We Bought A New Home But Can't Sell Our Old One | Unsellables S1 E1 | House Makeover | Abode

A new marketing plan is devised for a two-bedroom bungalow that has been stagnant for two months.
Can a slick makeover and big sales campaign help desperate homeowners sell their 'unsellable' homes? Packed with practical advice and tips to add real value to your house, this bold series shows viewers how to transform unwanted properties into unstoppable homes.
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From The Unsellables
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[@Mandy-nt2cs]

When she said the waste pipe was charming... she meant it. She really meant it.

[@happydays1336]

The wife's facial expressions are pretty readable. I don't think she's grasping that she's not the one who'll be living in the house.

[@valeriehopkins644]

Exactly! You want to leave and move. Clean up and make it appealing. I looked at a house with a shotgun on the couch and last night's pizza on the table. Big no!

[@lucasnault]

The wife was not a happy camper, clearly clueless.

[@happydays1336]

@@valeriehopkins644 Wow...that was really something. Dangerous, too. I've seen photos in real estate listings where the houses are a mess. The beds aren't even made. (Ditto for some cooking videos on KZbin that are filmed in messy kitchens which is very unappealing.) The house we bought had an empty tortilla bag on the steps to the upstairs. It was there when we went back each time. When we closed on the house and moved in I threw it away! The house was really dirty. The carpets were gross. It took a lot of elbow grease to get the house clean. We put new flooring in before moving into the house because there was no way I was going to walk on that carpet in bare feet. There was even carpet in the master bathroom. I wouldn't use the toilet until I thoroughly cleaned it. Gross. The house's dirt was nothing compared to hoarders' homes but it was too dirty for me. (Or gross homes people are clearing out and flipping.)

[@angelaj8958]

Decluttering the old place is really just a headstart on packing to move to the new place

[@Galemor1]

Watching a couple of these now, and main problem is always owners that doesn't seem to realize that they aren't going to be living here anymore...

[@loril2466]

"We're scratching our head trying to figure out why it hasn't sold." LOL.

[@thata82]

hahaha

[@tonibauer2405]

Makes it seem as if they are scratching to try to locate a working brain. 🙄

[@MarshasJourney]

@@tonibauer2405 🤣

[@terryrodriguez6209]

Nice job with the cosmetic changes but I can’t imagine buying a house with the only bathroom in the basement. That is really weird.

[@stellashaw3616]

That is exactly what I thought. That house is a NO for me

[@mimiso2522]

I would have borrowed from the kitchen to at least put in a half bath.

[@mimiso2522]

@@stellashaw3616 I agree. Had they staged the master in the basement I would have said yes. Or make the 2nd bedroom into a walk in closet and en suite, or even borrowed from the kitchen for a 1/2 bath in front of the stairs.

[@siphokazileratomalinga2969]

This lady does a horrendous job on 'transforming' people's homes.

[@mimiso2522]

@@siphokazileratomalinga2969 Considering what she has to start with and low budget she does OK Did not like this build at all (bath in the basement) AND given that this was from 2008 tastes change.

[@mirelaxo]

If you don’t want to declutter.....fine, BUT at least pack it up and get ready for the move. Buyers don’t need to be visually distracted by your “stuff”.

[@elaineburch5397]

Buyers need to be able to see themselves living there. 😉

[@Pipsterz]

It is their biggest asset yet they can't see it as that or do the basic homework when selling. How is it possible for ppl to be so clueless or in denial? It's like going on a 1st date looking dirty and disheveled, yet baffled why there's no 2nd date. Introspection's our friend.

[@CowboyBike06]

The clutter will make their new place feel small as soon as they unpack. No child deserves to live with such clutter (and filth really). Things just look dirty. Most teenagers have figured this out, and these are parents. They seem like a really adorable couple who love their children immensely. Part of loving our children is helping them grow up with responsibilities, and we as parents should set the example of what that means and looks like.

[@tonibauer2405]

Good comparison!

[@swicheroo1]

My friend was upset because she felt she was 'gentrified' out of a neighborhood she herself gentrified. She wanted to cash out and move to another gentrifying neighborhood. But her house was cluttered. She still occupied it. And it was painted in bright--particular--colors. Well, after 6 months with no bits, a company bought it for a discount. She still profited and they did a gut renovation and made it in her words, 'beige.' Then, they put it on the market for 400K more than it was bought for. And it was bought in a month. She was angry that her walls were painted over. And that the company profited. But she made a few hundred thousand dollars profit. And was not willing to put 100K to renovate nor stage. SMH.

[@NC-ij9rb]

Most people underestimate the power of a good reno.

[@moreiscomingeasy6710]

She is so stupid! "her walls" She wanted to sale her walls any way, so why not putting some paint on it, knowing that in the new house, you can put what ever color you want. 🤦‍♀️

[@CowboyBike06]

@@NC-ij9rb - sometimes beige or “vanilla” is our friend. 😂

[@nancym5341]

I give you credit for putting up with sellers who are so attached to the house. Why did they buy another home then. Great Job

[@hopeinparis]

They buy another home because they don't have enough room now for all the junk they have that they're attached to.

[@chitown1098]

I really enjoyed watching this video. I have staged houses for years and on occasion have come across homeowners like the wife. Like her, some really like the way they have laid out their house and are not open to listen to professionals that could actually get the house sold. Remember, the goal is to sell the house in the least amount of time and at or as close to the asking price as possible. Homeowners must also remember they are moving out of their house to a new property. The outside front entry of the house could also use some de-cluttering and updating.

[@annettesjoy]

Sofie, you are a gem. Remember all these episodes.

[@V.Hansen.]

If you are about to move, why have you not packed anything yet? People are weird.

[@kandiceblu1]

They are weird

[@jenniferboudreau9366]

‘’Are you serious?” Talk about denial. Air conditioner still in the window in the winter. “Oh sounds like a lot of work”. Unbelieveable. They didn’t mention curb appeal - but they obviously addressed that problem too.

[@PaisleySzuSzu]

I think the wife thought every change they discussed was an insult to her home and her decorating.

[@tp8087]

Lol well her "decorating" was atrocious.

[@CowboyBike06]

That’s a really good point.

[@Whoiskevinjones]

It was!

[@michelemccracken62]

The transformations are amazing. I always wonder where the family sleeps after until sold, nearby family or hotel

[@karenacton3854]

No one can sell a house looking like that one!! The bathroom being downstairs would be a deterrent.

[@vickinoeske1711]

We don't know why the house isn't selling....um, have you looked around?

[@fannycraddock99]

Waste pipe, it's charming! Some people just have no idea whatsoever!

[@blackstar8620]

People are clueless. Dirty, cluttered and the bedroom in the basement is a deal breaker.

[@serenakoleno9338]

Not sure why. I lived in houses where the bedrooms were on second floor and bath downstairs or only bathroom was upstairs. Wonder if they reconfigured the main floor and made the bathroom a bedroom? Curious.

[@jb6712]

And not even a bedroom, at that, but just a tiny, single-person futon that that great big man has to share (with his Mrs. Wimpy Whiny-butt).

[@LazyDIY-THRIFT]

Woah, thank goodness this lady finally accepted help. Excellent episode!

[@theajohnston761]

The lot is so big it needs an addition of a master bedroom plus a full bathroom and the wife is a negative PITA!

[@kebert2thumbsup]

How do you tell a client that they are totally delusional without being rude?!

[@sassygrammy1258]

With all the clutter outside, I wouldn’t go through the front door, it’s a major turnoff.

[@susan49c]

She actually thought the waste pipe exposed was acceptable! Yuk!!

[@Pattio47]

I can’t figure out why that waste pipe was there. They usually take waste from bathroom and there is no bathroom on the roof 🤔

[@SweetUniverse]

Bathroom in the basement? I'd turn around and leave.

[@Lilactime402]

My thoughts exactly. Sophie never touched on that drawback.

[@jaymehamilton4580]

the woman homeowner; I'm sorry is a complete doofus. I mean really lady? COME ON! smh.

[@shecandoit4801]

Exactly. I said, "shut up" several times to the screen. What an idiot!

[@jad8123]

I never seen such a narrow space. It looks like a mobile home. Shocking! It wasn’t selling. I wonder why?!?! I watched this show originally when it was on HGTV but that was a really long time ago. It must have been the early 2000’s. Where did the time go? I wonder the house looks like now in 2020?

[@lorirogers9304]

Yard looks like a bowling alley

[@jb6712]

All it would take for me to turn around and walk out would be to learn there's no bathroom on the main floor; no way in this world would I be willing to make trips down to the basement whenever I, or any of my guests, needed to use the bathroom! And even though this is an episode from 2008, what couple in their right minds would ever put a FUTON, a tiny one at that, in the BASEMENT for themselves to sleep on as their only bed???? The man alone is so tall and big, like a former college football player, that he could easily use a king-size bed! I think the wussy, wimpy, whiny wife ran the show, frankly, and what she said is what he had to live with.

[@ashsqx3246]

Exactly. She is the problem here.

[@lindslinds3358]

Other houses have the toilet on the second floor, with the bedrooms. I would hate to see people go upstairs, where this is our private place, to pee!

[@alinacalin9139]

That lady is a bit strange. How can you not notice how full and exhausting that hpuse is to the eye. Did she really rest in that house?

[@kellisandlin2536]

That old futon looked like nightmare

[@irishballetdancer]

The problem was her not letting go :( It's not even decluttering at this point, you already have the next home. Start transferring over if possible

[@jenniferboudreau9366]

Make new memories! Clean up your yard. How can people be so blind? I bet the house they bought didn’t look like the Squatters house they were leaving

[@porcupinemamma]

I'm surprised that a family photo was left in a bedroom. Still sends a message that the house belongs to someone else

[@Sora06241]

In all the other episodes ive watched, the houses were good they just needed a bit of work but this house here is just plain horrible i think it might be the lack of windows, feels very suffocating.

[@freckles3705]

What was the purpose of walking in circles in the yard while talking? It messes with people's eyes because it is impossible to focus.

[@saima291]

That was so funny and unexpected.

[@corky8490]

They didn't show it in the episode but I like what they did to the cabinets. A little but of trim added so much to the face of the doors! Looks like new cabinets!

[@tonibauer2405]

“The master bedroom should never, ever be a futon in the basement.” Shocker! 😱Who knew! 😂

[@CPR4THEBODYlivingaenrichedlife]

I love to see the transformations. The thing I also love is they so not have huge homes and they are ok with them and still create beautiful spaces.

[@RT-wx4wq]

Glad to see Sophie again

[@bolandreneau4682]

If looks could kill Sofie and the carpenter would have been dead in their tracks. That woman was shooting daggers at them. Why can't I sell the house and keep it too? It's mine, it's mine! But she's got the lead part in a new show about people who want to sell but keep their homes at the same time: The Unconvinceables.

[@poodlegirl55]

"We don't really want to move." Her opening statement says it all.

[@valerieann2751]

Makes no sense tho, they already have another house. Why is she wanting to hang onto this one? Really odd

[@calgal7828]

Why would you want to live there??

[@bethsharma4766]

@@valerieann2751 I agree. It's like she doesn't realize you can take your memories with you. Can't keep both homes.

[@robinjones394]

You would think that most couples or families would start packin* up clutter and memories early...that way the house looks larger and more up to date, plus you can enjoy the walk down memory lane as you pack every personal item... and then you get to enjoy your memories as you unpack photos, etc at your new house! Yes, it’s ok to feel a bit sad when packing... but by the time you have open houses, you have already made peace with missing the house...

[@marthavillanueva5505]

Ppl don’t clean they just move..

[@cmjb6118]

The only bathroom is in the basement, that wasn’t finished until recently?!? What house is built without a real bathroom?

[@barbaratardy6284]

Wonderful parents and couple. They just needed a little help. Great job team!❤️

[@sbegum246]

Trying to figure out why she looks so familiar, sister to Kirstie Allsopp, another one of my faves.

[@mauricepowers3804]

The transformation is amazing but that closet in the basement is a Cedar closet that's where you're supposed to store your Winter clothes in the summer. I don't think entertainment center is a good use of that closet.

[@MaxineAnne77]

Amen! Eliminating a closet is never a good idea, especially when it is cedar lined.

[@sheilatatum3007]

great job, best makeover yet !!!

[@CatEyedFancy]

Watching these episodes makes me feel extremely sorry for people looking for homes in these cities... The idea of spending $319,000 for a two bedroom bungalow is outlandish to me. There are four bedroom homes in my area with bigger yards that aren't selling for that much. I do understand that in rural areas such as the one I live in, the cost of housing is lower because jobs simply don't pay as much here and there is less work to be had in general. But even here, where I'm a 15 minute drive to a university one way, and 15 minutes from a college the other way, and the price of property is high compared to surrounding counties, it's still astronomically less than the areas in these episodes. This isn't a judgement on anyone, just an observation - we all live where we live and work where we work and are controlled by the markets around us. It just makes me sad when I think about the housing situation for prettymuch everyone.

[@MaxineAnne77]

Location, location, location!

[@animeangel1983]

Having seen that house coming in my first thought was "cave tunnel". If I didn't already hate Toronto (too damn expensive to live in), I couldn't see myself living there, I'm single and the target customer for that area, I'd walk by that house.

[@sharonmohon3275]

Whaaaa....how could they not realize the mess.

[@lindseyhenry4059]

I know...

[@pondera2450]

The dining bar doesn't have an overhang so it will be very uncomfortable to eat there.

[@lindaleistner2413]

This must be 10 years old. No house in Toronto for under 750,000 and that would be a tear down.

[@marissal9707]

Agreed!!

[@jb6712]

2008.

[@tubeva1977]

Yes, i nottice chubby tv from 1990's!

[@bobbybrown1389]

Lol, what was she plan on doing leaving all her junk in the old house

[@dominiqueritchey6795]

Best advice for selling a house: #1 get your idea of you out of the house, and get your mindset into having it be another person's. #2 Listen to your real estate agent.

[@NC-ij9rb]

The wife needs to remember that this will not be her house soon if all goes to plan. Her taste does not matter since she won’t be living here anymore. This is practically not her house anymore

[@dtulip1]

In what universe do you thing someone wants to buy your house with a skanky "coloured on" carpet??? sheesh!

[@EllaBeth30]

Just to be fair to this couple: it's easy to tell someone who has 3 young kids that they need to declutter and downsize. Of course the house is full of their toys, art work and mess that the kids make. You can stage a house like that if you have already moved out of it. But if you live in a place and have small children there is only so much you can do to give your house that sleek look.

[@ladyjane8855]

Having any family photos around is a no-no. Surprised Kirstie the did that....

[@esalenchik]

Sophie

[@jb6712]

Don't know who "Kirstie" is, but this host is Sophie Allsopp.

[@HandbagDiva]

Omg I couldn’t live in all of that clutter & chaos. The outside was also full of junk too! I can’t believe this show is 15 years old already. It doesn’t seem that long ago I was watching this on HGTV Canada.

[@CowboyBike06]

This is NOT the same house!! Holy cow! It’s adorable!

[@heyjude1101]

You guys are miracle workers, it's a doll house.

[@margotpriest1677]

Outside needs work too.

[@iamjane9628]

I don't think that woman actually wants to move. Or she and her partner are just clueless. I can't believe the uncle /real estate agent was not more honest with them, despite being family. Didn't he want to make the sale? The re-make was gorgeous. I can't believe it is the same house !

[@bookmouse2719]

OK so put your junk in storage, paint everything neutral and make sure it's clean.

[@janicewolk357]

They must have put the kids there too.

[@sunnysunshine6271]

Oh, this is Kirstie's sister from Location, Location. I kept wondering who she reminds me of lol.

[@MsAwesomeGiraffe]

Hahaha I was thinking it's that woman from that programme, (haven't seen UK TV in years) and "OMG hasn't she lost a lot of weight?"...that'll be a no then! XD

[@guitardee1]

Sophie is Kirsty Allsops daughter

[@sunnysunshine6271]

@@guitardee1 No, she's not. They are 8 years apart.

[@guitardee1]

@@sunnysunshine6271 apologies. It’s just that in one episode she said she was glad her mum wasn’t there to see something or another so I assumed she meant Kirsty

[@sunnysunshine6271]

@@guitardee1 No problem lol, I just know that Kirstie wasn't old enough to have a 30 yr old daughter lol.

[@eilissmith8591]

The house I am in at the moment is a 1900’s terrace that originally didn’t have a bathroom at all, just a loo. My bathroom was added later and is downstairs off the kitchen, I don’t really like it but in all other ways .I love this quaint house so full of character.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

How could the only bathroom be in the basement?

[@valerieann2751]

That’s why the house isn’t selling. That’s crazy. I wonder why the main level bath was removed? It must have been in what is now a bedroom that has the waste pipe in it.

[@darksoulenvoy932]

I don’t mind a bathroom in the basement if it’s the second or third bathroom. I’ve NEVER heard of a house having just one bathroom and it being in the basement. Yikes

[@mossie1954]

Pity they did not take into consideration the pic of the front of the house where I paused at 18:08 and also 18:12 and saw so much of a mess.The long white pipe needed to be fixed!! at the very front, plus clean up the front garden and pull down the sunshade to the extream right of the house, it really had no kerb appeal what-so-ever.

[@eauneau]

LOL! Was there anything she hated more than the futon?! 😂

[@pamelajohnson9810]

I loves your work you makes the 🏠 houses beautiful.

[@Iheartjareddiamond]

You can tell this is from awhile ago because you can’t get a house in Toronto for less than $800,000 (and that’s for a horrible house)

[@mariegilbert8766]

2007

[@calgal7828]

This is a horrible house

[@creativelife9871]

Wow! I was shocked at the $300k+ price tag for this house, for whatever decade this was recorded (my guess was 90s or early 2000).

[@jb6712]

2008

[@MorganMakesThings]

I think it's 100% that the woman doesn't want to sell the house. There's no other reason for being so oppositional to packing up the family photos and the children's art to take to the new house; she's acting as if the realtor is telling her she has to throw it away or something.

[@CC-si3cr]

Amazing! I could not begin to imagine what could be done for this dump of a house. I have never had anyone I do not know upset me like this clueless woman. I would not be with a man that had me sleeping on the floor or our home. UNACCEPTABLE!!! Not understanding why they weren't sleeping on a bed in the basement. It was also weird they only showed 2 of their 3 kids.

[@Mandy-nt2cs]

Those same kitchen bulb lights were the ones in the million dollar plus home I just watched with the blue sitting room..

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

12:56 "I think Sophie did know what she's talking about" lmao what? She's a HOST of a SHOW about RENOVATING UNSELLABLES, why would you think otherwise?? 🤔

[@ashsqx3246]

That woman is delusional. Lol.

[@bonnieking4986]

All I can say is curb appeal...clean up that front yard a bit!

[@shaneltwaha9362]

I love a house with not too much things

[@jff1813]

The outside of that house looks like a mess with all that garbage. It's dark, dirty, cramped, and there's no main floor bathroom. That woman is passive-aggressive and they're both lazy. "Why isn't our house selling???" Who would buy this, where they have to run down to the basement, or take little kids down there during the night if they have to go? I wouldn't take this place for free.

[@NurseEmilie]

I can't believe how high the prices are wherever that is. That little house in my NC city would sell for maybe $80,000.

[@aprilm9551]

OK, this is certainly an improvement over what was there originally, but I don't really like the makeover results. I think the makeover needs a makeover. Everything added looks a bit cheap, not so classy. And I don't think the rattan chairs suits this place at all. To make rattan work, you need a house near water, and also need to play up the 'beachy' theme. Also, many accents or smaller pieces of furniture are too small. Going small in a small room is not always a good idea. Just my thoughts.

[@serenakoleno9338]

There is a difference between staging and decorating. When staging you are neutralizing the home. Decorating is creating your personal touches and style.

[@aprilm9551]

@@serenakoleno9338 : Yes, that's true. However, they DID call this a makeover. Plus even a staging could look better. Even with a staging, you don't want to use cheap looking items. And, I don't mind that the look is neutral, I didn't say anything about that in my comment. Just that what was used looks cheap.

[@robinjones394]

Well they did say that this mini renovation was done on a very tight, shoestring budget...

[@aprilm9551]

@@robinjones394 Yes, but even on a tight budget the furniture could be more appropriate. Buy a larger, non-rattan chair at a thrift store, and paint it, for example.

[@janicewolk357]

They are trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Or dressing mutton as lamb. If the toilet is in the basement, cheap is the way to go.

[@kenn1936]

I am glad their house sold. I liked this couple.

[@henna696]

A 100 % upgrade, but still a most unfunctional house. Did I miss the dining room?

[@bookmagicroe9553]

By removing the table and putting in a peninsula that only seats two people, it means there's no eating space even for a small family of three people.

[@jackiewacuka]

When the potential home buyers walked in with shoes, i was upset :-(. Good work on making the tiny house feel bigger.

[@janesawyer3495]

The lack of a bathroom on the main floor really limits the buyer pool.

[@kellywest1032]

What house only has one bathroom-and it is in the basement?? Nice reno tho.

[@hollyhold6960]

Inspiring. Love seeing these transformations!!

[@AgentAO7]

This house should be on a different show! ‘Clean House’ would be more appropriate! Lol

[@AgentAO7]

@Raven Carlton Yes. On HGTV

[@phyllisarrington7436]

The biggest unfixable issue is that the only bathroom is in the basement.

[@TheDonovanu]

16:22 prepare for extreme nausea!!

[@Tea_in_the_Sahara_with_you]

I had to look away.

[@Hbd2002]

X The exterior and yard still isn't good but inside is improved

[@getlostyougoofball]

What's messed up is that this was originally on the market for only two months. My parents had their house on the market for *four years* before they finally got it sold.

[@athenalovesdance]

Why so long on the market?

[@lilspiderlily]

It depends on where the house is. Like they said, location, location, location. In some location the houses sells like hot cakes.

[@UnseenSpirit]

4 years? Did they even try to sell it?

[@danyellerobinson5940]

How does the family live in the home while waiting for the sale?

[@pennyhoward6838]

Did I hear someone say the only bathroom was in the basement. If so, I'm shocked they could sell it at all.

[@popazz1]

Hideous property! Bedrooms directly off the living room which was narrow and featureless. Ironically the best room was the basement! It certainly was unsuitable for a family of 5.

[@vickinoeske1711]

Okay, but where did you put the 3 children? Weird.

[@Elizabeth-rp1pi]

In the 3 beds...

[@__t__s__]

At first I thought, "Oh it's a tarty version of Kirsty Allsop", turns out it's the sister!

[@shelinashel2969]

In what way is she ‘tarty’? She dresses very modestly and acts professionally.

[@shygirlcomplex]

Why is the bathroom in the basement I would be out like a rocket nothing would make me buy that place, imagine ur master bedroom up stairs around 3.am you need to shamble to the basement !?! To use the bathroom... no thanks