The Gaines, of the popular home repair show “Fixer Upper,” are tired of people putting the properties they have helped restore on rental sites like VRBO and Airbnb. They’re already talking about reworking their contract for next season, presumably so this can’t happen.
“Fixer Upper” is an HGTV show in which couple Chip and Joanna Gaines meet a home buyer and show them potential properties for purchase in Waco, in central Texas. Each property is in need of renovations to varying degrees. Once a house is chosen, Joanna designs a remodel for the space while Chip takes over the build. They also own Magnolia Market, a shop where they feature and sell items seen on the show.
Many “Fixer Upper” homes can be found on Airbnb and VRBO, and attract guest from all over. A few families have even left the home renovated during the show in order to rent it out entirely. A Magnolia spokesperson stated that “We want to do remodels for clients’ homes.”
The popularity of the show however draws a lot of unwanted attention for the homeowners who sometimes find it better to simply move away. The idea of being able to rent out a popular home has got some homeowners into the entrepreneurial spirit and segued them into obtaining other rental properties.
Moreover, the Waco tourist market experienced a substantial boost with the popularity of the show. Four new hotels were recently added to the area without any decline in demand. Waco area hotels enjoy a pretty steady 70 percent occupancy on average.
While the popularity of the show is great for the local economy, with Waco seeing an estimated 20,000 weekly visitors to the Gaines’’ Magnolia Market, the couple certainly aren’t pleased with their hard work being passed on to others rather than being enjoyed as it was intended.
