Seasons & episodes

Bruce Chipps leads a stressful life in Los Angeles, California, directing a live, four-hour television broadcast from area race tracks. But the job comes with one fabulous perk: Bruce gets up to six months off each year. Recently, Bruce saw the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" which tells the story of an American woman who moves to the Italian countryside to renovate a centuries-old home, and live "the sweet life." Bruce was inspired and decided he wanted to do the same thing during his ample vacation time each year. He has just $65,000 to spend, so instead of Tuscany, which is known to be expensive, Bruce plans to look for a villa in the nearby region of Abruzzo. Helping Bruce realize his dream is real estate agent Nicola Anne Di Girolamo. The first place she shows Bruce is listed right on budget, at $65,000, and has 1300 square feet. The downstairs is in good shape, but the upstairs requires a total renovation.

After selling his trucking business in St. Lucia, Glenn Sorensen decided to move to his favorite vacation spot, the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. With plans of opening a golf pro shop on the north side of the island, Glenn knows he wants to buy a place in that area. While he can spend over a million dollars, he's not going to tell his agent, Simon Octave, the limit, in hopes of driving a hard bargain. But, with dreams of private ocean access, beautiful views, privacy and luxury details, Glenn discovers that he may have to pay a lot more than he had planned.

Nikolaus Neubauer's job as an executive with an international paper company has him moving from country to country every few years. This year, he's in Sweden, which he finds cold, dark and somewhat unfriendly. He's ready to put down some roots in the country of his choosing; Croatia. He's drawn to Croatia for its sunshine, scenery, and friendly people. With a budget of $180,000 it might be hard to find the sea-view condo he's hoping for, but real estate agent Daniela Cecavac thinks she can do it. The first condo she shows him has a nice, open floor plan but the view to the sea is partially blocked by buildings. The second condo has a wide open view of the sea, but the rooms inside are tiny. The third is the closest to the sea, but again here, the view is somewhat obstructed. Helping Niki make the decision is his friend who just happens to be an interior decorator. Will she steer him in the right direction? Find out, when House Hunters International heads to Croatia.

Chen is moving away from home for the very first time. She currently lives with her mom in Tel Aviv, Israel, but now that Chen has saved up, she's ready to find a place of her own. With help from her mother and big sister, Chen will search Tel Aviv for an apartment. She's hoping to find a place that's close to her mom but is also near the downtown action. She'll check out several apartments in Tel Aviv where she'll encounter the beauty of the city and face the frustrations that come along with finding the ideal first home.

British expats Lemar and Bev are tired of farm life in the Bulgarian countryside, and want to buy a condo in Varna, a bustling port city on the Black Sea. They're hoping to find a place close to the city center, with sea views and enough space for their adult sons to stay when they visit.

California residents Jesse and Kelly love spending time at the beach in their Santa Barbara area. The active couple is especially fond of soaking up the sun and surfing the waves. When they got married they went on their honeymoon to San Juan Del Sur, a premier surf destination in Nicaragua known for its pristine beaches and amazing waves. They fell so in love with the coastal region that they've decided to buy a vacation home there. They're hoping to find a home that's near a surf beach and ideally falls within their $150,000 to $200,000 budget. Helping them find a home is their close personal friend and realtor, Brooke Rundle. The first place their pal shows them is a 900 square foot studio with amazing beach views and is listed for $185,000. The condo property is adjacent to a hotel that allows homeowners access to its restaurant and pool area. The second option is a 1600 square foot, two bedroom villa in a gated community that is listed for $200,000. Like the first property, this one is also near a hotel that allows homeowners access to its pool and restaurant. The final home they look at is two story home listed for $175,000. The 1500 square foot property has two bedrooms and is located right at a surf spot with fantastic views. Jesse and Kelly are just one decision away from a surf side vacation paradise in Nicaragua.

A stressed family wants to find a second home in Calabria, Italy.

Angel and Maria have always wanted to have a second home near their relatives in Puerto Rico. They want to have their kids reconnect with their roots. Now that they've paid off their home in New Jersey, they decided it's time to fulfill that dream. While they are in agreement on all of the basics that they want in a house, there is one point of contention. Maria wants a home with luxury, but Angel wants to get a good deal. To help them find a luxurious home at a great price, they're turning to realtor, Molly Assad, at Paradise Properties. Molly takes them to see a beautiful condo with stunning views of the island for $680,000, a tri-level home next to a golf course for $480,000 and a house with a private pool for $719,000.

A woman wants to give up living on a boat for the conveniences of living in a condo.

After reading a newspaper article about San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Chris and Brenda St. Hilaire decided it would be a great place to buy a vacation home for their family of four. They live in Long Beach, California, but were drawn to Nicaragua because of its unspoiled beauty, and opportunities for cultural exchange. Once there, real estate agent Zach Lunin shows them a large home on the beach which is listed for $700,000, a home in the jungle which is listed for $529,0000, and a luxurious hotel condo listed for $584,000. Brenda likes the amenities at the hotel condo like room service and housekeeping. The kids like the fact that there are monkeys in the trees surrounding the jungle house. And Chris likes the beach house, because it's right on the sand. Which one will they choose? Find out, when House Hunters International goes to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

A couple looks for a winter vacation home in the Dominican Republic

An event planner wants to buy a vacation home in Puerto Rico.

Tired of tourists in Hawaii, a couple wants to move to the more laid back Fiji.

Raising their kids on the island of Sicily is a dream come true for ex-Londoners, Jon and Reeva. But squeezing their three children and their home-based travel business into a small three-bedroom rental house is growing on their nerves. They're ready to buy a spacious home of their own on this historic Mediterranean island. They're open to remodeling, and their budget is $730,000 US. Real estate agent Frank Riela has learned to navigate the island's somewhat antiquated real estate practices, and believes he can help Jon and Reeva find the perfect home for their family and business. The first house he shows them has three bedrooms and the potential for a second level, sea-view master suite. But Jon doesn't like the home's close proximity to the neighbors. It's listed for 476,000 US.

A choreographer looks for a peaceful holiday home in Fiji.

Cruise ship employees want a condo on St. Maarten.

Between the demands of work and raising two kids, Garth and Lori barely get to see each other. To get a little quality ''together'' time, not to mention a break from the harsh Minnesota winters, they want to buy a vacation home along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast.

Chris left behind Ireland to seek his fortune in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he opened a bagel shop. Now that his business is up and running and the real estate market is affordable, he wants to buy a home. He's considering the popular option of buying a home mid construction to save money. For extra advice, he's bringing along his friend Sean, who grew up in the construction business. With British expat and realtor Mike De Coster showing him around, Chris hopes to finally buy a place so he can call Bulgaria his home.

Karl's life took a huge turn in late 2007. The manufacturing company he works for sent him overseas from New York state to Edinburgh, Scotland. He found an expatriate social group and while attending a social event met Rachel. Soon Karl told her of his interest in buying real estate in downtown Edinburgh. Since Rachel has been a great guide for Karl and has helped immerse him in Edinburgh life, he's asked her to help in his house hunt...or rather -- his cool, hip Edinburgh apartment flat hunt. She recommended a local real estate company, Destiny Scotland, and soon Karl met Andrew Landsburgh, his realtor. Andrew is hip to the downtown market scene there and Karl couldn't be in better hands.

Doug and Lindy Freeman had the dream of moving to St. Croix for many years. They were making a decent living back home in California, but are quick to disclose that they were not rewarding themselves for the hard work they were doing. They saved everything they could and cut back as much as possible. Finally, with saving and living "way below our means," they were able to move to St. Croix. They sold everything they owned and are now renting a home on the island. The Freemans now want to buy a single family home with a guest cottage or apartment so that their friends and family have a place to stay when they visit. They also want this guest space ready for an expansion as the kids get older and need more room to grow. They hope realtor Ness Fennessey can deliver. Only problem is, Doug wants to pay cash and even though the family has saved up, the Freeman's still don't have enough in the budget for everything they want in their island paradise.

Antony and Stephanie met in 1989 in London through a mutual friend and were friends for eight years before they started dating. They were then married and were living together in London in a house Stephanie had bought when she was 21. Antony, a banker, has been offered a job in Switzerland and he and Stephanie have decided to take a step out of their comfort zone and move the family to Zurich. They believe that, along with a better job for Antony, it was a chance at better quality of life for them and their three daughters, Natalia, Katarina and Alexandra. Natalia, in particular, will benefit from the move. She is a special needs child and there is a school near Zurich that is known for the quality and care in which they help these kinds of students. They hope that all of these factors will make the transition and giant move they are making worth it. And they hope they can find the right home to suit their needs.

Andrea and Randall love the outdoor life in Salt Lake City, Utah: hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, etc. But for fun in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, the situation changes a bit: exploring, snorkeling, swimming and relaxing! On a previous trip to Puerto, the couple purchased an empty lot with plans to build their dream home from scratch, but so much for best laid plans. Now it seems best to save the hassle of building by buying an existing property.

Emma and Tim live busy lives in Richmond, UK. Their decision to buy a property in Slovenia was a huge step for them. Their friends think they have gone MAD! Emma and Tim say they look normal on the outside, but on the inside they're full of spontaneity and adventure. They want to buy and perhaps renovate a second home with hopes of spending more time in the country and less time in the hustle and bustle of the city. Northern Slovenia is definitely one of Europe's undiscovered investment destinations and the Sheldrick's are excited to start hunting. Jade van Baaren was the first English speaking realtor to set up shop around northern Slovenia and the Sheldricks couldn't be in better hands.

Eric Theise and Vladimir Efros have been best friends for a long time. Eric has been living and working in NYC for almost his whole life, while Vladimir moved to the states in 1999. Vladimir introduced Eric to Panama four years ago and they have been visiting there quite frequently ever since. Now Vald and Eric want to buy property in Casco Antiguo, Panama. Eric wants a ''home,'' while Vladimir is looking for an investment that has potential to increase in value. They've hired realtor Patrizia Penzon to find a place that suits both of their distinct agendas.