Season 12 2004 - 2005

TV-G

Nora and Armando Santana moved into their current home just after their wedding, four years ago. This three-bedroom, two-bath 2,000-square-foot home has served them well, but with a second child on the way they are ready to move on to something larger. They also want to find a place that is closer to Armando's work--he's been enduring a one-hour commute each day. Though they won't have the high property value with a new home, the neighborhood they are considering is known for its strong school district--a major plus for the kids as they get older. Real estate agent Melinda Biezonsky has already shown the Santanas more than 100 properties, but no one is ready to give up on the search.

Michelle Schrobilgen is a magazine photographer who travels all over the country shooting pictures of beautiful homes. She's recently moved back home from New York City to be close to her mother, Linda. After renting a tiny walkup in Manhattan, she is ready to spread out and buy her first home. Meanwhile she's camping on her mother's couch. She is looking for a small house with vintage fixtures and Spanish architecture. She needs something with minimal upkeep and a backyard for her two dogs. Family friend and real estate agent Jessica Van Aken steps in to help Schrobilgen with this challenge.

Banker Shannon Wexler and her husband, David, a cinematographer, are thinking about starting a family. Before they do that, they need to take another big step--from renting to owning. They love the two-bedroom house they rent, but they long for a three-bedroom home with a grassy backyard, home office and two-car garage. They also love to entertain, so they want a formal dining room and a larger kitchen with a dishwasher. Helping them with their search is longtime friend and real estate broker Leslie Lackman.

Since finishing college, Cristina Castaneda has been saving money by living with her parents. They own a four-bedroom home with two baths and a pool. Between her parents, her sister, herself, and now her 6-month-old baby, Isabel, this home is filling up pretty quickly. She is ready to move on and buy her own home, preparing for it by working two jobs. She is looking for a three-bedroom, two-bath home with carpet for Isabel to play on inside and a nice yard where she can play outside. She needs to stay near her family because they take care of her daughter when she's at work, and she would consider renting out the third bedroom to help offset her mortgage if a place in the area was too expensive for her tight budget. Real estate agent Amber McClatchey accepts the challenge of finding a suitable home for Castaneda.

Janine and John Sun have been married for nearly two years, and during that time, they have saved a lot of money by living in John's parents' home. The time has now come for them to take that money and get a place of their own--Janine is seven months pregnant. Owning a home before the baby is born is a top priority. They want three bedrooms in a family friendly community that is closer to Janine's work. Their budget is tight because only she is currently working (John is a graduate student), so they'll be relying heavily on real estate agent Janet Elson to help them find a home in their price range.

With two dogs, a cat and a home-based business, Frances and Keith Young are running out of space in their two-bedroom, one-bath rental. They are looking to step up to a three-bedroom place with a large fenced-in backyard. They need that extra bedroom as a storage unit for the pet toys they peddle to raise money for animal rescues. Frances also wants to have enough room to house the washer and dryer that has been living in the garage. After two unsuccessful months searching on their own, they hook up with real estate agent Jon Lafferty to try to seal a deal.

For the past few years, aspiring singer-songwriter Seana Fisher has been living in one apartment after another, while working as an executive assistant to build up her savings. Now, the songbird is ready to change her tune by leaving apartment life behind and buying a house. That means saying goodbye to the 700-square-foot apartment where she lives now — a garage converted into a guesthouse that sits on an alleyway. She wants a house with more convenience, laundry area and a yard for her pets. Helping her on this house hunt is one of her oldest friends, real estate agent Heathermarie Griffin.

Single parents Lisa Abarta and John Hight are getting married, and that means their two very different families are going to need one big house. Lisa has a 14-year-old, and John has a 7-year-old, each of whom would like to have their own bedroom. Real estate agent Sharon Hays is eager to help this blended family find a place that works for everyone.

Jeff Shank, a special effects artist, is about to turn 40. While his work may be a childhood dream come true, his home has some catching up to do. For the past two years he has lived in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom 1,000-square-foot condo. He loves the kitchen because of its mid-century modern style and the living room for its large windows overlooking the street below, but the floor plan leaves a lot to be desired. He is looking for a midcentury modern home, with a large eat-in kitchen, three bedrooms and a yard for gardening. Realtor Keven McConnell intends to help him find just that.

Ron Badener is a successful chiropractor who has enjoyed living in his modest one-bedroom apartment, just two blocks from the ocean. The small space has allowed him to lead a carefree lifestyle, but he is running out of room. With his 40th birthday fast approaching, he has decided it is finally time to buy a home. He loves the beach community and would like to find a three-bedroom home with a large grassy backyard (he wants to adopt a dog), pool and garage for his motorcycle. Realtor Marcus Kassin is determined to help Badener find his dream home before his birthday arrives.

Allison and Mark Meyerson live in a historic hillside home in the Hollywood Hills community of Laurel Canyon. They love the area, but not the positioning of their house--it stands 50 steps above the street. In addition, their kitchen is smaller than those in more modern homes, and the detached guest bedroom is a constant source of headaches. They know that buying in the hills will be an uphill battle, but they want to give it a shot. Helping them in the hunt is real estate agent Patrick Martin.

Eula Fritz inherited the only home she's ever lived in when her grandmother passed away four years ago. For many years Eula, her mom, and her grandmother all lived in the house. It's a special place full of memories, but this two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is older and it doesn't have a lot of storage space. She realizes that it's time to move on. It's going to be hard to leave behind the only home she's ever had, but she thinks her grandmother would understand. She will be accompanied on her hunt by her mom and real estate agent Harley Ramsey.

Teacher Courtney Lichterman loves everything about her one-bedroom apartment--the building, location and even the neighbors. But she also likes collecting things, and that's where she runs into trouble. Her collections are spilling out of the closets and off the shelves, and her pug, Tennessee, needs a place to play. Real estate agent Brian Bord is determined to help her find just the right home.