Two aspiring local property owners brought a nail-biting end
to Loveitts’ latest auction having been given the opportunity of a lifetime
courtesy of a new Channel 4 property programme – The Great House Give Away.
Self Employed Electrician Sam Lloyd from Leamington and
Construction Administrator Eva Mulvaney from Coventry responded to a Facebook
post by Welsh Production Company Chwarel seeking contestants to take part.
The only criteria were that they are unable to purchase
their own properties and are currently in rented accommodation.
Designed to get people on the property ladder, the programme
gave the team of two from Coventry and Warwickshire who had never met, £150,000
to buy a house at auction.
Having been selected as contestants, the pair attended
Loveitts recent auction along with the Chwarel production team, where they bid
on three lots, winning the final one of the night – a three bed terrace in
Victoria Avenue in Rugby for £126,000.
An ideal investment opportunity, the property is in need of
improvement but is in a sought-after area.
Neither Sam nor Eva had seen any of the properties before
bidding – only pictures. They now have to work together over the next six
months to renovate it before putting it back up for sale and any profit they
make, they get to keep.
Both were absolutely thrilled at the outcome and excited at
the task ahead. Sam, who is soon to become a Dad said that this was a
huge opportunity for him and his fiancé. He commented: “With a baby on
the way and a relatively new business it would have been impossible for me to
save enough money for a deposit. I have a small amount of experience in
house renovation so I am going to try and support Eva as much as
possible. It will be hard work but worth it in the end.”
Single mum Eva said, ‘she simply couldn’t work the hours
needed in order to save a deposit’. She too is looking forward to the
challenge ahead saying, “it’s both scary and exciting at the same time – a
great opportunity and if it gets me on the property ladder then that will be
just brilliant.”
Sally Smith, Loveitts Director & Auctioneer commented:
“We were delighted to be asked to take part in The Great House Giveaway and
equally thrilled that Eva and Sam won the winning bid on the final lot having
been unsuccessful on the previous two lots.
“To have the TV cameras at the auction was particularly
exciting and we look forward to the programme being aired on our screens in the
Autumn.”
The Great House Give Away will feature a total of six
contestants comprising three teams. It is being presented by former
Brookside star Simon O’Brien who also attended on the night of the auction.