A buyer on BBC show Homes Under the Hammer shared his regret after purchasing a property without viewing its interior
In a recent episode of Homes Under the Hammer, one property buyer shared his tale of regret on the popular BBC programme.
During the repeat broadcast, presenter Tommy Walsh took viewers on a tour of a three-room house in Suffolk, which was set to go under the hammer at auction.
However, upon entering the property, he immediately identified a significant problem.
He informed viewers: “Looking at that skirting, there is a more serious problem because that’s got dry rot. So this all has to be lifted up. Any dry rot removed completely from the site and then effectively repaired properly.”
The problems didn’t end there, as Tommy discovered upon entering the kitchen.
He noted: “They seem to have a serious damp problem here. But, I think there is potential to extend and this could be made into a big kitchen, dining space.”
Ultimately, the house was snapped up for £101,000 by a man who planned to spend up to £35,000 on renovations, ambitiously aiming to complete the transformation within just three months.
Fast forward fifteen months, and the Homes Under the Hammer crew returned to see what had become of the previously dilapidated property.
Reflecting on the renovation journey, the homeowner expressed some regret, admitting that with hindsight, he wouldn’t have purchased the property, reports the Express.
He reflected: “Well, it has certainly been an eye-opener and I’ve acquired a lot of knowledge.
“I wouldn’t have acquired that knowledge or learnt the things I’ve learnt without buying this property. But had I known all those things, I would not have brought it.”
His project manager humorously agreed, remarking: “Had I known all those things, I wouldn’t have let you buy it!”
It emerged that the buyer hadn’t even seen inside the property before placing his bid at auction.
Confronted by the BBC presenter about his initial reaction, he confessed: “It was a real shock! I thought, ‘Oh my word, what have I let myself in for?”
By relocating the bathroom to the ground floor, the savvy investor managed to convert the house into a three-bedroom home and also moved the kitchen.
Viewers learned that the homeowner had spent approximately £48,000 on refurbishing the property.
On the show, property guru Chris Bailey was called upon to evaluate the revamped house’s potential market value.
He estimated on air: “In my opinion, right now you’re going to be looking at somewhere between £130,000 to £150,000.”
Despite this, the project manager disclosed they had ambitiously listed the property for £195,000, aiming to close in on their desired price.
Homes Under the Hammer is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
