If you are living in an area and the BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer presenter Martin Roberts comes knocking on your door  then you know your location is on the up.

Thornton Heath has appeared twice and in the latest series what was great about the auctioned house shown is that it was brought by a developer who not only wanted to keep the property’s original features but retain it as a family home.

In his introduction to Thornton Heath the BBC presenter described it  as a ‘popular area’ of predominantly Victorian houses. Martin said of the mid terraced three-bedroom house that it was “the worst house on a nice street.” Adding: “As we know that is a good thing.”

With an auction price of £300,000 he said it was deservedly a popular spot adding that saying it was a little bit tired  was “massively understating it”.

The dilapidated house which was in need of some serious TLC was sold to Fiona Gabb, a local teaching assistant – whose family have a property developing background – for £370,000.

It was Fiona’s first project, having given up her job a month before and with a £60,000 budget she admitted to being ‘nervous’. She certainly had a lot to contend with as there were holes in the ceiling and self seeded trees threatening to breach the front bay window.

£85,000 later having taken six months instead of three months the makeover was  complete and ‘absolutely stunning’ with a new roof and extension all finished to a high standard.

Local estate agents valued the property at £525-550,000 or  a rental value of £1,600 which offers a four per cent yield. Our pictures shows the amazing transformation.