The 2025 “Ugliest House of the Year” isn’t so ugly anymore.
Out of 20 nominees nationwide, HomeVestors selected a 1954-built home in Boise, Idaho, as the latest winner in its 19th annual contest—an honor that celebrates the most dramatic house transformations.
For franchisees, earning the title means delivering the biggest turnaround: Taking a severely distressed property and neighborhood eyesore and turning it into a market-ready home. As part of the award, HomeVestors donates $20,000 to the winner’s local Habitat for Humanity chapter to support affordable housing efforts.
This year’s champions—Paul and Tanice Myers, a husband-and-wife franchise team in Boise, Idaho—don’t scare easily.
When they purchased the 1,580-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bath home in West Boise, they were facing a home that had been deemed “uninhabitable.” The rooms were packed with trash. The kitchen was severely damaged. The paint was peeling. The laundry room was impassable. Holes were in the ceiling. The wood was rotting. Safety hazards were everywhere.
Where others saw a teardown, the Myers saw potential.
“It’s not just repairing houses—it’s about restoring pride, relieving stress for families and giving communities a fresh start,” Tanice Myers says.
Restoring an ‘Ugly’ Home
Over six weeks, the Myers completed a full-scale overhaul. The renovation included a new roof, HVAC system, drywall, flooring, and a new kitchen and bathrooms. Electrical and plumbing systems were brought up to code, and the layout was improved to create a more flexible living and entertaining space.
Interior design upgrades included durable flooring, fresh interior paint, quartz countertops, brand-new cabinetry and vanities, updated lighting and modern hardware.
Outside, the nearly 9,000-square-foot lot received new landscaping, a fresh coat of exterior paint, and a newly poured driveway. The backyard was also transformed into a usable space for entertaining, gardening and relaxing.
“Paul and Tanice’s HomeVestors journey is its own stunning tale of transformation,” says Joshua Waltzer, CEO of HomeVestors. “They have turned that first franchise into a powerful team of eight improving neighborhoods and lives across six states—from buyers and sellers to their fellow franchisees and members of their own team. They support small businesses by working with them to complete renovations, giving houses, families and communities dignity.”
According to Business Insider, the couple spent more than $100,000 in renovations when overhauling the Boise home. This past summer, the home was listed for around $624,000 and sold shortly after.
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