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NARRATOR: Marcos and Irene's home
is important to them for one reason.
This is the main epicenter of the family.
NARRATOR: But after 35 years...
IRENE: We cannot cook together 'cause we don't fit.
It's time to move on.
NARRATOR: Experts David and Hilary will give them their best options.
Real-estate agent David finds them a place
for both family gatherings and semi-retirement.
DAVID: How does this work for you?
Yeah.
NARRATOR: But designer Hilary...
The island is gonna be a fantastic gathering point.
...will give them all a reason to stay.
HILARY: It brings you all together.
Oh! Look at that!
And in the end...
It's a hard decision.
...Marcos and Irene will have to choose
what to do with their house.
Will they love it or list it?
-- Captions by VITAC --
When Irene and Marcos emigrated from Ecuador,
they were eager to begin a new chapter
and fell in love with a 2,200-square-foot house
surrounded by conservation land.
We came with two suitcases, and that's it.
I knew this is the location
that is gonna be good for my children.
We saw the beautiful trees and grass.
That's the reason we came to this area.
NARRATOR: After 35 years, they're almost empty nesters,
with only one daughter living at home.
Yet the house is busier now more than ever.
This is the main epicenter of the family.
My kids are always around.
They may have got married, but they always come.
We have a family day. Now we are 10 of us.
One in the middle over there.
NARRATOR: With weekly family gatherings
and grandkids sleeping over on a regular basis,
Irene finds herself overwhelmed.
But the problem's not the people in her house.
It's the house itself.
Because it's too narrow, too little.
I don't see a problem there.
NARRATOR: For Irene,
it would be better to change the layout of the house.
As it stands, there's no need for a formal living room up front
that's separated from the rest of the home.
We're gonna start eating, okay?
The main problem that I see there...
What are you doing?
...being safer. It's not working for me.
Be careful, mi amor!
I spend my whole time watching them that they won't be hurt.
Don't go close there.
Knock down a wall, and we can see each other again.
That is no problem.
NARRATOR: The same scenario plays out in the dining room.
These walls are dividing my home.
Knocking down a wall, that is no problem.
It's just a wall.
It's not what you think. This is a major work.
NARRATOR: It's also a lot of work to feed their extended family,
which leaves Irene frustrated with the small kitchen.
The kitchen is not working for me.
We need a new fridge.
Papi, you know this still doesn't work, right?
We cannot cook together because we don't fit.
As soon as I saw move, she's already in my way.
The kitchen is not a big problem.
I just make some little adjustments,
and it's going to be okay.
NARRATOR: Nearby is a space
that many people like to have on the main floor, but not Irene.
My laundry room.
The noise...
...bothers me.
The laundry is fine where it is.
But this is not about the laundry.
I hate that noise from those two machines.
[ Rumbling ]
Put the volume a little bit higher -- the music --
and you won't hear nothing.
NARRATOR: But Irene won't hear it.
She's fed up with a house that's disorganized from top to bottom.
Master bedroom is too busy.
Half gym, half bedroom.
No. Doesn't work for me.
I don't see a problem with that.
Papi, how much longer?
About five more minutes.
I want a gym in a different room.
Time to go bed.
NARRATOR: However, the three other bedrooms
are occupied by grandkids, daughter Melanie, and guests,
which means the gym stays in the master bedroom.
Then there's the issue of the master bath.
The washroom in my master bedroom is too small.
It's one sink.
The en suite is just fine.
As soon as she's not there, I run in.
As soon as she wants to come in, I run out.
What's the problem with that? No problem.
NARRATOR: Marcos is also quick to point out
a bonus feature in their home -- a finished basement apartment.
Two of their older children have already used it
before moving out on their own,
and soon, youngest daughter Melanie
will trade in her childhood bedroom for the apartment.
The basement had to be finished with a kitchen, with a bedroom,
and with a washroom and a little living room.
That basement is a start-up for our kids,
and Melanie is going to finish there, too.
Just think about it,
that maybe we can find a house that has also a basement now.
NARRATOR: Irene wants to house-hunt after 30-plus years in their home.
But there's one thing she won't compromise -- the location.
My children live close by.
So it's very important
that wherever I move has to be around the neighborhood.
NARRATOR: Irene and Marcos are nearing retirement
but aren't looking to downsize.
At this point,
is there a way for them to love their house again?
Or will they have to list it?
This house is the one I've seen my kids grow up in.
You won't have that in another house.
This was perfect... for that period of time.
But now it's time to move on.
Whether the couple stays or sells
will be heavily influenced by two competing experts.
Designer Hilary will open up their clunky, old home
while Realtor David will find them a better place
to entertain extended family.
The two professionals meet up to compare their must-have lists
before touring the house.
Let's read our lists and get into the civilized world.
In order for the couple to sell, David must find them a home
with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a master bath.
They also want a spacious kitchen
that's part of an open-concept main floor,
a gym space, a basement apartment,
and it must be located close to other family members.
You've got quite a list there.
If they're going to stay, Hilary must update the kitchen
to flow into an open-concept living/dining area
and relocate the laundry room to the basement.
On the second floor, she'll need to update the master bedroom
to include a large master bath and design a space for the gym.
I have to say that, for once, I actually think
I've got a pretty easy list, compared to yours.
Let's go see the house and determine that.
Thank you.
That was a good start.
A little bounce back there.
Yeah, there's another one for you.
I didn't actually hit you.
Not a lot to love here. Kind of tiny, disconnected.
That's why they want me to open things up.
Possibly, you think?
That's fine.
Well, where do I begin?
What's your problem with this room?
I'm thinking about all those family gatherings
with 10 to 20 people they have,
I agree with you.
That's why I'm opening it up.
All right.
[ Laughs ]
This is where the cookie crumbles.
Obviously, it's tiny.
The cupboards, the countertops. Everything has to go.
Were you standing there when I read that list of must-haves?
Yeah, I tune you out, too.
Oh! These mirrors.
[ Laughs ]
Oh! Look at this. There's nothing bad about this room.
I agree. Let's go.
I thought there weren't any kids living in this house.
Well, they're not, but they have got grandchildren,
and I'm sure they have sleepovers sometimes.
A massive bedroom.
Look. Treadmill.
Who puts a treadmill in their bedroom?
I know.
[ Laughs ]
You know, I just think this is really rather sweet and...
Marcos probably had nothing to do with choosing the decor in here.
I think it's safe to say he had nothing to do
with choosing the color anywhere in this house.
[ Chuckling ] I think so.
All right, basement.
This is surprising.
I wasn't expecting it to be such a full basement.
Look. It's really high.
Good luck with you finding exactly the same thing.
Coming up, taking down walls
is never as easy as the homeowners think.
The key to this house is to open it up.
This is my tricky wall because it's no question that's a structural wall.
And later, it's also not easy
finding modern, open-concept homes in older subdivisions.
DAVID: So, how does this work for you?
Small, David.
IRENE: I have to agree.
NARRATOR: With two out of three adult children out of the house,
Marcos and Irene enjoy being grandparents and having the family over.
But their house is far from ideal for Irene,
who prefers to have one large space where everyone can gather
instead of separate rooms on the main floor...
Knocking down a wall, that is no problem.
It's not what you think. This is a major work.
...which brings designer Hilary and Realtor David
into the picture.
As longtime experts in the area, they've toured the house
with the homeowners' wish lists in mind.
Hilary -- She's got a massive amount of house that needs
a massive amount of work and not many obvious solutions.
There is no doubt in my mind that I can give them
every single thing that they've asked me to
on that list of theirs.
Me? Not only do I have a tough list,
but, once again, I am tied down by the neighborhood straitjacket.
No question it's gonna take a reasonable budget.
Who's got the tougher challenge?
I think the budgets are gonna determine this one.
NARRATOR: All the more reason to come face to face
with Marcos and Irene for the first time.
On every level, there is an issue with function.
But what I can guarantee you
is I'm gonna be showing you spaces that don't need to be fixed,
that you can just move in and not think about.
That's what I told him.
I know. Some people don't listen.
So, I've done an evaluation on your home,
and the current value is $575,000.
What is the budget for the new house?
$660,000. No more.
And we will find out what it's gonna cost
to get you guys everything that you want.
Amen to that.
But the problem is your main floor, no question.
I mean, that does not function
and will not function for family gatherings.
I can fix that. But what is my budget?
$80,000, the most.
The most.
I don't want more than that.
I'm gonna work with $80,000.
See? I told you that with Hilary,
we're going to do that home amazing enough
so you can see now the future.
Marcos, you are living in a dream.
I deal in making dreams come true.
No matter what, there's no question in my mind
that, when I'm done, you're going to love it.
When I find you that perfect house,
the only thing you're gonna say about your current house is, "List it."
NARRATOR: So, as David sets off on a hunt
to find the perfect house for $660,000,
Hilary and design assistant Desta begin redesigning
Marcos and Irene's home with an $80,000 budget.
All right, so -- Oh! Those mirrors.
DESTA: Yeah. Those need to go.
We've got a lot of work to do.
Let's get started on the main floor.
Okay.
The key to this house is to open it up.
This wall comes down.
This is my tricky wall because it's no question that's a structural wall.
We've got an enormous space to work.
DESTA: We do. I think we should just do hardwood all throughout.
This is gonna be spectacular.
Done.
Laundry room will go down to the basement.
Let's change out the sliding doors
DESTA: Okay.
Fridge, cabinetry, a top stove range.
The island is gonna be
a fantastic gathering point for those weekly functions.
And you know what we could do is even a little prep sink in the island, too.
Yeah. Nice idea.
I'm excited about this floor. It's gonna change their lives.
I mean, that's just made for the laundry room.
Yeah.
The basement bedroom for their daughter.
We've got to get a window in here.
It's illegal because you cannot have a bedroom without a window.
You don't have a choice. Got to do it.
Melanie comes down here, which means we have to do
a little bit of a shuffle on the second floor.
All right. So, Melanie's room.
To me, this is the perfect spot for the gym.
I mean, she's gonna be in the basement now, and this room is free for the taking.
All right. So, here we have
this ridiculously oversized bedroom and a tiny bathroom.
They would still have a very good-size bedroom
if we could actually move the wall in.
So then they will have
a bathroom that works for both of them.
Yeah.
Then we've really done something exceptional.
We do.
Coming up, David gets the location right not the layout.
I want bigger.
This is a big space.
Guess what.
This neighborhood is full of these type of houses.
NARRATOR: And Hilary has to choose between keeping everyone happy
or staying on budget.
Have to. It's an either/or.
That's brutal.
[ Sighs ]
NARRATOR: Marcos and Irene's 2,200-square-foot house
surrounded by parks and green space
is an ideal place to raise a family,
which is what they've done for over 35 years.
Now that there's just one daughter left at home,
the two have been at odds over what to do...
Now it's time to move on.
I'm staying here.
NARRATOR: ...especially if designer Hilary
can update the house in ways that will make Irene happy.
Hilary and Desta's plans
have taken into account the couple's must-haves.
But can it all be done within an $80,000 budget?
Lead contractor Eddie has a few factors to add to the equation.
Okay, so, you want the wall out
from here all the way to the outside.
HILARY: Yeah.
You'll have a post situated here.
This post gets transferred down
and goes right into their bedroom down there.
We have to do a footing down there.
Into the basement bedroom that I've been trying to make work...
...for their daughter?
[ Scoffs ]
Yep.
But keep in mind, you have all this electrical here,
all the heating that's going upstairs.
You have to relocate everything.
All this relocating is gonna cost me a fortune.
I've got to start figuring out how to save some money.
Laundry room.
If we're in here doing demo, why don't we just gut
these outside walls of the laundry room?
And we'll soundproof it, and then we don't have to move it down.
That's fantastic. That does really save me a lot of money. Not enough, though.
Okay.
NARRATOR: As Hilary figures out
how to juggle the rest of the structural costs...
Marcos and Irene join Realtor David
to look at a house nearby.
The 2,300-square-foot home features four bedrooms,
two bathrooms, plus a master bath,
a large updated kitchen
with sight lines to a spacious dining room and backyard,
plus a finished basement apartment.
The slightly larger updated house
keeps them in their current neighborhood
but comes at an unexpected price.
Come right in.
IRENE: Thank you.
So, how does this work for you?
It's similar to your setup.
Let's see the rest of the house and see how it all ends up.
So, this is going to be your family room.
David, remember, I want bigger.
This is a big space.
Guess what.
This neighborhood is full of these type of houses.
Now, here is where you get a sense of the open concept.
You've got a beautiful dining area,
That's the open concept.
It's not working for me.
Here you have bedroom number one.
Bedroom number two is right next door.
They're pretty much identical.
I see this being set up as your workout space, right?
It's okay.
It is okay, yeah.
Fine. Let's move on.
And this is going to be the kids' bedroom.
No, because this room, it's smaller.
I have to agree with Marcos, David.
All right. Let's keep going.
The bathroom for guests and kids, and it is perfect.
Small.
What?
No, it's not small. Look at the size of that tub.
So, Marcos, your argument, I think,
just went [Whistles] down the toilet.
DAVID: Now, this is a master bedroom.
Come on, Marcos.
Yes, yes, yes, David. It's a lot of storage. Nice.
And you guys deserve this master bedroom.
You have been sacrificing for your kids for so long.
You did good in this one, yes.
Let's go see the en suite.
Now, you've got a massive Jacuzzi.
It does not impress me.
Nice try. Let's go see the basement.
Come on.
All of this is going to be Melanie's.
Is that it for a kitchen?
That's it.
It's downgrading instead of upgrading.
Okay, let's go see the bedroom space,
which is a good size.
Big enough?
Thank you.
All right. And here you have laundry in the basement,
Yes.
There are things that I like, but there are things that I don't like.
We've all learned something on this house tour.
So let's take all that good information and move forward.
What do you think this house is listed at?
$545,000.
$520,000.
This house is listed at $698,000.
Listen, that's what it costs
to get a house in this neighborhood that you like.
Wow.
Love their honesty.
Did not love the outcome.
It was a weak start.
As for their guessing of the price,
that wasn't a reality check.
That was shock therapy.
Nonsense.
I think, in order to give them everything they need,
I am going to have to step outside the boundaries they've set.
He will find a place.
NARRATOR: But nearby, designer Hilary's team
has begun transforming the couple's place
so Irene won't want to leave.
The laundry-room walls are gutted
to apply soundproofing material.
In the kitchen, the demolition team removes the tile
and tears up the parquet flooring
to make room for a more seamless look.
The drywall separating the dining room from the kitchen
has been ripped down.
Irene and Marcos will finally have much more space
to entertain their extended family.
But with limited funds
and so much structural work taking place on the main floor,
Hilary has had to make compromises.
Because I'm taking out a wall that's basically holding up your house,
I have to compensate.
So I have to do a beam system,
but the beams have to actually be sitting on something.
And to get that, I have to put a post down into your basement.
It's not okay, actually,
because that beam lands exactly where Melanie's bedroom is.
Ooh.
So we're losing the bedroom?
Have to. It's an either/or.
That's brutal.
It is brutal because I know
you really, really wanted to get her down there.
Well, I think, Hilary, we can live with that.
[ Sighs ]
It's not as if she has nowhere.
She'll just stay put, and the main thing is
Okay.
But here's the other thing.
I have to leave a portion of wall in,
and that portion of the wall is there
because literally everything is in there --
plumbing and HVAC and all sorts of things.
So the walls stay?
I'm going to keep one part.
So what I'm gonna try and do is reroute everything
into that one portion,
and that's gonna be in front of the laundry room.
The laundry room is staying on the main floor.
Oh! Now another thing!
Just hear me out. The laundry room is an expensive thing to move.
I'm gonna leave it where it is, but I'm going to soundproof it.
Soundproof is good.
You will hardly hear it.
I do think that this is a great way
for you to be spending your money on this main floor.
But the cost of it is just mounting by the second.
I've got to look at ways of cutting back.
So the other thing is I really can't do
your master bedroom or your en suite.
Okay. Four things.
I cannot take it anymore. Four things.
The wall, the bedroom in the apartment,
the laundry room, and now the master bedroom!
Four!
You know, I tried. Trust me.
I mean, I worked it from every angle to see what I could do.
And this is where I'm at.
Please, Hilary, make it work.
Papi, do you see this? I'm ready to cry.
I've taken off just about every single thing
that Irene and Marcos asked me for.
It's gonna be okay.
It's too much that I can handle.
How on earth am I supposed to keep Irene in this house?
NARRATOR: Coming up, David provides them with options
for grandkids, guests, and daughter...
This is going to be Melanie's apartment.
You've got a bedroom, a bathroom, a separate entrance.
...while Irene speaks out against Hilary's design choice.
But we're updating the house.
No, no, no, no.
Catch up on your favorite couples from past episodes
with exclusive "Where are they now?" videos.
HILARY: Before-and-after renovation pictures and insider facts.
Online now at...
NARRATOR: Marcos and Irene have a good-sized home,
but with a large family coming and going,
some rooms must pull double duty.
I don't see a problem with that.
Half gym, half bedroom. No. Doesn't work for me.
So designer Hilary is trying to relocate the equipment
and create a gym for them,
especially since she won't be updating
their master bedroom and bath
due to the high cost of overhauling the first floor.
So, we've no longer got Melanie's bedroom
in which to put the gym.
So this is really the logical option for that gym.
DESTA: It really is.
While Hilary makes plans to move the gym to the basement...
...Realtor David's opted to compromise on their current neighborhood
in favor of showing the couple a larger property.
The 2,500-square-foot house has four bedrooms,
two bathrooms, plus a master bath,
an eat-in kitchen
with sight lines to the family room and backyard,
plus a finished basement apartment.
The list price is above budget, but they are getting more space
than what they currently have in their home.
Mm-hmm!
That's what we need.
So far...
So far, so good.
Perfect.
Now, here you have the main-floor laundry,
but this one, it's away from the main living areas, huh?
Doing good.
Right over here you have...
the formal
Mm-hmm.
IRENE: My problem with this one is there's still the wall there.
There's a wall, but I think when you see the other area,
you'll see that this is okay.
It just doesn't happen to be fully open.
So, this really is the main area I think you're looking for.
Lots of natural light coming in.
You've got a beautiful kitchen.
Here you've got the flow and connection
that you're looking for.
Beautiful. It's big.
You know, that wall, it's a big problem for me.
Come on. It's just a little wall.
Let's look at the rest of the house.
Bedroom number one. This will be a fantastic guest room.
Ay! A carpet.
IRENE: But it's nice. It's warm.
Let's go see the rest of it, and then we'll find out
Yep.
Now, this space is going to be for the gym.
Okay, no more gym equipment in the master bedroom, Daddy.
I hate the carpet.
Right over here we have a perfect bedroom for the kids.
But...
Hate carpet.
Let's keep going.
He hates carpet.
This is going to be for your many guests and grandkids.
Yeah.
Now we're going to look at the master bedroom.
Huh?
I mean, look at all the space you've got.
Our bedroom is big, too.
But this is different. This, more cozy.
Come on. And here you have the en suite.
[ Needle scratches ]
Why is there silence?
What do you mean it's too small?
Hilary's not giving us the en suite.
You don't let me get away with anything.
Certainly she can't.
Look nice? Not for me.
All right. We are heading to the basement.
And I think that space
is really gonna turn this thing around.
This is going to be Melanie's apartment.
You've got a bedroom, a bathroom, a separate entrance.
But look at the space she's gonna enjoy with her friends.
How amazing is this?
This is big.
[ Gasps ] Kitchen for Melanie!
That's all we want! Come on.
Hilary took away our basement.
I thought that that was probably one of the most important things on your list.
This is just perfect -- perfect.
Yes, you got me on this one.
What do you think this house is listed at?
$850,000?
$720,000.
This house is listed at $730,000.
Okay, that's above the budget.
The house is nice, but not for me.
$70,000 over budget,
and then we have to take off the carpet of the whole house.
It's soft. It's quiet.
Why hate carpet?
What a beautiful basement for Melanie.
But for me, it's not working.
So, where am I headed?
The only place you go when someone can't afford
everything they want -- Compromiseville.
NARRATOR: So, while David tries to figure out
how to juggle the couple's must-haves,
designer Hilary gives Irene and Marcos a preview
of their open-concept main floor.
Ooh!
Wow.
That's what I'm talking about.
It's bigger.
Of course, this is the wall that's gonna be gone,
that big, expensive, annoying wall, but it has to go.
So now we walk through this wall into the dining area.
Great. How are you?
Come, come. Help walk us through it.
So, now we're into our living area.
We're gonna do new flooring throughout,
which will also make it seem even bigger
'cause it'll all be the same material.
So, it's all continuous, one floor to really update the house.
It's gonna be gorgeous. And speaking of updating,
I'm taking all the glass off.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Hilary, stop there, please.
I love my mirrors.
But we're updating the house. This is 1989.
No, no, no, no. 1989, 1990, 2000 --
Those mirrors always is nice.
I like those mirrors. Those mirrors stay.
Yes. Okay.
Hilary, you keep Irene if we keep the mirrors.
Yeah. No, no. Listen.
If that's what makes you happy, then we're keeping the mirrors.
Thank you, Hilary.
I'm so happy we stopped that woman to take down those mirrors.
So, we'll keep the mirrors, I guess.
I guess we now have mirrors to work with.
But did you see how beautiful it's going to look?
If this is one more nail in David's coffin to make her stay,
then so be it.
NARRATOR: Coming up, Irene takes control, much to Hilary's surprise.
Okay, let's compromise here. The guest room.
The guest room?
Okay.
And later, Marcos finds something to like.
Look at this.
How's this for a feature off the master bedroom?
I like this feature, David. I really do.
NARRATOR: Nearly four decades after making their home in the suburbs,
Marcos has much to love about the place.
This house is the one I've seen my kids grow up in.
It's not working for me.
While there's a lot of dysfunction,
she is fond of one thing.
I like those mirrors. Please don't touch my mirrors.
So Hilary honors Irene's wish
and preserves the entryway feature.
Now she must figure out how to integrate the aesthetic
with the rest of her modern design.
In the meantime, the construction team
has been hard at work to secure the newly opened space.
Floor joists are cut to compensate the new support beam
extending from the basement.
The new layout will provide Irene
with better sight lines to her grandchildren.
And off the kitchen, French doors are installed.
They will flood the space with light,
providing a tasteful, modern flair.
As the plumbing is rerouted
to accommodate a new kitchen island,
Hilary gives the couple a status update.
I just want to put your mind at rest.
Thank you. Thank you.
But I'm still left with a dilemma
of having to make this place look a little bit updated.
Can't you just remind me what's gonna happen?
Okay, I'll back right up.
So, because of this wall and taking it down,
we've had to put a post into the basement,
and so that means that we lost Melanie's bedroom.
That meant Melanie was back upstairs,
which had been my original place to put your gym.
So my plan is to put the gym now in the basement.
The gym is going to the basement?
No!
I need to be close to this man.
And if you send me to the basement,
I'm gonna be downstairs, he's gonna be upstairs, and...
"Marcos, come down! I'm here!"
Okay, okay, I get it, I get it, I get it.
If you want a bigger room, the only one there is, really,
to choose is the grandkids' room.
We want to keep the grandkids close. That's my problem, Hilary.
No, no, no. See, that's becoming my problem
because you are not giving me anywhere to put your gym.
What do you want me to do?
Our choices are limited.
Okay, let's compromise here. The guest room.
The guest room?
Okay.
But not the basement. That's for sure.
Okay.
Can you believe that we're standing here
in this tiny little guest room to give them a gym,
I know.
I'm so proud of you because you compromise.
She can take comfort in the fact that Marcos is two steps away.
Ah, love.
I needed to be sure that she understand.
NARRATOR: Coming up, Marcos and Irene always put family first.
But David finds a way to make them happy.
IRENE: [ Gasps ] Fireplace in the master bedroom!
Beautiful. Look at this. We have everything here.
NARRATOR: And later,
Hilary has a few design features to showcase herself.
This is beautiful Caesarstone.
And brand-new doors leading out into your garden.
NARRATOR: Some homeowners have emotional ties to their home.
But not Irene.
IRENE: I'm done with this house.
Done. Done, done, done, done. D-O-N-E -- done.
NARRATOR: As for Marcos...
I'm staying here.
NARRATOR: So it's up to designer Hilary and her crew
to transform the house
into the dream home Irene's always wanted.
Already, the construction team
has optimized the main floor for family entertaining.
It's bright, modern, with a seamless flow
thanks to the new hardwood and Roman shades.
In the entryway, the refinished staircase will welcome guests.
The round design, coupled with the dazzling mirrors,
are beloved by Irene.
So Hilary has complemented both features
with a stunning silver light fixture.
Modern upgrades are also being applied in the kitchen.
Light cabinets and countertops will give Irene and Marcos
a highly functional and sleek design.
Hilary believes the new main floor
will finally give this couple a fitting family home.
Nearby, Realtor David has his final chance
to show Marcos and Irene
a move-in-ready home for their multi-generational needs.
This 2,800-square-foot house is in their current neighborhood.
It features four bedrooms and three bathrooms,
plus a master bath.
There's a large kitchen
along with a finished basement that includes a laundry room.
While the layout may not be as open or modern as they want,
the price and location are spot-on.
Ooh.
Yes.
You can see from the front of the house to the back of the house.
Beautiful. Gorgeous.
And I will tell you, there's very little carpet in this house.
All right?
Now, what you have here
is the living room/dining room combination.
It's bright enough. It's big enough.
You see, it's not just narrow. It's big, open space.
I think it's going to work.
I like it.
Come in here and tell me if this kitchen
is going to work for you.
Yeah, it looks okay.
Do you have enough counter space?
Yeah.
I love this space.
Before we hit the basement, I want to show you one thing.
Your main-floor powder room.
MARCOS: It's good. Yeah.
Now we're heading to the basement.
So, this is all going to be Melanie's space.
But no kitchen.
There is no kitchen down here.
Other than the kitchen, it has everything that she needs.
This, a full, three-piece washroom.
It's a good size.
And this is going to be Melanie's bedroom.
[ Sighs ] Yeah.
Come on.
Check out this laundry room.
Look at this. This is what I need.
And this is something Hilary's not giving you, correct?
Correct!
Carpeting.
Yes, I know it's carpet.
So, here you have the main bath for guests and for kids.
IRENE: This is a great bathroom for the grandkids.
It will work.
DAVID: This is the biggest of the three bedrooms on this level.
I think it would make a great gym area.
Perfect.
Let's keep going.
Now, I think this would make
Nice.
Let's go see where the kids are gonna hang out.
Now, this is a fantastic bedroom for the kids.
Yes.
We are heading to the third floor
to see your master bedroom.
The master bedroom.
This is your personal oasis on the third floor.
[ Gasps ] Fireplace in the master bedroom!
Beautiful. Look at this. We have everything here.
Yes, I know you hate the carpet.
Let's see what this master bedroom comes with.
Come on. Here you have the master-bedroom en suite.
It's gorgeous.
Mind you, one sink.
But this is still an upgrade.
One more feature to show you.
Look at this.
How's this for a feature off the master bedroom?
I am speechless.
This is gorgeous.
I like this feature, David. I really do.
All right, so, we've been through the house.
How do you feel about it?
90%, I love it.
The basement is not a real apartment.
But other than that, it's very nice.
What do you think this house is listed at?
Maybe around $780,000?
What do you think?
I would say $745,000.
This house is listed at $660,000.
[ Laughs ] You see? Around our budget.
Right on the money.
All right.
if you want to think about this house, you need to do it fast
Wow!
Marcos did have some concerns,
but Irene's enthusiasm and positivity
definitely softened them.
IRENE: I'm so happy about this house.
We're not going over budget, and it's gorgeous.
And let's face it.
Hilary Farr dropped the ball on a few of their must-haves.
We need to see what Hilary is going to do in our home.
Okay, I agree.
Let's go into the living room.
...does Hilary's design come close to the competition?
Or did David show them a house with three levels to love?
Marcos and Irene will soon decide to love it or list it.
NARRATOR: Real-estate agent David understands
that Marcos and Irene want a place to have large family gatherings
and their grandkids around all the time,
which is precisely
what his three-story, on-budget house offers them.
Yet designer Hilary provides them an alternative choice --
their own home, newly renovated, of course.
Okay, come on in.
[ Laughs ]
MARCOS: Gorgeous.
Brand-new floors. Beautiful oak floors.
Beautiful.
I told you!
And you know what helps?
Look at that light fixture. Isn't that stunning?
Stunning.
Let's go into the living room.
It's beautiful.
Look at the fireplace.
Beautiful. Looks completely new.
Moving on, you now have a beautiful dining area.
Ooh!
Perfect.
This can easily be for 10.
Yes.
And now let's talk about what you love --
Yes. Yes.
Oh! Look at that!
What can I say?
Is this real?
That's your prep sink. You've got two sinks here.
Storage -- uppers and lowers.
This is beautiful Caesarstone.
Yes.
And brand-new doors leading out into your garden.
Awesome!
I mean, this can be a really wonderful area
It is.
We want to be together, always together.
Excellent.
What is different is the walls have been insulated.
It has been soundproofed.
So you can be running this, close the door,
and you will hardly even notice that it's here.
So, now we've just got one more thing to look at.
Upstairs.
Okay, your gym.
[ Laughs ] With mirrors.
That's nice.
All right.
Well, I hope so because, David wants to see you downstairs,
and he's gonna talk to you
about the houses that he's showed you,
and then I'll join you in a few minutes, okay?
Thank you.
Listen. I look around, and it looks beautiful.
However, here's the reason
why I think the house we looked at
makes the most sense for you today,
and it begins on the third floor
with that incredible master-bedroom oasis.
On the second floor, all the bedrooms you need
plus a spare one to create your gym.
On the main floor -- open concept, great kitchen.
In the basement, the laundry.
Your laundry is still right over there next to your kitchen.
The basement there was not an apartment,
but it had a beautiful bedroom and beautiful bathroom.
Now, you guys have what I would say is probably a tough decision to make.
Yes, David, it's a big one.
I am going to try and make it a little bit easier for you.
I have one more listing to show you, and it's yours.
NARRATOR: The pre-renovation value of their home was $575,000.
With a renovation budget of $80,000,
the new estimated value of their house is $670,000.
That increases the value of their home by $95,000.
And it's made that house extremely affordable.
However, Hilary has made their own home extremely enjoyable
with an open floor plan perfect for family functions,
even if she couldn't relocate the laundry
or redo the master suite,
but she was still able to give Marcos a separate gym.
Compare that with what David found them --
a 2,800-square-foot home
that easily accommodates guests and grandchildren alike,
even though it wasn't fully open concept
and lacked a kitchen in the finished basement.
It's so beautiful. Look at the way it is.
There's still work to be done to this house, as far as I'm concerned.
Yes.
Daddy, the other house that we saw is -- is...beautiful.
Remember the bedroom?
Let's talk about the master bedroom that didn't get touched here.
It's close to the kids. It's affordable.
I say they loved the third-floor oasis.
I say they didn't think it through
because they do not want to be on a third floor.
I think we have made a decision.
Yes.
Okay, so, decision made?
Decision made.
And? Are you going to love it?
Or are you going to list it?
Mm...
We are going to love it.
Ooh!
Why?
I want to know why.
This is a beautiful place -- open space --
for my family, my children.
We're all gonna be together.
I just love it.
NARRATOR: Despite David's promising find,
Hilary's bright and open floor plan gives Marcos and Irene
the incentive to stay in their home well into a fourth decade.
Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC.