The Better Buy

Latest Episodes:

Stephen Orr: Making Renovations Matter Sep 27, 2023

When given the chance to turn a 1760s Cape Cod home into his forever home, Better Homes & Gardens Editor-in-Chief Stephen Orr jumped at the opportunity—but his 11-month renovation wasn’t without some challenges. In this week’s episode of The Better Buy, Orr shares his renovation journey, from buying a historical Cape house to balancing traditional features with modern needs. Also in this episode, host Mélanie Berliet chats with Samir Patel of Discover Personal Loans about how the right loan can support your home improvement goals.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Whitney Leigh Morris: Unhurried Restoration and Biophilic Design Sep 20, 2023

Known for the “right-sized” approach she takes to designing her homes, Whitney Leigh Morris is an expert at creating spaces where she and her family can live both comfortably and responsibly. She’s also become a trusted source of guidance and advice for those who’d similarly like to improve the harmony between their lives and the environments they inhabit. In this episode of The Better Buy, Morris shares tips for living luxuriously in small spaces, how and when to swap out home items for lower environmental impact, and the principle of immersing spaces in nature known as biophilic design.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Carmen Johnston: Bringing a Game Plan into the Garden Sep 13, 2023

Carmen Johnston is an expert gardener and landscaper who helps homeowners across the country reimagine their outdoor spaces. In this episode of The Better Buy, Johnston shares her gardening tool must-haves, her tips for crafting the yard of your dreams, and her advice for anyone just beginning their gardening journey.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Katie Lee Biegel: Hosting a Great Party Starts with a Great Plan Sep 06, 2023

Katie Lee Biegel, co-host of Food Network’s ‘The Kitchen,’ cookbook author, television food critic, and co-founder of the organic line of wine, Kind of Wild, knows a thing or two about entertaining. In this episode of The Better Buy she shares her go-to tips for entertaining at home, including how she handles the unexpected and the importance of staying organized.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Mika Kleinschmidt: Designing a Dream Space Starts with a Vision Aug 30, 2023

Mika Kleinschmidt is a Tampa-based realtor and the creative force behind Dirt 2 Design, a company that designs and builds custom homes. In her HGTV show, 100 Day Dream Home, she works with her husband to design, build, and finish dream homes in just 100 days. In this episode of The Better Buy, Kleinschmidt discusses the importance of collaboration in the design process, why functionality is at the foundation of her creative process, and what she’s learned during her years as a business owner.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Jenna Dewan: Creating a Dream Home, If Not a Forever Home Aug 23, 2023

Jenna Dewan is an actress, dancer, mom, and partner, among many other things, and she’s made a mission out of creating a home that exudes good energy, without being too precious. In this episode of The Better Buy, Dewan shares the evolution of her design style over the years, how she incorporates repurposed or refurbished furniture into her space, and whether her current home is a forever home.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Chris & Calvin LaMont: How They Got to ‘Buy It or Build It’ Aug 16, 2023

These twin brothers have worked their way up from two guys and a truck with a small business to self-made developers trying to make homeownership dreams attainable for people in all communities. In this episode of The Better Buy, Chris and Calvin LaMont of HGTV’s Buy It or Build It talk through their journey to becoming self-made developers, how they developed their design and construction skills, and how to decide whether you should build or buy your next home.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

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Egypt Sherrod: Her Secrets to Real Estate Success After 100 House Flips Aug 09, 2023

The decision to get into real estate—whether you’re looking for a property to flip or a place to live—is a tricky one. Real estate expert, designer, and Married to Real Estate host Egypt Sherrod has finished more than 100 house flips. In this episode of The Better Buy, Egypt shares her secrets to picking the perfect property, how to know when to renovate and when it’s time to move on, and what home upgrades most beautify a space.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Lauren Phillips - Associate Director, Special Projects

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Season 2! Aug 02, 2023

Welcome to the second season of The Better Buy, a podcast from Better Homes & Gardens. Host Melanie Berliet is talking to experts and influencers about the full process of buying and creating a home, from house hunting and when to build vs. buy to sustainable design and landscaping. Upcoming guests include Egypt Sherrod, Jenna Dewan, Chris and Calvin LaMont, and many more. New episodes every Wednesday!

For more info visit www.bhg.com/thebetterbuy

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Chris Lavergne: Transforming Homes into Functional, Renter-Friendly Oases Aug 17, 2022

Investing in real estate can be an overwhelming process with lots of questions along the way. Often it comes down to the right timing and location. In this episode of The Better Buy, media executive and real estate investor Chris Lavergne shares how he built a successful real estate portfolio including a multi-home compound in Upstate New York. Chris offers helpful tips for finding the right investment property, renovating a fixer-upper, and managing rental properties.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

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Emily Henderson: Design Lessons Learned From a 1910 Farmhouse Renovation Aug 10, 2022

When it comes to a home renovation, patience is key. As unexpected delays, costs, and challenges arise, having a solid game plan will help save your project and your sanity. For years we’ve watched designer Emily Henderson create beautiful spaces on television. Now she’s tackling a new project: moving to Oregon and renovating a 1910 farmhouse fixer-upper. In this episode of The Better Buy, Emily shares her tips for staying patient during a renovation, why timing makes all the difference when buying a home, and how her style has evolved throughout the years.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kay Volmar: How She Renovated a 1912 Florida Cottage Into Her Forever Home Aug 03, 2022

When it comes to finding your forever home, location matters. After stumbling upon her dream location during a family vacation to Florida, content creator Kay Volmar knew she’d live there one day. After returning to New York, Kay began searching for a home online and purchased a 1912 cottage sight unseen. What came next was a long-term renovation filled with highs and lows. In this episode of The Better Buy, Kay shares the biggest lessons she learned along the way including the power of patience and positivity.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carmeon Hamilton: Follow The Principles of Design, But Break The Rules Jul 27, 2022

Regardless if you rent or own, loving your home starts with making it your own. Whether it’s a simple coat of paint or a full room renovation, interior designer, and Reno My Rental star Carmeon Hamilton believes each space should be a reflection of those that live there. In this episode of The Better Buy, Carmeon shares her curb appeal deal-breaker, the power of being patient when tackling DIY projects, and why you should break the rules when it comes to interior design.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Renovation Husbands: Melding Styles to Renovate a Historic Home Jul 20, 2022

In 2017, after fixing up a couple homes together, Stephen and David (the creative couple behind Renovation Husbands) happened upon a completely gutted 1893 Boston Victorian and it was love at first sight. They began a multi-year renovation project filled with DIY elements. In this episode of The Better Buy, the pair share how they preserved the historic details of their home, the biggest lessons they’ve learned along the way, and how they created the perfect shade of beige paint.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Marcum: Making a Home Is Making Memories Jul 13, 2022

You’ve found your dream home but now what? There are so many decisions that come after purchasing a home. In this episode of The Better Buy, Julia Marcum, the designer behind Chris Loves Julia, shares the story behind her family’s recent cross-country move. Learn how she chose their fixer-upper home, the story behind her nightmare moving experience (including the red flags you should look for when hiring movers), and the first DIY project she tackled in their new house.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wendy Lau: The House That Instagram Built Jul 06, 2022

You’re planning on tackling a major renovation or even a weekend DIY project, but where to start? Whether you’re buying your first home or living in your forever home, personal touches are what truly make it yours. In this episode of The Better Buy, content creator and avid DIYer Wendy Lau shares how she set her renovation budget, where she decided to splurge and where to save, and how she threw her plans out the window and went back to the drawing board when faced with unexpected costs.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer, Lifestyle Audio

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave and Jenny Marrs: The Story Behind ‘Fixer to Fabulous’ Jun 29, 2022

When planning a home renovation, knowing where to splurge and when to save can make a big difference to your budget. In this episode of The Better Buy, Fixer to Fabulous stars Dave and Jenny Marrs share their favorite renovation projects to date (they’ve tackled nearly 300 fixer-uppers!), including expert tips you can put to work in your own home. Learn about the design elements that make the most impact, tips for making your space work for your needs, and the easiest renovation projects to do yourself.

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

The Better Buy is produced by:

Mélanie Berliet - Host/SVP & Group General Manager, Dotdash Meredith Home & Design

Sarah Martens - Senior Editor

Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer

Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations

Dominique Arciero - Audio Engineer/Producer

Jeremiah McVay - Script Editor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing The Better Buy from Better Homes & Gardens! Jun 10, 2022

The Better Buy, a new podcast from Better Homes & Gardens, explores all things home—from decorating and DIY to renovating and budgeting. Each week, we’ll talk with homeowners from around the country about the highs and lows of home ownership, and share stories, advice, and practical tips you can put to work in your own home. We’re on a mission to inspire and empower you to create your dream home. New episodes every Wednesday!

For more info visit: bhg.com/thebetterbuy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices