Tracking Down The Most Unsightly And ‘Unsellable’ Listings | The Unsellables | House to Home

MEGA MARATHON | Welcome to our first-ever mega marathon from the Unsellables! Join us as we join Sofie as she tracks down the most unsightly and 'unsellable' listings!
Which listing did you think would have been the hardest to sell?
The Unsellables - From Season 1 Episode 15 "Carmelina": Carmelina is desperate to sell her three-bedroom bungalow so she can return to school… But the property’s been on the market for a month already, and no one’s biting. Sofie says in spite of the home’s charm potential, its mish-mash flooring, oversize furniture (and fish tank), grimy kitchen, and unfinished DIY jobs are a major turn-off for families and first-time buyers.
From Season 1 Episode 16 "David and Suzana": Nestled in a super-exclusive neighbourhood, David and Suzana’s million-dollar, Wild West-themed home has been on the market for nearly a month… And in spite of its classic period details and fantastic kitchen, no one’s biting. Sofie says at that price, buyers want more cosmopolitan than cowboys. The Santa Fe accents, bull’s horns, and fake rock dining table have all got to go, she says.
From Season 1 Episode 17 "Wendy and Matthew": Wendy and Matthew’s detached bungalow has been on the market for just under two months. And although the price has been reduced twice, they haven’t had a single offer. Sofie says that while the home has beautiful period features and huge potential, the outrageous paint colors and overall daycare theme are putting potential buyers off. The house has to grow up, she says.
The Unsellables - After tracking down the most unsightly and ‘unsellable’ listings on the market, The Unsellables team attempts to transform real estate lemons into lemonade. Can the fearless crew get these desperate homeowners to get smart, let go of the past, and prepare for a sale?
Welcome to the OFFICIAL House to Home KZbin Channel!
Discover your love for interior design and see how you can make the most out of a property from your favourite household programmes!
Ever wondered how much damage a house can endure or wanted to know the stories behind the household objects you can't live without? Sit back and find out how you can make the most out of a property and what's inside it.
Subscribe to the OFFICIAL House to Home channel here: bit.ly/3eE65iW
#HousetoHome #FullEpisode #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #Property #Antiques #HouseHazards #KimsRudeAwakening #TheUnsellables #DesignDealers #SofieAllsopp #MegaMarathon

[@PropertyandRenoOfficial]

Meet the family who has their kids held prisoner inside AND outside their own home! 😭Watch more here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGLNk3hvatibsJo

[@SelfMakeover]

Carmelina is such a lovely nice lady. I hope school goes well and she gets to live her dreams.

[@mangoyacho]

@SelfMakeover I too am routing for her. She is an inspiration and she deserves much success!

[@jannibal9273]

The original series started near the end of the explosion in real estate prices when people were buying pieces of junk for ridiculously high amounts of money, and then - the crash came in 2008 and real estate prices plunged and it became a big buyers' market, but there were few buyers. Timing is everything, and also provides perspective. The work that Sophie had done for those $4,000 to $5,000 budgets and sometimes even less wouldn't be able to be done today, in 2022. The tips and tricks she provides, however, are timeless. De-cluttering is crucial, and so damn hard because at some point you have to decide whether you're going to keep things in storage or donate them or trash them. Even after de-cluttering in 2009 and 2014, I STILL have many items that I'm just not ready to part with yet. I'm not selling my house (2022) although I could probably make about a $75K profit on it in this cray cray market, but then I'd have to de-clutter, LOL!

[@robindaniels2987]

Anything purchased in Toronto in 2008, add $1 million plus for 2022 prices! Wow! I think Carmelita should’ve hung onto this house😔

[@1stDoNoHarm63]

My Auntie bought a home for $299,900 in March 2020 and sold it for $415,000 in June 2021. She did nothing to it. The real estate agent wanted a bidding war to get more money out of it but I didn't feel right about that. I felt like a $100,000+ profit was good enough.

[@faithrada]

​@@1stDoNoHarm63Good for you. ❤ Greed never serves us. We too could have gotten a bit more but it just didn't feel right. We ended up with a sweet young, appreciative, couple. A real win / win. 👍

[@timekabolden5309]

🤕😫💯

[@lindas5511]

Maybe it's me but I hate when people paint old wood. Couldn't she have taken out wood pieces or done some with the walls. Not all of us love all white looks

[@HoneyQuint]

You are not buying it for $1mln lol so yes they do 😊

[@ruthanderson1758]

Agree completely - breaks my heart to see all that beautiful wood painted white.

[@glenicecrease5115]

That is a very dark new laminate floor.but it works in pulling everything together. Once again Sophie pulls it off. Lovely result.

[@reginawhitlock4227]

I love glass bricks and really can't see why everyone don't

[@Bethanjbjrs]

I know it definitely needed modernizing and cleaning up but it was an absolute shame that historic molding was covered in white paint. You could have reduced the wood furniture and left the walls. Someday someone is going to be cursing whoever painted the wood as they try to restore it.

[@Bethanjbjrs]

too much dark wood... then puts dark wood furniture in.

[@marilynegli1779]

I absolutely agree. Wood is beautiful. White paint is for covering something ugly not something already beautiful. I’ve had friends strip white paint to get to the beauty.

[@peacenow4456]

The tale is the R.E.agents aren't doing their duty and getting the changes to the property to sell it. This show does the agent's job.

[@crystalclear6864]

Exactly!!

[@anniehovsepian6173]

Sophie is DESTRUCTIVE!!!!

[@mikeboothe]

Destructive?

[@whyme7996]

@@mikeboothe very! she has destroyed valuable aspects of homes to make an "easy" flip. It's ghastly

[@anniehovsepian6173]

@@mikeboothe yes she destroys antiques, she destroys People's furniture by painting over it precious antique furniture that is and she paints over it, painting over original woodwork in a house, all this is not on the extremely destructive but it takes time and money to undo all the paint that she has put on to that original antique wood whether it be molding around the door frames or Windows or whether it be antique furniture she has a knack for destroying things painting homes in strange colors like a mint green who paints their house in mint green all for a show and a quick buck

[@cathy7861]

I must say I agree. Taking into account that most of us don't have enough imagination to "see" different / odd colours in rooms. It took me many, many years before I was able to paint the two bedrooms in "wild" colours (spare room - bubblegum pink with dark green accessories; my room was turquoisy-green (strangely enough it came across as relatively neutral and I had enough duvet covers to fill all the seasons). I live in apartments so if we paint we have to repaint the original colour. I was OK with that as I had enough interesting furniture and art and those things took away from the bland walls. There was a TV show (can't remember the name) at one time where neighbours switched homes and the decorators went to town on the place. After a couple of years articles in magazines, newspapers, and computers started showing up explaining what the owners had to do. They had no choice about what was done and they had to sign contracts to that effect. We all need to watch what we wish for. One last thing, and it's a big one, other than one chair and my loveseat the rest of my furniture is wood and old. They were all about 50-60 years old when I bought them (early 70s). They are now antiques (over 100 years old) and if anyone came within 20 feet of anything with a paint brush in their hands there would a major problem. Have seen lots of pieces painted and quite liked them but not mine. The first two homes were both in Toronto. The large Victorian was in Kensington market. I must be hugely mistaken but I had always though Victorians (also called Painted Ladies) had tons of fret work, wrought iron and many different colours all on the outside. I did end up liking everything that was done, though.

[@bevfrench3496]

Laminate flooring is cheaper but for the love of God, do not let water set on it. Not even a bit because it will swell to bubbles. vinyl is more money but worth it.

[@timekabolden5309]

They need to start sealing those kinds

[@virginiabotha3545]

Sophie is very tactful and gracious. Good for her.🙂

[@ritamariekelley4077]

I disagree, she is critical, judgemental and shaming.

[@shelleymadu687]

Painting the wood really cleaned up the look of the home

[@issievdhorst]

seen. Lots of work. Stunning! No 2: Even more stunning!!!

[@melissahoneybee8493]

Covering that beautiful Arts and Crafts fireplace makes me sad.

[@DeborahCaldwell77]

The floor flow gave you a great base.

[@whyme7996]

destroyed the very VALUABLE woodwork and tried to turn it into an ikea hack...smh.

[@timekabolden5309]

😫😫😫🤕🤕🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@angelabowman1614]

Something that I noticed.....the Bathroom is not showed? In most of them it's just the living room and bedrooms and kitchen. And sometimes the front and back yards..... never the bathrooms?

[@lovesagt]

I think the owner is encouraged to take care of it.

[@mikeboothe]

I’ve seen several with the bathrooms done but no, not too many.

[@mangoyacho]

@angelabowman1614 you are so right. Perhaps bathrooms are too expensive for the channel to remodel.

[@MollySato]

How old are these episodes? I get a feeling of late 90’s/ early 2000. Still interesting to watch though. 🌷

[@tinaroberts5858]

I agree. I don't understand how it took so long to sell their houses though. I sold every house I've owned within 2 weeks of listing it.

[@HoneyQuint]

2009😊

[@DandyLion.Wishes]

11:00 Please consider pets that may be moved in with heads smaller than human babies. Also, $850 on flooring for the house may not include installation so ask questions when it's your turn.😊 36:35 My preference for the fireplace would be to run the marble the full width of the wall it sits on. The lovely doors sit high enough to never be a concern while carrying the marble through is pleasing on the eye and says, Beautifully Finished in Harmony. 39:46 Million Dollar House - Keep in mind the finite details that don't go unnoticed by many. The outlet on the wall looks terribly shoddy! Best idea is to move it over to the right, out of the way of the vertical trim that then needs replacing. Can't DIY or pay someone, then fill the spaces with caulk you can paint to make it look presentable.

[@kmclane12]

All three of these were amazing upgrades and updated! Especially the Bungalow! Blessings and Peace ✝️❤️

[@dsan5825]

Painting all that wood was awful the fireplace was a hack job. So sad.

[@kennywesley]

A lot of these wouldve sold with just a simple decluttering!

[@janet3895]

Husband fighting bull horns funny 😂

[@svietka202]

as an interior designer, i m amazed just how much i hate most of her choices:):) BUT, if after she does them houses actually sell, than i m keeping my big mouth shut:):):) and i m with everybody on here about painting wood-it should be a crime:)

[@farvista]

Well, you also have to remember how long ago these were made. She does consistently go to those colors, especially that soft blue-green-grey that was very "in" during the oughts. I'm sure that has been long painted over. As for painting the wood, well....my husband would have had a coronary. That said, it DOES make a room look larger, brighter and more airy. If it's done badly, it's appalling, but if it's done well, really, REALLY well, it has its place. I have talked clients out of horrendous decisions, but ultimately, it IS their choice. Can't win 'em all.

[@tinaroberts5858]

Some of these houses had way too much wood. I love wood features, just not everywhere.

[@louieysursa5996]

Sophie your so pretty

[@robindaniels2987]

The counter in the kitchen of the last house (Wendy and Matthew’s) has a chunk missing from the front. They spent so much on the kitchen making it look gorgeous and the counter is original. If the new people want a new counter the backsplash will get damaged while removing the counter. Not a fan of the divider in the basement. That wasn’t a good idea.

[@mangoyacho]

@robindaniels2987 I actually love love love the divider that I am planning to copy it for my own basement. I actually think that it adds interest to the room.

[@robindaniels2987]

@@mangoyacho I’m going to rewatch it because I can’t remember now how it looked. 😂

[@MrPaige222]

Not disclosing the selling prices and not showing the bathrooms is disappointing.

[@RJisBack24]

Why can’t People imagine the western stuff out of there and just look at the bones of the house?

[@JoanneMacg]

Why are the paintings on the walls blurred out?

[@legoqueen2445]

It's really bad art! 😂 Nah, it's because of copyright. They can't promote artwork they haven't credited to the artist so easier to blur the image.

[@timekabolden5309]

#3 style is kinda nice!❤❤❤❤❤

[@danayneal4409]

A show about houses that won't sell and we don't find out if they sold or not? 🤬

[@MrStringybark]

Do the $4,500 costs include labour? If not then think $12,000 upwards.

[@shqa574]

Labor costs might be absorbed by the production company.

[@MrStringybark]

@@shqa574 I would say your correct. I was trying to put things into perspective for people who may think, "Boy, that's cheap, $4500. I might do that myself."

[@mikeboothe]

You have to remember, these homes were done 15 or so years ago. Also, I agree- the production company probably absorbed some of the labor cost.

[@ruthanderson1758]

The southwest style home looks lovely with the changes, but it absolutely breaks my heart to see all that beautiful wood painted white. Maybe they could have got rid of some of the wood furniture so it wasn't "wood overload".

[@jingerjar1365]

They never shows the bathroom

[@faithm9284]

Love the look and the price.

[@timekabolden5309]

Painted wood in a MILLION DOLLAR HOME?!?😮🤮🤕🤦🏾‍♀️😫🤣😆🤣😭🤣😭😆🤣😭

[@lindamargolies7759]

Bathrooms?

[@lynnedelacy2841]

Painting the wood panelling or not painting goes in peaks and troughs

[@KT-bg7hf]

Once people decide to put their house on the market, they have to change their mindset to, "it's not my house anymore" and make changes that others would like to see. Nothing wrong with Southwest decor and lots of wood but most buyers would be turned off unless it's typical for the area (I live in the Southwest and it's not a problem here).

[@margaretalbert69]

Glass block wall... NOT

[@twistoffate4791]

Believe it or not, I actually like the glass block wall, lol. I always wanted one, but there's not room enough in my house.

[@lestariabadi]

@@twistoffate4791 same here. The lattice replacing it was worse.

[@twistoffate4791]

@@lestariabadi Agreed!!

[@helenemillar5175]

@@lestariabadi Glass block walls are fine when done properly, which this was not. It didn't suit the style of the house either, so IMO, the lattice was definitely a vast improvement.

[@docmanni]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but radiator casings are a disaster regarding energy efficiency of radiators as they completely block the air flow of cold/hot air around the radiator and, thus, render any radiator rather useless. Besides that, the ones that Anthony is building look like from the 1920s (when such mistakes were still made). Better buy a modern, flat design radiator which doesn't need a casing.

[@faragraf9380]

that cowboy house doesn’t look like a million house, just normal, but with massive interior and dirty walls. you have to find a lover for that, but it last. Youself are dressed very pretty.

[@ross225100]

omg so many sloppy places I could pick out in the white paint.

[@marilynegli1779]

I can hardly believe you painted all that beautiful wood. Bad decision.

[@goldHydrangeas]

That house with basement divider might as well be completely one piece of wood.. or alide curtains better, the AFTER looked like kids is pushed into ahat looked like a jail cell without door.

[@abigail1023]

Imagine being too damned lazy to even wipe the dirt off kitchen cabinets, spend half an hour painting the front door, or paint over what looks like feces smeared on the bedroom door, and expecting anyone will pay top dollar for this?

[@mybestideas1]

And absolutelly nobody trashed that mess on the patio, incluing that dead tropical plant?

[@suekennedy1595]

Wow those glass bricks

[@deborahkimball-billups6405]

Any offers on the bungalow ??? Too expensive.

[@PaulaakaPaben]

Floors are too, dark for my taste, shows all the footprints! Do not like those boards seperating the room, liked the glass wall better!

[@catherineskis]

Oh me too. Loved the glass bricks!

[@leannewelch3815]

I’d personally not call a “professional “ our “very own cowboy” 🤣 cowboy builders don’t have the best reputation, not sure about anywhere else but if you’re referring to a builder as a cowboy here in the UK, they’ve typically left things unfinished, done a really poor job and/or run off with your monies.

[@christinesnitkin9619]

17:20 What's wrong with her neck?

[@shqa574]

😆 😅 😂 🤣 The hair was weighing down the left side of her head?

[@reginawhitlock4227]

Nothing

[@timekabolden5309]

I think she does that alot.

[@timekabolden5309]

29:55 see?😂; But for real, it may be a condition.

[@listening500]

Is Sofie the daughter of Kirstie Allsop? She is very much like her. I love your ideas. 😮😮

[@AM-qp2wx]

Maybe sisters? They are very alike, & have the same accent. I have no idea of their ages.

[@Cindy-by3ho]

They are sisters.

[@beatricegrogge157]

good

[@margaretalbert69]

Yes, just cut some of the limbs down off the tree and do some gardening. And that front door...yuck

[@VoiceOFHeather]

AHHHHH!!!! They RUINED that historic home! What a travesty!

[@maryloumawson6006]

I'm half convinced these shows are produced by Sherwin Williams. It's true that the after pictures look like a magazine layout in Better Homes and Gardens, but I think they go a bit overboard with the make-overs. Just removing some of the worst décor elements and giving the rooms a less cluttered more purpose driven look would have been enough. But probably wouldn't have been as dramatic. That said, IMHO, covering a radiator with MDF is silly because it makes it much less efficient, they should be metal. But a million dollar house WITHOUT radiator covers THROUGHOUT is ridiculous. Why stop at the dining room? If I'm paying a million bucks, I don't want to look at a bare radiator in my bedroom.

[@nicolevanburen6052]

You are basically calling the lady a pig... not nice or professional. Could communicate the issue with compassion. 🦋💟☮️🦋

[@skeeterradar]

everyone involved should be arrested for painting over the beautiful original wood wainscoting and trim in that second house.

[@janewasson4845]

Have seen this one before

[@veronicacollins4714]

Seems like they could have painted the fireplace brick white.

[@maureencabrera7029]

You are gorgeous.

[@uoohoo99]

It still looks like crap. Even the comparables need work & updated.

[@nancyl3843]

I thought Sophie was rude to the home owner, who I felt very sorry for. Not impressed.

[@colleenbrady9675]

She is honest. She's experienced and knows a lot about getting homes ready for sale.

[@ChasRiaStJohn]

If she got that house looking a certain way, she ruined it with her diy projects.

[@angelabacker1177]

The living spaces in the 3rd house were styled really poorly. using the homeowners old , tired furniture. Surely they could have rented a sectional and painted the ugly rock fireplace. It is a shame because overall the house was greatly improved.

[@timekabolden5309]

Sell your house for SCHOOL?!? DF?! 😮😂😂😂😂😂🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️😫😫😫😫

[@Cindy-by3ho]

She needs the equity to pay for the cost of her education.

[@debbieyates29]

This woman can't afford a house with the upkeep. A little elbow grease would help. Filth does not sell & I always wonder why owners can't see the filth.

[@debrap947]

The kitchen in the second house is so outdated...it needed a nice fresh coat of white paint, and those tiles are awful.

[@margaretalbert69]

$315,000 for that?????

[@adhc8560]

It's probably 900K by now. Ridiculous Toronto prices.

[@tracyhasty6506]

Why didn't her real estate agent tell her this?

[@veronicakalma5138]

Shame on you for painting all that original craftsman millwork!

[@deborahkimball-billups6405]

What does fab mean ? Thats an annoying word.

[@alexandrak3861]

She took the beautiful warm home and turned it into BORING BLAND AND YUCK. It’s was overdone before but they needed to leave more of that beautiful wood and character. An abomination in my opinion.

[@molliemae6855]

In another episode sofie said to get rid of all word art. Then in this house there’s word art on the wall!🙄

[@SuperDrLisa]

Ok, south western theme is ugly in the USA never mind England! As a 1st generation German American, painting wood is verboten!

[@govegan6112]

This house is a total dump.

[@Visionofcolor]

Ummmm this house was nasty😕. I would have at least cleaned it.

[@tinaroberts5858]

I don't like a wood burning fireplace, especially in the city. I would have changed it to gas.

[@shqa574]

I never knew "cottagey" was a word. Definition: cottagey (ˈkɒtɪdʒɪ) adj of or resembling a cottage LOL

[@coach2london]

Such a disappointment! Destruction and distasteful design choices of a Craftsman home.

[@freedomofreligion3248]

I feel your pain. You must be referring to Dave & Susanna's Wild West home? Painting over the original millwork can be reversed, so it's not "destroyed". Stripping & refinishing is completely within the realm of possibility. Was there more than that? The fireplace? The red tile hearth? Questionable, that. The ceramic tile replacement hearth is cheap -- if anything, it should be period Craftsman hearth tiles, or, at least, good stone, not suburban ceramic tiles. They simply covered the brick, though, so it can be uncovered (if they didn't glue it). They did adhere the marble onto the original brick, so that's a problem.

[@ozarkmountainhomegrown]

Agreed! I am so tired of houses being “updated” by painting out original millwork. It’s so incredibly boring and strips the original charm right out of a house. What a disservice to the home itself. Ugh.

[@cindysteffens8065]

This is not a Craftmans home. It's a 1950s bungalow.

[@christinemiller7238]

Never paint the gorgeous original woodwork! Stripping and refinishing…sounds like you would have it done. Not easy, never the same.

[@lovesagt]

Sophia has never seen a piece of wood she won't paint.

[@bodie1098]

I can't believe she covered the beautiful wooden trim and wainscotting, ugh !

[@ACS402010]

Good. It looked hideous before.

[@lovesagt]

@@ACS402010 Have you heard of stain? This old wood can be lightened with stain, paint is so difficult to remove. Painted old wood reduces its worth. An application of a "new in - Vogue" colored stain is the best way to go.

[@olly-kai]

@@lovesagt you're kidding, right? Clearly you've never done this before. Stain doesn't lighten wood. You have to either chemically strip the wood, or sand down to bare wood, then either apply a clear coat or a lighter stain. But I do agree that it was a shame they painted the wood.

[@lovesagt]

@@olly-kai You made my point, painting is easy, staining is more difficult. Therefore, which adds more value?

[@insightstar]

Great job curb appeal and inside. Dead plant on back deck was still there. Oops

[@jenniboo9441]

They should have repainted the cabinets white. The yellow color is horrible

[@kcsworldd]

I love her honesty 😂I wish I had the guts to be that honest all the time

[@fredferd965]

Do you know why painting wood was popular in the first place? It was a way to hide the fact that the person building the house cut corners and used cheaper wood. So, only the more expensive types of wood were not painted. Which means by painting them now you make it look like cheap.

[@colleenbrady9675]

Not to me. Wood can look very dark in a house.

[@cathy7861]

Back in the days when these homes were built craftsmen took pride in their work. Unlike nowadays.

[@theresekatie4841]

I wish you could do this in Australia in the 2020's. Ofcourse if the location is good we can get $1.8million for a gross dump here. But my house 2 bedroom, country location, desperately needs to be staged and fixed. It makes $360,000, needs work, into $410,000 move in and don't worry.

[@brainybananaproduction]

Outrageous! You calling painted wood panels « sophisticated « ?? That house had only been on the market for 3 weeks. Thats not « unsellable ».

[@catherineskis]

Are you F'ing serious! Going from wood to MDF! What a sin! You have committed a travesty!

[@faragraf9380]

how can she invite a helper and don’t clean it up? Does she wait get told that all? That tiny house for a half million? This leather plast sofas good for dogs.

[@Cindy-by3ho]

You don’t make any sense.

[@craftyhobbit7623]

The problem I see straight away is the giant Christmas tree in the front garden. I love trees, but you have to have a garden that is big enough for it. That tree is too close to the house and it's roots will mess with the foundations. It sadly has to go...

[@introvert22]

Where is the bathroom?

[@sjj9361]

I am not a fan of all that wood. I would paint it as well.

[@colleenbrady9675]

Me too.

[@thornbird6768]

This is a cute house , as usual people can’t see past decor and how they would use the rooms , the basement is a keeper 👍🏻

[@judygude]

Wow. I’m proud of Carmelina…she’s a brave lady!

[@carolp1731]

I need her to help me

[@ritamariekelley4077]

No one should have to sell their home in order to pay for education. If a realtor came in my home and shamed me like this, she would be shown the door! Good realtors shouldn't ask you to change this, that, spend money. Good realtors know how to point out potential.

[@timekabolden5309]

Ikr!!! 😂😂😂😢

[@lorirogers9304]

I don’t think she could afford to stay in the house under any circumstances

[@streaming5332]

I like the tree.

[@whyme7996]

should have put up a room divider screen or even a permanent glass door so that you have a proper separation from the entry to the kitchen. It is too apartment like for a front door to enter straight into a kitchen.

[@saundracole1010]

I love everything except that cheap looking fireplace.

[@more5347]

way to destroy the tree. well done.