Sell This House: Season 1, Episode 17 - Scottsdale, AZ - John & Martha Cornely (2004)

In the episode "Scottsdale, AZ - John & Martha Cornely" of "Sell This House," the show opens with a view of the Cornelys' home, a spacious property in Scottsdale, Arizona. John and Martha Cornely express their frustration with the selling process, as their house has been on the market for several months without any offers. They feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to make their home more appealing to potential buyers.

The hosts, Tanya Memme and designer Roger Hazard, arrive at the Cornelys' home to assess the situation. They begin with a walkthrough, noting the home's strengths and weaknesses. The couple's personal style is evident, with bold colors and heavy furniture that they love but which may not resonate with buyers. Tanya and Roger discuss the importance of creating a neutral environment that allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space.

As they move through the living room, Roger points out the clutter and the need for depersonalization. He suggests removing family photos and excessive decorations to create a more inviting atmosphere. The couple is initially hesitant but understands the necessity of these changes. They agree to follow the advice, albeit reluctantly, as they have a strong emotional attachment to their belongings.

Next, Roger focuses on the kitchen, which he believes needs a fresh look. He suggests painting the cabinets and replacing the hardware to modernize the space. John and Martha are concerned about the cost and effort involved but ultimately agree to the updates, recognizing that a modern kitchen can significantly impact buyers' perceptions.

The team then moves to the backyard, where Roger sees potential for improvement. The outdoor space is cluttered with furniture and lacks a cohesive design. He proposes rearranging the furniture to create a more inviting seating area and adding some plants for color. John and Martha are excited about the idea but worry about the time it will take to implement these changes.

As the renovation process begins, the Cornelys start to feel the pressure of the impending open house. They work alongside the crew, painting and decluttering their home. The emotional weight of letting go of their personal items becomes evident, especially for Martha, who struggles with parting from family mementos. John tries to support her, but the stress of the situation is palpable.

In the days leading up to the open house, the transformation of the home is significant. The living room is now painted in neutral tones, and the furniture is arranged to create a more spacious feel. The kitchen has been updated with fresh paint and new hardware, giving it a modern touch. The backyard has been revitalized with a clean seating area and vibrant plants, making it an inviting space for potential buyers.

On the day of the open house, John and Martha are anxious but hopeful. They watch as potential buyers arrive, and their emotions fluctuate between excitement and nervousness. Tanya and Roger guide the visitors through the home, highlighting the improvements made and the potential of the space. The couple observes the reactions of the buyers, noting their interest in the changes.

After the open house, Tanya and Roger gather feedback from the visitors. The response is overwhelmingly positive, with many buyers appreciating the updates and the overall feel of the home. John and Martha are relieved and excited to hear that their efforts have paid off. They feel a renewed sense of hope that their home will sell soon.

In the final moments of the episode, the Cornelys reflect on the journey they have taken. They express gratitude for the guidance and support they received from Tanya and Roger. The emotional weight of the process is still present, but they feel empowered by the changes they made and are optimistic about the future of their home sale. The episode concludes with a sense of closure as they prepare to move forward, ready to embrace the next chapter in their lives.

In the ending of "Sell This House," season 1, episode 17, John and Martha Cornely successfully sell their Scottsdale home after making significant changes to improve its appeal. The couple, who had been struggling to attract buyers, receive positive feedback from potential buyers after the renovations and staging. Ultimately, they find a buyer who appreciates the home, leading to a successful sale.

As the episode unfolds, we see John and Martha Cornely, a couple in Scottsdale, Arizona, who are eager to sell their home but have faced challenges in attracting buyers. The episode begins with a walkthrough of their home, where the couple expresses their frustrations about the lack of interest in their property. John, a retired military officer, and Martha, a homemaker, have invested a lot of time and effort into their home, but it has not translated into offers.

The first scene highlights the couple's emotional state as they discuss their hopes and dreams for the future, which hinge on selling their home. They want to downsize and move closer to their family, but the stagnant real estate market has left them feeling anxious and uncertain. The camera captures their home's cluttered spaces and outdated decor, which they acknowledge may be deterring potential buyers.

Next, the show's host arrives to assess the property. He points out various issues, such as the need for decluttering, fresh paint, and updated furnishings. The couple listens intently, their expressions shifting from hope to concern as they realize the extent of the work needed to make their home market-ready. The host emphasizes the importance of first impressions, and the couple begins to understand that they must make significant changes to attract buyers.

In the following scenes, John and Martha work diligently to implement the host's suggestions. They clear out personal items, repaint walls in neutral colors, and stage the home to create a more inviting atmosphere. The transformation is visually striking; the once cluttered and dated spaces become bright and welcoming. As they work together, their bond strengthens, and they express a renewed sense of hope for the future.

The climax of the episode occurs when the couple hosts an open house. They anxiously await feedback from potential buyers, their emotions running high as they hope for a positive response. The camera captures their nervous glances and whispered conversations as they observe visitors exploring their home. After the open house, they receive encouraging feedback, which boosts their spirits.

Finally, the episode concludes with the couple receiving an offer on their home. The joy and relief on their faces are palpable as they realize their hard work has paid off. They discuss their plans for the future, feeling optimistic about the next chapter of their lives. The closing scene shows them celebrating the sale, their dreams of downsizing and moving closer to family now within reach.

In summary, John and Martha Cornely's journey in this episode illustrates the emotional rollercoaster of selling a home. Their initial struggles, hard work, and eventual success highlight the importance of adaptability and teamwork in overcoming challenges. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with the couple looking forward to new beginnings after the successful sale of their home.

In the episode "Scottsdale, AZ - John & Martha Cornely" from season 1 of "Sell This House," there is no post-credit scene. The episode concludes with the main content focused on the Cornelys' home selling process, showcasing the transformations made to the property and the reactions of potential buyers. The narrative wraps up with the couple reflecting on the changes and their hopes for a successful sale, but it does not include any additional scenes or content after the credits.

John and Martha Cornely struggle with the outdated decor and clutter in their Scottsdale home, which detracts from its appeal to potential buyers. They are emotionally attached to their home, making it difficult for them to see the necessary changes that could enhance its marketability.

The experts suggest a thorough decluttering of the home, repainting the walls in neutral colors, and updating the landscaping to create a more inviting curb appeal. They also recommend rearranging furniture to improve the flow of the space.

Initially, John and Martha are resistant to some of the suggestions, particularly regarding the emotional attachment to their decor. However, as they see the potential benefits of the changes, they begin to embrace the recommendations and work collaboratively with the experts.

Throughout the process, John and Martha experience a mix of anxiety and hope. They feel nostalgic as they prepare to leave their home, reflecting on the memories made there, but also feel excitement about the possibility of a fresh start.

Staging plays a crucial role in the Cornelys' selling process, as it transforms their home into a more appealing space for potential buyers. The staging highlights the home's best features, making it feel more spacious and inviting, which ultimately helps to attract interest and offers.

In the episode "Scottsdale, AZ - John & Martha Cornely" from "Sell This House," the content is generally family-friendly, focusing on home selling and staging. However, there are a few aspects that might be considered potentially objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers:

1. Emotional Stress: The Cornelys express frustration and anxiety about selling their home, which may resonate with viewers who are sensitive to emotional distress.

2. Conflict: There are moments of disagreement between John and Martha regarding the home's presentation and their differing opinions on what needs to be changed, which could be uncomfortable for some viewers.

3. Critique of Home Decor: The show features critiques of the couple's home decor, which may be upsetting for viewers who are sensitive to criticism or have strong attachments to their personal spaces.

Overall, while the episode deals with real-life challenges, it maintains a focus on home improvement and does not include any explicit or inappropriate content.