Ep 11. Nineties to Now

Unsellable Houses season 2 episode 11 titled "Nineties to Now" revolves around a realtor duo, Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis, who take on a 90s-style home in the popular neighborhood of Bothell, Washington. The house in question, built in 1995, has been on the market for over a year, and despite multiple price reductions, it hasn't attracted any potential buyers. The owners, a couple in their fifties, have already invested over 20 thousand dollars in renovating the property, but they can't seem to get the house off their hands. This is where Lyndsay and Leslie come in, promising to turn the outdated space into a modern marvel that will appeal to today's buyers.

The episode begins with a tour of the property, where Lyndsay and Leslie point out the different design elements that need to go. The home has suffered from poor renovation attempts over the years, making it crowded and uninviting. The living room sports a cobalt blue feature wall, not to mention an awkwardly placed electric fireplace that serves as a room divider. In the kitchen, the cabinets have a tacky honey oak finish, and the countertops are a speckled pink granite that's very much of its time. The bedrooms have outdated wallpaper that's peeling off in places, and the master bedroom opens to a poorly built balcony that takes up too much space, leaving little room for a sitting area.

Armed with their design expertise, Lyndsay and Leslie come up with a plan to transform the house from nineties to now. They will start by opening up the living room to create a spacious, open-concept living area that flows seamlessly into the kitchen. The cobalt blue feature wall will be covered up, and the electric fireplace will be removed altogether. The kitchen will receive a complete overhaul, with the honey oak cabinets and granite countertops making way for sleek, modern finishes in white and grey. The master bedroom will be enlarged by knocking down the balcony, giving the couple ample space for a seating area, while the other bedrooms will get new wallpaper with a modern twist.

The renovation itself goes smoothly, with only a few hiccups along the way. Removing the electric fireplace proves to be a challenge, as there is no easy way to disconnect the wiring without tearing up the entire wall. However, the contractors manage to find a solution, and the wall is repaired seamlessly. One of the kitchen cabinets also arrives damaged, which means they have to reorder it, causing a slight delay in the project timeline.

As the renovation nears completion, Lyndsay and Leslie stage the house to perfection, highlighting all its newly refurbished features. The living room is transformed into a cozy family room, with a plush sectional and warm accent colors. The kitchen, with its bright white cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, is now a chef's paradise. The once-crowded bedrooms are transformed into peaceful retreats, with soothing color palettes and luxurious linens.

The big reveal takes place, and the homeowners are amazed at the transformation they see before them. The open-concept living area is a hit, with the wife exclaiming that she can finally see herself hosting her family and friends there. The kitchen is unrecognizable, with the husband commenting that it feels like a "million-dollar kitchen." They are thrilled with the enlarged master suite and appreciate the added seating area, mentioning how they can now enjoy their morning coffee while taking in the beautiful view from their bedroom. Overall, the entire space has gone from outdated to modern, and the homeowners are confident that the house will not only sell quickly but also at a much higher price than before.

As the episode comes to a close, Lyndsay and Leslie reflect on their success with this renovation, basking in the satisfaction of turning yet another unsellable house into a modern dream home. They end by saying that they hope this episode inspires homeowners to see the potential in their own unsellable houses and take steps to transform them into something special.