Being featured on HGTV House Hunters is one of those opportunities you never forget! And seeing our episode finally air on June 7, 2026 (Season 260, Episode 11) was incredibly special.

HGTV summed it up this way:

"Blending their families eight years ago, a couple now looks to make a fresh start after their kids have all moved off to college in Columbus, Ohio; she wants a craftsman in the city, but he's ready for a change of pace with a farmhouse farther out."

That couple was Ben Williams and Staci Palmer, and our story actually began much closer to home... right here in Chippewa Lake.

My relationship with Ben and Staci began through my longtime friendship with Ben's parents, Bob & Pam Williams. When Ben and Staci would visit them at the lake, we naturally got to know each other, and over time that connection grew. I later had the opportunity to help Ben and Staci purchase a lake house right here in the Village of Chippewa Lake.

Fast forward a few years, and when they decided to sell their longtime home in the Columbus area and start thinking about their next chapter, Staci applied to be on House Hunters. I'll never forget the phone call when she said, "We got in!" Exciting in the moment, and even more meaningful looking back now.

What filming House Huntes is REALLY like...

Yes, House Hunters is a reality TV show...  and yes, the homes, decisions, and buyers are real. But filming is an entirely different world.

My portion of filming took place over three full days, and they were long (but incredibly fun) days:

• The crew arrived at each property around 8:30 a.m. to unload, set up equipment, and prepare the space.

• We arrived camera-ready at 9:30 a.m.

• Filming ran straight through until about 6:30 p.m. each day.

Ben and Staci also had two additional filming days, one at their current home and another for the final scenes at their boat club, which wrapped up the episode beautifully.

The crew was absolutely fabulous! They were professional, organized, and genuinely fun to work with. One detail that stood out to me (and that I loved) was their commitment to supporting local businesses. Any time they picked up coffee, meals, or snacks, it was always from locally owned spots, never chain restaurants. As someone deeply rooted in community, that meant a lot.

From Northeast Ohio to Central Ohio

While I specialize in Northeast Ohio real estate, this episode was filmed in the Columbus area, where Ben and Staci live. Their search ultimately led them to a home in Plain City, which perfectly fit the new chapter they were entering after their kids headed off to college.

It was such a privilege to be part of their journey, both as their real-life REALTOR® and as part of this memorable TV experience.

A moment I'll always be grateful for

Real estate is about relationships, trust, and guiding people through big life transitions. Whether it's on national television or quietly behind the scenes, the goal is always the same: helping people find the place that truly feels like home.

I'm so grateful to Ben and Staci for the opportunity, and I'll always smile knowing a small piece of my real estate story lives on HGTV.