The 10 best ‘House Hunters’ episodes set in Arizona

HGTV has been spotlighting prospective homebuyers on “House Hunters” since 1999. Check out these episodes for a glimpse into Arizona dreams coming true.

Since 1999, HGTV’s “House Hunters” has been transporting viewers across the United States—and the world, in some cases—letting them escape into their televisions and experience the homebuying process in states they’d never even considered scouting. Is there any better relaxation method than slumping into your recliner after a long day and watching others view myriad properties and make impulse decisions that come with 30-year mortgages?

It’s a program you don’t have to think about, which makes it a particularly compelling retreat from everyday stressors, and it’s been carrying the network nearly since its inception, premiering just five years after HGTV hit the airwaves. In recent years, the show’s even become somewhat of a meme, with folks online posting quips like “I’m a teacher, and my wife’s a volunteer at the animal shelter. Our budget is $2 million.” If only we were all so lucky!

With over 3,300 episodes to its name, “House Hunters” has welcomed viewers into housing markets nationwide, which includes some trips to The Copper State. Arizona’s stunning scenery has been on full display, with some couples wanting to move so that they can enjoy it even more. So, if you’re looking for a watch guide without having to shuffle through thousands of episodes, look no further: We’ve gathered 10 episodes of the fan-favorite HGTV series set in Arizona. Who knows—you might just see your neighbor in one of these episodes!

Arizona and Michigan’s markets collide in “Internet Gamer Buys Dream Home in Phoenix”

“House Hunters” has an overall rating of 6.3 out of 10 stars on IMDb, but naturally, some episodes are more beloved than others. Such is the case of “Internet Gamer Buys Dream Home in Phoenix,” which first aired in Aug. 2022. This episode has an 8.7-star rating and focuses on Matt, a professional gamer and podcaster from Michigan who wants to relocate to Arizona.

Matt has millions of YouTube subscribers on his MMG channel, and he moved to Phoenix with his friend and workmate, Chase (plus a cute and cuddly dog). The duo goes on “House Hunters” in hopes of finding a property with a lot of space for their work ventures and, of course, parties—because what successful 20-something doesn’t want to have their cake and eat it, too? (We get it!)

We won’t spoil the ending, but this episode is a great watch with interesting stakes as Matt encounters just how different the housing markets in Arizona and Michigan are. And it’s enjoyable regardless of whether you go into it already knowing Matt and Chase from YouTube.

“Choosing Solitude in Southern Arizona” doesn’t mean the same thing for this couple

A Feb. 2025 episode of “House Hunters” highlighted just how different the environments and climates of Northern California and Southern Arizona are. Those from California know how different the northern and southern halves of the state can be, and that is even more true for Southern Arizona’s vast, red-hot deserts that offer little in the way of hospitality.

Still, that didn’t stop this couple from yearning to relocate there. There’s just one problem: The husband wants to be extremely remote, while his wife, who has a career as an emergency room nurse, has less desire to be so far off the beaten path. It would only elongate her commutes to and from work, and we don’t want to imagine how much stress it might cause if she were called in for an emergency. How did they compromise? You’ll just have to sit back, see for yourself, and take in all of the beautiful desert backdrops.

This couple embarks on a “Dance Off in Phoenix” to find the perfect family home

In Sep. 2022, the story of two professional dancers packing up their bags in Miami and moving to Phoenix hit the airwaves. The dancers, Skyler and Drew, want to start a family, primarily through fostering, and are looking for a starter home to bring that dream into reality.

What drew these two lovebirds to Phoenix? The cost of living being lower in Phoenix compared to Miami is a big draw; plus, in the episode, they remark that they appreciate the “dry heat” rather than Florida’s briny, humid breeze, which those of us in Arizona can completely understand. The biggest issue? When the episode starts, the couple has only one month to find their new home and vacate their Miami residence.

If this sounds intriguing to you, just know that it only gets better. It wouldn’t be a good episode of “House Hunters” without a disagreement or two, and Skyler and Drew are torn when it comes to the type of home they want. Would a single-level home with a yard be better to begin their family, or would they fare better with a townhouse that’s been nicely renovated? You’ll have to watch the episode to find out.

Does “The Perfect House in Phoenix” really exist for this engaged couple?

Everyone wants to live in a perfect house—maybe we have Barbie and her Dreamhouse to thank for that. But bringing that energy into house-hunting can prove treacherous, as seen in a Feb. 2021 episode of “House Hunters” in which an engaged couple find themselves racing against the clock to secure a home before their rapidly approaching “I do.”

Most people would settle when they’re in a rush, but that’s simply not the case for the bride-to-be in this episode. She knows what she wants—a home that features Mediterranean architecture, has been renovated to the gods, and includes ample indoor and outdoor space—and she’s not that willing to compromise. This, of course, puts the couple in hot water. Can they find a home that fits all of their desires without blowing their budget out of the water—and before the church bells come ringing? This isn’t one you want to miss if you want to see some beautiful Arizona homes.

This family brought in the “House Hunters” crew to help them find “A New Home for Christmas”

Those who celebrate Christmas know that miracles come with the territory—look no further than the classic holiday film “Miracle on 34th Street.” It’s the most magical time of the year for many, and that can include those looking to purchase a home, as houses tend to cost the least during the colder months (via Rocket Mortgage). The caveat? There are typically fewer options available on the market.

Enter Marika, a mom of two girls who wants to usher in the holidays in a new home after spending the previous half-decade fighting serious health issues. Now on the mend, she and hubby Brian take Scottsdale by storm with the help of the “House Hunters” crew to try and find their perfect new abode in a chilly yet beautiful episode that first aired in Dec. 2018.

Like other couples on this list, Marika and Brian don’t exactly see eye to eye when it comes to their ideal home. Marika desires a home that’s quintessentially Arizona and features traditional Southwestern architecture, whereas Brian is looking for a more contemporary home. You know the kind—one that could be in any state without sticking out like a sore thumb. Who wins in the end? Check out the episode to find out; yule be sorry if you don’t.

This “Arizona Astronaut Seeks Space” that doesn’t require a rocket to reach

Astronauts are trained to pilot rockets and survive in space to better understand life beyond our planet, but that doesn’t mean they’re trained to traverse the rocky terrain of buying a home on the ground. A Dec. 2023 episode sees an astronaut named Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor do just that in hopes of landing a pad in Mesa, where she can let loose and get creative. Mesa may not technically be one of the best Arizona suburbs for house renters and buyers, but it’s pretty dang nice, if you ask us.

Proctor’s ultimate dream is a mid-century modern home, but as we know, these homes can come with hefty renovations and upkeep, something that those around her are worried could weigh her down if she doesn’t go with a newer build. Will this astronaut let her ambitions fly high, or will she be more grounded in her home-buying approach? See how the stars align in this stellar episode.

“Raising Scholar Athletes in Arizona” is top priority for this family

A lot of “House Hunters” episodes focus on couples, but sometimes, you need a feel-good family episode after a long week. If this describes you, then this Nov. 2022 episode is for you. In it, a family consisting of two parents, student athletes, and elderly parents is looking for a home that’s spacious enough to accommodate all of their needs. It’s no easy task, but the mom in the family is a surgeon, meaning she’s used to making big decisions on a daily basis.

What are they looking for? Well, they want their home to look very nice, and a pool is a must. They also want a sizable sports court so that their student athletes can practice and stay sharp. It’s clear that this family has a lot on its hands, but the goal is to centralize everyone with enough space to not be on top of each other. Will all of these hopes be fulfilled? You know what to do at this point.

A “Family Seeks Cool Mountain Retreat in Arizona” to escape from Phoenix’s pandemonium 

Phoenix may not be as big as New York, but it’s a large city that can cause the occasional headache if you’re not careful. That’s precisely why the family in a Feb. 2018 episode of “House Hunters” is looking to acquire a home in Flagstaff. They want an escape from the lights and noise, and the rural environment in this area is precisely what the doctor ordered.

Or is it? The husband would say yes, preferring something along the lines of a wood cabin, but his wife isn’t so sure. She desires a nicer home with less of a rustic feel—one that can truly feel like a home and have more of a personalized touch to it.

You may be wondering why the family chose Flagstaff, but it largely boils down to temperature. In addition to escaping the city, this family wants to retreat from Phoenix’s hotter climate, which Flagstaff can easily aid. The temperature is, on average, 20 degrees warmer in Phoenix than in Flagstaff, so relocating to the latter, even if for a short time, can be a true respite. Do they make the jump to the higher elevation, though?

“Pinch Me in Arizona”: A couple’s big home-buying compromise 

Relocating is never easy, and it can be even harder when it’s a career move. Add nostalgia to the mix, and you’ve got a fully kindled fire that could explode at any time. This is how one couple finds themselves in a Feb. 2025 episode of “House Hunters.”

A husband must return to Phoenix for work after living there in his youth, but he and his wife yearn for different home aesthetics. With his childhood scratching at the back of his brain, the husband wants a ranch-style house that will evoke his younger years. Meanwhile, his wife will miss the home they’re moving out of and would like to establish their new life in a similar style of house. This situation is a sticky give-and-take situation, and it’s one that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the new home is finally cemented.

This large family wants to secure “All Water Access in Arizona”

We’ve seen countless “House Hunters” episodes in which the homebuyers name a pool as their number-one must-have amenity, but for the family in this Aug. 2023 episode, only a river will do. This is the ultimate summer episode, featuring a large extended family searching for a home with ample space and easy access to the water. It’s enough to make any viewer wish they were swimming under the sun!

You see, this family from California specifically wants to purchase a home in Parker, Ariz., where the Colorado River provides both refreshing views and relaxation. It’s a small town, too, with fewer than 3,500 people calling it home, per 2023 Census data. This makes it a particularly beautiful and quaint area to escape to, especially if you like living near a large body of water. Will they be successful in escaping California’s fiery heat for a smooth, dewy breeze? This episode and more await you.

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