From Reality TV to Real Life: How a Dog Can Save a Deal, and More

It’s always fascinating to take a peek inside people’s homes—particularly when you can do it while kicking back on your own couch. That’s why watching real estate reality TV is so much fun! And this week’s shows had no shortage of excitement in the form of huge fish tanks, a dog that rescues a real estate deal from ruin, and more. Watch and learn!

‘Tanked’

In one of the last episodes of Season 11, brothers-in-law Brett Raymer and Wayde King of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing work their magic for Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller, aka Penn & Teller. The Las Vegas–based magicians want a fish tank in their private lounge and are looking for offbeat inspiration.

Lesson learned: Ask your contractor how he’s renovated his own home. Whether you’re installing a fish tank, renovating your kitchen, or adding a half-bath, it always pays to pry a little into what contractors have deemed worthwhile for their own digs.

Once Penn & Teller learn the “Tanked” guys have an aquarium flush with one wall and bordered with a picture frame, naturally they want the same thing! After all, wouldn’t pros want only the best in their own home?

Episodes air Fridays at 8 and 10 p.m. on Animal Planet.

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‘Property Brothers’

Oceanfront property goes fast, so Drew and Jonathan Scott advise Lindsey and Tyler to act quickly and make a full offer on a home that checks all their boxes. Because the house is such a good deal and will surely get lots of bids, Lindsey decides to sweeten their offer with a personal letter and some photos of their adorable family, including their 14-month-old daughter and frisky golden retriever. Wouldn’t you know that that personal touch was what got them the house? But not in the way you’d think.

Lesson learned: In a heated market, an extra touch like a sincere letter explaining why you want the house can seal the deal. Tyler and Lindsey are certain the photos of their sweet baby girl won them the house, but Jonathan reveals it was the photos of their dog that did the trick—it turns out the owners have golden retrievers, too.

Episodes air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV.

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‘Lone Star Restoration’

Brent Hull, an expert on restoring historic homes, has purchased a 1920s home that he plans to restore and then sell to a buyer who wants to live in a little piece of history. Hull wants to take the home back to its original state as much as possible, but the kitchen is woefully small—kitchens in the ’20s averaged about 20 square feet, roughly half the size of today’s kitchens. There’s plenty of room for Hull to move the kitchen and open it up, but he worries about sacrificing the house’s original integrity.

Lesson learned: When restoring a home to live in, practical wins over pure. As Hull’s wife, Chrissy, points out, no one today will want to buy a home with such a small kitchen. Since they’re hoping to find a buyer for the home who will actually live there, he decides it’s better to adapt and open up that kitchen.

New episodes air Mondays at 10 p.m. on the History Channel.

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‘Yours, Mine or Ours’

Jeremy and Jill are ready to get married—just as soon as they can find “Brady Bunch”–style accommodations. Jeremy has an 8-year-old daughter and lives in a small bungalow in Atlanta. Jill has 12-year-old triplets, and they live in a large home in the suburbs. Realtor® Reza Farahan shows them two big, beautiful homes within their budget, and designer Taylor Spellman comes up with plans to renovate both of their current homes so they’ll accommodate everyone. What’s more, the kids get to have a say on where they go.

Lesson learned: When kids are in the picture, the least amount of change is usually best. The kids decide that moving into a new house would be too disruptive. Instead, they opt for Jeremy and his daughter to move in with Jill and the triplets, after using Spellman’s redesign tips. They also decide to keep Jeremy’s home with an eye toward eventually remodeling it and moving in there. Meanwhile, all the kids will have more time to prepare for the change.

Episodes air on Bravo.

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