HGTV's Unsellable Houses Shares A Home Feature That Proves Buyers Are Unpredictable

If you've spent any time watching HGTV lately, then you're likely familiar with "Unsellable Houses." This TV show focuses on homes that hold less than zero appeal for buyers, at least before hosts Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis come in to spruce things up a bit. It's easy to make guesses about what buyers will want, especially when so much of the market is streamlined — but one episode shows that people are ultimately unpredictable and you can never tell what might tickle their fancy.

The home in question was originally listed for $425,000, but the buyer saw little interest. With dated color choices and materials, it was clear the home hadn't been updated since disco died. In spite of the overwhelming need for some upgrades, the show's hosts made a few design decisions that left fans divided — namely, turning an old upright piano into a planter. Fans took to YouTube and Reddit to express disbelief over the planter, saying they would have gotten rid of it. One YouTube user voiced their exasperation: "Making a piano into a planter is a crime." Another agreed and said in response, "I like a distressed paint look, but if you don't know how to do it, it looks hideous, which, in my opinion, was the case here." 

Another fan said, "I have always loved this show but.....finished projects seem to be increasingly over-stuffed with decor. Too many plants, both fake and real, just look[s] cluttery." But in the end, the homeowner received a full-price offer that specifically requested the piano planter be left behind, proving once and for all that buyers are unpredictable.

Like the buyer, not all viewers were so opposed to the distressed look. One Redditor said they appreciated the planter but had worries about its longevity: "I kind [of] like it but it will rot soon. Water and wood don't mix." 

Other show watchers were more enthusiastic. "The piano was absolutely amazing!" a YouTube commenter said. Far more people had complaints about the planter than praise, but it goes to show that even the most obscure idea will have at least a few fans. Perhaps it would have been better to repurpose the piano into a bar, or at least find a more functional way to upcycle the piano. As it stands, the constant exposure to moisture and humidity can lead to wood rot.

If you're planning to list your home soon, there are things you can do to sell your house faster. Give it a fresh coat of paint, remove personal possessions prior to taking pictures, and stage the space so potential buyers can easily imagine what a room might look like once furnished. The most affordable option? Just slap on a new coat of paint. It's inexpensive and is estimated to increase the value of your home anywhere from 2% to 5%.