Eric From 'Love It or List It' Shares an Update on His Life: "I Always Wanted My Own Show" (EXCLUSIVE)

When Eric Eremita was cast as a contractor for Love It or List It, fans took a liking to him right away. He had the ability to play off David Visentin and Hilary Farr in the best way without totally ruining either of their plans. Some fans still don't understand why the former Love It or List It contractor left the show. What happened to him — and where did that rumor about his death come from?

Love It or List It pits interior designer Hilary against real estate agent David as they work with the same client to determine if, by the end of each episode, the client will love the remodels so much they decide to continue to live in their home, or if they will list it for sale with David. And Eric was the guy who helped make these remodels happen — until he wasn't.

Distractify spoke exclusively with Eric about why he left Love It or List It, what he's doing now, and how that rumor about his death got started.

Eric Eremita was selected to become America's Love It or List It general contractor and designer after HGTV took notice of him on Brother vs. Brother. Eric competed on Team Drew while the Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott battled it out to complete a home renovation.

"I went to seven weeks, I was at the finale, and I became runner up," Eric shared, of his experience on Brother vs. Brother. "But I also won, because right after that I was chosen for general contractor for HGTV's Love It or List It."

He added that being cast in Love It or List It following Brother vs. Brother was "the ultimate prize."

But after 80 episodes, Eric was ready to branch out on his own to see what he could do. And in 2020 he left Love It or List It to continue with reality TV, but on his own terms.

"I always wanted my own show, to be very honest with you," Eric told us. But it was also about being closer to home. He filmed Love It or List It in North Carolina while his family remained at home in New York City. After 80 episodes, Eric was ready to explore "new endeavors."

Fans watched for years while Eric represented Team Love It, working alongside celebrity designer Hilary Farr and real estate agent David Visentin, on transforming houses into the homes of people's dreams, all while staying within budget.

While they still want him to return, Eric has other plans.

Eric shared with Distractify that he's shopping around a new reality show about helping people turn their current home into their dream home so they don't have to move. And it's an idea that's close to his heart since he is, in his own words, a family man.

Eric also works in luxury real estate right now and he's working on a book, so he seems to be doing better than ever as a triple threat. He has the best of both worlds and he's free to do the projects that suit him best.

If you've followed Love It or List It from the beginning and you have a soft spot for Eric, you can breathe a sigh of relief. No, he is obviously not dead. But his absence from the show and his health scare back in 2020 were cause for concern among many.

In April 2020, Eric tested positive for COVID-19. His symptoms worsened until his wife was forced to call an ambulance and, at the hospital, Eric was put on a ventilator for two weeks. He explained to us that he "wasn't expected to survive."

But, miraculously, he woke up on April 13, 2020.

There was a point where doctors warned Eric's wife that if the ventilator didn't work, another option would have to be figured out. Though in the end, he pulled through.

Even though Eric is no longer part of the Love It or List It family, he's thriving.

Watch Love It or List It on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on HGTV.