This week I explain why the end of HGTV’s Fixer Upper might actually lead to some positive changes, and Sherry reveals the mistake that nearly ruined the floors in our beach house. If you’ve been thinking about buying a second property or trying real estate investing for the first time, we spoke with real estate coach Dana Bull. She shares a lower-risk approach to acquiring your first rental, explains why being a landlord isn’t as intimidating as it seems, and offers smart renovation tips that protect your investment.
You can download the episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or TuneIn – or listen on your preferred podcast platform. Use this page to find links, notes, and photos we referenced. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- We previously detailed the process of refinishing the pine floors in our beach house. If you missed that post, it covers the steps, the unexpected problems and how we ultimately resolved them.
- We also discussed Chip and Joanna Gaines stepping away from Fixer Upper and what that move might mean for the industry. Their announcement marked the end of an era for many DIY and design fans.
Color of the Year
- Design trends continue to evolve. Several major paint brands publish a Color of the Year each season, and we talked about how those picks influence palettes and room feeling for homeowners and decorators.
- If you enjoy following annual color announcements, we’ve compared previous selections and discussed how to interpret them for your own projects — from bold accent walls to subtle neutrals that refresh a room without a full repaint.
Dana Bull, Real Estate Coach
- Dana Bull brings practical, experience-based advice to new investors. On the show she walks through conservative strategies for buying your first rental property, how to analyze cash flow and realistic ways to protect yourself financially.
- Her recommended resources are focused on mindset and the financial basics of real estate. Books, blogs and investing communities can help you learn language, metrics, and common pitfalls before you make an offer.
- We also shared updates on our own Beach Duplex purchase, including lessons learned on financing and early renovation choices. Hearing real-life examples can make the process feel more approachable.
We’re Digging
- Above is a peek at our daughter’s room, which recently received a few updates. We found a reversible duvet that fits perfectly with the new look, and matching sheets and accessories helped tie everything together.
- For kids’ bedding we typically shop at familiar retailers, but this season we discovered great options in a few unexpected stores. Exploring a variety of sources helped us find unique patterns and better prices without compromising quality.
- We also highlighted a few favorite online resources and marketplaces for home decor inspiration, useful whether you’re updating a child’s bedroom or staging a rental property for better tenant appeal.
- We recently finished the true-crime podcast Dirty John and found it incredibly compelling—an example of storytelling that kept both of us hooked episode after episode.
If you’d like to find items and sources we’ve mentioned on past episodes, we maintain a master list that consolidates our “We’re Digging” picks from previous shows. It’s a convenient way to track recommendations across multiple episodes.
Thanks to Modsy for sponsoring this episode. They reimagined our awkward, angled bonus room as a restful master suite and showed how professional visualization tools can help you see possibilities before committing to a layout. We tested their service and shared our experience on the show, including a promotional code for first-time users.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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