HGTV stars share their biggest tips on buying, selling and renovating

What would we ever do without HGTV? How would we know the appropriate shiplap technique without Chip and Joanna’s help? Who else can make us laugh at corny dad jokes like Jonathan and Drew? Where are Hilary and David to reconcile our partner’s design worries when we need them? 

25 PHOTOSHGTV stars' best advice everSee GalleryHGTV stars' best advice ever

Chip’s 5 biggest ways to improve curb appeal

He told AOL Lifestyle: 

"I started in the landscaping business — that’s how I got my feet wet in the construction industry with lawn care and landscape installation. I love a beautiful fresh landscape. A lot of people think, to some extent, that means hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in materials — and of course, it can be that if you’re talking about an entire landscape renovation.

But sometimes you can get a few bags of mulch, which is a few hundred dollars or less. Or sometimes it’s weaving your beds, which is just elbow grease, there’s no additional cost, just you getting out on a Saturday or Sunday morning and working a bit.

You can get more into technical things. Shutters are an easy project — even building shutters. If you currently got shutters, then you’re just talking about a paint issue. I love to advise people to even build their shutters because it’s a fun DIY project that doesn’t require a high level of expertise. If you make a mistake, it doesn’t cost you a fortune to start over. 

Even simple things like a mailbox, which is even a forgotten concept when it comes to your house. Sometimes, the first things [buyers] see before they actually get down the sidewalk and on the property is the mailbox. "

Scott McGillivray’s budget remodeling hack 

The HGTV Canada star revealed to AOL Lifestyle his number one hack for saving money when redoing your patio. 

Buy thick box-like frames from the local craft store, remove the back, put them in place in your yard in the configuration of your choice, and pour in some concrete. 

Tip: Be sure to "tamp" down the sand carefully before you pour or place the stones. This will help you avoid a common DIY patio pitfall -– a surface that isn’t level!

How to upgrade a boring staircase, according to Drew and Jonathan Scott 

Staircases aren’t normally the first thing you think of when having a lot of potential to up your home’s aesthetic. But the truth is, it’s the main focal feature in many homes and has the power to either contribute or distract from your home’s vibe. 

Here’s what the Property Brother’s suggest to upgrade a particularly "boring" part of your home. "You could do something like paint it all out, and it would look a thousand times better," Jonathan told a fan who asked for advice. The designer suggests adding in some paneling or wainscotting to help with texture. 

Candace Olson’s tips on balancing function and style:

"You can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you’re a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you’re a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef’s dreamy (and stylish) gas range," she said according to HGTV.com

On the importance of a home inspection

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to get a home inspection, whether you’re getting a fixer-upper or something brand new. The seller most likely will cover any costs of a problem that pops up," explained Jonathan. 

He continued, "If you’re putting an offer in, make it subject to a home inspection, so that way nobody else is going to swoop in and take the property out from under you, and it gives you enough time to make sure the house is actually a good investment."

Joanna Gaines’ inexpensive kitchen update

If you want to transform your kitchen, but don’t have the time or the means to undergo a massive renovation, the "Fixer Upper" design guru suggests starting with the hardware. 

"I think that hardware plays such a huge part in the style of a space,” she said. Try new drawer knobs or a new chrome bar-style pull. 

Even outlets and switchplates can be chic 

"Show your outlets and switch plates some love. Look for a finish that plays up your walls as well as a functional feature—say, a dimmer switch or an outlet with USB ports for charging devices," said Christina and Tarek, stars of "Flip or Flop," according to Family Circle. 

Editor’s note: We love this brass covering from Amazon ($4.98) 

Joanna’s most prized kitchen appliance

If you’re on the prowl for a housewarming gift, Joanna suggests one of her most beloved kitchen gadgets: A Breville Custom Bread Maker. The star shared a photo of the appliance on her Instagram this holiday season: 

"If you don’t have a bread machine, you should ask for one for Christmas. The smell of fresh bread alone is worth it. #itshouldbeacandle," she wrote. 

You can buy it here. 

On coming up with a design plan, according to John Colaneri from "The Cousins"  

On a budget-friendly option for a kitchen cutout 

 “Say you find a backsplash that you love but you can’t afford it, an option is to do a cutout of it,” Christina El Moussa explained, according to Cheat Sheet. “For example between a microwave and a stove or a cabinet piece, so do a picture frame of it. The rest of the backsplash, you can do more of an inexpensive tile.” 

What Joanna Gaines will never leave an estate sale without

If you’re fans of the Gaines’ hit show "Fixer Upper," then you know Chip and Joanna never pass on the opportunity of a good estate sale. Jo spoke to Country Living on the 7 items she always keeps her eyes out for at the sales, including ornate frames, unusual storage opportunities, and old light fixtures. Find out what else made Joanna Gaines’ list here. 

On creating the perfect feature wall 

"We always believe that every room should have a feature, whether it’s a light fixture, furniture piece or whether it’s something like a gallery wall. It’s so easy, and the rule is that there are no rules. Make sure there is no unintentional weight on one side and it’s balanced. You can do anything," said Jonathan to AOL Lifestyle. 

"We’re trying to get people excited about people telling their stories on their walls and not tucking all of their photos or memorabilia away in closets," Drew continued.

See more of their tips on the ultimate feature wall here.   

How to make your kitchen much fancier than it really is, according to Joanna 

The mom-of-five design expert suggests a simple way to make your kitchen look straight out of an interior design magazine. Her simple fix? Stashing exposed appliances like the microwave or coffee pot in a pantry or cabinet if it’s not used every day. Jo recommends hiring an electrician to fill these extra spaces with outlets. 

On what to consider before flipping a house 

"Just because a house is a piece of junk doesn’t mean it’s a good flip," Tarek El Moussa stressed, according to House Beautiful. "So it has to be at the right price." If you’re overpaying for the house to begin with, it’s much harder to turn a profit once you invest time and money into it. Tarek wants you to remember: "You never make your money when you sell—you always make it when you buy, and you’ve got to buy right."

How to up the value of your home on a budget 

Chip Gaines suggests three things to increase your homes’ value without spending a ton of cash: fixing the "front elevation, landscape and slight modifications to the mailbox," he told us. 

"If you’ve got a few thousand dollars, it may be a small budget, I’d really spend that money in front elevation," the home improvement king concluded. 

The two colors to never paint your walls, according to Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Two color trends the "Property Brothers" can’t wait to see go? Yellow walls and angry red walls, circa the 90s. 

"Yellow walls don’t really sell these days," said Jonathan in a recent episode. Note taken.

Chip Gaines on the most "crucial" and "nonnegotiable" painting step 

"Primer is one of those tools that only non-professionals think somehow skipping that part of the process is going to help them from an efficiency standpoint and look standpoint. Everybody in the business knows that primer is a crucial step because it’s so important — not only from a foundation [standpoint] as primer allows products to adhere to the surface infinitely better — but also the end result of actual finished products," he said. 

"The paint itself looks better when it’s been applied to primer. It’s not a negotiable step…people in the industry know it’s a part of the process — it’s what makes the paint look great," he continued. 

On Hilary Farr’s easiest decorating tip 

"I love window dressings. They’re a quick and easy way to make a room look more inviting and cozy,” said the "Love It Or List It" star according to Parade. “For a modern look, hang curtains from the ceiling with a very simple pleat at the top so they will hang straight.”

Editor’s tip: We love these ones from Amazon for under $40

Joanna’s best advice for choosing the color for your wall

You’re not indebted to the color of your living room wall forever. But Joanna Gaines’ has the best tips for actually making sure the color you’re actually spending time and money to paint is actually worth it. 

Don’t fail to consider "where your light is coming from,” said the designer. It’s important to predict how a certain hue will look once natural light affects it. 

How Chip and Joanna balance different client’s interests 

No one is ever going to want the same thing out of a house. Every couple is different, with different tastes and preferences for aesthetics. 

Said Joana, "I always tell clients to do their list of 10, and we try to somehow marry that. Of course, life is always about finding that middle ground and letting them both have a win. The creative part is blending both of those. You know, one’s really rustic, one’s really modern, I don’t feel like there is any style that doesn’t go well together…I just think it’s that creative challenge." 

One trend Chip and Jo can never agree on? Laminate floors.

On the biggest trends Tarek El Moussa can’t wait to see go

Wall to wall carpets, inappropriate luxury upgrades and bidets.

He wrote in an article for Realtor.com:

The 8,000-square-foot home that I was working on had every amenity one would need: a great pool, home theater, game room, 10,000-bottle wine cellar, and seven-car garage. So, in the spirit of "having it all," I thought why not add a bidet in each of the bathrooms?

I soon realized that this decision was a poor one, as word quickly spread about the "bidet house."

My idea had backfired. Not only did it detract from the thousands of dollars I had put into the property, it also took away the hours of planning and structural changes we had made just to allow room for the addition. The point: Pull back on the reins of creativity just a tad, save yourself the headache, and the money, and do what people are accustomed to seeing. Let the new buyer put in the unique items. Make your additions neutral and of good quality, and let them speak for themself."

On investments homeowners should make for reselling value

If you’re renovating a house and prepping it to sell, you want to make sure you’re not overspending because you want to get as much back as you possibly can," said Drew.

"If you have crooked tiles or baseboards, all those tiny things start to add up to a big negative for buyers. Make sure your house is staged — it’s got to be clean, decluttered." Another tip from the home renovation master? Stash all those family pictures away! 

One of the most valuable and classic aesthetics 

You guessed it! Shiplap. 

"It’s been in houses for over 100 years, so for anything that’s a classic material you can keep for as long as you want," relayed Joanna to AOL Lifestyle in 2018. 

On David Visentin’s biggest advice for purchasing a home 

"Find a good Realtor who is immersed in the area you want to buy in," he said in an interview to AZ Central. "That is critical to getting a fair deal, and it will eliminate any hiccups along the way in the purchase process. Save, save, save and put down as much as you can for a down payment. Twenty-five to 30 percent is a good range to shoot for. Don’t overextend yourself. No matter how much you want a house, there will always be another one."

Chip on the projects homeowners can do themselves, without hiring help 

He revealed in a 2018 interview with AOL Lifestyle: 

"Id probably be leading with paint. Number two is that I’ve always been a connoisseur with tile…it’s just more difficult to implement flooring as opposed to a backsplash in the laundry room or bathroom. So if I were to take you to the very next step after paint, I would encourage your readers to experiment which a backsplash in a small guest bathroom or laundry room, where again if you do make a mistake and things aren’t perfect when you’re finished, the risk that you’ve taken was manageable. As opposed to maybe being your backsplash in your kitchen, you can really mess that up to such an extent to where that affects retail, it affects your living situation."

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We’re thankful for HGTV’s stars for a rainbow of reasons — but their sound advice on property value and the best home investments really take the cake. 

From Fixer Upper’s estate sale tips to the Property Brothers’ number one home design tip, here are our favorite words of advice from our favorite HGTV stars. 

20 PHOTOSHGTV stars before they were famousSee GalleryHGTV stars before they were famous

"Rehab Addict" star Nicole Curtis during her high school cheerleading days!

(Photo: Facebook)

No one could rock suspenders like Nicole Curtis!

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"Fixer Upper" stars Chip and Joanna Gaines look just as in love now as they did back then. This is one of the couple’s engagement photos from over a decade ago.

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Ok, Chip Gaines was quite a looker in his younger days. Anyone else agree?

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And here’s another one from Chip and Jo’s wedding day. We want more pictures!

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Stop the cuteness! The "Property Brothers" stars Drew and Jonathan Scott have grown up into such handsome men.

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Back where it all started! Drew Scott dressed up and looked spiffy for his high school graduation.

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The Scott brothers with their infamous third sibling, J.D.

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We love Jonathan Scott as a scrawny teenager. We don’t think he’d be caught in this outfit these days.

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Daddy’s girl! Here’s Genevieve Gorder looking totally adorable before going to "Sesame Street Live" with her dad.

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Genevieve Gorder, host of "Dear Genevieve," was such a cute 7 year old.

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Carter Oosterhouse, star of "Carter Can," was living his best life in the ’70s with some pals.

(Photo: Facebook)

"Flip or Flop" star Christina El Moussa looked just as gorgeous in Jr. High!

Sabrina Soto, star of "The High/Low Project," was all smiles with the Easter bunny.

(Photo: Instagram) 

Josh Temple of "House Crashers" rocked some seriously bleached blonde hair in the ’90s!

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Here is "Property Virgins" star Egypt Sherrod at 15 years old rocking a super red ensemble. Talk about a ’90s throwback!

(Photo: Getty)

This photo of Scott McGillivray shows less skin (so seriously what’s the point?!) but it did have us feeling nostalgic for frosted tips. 

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Wowza! Scott McGillivray from "Income Property" posted this shirtless photo from back in the day — and it definitely made his followers happy.

(Photo: Instagram)

I’m extremely lucky to have so many strong, incredible women in my life – including these two… my beautiful mom and my superwoman fiancé, @_lindaphan. ♀️ ?? #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2018 #TBT

Having been brought up in a loving, supportive household…I’m thankful I was raised to admire and respect women #happyinternationalwomensday #respect #equality #tbt

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