First-time homeowners Connie and Sebastian have big ideas for their 100-year-old Victorian semi-detached home. They want to rent out the basement as an apartment to help offset their mortgage costs. But according to Scott McGillivray, host and real estate expert, the living room area alone (pictured above) needs tons of work in order to make it rent-ready.

After repairing the too-low ceiling and replacing the drywall and electrical wiring, among other major renovations, the basement is now a welcoming, safe place for would-be tenants.

Heather bought a newly renovated bungalow with a ready-to-rent, two-bedroom basement apartment and thought she was getting into a turnkey operation. However, soon after she moved in, the basement began to fall apart. The plumbing, the heating, the bathroom — nothing seemed to work. Before she knew it, she had spent $40,000 on repairs with no end in sight. She needs to finish the basement and rent it out in order to even consider keeping her house.

Thanks to host and real estate guru Scott McGillivray's expertise and a hard-working crew, this two-bedroom basement apartment is now ready for the market.