All in the family

March 1, 2011

HD&R talk TV, renovations and working together with twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers.
By Sara Duck

Property Brothers (produced by Cineflex in association with W Network) is a show that follows real estate agent Drew Scott and his twin brother, contractor Jonathan Scott, as they help couples find, buy and transform extreme fixer-uppers into the ultimate dream home. With the help of CGI technology, the brothers are able to show buyers the underlying potential in rundown properties. With a background in entertainment, these brothers bring a fine balance of fun and strong talent to the show, which make it incredibly amusing to watch. Recently we sat down with the brothers to find out more.

HD&R: You both bring an interesting dynamic to the show; did you always know you wanted to work together?
DREW: We have always worked together. It’s actually quite odd, I know when most people spend this much time together they really get on each other’s nerves. We don’t. I think it helps that we’re very outspoken – if something is bugging us we just say it and deal with it, then move on.
JONATHAN: We rarely argue on a project because as soon as the work starts, Drew disappears! Honestly, it’s nice working with somebody who understands exactly what I can do and has the same level of creativity to see the potential in a property. The brotherly competition still exists and adds a little humour to the show.

HD&R: Describe working closely with your twin brother?
D: It’s great. Jonathan is as driven and motivated as I am. We have the same lofty aspirations and goals. So being able to have someone with the same interests and that you know you can rely on is invaluable. It’s like I’ve cloned myself and now have the ability to cram twice as much work into each day.
J: We actually do know what the other is thinking a lot of the time and that makes decision making a lot quicker and easier. Granted, I was born first and everybody knows nothing is as good as the original, but Drew gets by.

HD&R: What has been the biggest challenge working on a TV series?
D: You would think it would be balancing our day-to-day operations with our real estate company. Spending so much time on the series doesn’t leave a lot for other endeavours; however, Jonathan and I are extremely organized and have great time management. This allows us to take on a lot without burning out. We also have a strong network of people behind us to ensure our clients are taken care of and our company can function at the high level of excellence that we expect.
J: On Property Brothers, I’d say the biggest challenge is convincing homeowners that we can actually make a dilapidated home look as good as we say we can. No matter how long we do this and no matter how many success stories we’ve had, homeowners are still skeptical. Some homeowners think we’re just hosts and don’t have the knowledge and real estate experience to achieve the dream makeovers. But, in the end I love it when I see those jaws drop.

HD&R: Take us through the process of how you make a client’s dream a reality?
D: It actually starts off with a little shock factor. Most of the homeowners are dreaming with what they think they can get on their budget. So I take them through a beautiful, spacious, luxury home that is move-in ready. It’s way out of their budget but has everything they want. Yet they actually think they can afford it. Once I drop the list price on them they are devastated. There is method to my madness; I believe you need to break them down before you can build them back up. They’ve lived too long in a fantasy and this is the best way to pull them back into reality. At this point we take them through extreme fixer uppers that they can afford, and then show them what we can do to turn it into their dream home.
J: This is the point where I generally take over. Ninety-nine per cent of our couples do not see any potential in these run down nightmares. The funny thing is, we’ve all heard the saying, “Location, location, location.” Get the ugliest house on the nicest street, that’s what we aim for. I’m going to build equity into these homes for the family and transform it into the nicest place on the block. The only way I seem to be able to convince buyers of my ideas, is by using the amazing 3D imaging software that we designed with Neezo Renders specifically for the show. You won’t find this software in any other residential application; however, it makes the difference in painting that picture for the clients. When clients go into our design presentation we use the 3D imaging to help them choose one of two properties to write an offer on; they generally feel both contenders are a waste of time – but when they leave after seeing our designs, they can’t decide which one they want to buy. The software is that good!

HD&R: Do you have a favourite project? Why?
D: I love the extremes. When people walk into a house they think has no potential and we say, “Well hold on, check this out!” I also love seeing the transformation of a master suite. In one of the episodes, the buyers had a cramped master bedroom with a tiny closet and no ensuite bathroom. The reason they decided to go with the space was because of our 3D visual: it showed them they could take the fourth bedroom, which was small and useless, and turn it into a beautiful walk-through closet and ensuite. In the end it was a spa-like master suite that they’d never want to leave.
J: I love custom, which is the biggest benefit of doing your own reno. We had a couple on the show and the husband was really tall. He was always hitting his head on things, found shelving shallow or short and all around just not functional for a big guy. Well, I’m over 6’ 4” so I felt his pain. I built him this unbelievable walk-in closet and ensuite with nine-ft. doors, extended shelves and a vaulted ceiling with a rain drop showerhead. He loved it and I was a little jealous!

HD&R: What misconceptions do people have about doing a reno?
D: A lot of people think that no matter how hard they try they could never make an older home look as good as a new build. This is just simply not true. It just depends on your budget and how much work you want to do yourself. To get a solid finished project though, there are several areas that you should use a professional. For example, if you have never done drywall mudding, bring in a pro. It may seem expensive at first but when you calculate the value of your time and the value of a properly finished project, the skilled trade is worth it. Also, if you are thinking of resale value, you want to ensure everything is done right and looks professionally finished.
J: A lot of people think it’s cheaper and all-around easier not to get permits. This is not the case. In fact, when you resell a home these days and do not disclose renovations without permits, it can be considered a latent defect and you can make yourself liable. The city is generally great to work with, they just want to make sure updates are done to code. As a homeowner, I’d be very concerned if your contractor suggests you don’t get a permit. This process is there for a reason.

HD&R: What advice can you offer to someone who is embarking on a reno?
D: Get organized before you start. Have your plans sketched, a checklist written and set a budget. Also think of resale value. You may love a shower instead of a bathtub but if you renovate and don’t leave at least one bathtub in the house, then you are greatly reducing the resale value in the sense that most families would want a house with a tub for kids. Look at your renovations and think of what the average person would think when walking through the house. It’s better to convert a cramped four bedroom/one bathroom home into a spacious three bedroom/two bathroom house, instead of just updating the original floor plan. More bedrooms are not always better. Be sure to figure out which of your “wishlist” items are things you must have and which are things you can live without. Usually buying a less expensive house that needs work will give you more flexibility to transform the property into the home of your dreams.
J: Value your own time. Renovations can be very stressful on a family and can drag on for years. Take on some of the projects yourself but hire a professional contractor to do any major jobs. Also, be realistic with your needs and wants. Can you afford to do everything right now? Maybe concentrate on the main floor if your budget is tight and do the basement down the road when you have a little extra cash.

HD&R: What do you think the difference is between a house and a home?
D: This is something we hear from buyers all the time. A house is simply walls, roof and some flooring. But a home is somewhere they can actually see their family living. I’ve never heard someone say, “This feels like house.”
J: Perhaps it isn’t something you can express through words. None of our families have ever walked into a house prior to our renovation and shown any kind of emotion. However, when our renovation is complete and we reveal the finished product, many couples cannot hold back the tears and the joy. That’s when I know, I’ve turned it into a home.

Filed under: FROM THE EXPERTS, RENOVATIONS