Ep 11. Backyard Staycation

Tarek and Christina tackle a new project in the season 5 episode 11 of Flip or Flop titled "Backyard Staycation." In this episode, the couple takes on a rundown 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Garden Grove, California. The house is in a desirable neighborhood, but its backyard is an eyesore with a pool falling apart, and a deteriorated fence.

Their plan involves renovating the backyard to create a staycation-worthy oasis with a large swimming pool and hot tub. As their primary motivation for flipping houses is to maximize profit, they install luxury features such as a fire pit, built-in bbq, and an outdoor kitchen.

To entice potential buyers, they add a seating area with a large pass-through window, a dining bar, and an accent wall that doubles as a water feature wall. Along with these upgrades, Tarek and Christina also add a pool cabana with an outdoor shower for homeowners to rinse off after a quick swim. All these features take up space in the backyard, but the couple finds a way to ensure that the backyard still feels spacious.

The pair also renovates the interior of the house, starting with the living room that receives a coat of fresh white paint that brightens the room. They then replace the flooring with modern wood-like tiles that give the room a chic and minimalist look. The kitchen receives an upgrade with custom-made cabinets that match the kitchen island, granite countertops, and all-new appliances.

In the master bedroom, Tarek and Christina replace the carpet with hardwood, install a fireplace, and give the master bathroom a makeover. They remove the outdated and pink-toned tiles on the shower walls and floors and replace them with a modern marble finish.

There are, however, some unforeseen challenges that threaten to derail the project. The swimming pool ends up posing some significant issues with its drainage and winds up requiring a costly repair. Furthermore, the city presents an issue related to the property's lot size, leading the couple to change their initial plans.

Despite these challenges, Tarek and Christina find a way to complete the “Backyard Staycation” and ultimately turn a profit. The outcome is a stunning outdoor living space and a beautiful home that is sure to appeal to potential buyers.

Overall, the “Backyard Staycation” episode of Flip or Flop season 5 showcases Tarek and Christina's expertise in transforming an old and outdated house into a luxurious and modern home with stunning outdoor space. The episode provides an engaging and inspiring look at the process of flipping a home while also showcasing the challenges and creativity needed to make the renovation a success.