Season 39 2009 - 2010

TV-G

Mike, a physician, and Nancy, a grad student, are eager to find a home in Walnut Creek, California where their young daughter Kaelie can grow up happy and safe. Currently, they live in a rented condo with no yard space and lots of stairs. In their new home, they'd like few stairs, and a nice back yard where Kaelie can play. They also want 4-5 bedrooms Nancy and Mike love the way the home has been renovated, but are upset to see that a large pool takes up the entire back yard. Nancy definitely does not want a pool. Mike is also concerned that at $940,000, the home is beyond their budget. The next house they see is a tri-level contemporary with 3 bedroom and 3 1/2 baths. It's listed at $850,000. Mike and Nancy like the updated finishes and open, sunny spaces. The kitchen is renovated, but the appliances are not stainless steel, like Nancy prefers. The home has two yard areas -- one is grassy and the other has a deck and hot tub. And there is no pool which makes Nancy very happy. On the other hand, the home's multi-level design is a negative to the couple, who were looking to avoid stairs. The third home that Colm takes Mike and Nancy to see is two-story traditional with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and is listed at $875,000. The home's decor is not to the couple's taste, but they love the updated kitchen which opens to the family room. The large park-like backyard is appealing to Nancy and Mike and again, they like the fact that there's no pool. Upstairs they see 3 large bedrooms and an open loft area. They like the layout but wonder if the loft would be unsafe for Kaelie since it is open to the living room below. Mike and Nancy weigh the pros and cons of all three homes. Which one will they choose?

Valerio Mangano just moved from Milan, Italy to Baltimore Maryland to marry his longtime girlfriend Emma. They currently live in Emma's 1 bedroom apartment that's close to Baltimore's Charles Village neighborhood. There isn't enough closet space in the bedroom so Valerio is living out of boxes and the kitchen is too small for Valerio to comfortably cook in. They want to buy a place together so that Valerio won't feel like he is just a guest in Emma's house. The couple wants to buy one of the traditional 3-story row homes common in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood. With their budget of $250,000 to $300,000, they want a row home that comes with parking and an outdoor space. Valerio's used to living in apartments in Italy, so he's excited to purchase a big home with several floors. Emma wants a place that doesn't need a lot of work so that they can enjoy being newlyweds and not fight about home improvement projects. The first row house that agent E.J. Villarreal takes them to see is a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1700 square foot place priced at $280,000. It has brick walls, central air, wood floors and a spacious renovated kitchen. There is a back deck but no parking pad and no roof deck. The master has a huge closet but there isn't alot of closet space in the rest of the house. The second row home they look at has 3 bedrooms and 1 and a half bathrooms in 1880 square feet. It's listed for $299,900. They like the charming master bedroom and the roof deck has amazing views, but the kitchen needs to be updated and there is no central air and no parking. The third row home they look at has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths in 1500 square feet. It's also listed for $299,900. This one has a rooftop deck, central air and a parking spot, but they aren't crazy about all the carpet and there is hardly any closet space. Emma and Valerio think it over and make their decision.

Kurt and Kelly Schnakenberg are a young married couple living in an apartment that's in the same building as Kurt's family's store. They want to buy their first place and get a little separation from the family business. They are looking for condos in their same popular Chicago neighborhood, Lakeview. They want a place that has room for a home office, a spacious kitchen and a parking spot. Their budget is $325,000 to $400,000. The only thing they don't agree on is style. Kelly wants a vintage condo with lots of charm, and Kurt prefers the open Loft-style look. The first place their real estate agent Eric Rojas takes them to see is a 1200 square foot, 2 bedroom, 2 bath loft style condo that's listed for $415,000. Kurt likes the brick walls and exposed ducts, but Kelly's not crazy about the open kitchen and small living room. She's also not crazy about the balcony being off the 2nd bedroom. The second place they see is listed for $355,000. It's a 2 bed, 1 bath, 1300 square foot vintage style condo. Kelly is thrilled with the vintage charm, the large dining room, separate kitchen and re-done bathroom. Kurt is happy there is a space for his home office but he's not in love with the traditional look. The third home is a 2-story loft style townhouse. It's priced at $400,000 and has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths in 1100 square feet. Kurt likes the high ceilings and that you get alot for your money, but Kelly's not crazy about the small open kitchen and the outdated bathrooms. After touring all three homes, Kurt and Kelly have to come to an agreement on which style-condo is best for them. So which one will they choose?

Roberto Torres is a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard and lives in Ormond Beach, Florida with his wife, Jenni, and their kids Ariana, Mateo and David. The Coast Guard just reassigned Roberto from Ormond Beach to Mobile, Alabama. Since this tour of duty will be over four years, Roberto and Jenni decided to buy a house in Mobile. The only catch? The Coast Guard gave them about a month to research Mobile. Now, Roberto and Jenni only have five days to actually go to Mobile and buy a house. Adding to that pressure, they have a pretty long list of things they need in the house. With such a tight time frame, their agent Kyla Gaston has her work cut out for her. The first home they check out is listed for $185,000. It's a model home, which is on the market. This place has 4 beds, 2 baths and is 1,930 square feet. Jenni loves the upgraded open kitchen. The backyard is big and unfenced. Their biggest concern is that there is a lot of construction in the neighborhood. The next house they look at is brand new and is listed for $222,000. This place has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and is 2,320 square feet. Jenni likes the easy to care for floors and master suite. They both like the fenced in backyard. But, they are both concerned that there isn't enough storage space and that the living room may not be big enough for their piano. While the kitchen is updated, it's a bit small and isn't open to the family room. The last place they see is a custom built home. Jenni and Roberto like the custom details, such as the hardwood and tile floors, the addition and jetted tub in the master suite. The backyard at this home is also fenced in, which is a plus. They don't like some of the more funky details, like an incense holder and the built in TV cabinet. The kitchen is a bit dark and the price is on the high end of their budget. After weighing the pros and cons of each home, Jenni and Roberto make their decision within their 4 day window.

Jeff & Karmen lead busy lives as young doctors and parents of two small children: three-year-old Sam and one-year old Serena. They love the Los Angeles suburb of La Canada for its top schools, hilly views, and abundance of big leafy trees. They also love its easy access to downtown Los Angeles, due to the freeways that run through town. What they don't love is the freeway noise. Their busy schedules have made house hunting a challenge, so they're growing desperate to find a home that meets all their criteria: four bedrooms, four baths, formal dining room, family room, in a quieter section of town, for under two million dollars. The first home that Real Estate Agent Christiana Matarese shows Karmen and Jeff is a traditional California ranch that is set back from the street so it's very quiet. It has four bedrooms and four baths in about 4,000 square feet. The asking price is 1.8 million. The first thing they notice is that the home's current owner began renovations on the home, and then walked away leaving the house in a state of disrepair. Outside they see the pool, the pool house, and the large grassy yard. Karmen and Jeff love the property's sylvan setting. The only thing they don't like about the house is the unfinished kitchen, because it would mean expensive and possibly lengthy renovations. The next house Christiana takes them to see is completely renovated. It's at the end of a long private driveway, so it's very quiet. At 1.5 million dollars, it is a little less expensive, but it is significantly smaller with 2,660 square feet, four bedrooms and three baths. Jeff & Karmen love the renovations and the abundance of natural light, but it's the backyard that really blows them away. In addition to the pool, rolling green lawn, the backyards also has a sports court. Unfortunately, a power line tower is also in the backyard, which concerns Jeff & Karmen. The third house Christiana shows them is in a prime section of town, surrounded by beautiful older homes and clo

After graduating from college, Regina moved back in with her mom and dad. Unfortunately, she brough so much stuff with her that her parents have had a hard time storing it all. She's taken over half the garage, part of their closet, and has even stored her extra mattresses in their bedroom. After 6 months, her parent's had had enough so they gave Regina the money for a down payment on a condo so she could successfully move out on her own. She's set her budget at $350K to $400K. Regina wants a place close to the shops and restaurants in downtown San Jose, California. She'd also like 2 bedrooms, a community pool and gym and to have a private patio. The first place her agent Jenn Holst takes her to is an 851 square foot, 1 bed, 1 bath unit in a high-rise building in the heart of San Jose. It's close to her job and the shops and restaurants downtown, but at $410,000, it's a little over her budget. She likes the views and the small balcony, but it doesn't have two bedrooms or a pool and the unit itself is small. The second place she goes to see is further from downtown. It's 1350 square foot, 1 bed, 1.5 bath loft listed for $399,000. Regina likes the high ceilings and modern style, and even though it has only one bedroom there's an additional loft area she could use as an office. But the community has no gym or pool and it's farther from downtown than she'd like to be. The last place Regina looks at is even further out from the city. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1170 square foot condo listed for $395,000. Not only does it have the second bedroom she wants, the community also comes with both a gym and pool. Regina's also thrilled that all of the appliances are included. In fact, the only drawback is that it's the furthest from downtown and her job. Regina's got a tough decision to make. If she goes for the first place she'll be in the heart of downtown but she'll be choosing the smallest unit with the highest price tag. If she goes for the second place she'll get more sp

After surviving the painful break up of her 33 year marriage, Alisa decided to start a new chapter in her life. She left behind her family and friends in West Virginia and moved to Gulfport Mississippi. With a budget of $200,000 to $300,000, she's looking for a 3 bed, 2 bath, southern style home with great architectural details. Since she's downsizing from her 5,100 square foot home in West Virginia, she wants to have lots of storage space and is determined to get a "hers & hers" closet in the master bedroom. As a master gardener, Alisa wants a big backyard that she can landscape. But, more importantly she wants that outdoor space for her babies, Callie & Archie, her bearded collies, which are being taken care of by friends in West Virginia. Gulfport broker, Bridget Ferrucci is determined to help Alisa find the perfect house for her fresh start. The first place Bridget takes Alisa to is in the Diamondhead community near Gulfport. This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home has 2,257 square feet and is listed at $270,000. Alisa likes the open layout, high ceilings, upgraded kitchen and bathrooms. She especially loves the southern style patio and backyard. But, the master bedroom doesn't have a "hers & hers" closet and the front of the house lacks southern charm. The second place is in the heart of Gulfport. Listed for $258,000, this house has 3 beds, 2 1/2 baths and is 2,265 square feet. Alisa loves the southern style exterior, the architectural details, upgraded kitchen and bathrooms and the "hers & hers" closet. On the downside, she thinks the backyard isn't big enough and feels that the patio isn't nearly as wonderful as that of the first house. Option number three is in the D'Iberville community near Gulfport. Listed for $280,000, this home has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3,000 square feet. Alisa loves the high ceilings, the large kitchen, open floor plan, beautiful porch and big backyard. She thinks it's elegant but comfortable. But, she would love to have granite countertops i

Jay met his wife Booyoung when his company sent him to her native country of Korea. Shortly after getting married Jay went to work on a project in Iraq. Over the past few years the couple hasn't spent much time together because of Jay's travel for work, but now that Jay has returned to the U.S. he and his wife would like to settle down together in Jay's hometown of Detroit. They're staying temporarily at Jay's brothers house while they look for a home, but the current living situation is starting to take its toll because the couple is living out of a suitcase in the small guest bedroom. With their budget of $350,000 to $450,000, they're looking for a 2-3 bedroom home with a large kitchen. Jay leans toward a home in the suburbs while Booyoung prefers something in the city, but both agree that they'd like to live in one of Detroit's historic properties. The first house realtor, Jocelyn "Joy" Santiago takes them to see is a warehouse loft conversion originally built in 1906. The 2,070 square foot, 2 bedroom/2 bath condo is listed for $387,500. They love the open feel and the spacious kitchen, but Booyoung is not crazy about the soft walls in the bedrooms that don't go up to the ceiling so they opt to check out another place. The next home is in Detroit's historic Indian Village neighborhood. The 4500 square foot, 5 bedrooms, 3 and half bath home was built in 1915 and is listed for $399,900. They both love the gourmet kitchen, sunroom and spacious backyard. And even though Booyoung likes the huge master closet and the unique tile fireplaces throughout the home, she'd prefer to see something right in the heart of downtown. The third home they go to visit is in a 1924 renovated hotel in downtown Detroit. It is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1400 square foot condo that is listed for $400,000, with a monthly HOA fee of $1000. Jay and Booyoung love the views and the perks of living in a luxury hotel but they are disappointed with the size of the bedrooms and the high HOA fees are a bi

Newlyweds Mike and Amy Harris couldn't save up enough money to buy their first place and still pay rent. So they moved into Mike's Mom's basement for a few months to jump start their savings. Mike's mom Jeannie isn't able to contribute financailly, but she feels that by letting them move in with her, she is essentially giving them a house warming gift. But having them at home with all their stuff is also starting to drive her crazy. Mike and Amy are also tired of living in the basement, they don't even have a bathroom, they have to walk up two flights of stairs just to take a shower. Their budget is in the $300K - $350K range, and they want a move-in ready home with a master suite and a fenced in yard for their dogs. The first place their real estate agent Jeannie Lindsley takes them to see is just two blocks from Mike's mom's house. It's a 3 bed, 2 bath ranch with 1600 square feet that's listed for $340K. Amy likes the updated kitchen, especially since she can reach all the cabinets. Mike likes the three seperate living areas, but he's not crazy about the 3 different kinds of flooring. They both like the master suite and closet, but amy thinks the yard is small and Mike isn't sure he wants to live so close to his mother. MIke can't make it for the second tour, so his Mom joins Amy in the search. The second place they see is a 2-story Cape Cod with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 2100 square feet. The home is listed for $320K. They both like the fireplace in the living room, but the space itself is too small for their furniture. The home does not have central air, which would be a major added expense. But amy does like the upstairs master bedroom and the large backyard. The third place Mike and Amy see is a split-level house listed for $330K. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 and a half bathrooms in 1600 square feet. Amy likes the open kitchen, large deck and yard and the hot tub. But mike's not crazy about the size of the master bedroom and the fact that the living room is dow

Craig and Angie met in the US Air Force. Four kids, two dogs and three foreign countries later, they've landed in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the first time in their lives they can buy a house and they want something with at least 4 bedrooms, an open kitchen, and a big backyard. Their 11 year old, Jacob, wants a bedroom on the 2nd floor, and their 9 year old Lauren, doesn't like having the household's linen closet in her bedroom. Craig and Angie have a strict budget of $250,000. In case Craig gets transferred, they want to be able to rent the home out without taking a loss. They have turned to realtor Rob Jensen for help in finding a large house in North Las Vegas on their strict budget. The firs place Rob shows them is a 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2670 square foot house that's listed for $204,900. They like the large open floorplan and kitchen, but the backyard is tiny and leaves alot to be desired. Upstairs, the bedrooms are all a good size, but there are only 4 of them and Craig and Angie were hoping for a place with 5 bedrooms. The next day, Rob takes them to see a 5 bedroom, 3 bath house that's larger, with 2,838 sq. ft. It's listed for $199,000 but because it's a foreclosure, there is alot of work that needs to be done. Overall, Craig is unimpressed with the condition of the house. Even though it's affordable, they would have to do a lot of work to it, especially the carpeting. But it does have an enormous backyard which they both like and the 5 bedrooms which is a big plus. The last place Rob takes them to see is a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house with a separate office that could be converted into a 5th bedroom. It's the largest with 3740 square feet, but its also the most expensive, at $259,000. The home is in move-in ready condition, though Angie isn't a fan of the rock walls in the main living area. The backyard is fantastic, with a built-in grill, TV, seating area and playground. All of the bedrooms and the office would work as well. They really like the house but it is ove

Katie and Boyd love raising their kids in Middletown, Kentucky, Louisville suburb. But, they want to experience the hustle and bustle of the big city and decided to split the difference and buy a vacation home in downtown Louisville, just a 20 minute drive from their home in the suburbs. With a budget of $250,000, they're looking for a loft style condo with 2 bed/2 bath, an open and updated kitchen and outdoor space. They want a place that's located near the entertainment district and ball field, but within walking distance of the marina where they can dock their boat. Realtor, Stephanie Mattingly, starts off by showing them a 1 bed/1bath condo in Bycks Lofts, a former department store. Listed for $240,000, this place is a block away from the entertainment district. While Katie and Boyd like the exposed duct work, upgraded kitchen and bath and quiet outdoor patio, they are concerned that there are no windows to the outside and that it's a bit small at 1,000 square feet. Tthe HOA is low at $250 per month, but it doesn't have any amenities. Listed for $255,000, second condo is a 2 bed/2bath unit in a brand new building on Main Street. At 1,067, this place is a bit bigger than the first one. The HOA is a bit higher at $288 per month, but it also has a fitness center and party room. Katie and Boyd love the floor to ceiling windows, open floor plan, balcony and roof top deck. But, they're concerned about the noise of Main Street. Listed for $270,000, their third option is a 2 bed/2 bath condo at 1,215 square fet in a former hotel called the Henry Clay. With an HOA of $297 per month, it is a private theatre and ballroom. Katie and Boyd like the hardwood floors, loft space and large rooftop terrace. But, the open floor plan is awkward. With three great options, which one will they choose?

Newlyweds Rachel and Casey want to stop renting and buy their first home in Boston, Mass. Casey does not want to be anywhere near the suburbs. They both want to be in close enough to Boston central and would prefer to stay in their Charlestown neighborhood. With a budget of $400,000 to $450,000, they are looking for a place that's much bigger than their 800 square foot apartment. The want a 2 bed, 2 bath place with lots of storage space, a separate laundry area and a deck so Casey can barbecue. Their realtor Jaime Drunsic loves working with first time buyers, but she's not sure if she can find a place that fits all of their criteria and stays within their budget. The first place she shows them is a 2 bed. 2 1/2 bath attached house, located just a few blocks away from their apartment in Charlestown. Listed at $460,000, it has 3 levels and is 1,326 square feet. Rachel and Casey like the upgraded kitchen, the size of the bedrooms, the basement storage area and that it has a laundry area. They like that it has the potential for a deck off of one of the bedrooms, but are concerned that, in addition to the price being over their budget, they would have to spend extra money to finish the job off. Jaime then takes them to South Boston, where there is a much more affordable condo listed at $411,000. This place has 2 bed, 2 bath and is 1,000 square feet. They like the layout and the large rooftop deck, but Casey doesn't like the style of the kitchen and double headed shower in the master bath. Jaime takes them to a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,200 square foot penthouse condo in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, listed at $439,000. Rachel and Casey love the backyard, 2 private decks and large great room, but aren't sure if they want to live so far from their jobs. With three great choices, which one will they choose?

Gary and Paul are ready to leave Corydon, Indiana to fulfill their dream of buying a house in Hawaii. Hawaii has been a special place for them, since they had their commitment ceremony there a few years ago. After researching all of the islands, they decided to focus on the Big Island. With a budget of $200,000 - $350,000, they are looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house that has a large open kitchen. They would love to be near the ocean and have a view. After checking out three places, Gary and Paul weigh the pros and cons of each house to make a decision.