Let me tell you about one of the most unforgettable renovations in the history of Fixer Upper. It was the shotgun house that Chip and Joanna Gaines completely transformed into a masterpiece. This iconic project from Season 3 featured a couple named Cameron and Jessica Bell, who were looking to turn a historic home into their dream love nest. Now, here’s the real question: what happened to them after the cameras stopped rolling? Let’s dive in and find out.
What Happened to Cameron and Jessica Bell After Fixer Upper?
Cameron and Jessica made the bold decision to purchase the shotgun house for a modest $28,000. This tiny, single-story home was in desperate need of some serious TLC. They turned to Chip and Joanna Gaines, the dynamic duo of the Magnolia Network, to work their magic. But let’s be real, this wasn’t just any house—it came with its fair share of challenges. The historic 720-square-foot home, built back in the 1920s, was one of only two shotgun houses still standing in Waco, Texas. It had been abandoned and was overrun with critters. This house wasn’t just a fixer-upper; it was practically a fixer-revolution!
Joanna Gaines herself admitted in a March 2016 blog post, “When we began work on this house, it quickly became clear that it was going to be one of our most unique fixers to date. The house had been abandoned and was overrun by critters. We needed to bring this thing back to life, but we also had to do our very best to maximize every square inch into livable space.” Talk about a challenge, right? But that’s what makes it so fascinating.
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In this episode, Chip and Joanna focused heavily on maximizing the interior space without making the home feel cramped. Their brilliant solution? Remove the old roof and add a loft for extra living space. To save even more room, they installed a ship ladder staircase instead of traditional wooden steps. This ingenious design choice kept the home feeling open and airy, while still providing functional space.
Joanna later wrote, “Ultimately, the Bell project ended up becoming one of my favorite homes we’ve had the opportunity to bring back to life. And this was definitely one of the top five most dramatic Fixer Upper reveals we’ve worked on. The Bell family was an adventurous couple that could see the potential in this tiny house. As always, we hope they’re happy here for years to come.” Talk about high praise from the queen of renovations herself!
Where Are Cameron and Jessica Bell Now?
So, what happened to Cameron and Jessica after their time on Fixer Upper? Well, here’s the twist: they didn’t actually end up living in their newly renovated home. Instead, they decided to rent it out on Airbnb starting in 2017. The property, located just minutes from the famous Magnolia Silos, quickly became a hit, with guests willing to pay over $300 per night to stay in this charming abode. And guess what? It’s still available on Airbnb today!
But that’s not all. In 2017, Cameron and Jessica also put the house on the market for an eye-popping $950,000. That’s right—over 30 times the original purchase price! Now, you might be wondering how they justified such a steep price tag. Cameron explained to the Waco Tribune-Herald, “I think it’s a case of sticker shock. I know the price has turned some heads because people typically look at the property as a single-family residence, but I view it as investment property.”
The couple’s decision sparked a lot of discussion among Fixer Upper fans, but it’s clear that Cameron and Jessica had a solid business strategy in mind. Whether it was renting the home on Airbnb or listing it for sale, they made the most of their experience with Chip and Joanna Gaines.
