What City Is Love It Or List It Filmed In? The Complete Location Breakdown
Ever found yourself binge-watching Love It or List It and wondering, “What city is Love It or List It filmed in?” You’re not alone. This burning question plagues fans who admire the stunning home transformations and dream of spotting the iconic neighborhoods on screen. The answer, however, isn’t as simple as pointing to one spot on a map. The beloved HGTV series has a rich history of geographical moves, making its filming location a fascinating journey through both Canadian and American soil. From its humble Canadian beginnings to a lengthy stint in the American South and a triumphant return north, the show’s address has changed more than its hosts’ design palettes. Let’s unravel the complete story of where your favorite home renovation showdown has been built, season by season.
The Origins: How a Canadian Series Conquered HGTV
A Toronto Start for a Global Phenomenon
To understand the show’s nomadic nature, we must go back to the beginning. Love It or List It actually began as a Canadian series in 2008, and filming took place in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. The concept was simple yet addictive: a family gets a renovated home (the “Love It” option) and a newly purchased move-in ready home (the “List It” option), then decides which one to keep. The original hosts, Hilary Farr and David Visentin, were Canadian, and the first episodes were produced for the Canadian network W Network. When it debuted on HGTV in the U.S. in 2008, Love It or List It first filmed in Toronto, Ontario. This initial era established the show’s signature aesthetic—from Hilary’s bold, personalized renovations to David’s curated real estate picks—all framed by the distinct architecture and streetscapes of Canada’s largest city.
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) provided a perfect backdrop. Viewers saw homes in suburbs like Mississauga, Oakville, and Burlington, alongside urban Toronto properties. This location gave the show a specific feel: slightly more compact lots, different building materials, and a certain European-inspired street charm that differentiated it from typical American renovation shows. For the first six seasons, Toronto was the world of Love It or List It.
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The Big Move South: Raleigh, North Carolina Era
Setting Up Shop in the City of Oaks
Everything changed in 2014. The show later moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2014, per Country Living. This was a monumental shift, moving production from Canada to the heart of the American South. The reasons were likely multifaceted—tax incentives, production costs, and a desire to tap into a different real estate market and demographic. Raleigh, known as the “City of Oaks,” offered a fresh landscape. The architecture is different, with more sprawling single-family homes on larger lots, different styles (from traditional to modern farmhouse), and a rapidly growing market that provided endless story potential.
The HGTV favorite set up shop in the city of oaks. For nearly a decade, Raleigh and the surrounding Research Triangle area (including Durham and Chapel Hill) became the show’s home. Big Coat Productions has filmed 26 episodes of HGTV’s “Love It or List It” in the Triangle and is scheduled to wrap up at the end of this year. This era defined a generation of the show for many U.S. viewers. The neighborhoods of North Raleigh, Cary, and Apex became familiar. The climate, the types of homes, and even the local contractor culture shown on screen were distinctly Carolinian. This period solidified the show’s American identity and introduced it to a whole new set of fans who might have assumed it was always filmed in the U.S.
The Great Comeback: Toronto Returns
Season 17 and the Canadian Homecoming
After years in North Carolina, a surprising twist occurred. More recently, season 17 brought the show back to Toronto. This return, which happened in 2020, was a significant full-circle moment. But it appears the show later filmed season 17 in Toronto in 2020, where it returned for the new Love It or List It episodes after a hiatus, per EntertainmentNow.com. The reasons for this move back to Canada are not explicitly stated by the network, but speculation includes production logistics post-pandemic, a desire to reconnect with the show’s roots, or perhaps new incentives in Ontario.
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This return wasn’t just a nostalgic trip. It was a full re-immersion. According to Page Turner, she lived in Toronto during this time while filming the new episodes. Hilary Farr, who has homes in both countries, was back operating from her native Canada. The homes featured were once again from the GTA, showcasing the diverse housing market of Southern Ontario. This proved the show’s format was timeless and location-agnostic; the drama of the decision, the quality of the renovations, and the charm of the hosts could thrive in either setting.
The Current State: Where is Love It or List It Filmed in 2025?
The New Season is a Canadian Production
Which brings us to the present and the recently wrapped 20th season. The new Love It or List It 2025 season is filmed in Toronto, Ontario, marking a return to its original location. After years in North Carolina, the show’s production has moved back to Canada’s Greater Toronto Area. This confirms that the show is currently, and for the foreseeable future, a Canadian production. For season 20, it appears the series has remained in Canada.
When did the filming of Love It or List It (2025) take place? Filming for the 2025 season took place over eight months. Production is a lengthy process, as each episode involves finding a family, renovating one home, finding several potential “list” homes, and filming all the pivotal decision moments. Since the season is set to premiere on April 21, 2025, the filming likely began in mid to late 2024 and wrapped up in early 2025. This eight-month cycle is typical for the show, allowing for the meticulous work Hilary’s team does and the real estate hunting David undertakes.
So, to directly answer the fan question: Where is the new season filmed? The answer is definitively the Greater Toronto Area. You’ll see homes in neighborhoods like The Beaches, Leslieville, Forest Hill, and various suburbs, all with that familiar Ontario flair.
Why Does the Filming Location Keep Changing?
Production, Logistics, and Creative Refreshment
The show’s geographic shuffle isn’t random. Several key factors drive these decisions:
- Production Incentives: Both Canadian and U.S. states offer film tax credits to attract productions. These can significantly impact a show’s bottom line.
- Logistical Base: The core production team, including host Hilary Farr, needs a home base. Moving the entire operation is a massive undertaking.
- Real Estate Market Dynamics: The show thrives on a competitive, active market with a good mix of older homes ripe for renovation and attractive move-in ready properties. Different cities offer different price points and home styles, which can refresh the show’s look after many seasons.
- Host Considerations: Hilary Farr is a Torontonian with deep roots and business there. David Visentin also has strong ties to Canada. Their personal lives and preferences undoubtedly play a role.
- Creative Renewal: A new city means new architectural styles, new contractor challenges, and new neighborhood stories. It prevents the show from feeling visually stale.
This constant evolution means since “Love It or List It” launched in 2008, it has filmed in several cities. The pattern is clear: Toronto (Seasons 1-6), Raleigh (Seasons 7-16), Toronto again (Seasons 17-20). It’s a story of two cities, one show.
How to Spot the Filming Locations Yourself
A Fan’s Guide to Toronto’s Love It or List It Homes
For the armchair detective or the traveler hoping to visit a filming site, here are some actionable tips:
- Look for Architectural Cues: Toronto homes often feature brick exteriors, narrower lots, and attached garages. You’ll see more Victorian, Edwardian, and Mid-Century Modern styles compared to the sprawling brick ranch homes common in Raleigh.
- Notice the Streets: Toronto streets are often on a tighter grid, with mature trees and public sidewalks. Raleigh features wider streets and more cul-de-sacs.
- Check Local Real Estate Listings: After an episode airs, the renovated “Love It” home is usually listed for sale. Websites like Zolo or Realtor.ca (for Canada) are great resources. Search by the episode’s neighborhood description or the approximate square footage and price shown on the show.
- Follow Local Media: Toronto lifestyle blogs and newspapers like Toronto Life or BlogTO often report when a major show like Love It or List It is filming in a neighborhood.
- Use Google Street View: If you catch a clear shot of a street sign or a distinctive neighbor’s house, you can often pinpoint the exact location using Google Maps’ time-slider feature to see if the home was under renovation during the filming window.
Where is Love It or List it filmed right now? Your best hunting ground is the Greater Toronto Area. Keep an eye on listings in neighborhoods like Leaside, Riverdale, or even farther out in Milton or Whitby, where newer, larger homes have been featured.
The Production Powerhouse: Big Coat Productions
The Company Behind the Camera
A key player in the location story is the production company. Big Coat Productions has been the force behind Love It or List It since its inception. This Canadian company is responsible for the show’s consistent quality and format. Their decision to base production in Toronto for the current cycle is the ultimate reason for the location shift. They manage everything: scouting families, securing properties, hiring local contractors and real estate agents, and coordinating the months-long filming schedule. Their expertise in navigating both Canadian and American production landscapes is what made the Raleigh era possible and the Toronto return seamless.
Addressing Common Fan Questions
Your Top Location Queries Answered
- “Is Love It or List It still filmed in Raleigh?” No. The show’s primary production base moved back to Toronto after Season 16. While some older seasons were filmed there, all new episodes (Seasons 17 onward) are Canadian productions.
- “Can I visit the Love It or List It homes?” Yes, but timing is key. The renovated “Love It” homes are sold on the open market after filming. You can often view them during open houses once they’re listed. The “List It” homes are typically existing properties that were for sale at the time of filming and may or may not still be available.
- “Why did they move back to Toronto?” The most cited reason is the personal preference and base of host Hilary Farr. Production logistics and potentially favorable conditions in Ontario also contributed.
- “Will they film in another city again?” It’s always possible. Television production is fluid. If the show is renewed for many more seasons, a move to a new market—perhaps on the West Coast or back in the U.S.—could happen to keep the visuals fresh. However, there’s no current indication of another move.
Conclusion: A Show Rooted in Place, Yet Always Evolving
So, what have we learned about the elusive address of Love It or List It? The show is a geographical chameleon. It began in Toronto, Ontario, found a long-term home in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has now gracefully returned to its Canadian roots in the Greater Toronto Area. The answer to “what city is Love It or List It filmed in?” is now a confident Toronto, but its history is a testament to adaptability.
This location journey mirrors the show’s core theme: transformation. Just as the families decide whether to love their renovated home or list it for a new one, the show itself has “listed” its production location and “loved” a return to its origins. For fans, this means a fresh visual palette of Canadian streetscapes, different housing challenges, and a renewed sense of the show’s heritage. The next time you watch Hilary unveil a dramatic kitchen or David shows a sleek modern property, look closely at the windows, the trees, the street signs. You’re not just seeing a house; you’re seeing a piece of television history, currently being written in Toronto. The city may change, but the fundamental dilemma—love it or list it?—remains as captivating as ever, no matter the postal code.
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Where Is 'Love It Or List It' Filmed? Where The HGTV Show Records Episodes
Where Is 'Love It Or List It' Filmed? Where The HGTV Show Records Episodes
