Transforming This Cluttered House Into A Sellable Home | Unsellables S2 E12

In the penultimate episode of the Unsellables season 2 homeowners Maria and Marco want to sell their home so they can go traveling but haven't received a single offer for their 4 bedroom Toronto Home. They believe there is nothing wrong with it but the lack of interest says otherwise. See how Sofie Allsopp, Anthony Sayers, and the design team add their professional interior design touch to get this house from unsellable to sold.
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[@southrnlvingsc]

I appreciate it when the homeowners are humble, teachable, and get with the program, no pun intended.

[@julesybethmedlini]

Those people are ADORABLE! When she got emotional ya’ll!! 🥺 “ It’s Beauty-full”

[@co7314]

When I decided to sell my house, I had to do a mental shift: to think of it as "my previous home, that I'm just staying in temporarily, until it's sold". That helped me be more practical, especially when it came to removing sentimental items or decor that was specific to my taste.

[@mscarolynnigro]

What sweet people

[@debrtx]

I love this series. Even if I'm not currently sellling my home its a great way to look at my house with new eyes and get a fresh perspective. We get used to our things, but less is more.

[@AbodeLDS]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@camillea7697]

Yes, frustrating no idea if SOLD.

[@poorthing]

@@camillea7697 I think its understood that it was sold but yes, I'd like to have see the happy ending & If I were the home owner I'd want to STAY!

[@teagarden874]

Such a nice couple 😊

[@jannibal9273]

I never get tired of watching Sophie and Anthony work their magic in getting homes ready for sale.

[@debb1137]

I think a lot of people who live in houses stuffed with oversized furniture, clutter, dated decor, etc. don't even have a clue as to how much better they would feel if they decluttered and updated their homes. People are so attached to what they think their aesthetic and lifestyle is that they get stuck into a rut. You can see this couple's reaction-they had no idea how beautiful their home COULD have been all along.

[@AlexBsSecret]

exactly, it's not about conforming to a design which is sold everywhere (aka swedish retailer style) but just getting rid of clutter, people have waaaay too much stuff they don't need, it not only takes up space but also becomes a mental burden and you have to clean and organize more. Combine that with a few repairs, fresh paint, real plants and you get an upgraded clean house. But I understand that it's also a matter of socio-economic stability and having the resources to do that. Capitalism has done a number on humanity, we all buy too much stuff we barely or even worse never use. There was a show where a cleaning company got into dead peoples homes, 95% of the stuff went to the trash, it wasn't even donated, and the family of the dead only took a few things and fotos with them. Think about that.

[@angelkotilainen]

I get the feeling they will stay there now, seems they really wanted to just escape their clutter! I thought her tears were due to missing her stuff, but it was because she was so happy in the house after all. Right at the end she was calling it "hers" so I don't see her moving now!

[@jojoagogo912]

Ha ha ha! Im Mexican and imo this is a cultural look from back in the day. My tia's homes and my friend's homes all looked like this. My friend's home even had that green astro turf on their porch growing up. Lol. That stuff she called clutter is really junk. It's usually stuff that broke but still they carry the hope of fixing it some day. My dad did this all the time lol smh This project turned out lovely. I love the outdoor space 💘

[@rohinipanakal]

The backyard was like a doll house ❤️. Super cute

[@laurareutter6928]

That ceiling is scary, covered in sharp spikes.

[@Flusenmonster]

YES! And it`s still there after the renovation😬

[@DarkandStormyNight01]

i know, right? I just removed the popcorn ceiling in my house and it had GLITTER imbedded in it! I was told at the time that the trend was for the installer to run around throwing handfuls of glitter up against the wet "popcorn"! WHO in their right mind thought upside down weaponized meringue or the devil's dandruff... glitter... was a real good selling point?! Seriously!

[@signalfire6]

I appreciate how sensitive the host was to the selling family; she understood their attachment to their 'things' and was kind in pointing out how things could be changed. Taking them to another house on sale to show them is brilliant. As far as removing all the personal items, if they sell everything is going to have to be removed anyways - makes sense to do it in the beginning, before the first showing. I had a small house in a dicey neighborhood I was trying to sell back in the Carter era (our mortgage percentage was 11.5%!!! It went unsold for months until I started thinking I was going to be away for 3 hours during a showing, might as well put a turkey in the oven for dinner when we came back - it sold that first time; must have smelled just like grandma's house on Thanksgiving!

[@julesw1403]

11.5% was a mortgage loan APR w- having a top tier credit rating back then too. He also made it so that interest payments to credit cards could not be tax deductible. The big banks thanked him. Sweet man, terrible president. Glad he went on to become a humanitarian activist and win at that.

[@pfranks75]

If you live in a space for a very long while you see past the clutter. I noticed how clean the house was and in good condition.

[@lucymorgan8859]

I loved almost everything about this redo... I think the couch covers could have been a little better, but most things were great! The only thing I would like to see at the end is, if they have received any offers, or sold their house...

[@alexa574]

I think it Turned out great. But when she sat on the glass coffee table, got me nervous!

[@kmo3811]

I love their stain glass windows. How pretty. The house has good bones just too cluttered. Cleaning all the extra stuff out makes all the difference. I know hardwood floors are the choice of most people but in hall, bedrooms and living rooms, I prefer neutral carpet and good quality linoleum in the kitchen and baths. The backyard turned out adorable.

[@louannhuber2651]

The man of the house was very agreeable to suggested changes

[@Quantum36911]

I loved when Marco got frustrated with the renovations, and said, the guy I bought this house from didn't do any of this, didn't lift a finger! I was thinking how it seemed like a lot, until the finished product, wow! I wondered if they were still going to sell!

[@lamuhouse7092]

Frustrating to not know whether it sold, how long it took, and what it sold for! Great programme but extremely frustrating not having any closure. Without those questions answered it remains a pipe dream😔

[@estellehendrick802]

My feelings exactly!

[@donnasandy]

And where they're located.

[@cathystaerkel1833]

That's why I don't like it.

[@kellykersten8828]

Extremely frustrating? Get a life.

[@kasturi2666]

I was waiting for the part where they finally sell the house, and for a price higher than they expected.. That part never came 😐

[@randomvagaries5140]

Many comments focus on this family’s taste. Taste IS subjective. It reflects their Mexican culture, which would be acceptable to others of their ethnicity. However, to sell a house quickly, they must neutralize their environment to appeal to the most buyers.

[@pattycake9183]

So, are you saying that clutter is Mexican culture??

[@ellenlehrman9299]

@@pattycake9183 not clutter. This house shows a distinctly Mexican aesthetic. Display of cherished items such as large family portraits, patron saints, and decorative objects is very common in Mexican culture. The hostess of the show termed it clutter, which has a negative connotation. I think she’s trying to say that a room that’s full feels smaller than a room that’s empty. If the family were to remain in this house, I’m sure nothing would get Marie Kondoed! It’s clear all those treasures were sparking joy. But not for a potential buyer.

[@arislopes1924]

@@ellenlehrman9299 not necessarily Mexican tho. Most Latinos tend to have a lot of family photos at their houses along with Saint statues but not all clutter like this. Even tho in Latin America it’s common to see house clutter like this one but that’s mostly cause there’s a lot of ppl living in the same house

[@czarmorte2930]

My first impressions of this house is - if you want to go traveling, why haven't you started downsizing the house and selling furniture? Get down to bare basics?

[@JezaGaia]

I would have left the wooden floor in the front mudroom it looked very nice. Of course it might have been damaged and they didn't show it but otherwise it was such a nice feature, shame to cover it.

[@joycewright5386]

I’ll never understand why buyers can’t look past the superficial things like furniture and artwork. I’m not buying their style just their house.

[@leec5170]

I'm a Realtor and the thing that surprised me the most when I first started in this business is the realization that there are those who have vision and those who DON'T...at all! Haha.

[@angelad7759]

Same.

[@sorelyanlie2784]

That's what's confusing to me, too. When we looked at homes I just totally ignored wall color, furniture, etc. It's much more important to keep an eye out for whatever's hiding behind odly placed furniture and decor (aka, water damage, holes, etc.)

[@jacksmom5233]

Many people have no imagination and can't picture what a space can be. So they need it spelled out for them.

[@alicegauteng2358]

I feel uncomfortable going into any house and seeing pictures of the homeowners ancestors on the wall. I feel like their eyes are following me and disapproving...LOL

[@tinahochstetler2189]

"One, two three jump?" LOL! No need to step off the carpet so he can move it. Just jump up in the air and he'll move it before you land. I've learned a new thing today. 😂😂🤣

[@cynthiaparr-nyberg9093]

We bought our house for the outside and for the potential. We could see that they painted around the tall furnitue, the need for repairs. However, you can get a good price when not one other person wants it. You need to be young and energetic to deal with in any case. I love where I live after about 24 years as do my family members.

[@yesiownfrodo]

This is probably my favorite episode.

[@siminbharda5106]

Looks so beautiful

[@roxydus3746]

People are emotionally attached to their stuff, but it’s just stuff! It doesn’t provide any safety or whatsoever people are looking for. I understand a few sentimental items, but most homes are crowded with how we called it „Nippes“. They could feel so much better throwing this stuff away or give it to somebody else! By the way I love this series!

[@harrisond8132]

Number one for me would have been to lose the chain link fence in the front.

[@angelabacker1177]

rhat's an expensive fix.

[@thebastardgift]

Keep the fence, paint it dark green or brown to bleed away from the metal then start a vine that will cover the fence or shrubs.

[@vanessabuck165]

I love seeing the changes. What a skill to see the potential. Anthony is a star who works well with Sofir

[@vanessabuck165]

Sofie

[@rhondaivory3009]

The sweetest couple.

[@homebase967]

This home is really beautiful now... One can understand how "comfortable" people feel with their pictures and religious icons,.... But if they are selling the home, ....doing what you did to it, makes it desirable.

[@pambrown6260]

It's a home!

[@mariamariscal5616]

Así decía yo , nothing was wrong in my house , y había un desmadre 🤣 hasta que le entre al minimalismo todo cambió para bien

[@lidiethross2461]

😂😂😂

[@V.Hansen.]

Cute family. I love to see them get help

[@kellyallin3007]

I love this show. Never get tired of the transformations

[@michaelmullin3585]

EVERY Mexican home and garage!

[@v.britton4445]

Ugh, "nothing is wrong with this house", clueless denial. Sofie is so patient.

[@sagesse9551]

Stunning!!!

[@MagnoliaEmporium]

very sweet couple.... just set in their ways.... unfamiliar with real estate market the value of updated appearances.... I hope they had a wonderful journey together after this place was sold...

[@sandybeck9192]

Such a charming couple! Glad they got this expert help!

[@Kathy-kr1sv]

Exactly. When lady said. I LOVE it That's what sells..... It looked unloved b4

[@tp8087]

I loved the rugs.

[@youngspiritsinging]

wow! Did they decide to keep the house with the new look or did they sell it for their retirement dreams?

[@gleg1748]

What an improvment!!!

[@skmerwitz4758]

I like sophie and Anthony they have chemistry

[@mariafelix7932]

Very nice, amazing change!!!

[@terriz7791]

I love the idea of this show, but I hate that they don't tell you if the house sold, how long did it take to sell, and what did the get for the house. it makes the show unwatchable in my opinion.

[@melanieclark7949]

That isn't a "mudroom." It's an enclosed front porch. I would refinish that hardwood floor. It could be beautiful.

[@Solonneysa]

I feel that the overall tips from this show (and honestly most shows like this) shy away from the truth; Buyers want you to show them a fantasy. The way to make a sale is to make a buyer feel that your home is so awesome, and is somehow a magic wand that will make their lives cleaner, more organized, brighter, and happier. They want to feel like dressing it up is a breeze, and it's an easy move-in, easy live-in. It's a total lie, but if the place looks disorganized, cluttered, or in disrepair, it sells the idea that the house is difficult to live in. A shame, really, to have to sell lies.

[@mariamedina1454]

Agree

[@jtidema]

I think of it more as a lack of imagination on the buyer's part. I have no problem assessing a home based on its 'bones' but many people just can't envision themselves in a space unless it is laid out for them.

[@thebastardgift]

@@jtidema , I agree and its important that buyers sell the potential.

[@kellykersten8828]

Quit rambling

[@mikeifyouplease]

I think the really big reason that the owners were able to willingly go for all the changes in their home, was that they truly saw it as a means to financially move on to where they wanted to be in the future. Therefore, anything that would give them the most money to make that dream come true, they were willing to do. And with no tears as well. :-) It was a win-win for everyone.

[@legoqueen2445]

I love astro turf! I haven't got any but would get it if I could afford it, new varients look quite real. I've got a huge backyard and front yard and its always been hassle getting the lawn tended.

[@hughkirk3946]

Great show!

[@aliceputt3133]

They would have to move their things anyway when they sell it. What is the big deal in packing them before showing it.

[@Ozzy-Mia-Dock33]

Nothing is wrong in this house! Dunning Kruger syndrome.😊

[@georgedavis4362]

This is only the second episode I’ve watched. In both episodes, the kitchen appliances were extremely dated, yet they were not replaced… Kitchens and bathrooms are what sell a home… As someone else commented here, I agree that it’s very frustrating not to know if the home sold and if so what’s the selling price was…

[@melody5437]

But no says "they sold it and got their asking price in X days." How do we know it was successful?

[@cathycoryell2351]

At 5 minutes they indicated it did not sell in six weeks. So, that is the indicator of the market. They brought in help after 6 weeks. How fast a place sells is subject to the current market.

[@jtidema]

@@cathycoryell2351 She means, at the end, we don't know if it still stayed on the market, or if this was a successful step to selling.

[@li-anderker55]

Amazing transformation but I had to laugh at the 'decent sized' back yard, it's hardly bigger than the living room.

[@peggypeggy4137]

That would be a good sized back yard for downtown Toronto. LOL

[@enolagranville3882]

But did they sell it??

[@faithm9284]

Love watching you. 💌 But this one has been the only miss for me. The living room needs a 'fireplace look'. The wall into the living room needs to go. Olive oil on the island would have darkened the wood without the toxic chemicals from stain. 😳

[@lizbee726]

It's a shame that we don't get an update on the sale of the house @ the end of the program. I'd like to know how things go after the makeover. I think that's what let's this program down. If you don't get that, then, IMO, it's really just another reno show. 😅🙏

[@estellehendrick802]

You didn’t say how much it sold for or how long it stayed on the market.

[@mariloufleenor5747]

Love your show.

[@teresah.6696]

Anyone notice the refrigerator; in both before and after was kept on the closed-in back porch. @ 17:59 put the fridge where the dinette cabinet was.

[@jkalb1744]

Kinda liked that funky floor in the mudroom, wished they hadn't covered it up.

[@seitanbeatsyourmeat666]

“Nothing is wrong” with anyone’s home, but you need buyers to ‘see’ themselves living there. When you’re selling, it’s not your home anymore, you must appeal to everyone with all decorating styles

[@donnahaynes3644]

Lovely

[@fauzamansoor9577]

what about bedrooms

[@laurenditmar2776]

Was there supposed to be voiceover in this episode? There are a lot of boring shots that last for a while and don't inform us about the family, the house, the neighborhood... seems oddly quiet. What happened?

[@laurareutter6928]

Yes, these more recent episodes don’t have the normal voice-over that explains different scenes. It would be nice to fix that!

[@molliemae6855]

Why, why, WHY do people hang pictures from the ceiling???!! This drives me mad!!

[@ronm8948]

Beautiful house good bones.

[@adhc8560]

"Nothing is wrong in this house." Apparently, buyers don't agree, probably because they can't see the house under the tons of furniture, doilies, knickknacks, and clutter..

[@persia888]

Came out great except for the sitting room. Very weird mishmash of ideas.

[@ysbyttybedbug]

I thought the fresh flowers jarred. They were completely wrong in terms of both colour & texture. Loved the rest of the house, though.

[@tobascoheat6582]

Half a mil for that tiny dump? You couldn't and didn't fix it up enough to get me to pay more than half a dollar for it! The reason you got no offers, besides it being cluttered is, it's WAAAYY too small for the money!! You even had to do a re-do on the outdoor sitting area, because YOU know the house is too small! And honestly, three floors means you're gonna have to climb stairs to access all of the essential parts of the house! This definitely limits your interested market.

[@hjcabc]

This show ran for four seasons starting in 2009....so that pricing is likely 9 to 13 years out of date. As it's in Toronto, it would likely sell for at least two-times-plus that now!! Every city, province and country has different markets. And parts of the Canadian housing market (Toronto and Vancouver, espcially) have been crazy for many years. TBH, many urban or European homeowners wouldn't consider it that small -- it can be difficult to compare size and affordability between suburban and urban homes.

[@newearthling1111]

@@hjcabc I was going to say...500 000 would only get you a cardboard box in Toronto nowadays!

[@jackiewale5206]

It’s hardly a dump .

[@wilmacguzman4405]

Sophie suggested they get rid of living room carpets to make it look more roomy - then replaced their carpets with another one.

[@Amy_V]

Yes but it’s only a tiny one in the main sitting area which is normal. And it has no pattern. You can see way more of the floor than before.

[@Xenon-4300]

What exactly is a "property expert"?

[@sonjagatto9981]

🤣🙄💫

[@footballfan449]

Awesome 😘

[@bookmouse2719]

What a cute couple.

[@michaelmullin3585]

Canadian homes are so Narrow!

[@Amy_V]

You really only find this in downtown Toronto and the surrounding area. In most cities you don’t have neighbours so close, especially with older homes and you definitely don’t have backyards that small.

[@gratitudetouniverse2689]

House dies look better, wall paint color was not that good though.. in other series ive seen nice textures or shades.. yellow turns me off rather.. but some other shades of yellow can be inviting

[@willshedo]

Hm. Americans. The overdo of that house is great, no question, but I guess the people have to live in there until it is sold, and living in there might leave traces. Or do they go to a hotel until it's sold?

[@megglesy]

Anyone else notice the datura in the front garden?

[@mariamedina1454]

I turn the volume down to watch this. Just like watching the transformation.

[@judee6114]

what year did they film this?,just curious

[@caroldorsett8170]

Wow lots of clutter lots.

[@arrahslichenmyer4986]

Now I understand.

[@karenacton3854]

You know you’re an older couple when you have everything you own hanging on the walls and every piece of chachkie on shelves. Get rid of the clutter and if you haven’t used it or looked at it for one year….you don’t need it!!! Buyers don’t want to see your garbage….and that’s what it is to them. Stop lining every wall with furniture too.

[@lynnfendlason4277]

So true. My MIL is trying to sell her house which is in good repair and well kept, but she had excessive amounts of furniture lining every wall/crammed into every available corner. We helped her clean it out. She told me she couldn't understand why a young couple wouldn't be thrilled to own her house because it is so great. She got mad when I mentioned the out-of-style flooring/carpeting, the unpainted wooden kitchen cabinets with old fixtures and heavy scrollwork, the wall-to-wall paneling, etc. I was trying to be helpful by explaining that even though the house had great "bones," the inside was out of style and would need updating which could deter buyers. She strongly disagreed. (And we are still waiting on an offer...)

[@pamross4994]

OMG that home is still nothing I would want.

[@kaynucklehead1633]

Pink house, tiny, cluttered, dated and astro turf. Why won't this sell??

[@kaynucklehead1633]

and popcorn ceilings. Whoever invented popcorn ceilings hated mankind.

[@alonzojohnson7955]

Small backyard

[@kiwazminus6192]

The outside is way much better ! The inside is still outdated 😬

[@mariamariscal5616]

Esa es la casa de guicho Dominguez 😁

[@bduidang7193]

👍

[@sue8511]

Hi Sophie

[@jeanross7430]

Wow stubborn about clutter/junk removing.

[@nancyzheng8479]

The ultra feet obviously thank because snow critically attack underneath a maniacal hydrant. crazy, scary footnote

[@mariablanco9496]

This people doesn’t understand.they culture is like that ,they collect so maníes thinks ,

[@MW-dh1ez]

never sit on glass tables.

[@SafeSpaceInc]

That's downright oooogly, and big ol' furniture crammed into those rooms. i'm referring to the "after", by the way. What a DEPRESSING house, and SUPER "CROWDED". Ugh! Hate it.

[@CarolSteinfeld]

where is this house?

[@lindajohnston2032]

In Toronto Canada near Bathurst Street.