The Property Brothers Show Why The Worst Looking House Could Be The Best

Famed HGTV twins Drew and Jonathan Scott recently reminiscenced on their Drew & Jonathan YouTube channel about the last 13 years as they've  helped homeowners see the hidden potential of less-than-stellar looking houses. Reacting to the pilot of "Property Brothers" where their clients were intimidated by choosing the worst house on the best block, the Scotts described why this scary-looking house was the best investment. The house was halfway renovated on the inside, and the half that hadn't been touched was stripped and left torn up — the result of a bankrupt contractor. The clients expressed hesitation, but the Scotts jumped in with an affirmative viewpoint, with Drew reflecting, "See, but that's a good thing ... as scary as this looks ... half the demolition was already done. It's a blank slate." The twins reminded viewers not to overlook a scary house's potential; the more stripped it is (with decent foundations and walls of course), the better the canvas designers and contractors have to work with — making it potentially the best choice for homeowners.

Choosing the worst-looking house when you're real estate hunting can be a winning idea, especially if the home is in a desirable location. Given the house's hidden potential, prospective buyers can make said property their dream house, investing smartly along the way. Keeping some of the Property Brothers' house design should-haves in your pocket and maintaining an open mind that the house won't look scary in the future, you can craft your ideal home.

As Drew Scott highlighted, purchasing a home with partially demolished interiors means demo is halfway done! It speeds up timelines, and you don't need to invest in more labor or waste costs — costs that creep up in renovations. With the "worst" house on the block, you have the potential to start the fun design part much earlier than if you had to rip out more of the house.

When said worst house is a gut renovation though, even if the demo isn't partially done like it was on the first episode of "Property Brothers," it still offers a fresh start. You can wipe existing features and make it exactly how you envision your dream home. It can be intimidating from both a financial and logistical standpoint, but the design freedom may be worth it.

But what about cost? The price is often more flexible for a scary house, making it an investment opportunity. In the Scotts' book "Dream Home: The Property Brothers' Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House," they stress an ideal neighborhood ensures value. It can be a better investment to purchase the gutted home in a preferable location than the turnkey in a less desirable area. "Location is key because that's the one thing you can't change," the Scotts write. "The biggest investment in your life (that's buying a house for most people) has to be done less with your heart and more with your mind."

The Scott brothers understand that you'll be tackling a big project if you choose the worst home on the best block, so you'll need to be prepared to budget wisely and design well. For design in particular, the Property Brothers highlight several features that will up your design game. For instance, home renovators should consider some bold accents like fun tiles to provide contrast and make spaces pop, even in small spots like bathrooms. The Scotts love big design, like a bold front door that elevates your home, because it leaves a lasting impression. In the entry way's case, it's the first impression!

As much as the Scott twins have tips of what to include, the Property Brothers also want you to avoid some design mistakes. The top mistake: don't compromise on room or space function for trendy fashion or for the sake of being bold. Remember, the room must be functional — not just for your sanity, but also for potential resale value. It's an investment after all, and while there certainly should be some heart feels, you should make sure your designs are practical enough and make sense. Following these tips, avoiding others, and keeping an open mind, the Property Brothers remind us that the worst, scariest looking house can be the best home for you!