0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello, welcome to the show.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Now, possibly like you, we find the whole world of property interesting,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08exciting, even addictive.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Yes, but in order to succeed,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12you've got to make sure that you buy at the right price
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and in the right location.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Yeah, but one way you can do that
0:00:15 > 0:00:17is to head down to your local auction house
0:00:17 > 0:00:20and buy your next home under the hammer.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48You really do need to do your homework
0:00:48 > 0:00:50if you are buying a property at auction,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54because if you do that, you might just grab yourself a bargain.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58So will any of today's properties turn out to be great deals?
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Here's what people bought.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Lucy visits this semi in Upper Beeding,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06which was missing something.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Take a look up there.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15And in Walsall, I see a property that was, quite frankly,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18missing the point when it came to layout.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19Why is this wall here?
0:01:21 > 0:01:25And in Kent, I visit a plot that might be missing everything
0:01:25 > 0:01:27but the framework. However...
0:01:27 > 0:01:32You've got the Garden of England just over the road.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35All these properties have been sold at auction,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and we'll find out who bought them and what they paid
0:01:38 > 0:01:40when they went under the hammer.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41Sold.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Lucy's driven just over an hour from South London
0:01:47 > 0:01:51to the little village of Upper Beeding, in West Sussex.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54It doesn't have a huge amount of local amenities,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59but it's conveniently located for both the South Downs and the coast.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03It's a spot popular with young families and first-time buyers
0:02:03 > 0:02:05as it's comparatively more affordable
0:02:05 > 0:02:07than some of the neighbouring villages.
0:02:08 > 0:02:09This is a popular street
0:02:09 > 0:02:12as it is literally just around the corner from the shops
0:02:12 > 0:02:15and I'm told when something comes on the market around here,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18well, boom, it gets snapped up pretty quickly.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Now, the good news is, I'm here to see one of these houses,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27a three-bed semi, and it had a guide price of £170,000.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Now, the last property to sell on this street went for £315,000.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36So that guide price, well, it seems suspiciously low.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42A-ha! That does not fill me with confidence.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Don't worry, we've taken safety advice,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and it's not a hard-hat area,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49just one to be careful in.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57OK, now I know why the reduced price.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Right. Devastation everywhere,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03smells really bad of damp or something.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07There's a bin in the living room, never a good sign.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11I mean, look, you've got plaster board missing from the ceiling
0:03:11 > 0:03:16and I'm not quite sure about this sort of leather-clad wall.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18You might need to get rid of that.
0:03:18 > 0:03:19So the lounge is not a bad size
0:03:19 > 0:03:22if you can see beyond all the stuff in here,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26and, whoa, it certainly gets a lot worse in the kitchen.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Look at this.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31You've just got exposed wires everywhere
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and it really, really smells of damp.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Not a good start at all.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41So, up to the first floor and the first thing I notice, look,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45is the lack of spindles here in the banister,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49but that is the least of your worries - take a look up there.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52I think it's obvious this house has suffered from fire damage.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55The first thing the buyer of this property needs to do
0:03:55 > 0:03:58is have a professional take a look up there,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00and I would recommend getting at least three quotes
0:04:00 > 0:04:02from businesses registered with
0:04:02 > 0:04:07the National Federation of Roofing Contractors before you even start.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10This could be a costly, big job,
0:04:10 > 0:04:11and, looking at the damage up there,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15I wouldn't be surprised if the whole roof needs to be replaced.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19It's not as simple as just patching a couple of holes
0:04:19 > 0:04:21with tiles on the roof
0:04:21 > 0:04:25as its structure might have also been undermined by the fire.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And it's not just damage from the flames,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31there's also smoke and water damage.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34What you do need to do is get it watertight
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and then get in those dehumidifiers and heaters.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43So out the back, more of the same - there is stuff littered everywhere.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45But you don't want to venture too far because, look,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47there is a fish pond right here.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51You could imagine koi carp, having a nice view from the kitchen.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53But if it were me, I would have to fill that in,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55in fear of safety for my children.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59So that's a bit of a negative for me, but a real positive is -
0:04:59 > 0:05:01that is a gorgeous view.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Well, it certainly looks better than the view at the front,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09which is about to be observed by an estate agent,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11who we called in for her views,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14starting with what work she would do here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Well, the first person I would bring in here would be a surveyor,
0:05:17 > 0:05:18a structural surveyor.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22The roof has obviously been very badly damaged,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25various floors have got very, very weak floorboards.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Structural inspection surveys and engineer's reports don't come cheap,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34so what's the agent's best guess at the cost of the work?
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Oh, perhaps around about £50,000 to £60,000.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40If all that's done to a good standard,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42with a new kitchen and bathroom,
0:05:42 > 0:05:43what could it sell for?
0:05:43 > 0:05:48You're probably looking at around about £250,000.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51And on the rental market?
0:05:51 > 0:05:56We would estimate the property would rent out
0:05:56 > 0:05:57for £1,150 per calendar month.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02This property is shocking to look around,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04but if you can see past the fire damage
0:06:04 > 0:06:06and all the black and the damp inside,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09well, I think you do get a decent amount of house for the money,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and maybe, well, it just looks worse than it actually is.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15So who was prepared to take a risk on their renovation costs
0:06:15 > 0:06:18going through the roof? Let's head to auction and find out.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23What do we say on this one? 160, if you will.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25160, thank you, sir.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26£160,000.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27Can I say £165 at the front?
0:06:27 > 0:06:30165. 170. Take 167.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33167. 170.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36168. 168.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39169. 169.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41170. 170. 171.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44The bids quickly climb in £1,000 steps
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and we rejoin the bidding at £179,000.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49179. 179.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52180. 180. 181.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Have a think about it, it's at the front at £180,000.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56181, anywhere else, against you now.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58180,000 for the first.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00180,000 for the second.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Third and final time at £180,000.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Sold.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10The pleased-as-punch successful bidder was Angus,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12at the auction with his son, Ben.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15At just £10,000 above the guide price,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18the final bid of £180,000 secured him the property.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Angus already knew about the fire in the house, as he lives next door.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Lucy caught up with them at the property to find out more.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Angus and Ben, congratulations.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Thank you.- Well done. Now, I know you boys didn't have far to come.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37So why did you want to buy this,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40with the fire and everything that's happened here?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Basically, just the opportunity arose next door, really.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45If I didn't go for it now, that's it, lost forever.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It's nice to know it'll be done how you want.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Now, you were at home when the fire actually started,
0:07:51 > 0:07:52did it not put you off,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55knowing there was so much fire damage in this house,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57and, you know, where do you begin?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00We had a good look from outside, we didn't have the keys,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03but the roof pitch is very fairly straight-forward, 4x2 structures,
0:08:03 > 0:08:05as far as we can see.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08So we didn't see it as a big problem, did we?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- No, no.- Angus is a farmer helping on his dad's farm
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and, yes, they do breed Aberdeen Angus there.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20He's also a fuel distributor and is financing all the work.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Ben's a self-employed carpenter,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26and their friend Graham is a plumber and electrician, who'll be on board.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29It's a big area, 100 tiles.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Tackling the roof, though, will mean
0:08:30 > 0:08:33entering the complex structural world of trusses,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36beams, purlins, rafters, ridges and bands,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38oh, and ceiling joists.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40So is Ben worried about the size of the task?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45We've done enough building in the past that, you know,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48throw on some plasterboard, it looks pretty good again, you know.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- So it wasn't too daunting.- You see, I'm a bit worried when you say that
0:08:51 > 0:08:54because I think this house is a lot more
0:08:54 > 0:08:56than just throwing on a bit of plasterboard - it's beyond that.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I studied carpentry for two years at college,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01so that will really help me with the roof,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03you know, redoing the floorboards and things like that.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Then you've got Graham which is, you know, just a font of knowledge.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Just chop away all the old timbers and put new tiles where appropriate
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and reinsulate the roof.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18If it was an olde worlde house with huge gutters,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20it would be a different story,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22but, really, it's quite a simple structure.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24So I don't envisage a problem.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26- MARTIN:- They seem confident,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29but it's advisable to get a structural engineer
0:09:29 > 0:09:32to assess the integrity of the roof and the repairs.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35If more than 50% of the roof needs to be replaced,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39then building regs apply on energy and fire safety.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41As ever, we recommend talking to Planning
0:09:41 > 0:09:45before embarking on any major jobs.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So will Angus be adding to his current two jobs?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Summer draws in, if you like, it gets quieter,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54so I'll have a bit more time to spend.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57I mean, hopefully, we will be able to crack on in a couple of months.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59As Graham said, get the roof on,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03and you've got yourself dry then, and do stuff underneath it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07So how much have they forecast for all this work?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11With Graham's input, we reckon £20,000 should do it.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13£20,000 for the whole house or just for the roof?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16For materials and labour, yeah.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So you think for £20,000, you can have the finished job here?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21The structure, yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22The structure for £20,000.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24You know, we're doing it ourselves, you know,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27so we're not employing expensive builders, plasterers, plumbers.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29You know, Graham's really good at things like that.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33So that will all keep the cost down and, you know,
0:10:33 > 0:10:34we do think outside the box.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37We use a lot of things we've got up the farm and bits...
0:10:37 > 0:10:42So we think there's about £500 worth of 4x2 timbers,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46which isn't a lot, really, just the timbers.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Some of the tiles will be reusable.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Obviously, you're not going to use anything that's damaged,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52get new or good second-hand.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Do you think you're at an advantage because you live next door
0:10:55 > 0:10:57and you know the house, you know the estate really well?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I must admit, we looked at my house next door and the loft,
0:11:01 > 0:11:02they're really quite straight-forward.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Yeah, I hope I'm not being too over-optimistic.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07Or naive perhaps?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Or naive.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Hopefully not, no.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Maybe, maybe a little.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Might be.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17We will see indeed, and, hopefully, Angus will decide
0:11:17 > 0:11:21whether to fit the shell out and rent it or sell it on.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23How long do you think it's going to take you to complete?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25A couple of months. I mean,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27the big thing is getting all the stuff out and that.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Did you just really say a couple of months?
0:11:29 > 0:11:30That's only eight weeks.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Yes.- So eight weeks, and that's to get the roof on
0:11:33 > 0:11:34and do the rest of the work.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37I mean, the house is in a really bad state of disrepair.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Yeah.- Do you really think it'll only be two months?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I mean, that will be you guys AND some, on the project
0:11:42 > 0:11:44every single day.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Personally, I reckon kind of eight months.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It all depends what time we throw at it, doesn't it?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Yeah, this's it. Yeah, I'm thinking other things that we do as well.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Guys, I'm really excited to see the outcome.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57If you're free any weekends, we could do with the help.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59I could pop down, get my paintbrushes out.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Sorry, I'm busy for the next year!
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Guys, it's been so lovely meeting you, good luck with this.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Thank you.- And I really hope your budget does, you know, hold out.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Thank you.- You have quite a bit of work to do here.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11- Just a bit, yeah.- Good luck.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12- Lovely to meet you, Angus.- You too.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- And you, Ben, thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17This is no run-of-the-mill semi,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19it needs an awful lot of work,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and I can't help but think, well,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25they're being just a little bit relaxed about the extent of it.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Dad says two months, Ben says eight.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Join me later in the programme, and you can find out how it goes.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Off to the Black Country
0:12:38 > 0:12:40in the West Midlands now, and the town of Walsall.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45The local dialect is very distinctive
0:12:45 > 0:12:47with many unique phrases.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Let's see if today's property is "summat busting" -
0:12:50 > 0:12:52that's something good to the rest of us.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Well, about a mile-and-a-half from the town centre,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00in this nice residential road
0:13:00 > 0:13:03just off a main road, is the property I'm here to see.
0:13:03 > 0:13:10£44,000 was the guide price for this three-bedroomed semidetached.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Now, £44,000 doesn't sound like a lot of money,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17but straightaway I'm noticing a few worrying things - that crack.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Still, as ever, let's see what the inside has in store.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Well, the door could do with a lick of paint. Ha-ha!
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I somehow think that's not going to be the worst I'm going to find.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32But let's just try and look at the layout.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Original features. Look at that door, absolutely beautiful.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I'd love to see that stripped back with the original stained glass,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40which is lovely.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Oh, you don't have to walk very far.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46The floor feels like it's giving way there as well,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49which could tie in with what I've seen outside.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51But let's just focus on the layout for a second.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Front living room there, very old and dated fireplace.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57In fact, the whole place smells and feels really dated,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59but nice-sized rooms.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01LOVE the half-timbered look.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03Yeah, fantastic(!)
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Stairs up to the bedrooms there
0:14:06 > 0:14:08and then through into, well,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10a sort of area of the house where you could definitely do with
0:14:10 > 0:14:13basically knocking down some walls.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16This little area here, I guess it's a sort of, I don't know what it is,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18it's not really usable because there isn't enough space
0:14:18 > 0:14:21either side of the door to get any cabinets or anything,
0:14:21 > 0:14:22so that's rubbish.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Through to the kitchen. Now, why on earth - you know what I'm like -
0:14:25 > 0:14:29I like taking walls out, but this surely is a complete no-brainer.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Why is this wall here?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34It needs to go, completely opening up this area,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37as do the polystyrene tiles.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40But I've still got these alarm bells going about the structure.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I really want a structural engineer to check that out
0:14:42 > 0:14:43before I do anything.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Opening up this kitchen would make a huge difference,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51but I do worry this house itself is opening up.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54# Until you came
0:14:54 > 0:14:57# It felt like my world
0:14:57 > 0:15:00# Was falling apart at the seams... #
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Out back, there's a garden that looks like it's been well-loved,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08a bonus, after all the problems inside.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Well, upstairs, and there's one word that sums up the layout
0:15:13 > 0:15:16and that's bitty. It's just bitty, bitty, bitty.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20You've got this tiny room at the end here, you've then got the loo here,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24which is separate from the bathroom, which is here.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28It just, I know I'm a massive fan of keeping them separate.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29In this instance, no chance.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Knock these walls down.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Just, eurgh! This bit here really doesn't work.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40That, though, is another indication
0:15:40 > 0:15:42of these potentially serious problems.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I am actually quite worried about that one because, yes,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47there's a crack on the front, mm-hm,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50but look, it's here, way into the house.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51I must be, I don't know,
0:15:51 > 0:15:5415, 20 feet into the house here, another big crack here.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57It's not looking good, is it?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01The bedrooms are a decent size,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04but the sinking feeling of subsidence never goes away.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10The floor slopes at an angle some mountaineers would find a challenge.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Well, here in the front room, another slight structural worry.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19This wall here, obviously terribly, terribly damp at the bottom.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I don't know quite what's going on.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24My guess is, well, it's going to be two things.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Well, three things actually - coming down, coming in or coming up.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Basically, they are the only ways that damp gets in.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34So probably outside, a gutter may have failed,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37otherwise, it could be the main damp-proofing,
0:16:37 > 0:16:38as I said, water rising up.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Either way, it needs to be sorted.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48Quite a list of work needed at this house, guided at £44,000.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51What does a local property expert
0:16:51 > 0:16:53make of the potential subsidence problem?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58This area is a traditional mining area.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02There's an incidence of mine shafts in many places
0:17:02 > 0:17:04and properties of this age
0:17:04 > 0:17:08do tend to show signs of structural movement, longstanding,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11but nevertheless, looking around,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13there are areas of sloping to floors
0:17:13 > 0:17:16and non-alignment of window and door frames.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Still worth checking it out, then.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22After modernisation, what could it sell for?
0:17:24 > 0:17:28From a sale point of view, on completion,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I would say perhaps £100,000,
0:17:30 > 0:17:31£105,000.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34And rentals?
0:17:35 > 0:17:37On completion of the modernisation,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I think it would be somewhere in the region of £550 per calendar month.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Well, you could have some fun with the internal layout,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50certainly in that kitchen area, taking out some walls - yes!
0:17:50 > 0:17:52But before that, there's obviously some big issues to sort out,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56the first one being that potential subsidence and the damp.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Get those sorted out before you do anything.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Who bought it? Let's find out when it went under the hammer.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04So, a number of telephone bids on this lot,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08but I will offer it to you on the guide at £44,000, may I say.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10At £44,000, I have.
0:18:10 > 0:18:1245.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14£60,000, spoken bid.
0:18:14 > 0:18:1761. 62. No. 62,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20thank you, sir. 63 now.
0:18:20 > 0:18:2363. I'm not going to halves, sir, yet.
0:18:23 > 0:18:2563. 64, sir.
0:18:25 > 0:18:2665.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29No. At £64,000 then here.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31It's the gentleman's bid at the back of the room.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33At £64,000.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Now, I'll take a half if you like, sir.
0:18:35 > 0:18:3864,500. 65.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39We will stay in halves. 65.
0:18:39 > 0:18:4265,500 on the telephone.
0:18:42 > 0:18:4366. No.
0:18:43 > 0:18:4666 in a new place, and thank you, sir.
0:18:46 > 0:18:4866,500 on the telephone.
0:18:48 > 0:18:5067, sir, and thank you.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51It's in the room at 67.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53A half again now.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57At £67,000 for the first time.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00At £67,000 for the second time.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03At £67,000, sold.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05It's yours, well bought, sir.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Twizzle your paddle for me, please.
0:19:07 > 0:19:13£67,000 bagged a first auction purchase for Kevin and wife Cynthia.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15They came along to tell me about their plans
0:19:15 > 0:19:17for this sloping semidetached.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Kevin, Cynthia, great to meet you both.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Nice to meet you.- Congratulations.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- Nice to meet you.- Tell me why you wanted to buy this place?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27New career for Cynthia.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28- Oh, really?- Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Yeah.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33I'm looking to finish work at the job I'm in, and, hopefully,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36if this goes well, then this is what I'll be doing from now on.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Brilliant. What are you doing at the moment?
0:19:38 > 0:19:40I work at a golf course, doing the catering.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Great. So, what sort of inspired you,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45the idea of getting into property and stuff?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Just watching it on the TV, really,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- and just thought it would be a good idea.- Right.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Everybody else does it, so why not give it a go?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Absolutely. Good to hear.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55And what do you do at the moment?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- I'm a golf professional.- OK. Do you work at the same golf course?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Yes. Same golf course. - That's where you met, was it?- Yeah.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- A long time ago.- Fantastic.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07So, why this house as the first one, then, for your new career?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- We viewed three properties, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And we bid on the other two, we didn't get those two.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15And we bid on this, and we got this,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- and it was purely down to price, Martin.- Right, OK.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20And we think we can
0:20:20 > 0:20:23turn it around, and, hopefully, sell it for a small profit.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Yeah.- Yeah.- It's a nice house. It's got a few issues
0:20:26 > 0:20:29which I'd like to talk to you about, I guess, first.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32What do you know about the structural side of things?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34It's in a mining area.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35So I do know that.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40So they will class all the ground around here as unstable.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41And you can see...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44When you look at all the properties around here, they are all...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47There's cracks and the lintels are sometimes a little bit out.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50But generally speaking, they all remain standing.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- So we should be fine.- So you're not too worried about it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53No, when they're cheap.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Hopefully, not when we sell it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Nice to know that it remains standing.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05With a bit of luck!
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Are you going to do a bit of remedial work
0:21:06 > 0:21:08to sort out the cracks?
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- I think so.- Think?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14I think the cracks that are here are fairly historical.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16They have been here a long time.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17So I don't think...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Fingers crossed, I don't think we're going to need to do any underpinning
0:21:21 > 0:21:23or anything like that.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24And it needs quite a lot of work,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26but I don't think it's going to fall down.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30You don't THINK it's going to fall down?
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Kevin, that's optimism for you.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37# Till the walls come tumbling down... #
0:21:39 > 0:21:41I really hope the couple do get a structural survey
0:21:41 > 0:21:45because it could affect the price when they look to sell on.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47They do plan to put in a damp course,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50so that should solve the patch in the living room.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52What about other changes?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56We are going to open the kitchen up. That is a no-brainer.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Because there is a studded partition in there.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59We'll open the kitchen up.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01The back room, put some French doors in there.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03We want some French doors in there.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Which I think will be really nice
0:22:05 > 0:22:07because I don't think it's worth spending the money on it
0:22:07 > 0:22:09to actually knock it through to the kitchen,
0:22:09 > 0:22:10- it would be too big then.- OK.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12The bathroom upstairs, that's a bit of a challenge.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- It is.- It looks quite small.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17But we are going to get the builder in,
0:22:17 > 0:22:18and he's going to clear it all out
0:22:18 > 0:22:20and we'll see what we've got.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22But I think it should be OK.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24We had the electrics checked out, didn't we?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Yeah, my son is an electrician and he likes me as well.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27THEY LAUGH
0:22:27 > 0:22:29So, what are YOU going to do, then?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31What work are you going to get involved in?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Cynthia is going to project manage.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Yeah.- I'm going to do...
0:22:35 > 0:22:36I'm going to do the garden.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38So, let's go through the numbers, then.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39You paid 67 for it at auction.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43A few costs on top of that. Roughly what have you budgeted for the work?
0:22:43 > 0:22:47So we are looking at spending up to 90.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48So I think about 18,000.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- 18,000.- We've got a little bit of contingency in case.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53And what kind of timescale?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Depending on builders again, isn't it?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- A month.- I'd like to turn it over in about four months.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00THEY LAUGH
0:23:00 > 0:23:02I'd like to get it done within three to four months,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04to be honest with you.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Are you excited?- Very excited, yeah.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08I'm looking forward to it.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Yeah.- I'm looking forward to Cynthia having a new challenge.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Yeah, it's great.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Yeah, I'm looking forward to leaving my other job then.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Are you going to be on it full time then, pretty much?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Yeah.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And once this one is done, sourcing new properties and things?
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Yeah, I'll have more hands on then
0:23:23 > 0:23:26because I'd like to do a few little jobs myself.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29But I can't at the moment because I'm still working.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30Listen, congratulations.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- Good luck.- Thank you, Martin. Much appreciated.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34We look forward to seeing how you get on.
0:23:34 > 0:23:35- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37So, Kevin and Cynthia
0:23:37 > 0:23:40embarking on their first property renovation project
0:23:40 > 0:23:43as a career, certainly, for Cynthia.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46I am a little bit concerned about this whole subsidence.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49You've got to address it at this stage.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51That kind of finger-in-the-air approach, you know,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53you might mask the problem,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56but it's just going to store those problems up for the future.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59That really does need to be assessed.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01How will they get on with the rest of it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Tune in later and find out.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Coming up in Kent, I visit this plot...
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Well, can you call it a plot?
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I'd say it's more a potential...
0:24:11 > 0:24:14..castle, home, forever home. Something.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Back in Walsall,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21we'll find out what became of Kevin and Cynthia's falling-down house.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- Hopefully it will be... - Keep our fingers crossed.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25..saleable.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Back now to West Sussex and the village of Upper Beeding,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34convenient for both the South Downs and the coast.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39It was here that Lucy looked around this 1960s three-bed semi,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42which had suffered pretty severe fire damage
0:24:42 > 0:24:44and been left in this state for a year.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Take a look up there.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51The first thing the buyer of this property needs to do
0:24:51 > 0:24:54is have a professional take a look up there
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and I would recommend businesses registered
0:24:56 > 0:24:59with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04The property was bought by the family next door,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06father and son, Angus and Ben.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Angus works on his dad's farm and distributes fuel,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12and Ben is a self-employed carpenter.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14The house went for...
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- How much was it?- At £180,000...
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- Sold.- Ah, that's right.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21180,000.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Joining the father and son team was their friend Graham, a plumber,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28electrician and general handyman,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31who would do most of the internal work with Angus's help.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34They'll probably put it just below the gutter.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37If you get second-hand ones, they'll blend in much better.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Ben and Graham would take the lead on the roof.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42It's a big area, 100 tiles.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Lucy was clearly concerned, given the amount of damage,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48that they might be taking on a bit too much.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50The roof pitch is fairly straightforward.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Throw on some plasterboard, looks pretty good again.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54You know. So... Not too daunting.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I'm a bit worried when you say that, because I think this house
0:25:57 > 0:26:00is a lot more than just throwing on a bit of plasterboard.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- It's beyond that.- I studied carpentry for two years at college.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05So that will really help me with the roof.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07And you've got Graham, which is...
0:26:07 > 0:26:09..you know, just a font of knowledge.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11He'll be able to do the rest of it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It looks like Graham certainly had his work cut out for him.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Their budget was 20 grand for all the building work.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21And timescale? Well, they differed on that one.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- A couple of months?- Did you just really say a couple of months?
0:26:23 > 0:26:25That's only eight weeks.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- Yes.- Personally, I reckon, you know, kind of eight months.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32You can guess who was nearest with their estimate
0:26:32 > 0:26:35when I tell you we are back two years, seven months,
0:26:35 > 0:26:4026 days and two hours later to see the changes.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44To a house that's been quite frankly redefined.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47# I'll be redefined... #
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Well, the roof doesn't look like it's had the fiddlers on,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52it looks chipper.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Has there been a bit of spit and polish inside?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01# Can you see me? I'm shining
0:27:01 > 0:27:04# And it's you that I've been waiting to find... #
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Looking good, and Angus reckons it's been the biggest budget item.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11# You know that you make it shine
0:27:11 > 0:27:13# It's you that I've been waiting to find... #
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Have the bins been taken out?
0:27:15 > 0:27:18# Can you see me? I'm shining
0:27:18 > 0:27:22# And it's you that I've been waiting to find... #
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Angus and Ben, take a bow.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25It is unrecognisable.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28But the most damaged area was at the top of the stairs.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31How were the reparations up there?
0:27:35 > 0:27:37# I'm going to be the one that you love
0:27:37 > 0:27:39# That you love... #
0:27:39 > 0:27:42There was damp behind the bathroom tiles,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and they found wet and dry rot in the ceiling joists.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Can you guess the next-biggest budget items?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54No, it was central heating and electrics.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Ben's timescale was slightly nearer the reality.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01But this house needed the full works.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04# It's you that I've been waiting to find... #
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Ben won the bet. I didn't really put enough thought into it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And with commitments, work-wise,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and bereavement of Dad, his grandad,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17put things back a lot.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19That's why we are here today, a bit later than we should be.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23So sorry to hear about your bereavement.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Angus has obviously had to spend more time
0:28:25 > 0:28:27dealing with the family farm.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31It makes the results even more creditworthy.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Admittedly, Graham was helping, but the roof must have been some job.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40It was probably the easiest thing to do.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42It was, actually. We thought it was going to be the hardest.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Off with the tiles, all-new timbers.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46The membrane. And that was it, wasn't it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Yeah, Bob's your uncle.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49Yeah, from taking it off to...
0:28:50 > 0:28:52..putting it back on again, three days.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Well, at least he didn't need the scaffolding for long.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57To start with, you didn't think you'd need that,
0:28:57 > 0:28:59but you soon realised...
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Yeah. I thought we could have done it without but...
0:29:02 > 0:29:05..you were right. I hate to say.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Yeah. One.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Now, chaps. No one-upmanship.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Has it been a steep learning curve for your first auction property?
0:29:15 > 0:29:19We have learnt a massive amount from this.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23I mean, from going from, you know, doing basic fencing and garden work,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26that is what I do for a living, so, you know, I kind of...
0:29:26 > 0:29:30I jumped into the garden, and, you know, I'm really pleased, you know.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Hopefully, the tenants will think the same.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34- Yeah, when we get one.- Yeah.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37On seeing the finished product,
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Angus decided to rent out the property.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43At least he will be close at hand to keep the tenants in check.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Yeah. Keep an eye on them.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Ben stayed at his dad's house during the busiest times,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52leaving his family at home,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54which he was also refurbishing.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55The home, not the family.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Put a lot of stress on the family and us.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02I think we had a few arguments, didn't we?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04But it is what it is.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05You know.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Amazingly, they say the roof came in at two grand.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11So in addition to the £180,000 purchase,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14how much has all this cost?
0:30:14 > 0:30:18We must have spent 35,000.
0:30:18 > 0:30:19- Do you reckon?- Yeah.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23I suppose you know - you paid for it.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27To find out if Angus can get his money back,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30we invited two local estate agents along
0:30:30 > 0:30:34for their valuations of this grand 215-grand spend.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38You walk in, nice and open, very light.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Pretty rear garden.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Yeah, there's nothing I would change about the layout.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44I think it works really well.
0:30:44 > 0:30:45I think the property has been finished
0:30:45 > 0:30:48to a very good standard throughout. It is neutrally decorated,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50so it means someone coming in can paint it their own colours
0:30:50 > 0:30:52if they want.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55We know Angus has decided to rent, but if he did sell,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58could he make a profit, and what sort of rent should he get?
0:30:59 > 0:31:03I think the resale value of the property is approximately £285,000.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07And the rental value of the property, approximately £1,200
0:31:07 > 0:31:08per calendar month.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12As it happens, the other agent said exactly the same,
0:31:12 > 0:31:13making Angus a potential profit
0:31:13 > 0:31:16before taxes and expenses of 70 grand.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Sale-wise, I expected it to be in that region,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22with what is on offer around here.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Everything is negotiable.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26I think 1,200 is very good rental.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Rental, yeah, I'm happy with that as well, really.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31And it's a yield of just over 5%,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34so any tips for anyone else trying this?
0:31:34 > 0:31:36As we proved, it doesn't have to be done yesterday.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- And, Ben? - Don't work with your father.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43THEY LAUGH
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Situated about five miles from Maidstone,
0:31:50 > 0:31:52the beautiful village of Sutton Valence
0:31:52 > 0:31:55has long been a place associated
0:31:55 > 0:31:57with the English kings of yore.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Before the Battle of Hastings,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02King Harold's brother, Leofwine Godwinson,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04was the ruler of the manor.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Then, after the Norman conquest of England in 1066,
0:32:08 > 0:32:12the manor was granted to William the Conqueror's half brother,
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Adam Fitzherbert.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18So I think it's fair to say that Sutton Valence has royal roots.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Now, they do say that every man's home is his castle.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28And today's auction lot might just give you the chance
0:32:28 > 0:32:31to own your very own...
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Well, it's not there yet.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38But this piece of land could be the start
0:32:38 > 0:32:43of you having your very own castle, home, forever home.
0:32:43 > 0:32:48Something. It's got a guide price of £130,000 to £135,000.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50And I can see it now.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53You've got your drawbridge, you've got your turrets,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55you've got your water...
0:32:55 > 0:32:58CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:32:58 > 0:32:59The gatehouse.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02The stables.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07The Great Hall.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09MUSIC STOPS
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Um, maybe not.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14But it doesn't hurt to have royally good dreams.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23Now, this place obviously used to be an old farm building, maybe a barn,
0:33:23 > 0:33:24back in the day.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27But you know what's good about this plot? Come in,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29it's got planning permission.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Yes. Not for a castle, obviously, but for a three-bed house,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36which I think is the perfect, perfect dwelling
0:33:36 > 0:33:38for this piece of land.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40That is a massive bonus.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43All you need now is a bit of imagination.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Imagine, if you will, these plans.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51They come designed for a bungalow-style build.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56Three bedrooms would be towards the east of the house
0:33:56 > 0:33:59with a large open living area to the west.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Complete with kitchen area and family bathroom.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Sounds ideal. Well, almost.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08So, when you buy at auction,
0:34:08 > 0:34:09it's yours to keep,
0:34:09 > 0:34:13and keep is a very apt word when it comes to this plot of land,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16because you have to keep this metal frame.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19You have to keep this footprint,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22you have to keep the whole of this project, and build,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26in keeping with its surroundings, so you have got restrictions.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30So this place is definitely a case of finders...
0:34:31 > 0:34:32Come on.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34..keepers.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38You also have to keep the roof,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41and it should be made of metal to match the current structure.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46But what kind of area do we have to keep within here?
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Well, let me just do a little bit of...
0:34:50 > 0:34:51# Counting
0:34:51 > 0:34:53# Counting
0:34:53 > 0:34:54# Counting
0:34:54 > 0:34:56# Counting
0:34:56 > 0:34:58# Counting... #
0:34:58 > 0:35:03That's roughly 2,614 square metres.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Or 0.6 acres of land.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Which is not the largest footprint in the world.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14In all my travels around this barn, I have spotted one obvious issue.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16There are no services.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20You know those things you totally take for granted normally?
0:35:20 > 0:35:26Water, sewage, electricity, gas, telephone and broadband.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29With any plot, you need to do your research.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Where will the services come from and how much is it going to cost?
0:35:33 > 0:35:37If you are near the mains water supply, fine.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40But more remote plots do need calculating
0:35:40 > 0:35:42in the cost of boreholes for water
0:35:42 > 0:35:45and installing sewage disposal systems.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49There is another consideration as well.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Now, you won't have a very big garden at all
0:35:52 > 0:35:54because the perimeters and boundaries of this plot of land
0:35:54 > 0:35:57do restrict you, but I don't think it's a problem.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58I'll tell you why.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Have a look at that.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04You've got the Garden of England just over the road.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10With the countryside as a garden and a metal structure as a home,
0:36:10 > 0:36:13I imagine great things here.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18# Imagination is funny
0:36:18 > 0:36:22# It makes a cloudy day sunny
0:36:22 > 0:36:26# Makes a bee think of honey
0:36:26 > 0:36:30# Just as I think of you... #
0:36:32 > 0:36:35What does a local estate agent think of this property,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39guided at £130,000 to £135,000?
0:36:39 > 0:36:45We invited him along to find out what he made of the proposed plans.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I've looked at the plans and they're very good.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50I think they've made a really good use of the limited space.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53It's not a big property, and I think ideal.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56It has every bit of accommodation
0:36:56 > 0:36:58that a young family or grown family would need.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02When those plans have been put in place,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04what could this hidden gem in the countryside
0:37:04 > 0:37:07make on the sales market?
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I would anticipate this property selling
0:37:09 > 0:37:13at somewhere between £450,000 and £500,000.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17So this might not look like much right now,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20but a lot of the hard work has already been done for you.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21It's got planning in place,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24so you can move on this project as soon as poss.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Let's find out who was interested when it went under the hammer.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Lot 38, rural barn.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33What are you going to start me on that one?
0:37:33 > 0:37:34We've got a guide of 130-135.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36130 to start me.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38130, do I see? 130, I'm looking for.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40No? 125 anywhere?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42125, I'm obliged, sir.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44I have £125,000.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47I'm on the way. 128 now, I'm looking for.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48128, do I see?
0:37:48 > 0:37:50128 bid, I have.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51130, it's against you.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53130, I'm obliged.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55132 now, if you like.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59At £130,000, I've got, and 132, I want.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00132, I have.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02134, 134.
0:38:02 > 0:38:03136.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08Do I save? At £134,000, I have, at 136, I want.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11If we're all done, then, at £134,000,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13I will sell for the first time.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18£134,000 for this stunning site for the second time...
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Third and final time at £134,000, all done.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Yours at 134.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Picking up this plot at £134,000,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31just a little under the top guide price,
0:38:31 > 0:38:32was Alan, seen here on the right.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37He will be helped by his brother, Dave, on the left,
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and son, Liam, in the middle.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42While Dave went to have a look around the site,
0:38:42 > 0:38:44I spoke to Alan and Liam.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- Alan, nice to meet you. - Pleased to meet you, too, Dion.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Nice to meet you, Liam, as well, kid. Congratulations, chaps.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52You've got yourself a piece of land.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Why this piece of land?
0:38:54 > 0:38:59It was affordable, I had seen it prior to the auction,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01it had planning permission already passed.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Basically, I wanted to do something that I could put my own mark on.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10- OK.- And something that you can nurture into what you want,
0:39:10 > 0:39:15because, although I've got to build to a plan, I can add in what I want,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17I can choose my kitchen, my bathroom.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- OK.- My flooring, so, yeah.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Are you building this to live in?
0:39:21 > 0:39:22Yes. Yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- Oh, I see.- Yes.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- That's why you're going to be so specific, then.- Yes.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28OK, what kind of things are you hoping
0:39:28 > 0:39:31you can get your hands on and start to build?
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Well, all of it, really.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- Yeah.- And a bit of experience is good.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37He's just come out of his apprenticeship as a carpenter.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Oh, nice.- I'm a carpenter,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43so together, with the help of my brother...
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- OK.- ..who's a carpenter.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46Is he really?
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Yes, we are going to transform this property
0:39:50 > 0:39:54into a beautiful three-bedroom detached timber-framed bungalow.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56You've already got planning in place, which is fantastic.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58- Three-bed.- Yes.- Which is fantastic.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00How's it going to configure?
0:40:00 > 0:40:04Basically, behind me, there's two bedrooms going here.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- Yeah.- There's another bedroom on the back.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09- OK.- And then the rest of it's almost open plan,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13apart from a bathroom on the front, but it's mainly vaulted ceiling.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- Yes.- So it gives you that feeling of light and airy.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18A sort of contemporary modern look.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- Nice one.- Wooden floors.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23White walls. Yeah, I've got a few things I've got to stick to.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Because it's semirural...
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Go on, yeah.- ..and it was a barn...
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- Yeah.- ..I've got to keep up the look of a barn,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32so it's got to have a metal roof
0:40:32 > 0:40:35but, like, a bespoke sort of contemporary modern metal roof.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39It's got to have metal windows and it'll be cladded in larch lap.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- Wow.- So just blend in with the countryside.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46And he has other eco-friendly ideas, too.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49He wants to generate electricity by installing solar panels,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52which will get the best of the Kent sunshine.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Out with the old and in with the new.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56Not quite.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02At the moment, we've got to build round the metal portal frame,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05we've actually got to build round it. But it'll be quite quirky.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- OK.- We're going to vault the ceiling,
0:41:07 > 0:41:08and you'll see some of the metalwork.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Yeah, give it that...
0:41:10 > 0:41:11- ..cosmopolitan...- Yeah, yeah.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- Contemporary look.- Cool urban look.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- Yeah, that's the one. - Oh, good for you.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Yes.- Alan, tell us exactly how much it's going to cost you
0:41:19 > 0:41:21to create your home.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I'm budgeting to approximately £100,000.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27I've actually got to get electric to the property,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29and I've got to get water here,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32so I've budgeted those costs,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35and I've even gone down to even hinges on the doors,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37nails, screws, all the sundries.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39My advantage is I've got some free help.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Yes. Yes, at the moment it's free.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43At the moment it's free.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Yeah.- And what about timescale?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48I'm looking about nine months.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51We are going to be starting almost immediately.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53So what about Dave, then? How is Dave going to get involved?
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Because he's going to be helping you out, creating your family home.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- What have you got to do for him? - I've got to return the favour.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02He's going to do a similar project in the future himself,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04so it's like tit-for-tat, really.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- OK.- But it's family.- You're sharing blood, sweat and tears.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08- Yeah.- I like it. I like it.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Well, I hope, in nine months' time...
0:42:11 > 0:42:13..and when that 100 grand has gone out of your pocket,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16you've got a beautiful family home to move into.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Good luck.- So do I. Thank you very much.- All the best, Al.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20All the best. Liam, all the best, kid. Good luck.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Thanks.- So there is a full family team
0:42:23 > 0:42:26waiting to get started on this project,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and they're staying within the parameters of the plans
0:42:28 > 0:42:31that are already in place. Which should speed things up a bit.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34But what are they going to create?
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Stay right there, and you'll find out later in the programme.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Well, earlier on, we saw how one property turned out,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45but what about the other two?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Yes, will they look any different now,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and has all money been well spent? Let's find out.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Back now to Walsall in the Black Country,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59where, earlier, I saw this three-bed, guided at 44,000.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02£44,000 doesn't sound like a lot of money
0:43:02 > 0:43:05but straightaway I'm noticing a few worrying things.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10That crack. Still, as ever, let's see what the inside has in store.
0:43:12 > 0:43:17Unsurprisingly, inside offered a whole host of problems.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Ooh. You don't have to walk very far.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20The floor.
0:43:22 > 0:43:28With the floors and the cracks, it looked like classic subsidence.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31# I'm about to go to pieces
0:43:31 > 0:43:35# Go to pieces, baby... #
0:43:35 > 0:43:38And whilst you might think this is a classic case
0:43:38 > 0:43:40of fiddling while Rome burns,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43I was fretting about the layout.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47There's one word that sums up the layout, and that's bitty.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49It's just bitty, bitty, bitty.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52# And I don't mean maybe
0:43:52 > 0:43:55# Into little itty bitty pieces, baby... #
0:44:01 > 0:44:06These problems were just itty-bitty ones to couple Cynthia and Kevin.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09This £67,000 purchase was supposed
0:44:09 > 0:44:13to kick-start a new career in property development for Cynthia.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16And they seemed very relaxed about the cracks.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18Too relaxed, in my opinion.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Are you going to do a bit of a remedial work
0:44:21 > 0:44:23- to sort out the cracks? - I think so.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29For Cynthia's new career, this didn't seem like the easiest start.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31Would an 18-to-20-grand budget,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34and a four-month timescale be enough to flip the house
0:44:34 > 0:44:37and fix those cracks?
0:44:37 > 0:44:39# We'll break down the walls
0:44:39 > 0:44:43# Find a place where we both can be safe... #
0:44:43 > 0:44:46We're back four months later, bang on their timescale,
0:44:46 > 0:44:49and I'm pleased to say the house is still standing.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51But what's it like inside?
0:44:54 > 0:45:01# Cos tonight we are together
0:45:01 > 0:45:04# You bring me to life
0:45:04 > 0:45:08# And my world starts to blur... #
0:45:08 > 0:45:11It's a house brought back to life.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14Upstairs, that bitty layout has been opened up,
0:45:14 > 0:45:17with bathroom and WC joined together,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21and the light decor in the bedrooms makes them feel much bigger.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27Downstairs, they've wisely knocked out the wall at the kitchen,
0:45:27 > 0:45:30dramatically expanding the space.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33New French windows in the rear living room
0:45:33 > 0:45:36give more light and access to the back garden.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40And they've even found the space to add a downstairs loo.
0:45:40 > 0:45:42The house has had a full rewire,
0:45:42 > 0:45:45courtesy of Kevin's electrician son, James.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48But the finishing touches are still being made
0:45:48 > 0:45:51by builder Ray and his team.
0:45:51 > 0:45:52Last time, Kevin and Cynthia
0:45:52 > 0:45:55tried to brush off the question about the cracks.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58So what's happened in regard to the structure?
0:45:59 > 0:46:04The cracks on the exterior, we had those checked out,
0:46:04 > 0:46:07and that was found to be historical.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11All of this area is classed as unstable land
0:46:11 > 0:46:13because it's ex-mining.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17It was a concern, but if you look at most properties in this area,
0:46:17 > 0:46:19they do have cracks.
0:46:19 > 0:46:24We had to have every room, walls, ceilings, replastered.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27A big relief.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30But the positive structural work they've undertaken
0:46:30 > 0:46:33has rearranged the layout upstairs and downstairs.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35There was a wall just there,
0:46:35 > 0:46:38so you came in through the outside door,
0:46:38 > 0:46:41it just made sense to get rid of the wall.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45Open the kitchen up. We had to put a steel in to support
0:46:45 > 0:46:47the floor.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50I wanted something where any colour appliances would go with it,
0:46:50 > 0:46:52I know that might sound silly, but that's what women look at,
0:46:52 > 0:46:55isn't it? If you put a green top on there,
0:46:55 > 0:46:58you're not going to be able to put certain colours with it,
0:46:58 > 0:47:01so that's why I just went really for the black and white in here
0:47:01 > 0:47:03and I thought, "Well, you can put anything with that."
0:47:03 > 0:47:05The bathroom, that was a challenge.
0:47:05 > 0:47:10But the builder decided to put the toilet and the bathroom together.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Believe it or not, he made the bathroom a little bit smaller.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17- Which was scary.- Which was scary because we thought,
0:47:17 > 0:47:20"Well, it's fairly small anyway," but it's turned out a good size.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23But it gave a little bit more room to the third bedroom.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28How has all this work impacted on their budget?
0:47:30 > 0:47:34We had a very optimistic budget, which was 18 to 20,
0:47:34 > 0:47:38and the budget was basically inexperience.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41When we're finished tomorrow, we've ended up spending 33.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45So do they feel that that overspend will hurt them?
0:47:45 > 0:47:47We don't know what it's worth.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49We've got an idea.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51- Hopefully it will be... - Keep our fingers crossed.
0:47:51 > 0:47:52..saleable.
0:47:54 > 0:47:58Get it sold and then off to the auctions for the next one.
0:47:58 > 0:47:59- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02And I'm dead excited about it now, now it's almost finished.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05Let's hope there is still reason to be excited
0:48:05 > 0:48:08after two local estate agents have seen it
0:48:08 > 0:48:11and give those all-important valuations.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14Let's start with the agent who saw it before the renovation.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19My impressions of the renovation work is that it's really good,
0:48:19 > 0:48:22it's very thorough and they've made a very nice job.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25It's my first time in this property, it's very welcoming,
0:48:25 > 0:48:27very light and airy and you can see that it's finished
0:48:27 > 0:48:29to a really good standard.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Kevin and Cynthia plan to sell, and, with that overspend,
0:48:34 > 0:48:37their total outlay is 100 grand.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40Hmm. Remember, Kevin said they wanted to keep to a total of 90
0:48:40 > 0:48:43with the fees. Hope they've not overspent.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46OK, let's hear those sales valuations.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50If this property was sold on the open market,
0:48:50 > 0:48:56sale price would average between £105,000 to £110,000.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59In my opinion, the property would achieve
0:48:59 > 0:49:04a market value of around £105,000 to £110,000.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07Well, we thought it might be worth a little bit more than that.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10So we're probably going to advertise it more than that.
0:49:10 > 0:49:11And if we don't get it...
0:49:12 > 0:49:15..we'll keep it, we'll just rent it.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19A small profit of between five and ten grand, minus taxes and fees.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22What about rental figures if they decide to keep it?
0:49:25 > 0:49:26From the rental point of view,
0:49:26 > 0:49:28I would expect the property to achieve
0:49:28 > 0:49:34somewhere in the region of £550 to £575 per calendar month.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37If it was to be rented out on the open market,
0:49:37 > 0:49:43it would achieve an average of £550 to £575 per calendar month.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45I think that's more or less what we thought, isn't it?
0:49:45 > 0:49:47I think that's good, considering the price
0:49:47 > 0:49:49they've given us on the selling price,
0:49:49 > 0:49:51I think that's a really good rental price.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54At £575 per calendar month,
0:49:54 > 0:49:58the couple could achieve a yield of around 7%.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02They're going to try and put it on the sales market at £120,000,
0:50:02 > 0:50:05and if it doesn't sell, they do have the option to rent it.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08So will they keep going with property development?
0:50:10 > 0:50:12We'd definitely do another one together.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Yeah. We work together anyway in our other jobs,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18so it's not as if we're not used to being under each other's feet.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20But on the next one, Cynthia will be doing more.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22- Yes.- And I'll be doing less.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24THEY LAUGH
0:50:24 > 0:50:25Hopefully.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Time to return to the right royally connected
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Kent village of Sutton Valence.
0:50:38 > 0:50:43This lot was guided at £130,000 to £135,000.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45It might not have been fit for a king,
0:50:45 > 0:50:47but the frame of this former barn
0:50:47 > 0:50:50was certainly ready for the royal treatment.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53It's got planning permission, yes!
0:50:53 > 0:50:57Not for a castle, obviously, but for a three-bed house,
0:50:57 > 0:51:00which I think is the perfect, perfect dwelling
0:51:00 > 0:51:02for this piece of land.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05The plans perfectly set out the layout of the property.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08However, there were a few structural conditions
0:51:08 > 0:51:10the buyer would have to adhere to.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13The metal framework had to be kept intact
0:51:13 > 0:51:16and a metal roof would need to be fitted
0:51:16 > 0:51:19so that the property stuck with its architectural roots.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25Undeterred by this was Alan, seen here on the right
0:51:25 > 0:51:28with his son, Liam, and brother, Dave.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30He bought the plot for 134 grand,
0:51:30 > 0:51:33and it sounded like they had the skillset
0:51:33 > 0:51:35to sort it out.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38He's just come out of his apprenticeship as a carpenter.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40- Oh, nice.- I'm a carpenter.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44So, together, with the help of my brother...
0:51:44 > 0:51:46- OK.- ..who's a carpenter...
0:51:46 > 0:51:47- Is he really?- Yes.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51..we are going to transform this property
0:51:51 > 0:51:53into a beautiful three-bedroom
0:51:53 > 0:51:56detached timber-framed bungalow.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59They hoped to finish this build in nine months
0:51:59 > 0:52:00with a budget of £100,000.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06We're back three months on to see how they are doing.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10Is it me or have we had quite a lot of carpenters today?
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Oh, well, let's have some more...
0:52:12 > 0:52:15MUSIC: We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
0:52:15 > 0:52:18# And, yes, we've just begun
0:52:19 > 0:52:23# Sharing horizons that are new to us
0:52:24 > 0:52:29# Watching the signs along the way
0:52:30 > 0:52:33# Talking it over just the two of us
0:52:35 > 0:52:40# Working together day to day
0:52:40 > 0:52:43# Together... #
0:52:43 > 0:52:47Together, this carpenter family have got on with the structural part
0:52:47 > 0:52:49of this unusual build.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Over to Alan and Dave.
0:52:51 > 0:52:52We had this metal portal frame.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54We couldn't put any timber work up
0:52:54 > 0:52:57until we calculated where the timber was going
0:52:57 > 0:53:00and what metal was in the way, so it had metal windows,
0:53:00 > 0:53:03we had to cut those out, and the timbers had to be notched over.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06Dave had to cut all the uprights from the gable ends.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09Although, really, he's doing it all.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12He double checks everything, he's more thorough.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15He makes sure everything's level and accurate.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17And if I'm not sure, I'll ask him.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19But he never asks me. Because he knows.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21Well, he hasn't sacked me yet.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23Or tell me not to turn up.
0:53:23 > 0:53:27Yes, so Dave's here. My son Liam is still here,
0:53:27 > 0:53:29and Dave's showing him how to do bits and pieces.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35It's not just Liam who is on a learning curve on this project.
0:53:35 > 0:53:39Alan and Dave have been learning bricklaying and metalwork.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42They're not tackling everything themselves, though,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45and their structural engineer's calculations
0:53:45 > 0:53:48have meant some changes to their original plans.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53We were originally having a cut-and-pitch-style roof,
0:53:53 > 0:53:55a traditional, like, hand-cut roof.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58But the structural engineer wasn't happy with that
0:53:58 > 0:54:00because he was worried about the spread.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02So now it's got timber trusses.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04It was fun putting it up in the wind!
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Yeah. It was a windy day and we actually had...
0:54:07 > 0:54:11We did have scaffolding round and we had laid two ladders out,
0:54:11 > 0:54:13which were cushioned on the roof,
0:54:13 > 0:54:14and the sheets are quite bendy,
0:54:14 > 0:54:17and we thought he was going to take off like Superman
0:54:17 > 0:54:19and end up in that tree.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21But we managed to get him up there and you have to fix one side,
0:54:21 > 0:54:23curve it over, and there's a sealant.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25- Just a little bit different, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Just a little bit different.
0:54:27 > 0:54:32# I am, I am, I am Superman
0:54:32 > 0:54:36# And I can do anything... #
0:54:36 > 0:54:41This family team really could and would do anything for this build.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43But did they run into any other challenges?
0:54:45 > 0:54:48We had a contractor to do the trench,
0:54:48 > 0:54:51which is the services for the water and electric.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54Unfortunately, the contractor couldn't do our dates we wanted,
0:54:54 > 0:54:57so we actually done the trench ourselves.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Dave's son, Chris, we used him
0:54:59 > 0:55:02because he's got good skills on the digger,
0:55:02 > 0:55:06he dug it all out and we all mucked in and we got the cables in.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10It was all inspected by the water board, the electric.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14Installing services really can prove to be a challenge for new builds
0:55:14 > 0:55:17and can be costly, too.
0:55:17 > 0:55:22But did Alan find it ate into his £100,000 budget?
0:55:22 > 0:55:26The electric was more than I budgeted for.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28The mains water supply is more
0:55:28 > 0:55:32because the water mains isn't my side of the road,
0:55:32 > 0:55:34it's the opposite side of the lane.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37So they've got to dig the road up, close the road,
0:55:37 > 0:55:40and I've got to pay for all that, so it's gone over budget,
0:55:40 > 0:55:43so I'm up about £60,000 at the moment.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46Realistically, with what's left to do,
0:55:46 > 0:55:49I'm hoping to come in about £120,000.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52- Do I get paid out of it? - Approximately. Oh, yeah.
0:55:52 > 0:55:53No!
0:55:56 > 0:55:58Isn't it payment enough
0:55:58 > 0:56:01to look at these gorgeous views every day, Dave?
0:56:01 > 0:56:04The revised budget of £120,000,
0:56:04 > 0:56:08added to the purchase price of 134 grand,
0:56:08 > 0:56:13Alan is hoping to bring this property in for £254,000
0:56:13 > 0:56:15in four months' time.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Now, let's find out from two local estate agents
0:56:17 > 0:56:19if they think this project
0:56:19 > 0:56:22is going to be worth all the care and attention.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24First, what did they make of the property?
0:56:24 > 0:56:26I think he's done a fantastic job,
0:56:26 > 0:56:29there's a lot of thought that's gone into the creation of it,
0:56:29 > 0:56:31and I love the vaulted ceilings.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34Yeah, it's going to be a lovely, lovely property when finished.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36I think the work that the guys have carried out so far
0:56:36 > 0:56:38has been quite fantastic, actually,
0:56:38 > 0:56:40and quite creative, to say the least.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42Especially impressed with the tin roof,
0:56:42 > 0:56:45wasn't expecting that to be of the standard that it was.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51That's all sounding pretty positive, so if Alan decided to sell on,
0:56:51 > 0:56:56could he make any profit on his £254,000 spend?
0:56:58 > 0:57:00I could see the property, depending on when it's launched,
0:57:00 > 0:57:04selling anywhere between 350,000 to 400,000.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07On completion, I think the future value of this property
0:57:07 > 0:57:12would be in the realms of £325,000 to about £350,000.
0:57:12 > 0:57:17Yeah, great. I was looking at the value approximately 300,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19so they are both impressive for me.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21- Yeah.- And I'm going to live in it, anyway,
0:57:21 > 0:57:24but there's not a lot left in this life to make money on,
0:57:24 > 0:57:27so property's always been a good, a good investment
0:57:27 > 0:57:30and, so, yeah, it's all good news.
0:57:30 > 0:57:35Even better news if Alan sticks to his new budget of 120 grand.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38That would give them a potential profit
0:57:38 > 0:57:42of £146,000 minus taxes and fees.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45But have they enjoyed the experience of working together?
0:57:46 > 0:57:48When you wake up in the morning, it's always good to know,
0:57:48 > 0:57:51"Oh, I know where I'm going today. Yeah, I'm going to enjoy that,"
0:57:51 > 0:57:54so, yeah, great, I would do it again and we've enjoyed it.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56- It's been good fun.- Good fun, yeah, definitely.- Yeah.
0:58:00 > 0:58:01We hope you've enjoyed the show,
0:58:01 > 0:58:03and maybe learnt a few lessons along the way.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07Yes, perhaps we have inspired you to have a go yourself.
0:58:07 > 0:58:09Join us next time for more Homes Under The Hammer.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12- Goodbye.- Goodbye.