AJ and Carin Find a New Home After Losing Theirs to the LA Fires

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AJ and Carin have been searching for a home for about 10 months now, but keep hitting a wall. They’ve gone hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking price, searched in different neighborhoods, and tried their best to keep their chins up. The couple lost everything in the Eaton fires in 2025, and they just want to find a place they can finally call home. They saw a house they think they have a shot at, but they want Drew and Jonathan to come take a look first and assess the pros and cons. On Property Brothers: Under Pressure this week, the Bros are hoping they can help AJ and Carin rebuild their life after the tragic fires, and find them a home that makes them feel safe and comfortable.

They have a healthy $1.3M budget, and though the home they’re looking at is nearly at the top of that (at $1.2M), it does have a tenant space in the basement they’d plan to use as a short-term rental. The only issue is that it’s an attached unit, so they’d be sharing a common area space. However, they like the idea of being able to help offset some mortgage costs and even bring in a little extra income—especially since they’re paying for two more years of college and have parents who are getting older.

Drew and Jonathan showed AJ and Carin other properties, too, with a variety of pros and cons: They saw one home that was move-in ready, with space to spruce up the backyard and give AJ the outdoor kitchen he’s been dreaming of, but it didn’t have an ADU space. They viewed another that was over-budget, but had everything they were looking for, including a detached ADU. After being out-bid on the second one that they loved most, AJ and Carin went right back to the drawing board. So, AJ and Carin decided to move forward on the original property with the basement rental—they were sick of waiting around, and they wanted to create a home. “We’re at the breaking point of compromise to an extent,” Carin says. “I want to settle down somewhere, and unpack the few things we have, and start building back.”

Before & Afters

Host-Worthy Backyard Lounge

Luckily, AJ and Carin were able to purchase the house under asking, so they had a little more cushion to work with when it comes to renovations.

A large chunk of that was put into their fabulous outdoor lounge and dining area, where they’re excited to host game nights, dinner soirees, and watch parties with friends and family. They included a cozy sectional sofa, a sweet picnic-style dining table, and of course, had to go all-out on the backyard kitchen for AJ.

Comfy, Cozy Rental Bedroom

White-washed pine walls and cozy, warm bedding makes this rental bedroom feel like a home away from home for short-term guests spending the night. Bedside drawers and plenty of cabinetry on the opposite wall provide the storage guests need to feel organized on vacation, while a sweet gift basket perched on the bed boosts rental appeal in photographs and adds that extra memorable touch.

…And Modern Kitchenette

For the short-term rental kitchen, AJ and Carin wanted the space to feel streamlined, but still equipped with everything a guest might need. They included a fridge, microwave, and coffee station, with a modern bistro set that helps make the room feel complete.

AJ’s Sophisticated Office Space

AJ is a huge Dodgers fan, and one of the things he lost in the fires was his extensive bobbleheads collection. Drew and Jonathan wanted to surprise him with a few things to help start off his new Dodgers memorabilia, so they hung rally towels and framed team photos to make the space feel like his own again. 

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