Looking for Inspiration?

Here are a variety of properties that we have sold at auction where creative souls gave them a new lease of life:

Welcome to our showcase of successful property auction case studies! Here, you will find a diverse collection of real-life examples demonstrating the benefits and successes of selling properties at auction.

Whether you’re considering selling your property or simply exploring your options, these inspiring stories will provide you with valuable insights and the confidence to make informed decisions about your next real estate venture. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of property auctions and discover how this exciting process can turn your property into a lucrative opportunity.

Flats with tired interiors

The classic 3 bed semi

Subdividing

Cleverly re-designed interior

Listed properties

Bungalows

Lacking kerb appeal

Agricultural buildings

Building plots with planning

Purchasing plots without planning

Commercial conversions

Demolish and start again

Flats with tired interiors

Flats with tired dated interiors are usually quick to renovate as generally it is a case of working within the existing shell of the property. That may be simply to refit and redecorate, or it might be to re-configure. A popular conversion is converting a kitchen into another bedroom by moving the kitchen units and appliances into a sufficiently large living room.

Do check the terms of the lease for any restrictions and be mindful of the length of the lease which may offer another opportunity. Short leases can be hard for borrowers to mortgage against. If you can purchase and then extend the lease, that can add significant value.

Kimbolton Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2NY

Sold at Auction June 2023 for £78,000

This studio flat was refurbished, and the layout changed by moving the kitchen units to the living room, the old kitchen became the bathroom, and the old bathroom became a separate bedroom.

It was re-sold in December 2023 with an asking price of £155,000

The classic 3 bed semi

The classic three bedroom semi, originally constructed with a front room then at the rear, a small dining room and kitchen, these twentieth century homes usually occupy good size plots. They lend themselves perfectly to opening the kitchen and dining room, plus a single storey rear extension, to create a large luxurious kitchen/dining room, perhaps with some bi-folding doors to the garden. They make ideal projects, especially for less experienced developers, however competition is usually strong which always reduces margins.

17 Byron Crescent, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2BD

We sold this 1940’s example for more than the previous sale through an agent. The house had a small garden at the rear but a good size garden at the side. Internally it was in a poor condition, but it also benefitted from a garage at the side which our buyer chose to replace with a two storey extension. The result was a stunning family home and the value improved from our sale price of £278,000 to £500,000.

Subdividing

Subdividing can be an excellent way to improve the value of a property as generally the smaller the property, the higher the cost per square foot. Here we have an example of a cottage with an awkward design that had failed to sell with four different agents when it was on the market for £300,000.

Two Ways Cottage, Back Street, Gawcott, Buckingham, MK18 4HN

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Cleverly re-designed interior

A cleverly re-designed interior can be transformative as often properties evolved, bit at a time, or they were last refurbished when taste and fashions were different.

The Wheelhouse, Hill Road, Watlington OX49 5AD

Having had two failed sales through agents, our clients were keen to accept a pre-auction offer at close to their last sale price on this part cottage, part barn, that was converted into one dwelling in the 1970’s. The layout wasn’t correct, and our buyer could see this straight away. She didn’t extend the building, she simply worked with what was already there, and having purchased at £417,000 she sold it a year later for a very impressive £723,000!

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Listed properties

Many buyers shy away from listed property as listings always increase the timescale for a project, increase the costs and can restrict any plans to enlarge. Consequently, less buyers often equates to less competition, and with fewer people to undertake such a challenge, the purchase price can allow for those extra difficulties.

2 Clare Cottages, Clare, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 7HQ

This period house was one of five that we sold in a row of six. The condition was poor but otherwise there were plenty of good qualities. We sold it for £289,000 and two years later it sold for £585,000.

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Bungalows

Either by working within the existing roof or replacing the old roof with a purpose built one, bungalows are ideal to change into family homes with first floor accommodation.

23 Lodge Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1JP

Having failed to sell through an agent, asking £325,000, our client was over the moon when we sold his late father’s bungalow in our February 2015 auction for £315,000. Our buyer, took off the roof and added first floor accommodation, transforming it into a splendid house that went on to sell for £725,000.

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Lacking kerb appeal

Many houses from the mid-20th century are often seen to lack kerb appeal, and whilst altering the appearance of a semi-detached property may result in a peculiar mix in styles, altering the appearance of a detached house, especially one that is not grouped with others of the same style, can have a dramatic effect as good kerb appeal adds good value. With an interior remodelled the results can be stunning.

45 The Gables, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8AD

Having had a significant face lift and a refit, this detached house went from a 1970’s ugly duckling to a striking contemporary 21st century home that was purchased for £360,000 and sold a year later for £500,000.

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Agricultural buildings

Agricultural buildings can qualify for their use to be changed to a residential use under a Class Q consent. The rules require a building may be no longer, no wider or no higher when converted but that isn’t to say an overly large barn can’t be reduced in size. Purchasing with an already approved consent is the safest and fastest approach, purchasing without is much riskier, but if successful the rewards are far greater.

Falcon’s Field, Lower Rads End, Eversholt, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 9EE

Clad on three sides in sheet metal, this open fronted barn sat in the far corner of a 5 ½ acre paddock just outside a small village near Woburn. Plenty of people dismissed the chances of converting it into a dwelling, but the rewards for the buyer who was courageous enough to try were exceptional. In 2013 he paid £129,000, since then it has never sold, so we leave it to you to guess the value today!

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Building plots with planning

Building plots with planning consent – to either build against the existing approval, alternatively, now that the hard work of the principle of development is established, to try and improve the consent in terms of size or number of units.

Plot 2, The Croft, Alexandra Road, Rushden. NN10 0HY

We sold this single building plot with outline planning consent for £120,000. The purchaser improved on the initial proposal and the house he built went on to sell for £585,000. Thus the cost of the plot equated to just over 20% of the Gross Developed Value.

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Purchasing plots without planning

Purchasing plots without planning consent is typically a much higher risk, but if successful the margins are much greater.

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

Our client had been advised by the local authority that their view was that this land was an important green space. Consequently, they said it was unlikely they would give consent for development. With that in mind we were asked to offer this 2 ½ acre paddock in February 2016 with a guide price of £80,000.

It was sold for £260,000 and the buyer then went on to successfully secure planning consent for five detached houses on just a third of the land in December 2020. They are now being offered for between £850,000 and £997,000 and so far, one has sold, so not a bad day at the auction for that buyer!

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Commercial conversions

Like agricultural buildings, rules were introduced to allow commercial buildings to be converted to residential use under a Class E Consent. With town centre living proving popular to both younger buyers and more senior buyers, the opportunities can be lucrative, either to undertake the work or simply to secure the change of use and to sell with that benefit, either with or without detailed plans prepared.

Purchasing plots without planning consent is typically a much higher risk, but if successful the margins are much greater.

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

Our client had been advised by the local authority that their view was that this land was an important green space. Consequently, they said it was unlikely they would give consent for development. With that in mind we were asked to offer this 2 ½ acre paddock in February 2016 with a guide price of £80,000.

It was sold for £260,000 and the Buyer then went on to successfully secure planning consent for five detached houses on just a third of the land in December 2020. They are now being offered for between £850,000 and £997,000 and so far, one has sold, so not a bad day at the auction for that buyer!

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Demolish and start again

Demolish and start again. Attempting to retain an existing building may not be the most economical approach, especially when you consider that refurbishment costs are liable to VAT, yet new build residential property is VAT exempt. Also, a new build property is seen to carry a premium, usually in the region of 10%, it may even be possible to improve on the number of units.

Purchasing plots without planning consent is typically a much higher risk, but if successful the margins are much greater.

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

Our client had been advised by the local authority that their view was that this land was an important green space. Consequently, they said it was unlikely they would give consent for development. With that in mind we were asked to offer this 2 ½ acre paddock in February 2016 with a guide price of £80,000.

It was sold for £260,000 and the Buyer then went on to successfully secure planning consent for five detached houses on just a third of the land in December 2020. They are now being offered for between £850,000 and £997,000 and so far, one has sold, so not a bad day at the auction for that buyer!

The cottage was originally two, and our buyer simply changed it back. Having purchased it as a single property for £270,000, he sold both smaller cottages for £240,000 each, £480,000 in total, just over a year later.

Looking for Inspiration?

Looking for Inspiration?

Flats with tired interiors

Kimbolton Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2NY

Sold at Auction June 2023 for £78,000

It was re-sold in December 2023 with an asking price of £155,000

The classic 3 bed semi

17 Byron Crescent, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2BD

Subdividing

Two Ways Cottage, Back Street, Gawcott, Buckingham, MK18 4HN

Cleverly re-designed interior

The Wheelhouse, Hill Road, Watlington OX49 5AD

Listed properties

2 Clare Cottages, Clare, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 7HQ

Bungalows

23 Lodge Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1JP

Lacking kerb appeal

45 The Gables, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8AD

Agricultural buildings

Falcon’s Field, Lower Rads End, Eversholt, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 9EE

Building plots with planning

Plot 2, The Croft, Alexandra Road, Rushden. NN10 0HY

Purchasing plots without planning

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

Commercial conversions

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

Demolish and start again

Land adjacent to, Leckhampstead Road, Akeley, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5HA

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