House Hunters Renovation

Two married lawyers defend their conflicting Spanish versus traditional vintage styles

Jessica and Roddy need a new home for their growing family, so they've decided to move from the expensive Los Angeles real estate market to the more affordable Chicago suburbs.

Stephani and Dan don't want to overstay their welcome at her brother's house, so they want to find a home in the Chicago suburbs. Once they get the keys, they'll need to take on some major renovations to make the place their own.

A newlywed couple tackles their first renovation in Buffalo and finds it harder than they expected.

Newlyweds struggle to find a place with a contemporary look for him and traditional charm for her.

With three young children, Aaron and Amy have quickly outgrown their Chicago townhome and are ready to trade it in for a more spacious home in the suburbs. They both want four bedrooms and a big yard where the kids can play. But while she wants a classic Victorian with detail, he wants a split-level house with clean lines. Their agent Michael Devine will have to find the perfect blend of both their tastes to get this couple into a home. But things won't get any easier once they agree on a place. With help from designer Kim Scodro and contractor Don Jeanes, they'll face everything from black mold to budget overruns as they try to create their dream open kitchen. And on top of that, they'll have to face the challenges of renovating a bathroom and basement on their own. Living through the renovation with three small kids will be tough, but in the end, they'll have a home that's perfect for the whole family.

Two Los Angeles roommates search for an architecturally unique home that they can renovate.

Casey, an architect, and Jason, a preservationist, are searching for a historic Buffalo home they can make hip again. After finding a house that suits their needs, the former long distance couple dives into a major renovation.

Chicago real estate broker Josh and his marketing director wife Arin are ready to move out of their downtown loft and into a larger, more family-friendly home where they can raise their son Dylan. And they have very definite ideas about what they want. She wants a contemporary home with an open kitchen and all white cabinets. And he wants a traditional home that absolutely must have a master suite big enough for two sinks. With help from Josh's real estate partner Tommy Choi, they'll search their target neighborhood of Lincoln Park until they find a house that satisfies both their styles. But getting it just the way they like it will take a bit of work.

Recently engaged, Matt and Leslie are searching for their first home in Buffalo, NY. And they have very unique needs. As a brewer, he wants space for a kegerator where he can chill his homemade beers. And she wants a yard with enough room to grow her own vegetables and have her very own chicken coop. Their agent Robert Blake will have his hands full trying to find all that in a place that also combines Matt's Pacific Northwest industrial style with Leslie's farmhouse style.

Writer Steven and singer Sam are searching Los Angeles for a perfect home where they can raise their young son Lazlo. But while he loves the area's popular Spanish style, she's got her heart set on a Craftsman house. Helping them find a place that blends their styles and also has plenty of indoor and outdoor space for the whole family is their agent John Bertolli, who also happens to be their brother-in-law. And once they get the keys, John will switch hats and sign on as their contractor as well, seeing them through a renovation that's more overwhelming than they expected. They'll struggle through the stress of design decisions, delayed timelines, and unexpected costs, but it will all be worth it when they settle into a house that exceeds the whole family's expectations.

Ashley and Michelle are engaged and ready to buy their first home together. But even with a million dollar budget, they've been scouring the expensive Santa Monica, California real estate market for two years and have been unable to find a home. As a surfer, Michelle wants a place close to the ocean, while Ashley wants a spacious and updated kitchen where she can enjoy cooking. Their agent Jennifer Lax also needs to find them a house with three bedrooms, an open floor plan, and a big backyard for their two dogs. To finally get a home of their own, they'll need to make some compromises -- which means massive renovations are in order.

Plenty of green space is sought in Buffalo by a Russian-born woman who has her heart set on a single-family Colonial home, even though her husband is campaigning to buy a multi-family Craftsman that they can rent to offset mortgage costs.