Reviving Windsor

Meet the Women Featured on HGTV, 
Turning Neglected Homes Into Thriving Spaces

Story by Paula Just / Photography by Heike Delmore
Hair by Megan Ellis / Make-up by Rayvenne Sarkis

When Stephanie Bradt and Deidre Ritsche step into a property, magic happens. These two entrepreneurial women are on a mission to transform Windsor’s underappreciated homes into stunning showcases. That’s exactly what the duo brought to the screen when they joined HGTV Canada’s Hoarder House Flippers, who chose them to host two episodes that aired nationally and internationally. The reality TV show follows house flippers nationwide taking on extreme renovation challenges. 

The filming in Windsor took over six months, with over 20 film days and 100 hours of recording. Deidre and Stephanie rehabbed two old houses in the episodes and transformed them into profitable places as hosts and local real estate agents. As usual, they handled all stages, from quality control to more laborious tasks. “We found, bought and renovated the houses with our local team. It’s really a documentary of what we do every day,” explains Stephanie. “Now people can watch our whole process. The show makes it look easy, but it’s definitely not,” completed Deidre. 

With Stephanie’s background in editorial fashion and merchandising and Deidre’s global experience in event management, the pair combined a unique perspective in 2016 when they founded Border City Living. “Essentially, we work to attract the right buyer for every property,” summarized Deidre. The entrepreneurs specialize in showcasing the potential of more affordable and underappreciated areas, helping buyers see transformation opportunities. As two women without a family background in a very male-dominated industry, both feel they are breaking barriers. 

The hoarder houses they chose to rehab for the show were no exception. One was in Riverside, and the other in Walkerville. While the first house, featured in the third episode of the latest season, was primarily a case of extreme dirt and grime, the second—aired in the sixth episode—was packed with old furniture and collectibles. “Oftentimes, these homes are difficult to maintain for various reasons, and the fact that we are willing to purchase them in their current condition makes all the difference,” explained Deidre. 

The renovation process for both properties followed the same steps: before starting any construction work, a cleaning crew was brought in to remove everything inside. During this process, the team assessed the items to determine if anything could be repurposed or donated to the community. In the Riverside house, they found piles of debris, grime, bizarre objects—including taxidermy—extreme smoke damage, and used chewing tobacco. In the Walkerville home, they encountered rat droppings and an overwhelming collection of hoarded items, including carpets, silverware sets, a 1940s stamp collection and hundreds of books. Some of these last items were sold to an antique store, generating a profit of just over $6,000.

After the cleanup, the professionals met with contractor, Matthew Doyscher, to finalize the renovation plans. This is where their creative talents took center stage. Together, they carefully selected materials, finishes and the overall design for each room. The duo’s signature style stands out through bold colour choices and unexpected material combinations—daring decisions such as kitchens in shades of pink, purple and blue. “We like to push the envelope when it comes to design. But we also wanted the eventual buyers to feel at home in these spaces,” explained Stephanie.

They decided to take risks for both projects, especially with the second house, where they opted for vibrant colours throughout multiple rooms. One choice—a mustard yellow—did not work out as planned, leading to a last-minute change that tightened the already fast-paced, eight-week schedule. “The design was unique and eye-catching. We didn’t follow the typical flipper format,” said Stephanie, adding: “We wanted them to stand out, to attract a unique buyer. So these projects had to be bold.”

But don’t be mistaken—they don’t just sit back and plan; they get their hands dirty. During filming, Deidre and Stephanie actively participated in cleaning, construction, and painting to help cut costs and speed things along. Despite dealing with design and construction deadlines, the professionals demonstrated agility, calmness and willingness to face what seemed impossible. 

Fortunately, they have valuable connections that make a difference—something well captured in the reality show. “Our experience, combined with knowing good products and qualified partners, was important,” emphasized Deidre. Stephanie adds: “The only way we could have pulled off those timelines without sacrificing quality or cutting corners is because we have a city with great local trades and businesses who came together to get the job done with us.”

Throughout the episodes, it also becomes clear that their chosen profession presents constant, unexpected challenges. One of the biggest struggles is staying within the initial budget. In the first featured property, they had to allocate an additional $9,000 due to an issue with the porch that wasn’t initially planned. On the other hand, all construction came to a brief halt while the hardwood flooring was restored.

Even so, both projects exceeded profit expectations. Their keen eye for detail and design secured over six-figure profits in each episode. One of the houses had enough space for a second kitchen, so it was transformed into two separate units, increasing its marketability. The results impressed investors, who were extremely satisfied with the renovations. 

Now, Deidre and Stephanie are awaiting confirmation for a third season, which would air on Canada’s new channel, Home Network. “Watching the episodes for the first time was so surreal. We don’t usually document our process that meticulously, so seeing all the moving parts come together like that was special. It reminded us of how many laughs we had on and off camera. We really love what we do and who we work with, and they did a great job capturing it,” stated Deidre. 

Besides being pivotal for their business, the program also helped bring attention to Windsor. Several images of the city were shown in the episodes aired by the channel. “Our city looks so incredible on the show. Everyone who watched agreed that Windsor is happening,” declared Stephanie. “It was exciting to have more eyes on us since it was internationally broadcast in the United States, Australia and Norway,” said Deidre. Both agree that the region is growing exponentially and has the potential to attract new residents due to relative affordability and job opportunities. “It’s a city of hardworking people with well-built homes full of history,” Deidre reflects. 

Season 2 of Hoarder House Flippers is now streaming on STACK TV, Hulu and Global TV. 

Published in the Your Place or Mine? 2025 Edition.