House Hunters

After Constantly Being On The Move For Work, Jay And His Wife Booyoung Are Ready To Settle Down In a Historic Home In Detroit (39x8)

Air date: Nov 18, 2009

Jay met his wife Booyoung when his company sent him to her native country of Korea. Shortly after getting married Jay went to work on a project in Iraq. Over the past few years the couple hasn't spent much time together because of Jay's travel for work, but now that Jay has returned to the U.S. he and his wife would like to settle down together in Jay's hometown of Detroit. They're staying temporarily at Jay's brothers house while they look for a home, but the current living situation is starting to take its toll because the couple is living out of a suitcase in the small guest bedroom. With their budget of $350,000 to $450,000, they're looking for a 2-3 bedroom home with a large kitchen. Jay leans toward a home in the suburbs while Booyoung prefers something in the city, but both agree that they'd like to live in one of Detroit's historic properties. The first house realtor, Jocelyn "Joy" Santiago takes them to see is a warehouse loft conversion originally built in 1906. The 2,070 square foot, 2 bedroom/2 bath condo is listed for $387,500. They love the open feel and the spacious kitchen, but Booyoung is not crazy about the soft walls in the bedrooms that don't go up to the ceiling so they opt to check out another place. The next home is in Detroit's historic Indian Village neighborhood. The 4500 square foot, 5 bedrooms, 3 and half bath home was built in 1915 and is listed for $399,900. They both love the gourmet kitchen, sunroom and spacious backyard. And even though Booyoung likes the huge master closet and the unique tile fireplaces throughout the home, she'd prefer to see something right in the heart of downtown. The third home they go to visit is in a 1924 renovated hotel in downtown Detroit. It is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1400 square foot condo that is listed for $400,000, with a monthly HOA fee of $1000. Jay and Booyoung love the views and the perks of living in a luxury hotel but they are disappointed with the size of the bedrooms and the high HOA fees are a bi