Look who it is! Bill Bratt transforms Cobridge two-bed on Homes under the Hammer

A severely-neglected Cobridge property "rife" with damp and mould was transformed by a former Port Vale chairman and his business partner on popular BBC daytime show Homes under the Hammer. Presenter Dion Dublin visited the crumbling two-bed end-terrace to meet the one-time Vale chair and property developer Bill Bratt, who had purchased it with pal Neil for £41,000.

The pair had actually met previously during ex-Premier League star Dion's time at Aston Villa.

Dion asked Bill: "We actually met many years ago didn't we at Villa Park."

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Bill responded: "That's right, it's got to be about 20 years ago." Dion then replied "And we both look the same!" "Well, yes, go on then!" joked Bill.

Prior to meeting Bill and Neil, Dion had carried out a quick tour of the property - and it's safe to say he wasn't impressed.

"It hasn't got great kerb appeal," he remarked.

Things got worse inside.

"I've taken one step in and I can smell damp," explained Dion. "It's rife. Oh wow... look at that water. Oh my word. I've never ever walked into a house and had water below my feet. It doesn't get any better. Look at the size of the hole in the ceiling. The water is actually ploughing through. It's an absolute mess. This first reception room is in a terrible state. I wouldn't fancy turning this one around."

The entire property was in an awful condition and required major work inside and outside, with the roof, brickwork and guttering all in need of attention.

"Get it water tight ASAP!" Dion told viewers.

Phil Jones, from estate agent Butters John Bee, agreed with Dion.

"The property hasn't got a great deal going for it," he admitted. "It's in need of major renovation."

Bill explained that a budget of between £7,000 and £10,000 had been set with the project expected to last three months. Dion then went on to congratulate Bill on his MBE for services to football, recognition he received a number of years prior.

Not all that keen to chat about the achievement, Bill did however admit that he was "proud", adding: "It was for the Vale really... their supporters."

The cameras returned several months later to find the property had been completely overhauled.

Bill admitted that initially they thought it might have been a mistake to take on the property due to the amount of water inside, but then revealed that a "simple" guttering issue needed to be resolved and once it was sorted the property "dried out no problem".

The works lasted seven months in total due to delays in getting materials and Bill revealed that up to £9,000 had been spent, adding: "Which to me isn't that bad."

Phil Jones returned to assess the property and was surprised to see how much it had changed for the better. He described the renovation as "absolutely beautiful".

He reckoned the new-look property could make £75,000 if put on the market.

"I think that's about right," said Bill.

The total spend on the project was £50,000, giving Bill and Neil a pre-tax profit of £25,000 if they chose to sell.

But Bill was helping Neil build up a portfolio so the objective was to rent. Phil believed they could fetch up to £500 a month which Bill described as "spot on". He revealed they had already found a tenant who was renting it for £495 a month.

That gave the pair a 12 per cent yield.

Asked what advice he would offer someone looking at getting into property development, Bill said: "Make sure you examine the property, price it out, and add 10 per cent to it because you always go over on building work."

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