HGTV's 'Tiny House Hunters' comes to Crystal Lake

CRYSTAL LAKE – There was quite a bit of commotion Friday morning surrounding a tiny house parked across the street from the Crystal Lake train station.

That's because Brent Hollenberg is getting some help selling the property from HGTV's "Tiny House Hunters." On the show, home seekers across the country hoping to downsize are presented with three unique tiny homes to visit – sometime in the near future, one of the featured homes will be Hollenberg's.

Onlookers were drawn in by the camera crew who set up near the home’s current placement downtown, which is near Hollenberg’s Reclaimed showroom at 82 Railroad St.

Crystal Lake resident Denise Chavira was waiting for a train while she peered across the street at the tiny house. Chavira said she’s a big fan of the show and always is impressed by how much tiny homeowners are able to squeeze in such a small space.

“I’m excited to be able to see it,” Chavira said. “But I didn’t realize just how small it is in real life.”

Maureen Olker, who drove to Crystal Lake from Cary to drop off her father at the barber, was snapping photos of the crew.

“I think it’s very innovative,” Olker said of the tiny house. “It’s amazing what they can come up with in 200 square feet.”

Hollenberg’s home is 196 square feet.

Crystal Lake residents and self-proclaimed lovers of renovation shows Cheralyn Telmanik and Rachael Larimer sat outside a nearby coffee shop and watched the goings-on. Larimer said she’d have no problem living in a tiny house once her kids are grown, and Telmanik said she thought a tiny house on her property would be convenient to house her parents.

The episode does not have a set air date yet, but Hollenberg said he hopes HGTV can help him find a buyer. He also scheduled an open house at the home from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday for those interested in seeing it.

The home is listed as sleeping six to nine people, with a main loft for a king-size bed, a second loft for a queen-size bed and a bonus room for bunk beds or storage/office space. The home also includes a towable 28-foot trailer, allowing it to be moved.

The Hollenberg family only lasted 12 days in the home before deciding the tiny house life just wasn’t for them.

“It was like being in jail with your wife,” Hollenberg said.