specialist skill.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38I had quite a few skills coming in
0:29:38 > 0:29:41but I think I've added quite a bit to those.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44It's been a bit of a learning experience there, definitely.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48And he's not the only one learning on this job.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Lucy's been very helpful.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54She's a fantastic labourer
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and she's also been wanting to get involved
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and learning a lot of new skills as well,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02so she could probably tell you, just as well as I could,
0:30:02 > 0:30:06how to tile and mix grout and floor leveller and stuff like that.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11But Lucy and her dad couldn't do everything themselves
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and a contractor handling the plastering
0:30:14 > 0:30:17took longer than expected. Factor in the family holiday
0:30:17 > 0:30:20and Lee's timescale has doubled to seven months.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23His original budget was £10,000 to £15,000,
0:30:23 > 0:30:24but he did have a contingency.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27So how much did he spend in the end?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32So, we ended up spending £23,500.
0:30:32 > 0:30:38That's mostly due to the fact that we went over on the timescale
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and also we weren't originally expecting
0:30:40 > 0:30:43to have to replaster the whole house.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48The plan for the property now would be, ideally, rent the property,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50but if somebody came along and offered me enough,
0:30:50 > 0:30:52I'd happily sell it as well.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57So, Lee and Lucy have learnt a lot but has it paid off?
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Time to call in two local estate agents,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03including the agent who saw it before Lee's handiwork.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07There's a lot of changes been done to the property.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's had a full makeover completely.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Last time we were here, it was in quite a poor state.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15They've replaced the windows, new central heating,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17nice good-quality kitchen, replaced the bathroom
0:31:17 > 0:31:19and a full makeover of decor and carpets,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21so it's looking really good.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23I think the property's very well laid-out.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I think it's a nice property.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29They've obviously took time and care to fit it out correctly
0:31:29 > 0:31:32and I think it will appeal to a lot of potential buyers.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37With a total spend of £99,000, Lee will be keen to know
0:31:37 > 0:31:40if he's best to stick with renting or look for a sale.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47I would hope to achieve £125,000 for this property
0:31:47 > 0:31:51and should it be rented, we would anticipate £595 per calendar month.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54If the property was going to be sold on the open market,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I'd expect it to achieve around £125,000.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58If it was going to be rented,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02I'd expect it to achieve in the region of £600 per calendar month.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06So, from those figures, Lee could achieve
0:32:06 > 0:32:11either a pre-tax profit of £26,000 or just over a 7% yield.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13What does he think of those figures?
0:32:14 > 0:32:19The resale of £125,000 is probably the sort of value
0:32:19 > 0:32:20that I was expecting.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24The rental values feel a little bit low.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27We have got the property actually up.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's been up for a week or so now at £650
0:32:30 > 0:32:33and we have had a few enquiries on that,
0:32:33 > 0:32:37so just waiting for the viewings and stuff, now it's finished.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Lee will stick to renting, but he has learned a lot on this project,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45opening up possibilities for future renovations.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Really happy with the finished product.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54I could have made a little bit more, if things had gone the right way,
0:32:54 > 0:32:59but we're happy with the finish and eager to get onto the next one.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01And, in fact, since filming,
0:33:01 > 0:33:06Lee has let the house out for £625 per calendar month,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09more than the agents' valuations. Well done, Lee.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17MUSIC: Love Me Again by John Newman
0:33:19 > 0:33:23In 2012, I visited the Surrey village of East Horsley
0:33:23 > 0:33:25and only the year before,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28it had been named Britain's richest village.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30With great rail links to London,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34it was easy to see why City-type commuters had settled
0:33:34 > 0:33:37in this part of the affluenza belt, as it was nicknamed.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41So I was pretty excited about the intriguing lot I was here to see.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48A two-bedroom detached cottage on a 0.39-acre site.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Now, the guide price, £500,000 plus.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Now, that seems like a lot of money for a two-bed cottage,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58but this is an affluent and expensive area
0:33:58 > 0:34:02and the value here is in the plot not the property.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Look, it is ripe for redevelopment.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Now, it already looks like a building site.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10You've got metal fencing here and the neighbouring house,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13well, it's already been knocked down.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17But, before we dismiss this cottage completely as a demolition job,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20let's take a look around inside.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28# In this lonesome old house... #
0:34:28 > 0:34:31It's not quite what I was expecting inside
0:34:31 > 0:34:35but you can see some of the work has started.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Look at all this wiring hanging out
0:34:38 > 0:34:42and somebody's already started to do the plastering on the walls.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45But by looking at the damp, look,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I think this property has been derelict for quite a while.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Now, I know there's no kitchen down here
0:34:51 > 0:34:54and the bathroom has not been plumbed in,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58so I would say it's unmortgageable as it stands at the moment,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01but on a positive note, look, you've got pretty windows,
0:35:01 > 0:35:04a little doorway and a porch through here.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07You've got a good space, it's got character.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10It does have the makings of a nice little house.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14That really was me just being an old romantic.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18The proportions of one cottage and the plot were not going to work,
0:35:18 > 0:35:22so the first thing to do was tear it down and start again.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25If you buy this as an investment,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28well, that's just not the way to maximise profit.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31If you want to make some cash, you need to pummel this property
0:35:31 > 0:35:36to the ground and build not one, but several, properties in its place.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Now, there's no planning permission, as yet, to do that
0:35:39 > 0:35:42but, because there's a house already here, getting permission
0:35:42 > 0:35:45to build something else, well, it shouldn't be an issue.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49The question is, what will the local council let you build here
0:35:49 > 0:35:53and how many properties will they let you squeeze in here?
0:35:53 > 0:35:55You've got to think about all of that
0:35:55 > 0:35:58before even bidding for this at auction.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Now, the plot amounted to 0.9 acres,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05so there are a few options, planning permitting.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09With a guide price of £500,000 in an affluent area,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12my guess was that this was going to be sought-after
0:36:12 > 0:36:14by developers at the auction.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22450 to the phone. 465.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25480 on the phone.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26500 in the room.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30515. 530? 530.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33As I thought, this was a very popular lot.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37We rejoin the bidding at £640,000.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39640.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43645. 650.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45655.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47660.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50665.
0:36:52 > 0:36:53670.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55675.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57680?
0:36:57 > 0:36:58680.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00685?
0:37:00 > 0:37:03680, first time.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04Second time.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Third and last time, if you're all done.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- HE BANGS GAVEL - Sold 680. Well done.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12So, £680,000 was enough to see off the competition
0:37:12 > 0:37:15for Dennis, on the right, and his business partner Brian.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18The latter came along to meet me and tell me
0:37:18 > 0:37:21what the pair's burgeoning property development business
0:37:21 > 0:37:23had in store for this site.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28You've got a little cottage sitting there,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- which is all very nice and pretty. - Very sweet.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31But what are you going to do?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We're going to try and work the local authority on planning.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39Hopefully, we will achieve four townhouses on three storeys
0:37:39 > 0:37:43and, possibly, a unit into the rear, which will be good.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- That'll be a bonus for us. - So, is that coming down?
0:37:46 > 0:37:48It will come down eventually, yes.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52We're also in some negotiations with surrounding bits of land,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56so it might grow into something like eight units in the end.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Wow, this really was an ambitious plan.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02By adding other parcels of land around, they were hoping
0:38:02 > 0:38:05to make this an even bigger development site.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08MUSIC: Time And Money by John Farnham
0:38:08 > 0:38:09But initially, for phase one,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11they would build the four townhouses,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13and then a separate house
0:38:13 > 0:38:16to create five high-end properties suitable for this market.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22And getting the plans approved was going to take two things.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26# Time, time, time
0:38:26 > 0:38:29# Time and money... #
0:38:30 > 0:38:33How much do you think you're going to need to build?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35If we achieve the five units,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37we'd be looking at about 1.2 million build costs,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40- something around that sort of money, really.- Wow.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43How long do you think that will take you for the four units, initially?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45The four units will probably take us about 14 months
0:38:45 > 0:38:46from start to finish.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Will you be up against it with the planners or not?
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Do you think this will be a straightforward build?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54It's never, ever straightforward with planning.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56It's an absolute can of worms, really.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59You just have to try and bring everybody into it,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01get the planners onside to start with
0:39:01 > 0:39:03and see what they would accept in here as well.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05But it's got to be achieved through planning,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08otherwise we're sitting on a tiny house with a great big garden.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Luckily, Brian and Dennis had their architect, Marek,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15to help them through the planning process
0:39:15 > 0:39:18and he took the time to show me the plans for the site.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24How exciting! What is your vision for this site?
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Well, we have a set of plans here which we've sort of put together.
0:39:28 > 0:39:29We're hoping to keep the townhouses
0:39:29 > 0:39:32the same height as that block there.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- So you get a nice swoop round.- Yeah.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38So, we're going to work hard to try and make it fit in there.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41And what is the look of the property?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43We will incorporate some of the clay features
0:39:43 > 0:39:44and some of the brickwork details
0:39:44 > 0:39:46that we have on the existing building.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Now, obviously, this is the most important aspect,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51- the fact that you get the four townhouses.- Yes.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55But you have got quite a large site with a big plot of land
0:39:55 > 0:39:57at the back there, which is ideal for a house.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00How many problems are you going to have to overcome with this
0:40:00 > 0:40:03because where is the access going to be? Will you come along here?
0:40:03 > 0:40:06It will have, right at the front, a gated entrance
0:40:06 > 0:40:09into a nice little courtyard of its own.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15So, will it be five units or an expansion to eight?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18When we returned two years later,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21they still hadn't finished the four three-storey townhouses,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23nevermind built eight.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26It had been delayed mainly by - yes, you guessed it -
0:40:26 > 0:40:28planning permission, which took a year
0:40:28 > 0:40:31and some changes to their original plan.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Quite a difficult process.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Had to go back in two or three times and use planning consultants.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42We had a couple of objections from the local parish council,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44which we overcame with a couple of meetings with them.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48The project had also been disrupted
0:40:48 > 0:40:52by Dennis and Brian having to buy a covenant from a railway company
0:40:52 > 0:40:55that pertains the land that they were going to build on.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58But their spending onsite wasn't done yet.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03As you know, we bought the site at the auction
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and then we managed to acquire the site next door,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08which already had planning for three small houses.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13# You're always searching for a bigger prize
0:41:15 > 0:41:19# You're always searching for a bigger prize... #
0:41:21 > 0:41:24The plot hadn't just got bigger, the plans had changed too.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Gone were the four townhouses and now, where the cottage once stood,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30were shells of two pairs of semis
0:41:30 > 0:41:35and on their newly-purchased plot, they had a terrace of three houses
0:41:35 > 0:41:38and the detached house on the triangular plot
0:41:38 > 0:41:40was still on the back burner.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43So, the total permissions were still for eight properties.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45But they weren't finished yet.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47# Hey... #
0:41:48 > 0:41:54We've got a gentleman next door and he wants to sell us his house,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56obviously for more than it's worth,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58because we're going for planning permission
0:41:58 > 0:42:00for a bungalow in the back garden.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04That would take them up to ten properties.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06With an ever-increasing number of houses
0:42:06 > 0:42:08came an ever-increasing budget.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15We think the total overall build cost will be around 1.8 million
0:42:15 > 0:42:18and that should see us out and, hopefully, everything finished
0:42:18 > 0:42:21but that doesn't include the new bungalow, if we get planning.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24At this point, two agents valued the properties,
0:42:24 > 0:42:30without the bungalow, at a total of over £5.7 million.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33But this wasn't just about money for Brian and Dennis.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34We like building new houses
0:42:34 > 0:42:37because we're creating something and it's somebody's dream,.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40It's one of the biggest purchases you ever make in your life
0:42:40 > 0:42:42and if people walk in and they look at it,
0:42:42 > 0:42:46see the finish that we leave and go, "Wow", then I think we've succeeded.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48It would be another year before we returned
0:42:48 > 0:42:50to this ever-expanding plot,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53a total of three years from the beginning.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Will we be saying, "Wow"?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Join us later in the programme and you can find out.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06So, we've seen one finished property but where are we with the other two?
0:43:06 > 0:43:11- Will it be home, sweet home or work-in-progess?- Let's find out.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16We head back to Ilford in Essex now
0:43:16 > 0:43:19and the London commuter town was the location
0:43:19 > 0:43:21of the property I saw earlier -
0:43:21 > 0:43:26a one-bed ground-floor flat, guided at £135,000.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Once you looked past the rubbish,
0:43:29 > 0:43:33you'd realise that it is the boxy layout that needed to be trashed -
0:43:33 > 0:43:35a cramped cubicle kitchen
0:43:35 > 0:43:40and a bedroom that had access to the garden. Hmm, odd.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44But it was out there that I found a perfect solution.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50So, I think an extension on there would be fantastic and enable you
0:43:50 > 0:43:53to move that kitchen, perhaps, and give all-important extra space.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04And an extension was what builder Shazad planned,
0:44:04 > 0:44:09having paid £140,000 for his first personal development project,
0:44:09 > 0:44:12although things didn't get off to the best start.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16I didn't even view the property before I bought it,
0:44:16 > 0:44:21- just checked the legal pack slightly and...- What do you mean "slightly"?
0:44:21 > 0:44:26- Well, I spent about five minutes on it, basically.- Tut, tut.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29But, essentially, this was a flat with a lot of potential.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33Shazad had the skills and his own construction firm
0:44:33 > 0:44:37to make that small £15,000 budget work.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40He had allowed eight weeks for planning to come through
0:44:40 > 0:44:42and then another eight weeks for the work.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46We are back a year later, longer than anticipated,
0:44:46 > 0:44:49but hopefully with a result that made Shazad happy.
0:44:49 > 0:44:55# We feel joy
0:44:58 > 0:45:01# Nothing really matters We've got everything we need
0:45:01 > 0:45:06# Take a big leap We will feel joy... #
0:45:06 > 0:45:10Well, the place has been reconfigured, as Shazad promised.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14The bay-fronted living room has become the main bedroom.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18He's taken the space that was the partitioned-off kitchen
0:45:18 > 0:45:20and made it a smart bathroom
0:45:20 > 0:45:24and there is more to this reshaping than first planned.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27The old bathroom, which had a window in,
0:45:27 > 0:45:30is now a small second bedroom and the new extension,
0:45:30 > 0:45:34added to the original bedroom, is a living area and kitchen combined.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37We removed the wall from here, the old bathroom,
0:45:37 > 0:45:40and we put a new bathroom in the centre of the flat.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44We extended it towards the garden by four metres,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47and put a new kitchen there. We changed the layout completely.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50We moved the bathroom where the kitchen was,
0:45:50 > 0:45:53made the bathroom bigger and more spacious.
0:45:53 > 0:45:58Also, new double glazing and new wiring and plumbing.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01Moving the bathroom to the part of the flat with no windows
0:46:01 > 0:46:03was a good idea.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07The kitchen, too, benefits from lots of light and looks smart,
0:46:07 > 0:46:09all due to that new extension.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14We put a planning in for an extension for three metres
0:46:14 > 0:46:16but, luckily, we got four metres
0:46:16 > 0:46:18because the next door was four metres
0:46:18 > 0:46:22and it took us three months to get the extension approved.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25It was a straightforward process, we didn't have much problems.
0:46:25 > 0:46:30But if planning permission didn't hold up the project, then what did?
0:46:30 > 0:46:35Why are we back one year on, rather than Shazad's 16-week estimate?
0:46:37 > 0:46:38Planning permission did not take long.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41It, typically, took about 12 weeks.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44But we waited for another project to finish.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47The complete project took us eight weeks.
0:46:47 > 0:46:49Shazad's clients have to come first, of course,
0:46:49 > 0:46:53and his construction team had other work to do.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55But while the timescale may have changed,
0:46:55 > 0:46:57what about his £15,000 budget?
0:46:58 > 0:47:00We spent about £22,000.
0:47:00 > 0:47:05We went over budget but not because of what I didn't plan.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08It was more that I went for high-spec material
0:47:08 > 0:47:12and I think saying "out of budget" is wrong.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16I think we knew what we were spending, so...
0:47:16 > 0:47:19The budget has changed because they created an extra bedroom
0:47:19 > 0:47:21and moved both the kitchen and bathroom,
0:47:21 > 0:47:23as well as the quality of finish.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27Having taken a year, what is Shazad's plan for the flat?
0:47:27 > 0:47:30We already put the property on the market
0:47:30 > 0:47:34and we're hoping to achieve £250,000 and we had a good response.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Wow! The year before, the agent thought
0:47:38 > 0:47:42that an extended flat would bring in £195,000.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45Could it be that buying blind
0:47:45 > 0:47:49and spending extra has paid off for Shazad?
0:47:49 > 0:47:53# Take a big leap and we will feel joy. #
0:47:54 > 0:47:57We need two local property experts to tell us
0:47:57 > 0:48:02if he has got the price right and if his plan to sell is the right one.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06First, the agent who saw it before the renovation.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10The refurb is really good.
0:48:10 > 0:48:11They've done a nice finish,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14which is above the standard for this location.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16I like the layout of the property.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18It's completely different to when we saw it before.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20It works for the area
0:48:20 > 0:48:22and I think that will maximise the price for this.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25I think the property is brilliant, better than what I expected.
0:48:25 > 0:48:29The property is very nice, it's nicely done, so it's quite good.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31The layout has been brilliant in the property
0:48:31 > 0:48:34because the front room is good as a bedroom
0:48:34 > 0:48:37and the back room extension, you can have a view of the garden
0:48:37 > 0:48:39from the kitchen while you are working.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Shazad's total spend is £162,000
0:48:43 > 0:48:48and the agents believe it could generate nearly 9% in yield
0:48:48 > 0:48:51from a £1,200 per calendar month rental.
0:48:51 > 0:48:57What about sales? How has his £162,000-investment fared?
0:48:57 > 0:49:00There's a shortage of properties at the moment
0:49:00 > 0:49:03of this sort of value in this current area.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06The amount of properties on the market are about 22% down,
0:49:06 > 0:49:08according to Rightmove stats.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11That is an issue, so there should be a good supply
0:49:11 > 0:49:13of first-time buyers and investors for it.
0:49:13 > 0:49:14I think, currently,
0:49:14 > 0:49:18the property is worth about £250,000 on the open market.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21This property is worth between £230,000 to £240,000
0:49:21 > 0:49:24and it should sell very quickly on that price.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28I think they're pretty much where I expected the property to be,
0:49:28 > 0:49:32more of the 250 end than 230, so I'm happy with that.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37I think that I would be pretty happy with the £250,000 too.
0:49:37 > 0:49:42That figure would mean a pre-tax profit of £88,000.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45So, despite it unintentionally taking a year,
0:49:45 > 0:49:49he has maximised the potential space and profit from this small flat
0:49:49 > 0:49:53and made a pretty impressive return, by anyone's standards,
0:49:53 > 0:49:55all from a flat bought blind.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58And, despite its success, you know I'm still going to nag you
0:49:58 > 0:50:00not to do that next time, Shazad!
0:50:02 > 0:50:03I would buy blind again,
0:50:03 > 0:50:07but I wouldn't recommend anybody else doing it.
0:50:14 > 0:50:15Earlier on in the programme,
0:50:15 > 0:50:19we were reminding ourselves of the story of this solitary cottage
0:50:19 > 0:50:23and land in the affluent area of East Horsley in Surrey,
0:50:23 > 0:50:26bought at auction by Dennis, here on the right,
0:50:26 > 0:50:28and his business partner Brian.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32Paying a pricey £680,000 for the plot,
0:50:32 > 0:50:35they planned to build eight properties
0:50:35 > 0:50:39and battled for a year with planning to get what they wanted.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Two years on from purchase, building was still ongoing,
0:50:42 > 0:50:46but the pair were promising something rather special.
0:50:46 > 0:50:47We like building new houses
0:50:47 > 0:50:50because we're creating something and it's somebody's dream.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53It's one of the biggest purchases you ever make in your life
0:50:53 > 0:50:57and if people walk in, look at it and see the finish that we leave
0:50:57 > 0:51:00and go, "Wow", then I think we succeeded.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02So, three and half years on,
0:51:02 > 0:51:05we are back to see the finished properties
0:51:05 > 0:51:08and I am so excited to see the results.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15# I can't control this feeling
0:51:15 > 0:51:18# Something's happening inside me
0:51:21 > 0:51:25# The chemistry is building
0:51:25 > 0:51:28# It's something that we're feeling
0:51:28 > 0:51:32# It's gonna get, it's gonna get It's gonna get louder... #
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Well, that deserves a "wow",
0:51:34 > 0:51:37bigger, bolder and better than I could have imagined.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39It's time for a quick look around it all.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41We start at the row of three terraced houses,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44where the cottage once stood.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Three two-beds and one three-bed at the end.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51They might have kept a cottage-style look,
0:51:51 > 0:51:53but certainly the original cottage
0:51:53 > 0:51:57that Dennis and Brian bought is a distant memory.
0:51:57 > 0:52:03# Changes we're making for the better
0:52:03 > 0:52:06# We're going through together... #
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Over to the smart-looking semidetached houses,
0:52:10 > 0:52:13which all have the same layout.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16Over three floors, they have three bedrooms
0:52:16 > 0:52:19and a nice, airy feel with plenty of space.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Then the jewel in the crown is the detached house,
0:52:25 > 0:52:28which is on the triangular bit of the original site.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30And what a jewel it is.
0:52:30 > 0:52:35A large, lavish five-bedroomed home at the end of a private road,
0:52:35 > 0:52:39replete with a huge living room, three bedrooms on the first floor
0:52:39 > 0:52:43and then two children's bedrooms with a bathroom in the attic.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48There's the additional en suites, another family bathroom
0:52:48 > 0:52:53and a basement area, which comprises this very stylish kitchen.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55There's also a sunken garden.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58Brian and Dennis had to pool together on this project
0:52:58 > 0:53:01to tear down the old cottage and working with planning
0:53:01 > 0:53:04to achieve their dream of eight great properties.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10# It's more than a feeling We're building a dream
0:53:10 > 0:53:14# That we've always had clear in our sights
0:53:14 > 0:53:18# We're powerfully changing the world, we're reclaiming
0:53:18 > 0:53:21# Our unity they can't divide
0:53:21 > 0:53:24# They push us around but we're tearing it down
0:53:24 > 0:53:28# And we're having the time of our life... #
0:53:30 > 0:53:34What a project it has been, but not one without its challenges.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37As you know, it was a building site when you got here.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41It's a lot, lot nicer now. Everything's virtually finished.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44The one large house in the back has still got a little bit to do
0:53:44 > 0:53:48on the outside, but everything's virtually done now.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51The main problems have really been over some of the private roads,
0:53:51 > 0:53:55so getting consent for electrics, gas, water.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58We had extra charges, which, like, the residents' association
0:53:58 > 0:54:00put onto us, which we didn't really know about before.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03We had to comply with code 3,
0:54:03 > 0:54:05which has now been abolished by the government,
0:54:05 > 0:54:07so that doesn't have to be done any more,
0:54:07 > 0:54:10but it does put a lot more cost onto the build.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13A code 3 was in place when the guys started building
0:54:13 > 0:54:16and it was designed to improve energy ratings,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19so they put in solar panels and extra insulation,
0:54:19 > 0:54:22some 15% of the build cost.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24In the end, they didn't proceed with the other plot
0:54:24 > 0:54:26and planned bungalow,
0:54:26 > 0:54:28as they couldn't get planning permission for that.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32Instead, they focussed on making the eight they had
0:54:32 > 0:54:33the best they could.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37We've changed a couple of kitchens,
0:54:37 > 0:54:39so they are more a traditional in-frame kitchen,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41but generally, they are high-spec
0:54:41 > 0:54:44and we're looking for more of a modern look nowadays.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46As you know, we tried to keep them quite contemporary.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49The one at the back has got mullioned windows,
0:54:49 > 0:54:53it's got grey slate roof, yellow bricks, so it looks really nice.
0:54:53 > 0:54:58It doesn't look sort of brand-new but, obviously, it is.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01The two pairs of semis that we've got in the front here,
0:55:01 > 0:55:04they have been really designed to be cottagey,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07because there was a cottage here that, you may remember,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10we demolished, so we wanted to try and keep that feel
0:55:10 > 0:55:11and the villagey look.
0:55:11 > 0:55:15As you know, any building project always costs more than you think.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17Ah, that tees me up, Dennis.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21Their original budget, including the auction purchase,
0:55:21 > 0:55:25buying additional land and build costs, was £1.3 million.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27What is it now?
0:55:29 > 0:55:34We've probably spent something like 1.35 on the land, altogether,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37plus, obviously, the planning, everything else.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41And the build cost has been something like £2.5 million,
0:55:41 > 0:55:45maybe a little bit more, but that's roughly what we spent.
0:55:46 > 0:55:51The total spend of £3.85 million is way above what they planned,
0:55:51 > 0:55:53but you can absolutely see the quality.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59But for Dennis, this was about more than just the potential profit.
0:55:59 > 0:56:04I was born in Horsley and it's really nice to have left something,
0:56:04 > 0:56:09now, which we think will be a nice development for the village.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15A nice development, yes, but is it a profitable one?
0:56:15 > 0:56:18The business partners plan to sell all the properties
0:56:18 > 0:56:23and they have sold all the terraces for a total of £2.06 million,
0:56:23 > 0:56:27while the five-bed house at the back is currently under offer.
0:56:29 > 0:56:33What do two local estate agents think the total value of the site is
0:56:33 > 0:56:38and how does that compare to their £3.85 million spend?
0:56:41 > 0:56:46The whole site would value at £6,050,000.
0:56:46 > 0:56:51I would value the whole site at around £6 million.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53We think that's a bit high
0:56:53 > 0:56:56because, as you know, we've already sold three.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00I think the whole site is probably somewhere about 5.6, 5.7.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03I think the agents are a bit optimistic, to be honest.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06I hope they are optimistic and I hope they really do sell them
0:57:06 > 0:57:08for the higher prices.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10I personally can't see it myself, either,
0:57:10 > 0:57:14but, no, they're doing what they think is right in the village
0:57:14 > 0:57:16and they're valuing property in the local area.
0:57:17 > 0:57:21Well, if they did hit the agents' estimate of £6 million,
0:57:21 > 0:57:25it would be a potential profit of £2.15 million
0:57:25 > 0:57:29before taxes and expenses - a very healthy return.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32But, boy, did Dennis and Brian earn it.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37I think it's been a good investment. It's been very stressful at times,
0:57:37 > 0:57:40but that's part and parcel of what you do.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42But overall, it's been very, very good.
0:57:42 > 0:57:47I think we did pretty well with our first auction purchase, really.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52We hope you've enjoyed the show
0:57:52 > 0:57:55and maybe inspired you to visit your local auction.
0:57:55 > 0:58:00We'll be back next time with more tips, properties, buyers and advice.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02Join us then on Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04- Goodbye.- Bye for now.- Goodbye.