‘Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?’ Highlights the Worst Mistake a Buyer Can Make Today

‘Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?’ Highlights the Worst Mistake a Buyer Can Make Today

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In a red-hot real estate market, many buyers might feel pressured to purchase any house. But buyer’s remorse can be particularly distressing when it comes to homes, and plenty of new owners might wind up hating their place once they move in. Thankfully, a new show helps them fix this massive mistake.

On HGTV’s “Why the Heck Did I Buy This House,” host Kim Wolfe helps homebuyers who regret a property purchase renovate so they’re happy with their space. She got into real estate after winning 2012’s “Survivor: One World,” parlaying her $1 million prize into her own interior design business in San Antonio, TX.

Ten years later, the mother of three works alongside her husband, Bryan Wolf, to help clients who feel stuck in dysfunctional homes with impractical layouts, outdated styles, and unrealized potential.

In the premiere episode, “Dream Yard, Nightmare Home,” Kim’s friends Laura and Ned Hodges bought their house because they fell in love with the blooming peach trees out back. Unfortunately, they didn’t pay close enough attention to the house itself.

“We bought this house for the backyard, and we totally made the biggest mistake of our lives,” says Laura. “The biggest financial investment that we’ll ever make is in our house, and we hate it.”

Their home is laid out with small rooms that serve multiple purposes, the worst offender being a combo pantry/office/laundry room.

Kim says their house is a real “hodge podge,” but she’s fairly confident that with these homeowners’ budget of $200,000, she can straighten everything out. Here’s how she pulls it off, with plenty of tips to tackle anything around your own home that isn’t up to snuff.

A poor layout can create clutter

The house is a disordered mess, with kid paraphernalia everywhere, even on top of the furniture.

“The first thing you see when you walk in the house is all the clutter, and it’s a lot,” Kim says. “But I really do believe that it’s just the symptom of a greater problem. I feel like it’s just the layout. I don’t think they have the right places to put their stuff.”

The solution?

“What really needs to happen here is a redefinition of the spaces, where we move things around so it’s actually flowing in a way that allows you to move around freely in it,” Kim concludes.

But since the family has to pack everything up and move out for the renovation, Kim encourages them to pack up the things that they really need, and let the rest go.

Don’t set anything on the stove!

“You literally have food sitting on your burners, which would terrify me,” exclaims Kim. “A burner could accidentally get turned on, then you’d have melted plastic bottles.”

Laura and Ned admit that this very thing has happened many times. They have a graveyard full of things that have been melted, “including my phone,” Laura says.

They desperately need a new kitchen with more space. Kim delivers by removing the walls that separate the kitchen from the living and family rooms.

The best countertops for kids

Kim and Bryan end up converting the kitchen from a galley to a wide-open room with an island and plenty of counter space.

For the counter, there is only one type that Kim wants to put in: quartz.

“You know what I like about this material? It’s quartz and it’s stain-resistant,” she says of her top pick. “It looks like a natural material, but it’s man-made, so if you do get stuff on this, you’re not screwed. For people with young families, this is always a really good choice. I love the veining in this, too.”

Bring the outside in

Since Laura and Ned’s favorite part of their property is their backyard, Kim decides to make it feel as if the inside is connected to the outside. She does this by installing a large glass door across the back wall so everyone can see outside.

There are several options for this. She shows them accordion doors, but explains they might be too modern and pricey, at $10,000. They go for the large sliders that cost only $4,000. Bonus: They fit in better with the design of the home.

Paint sample colors on the wall

When it comes to paint, Kim explains one golden rule: “Looking at paint chips doesn’t always do the job,” she says as they paint color samples on the wall. “You really have to see the color up on the wall to get a feel of how it’s going to be in the space.”

It really does make a huge difference when you see the color as it dries, with the light streaming in from the windows.

Create a romantic retreat

Last but not least, Kim knows the couple need more privacy from their kids.

“They need a space for alone time, for a retreat,” Kim notes. But they sure aren’t going to get it with their current bedroom setup, which features a trundle bed where the kids can (and do) crash overnight!

Kim places the main suite in the wing on the other side of the house from the kids’ rooms.

“I know that Laura and Ned felt like the house was just pulling them apart, so I want to focus on creating a main suite for them that will make them feel really connected,” Kim says. “A big part of that is having a really luxurious bathroom, so I’m installing a really stunning herringbone tile floor, a steam shower, and a soaking tub. I really want it to feel like a relaxing spa at the end of the day.”

Once the renovation is done, Laura and Ned are overwhelmed with the results. Ned is especially happy that he now has his own office in the new wing, and that they have a separate laundry room and pantry.

“Now we have no remorse,” says Laura. “We have only pride.”

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