Bad Home Advice That Was Dished Out On Love It Or List It

Hilary Farr and David Visentin have given both solid and controversial advice on "Love It or List It." While they're both pros in their respective fields, even experts can make mistakes. Although home ownership and the renovation process are not one-size-fits-all, there are some rules to keep in mind. The dynamic duo can get competitive when it comes to winning over the clients on each episode. Farr hopes to wow them with a newfound love for their family home, while Visentin aims to impress with a brand-new property. This friendly comradery pushes them to be better, but there are times it can cloud their judgment.

Sometimes the "Love It or List It" stars agree on home trends, and other times they butt heads. This is a testament to the fact that interiors are subjective. Viewers can learn a lot from this dynamic series, both positive and negative. Acknowledging the rare flaws in their logic can prevent you from making the same mistakes with your home.

In Season 12, Episode 13, Visentin insisted that Ryan and Ashley had to stretch their budget to get their dream home. He said: "Look, you wanted a done house, in your neighborhood. That's what it costs." However, he later found a move-in ready house nearby at a lower price tag. This proves that waiting until the right property hits the market is often preferable to rushing into a purchase. If you feel pressured to make an offer because the house seems like the "only option", take a step back. While CNBC notes that stretching your budget can be worth it, it should only be considered a viable option if you still have savings to spare.

One of the major factors that will determine whether you can afford a house is your mortgage. During the application process, there are several things you need to know when getting a mortgage to ensure you stay within your means. First, understand the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. It's easy to get excited when you qualify for a mortgage, but a variable interest rate can change over time — putting your monthly payments out of your budget if you're not careful. Also, keep in mind that you will owe more interest in the end if you select a longer mortgage term. Finally, always look into whether you have the ability to refinance or change your payment schedule. Most importantly, be patient and never rush into a purchase.

In Season 12, Episode 7, Ashley and Cole took a chance and made an offer sight unseen on an in-budget property in their dream location. However, after moving in, Cole argued that the floor plan was not functional enough to justify keeping the home. But finding another house near downtown was a tall order. Visentin was not able to find them a move-in-ready house in the same area that was within budget. He suggested that they look outside of their original neighborhood. Although expanding your radius can certainly get you more bang for your buck, location is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a home.

In resale, a desirable home location is made up of several factors. Proximity to school districts, low crime rates, and proximity to amenities have a significant correlation with the sales price of a home. Because of this, you need to decide whether saving money on the listing price or having these features is more important to you. If the latter, you don't want to look too far from your ideal location. For instance, if you want to live downtown like Ashley and Cole do, then moving to a different neighborhood likely won't get you the same perks as living near a city center, such as having access to a bustling nightlife, quality restaurants, and cultural hubs like museums. Similarly, if certain school districts or access to nature preserves are important to you, then you might need to contend with the fact that your purchase price will have to be higher.

While Eileen and Shahan's home was definitely dated in Season 18, Episode 9, the floors were real hardwood. During the renovation, they were replaced with a more modern-looking laminate surface. Farr is known for ensuring the floor continues throughout the space for enhanced flow. While this is a great idea in theory, it's important to note that replacing real wood with a material like laminate or faux wood can hurt the value. The homeowners loved the new flooring, but it may not have been the best choice for resale. Forbes reports that hardwood flooring has a resale value of 70-80%, whereas the ROI for wood lookalikes is lower.

If your hardwood floors appear dated, there are several ways to revive them to their former glory. An easy way to give them a brand-new look is to consider staining and refinishing. If your goal is to create a lighter, brighter appearance, try sanding down your floors first. This will remove the darker stain on the surface. However, if you want to use bleach on your planks, it all depends on what kind of wood you have. Bleach on oak, ash, and gum woods creates a beautiful sandy finish. Lighter variations like pine or poplar can become bland if exposed to whitener. While you can use standard bleach for the process, several brands offer both a bleach and brightening combination, such as this pack from Zinsser on Amazon.

Farr's renovations in Season 12, Episode 9, were mostly cosmetic — and that was the problem. Detailed on CBS News, this remodel actually resulted in a major lawsuit from the couple, Deena Murphy and Timothy Sullivan. Their complaints were largely based on the cheap materials that were used to conceal major issues. For example, their chipped concrete floors were masked with cheap carpet. While it's important for a home to look nice from afar, the quality of construction is imperative for longevity and resale.

A home renovation requires putting a lot of trust in your builders. It can be tricky to find a team that you can rely on. The first step is to make sure to hire licensed contractors. You can verify their license by asking for their license number and checking it in the government database for your state. Another way to avoid a poorly done renovation is to make sure you get permits prior and inspections after, ensuring another professional double checks their work. Also, allow enough time for quality work, avoiding an unrealistic time crunch. The problem with many HGTV shows is that the turnaround time is unrealistic for completing a quality gut renovation. Although it can be tempting to push up the deadline of your finished home, allowing additional time is a good way to avoid mishaps and sub-par work.

In Season 17, Episode 14, Farr chose to remove a dated tub in favor of a standing shower. This is a frequent trend in modern homes, but it can have a negative impact when it comes time to sell. While many modern homeowners are choosing to forgo their bathtubs, there may be consequences in the future. According to a 2021 report by The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 72% of homebuyers favor a master bathroom that includes both a shower and a bathtub.

If you want the best of both worlds, there are ways to make your shower larger without sacrificing your tub. A low-profile tub is a great way to take up less space and prime your home for resale. Older adults will love the accessibility of a low tub and families will appreciate the ease of bathing a child. You can also create a corner tub and shower combo with a rounded edge for more standing room. Unexpected shapes, like squares rather than rectangles, can be a creative way to maximize space. Most importantly, focus on tubs that are wider rather than taller.

In Farr's defense, she had a limited budget in Season 12, Episode 4. However, the way she chose to allocate the funds wasn't entirely logical. She prioritized adding an expensive, closed-in porch rather than remodeling the couple's kitchen. According to a 2022 Rocket Homes survey, 55% of survey takers agreed that a well-designed kitchen could influence them to purchase a home that wasn't originally a contender. Real estate experts suggest that minor kitchen upgrades can increase resale value. In fact, a minor kitchen remodel can have an average 85.7% ROI, as per Remodeling Magazine.

Minor kitchen upgrades can include a wide range of improvements. HGTV stars have highlighted several kitchen upgrades that are worth the investment. For example, swapping out hardware can be an affordable way to modernize your cabinets. Selecting a custom paint color is another way to give your cabinets a personalized look. Adding a statement backsplash can also completely change the look of your cooking space. Lastly, don't underestimate the power of lighting. A warm, ambient kitchen can create a whole new atmosphere.

While it used to be popular to get rid of dark-toned details in favor of light neutrals, trends are changing. In Season 12, Episode 2, Farr removed a beautiful mid-century copper fireplace hood in favor of pure white bricks. The younger generation of home enthusiasts on TikTok was recently up in arms about a couple who chose to cover their original, dark stone fireplace in a white German schmear technique. This is one of many examples that prove that ruining historic elements is now frowned upon and no longer encouraged.

There are several tips to follow when renovating a historic home. Before you start tearing out historic details, check to make sure your home is not protected by a local ordinance. If you're free to renovate, you should still be mindful of the home's legacy while upgrading the interior. This is also important for resale. Heather Murphy Real Estate Group reports that historic homes are valued at about 26% higher than comparable modern homes. When you rip out the history of a home, you are losing its vintage appeal. Instead of taking out the mid-century fireplace hood, Farr could have re-stained or restored it to its former glory.