Ep 2. Right-Size Ranch Reno

In season 17 episode 2 of Love It or List It, designer Hilary Farr and real estate agent David Visentin are challenged to help a couple decide whether they should renovate their current home or move on to a new one. The couple, Bill and Michelle, have lived in their ranch-style home for over 20 years and while they love the location and the memories they’ve made, they’re starting to feel cramped in their space. Their grown children have moved out and started families of their own, leaving Bill and Michelle with empty bedrooms and a lot of unused square footage.

Hilary’s task is to design a renovation that will right-size the home to Bill and Michelle’s current needs. This means reconfiguring the layout to create more functional spaces, updating the finishes to bring the home into the present day, and adding storage solutions to make the most of the existing square footage. Hilary knows that Bill and Michelle are sentimentally attached to their home, so she focuses on incorporating design elements that will honor the couple’s past while also providing them with a fresh start.

David, on the other hand, is tasked with finding a new home that meets all of Bill and Michelle’s needs. He starts his search by taking them to a completely different neighborhood that they’ve never considered before. The homes are newer and larger, but they’re also more expensive than the couple’s current home. David’s challenge is to convince Bill and Michelle that the higher price tag is worth it for all the additional space and amenities.

As the episode progresses, the tension between Bill and Michelle becomes more apparent. Bill is firmly on team Love It – he loves his home and has a hard time imagining leaving it. Michelle, on the other hand, is open to the idea of moving and wants to explore all the options available to them. This creates a bit of a power struggle between the two, which Hilary and David have to navigate with finesse.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the renovation process. Hilary and her team deal with unexpected construction issues and budget overruns, while David takes the couple to tour potential new homes that range from dreamy to downright disappointing. Meanwhile, Bill and Michelle struggle to make a decision about whether they want to stay put or start fresh.

As is typical for Love It or List It, the episode ends with a big reveal. Hilary unveils the newly-renovated home to Bill and Michelle, showing off all the updates and improvements she’s made. David, meanwhile, takes the couple to see one final home that he believes checks all the boxes. Ultimately, it’s up to Bill and Michelle to make the final call – will they love it or list it?