Episode Information Property Ladder: Hitchin & Wroxham

Date Published:

24/06/2008

In this episode Sarah visits two couples working on very different projects, each with big plans but no experience in the property game. Can she direct their attention to the important issues and squeeze a profit from these two haphazard developments?

As highly qualified scientists, Julie and Lee are confident that their skills will transfer easily over to property developing. Their first project is a tiny two-up, two-down in Shillington, near Hitchin. With their profits from this project they want to splash out on a sports car, but their refreshing enthusiasm is more than outweighed by their lack of experience.

Inside, the house is old fashioned and in desperate need of renovation, and there's no hiding the fact that this house is tiny. Their chosen layout doesn't fit with what Sarah thinks is best, and they're intent on doing most of the work themselves. Can these scientists make a breakthrough and get the money they need for their dream roadster?

In Wroxham, on the Norfolk Broads, Heidi has bought a 1930s bungalow from her parents. Along with husband Paul, this dress shop owner is hoping to prove her worth on the developing market by modernising and selling with minimum fuss. Unlike Julie and Lee, Heidi has hired a team of builders to carry out the work, but as she tries to project manage whilst running a shop it becomes obvious that project managing is no part time job.

Problems in the bathroom and overeager builders are just two of the challenges that are thrown at Heidi. If she really wants to make it in the developing business then these are the types of issue she'll have to get used to dealing with. But for now, can she keep her first development on track for the £37,000 profit she's pinned her hopes on?