Dr. Ijeoma Nnanabu and Dr. Uchechukwu Ezeigwe have found their dream home in the bustling, beautiful town of Statesboro with the help of Nikki Williams, an associate broker and Realtor with Statesboro Real Estate. This would have been a commonplace transaction had it not been for the accompaniment of Home and Garden Television, more popularly known as HGTV.
The cable network chose to feature this house search on House Hunters, a show that highlights the buyers, their Realtor, and the prospective town or city they will eventually call home. Their episode will air on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10pm EST.
Drs. Ezeigwe and Nnanabu, married for two years, moved to Statesboro, GA, in the summer of 2023 with their toddler. They rented over the last year as they took time to get to know the area and decide what they wanted in their new abode.
Ezeigwe was born in a small town in Nigeria. He moved to Michigan, where he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He went to medical school at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, where he met his wife, Dr. Nnanabu. After completing four years of medical school, he moved to Atlanta with his wife and son to complete his residency. Dr. Ezeigwe, along with his wife, accepted an attending position at EGRMC.
"Their staff and leadership demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient care and community engagement," Ezeigwe says of his employer. "Among other places, we chose Statesboro because we felt at home here, having both grown up in small towns."
Nnanabu was born and raised in a college town in Michigan very similar to Statesboro. She completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and her medical degree at MSU College of Human Medicine, where she met Ezeigwe during medical school orientation. After completing medical school, they couple-matched in internal medicine residency at Morehouse School of Medicine where they trained at both Grady Memorial Hospital & Atlanta VA Medical Center.
"After working for three years in a major metropolitan area, we were looking for a slower pace of life, a small town we could lay down roots and be active members of the community," Nnanabu said. "It was also important for us to live in an area where we could raise our young son."
Williams has been in the real estate business since 2007. She is passionate about matching clients with the place they will come home to every day and make memories.
"As an associate broker with Statesboro Real Estate and Investments, I work with both buyers and sellers to help navigate the complexities of the market. My passion is assisting first-time home buyers, such as Dr. Ezeigwe and Dr. Nnanabu, as I love helping people start their journey into home ownership, especially as their families grow," she says. "I also work with many military veterans within our community, and I take great pride in working with veterans. Supporting them is one small way I can give back for the sacrifices they have made, or continue to make, for our country."
When asked what effect the global reach Thursday's show will have on our small town, Williams feels it will allow Statesboro to shine.
"I think the impact House Hunters will have on our local Statesboro market will be a memorable one. It will show national viewers how wonderful our little town is and the hospitality we embrace and share with others here," Williams says. "It will also help future buyers realize the importance of hiring an experienced Realtor to guide them through the process to achieve a smooth and quick transaction."
All three participants have thoroughly enjoyed their experience with HGTV, as well as the home buying process, and are excited about the upcoming episode. Although there's only so much they can share about experience before the show airs, it's safe to say everyone is excited for the debut.
"Since announcing our debut on social media, we have had several congratulations, and many locals and non-locals excited and eager to watch the episode Thursday evening at 10 pm," Nnanabu says.
Tune in to HGTV for the episode, or stream it on discovery+ or Max. See the full schedule here.
