Martin Roberts, the host of Homes Under the Hammer, was taken aback when he learned the price of a home he described as “hard to criticise.”
Martin, 58, has been presenting the series since 2003 and has seen his fair share of houses over the last two decades, but his reaction to one on the most recent episode generated a significant response.
Martin was on his way to Sketty, just outside Swansea, to look at a three-bedroom semi-detached house.
The property itself was full of antique elements, including ‘beautiful’ doors, staircase, and windows, which he described as a’really desirable residential position’.
The property was listed for sale with a recommended price of £200,000 to £210,000.
Martin, on the other hand, was concerned about the uneven flooring, which he saw as the sole disadvantage.
But after viewing it, he said: ‘It’s hard to criticise this house because I absolutely love it.’
After the home did not sell at its initial auction, the new owner, Oliver, managed to purchase it for merely £165,000, prompting Martin to exclaim, ‘£165,000! That was cheeky!’
Oliver had a structural assessment done to look into the uneven flooring, and the results showed that the house was structurally solid.
Speaking with Martin, Oliver then detailed his intentions for the property, stating that he had set aside £70,000 for a variety of improvements such as new windows, an extra bedroom, patio doors, and a new patio.
The construction progressed well, and the previously drab house was turned into a cheerful and vibrant family home.
Outside, the renovation was even more dramatic, with new windows, fresh render, and a manicured front garden.
Inside, actual marble flooring had been installed, and the electrical and heating systems had been renovated.
Following the repairs, the home was assessed at £400,000, earning Oliver a profit of £155,000.
Martin had to leave the programme last year after undergoing emergency surgery after being left ‘hours from death’ due to fluid on his heart.
After experiencing chest symptoms and being warned he would only have ‘hours to live’ if he didn’t seek medical assistance, the host underwent a life-saving heart procedure in April 2022.
He subsequently said that he had’massive quantities’ of fluid around his heart, which was preventing it from functioning, but he was back to his best after some time healing.
Homes Under the Hammer is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
