By Sarah Whitman
A Lutz home is about to be famous.
Ralph and Peggy Watts 4,000 square foot home at 1308 Anglers Lane was selected to appear on Sell This House, A&E’s home makeover show with a twist. The show’s hosts, Tanya Memme and Roger Hazard, visit homes throughout the country and do makeovers designed to help the homes sell.
The Lutz home, a four bedroom three bath on 1.3 acres behind the Publix at Dale Mabry and Lutz Lake Fern, will appear on a June 26 episode. The asking price is $499, 500.
The Watts can’t wait for the show to air.
“It’s a dream come true,” Peggy Watts said. “They had great ideas and made big changes. We’d watched the show before and it’s exciting to be on it.”
The Sell This House crew came to Lutz in mid-May and spent two days working their magic. The Watts are both art teachers, so the home was a creative hodge-podge with different wallpaper at every turn, mismatched antiques and even a Vegas-style slot machine. The couple gave the show free reign to make changes.
Led by Hazard, the designers stripped wallpaper, repainted, redecorated and even created a home theater. They emphasized the homes spacious rooms and hardwood floors, getting rid of unnecessary furniture and other items like faux flower arrangements. They went for a clean and modern look.
Thousands of people submit their homes to appear on Sell This House. To qualify, a home must currently be on the market and the owners must be living in the home with furnishings. Applicants send in photos with a story about the house.
Keller Williams realtor Elizabeth Flach said producers selected the Lutz home based on its potential. She said the house’s best qualities were hidden and the show’s designers knew how to make those features pop.
“They removed the clutter from the house,” Flach said. “They put chair railing and added other new accessories.”
The Watts purchased the home, which was built in 1982, 12 years ago. They remodeled the inside and built a life there, spending many weekends relaxing on the lake. They put the house up for sale because they plan to retire from teaching soon. Their one daughter is grown and living on her own now. So, they are looking for a smaller place in the Tampa Bay area to spend their golden years.
“We just don’t need this much space anymore,” Peggy said.
Watts didn’t mind a television crew invading her home, especially since they brought along professional decorators. She was excited to see the finished product. She said the change that surprised her most was the home theater.
“I am used to white ceilings and they painted the ceiling dark,” she said. “It is different but I like it.”
Watts hopes the show prompts interest from homebuyers looking for a place to stay for many years to come.
“The house would be great for a family,” she said. There is a lot of room. There is space to entertain and have family gatherings. It is warm and inviting. It’s been a great home.”
Tune in to A&E for the show June 26 or stop by the house in person June 12 for an open house.
