0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello and welcome to the programme. Over the years, we have met literally thousands of people
0:00:05 > 0:00:08who have bought properties at auction with varying degrees of success.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12People have bought houses and flats, things for investment or to live in.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Yes, it's not easy, but it can be exciting and rewarding
0:00:15 > 0:00:18if you get it right. Someone who knows all about that
0:00:18 > 0:00:21is the brand-new member of the team, Martel Maxwell. How are you?
0:00:21 > 0:00:25It's great to be here, guys. Thanks so much for the warm welcome.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28You're right. Property can be really rewarding -
0:00:28 > 0:00:32but having built my own house, I know you've got to be prepared for challenges, too,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36and, of course, on Homes Under The Hammer, you've seen that time and time again.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06We all know that buying property is far from straightforward but there are a few basic rules -
0:01:06 > 0:01:09make sure that you do your research, and always buy at the right price.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Yes, paying too much in the first place can be a dangerous trap to fall into,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17especially at auction where the bidding can be fast and furious.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Yes, let's hope the buyers on today's show didn't get carried away.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Let's find out what they went for.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Coming up, this two-bed property in Dover, Kent,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29gets a CUTTING remark about the garden.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32I think it's fair to say you won't be needing a sit-on mower.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35There is an unusual view from the garden
0:01:35 > 0:01:38at this three-bed semi in Camborne in Cornwall.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42What's that? Somebody's built a garden shed! Bleurgh!
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Details of this two-bed ground floor flat in Woodford Green, London,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50say it "benefits from a patio".
0:01:50 > 0:01:53I CAN see there's a little bit of outside space there...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57All of these properties have been sold at auction,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59and we'll find out who bought them
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and what they paid for them when they went under the hammer.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Sold.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11These white cliffs on the Kent coast can only mean I'm in Dover,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15where a statue commemorates the role of the Merchant Navy seamen
0:02:15 > 0:02:16in World War II.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Over 30,000 were killed, chiefly in the Battle of the Atlantic.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Thankfully, it's more peaceful these days -
0:02:23 > 0:02:26tourism and the import/export business
0:02:26 > 0:02:28form the core of the town's commerce.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Along this residential road
0:02:34 > 0:02:36is the end-of-terrace house I'm here to see.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Now, the catalogue describes it as being "substantial"
0:02:40 > 0:02:43and in "generally good order". So far, so promising.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48It had a guide price of £115,000 to £120,000.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50I hope it lives up to my expectations.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Into our living area.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02OK, do you know what? It IS substantial.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06It DOES look to be in good order. Good news.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Slight smell of damp, and actually there are a few traces on the wall,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14but the smell isn't overwhelming. Hopefully not a serious problem.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17You have double glazing windows,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20you have radiators which are a bit tired-looking but the good news is
0:03:20 > 0:03:22you have central heating.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Over to the kitchen. I'm a big fan of the flow - open living space,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29you need a new kitchen...
0:03:29 > 0:03:33The boiler looks a bit tired, but there's another two floors to go. It's a promising start.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37The kitchen could be bigger,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39but what's described in the catalogue as the diner
0:03:39 > 0:03:41is pretty spacious.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Maybe with a change of flooring, you could have a lounge area.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Up to the first floor.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The bathroom is a decent size.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Needs to come out, modern bathroom in.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Wow, the shower is very low -
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I'm not the tallest, but definitely needs to be further up.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Through to what the catalogue says is a reception room...
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Do you know what? It strikes me that this would be a great third bedroom
0:04:04 > 0:04:06because you have your living area downstairs.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08The only problem, of course, is
0:04:08 > 0:04:10you would be walking through someone's bedroom
0:04:10 > 0:04:13to go upstairs to the FURTHER two bedrooms.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Possible solutions,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17you could get rid of the chimney breast,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20so you are making a bit more room on that side,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and here, put up a partition
0:04:22 > 0:04:24with a hall corridor along here
0:04:24 > 0:04:28so that you could be walking up to...upstairs.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34But is that second flight of stairs a stairway to heavenly bedrooms?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Well, the smallest of the two
0:04:36 > 0:04:39has slight damp issues, and the ubiquitous woodchip.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Next door, the second of the two bedrooms
0:04:44 > 0:04:46is virtually identical to the first floor arrangement.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51There are good views from up here,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54but I'm yet to spy any outside space -
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and you know what? That makes me wonder.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02# Ooh, it makes me wonder... #
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Out of the garden... Ah.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Well, calling it a garden is probably a bit of an overstatement.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I wouldn't go as far as to say it's a selling point -
0:05:10 > 0:05:13I mean, you could put a bit of decking, paving, make it prettier,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15modernise it,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18but I think it's fair to say you won't be needing a sit-on mower.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Someone not resting on his laurels either
0:05:25 > 0:05:27is the local estate agent we invited along
0:05:27 > 0:05:30to take a wee peek at the property,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and to give us the benefit of his experience.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38It's a good-sized property. It's a good family home.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Just needs some modernisation.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44But it would be ideal for a young family, first-time buyers.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48With a guide price of £115,000 to £120,000,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52once refurbished, what would it sell and rent for?
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Once renovated,
0:05:53 > 0:05:58this property would sell for between £155,000 and £160,000,
0:05:58 > 0:06:04and the rental between £650 and £675 per calendar month.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Well, that garden is not exactly the biggest selling point,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09but this property DOES have loads going for it,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13not least the potential to add that third bedroom.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15And the catalogue DID live up to expectations -
0:06:15 > 0:06:18it IS substantial, it IS in good nick.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Let's see who fancied it when it went to auction.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Lot 87, we've got a guide of 115, 120.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Start me where you will, 115 anywhere?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29110? 110 I have, thank you.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31£110,000 I'm bid.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33112 for anyone else?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I've got all these people doing this, and it's really...
0:06:37 > 0:06:38112 I've got. 112.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Were you bidding? At 112.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44It's not, sir. 115. 118.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47You are still smiling but unfortunately, sir, you are out.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48118?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50118. 120.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52No. £118,000 I have,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55gentleman on the right-hand side.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57120 do I see?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01For the first time, then, at 118,000...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04For the second time at 118,000,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07third and final time, at 118,000... Are you all done?
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- HAMMER COMES DOWN - Sold at 118. Well done, sir.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13The top bidder was Bernie,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16at the auction with his builder buddy Ray.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17If you have a feeling of deja vu,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19it's because Bernie has been on the show before.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23A self-confessed petrolhead,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26we last saw him when he bought this three-storey flat conversion
0:07:26 > 0:07:31in Chatham. Ray would do the work, as Bernie balanced the budget.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35The sum total of Bernie's intended physical effort was to...?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Buy Ray a pint occasionally. Update the spreadsheets...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41A comfortable approach to making
0:07:41 > 0:07:44a forecasted £88,000 pre-tax and expenses profit
0:07:44 > 0:07:46on his buy-to-sell project,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and Martin asked if him he would invest it
0:07:48 > 0:07:50in more petrol power, or property.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- HE LAUGHS - I'm going to go with both!
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Ten months later, I'm meeting him at his latest £118,000 purchase.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Same set of wheels - new property.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Bernie, pleased to meet you. - Nice to meet you, too.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10What was it like watching yourself back?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Yes, I think the car was more of a hit last time than I was,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15with friends and family watching it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17And coming into this property,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21it's kind of a pleasant surprise, it's in not bad nick.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23This one is quite a simple one for us,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26it doesn't need that much work.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28There's no major structural work to do to it.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We will take the chimney breast down, take the chimney off,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33that's probably about the most major thing we'll do.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We'll lose a part of the room upstairs
0:08:36 > 0:08:38to make a corridor to go up to the floor above it,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41but that's just a simple internal wall.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43We will use it as a third bedroom.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Yes, I would say this is diner/lounge area,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52and then one bedroom on the first floor, and the bathroom,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54and then up the top, two more bedrooms there, too.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It's a three-bedroom place, one reception, is how we'll
0:08:57 > 0:08:59advertise it when we come to sell it.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Do you prefer it like this, or do you prefer
0:09:01 > 0:09:03your work cut out for you?
0:09:03 > 0:09:07We actually like them to be as appalling as possible.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Ex-squatters, if we can get pigeon infestation, fire damage -
0:09:11 > 0:09:12the worse, the better.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Because there's so much value to be added?
0:09:15 > 0:09:16That's correct, yes.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18You are the spreadsheet/finance man,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and Ray, your pal and builder, he does all the hard physical graft.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Well, I think doing the spreadsheets is harder than the physical graft,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28personally, but we agree to disagree on that one.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30And do you and Ray have a good relationship?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Because you'll be working together a lot.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Yes, we've been friends for a very long time.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39A refurbishment expert like Ray and a savvy moneyman like Bernie
0:09:39 > 0:09:42makes for a well thought-out bidding strategy,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44uninfluenced by the guide price.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47The auctions tend to have the guide prices lower,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49because they want to attract people to the auction.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52So if they put silly prices on, no-one would turn up.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54We had a maximum bid of this one of 125,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and we got it for 118, so...
0:09:57 > 0:09:59The budget, erm...
0:09:59 > 0:10:0125 to 30.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06And then we will sell it for 180, hopefully.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12Bernie has a clever way of working out his maximum bid for a property.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15He subtracts Ray's refurbishment budget, taxes,
0:10:15 > 0:10:16fees and a profit
0:10:16 > 0:10:20from his forecasted selling price, giving his top bid.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Using this method,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25he bought two of the nine properties he was interested in at the auction,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28and happily watched the others go by to higher bidders.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33So, when can he expect a completion and return on his investment?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Normally on one like this, we'd hope to do it in eight to ten weeks.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41This one, we're going to say ten to 12 weeks because we'll have to
0:10:41 > 0:10:45split the guys between the two properties, so
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I'm going to say three months.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49And your plan IS to sell it, not to rent it?
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Yes. With these ones where we buy
0:10:53 > 0:10:55frankly absolute rubbish at auction
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and then do them up, make them all into
0:10:58 > 0:11:00very nice, very modern, very clean,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03and then we sell them very fast.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04I don't think it's rubbish.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07No. We have had considerably worse,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09with ceilings falling down and
0:11:09 > 0:11:13we had one that didn't even have a staircase...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15We had a ladder going up to the next floor.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19And how many properties do you have on your portfolio?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Mm...
0:11:21 > 0:11:24There's probably 25 or so long-term ones,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26which is really my pension plan.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29So these are properties you rent out?
0:11:29 > 0:11:33They're rented out, that I've had in some cases for many, many years.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36But in these ones that we're doing, the quick turnaround,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39there's probably about eight
0:11:39 > 0:11:42in various stages, so two -
0:11:42 > 0:11:44this one, and the other one we bought at auction.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Obviously not started yet.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49We've got others with estate agents,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53and a couple that are in the middle of that process.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56The longer term ones, the ones that are rented out,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58tend to be mainly in south-east London,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01because that WAS the up-and-coming area
0:12:01 > 0:12:05and we did a lot of this type of work in south-east London,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08but then kept them, and rented them out.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11More recently we've been down
0:12:11 > 0:12:14in this area in Kent - Chatham, Maidstone,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Dover, Ramsgate, Folkestone.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Bernie knows his home London market well,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23but branching out to relatively unknown territory
0:12:23 > 0:12:25means his research had to be thorough,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28exploring prices and the market in all these places.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31It's all about a quick turnaround, and onto the next one.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36With dozens of properties on the go...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- HE LAUGHS - ..is there time for anything else in your life?
0:12:39 > 0:12:43There's three aspects to my life -
0:12:43 > 0:12:46one is I run an IT recruitment agency,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49have done for 32 years now -
0:12:49 > 0:12:52my background, personally, was as a programmer...
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Erm,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58and with my wife, we have a series of children's homes, and a school.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Keeps me out the pubs.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01SHE LAUGHS
0:13:01 > 0:13:04At this stage, do you just want to get your sleeves rolled up and...
0:13:04 > 0:13:06well, do a spreadsheet(?)
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Do you just want to crack on and, you know...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Yes, that's exactly...
0:13:12 > 0:13:16We come in, we rip out all the things that need doing,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19probably annoy the neighbours with skips out the front
0:13:19 > 0:13:22for a week or two while we're clearing everything out,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and then, as you say, crack on.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Well, you've got ME excited. Can't wait to see what you do with the place.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Congratulations again, and good luck.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Thank you.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Well, Bernie is a seasoned property developer
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and his latest purchase does seem pretty straightforward,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43but as he says, the name of HIS game is to sell quickly and make a profit.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Will it all go according to plan?
0:13:45 > 0:13:46You can find out later in the show.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Camborne in North Cornwall enjoyed boom-town status
0:13:55 > 0:13:59at the height of the tin-mining industry in the 19th century.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00It's that proud heritage
0:14:00 > 0:14:03that has left its mark here today in more ways than one.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Well, pretty close to the centre of town is the property I'm here to see.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Now - here's a lesson.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13What have I taught you over the years in terms of property prices?
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Well, use that knowledge to deduce something from what I'm going to tell you -
0:14:16 > 0:14:20the average price of a three-bed semidetached in this street
0:14:20 > 0:14:22is 175,000 quid.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24The one that was up for auction - that one -
0:14:24 > 0:14:27had a guide price of 75,000 to 100,000.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Now - was this just a mistake in the auction catalogue...?
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Or is it perhaps too good to be true,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37with perhaps a problem which sets the guide price so low?
0:14:42 > 0:14:45So, on with our slightly suspicious
0:14:45 > 0:14:48property detective face, and see what we can find.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Well, through the front door,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54nice you've got that little entrance area there and then stairs up to,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56well, whatever. Looks a bit higgledy-piggledy.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Lots of corridors going down there, we'll explore that in a minute
0:14:59 > 0:15:01but into the front lounge. Actually quite a nice space -
0:15:01 > 0:15:03you've got the bay window there,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06some nice original features... Yeah, it looks all right.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Well, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to spot that, do you?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Behind the wallpaper here... Look at that.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Hmm...
0:15:17 > 0:15:22Now, you might just think that is a random hole in the wall.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Well, it's what is BEHIND that hole
0:15:25 > 0:15:28that is concerning me, because
0:15:28 > 0:15:32that looks to me like something called mundic.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Very, very typical for this part of Cornwall.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Basically, mundic was made from mining waste.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44It was incorporated as aggregate in concrete construction,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47either in prefabricated sections or blocks.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50In this case, the house is PRC -
0:15:50 > 0:15:53that's precast reinforced concrete -
0:15:53 > 0:15:56so it's already nonstandard construction.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00With mundic, damp can cause it to deteriorate,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02so you need a mundic report -
0:16:02 > 0:16:04which is why this hole is here.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11And as a precaution, probably not a bad idea to do that
0:16:11 > 0:16:13if you are thinking about buying houses
0:16:13 > 0:16:16in the potentially mundic area in Cornwall.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21So with a slightly heavy heart, let's continue exploring.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Second sort of reception room here,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26with a strange kind of conservatory built off it.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Stairs up here. Looks a bit wibbly-wobbly, but erm,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33that's not the biggest issue. I don't like this narrow corridor,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35it all starts to feel rather cramped
0:16:35 > 0:16:37as you head into the property.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41You come to this, which is laid out currently as...I don't know what.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44It's sort of...a dining room,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48or something? It's not got enough units to be properly a kitchen.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53It's got a fireplace, and then here is the actual kitchen,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56almost tacked onto the back of the property.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Er... I think it is not helped by having this sloping roof,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01it feels dark, it feels dingy,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04it feels like it needs to be knocked down and basically replaced.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Above the front room bay on the first floor,
0:17:10 > 0:17:11the largest of the three bedrooms
0:17:11 > 0:17:14also has the benefit of a bay window.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21The second bedroom is a generous size, with decent wardrobe space.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Bedroom three is not much more than a box room.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29The family bathroom on the half landing
0:17:29 > 0:17:31needs a new suite and decoration,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33and it completes the upstairs rooms.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Back downstairs for a closer look at that lean-to conservatory.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44And there's evidence here how the damp and mundic don't mix.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47The most common waste product is iron pyrites,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50often known as fool's gold -
0:17:50 > 0:17:51something the house might turn out to be,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54depending on the results of the mundic report.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00# So I'll go, before I fall to pieces... #
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Well, I've been to loads and loads of houses
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and you walk round the back and you're never quite sure
0:18:08 > 0:18:09what you are going to find,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11but in this case...
0:18:11 > 0:18:16this is a complete hotchpotch disaster area,
0:18:16 > 0:18:17I mean - look at that.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20What is going on there? Some sort of garage-y thing
0:18:20 > 0:18:22with a corrugated iron roof.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25We'll forgive that bit, but look at the main part of the property.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28This is that kitchen area here, underneath this extension
0:18:28 > 0:18:30but what's that?!
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Somebody has built a garden shed on the top as an extension,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I mean, it's completely bonkers, and just... I mean...
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Bleurgh!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted a clue.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45The stained-glass window frame indicates that this shed
0:18:45 > 0:18:47houses the bathroom.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50You get them adorning churches and palaces -
0:18:50 > 0:18:52so why not a wooden throne room?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57This place is not short on issues,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00so maybe knocking the whole thing down would be an option.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02We asked a local estate agent along
0:19:02 > 0:19:04to give me a breather.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05I wouldn't demolish it -
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I would repair what needs to be done,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10and either rent it out or sell it on. Because you would
0:19:10 > 0:19:13probably lose money if you tried demolishing it and then
0:19:13 > 0:19:14building it back up,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18just simply because of the end cost versus the end price.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Demolition can be really costly,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and this is a semi, so it could prove complicated.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26The good news is that after testing,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29some 80% of houses with mundic are deemed OK,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32but the fact that this house is nonstandard construction
0:19:32 > 0:19:35likely means a cash buyer.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41In terms of the local market, the lettings side is extremely buoyant,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and there's a shortage of supply versus demand
0:19:44 > 0:19:47so we've got quite a lot of people looking to rent.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48In terms of sales,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50there's a lot of investors and first-time buyers
0:19:50 > 0:19:52so we're always very busy.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I suppose if good rental yields can be achieved,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57this gets all the more appealing.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00But if you tried the resale market, what might you achieve?
0:20:00 > 0:20:05If this property was to go on the market in a saleable condition,
0:20:05 > 0:20:10I would imagine it would be worth around £130,000 to £140,000.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Well, that's probably because of local demand.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17If you got it for the lower end of that 75,000 to 100,000 guide price,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19you'll be quids in.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26Well, clearly this is a house with its fair share of issues.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28However, if you know those issues then it's just a case of working out
0:20:28 > 0:20:31how much it's going to cost to actually
0:20:31 > 0:20:34sort out the problems - if indeed they are
0:20:34 > 0:20:35surmountable.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- HE EXHALES - Work that out, and then decide if it's still worth doing.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Anyway, let's see who took on the challenge when it went under the hammer.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46To the next available lot,
0:20:46 > 0:20:47which is lot 126.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49£75,000, may I say.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Straightaway at 75. Thank you. 76, then.
0:20:53 > 0:20:5576. Sorry, madam, didn't see you, 76.
0:20:55 > 0:20:5777,000.
0:20:57 > 0:20:5977. 78.
0:20:59 > 0:21:0179, 80.
0:21:01 > 0:21:0380,000. 81,000, sir, are you coming back?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Or are you going to be a gentleman and let the lady have it?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09For the first time at £80,000...
0:21:09 > 0:21:10Second...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Third and final time, all finished...?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Yours, madam. Well done.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17The top bid of £80,000
0:21:17 > 0:21:21was placed by Sue, who was bidding on behalf of son Mark.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I had a chat with Mark,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27who is a domestic energy assessor, back at his new purchase.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Mark, good to meet you. - Nice to meet you.- Congratulations.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Tell me why you wanted to buy this house.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Basically it was the right price, in a good location in Cornwall.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Right.- I'm looking for a base for me in Cornwall,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43but also to rent out the other rooms on a sort of room-by-room basis.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Right. Do you know the area quite well?
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Erm, I've been volunteering with a local disaster relief charity...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Oh, wow.- ..for some years now, and we basically go as volunteers
0:21:53 > 0:21:57following natural or man-made disasters,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00to help the people affected by the disaster
0:22:00 > 0:22:02by supplying tents and other equipment
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- such as blankets and things like that.- Oh, wow.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07So what sort of places have you been to?
0:22:07 > 0:22:09The most recent deployment was to Fiji.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Prior to that last year I went to Nepal,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16following the flooding and landslides rather than the earthquake.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Right. You must see some awful stuff.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Erm, it's a lot of destruction,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24but the great part of it is to see how people...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27how resilient people are following the destruction and
0:22:27 > 0:22:29how they rebuild their lives.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32With our assistance, but also largely from their own work.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Given Mark's experiences,
0:22:35 > 0:22:40suddenly a house with potential structural problems seems like small beer.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45It's basically made of mundic, which is essentially mining waste,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and that means it's essentially un-mortgageable.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51There's also issues as you go around, you've probably seen,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53with damp penetration, largely due
0:22:53 > 0:22:56to the roof being the original roof,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59and also nonexistent gutters.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Right. Never good. - Yeah. Not great,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04so I'm going to do what I can myself such as ripping out
0:23:04 > 0:23:06a lot of the insides of the house,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10and then I'm going to get trades to do the majority of the complicated work.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Now, what about the back? Because it's a bit strange, isn't it?
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Long and thin and...you know, whatever.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Yeah. So the back two parts of the building
0:23:19 > 0:23:21are basically the garage and the shed,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24and it looks like a tree has come down in the past
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and caused quite a lot of damage to the garage,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30so that will have to come down and potentially be replaced.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34The kitchen and the sort of dining room area,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37I'm looking to clear that through,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39and remove the chimney breast to hopefully
0:23:39 > 0:23:43- create a reasonable living space there.- Right.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44Mark has a lot to organise -
0:23:44 > 0:23:48new central heating, wiring, double glazed windows -
0:23:48 > 0:23:51but he's also planning to take advantage of one of Cornwall's
0:23:51 > 0:23:54natural free resources. The plentiful rain.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58So we will harvest the rainwater to use in flushing the toilets
0:23:58 > 0:23:59and also for the washing machine.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02How do you do that? How do you harvest it?
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Erm, so, basically, when I put the gutters on
0:24:04 > 0:24:06we're going to try and connect them all up,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09put a pipe in the ground into a nice, big tank under the garden,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and then there will be a pump in there to pump the water
0:24:12 > 0:24:14around a separate sort of system in the house.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Oh, great. Brilliant.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Erm... And, so what is the budget for all your planning?
0:24:20 > 0:24:24I'm looking at roughly £25,000 to £35,000 at the moment.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26There's not too much flex in that,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29so I'm hoping to certainly come in under 35.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31And what's the timescale?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Erm, I'm looking hopefully at two to three months.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36It being the summer, and in Cornwall,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38I'm looking to get some good friends to come and help me,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41and then we can go to the beach and surf during our time off.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Oh, great, yeah! That's a good incentive, actually.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Are you a surfer?- Erm, I'm a BAD surfer...
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- MARTIN LAUGHS - ..but still learning, put it that way.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Well, congratulations, good luck.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Thank you.- Look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Well, I'm delighted that Mark is fully aware of the issues
0:24:58 > 0:25:01that this property has. And you know what?
0:25:01 > 0:25:05You could say that those issues actually enabled him to buy it,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09because if there weren't any issues, the price would've been a lot higher,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11so for him, it's perfect.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Will he be able to sort it out for 25,000 to 35,000?
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Mmm. Not so sure, but we'll find later in the show.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Still to come,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24detective work at my Woodford Green two-bed flat
0:25:24 > 0:25:27makes me think a smoker lived here.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I'm thinking...there was something on the wall just here.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35And energy assessor Mark saves more than energy...
0:25:36 > 0:25:40That means an estimated saving of about £2,000 a year in running costs.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45MUSIC: Albatross by Fleetwood Mac
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Back now to a place popular with cross-Channel swimmers.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Is that one of them starting out from Dover(?)
0:25:52 > 0:25:56There was no bathing for me when I went there earlier in the show
0:25:56 > 0:25:59to look around this three-storey two-bedroom property,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03bought by the familiar face of Bernie for £118,000,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07with the intention of refurbishing by his builder mate Ray.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14You're the spreadsheet/finance man and Ray, your pal and builder,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16he does all the hard, physical graft...
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Well, I think doing the spreadsheets is harder than the physical graft,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22personally, but we agree to disagree on that one.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26We're back three and a half months later,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29to see the results of Bernie's graft on his spreadsheets
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and Ray's graft with his tool kit.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35I know which one I'd prefer.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39# I'm waking up to ash and dust
0:26:39 > 0:26:43# I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
0:26:43 > 0:26:46# I'm breathing in the chemicals... #
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Yeah, paint stripper does that to me.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Well, downstairs everything is new -
0:26:53 > 0:26:55plaster, plumbing, glazing and so on...
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Even the staircase to the first floor.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Although, I would definitely recommend a banister.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07And is that...
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Yes. It's a corridor to the top floor.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13# Welcome to the new age, to the new age
0:27:13 > 0:27:17# Welcome to the new age, to the new age... #
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Yes, it has compromised the square footage of the room a little,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25but the chimney breast has gone here as well as downstairs.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I thought that would help.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30The old bathroom redefined the phrase,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32"Just going for a short shower, dear."
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Ray's come up with an inspired fix for that -
0:27:35 > 0:27:37change ends, and mount the shower on the wall.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Genius!
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Once showered,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45it's a much more private climb to the top floor,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47where the largest of the two bedrooms up here
0:27:47 > 0:27:50is little-changed - just freshened up.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54# Welcome to the new age, to the new age
0:27:54 > 0:27:57# Welcome to the new age, to the new age... #
0:27:57 > 0:28:01The smallest bedroom is free at last of woodchip, and damp,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and I think apart from the interior looking like
0:28:04 > 0:28:07there's been an explosion in a magnolia factory,
0:28:07 > 0:28:08well, it's all good.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11But what's money man Bernie's account of things?
0:28:13 > 0:28:15We had a couple of minor issues with the roof
0:28:15 > 0:28:18when the chimney came out,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21so we had to get some scaffolding and get the roof fixed.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26Other than that, it's white and magnolia and new carpets everywhere.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Was it worth sacrificing the space
0:28:28 > 0:28:32from the first-floor living area as was, to create a third bedroom?
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Generally speaking,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38the more you can get for the estate agents
0:28:38 > 0:28:40on their three beds instead of two,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43two receptions instead of one, whatever
0:28:43 > 0:28:46the more you can get on there, the better it reflects on the price.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49And actually, creating an extra room
0:28:49 > 0:28:51when you're doing so much work to the property anyway
0:28:51 > 0:28:54is surprisingly cheap to do.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58One area they've not been able to expand, of course,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00is the teeny-weeny garden.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03We were stuck with the size of the garden as it is,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07so what we've done is we've cleaned it up, we've made it all nice.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09It was filthy before, so
0:29:09 > 0:29:12it'll make a nice little kind of barbecue area,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15possibly a storage area for bikes or something like that now.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19The timescale was planned to be ten to 12 weeks.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Ray and his team completed the work in just EIGHT weeks,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24despite those issues dismantling the chimney.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27But - how did Bernie's spreadsheets fare?
0:29:28 > 0:29:33We budgeted a top end of about £30,000.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37We actually come out at a total spend of £34,000,
0:29:37 > 0:29:40but that does include non-building things
0:29:40 > 0:29:43like auction fees, solicitors' fees, stamp duty, et cetera.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47So I'm quite pleased that it's broadly on budget.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Taking Bernie's £34,000 spend
0:29:50 > 0:29:53for once including all taxes and expenses,
0:29:53 > 0:29:57and adding it to his £118,000 purchase price
0:29:57 > 0:30:00gives a total of £152,000.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04So - will Bernie be as successful with THIS project
0:30:04 > 0:30:06as he has been in the past?
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Will his formula for working at a top bid price
0:30:08 > 0:30:09serve him well this time?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15We've invited two local estate agents along to find out.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18First up, the chap who saw it before work commenced.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20They've done a very nice job on it,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23it's bright and airy. I like the carpets,
0:30:23 > 0:30:24the colours are very nice.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Nice contemporary fitted kitchen
0:30:27 > 0:30:28and nice bathroom suite,
0:30:28 > 0:30:30so it is a very nice property now.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34The finishes are neat and tidy, and clean, the carpets are nice.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37The finishes in the kitchen are tidy,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39everything is there as it should be.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Quality of finishes perhaps at the lower end,
0:30:43 > 0:30:45but still nicely presentable.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Although he has plenty of rental properties in his portfolio,
0:30:48 > 0:30:52Bernie came into this with a view to selling on after refurbishment.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55So, what is it worth now?
0:30:55 > 0:30:58I would put this on the market at £160,000
0:30:58 > 0:30:59and expect to achieve
0:30:59 > 0:31:02in the region of £150,000, perhaps a little more.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05If we were to put this property on the market,
0:31:05 > 0:31:10I think it would re-sale at between £155,000 and £165,000.
0:31:10 > 0:31:16Taking the top figure, that gives Bernie a clear profit of £13,000.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Perhaps a LITTLE disappointing,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21but it's still an 8.5% increase on his investment
0:31:21 > 0:31:25in just three months - and he's not fazed.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27We've had three estate agents round to value it,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31we have it on the market funnily enough with
0:31:31 > 0:31:32the highest one.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36So it's on the market at £180,000.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38We will leave it a few weeks,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42and if there's no suitable offers,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45then I will take a buy-to-let mortgage and erm...
0:31:45 > 0:31:47rent it out to offset the costs of the mortgage.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49But I'll have my investment money back
0:31:49 > 0:31:52by getting an 80% mortgage on
0:31:52 > 0:31:55the new value, now that it's all finished.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Bernie would rent for a year
0:31:57 > 0:32:00and then look to sell on, depending on his tenant,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05but this strategy does depend on property prices going UP -
0:32:05 > 0:32:08so, what is in the future for our laid-back Bernie?
0:32:08 > 0:32:11More properties, for certain, more auctions,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14more investments...
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Hopefully, more profits. More of the same.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18We already have
0:32:18 > 0:32:22several more in progress at the moment.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26No thoughts of cashing in on that pension portfolio, then(?)
0:32:26 > 0:32:29- HE LAUGHS - Too young and too good-looking to be retiring.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31No intentions on retirement -
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I like my skiing, I like my holidays,
0:32:33 > 0:32:35and I need to be making the money to pay for all of that.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44# Gonna get myself, I'm gonna get myself
0:32:44 > 0:32:46# I'm gonna get myself connected... #
0:32:46 > 0:32:47I'm here in Woodford Green,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and Woodford Tube
0:32:49 > 0:32:51is a short walk in that direction,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55which can get you into the centre of London in about half an hour,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57so this is a very good location.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00The property I'm here to see is in this building.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03It's a ground-floor flat,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06it's got two bedrooms and a guide price of 240 grand.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11HE EXHALES Let's go and see what you get for your money.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Well, for a start,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17it's situated in pleasant communal grounds and it comes with a
0:33:17 > 0:33:20service charge of £900 per year.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24There's also a decent 107 years left on the lease,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26plus it's on the ground floor, no stairs!
0:33:26 > 0:33:28My dodgy knees are happy.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Right.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32It's not my colour. So what have we got?
0:33:32 > 0:33:36We've got a bit of storage in there and in here,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40we've got a bit more storage in there.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Now as I come along to this part of the hallway,
0:33:43 > 0:33:48it's starting to feel like a flat that I stayed in when I was playing
0:33:48 > 0:33:53for Norwich City. The layout's very similar and I really did like that
0:33:53 > 0:33:56flat at the time, I'm getting the same feeling with this place, too.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01You've got a big bedroom here to my right, a nice big window, as well,
0:34:01 > 0:34:04central heating and I can also see
0:34:04 > 0:34:07there's a sort of wall heater, as well.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11One of them must have replaced the other at some stage and across the
0:34:11 > 0:34:13hallway, you've got another bedroom here, bedroom two.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16A little bit smaller, it is a double bedroom.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20You've got fitted wardrobes there, sort of '70s, '80s feel,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22I'd want to get all that out, clean it up,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24tidy at all up a little bit.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26It just looks a bit dated and tired.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30And across the hallway, the green theme continues,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33follow me into here and we've got the bathroom.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38You've got the bath and you've got the sink, but there isn't any toilet.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42Right. Rip it out, put a new bathroom in here,
0:34:42 > 0:34:47smarten it up a little bit while I search for the toilet.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Space is definitely my first thought.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53There's a decent amount of it here. Plenty of it is green.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56I would prefer the bathroom and toilet together
0:34:56 > 0:34:58but I've got to find it first.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01# We'll find it
0:35:02 > 0:35:05# We'll find it... #
0:35:06 > 0:35:08OK, still no sign of the toilet.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12This is the lounge and a good-sized lounge it is, as well.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15It's dated like the rest of the flat.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17You've got an old gas fire
0:35:17 > 0:35:20just there. It has got central heating,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23nice, big window letting loads of light in, which is good.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Not so good, you've got some exposed piping just there,
0:35:27 > 0:35:31I would suggest you get that boxed off or if you can get it behind the
0:35:31 > 0:35:36wall, even better. It feels like this place hasn't been touched since
0:35:36 > 0:35:39this building was assembled back in the 1970s.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44The decor is '70s, everything about it is '70s.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Now, you don't have to believe me,
0:35:47 > 0:35:51but I'm thinking there was something on the wall just here and that was
0:35:51 > 0:35:56the original wallpaper colour, but it is a good-sized lounge.
0:35:56 > 0:36:02The search continues for the toilet, so across the hallway and there
0:36:02 > 0:36:05we have the elusive toilet.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Well, that doesn't work, does it?
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Nowhere to wash your hands and I can't see how you will squeeze a
0:36:10 > 0:36:13sink in. I think this toilet belongs with the bath in the bathroom -
0:36:13 > 0:36:17soil pipes and freeholders permitting.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20And...last
0:36:20 > 0:36:23but no means least, we have the kitchen and it is a good-sized
0:36:23 > 0:36:26kitchen, as well.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30This room more or less sums up the whole of this flat.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33If you look around, you can see the doors to the cupboards,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36the cupboards themselves, the work surfaces,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39everything hasn't been touched for some time.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Take it all out, brighten it up with nice,
0:36:42 > 0:36:47white units and I think this kitchen would look a lot better and the
0:36:47 > 0:36:50space would be used a lot better, as well.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53I can see there's a little bit of outside space there at the
0:36:53 > 0:36:56back door and some communal space, as well.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59But I've got to say, I do like the potential this flat has.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Now this flat is in a bit of a time warp.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05There were many good things about the '70s...
0:37:05 > 0:37:07# Bright eyes
0:37:07 > 0:37:08# Burning in like fire... #
0:37:08 > 0:37:12# If I don't see a ribbon round the old oak tree... #
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Well, perhaps not those.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16MUSIC: The Hustle by Van McCoy
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Ah, better!
0:37:18 > 0:37:21But not even the walls think that most of the paper is worth hanging on to
0:37:21 > 0:37:24and those ceiling tiles, given their age,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26are likely to be a hazard in a fire.
0:37:26 > 0:37:32Let's be honest, they're not that pretty. '70s decor aside,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35what does a local estate agent make of the two-bedroomed flat?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Is it likely to be a hustle or a hassle?
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Feel the funk.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45The main selling point for this kind of property is A,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49it's close to the Central Line station, it's a good size.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Ground floors are always in demand and there's
0:37:52 > 0:37:55so many facilities locally.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57You don't need a car.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01But as good as this flat potentially is, does a 240 grand
0:38:01 > 0:38:04guide price afford any possibility of profit?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Once this flat has been well refurbished,
0:38:09 > 0:38:15I believe it would achieve in the region of £350,000-360,000.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18And rental returns?
0:38:20 > 0:38:24Once this flat is renovated, I believe it would be possible
0:38:24 > 0:38:27to achieve in the region of £1,400-1,500
0:38:27 > 0:38:32- per calendar month.- It's a good size, it's got a good layout and
0:38:32 > 0:38:36it's in a very good location. Who agreed?
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Let's find out when it went under the hammer.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Lot 45B is a two-bed, ground-floor flat.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45I'm not going to go below 250 on this.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Well done, 250 sitting down.
0:38:48 > 0:38:55255. 255. 260. 265, sir.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59270. 275.
0:38:59 > 0:39:05280. 285. 290. 290.
0:39:05 > 0:39:11295. 300. 305. 310. 305.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15310 elsewhere. 310?
0:39:15 > 0:39:17If not, 307, sir?
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Another go?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Yes, 307.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24First time, second time,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27third and last time if you're all done...
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Sold for 307.
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Well done.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32So, for £67,000 over
0:39:32 > 0:39:35the guide price, and for 307 grand,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38the Woodford Green two-bed, ground-floor flat
0:39:38 > 0:39:41was bought by Raqqah and Jan.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45This was to be their first development project.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48I met them back at the flat to find out their plans.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50Raqqah, nice to meet you.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- Yeah, nice to meet you, too.- Nice to meet you, Jan.- Hello, nice to meet you.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Congratulations, both of you. Are you happy with what you got?
0:39:56 > 0:39:58I think so, yeah.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- Yeah?- Yeah.- So who found the property, then?
0:40:00 > 0:40:04I've seen it on the website together with about five other properties.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- OK.- That was actually the one that we liked the most.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09I mean, to be honest,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Jan did all of the research and then I was the one who said, "OK,
0:40:12 > 0:40:14"looking at the pluses and minuses..."
0:40:14 > 0:40:16He put a spreadsheet together.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18So you're the organiser? How does this relationship work?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Tell me.- I deal with the finances,
0:40:21 > 0:40:26the legal side of things and he is the one who looks at the property,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29assesses what we need done to the property.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32What do you do, then, when you're not buying property?
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I'm a software developer for a property website.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Oh, you see, it's all coming together now!
0:40:37 > 0:40:39It's all coming together now!
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- And your background?- I used to work as a business development manager.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47I quit my job two weeks ago, to try and focus on this and it's just
0:40:47 > 0:40:50because I wanted something which was a bit more flexible,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52so I can spend more time
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- with my daughter, so that's the reason why.- Gotcha.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56How old's your daughter? What's her name?
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Give her a name check on TV!- She'll love it.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00She's eight and her name is Sophia.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Hello, eight-year-old Sophia!
0:41:03 > 0:41:06You're going to spend a little bit more time with your mum,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09but it doesn't always work out that way -
0:41:09 > 0:41:13refurbishing property can be quite demanding on your time, too.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15OK, tell us what you're going to do to this place, then.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20Well, we had some builders in yesterday and this morning and we
0:41:20 > 0:41:24are trying to get them to do all the skimming down and taking down
0:41:24 > 0:41:30wallpaper, ceiling tiles, obviously a new kitchen, new bathroom, toilet.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33There's nothing deep into this flat that needs to be done, though,
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- is there?- No, not that we can see.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39It looks like it just needs a sort of a refurbishment, renovation...
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Yeah.- ..modernisation and that's what we're looking for,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- because we're looking at the buy-to-let market...- OK.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49..so we're going to rent this property out. We'd like tenants
0:41:49 > 0:41:52who essentially are professionals, who are commuting into London,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55so they look for high-quality, you know...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Of course.- ..standards, so that's what we'd be looking at.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Tell me, then, what is your budget for the whole project?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- Well, we don't want to spend more than 15,000.- OK.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07But we've got a sneaky feeling that we probably will have to.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Along with the 15-grand budget,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12they are hoping for a rapid turnaround of just a month.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17Fine if it all goes to plan, but I think it might be a tad optimistic.
0:42:17 > 0:42:22Is this something you want to do full-time or are you just thinking
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- of it as a part-time job?- I wanted to see how I go,
0:42:25 > 0:42:30so what we talked about is I'll take a month out and then see how this
0:42:30 > 0:42:34- goes.- We hope this is the start of something new.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36- Yeah.- So, we definitely want to do this again.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Build that portfolio up?
0:42:38 > 0:42:39Yeah, definitely.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43We did see this one as a learning experience.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47We got too carried away at the auction this time around!
0:42:47 > 0:42:49DION LAUGHS
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Raqqah, that's easily done.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52We've learned our lesson and if
0:42:52 > 0:42:54we are going to buy a property at auction again,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57we just need to stick to what our limit was,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01and we went over that by quite a considerable amount for us,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05so that's why we are looking for buy-to-let because we don't...
0:43:05 > 0:43:09Well, I don't see us making any profit from selling this property on,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12so let's look at the next property and try and make a profit.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Raqqah, good luck. I hope it all works out.
0:43:15 > 0:43:16All right, thank you so much.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- Jan, good luck, take care. - Thank you.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21I think Raqqah and Jan have chosen a very
0:43:21 > 0:43:25manageable first project and they're willing to learn as they go along.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28They've learned lesson one at the auction, already,
0:43:28 > 0:43:31but how are they going to get on with less than two, three, four,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34five and six? You can find out later in the programme.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Well, earlier we saw one completed project, but what about the other two?
0:43:42 > 0:43:44Yes, did everything go to plan?
0:43:44 > 0:43:48There's only one way to find out, let's take a look.
0:43:48 > 0:43:49Time to head back
0:43:49 > 0:43:53to North Cornwall, where our property in Camborne, this nice,
0:43:53 > 0:43:57three-bed semi, had a suspiciously low guide price
0:43:57 > 0:43:59of £75,000 to £100,000.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01Too good to be true?
0:44:01 > 0:44:06Well, you get no prizes for guessing the answer was a resounding yes.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09The house was built with a nonstandard construction method,
0:44:09 > 0:44:15using precast concrete and that wasn't the only undesirable thing...
0:44:15 > 0:44:19That looks to me like something called mundic.
0:44:19 > 0:44:25Very, very typical for this part of Cornwall.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29Mundic is the local name for the waste from copper mines.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33It contains sulphides, which, when mixed with water, turn into sulphuric acid.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Nasty! And if that wasn't enough,
0:44:35 > 0:44:39the back of the building was in a right old state and the toilet was
0:44:39 > 0:44:42in an airborne stained-glass shed.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46So, why on earth did energy assessor and charity worker Mark pay
0:44:46 > 0:44:49£80,000 for it?
0:44:49 > 0:44:51I'm looking for a base for me in Cornwall,
0:44:51 > 0:44:56but also to rent out the other rooms on a sort of room-by-room basis.
0:44:56 > 0:45:01Mark had hoped that his plan would support his unpredictable voluntary
0:45:01 > 0:45:05work for a locally-based charity and he hoped he would have it all
0:45:05 > 0:45:08tickety-boo in two to three months.
0:45:08 > 0:45:13But Mark was called to Haiti for disaster relief work,
0:45:13 > 0:45:15causing a delay.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Seven months later, we're back.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25The outside space is
0:45:25 > 0:45:30much tidier and at least the first-floor garden shed has been
0:45:30 > 0:45:32painted white to blend in more.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34Now let's take a peek inside.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Mark has kept some of the period charm and original features
0:45:41 > 0:45:42throughout the house.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52And heading towards the back of the property,
0:45:52 > 0:45:55the lean-to conservatory has been knocked down and rebuilt as a more
0:45:55 > 0:45:57permanent structure.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07The downstairs cloakroom has been squeezed under the stairs.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12The bathroom, aka the first-floor garden shed,
0:46:12 > 0:46:16has a much better use of space by swapping out the bath for a shower.
0:46:26 > 0:46:31The master bedroom, with neutral tones, looks a lot bigger.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38As do the other two bedrooms.
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Mark has dry lined all of the walls and has installed thermal insulation
0:46:45 > 0:46:50on the external ones and sound insulation behind the
0:46:50 > 0:46:52new plasterboard dry line
0:46:52 > 0:46:55on the wall connecting to next door.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59Back downstairs, last but not least is the kitchen.
0:47:06 > 0:47:07Here's Mark with the story of
0:47:07 > 0:47:09how he made his mark on the kitchen.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15The kitchen is where we made most of the changes.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18It was all cladding wood so we ripped all that off,
0:47:18 > 0:47:20ripped the floor up,
0:47:20 > 0:47:22ripped the ceiling down,
0:47:22 > 0:47:25ripped the kitchen out and then we
0:47:25 > 0:47:28found a giant chimney blocking the way.
0:47:28 > 0:47:29When we had removed that,
0:47:29 > 0:47:33we found there was another sort of normal-size chimney just behind as
0:47:33 > 0:47:37well, so we got shot of that one as well and the chimney was made of
0:47:37 > 0:47:40mundic and it was quite soft, so it made it quite interesting
0:47:40 > 0:47:44breaking through with the breaker.
0:47:44 > 0:47:48Mark found the reason why this part of the mundic structure was so soft...
0:47:48 > 0:47:51There was about a half-inch gap all around the base of the chimney and
0:47:51 > 0:47:54it wobbled quite a bit just from pushing it,
0:47:54 > 0:47:56so as we re-roofed the property,
0:47:56 > 0:48:00we removed both chimneys and then covered it over, so it's all nice
0:48:00 > 0:48:01and watertight now.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05Proof, if it were needed, that when mundic mixes with water,
0:48:05 > 0:48:09it's about as stable as a sugar cube splashed with hot coffee.
0:48:09 > 0:48:15Speaking of water, what has the rain-harvesting system reaped?
0:48:15 > 0:48:17We decided to knock it on the head.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20Basically, this follows a phone call with the local water company
0:48:20 > 0:48:24who said it wasn't possible to put us on a water meter here,
0:48:24 > 0:48:27so there will be no saving from doing that,
0:48:27 > 0:48:30despite the large amount of rain we have done here in Cornwall.
0:48:30 > 0:48:31What a shame.
0:48:31 > 0:48:36I thought that would have saved a tidy sum on the water bill.
0:48:36 > 0:48:40So his washing machine, once installed, won't be quite as green.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43How did Mark get on with the rest of the work?
0:48:43 > 0:48:47My initial approach was to not do too much of the work myself.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49That fell out the window as the money ran out quite quickly.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52And, talking of falling out of a window,
0:48:52 > 0:48:54did you fall out with the stained-glass one
0:48:54 > 0:48:56that was in the bathroom?
0:48:56 > 0:48:58Unfortunately, it was quite a nice window,
0:48:58 > 0:49:02but there just wasn't any way of getting a shower in there
0:49:02 > 0:49:03without obscuring it.
0:49:03 > 0:49:07Mark's always intended renting out on a room basis,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10but first let's see if the refurbished sales valuations
0:49:10 > 0:49:15are worth his £80,000 purchase and around £50,000 refurbishment.
0:49:17 > 0:49:22It takes about 30% off of the value by being non-mortgage-able,
0:49:22 > 0:49:24but in the current market conditions,
0:49:24 > 0:49:26£130,000 would be a realistic figure.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29I believe the resale value of this property due to the type of
0:49:29 > 0:49:34construction is between 125,000-130,000.
0:49:34 > 0:49:40That top figure of 130,000 would mean Mark would break even,
0:49:40 > 0:49:43but he went into this property knowing the problems,
0:49:43 > 0:49:45so he may not be surprised.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50I was expecting it to be more like 130,
0:49:50 > 0:49:54because that's what the house at the back has sold for
0:49:54 > 0:49:57that's a similar size. Also mundic, as well.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01Mark checked with the local authority about their rules
0:50:01 > 0:50:06for house sharers to make sure that he complied with any regulations
0:50:06 > 0:50:08regarding safety and so on.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10What rental does Mark think he can get
0:50:10 > 0:50:11from renting out four rooms,
0:50:11 > 0:50:15the two large bedrooms and the former dining and living rooms?
0:50:15 > 0:50:17I'm planning to rent the rooms out
0:50:17 > 0:50:19for about 1,400 a month, including bills.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22That's £350 a month per room
0:50:22 > 0:50:26and a yield of nearly 13%, plus, of course,
0:50:26 > 0:50:27he gets to house share
0:50:27 > 0:50:29when he's not off with his erratic missions abroad.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31So, what's next?
0:50:33 > 0:50:37Once the house is let out, I'll be going to Thailand for a holiday.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40But we couldn't let our domestic energy assessor jet off
0:50:40 > 0:50:43without a comment on his proudest achievement.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46The EPC rating - energy performance certificate -
0:50:46 > 0:50:50for the house has gone from the bottom band G
0:50:50 > 0:50:52to a more respectable C rating,
0:50:52 > 0:50:56meaning Mark's in the 69 to 80 Sap point range.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58Eh? What does that all mean, Mark?
0:51:01 > 0:51:04In real terms, that means an estimated savings of about £2,000
0:51:04 > 0:51:06a year in running costs.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08And all that achieved without saving rainwater.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19Now back to Woodford Green in north-east London,
0:51:19 > 0:51:20where I saw a two-bedroom,
0:51:20 > 0:51:24ground-floor flat with a retro '70s feeling,
0:51:24 > 0:51:26the era that gave us glam rock,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29but there was nothing glam about this place -
0:51:29 > 0:51:33a toilet without a sink and a bathroom without a toilet.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35But what it lacked in facilities,
0:51:35 > 0:51:37it made up for in the heating department.
0:51:37 > 0:51:42It had two systems and was leading green, but not in the eco way.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45Everything hasn't been touched for some time.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Take it all out, brighten it up,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51and I think this kitchen would look a lot better.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Stepping up to the plate was Jan and his wife Raqqah.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57They paid 67 grand over the guide price.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02- Ow.- We got too carried away at the auction this time around.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06- Raqqah, that's easily done. - We've learned our lesson.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10That's why we are looking for buy-to-let, because we don't...
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Well, I don't see us making any profit
0:52:12 > 0:52:14from selling this property on.
0:52:15 > 0:52:18After that, you'd think they'd be more cautious.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20You'd be wrong.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22I quit my job two weeks ago.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23To try and focus on this
0:52:23 > 0:52:27and it's just because I wanted something which
0:52:27 > 0:52:30was a bit more flexible so I can spend more time with my daughter.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32We hope this is the start of something new.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37So have Raqqah and Jan pulled it off?
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Seven weeks later, we're back.
0:52:41 > 0:52:45- # We girls gonna run this, run this - All I want is something new
0:52:45 > 0:52:49# Something I can hold on to
0:52:49 > 0:52:51# I don't wanna talk
0:52:51 > 0:52:53# I just wanna dance
0:52:53 > 0:52:56# Baby, let it drop
0:52:56 > 0:52:57# Catch me if you can
0:52:57 > 0:52:59# We girls gonna run this, run this... #
0:53:00 > 0:53:03The flat has been completely overhauled.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06The walls and ceilings have been re-plastered and painted.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10The flat has also been rewired and has a new central heating system
0:53:10 > 0:53:12installed. Just the one this time.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22The clean and modern look continues in the rest of the flat.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24The laminate flooring works very well
0:53:24 > 0:53:26and is relatively easy to maintain,
0:53:26 > 0:53:28which is ideal for this rental investment.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31# ..We girls gonna run this, run this
0:53:31 > 0:53:33# All I want is something new
0:53:33 > 0:53:37# Something I can hold on to... #
0:53:38 > 0:53:42The new dual colour scheme really does make this place look bigger.
0:53:48 > 0:53:49So, how did they get on?
0:53:49 > 0:53:52Did they do all this themselves as planned?
0:53:52 > 0:53:57Once we realised the scale of the work that is required,
0:53:57 > 0:53:58we decided not to do that.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02Our builder gave us a quote of four to five weeks.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04It would have taken us much longer than that.
0:54:04 > 0:54:09It makes more economical sense for the builder to do all of the work in
0:54:09 > 0:54:13five weeks so that we can rent it out after the five weeks,
0:54:13 > 0:54:16rather than us doing the work, saving money there,
0:54:16 > 0:54:18but losing rental income.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20I did most of the project management, you know,
0:54:20 > 0:54:24going to the shops et cetera and ordering things online.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Organised project management is the key to a smooth renovation -
0:54:30 > 0:54:33coordinating trades, ordering materials to be delivered
0:54:33 > 0:54:36and making sure jobs are completed on time
0:54:36 > 0:54:39can be very demanding and sometimes frustrating.
0:54:41 > 0:54:46There were some serious problems with the kitchen being delivered,
0:54:46 > 0:54:50so we had quite a lot of challenges there.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53Besides that, I think everything's gone quite smoothly.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56# If you can't stand the heat
0:54:56 > 0:54:59# Keep out of the kitchen... #
0:54:59 > 0:55:03Raqqah has also been in the hot seat when it comes to the finances,
0:55:03 > 0:55:06so how has sticking to the 15 grand budget gone?
0:55:08 > 0:55:11Unfortunately, we've gone over that budget,
0:55:11 > 0:55:13so it's just under 20
0:55:13 > 0:55:17and there are a number of reasons why that is the case.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20We've had to replace the central heating system,
0:55:20 > 0:55:23we've re-plastered, rewired,
0:55:23 > 0:55:27we had spotlights put into the kitchen and bathroom
0:55:27 > 0:55:31and so, that is the reason why it's gone over.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34The property and renovation costs take their investment to
0:55:34 > 0:55:37£327,000, but stamp duty,
0:55:37 > 0:55:41auction fees and so on, account for another 22 grand,
0:55:41 > 0:55:45bringing their total investment to £349,000.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50So, let's see if two local estate agents are impressed.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55I think the property condition is great.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59It's been done up to a very high standard, modern appliances,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02modern bathrooms, and a nice finish throughout.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05The standard of finish is to a very good standard
0:56:05 > 0:56:07throughout the property.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09Clearly, the vendor has refurbished the property.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12Compared to others on the market, this will stand out,
0:56:12 > 0:56:13they will be able to market it very,
0:56:13 > 0:56:16very well and we should attract plenty of buyers for the property.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20The agents are positive about the sales potential,
0:56:20 > 0:56:24but Jan and Raqqah did get carried away at the auction,
0:56:24 > 0:56:28so could their 349 grand investment give them any profit at all?
0:56:29 > 0:56:32In regards to resale,
0:56:32 > 0:56:36I would say approximately £350,000 to £355,000.
0:56:36 > 0:56:41I would value this property between £350,000-360,000.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43It could have been a lot worse,
0:56:43 > 0:56:46and at least they could just about break even,
0:56:46 > 0:56:49but they do intend to rent for the time being,
0:56:49 > 0:56:50so what could it rent for?
0:56:51 > 0:56:57I would approximately say £1,250-1,300.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00I would expect the rental value of this property to be around 1,300
0:57:00 > 0:57:02to 1,350 per calendar month.
0:57:03 > 0:57:07The top rental figure would mean a yield of nearly 5%,
0:57:07 > 0:57:10so what do the couple make of their first experience developing?
0:57:10 > 0:57:14As we said before, it was always about the experience,
0:57:14 > 0:57:19about meeting a good builder, building a relationship,
0:57:19 > 0:57:22so we've done all that, so, overall, we are very happy.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26That's a great, positive outlook.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29They overcame the first hurdle of paying too much
0:57:29 > 0:57:33and focused on finding a reliable team of trades, which is vital.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38Raqqah has achieved a lot here, but would she do it again?
0:57:40 > 0:57:43I've had so much fun during this project,
0:57:43 > 0:57:47I've learnt so many new things that I really didn't know previously
0:57:47 > 0:57:50and I can't wait to move on to the next project.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55Well, that's it for today's show.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57We'll be back next time with more tales from the auction.
0:57:57 > 0:58:01Yes, from Stoke to Surrey, Durham to Dagenham and Eccles to Essex,
0:58:01 > 0:58:02we get around the country.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04And maybe next time we'll be in your area,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07- so join us again on Homes Under The Hammer.- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.