Auction show’s action man even impresses Bond
Homes Under the Hammer host and seasoned property investor Martin Roberts is officially licensed to thrill.
He moved on to an ex-local authority semi that was virtually derelict and then to his grade two listed home near Bath, where he has lived for the last 25 years. He has stayed put, he says, because he’s a typical Cancerian who doesn’t like change and loves home comforts along with lots of clutter.
His wife Kirsty and son Scot despair at his hoards, which include the notes he had university because “such a lot of time and effort went into them”. He also collects antiques and “old stuff” from car boot sales.
He indulges his interest in home renovation and investment through a portfolio of properties he has bought to let. Most are in striking distance of his home but he also has student property in Plymouth and investments in Derby.
Despite his punishing work schedule, he gets down and dirty doing them up.
“I am busy. In the last 18 months we have made 160 programmes. We film at auction and then follow someone to look at the property and then we go back to see what it like after they’ve done it up, but I love it and I love property.
“I’ve just been at one of my houses sanding floorboards with an industrial sander and then I’m going back to varnish. I’d get someone in but doing a property up is part of the fun for me. I am totally hands on, even though it is knackering, because I enjoy it. I love seeing the end result.”
He passes on all he has learned in property training courses.
“I made a few mistakes and the idea is that other people cam learn from them but I am convinced by property as an investment. Anyone can do it with the right advice.
“The lettings market is booming now and that can means yields of up to ten per cent. Savings rates are one or two per cent.
“However, you do have to be careful about what you buy and you have to buy at the right price.”
Property at auction generally starts off at a temptingly low guide price and thanks to HUH it is now seen as accessible to all. Before the series started, auctions were largely the domain of seasoned investors. Now, there are novice bidders.
“I think we demystified it. We show real people buying at auction and some have given up their jobs to buy and renovate full-time.
“It’s given them financial freedom to give up the nine to five. It really has changed lives.”
Visit www.Martin Roberts. co.uk for more property advice and details of Martin’s forthcoming property training course in Leeds from November 16 to 18 and others around the country. You can follow him on Twitter @TVMartinRoberts