Own It with Angie Hicks

After a hundred houses and nine seasons of Good Bones, Mina Starsiak Hawk has one rule: assume the worst and budget accordingly. In this episode — the first Own It in-studio interview — Angie sits down with Mina to talk about what renovation really costs, why the inspection is the most underrated tool a buyer has, and the truth about contractors, bids, and lowest bids. Here's what we discuss with Mina: Why your renovation budget is wrong before you even start What a home inspection is really for — and why you should never skip it There's always a reason the lowest bid is the lowest bid What "good bones" actually means — and what to look for instead New construction vs. old homes: which one actually costs more to maintain Why no one is ever going to care about your home as much as you do --------- Connect: https://www.angi.com/own-it-with-angie-hicks-podcast/ Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit https://www.angi.com/ to connect with top-rated pros in your area.

Your kitchen gets the budget. Your bathroom gets the Pinterest board. And your yard — the first thing anyone sees when they pull up to your house — gets whatever's left over. Landscape designer, contractor, and TV host Sara Bendrick says that's exactly backwards. In this episode, Angie and Sara break down what a yard renovation actually costs, why so much of that money disappears underground, and the one thing every homeowner should do before a single plant goes in the ground. Here's what we discuss with Sara: • Why homeowners keep running out of money before they ever get to the yard — and how to fix that from day one • What "half your budget you'll never see" actually means, and why that's not wasted money • The difference between hardscape and softscape — and why the order you do them matters • How to phase a landscape renovation so the budget works for your real life • When to DIY and what to leave alone — and how to have that conversation with your contractor • What outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and hot tubs actually cost versus what people think • The ROI case for your outdoor space — and why realtors will back it up • Why you should live in your yard before you ever redesign it --------- Connect: https://www.angi.com/own-it-with-angie-hicks-podcast/ Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit https://www.angi.com/ to connect with top-rated pros in your area.

Most home improvement shows make renovation look easy, fast, and cheap. Kayleen McCabe spent years helping create that illusion — and then walked away from it. She's a contractor, TV host, and trades advocate who's here to show homeowners the truth: what you can actually do yourself, what you should never touch, and why the pretty stuff always has to wait. Here's what we discuss with Kayleen: • Maintenance first, pretty second — why foundation, plumbing, and electrical come before the kitchen you've been dreaming about • The permits rule: anything that requires one requires a professional, full stop • How to figure out your DIY limit — and why knowing when to stop isn't weakness • Why you should double your budget on every first renovation before you start • The Google rule: if you're searching whether a wall is load-bearing, you already have your answer • What most homeowners get wrong about toilets — and the $50 fix that most people ignore until they can't • Why the trades shortage is a homeowner problem too, and what's actually changing • What it feels like to love your house — and how to get there Connect: https://www.angi.com/own-it-with-angie-hicks-podcast/ Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit https://www.angi.com/ to connect with top-rated pros in your area.

Not everyone should buy a house. Kelly Edwards — TV host, designer, and real estate agent — will tell you that to your face, even if it costs her the commission. In this episode, Angie and Kelly cover what first-time buyers actually need to know before they make an offer, how to renovate without blowing your budget on the wrong things first, and the design principles that hold up across every price point. Here's what we discuss with Kelly: • Why you're not just buying a house — you're marrying the neighborhood • The questions to ask yourself before you decide to buy at all • What the full team looks like when you're buying for the first time — and why the inspector matters most • How to figure out your renovation non-negotiables and what can wait • Why labor costs more than materials — and what that means for your budget • The design move most people overlook that makes any house feel bigger • The most common mistake homeowners make thinking about today instead of five years from now • What luxury homes get right about outdoor space — and how to steal it --------- Connect: https://www.angi.com/own-it-with-angie-hicks-podcast/ Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit https://www.angi.com/ to connect with top-rated pros in your area.

Since COVID, waiving the home inspection has become something of a trend. Home Inspector Joe Mazza says it's one of the biggest financial mistakes a buyer can make — and he's seen the consequences firsthand. In this episode, Angie sits down with Joe to talk about what a great home inspector actually looks for, what most homeowners don't know to ask, and the things every new homeowner should do the moment they get the keys. Here's what we discuss with Joe: • Why waiving the home inspection is still happening — and why it's still a mistake • How to find a good home inspector and the questions you should ask before you hire one • What Joe sees before he even walks through the front door • Why the garage is one of the most dangerous rooms in your house • The one thing every homeowner needs to know the moment they move in • What's in the inspection report that most people don't know to look for • The deal breakers — what makes Joe pull a buyer aside and say walk away • What to tackle first when you move in, and what can wait • The strangest thing Joe has ever found on an inspection --------- Connect: https://www.angi.com/own-it-with-angie-hicks-podcast/ Ready to find the right contractor before your next project? Visit https://www.angi.com/ to connect with top-rated pros in your area.