House Hunters comes to Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls— STAND UP: I’m Natalia Hepworth here in Idaho Falls joining a local couple who found their home through the help of a T.V. show, let’s go take a look inside.

VO: Last year Sharilyn and David Hackett applied to be on the HGTV series House Hunters” at the beginning of their search for their first new home.

SOT: “We freaked out when we first got that email from them," David said. “They were really intrigued about Idaho Falls ... It was a small town and they were really interested in coming to the state."

VO: On the show buyers are guided through three different houses by a real estate agent and at the end of the process a home is selected.

SOT: Seeing myself on T.V. was pretty crazy. Right before the show aired my wife and I were just pacing back and forth all throughout the house. We just couldn’t believe that we were about to see our faces on national television,” David said.

VO: During their episode the couple knew what they wanted, but their wish lists weren't completely cohesive.

SOT: “Their budget was a pressure for sure and they had different ideas of what they wanted. She wanted the new construction and he wanted something he could personalized and customize,” Realtor Jodi Steo said.

VO: The couple was working with what they said was a relatively low budget of $140,000.

SOT: “It was a breath of fresh air for everyone… It was going to be more relatable and like a bargain hunting type of deal,” Sharilyn said.

VO: At the end of the episode the couple settles on a ranch style, one-story home, below their budget, but it wasn't free from problems. They had about less than a month after choosing their home to get it renovated.

SOT: "Thankfully I spent a lot of time researching everything and I ended up doing all the work myself and I was able to prove that I can do this, proved it to myself too,” David said.

“He decided that he was going to finish it, he stuck with it," Sharilyn said. “There nothing that compares to the feeling of knowing that it looks how it does because of our blood, sweat, and tears."

VO: The couple has learned that there are no perfect homes, and that there isn't a perfect home buying process, but they are happy with their choice. They are grateful to have this once in a lifetime experience.

SOT: "It feels absolutely amazing to own a house now. We absolutely love taking care of our yard," David said.

VO: In Idaho Falls, I’m Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com.