Climbing the Property Ladder, episode one: new Channel 5 show follows aspiring property developers as they take on their first projects

How easy is it to make a quick buck on the property market? A new programme follows wannabe property developers taking on their first major renovation projects...
Lizzie Rivera8 February 2017

The first episode of Climbing The Property Ladder begins just before last year's stamp duty rises and Brexit vote, when the housing market was facing an uncertain future.

Nevertheless, with average house price rises outstripping wage rises by three times, two women 100 miles apart decide it's worth ploughing their savings into the property market.

In West Yorkshire, Mary Levitt-Hughes uses her redundancy money to buy a two-up, two-down house for £46,250. With a budget of £20,000 she plans to completely refurbish the house - including installing a new kitchen and bathroom and adding central heating. She aims to sell the property for £96,000, netting a £26,000 profit.

Off plan and over budget: Mary digs a foot down to create a cellar kitchen on a budget. But will the liquid cement ever set?
Channel 5

Meanwhile, in the West Midlands' Sutton Coldfield, working single mum Rupa Pall dreams of giving up her day job.

Rupa starts building her property empire by buying a three-bedroom semi-detached house for £198,000.

To make a good profit, buy a 'shack' on a good road: is property the answer to Rupa's plans for early retirement?
Climbing The Property Ladder, Channel 5

At first, not knowing a "dodo rail" from a "dada rail", Rupa has to get up to speed quickly especially as her ambitious £20,000 renovation budget needs to cover replacing all the windows, adding central heating and a new kitchen.

If all goes to plan, she will sell the property for £295,000 and make a healthy £77,000 profit.

Simples. Or is it?

Climbing The Property Ladder starts tonight at 9pm, Channel 5

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