Chat Ed : Welcome to this evening's PROPERTY LADDER chat with presenter Sarah Beeny!
Sarah Beeny : Hello everyone...
Andy : hi sarah
eccles291 : Evening Sarah =o)
Sarah Beeny : Hope you are all well and that I can be of some help. Fire away!
Hermit : Sarah, dont you get frustrated with your 'clients' when they dont listen to your expertise?
Melt : Hi Sarah, I love property ladder, but don't you get annoyed with the people on the show that don't know what they're doing and won't take advice? It drives me MAD!
Sarah Beeny laughs
Sarah Beeny : Yes, at times, it can be very frustrating but I do understand that it's their money and their project at the end of the day.
eccles291 : Q. for Sarah - Do you ever have REAL arguments when people don't listen to your advice? (Like that stupid tart in Manchester!!)
Sarah Beeny : Hehe. Oh golly.. no, because all of the people we filmed are passionately interested in houses so we always end up having a certain amount in common.
Andrew99 : If the housing markets really starts to cool, can money still be made in property development?
Sarah Beeny : Yes, you should never property develop taking the market into consideration. You should always look at how the market is currently and build in your profit margin taking into account that the market might dip slightly.
Jim : The show will be better when the market cools, because then people will lose money when they don't listen to you
Sarah Beeny laughs
Sarah Beeny : It's good to have your input Jim! Thanks!
Kev : Sarah, the croydon chronicle has called you 'one of the sexiest women on TV' Personally, if it was a choice between watching you or Tommy Walsh, i know where i'd rather be
Mike : Greetings Sarah, I have to compliment you on a great informative programme! Have you ever lost investing in property?
Sarah Beeny laughs at Kev, thank you! Mike... no one is infallible but we try to not make a habit of it.
Jo Bradbury : Hi Sarah, how do people get onto the program?
Sarah Beeny : You need to contact Talkback Productions on 020 7861 8000
Luc : Is there another series of PL this year? It would be more interesting to see the profits made now that the market is slowing down.
Sarah Beeny : Yes, series 3 is about to start being filmed.
chris : Would you agree that it is a mistake to become personally involved in the development of a house which you intend to let?
Sarah Beeny : Yes, you should always be considering who is going to be living in the property and if it isn't you, you should not consider your own personal requirements, but those of the future inhabitants.
Roy1 : Hi Sarah in the whole series what has been the biggest and smallest profit made, when selling?
Sarah Beeny : They range from a few thousand to tens of thousands, Roy.
Vic : Could you tell me some details about how the TAX works on property development?
gerry : how much do you have to pay in tax on profits?
Dave Julie : How does Capital Gains tax work
Sarah Beeny : You always have to pay tax if you are trading which means that if you are buying a house with the intention of developing it to sell you are liable for tax. You can speak to an accountant who will help you to decide how best your personal taxation situation should be dealt with.
danstra : hi Sarah, Love the program and watch it every week. I notice that you always advise to sell the property as quickly as possible. I am in th eprocess of doing up my first flat which I hope to remortgage in order to release the profit and rent out. Using the extra capital as a deposit on my second property. Are there any reasons why you never seem to mention this as an option?
Sarah Beeny : Well because most of the people we are filming have very limited equity in their projects and therefore it would be unviable with the amount of rental income they would be getting in.
Todd : when getting ready to sell your house...what areas are a must to be in perfect shape?
Sarah Beeny : The structure, the roof, the plumbing and electrics, heating, kitchen and bathroom.
Matt G : Plumbing, decorating, bulinding, electrics. Which is the most useful skill to have when starting?
Sarah Beeny : General building and carpentry as it is less quantifiable to sub-contract.
Janey : Sarah, have any builders EVER completed their work on time on the show!!!?
Sarah Beeny chuckles
Sarah Beeny : Er...no!
neil : or to budget?
Sarah Beeny : Heh, a couple of them have managed to come in on budget.
Johns : Sarah, I bought your book, which is a fantastic all round guide, can you recommened any other books? Like you always say research is everything!
Sarah Beeny : Judging by the number of people who bought the book I'm sure there aren’t any other guides! I'm typing away for a new one coming out in the autumn.
mark90210 : hi sarah love the show just wondering do you film loads of shows at the same time or one after the other?
Sarah Beeny : They are all filmed concurrently, as most projects last many months.
Vinny M : Hi Sarah, I am developing property in Florida are you going to do any programmes that are from other countries???
Sarah Beeny : What a great idea, can I come and stay!? No plans at present, but you never know.
Su : Where in Britain would you suggest is the best place to buy at the moment if you want to make a decent profit
Sarah Beeny : It's always best to develop in an area that you are familiar with and want to live in.
Freewheelin : What's your background Sarah? Have you been in the property business for yonks?
captainspam : Sarah how did you get involved with channel 4
Firstproject : Hi Sarah, great show and love the book
Sarah Beeny : I've been in the business for about 9 years. I got involved with Channel 4 by chance really as they were making a programme about which I had some knowledge.
simon lewis : Would you recommend starting off in the current climate ?
Julie Keith : Sarah, I am about to give up my full time job to do this full time, any tips?
Sarah Beeny : I personally would not recommend giving up your full time job or starting up at the moment. It can be so risky and if you can't find your next deal you could go very hungry. The current market is quite high to be considering a career in this area full time.
Victoria : Should we be looking for our next property whilst developing our current one ?
tracy1 : is it a good idea to go to auction to buy a house ?
Sarah Beeny : You should always keep your eye on the local market and what is available, Victoria. And tracy, auctions are a good idea but you won't necessarily get a bargain there anymore than anywhere else.
Williams : What would be the one piece of advice that you would give to a first time buyer?
Sarah Beeny : Don't stretch yourself too much with a mortgage. Buy within your means - it's not worth the sleepless nights.
tiffer : do you find it a problem finding builders that will appear on tv
Sarah Beeny : The builders are contracted by the people who are developing their homes, as such it's not my choice which builders people use.
!! : do you find yourself being mobbed in the streets by info hungry fans?
Sarah Beeny chuckles
Sarah Beeny : No! But probably because I'm normally in jeans and building boots and they wouldn't recognise me.
robert : For charity, would you arm wrestle the House Doctor?
Sarah Beeny laughs
pete : lol
Sarah Beeny : Of course, I'm sure she's charming!
thelurker : If the housing market collapses are a lot of these amateur developers likely to get seriously burned?
chidu : I am sure you would win sarah, go for it
Sarah Beeny : Yes because most of them are making practically no profit in real terms, they count their profit from a rise in the market, which is always unwise.
Philip : Is the market about to collapse (in your opinion) ?
Sarah Beeny : If I knew the answer to that I'd be a very rich woman! One can only guess. And I hope not.
Susan : Sarah, your advice is always so sensible. It amazes me how many people ignore your advice
Sally : Are there many builders who will take on a project for a fixed price - so that they are encouraged to get the work done on time?
Sarah Beeny : Yes there are Sally.
SemanticBuyer : Hi Sarah, Every week the people on the show seem to disregard alot of your advice. Have you ever had anyone who has followed your advice down to the letter?
Robin : Has anyone in the series managed to change your opinion on a decision?
Sarah Beeny : There was a couple in Coventry who followed it as closely as they could.
Sarah Beeny chuckles at Robin, not yet. But I look forward to it.
mrdivino : when are we gonna have a celebrity property ladder and who would you have in it?
Sarah Beeny : I'd have... Dolly Parton (only because I want to meet her, but I'm not sure property developing is her game).
Chat Ed : ... and finally may as well let these guys have their try.
Adrien : Sarah Beeny... You are incredibly attractive, are you single?
jools : Sarah, any plans to do a photoshhot because everyone I know thinks you're gorgeous!
J : Are you single?
owen : Hi Sarah, Do u fancy going out for a drink?
mark90210 : hi sarah i think your gorgeous
Gareth : will you marry me Sarah??
renovator : I think your programme and book are both excellent, can I take you out for a drink?
frank fron forest hi : will u marry me
Donraj : Sarah i only watvh the program cause you are gorgeous
Sarah Beeny laughs
Layline : silly men
emloub : bloody hell!!
Julian : not silly ;)
Sarah Beeny : You're all lovely and quite mad! Thank you very much, be careful or I'll get a big head! Yes, I am married to a lovely man. Bye for now!
Chat Ed : And you can buy Sarah Beeny’s Property Ladder book from the Channel 4 Shop, priced £12.99.
