If you’re an avid fan of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” a trip to Waco, Texas, should be on your radar.
Joanna and Chip Gaines have been fixing up dilapidated homes in Waco on their TV show since November 2015. The success of the show has transformed the town into a full-fledged tourist destination.
The couple has since opened a massive town center where visitors can shop for home goods inspired by the show. There’s also a bakery and a handful of trendy food trucks.
But possibly the number one reason to visit Waco is that you can stay in one of the home that Joanna and Chip have renovated. Some are available for short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb and VRBO.
This attraction might not last forever. A spokesperson for the Gaineses told local newspaper Waco Tribune-Herald: “We are going to be more strict with our contracts involving ‘Fixer Upper’ clients moving forward. We want to honor our national viewing audience. We want to do remodels for clients’ homes. That’s the true intent of our show, and we want to ensure that does not get lost in this new vacation rental trend.”
The new terms apply to homes appearing in the new fifth season of the show.
Here are some "Fixer Upper" homes that are available for rent:
Gorman House was featured on the first episode of Fixer Upper. It was uninhabitable when the Gaines' started work on it. Now, it's a five bedroom house with a wrap-around porch.
Source: Magnolia Market
The house is currently listed on Airbnb for $375 a night for a minimum of two nights. One-night stays cost $475. These prices exclude tax and service charge fees.
See the listing here on Airbnb.
The house has the Gaines' signature open-plan kitchen and breakfast bar combo.
Local carpenter Clint Harp runs a woodworking shop in Waco and is often featured on "Fixer Upper." Next to his shop is the house he and his wife bought through the Gaineses and had them fix up in the first season of the show. They don't live there now and it is rented out on Airbnb.
The Gaineses renovated the property in the first series. When they first saw it, Joanna said, "I feel like this is like a crime scene. I'm very scared of what I'm gonna find." Chip was equally shocked: "It's got the essential three B's. It's big, it's butt-ugly and it's within their budget."
Source: HGTV
See the listing here on Airbnb.
The asking price on the home was $15,000 but the Harps negotiated it down to $10,000. This meant that had plenty left in their $100,000 budget for renovations.
The house was given a new roof, bigger windows, and new paint. Clint Harp made the front door himself out of reclaimed wood.
Source: HGTV
It is now listed on Airbnb and costs $600 a night to rent on weekends, plus service fees and tax.
Source: HGTV
It has a modern kitchen with a marble topped island and a large living room area.
There are five bedrooms in the property but it sleeps 12 people thanks to an extra sofa bed.
Source: HGTV
Guests who stay at the house will find Harp's carpentry scattered around the place, including bed headboards.
See the listing here on Airbnb.
The "Mailander House" was also remodeled on season one. The owners now rent it on Airbnb for $300 a night on weekends (excluding service fees and tax).
See the listing here on Airbnb.
This house was built in the early 1900s but was completely remodeled.
The owners have changed some of the furniture since the Gaines' renovated it, and the house now looks a little different.
There are three bedrooms: a double room with a king bed, a single room, and a twin bed room.
In season two, the Gaines' completely renovated this "Mid-Mon" house, which sleeps between 10 and 12 people.
Source: Magnolia Market
It is now a four bed and three bath home and is rented for $559 a night on weekends, on Airbnb. This price excludes tax and service fees.
See the listing here on Airbnb.
The kitchen has been converted into an open-plan space with a large breakfast bar.
The house has a large master bedroom with a queen bed.
It also has a newly renovated garage with two built-in beds, ideal for families traveling with children.
Known as "Barndominium," this barn conversion appeared in season three. It is currently available for rent on VRBO and is on the market for sale with Sotheby's. It is listed for $1.2 million.
See the rental listing here on VRBO.
Source: Sotheby's International Realty
The Gaineses converted a 1,000-square-foot attic apartment, horse stalls, and hay storage into an 2,700-square-foot home. At the center is a rectangular shaped room that has been converted into a dining area and has a large table that seats 20 people.
Source: HGTV
This home is suitable for large parties of guests.
Source: VRBO
It costs $717 per night to rent on VRBO and has a two night minimum stay.
Source: VRBO
The Gaineses removed the walls on the second floor apartment to create an open plan living space with a kitchen, breakfast table, and sitting room.
Source: HGTV
The downstairs den also provides guests with another area to relax in.
Source: HGTV
There are five bedrooms but the owners claim it sleeps 20 people, thanks to extra beds in some of the rooms.
This compact, one-bedroom home is known as "Shotgun House." It also appeared on season three of the TV show. The house is located two blocks from the Gaineses homeware store in Waco, known as the Magnolia Market.
The house has one bedroom and a queen sofa bed, sleeping four people in total. It costs $325 per night, excluding tax and service fees, on Airbnb.
See the listing here on Airbnb.
The house has a loft and 20-foot ceilings, which makes the mini kitchen feel spacious.
Source: HGTV
The master bedroom was decorated by Joanna Gaines.
The house has a large outdoor area with a fire pit and seating.
Lastly, "The German Schmear House" a four-bedroom house in the suburbs of Waco also appeared on season three of the show. The young couple who bought it had a budget of $235,000 and were looking for their dream first home.
It is currently listed on Airbnb for $430 a night on weekends. This price excludes service fees and tax.
See the listing here on Airbnb.
During the renovation, several walls were removed to create an open plan space that combines a kitchen, dining area, and living room.
Source: HGTV
It has lots of space to accommodate eight guests.
The guest rooms are elegantly decorated.
And its two bathrooms get a lot of sun.
There's even a large outside area with German beer hall tables.
