Oxford University couple buy BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer property

Andy and Trang, who both work at Oxford University, featured on the popular daytime television show in series 28 aired on Wednesday, September 10.

The couple bought a Victorian home in Grandpont, south Oxford, a three-bed mid-terrace home, at auction for a whopping £460,000 despite being valued at just £295,000.

READ MORE: Missing Oxfordshire man in Royal Mail jacket sparks search

However, they more than made their money back after renovations totalling £72,000 to raise the property to a liveable standard, and they plan to rent it out for the next few years.

Andy and Trang, a couple from Oxford(Image: BBC One)

Although the couple dabble in buy-to-let investments, Trang fell so in love with the property the couple decided to make it their goal to move in from across the city and make it their family home, with their two young children.

Martin Roberts, presenter on Homes Under the Hammer, saw the potential in the property on his first visit, but only after being shocked by what previous owners had done to the historic, natural wood floorboards.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:            

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website        
• Advert-light access             
• Reader rewards             
• Full access to our app

“This is one of the things that drives me mad,” he said almost immediately upon entering the home.

“You’ve got beautiful, natural floorboards – why would you paint them white?

Martin Roberts, asking why anyone would paint Victorian floorboards white, in the Oxford property on Homes Under the Hammer(Image: BBC One)

“I mean any colour, but white? It will show the dirt, which it does… alright.”

The floorboards in the hallway and on the stairs had been painted white and showed signs of heavy use with muddy stains and footprints along their length, in stark contrast to those in the adjoining reception room.

The offending floorboards(Image: BBC One)

READ MORE: Oxfordshire Audi motorist ‘verbally abusive’ to other driver

Even so, with strong prescience, Mr Roberts said: “It’s got the makings of something really spectacular without spending too much money.”

He added: “It’s a great location, a mile from the city centre. It’s a house I think you could do so much with.

“There’s nothing too major to sort out, but what a transformation a person could make when they bought it.”

The property in Grandpont featured on the show(Image: BBC One)

Andy and Trang, whose surnames were not disclosed, did indeed transform it as later in the episode it was revealed they had taken down a wall to make one large, modern reception room.

They had also redone the upstairs bathroom and added and ensuite in the attic, and added a new hob, boiler and central heating system.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire Audi motorist ‘verbally abusive’ to other driver

The refurbishment went about £22,000 over budget.

Trang said: “It was a lot more than expected, but we don’t regret it because we wanted to go for the high-end finish with the goal that in two years we’ll move in and make it our home.”

The renovated property was valued by expert from Philip Arnold Auctions, Philip Arnold himself, at £680,000, and the couple said they’d advertised it for rent at £22,000 per annum.