In a real estate market where two out of three homes are priced at $1 million or more, how do you get a reasonably nice house for a reasonable price?
Answer: the old fashioned way: you haggle and do a lot of repair work yourself.
That's the story House Hunters International told in their latest St. John-focused episode, To Renovate or Not.
The show followed Stan and Rob in their quest for a $500,000 house. Their priorities: privacy, close to town, good view, and two bedrooms/two baths.
A Fish Bay house failed because it needed a lot of work, a lot! - more than even the below-budget cost of $395K would justify. Another property near Coral Bay was just too far out, so they chose a two bedroom/two bath house with a so-so-view of Chocolate Hole. They got it for $50K less than asking price and began spending the 'savings' on their fixer/upper.
Rob and Ken also own, and started, the St. Johnimals pet store. The store is for sale for $95,000.
Their House Hunters International show will be aired again at 6pm eastern on May 27.