Behind the Scenes at HGTV’s Rock the Block — Grantsville, UT

David's Take: Behind the Scenes at HGTV’s Rock the Block — Grantsville, UT

Last weekend, something big happened in the small town of Grantsville, Utah—HGTV opened the doors to its Rock the Block Season 2025 homes. Dianne's twin brother, David, a local resident, was there with the inside scoop. Along with his wife and daughter, David toured all four homes, which were built just outside of town. Each offers 5,500 square feet of living space on sprawling one-acre lots.

But TV doesn't show everything. Here are some behind-the-scenes takeaways you probably didn’t catch on camera:

1. Location, Location... Isolation?

The homes are way out there. Picture driving through town, passing the Walmart distribution center, and then suddenly—boom—four massive homes in the middle of nowhere. They're impressive but isolated, and not exactly in the heart of bustling Grantsville.

2. The Price Tag Might Shock You

Valued initially at around $750K, each home was given a $300K upgrade budget. Now? They’re listed up to $1.5 million. That’s nearly triple the average Grantsville home price of $550K. Even more surprising? The winning home isn’t the most expensive.

3. Finished... but Untouched

You know those basement bathrooms we were yelling about during the show? Turns out, they already existed! Each home had several rooms, like guest suites and bathrooms, that HGTV finished but were left untouched by the design teams.

4. Identical Spaces Across Homes

Each main level included a second primary suite, all finished in the same general style by HGTV. These weren’t shown on Rock the Block, so attendees were surprised to find these hidden surprises.

5. An Acre is No Joke

While the landscaping looked expansive on TV, David says it barely scratched the surface of the full-acre lots. As any homeowner with acreage knows, an acre is a lot of yard to fill!

6. Saunas, Saunas Everywhere

Apparently, every team added a sauna. And apparently, no one in Grantsville has ever used one. (Just a little joke!) A design flex, or a future storage closet?

7. Shipping Container for Adult Kids?

One team added a container living unit in the backyard for adult kids. It's a cool idea, but with 5,500 SF in the main house… it seems a little extra.

8. And the Family Favorite Is...

Despite loving the backyard with the pickleball court and trampoline, David’s family agreed with the judges: Alison and Michel nailed it. The green kitchen? Even more stunning in person.

If you followed the season, I’d love to hear from you! What was your favorite room? Favorite design detail? Do you think the homes are worth the price? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

👉 Thinking about making your own real estate dreams a reality? Let’s talk.