Homes Under the Hammer

Homes Under the Hammer is a BBC One morning television series, which has been running since 2003. Its main presenters are Lucy Alexander and Martin Roberts, although in series three Marc Woodward and Jasmine Birtles alternated presenting duties with Alexander and Roberts. The series is the BBC's most successful show that has been shown in the 10.00am slot, regularly attaining a 30% share for new episodes.

Format

Each episode of the show follows three properties (or two for 30-minute shows) which were bought at auction - often ones that require significant refurbishment. A cross-section of properties are featured including terraced, commercial, rural, and vacant land. The programme follows a set formula. One of the presenters will view the property prior to going up for auction giving their opinion on it and its potential problems as well as attractive features. A local estate agent will also be invited to give their opinion on the property. The auction will then be shown and the final sale price revealed.

It is at this point we first meet the new buyer, and Martin or Lucy will interview them and find out their background, why they bought the property, whether they are happy with it given the price and what their plans are. The buyer will then give a detailed explanation of any renovation works they are going to do such as new kitchen, bathrooms or extensions and how much they expect to spend. The buyer will then be left to get on with the project with the promise that the show will re-visit the work in about 3 months time. The programme will start the sequence again with another property.

The show will then come back to find out how the buyer has got on, and remind the viewer of what the property was like prior to the auction. Dependent on the buyer and extent of renovation, there can be a wide variation in the progress of works. Some properties are shown fully complete with camera shots taken in identical places "before" and "after". Other properties are shown in mid-renovation which can give an idea of the work being done but not the final effect. Occasionally there are properties which have had no work at all done due to many factors such as the buyer having other projects on the go or encountering hidden problems that have slowed down production.

The buyer is interviewed once more, asking them if they are happy with the work so far, or indeed the final outcome. Martin or Lucy, however, are not present for this interview, though they do provide a voice-over. They will talk about how much money they have spent, etc. and if they felt it was worthwhile. This time two local estate agents are invited to give their opinion on the quality of work, and whether the property is now more desirable. They then give the all important valuation in both the market value and rental potential. The buyer is invited to give their opinion on those valuations, and asked whether they are going to sell, rent, or live in the property themselves. Occasionally subsequent updates are given to the viewer if the property did indeed sell for the asking price, but this is not always done.

The name of the show is a slight misnomer, as commercial and industrial property also feature on the programme in addition to residential lots.

Music

During the stages of viewing the property, or whilst interviewing the buyer, music is normally played which is related to the property, or person buying. For example, whilst viewing a house that may be expensive to repair or renovate, a suitable song such as Money Money Money may be heard. Or when buying a flat in a high rise building they may use "Moving on Up" by M People. If guests mention they enjoy a certain activity they will play a song to fit that activity, for example on the 14 April 2010 a buyer said he enjoyed surfing and naturally they played "Surfin' Safari" by the Beach Boys. During an episode aired 31 May 2011 AC/DC's Back In Black was played during a segment with Roberts adding the voice over "We're back in Blackburn".

In each show, when the estate agents return to provide a final valuation on the property, their appearance is accompanied by a track entitled Soul Food.

London-based composer Michael Burdett created the music for Homes Under the Hammer.

Transmissions

External links

• Homes Under the Hammer at BBC Programmes
• Homes Under the Hammer at the Internet Movie Database