The Better Buy

Latest Episodes:

Stephen Orr: Making Renovations Matter Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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Welcome to Season 2! Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

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

Show notes

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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