Lights, Camera………Leak!

Filming Homes Under the Hammer in Sneinton (With Added Indoor Rainfall)

Well… what a day.

I had the absolute pleasure of being the local property valuation expert on Homes Under the Hammer filming at a very lively property in Sneinton — and when I say lively, I mean water pouring from the kitchen ceiling like we’d accidentally installed a skylight feature.

Spoiler alert: we hadn’t.

A Proper “Dower Upper”

This one wasn’t just a fixer-upper.

It was a commitment.

• Water streaming through the kitchen ceiling

• Floor covered in water

• Buckets deployed at speed

• Everyone calmly pretending this was completely standard

To be fair, in property… it sort of is.

But I do love a project with personality. You could absolutely see the potential beneath the chaos — once you squinted slightly and ignored the sound of dripping.

I was interviewed by the lovely Di Evans (Di to us!) and filmed by Di and Tom, who was thoroughly enjoying himself despite the indoor monsoon.

At one point, Tom started tapping the radiators like he was checking them…

No.

He and Dion Dublin turned it into a full-blown radiator percussion session.

Apparently the acoustics in a half-flooded kitchen are excellent.

Meanwhile I’m there trying to talk comparables and GDV while wondering if we should all be wearing wellies.

Dion Dublin arrived separately to film his segment — much more dignified timing on his part, I must say. Though I’m not convinced he didn’t miss out on the radiator band.

The Serious Bit (Yes, We Did the Numbers!)

Despite the water feature, the valuation still had to stack up.

Because whether a property is pristine or impersonating a waterfall, you still have to assess:

• Location and local demand

• Comparable sales in Sneinton

• Renovation costs (and in this case… plumbing!)

• End value once modernised

• Rental potential vs resale

It’s easy to be distracted by the drama. My job is to cut through that and look at what it could be — not just what it currently is.

And this one? With the right vision and budget, it could be a cracking investment.

Minus the indoor rain.

The Best Bit

I genuinely cannot wait to go back once it’s been renovated to re-value it.

That’s the magic moment.

When:

• The ceiling isn’t leaking

• The floors are dry

• The radiators are used for heating (not percussion)

• And we get to see what good decisions and solid investment can achieve

There is nothing better than seeing a proper dower upper transformed.

Sneinton certainly gave us a day to remember — laughter, puddles, and all.

And if this is what happens when the cameras roll, I’ll bring a brolly next time… just in case.

Roll on the revaluation.

Diane Bialek - Actress for a day