Ep 8. New Homebuyers Prefer Fixer

In Fixer Upper season 2 episode 8, titled New Homebuyers Prefer Fixer, hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines help young couple Rachel and Andrew find their dream home in Waco, Texas. Rachel and Andrew are first-time homebuyers who are looking for a fixer-upper that they can renovate and make their own.

In the beginning of the episode, Chip and Joanna take Rachel and Andrew to see three potential homes. The first is a small, outdated house in a good neighborhood. The second is a larger, older home with a lot of character and potential. The third is a newly renovated home that is move-in ready but lacks the charm and character of the other two.

After touring all three houses, Rachel and Andrew decide that they want to go with the second option: the older home with a lot of potential. Joanna is excited about the choice, and immediately starts brainstorming renovation ideas. She wants to keep some of the original features of the house, such as the hardwood floors and the fireplace, but update it to give it a modern feel.

Chip, on the other hand, has some concerns about the house's foundation and overall structure. He brings in a contractor to assess the situation and make sure it's safe for Rachel and Andrew to move forward with the renovation.

Once Chip gives the green light, the real work begins. Joanna and her team start tearing down walls, updating the plumbing and electrical systems, and giving the entire house a fresh coat of paint. Rachel and Andrew are hands-on throughout the entire process, helping with everything from selecting the perfect light fixtures to picking out paint colors.

One of the biggest challenges of the renovation comes when Joanna realizes that the new kitchen layout won't work with the original hardwood floors. She decides to remove them and replace them with new flooring that better fits the updated layout. Rachel and Andrew are a bit disappointed to lose the original floors, but they trust Joanna and are excited to see the finished product.

Throughout the renovation, Chip and Joanna make sure to keep Rachel and Andrew in the loop with regular updates and walk-throughs. They also help the couple with smaller projects, like building a custom shelving unit and putting in new landscaping.

Finally, the renovation is complete, and Rachel and Andrew are overjoyed with their new home. The updated kitchen and living room are perfect for entertaining, and the new master suite gives them a relaxing retreat at the end of the day.

In the end, the episode is a testament to the power of a good fixer-upper. Rachel and Andrew's willingness to put in the time and effort to renovate an older home pays off in a big way, giving them the perfect space to start their lives together in.