Want to be on Fixer Upper? Advice From a Former Cast Member.

Trust me, it has crossed my mind to purchase a home in Waco, Texas for my son who attends Baylor University. I'd only do it if Chip and Joanna would be part of the remodel though. The Gaines family has said that Waco is their home and that they don't plan on extending beyond the 40 mile radius that they are currently working in for their hit HGTV show Fixer Upper. If you happen to find yourself in that area or would consider a move, here is what you need to know about what it takes to be on Fixer Upper, advice straight from a former cast member.

Want to be on Fixer Upper? Advice from a Former Cast Member

Your Home Has to be a Mess!

The show requires at $30,000 in renovations to be done and show applicants have been turned away for not having enough wrong with their home. If you want to be selected for the show, a gut job is usually desired. Joanna really wants an inside and outside makeover.  

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Pick Your Location With Care

As we have seen in the news recently, "the worst house in the best neighborhood" isn't always selected. Chip and Joanna can work a lot of magic on a home, but the real estates' mantra isn't location, location, location for nothing.

Work with What you Have

Lindy Ermoian had all of her home decor in storage. When she met the Gaines' for the design consult, she went to their home for a sit down. Lindy wishes she had known that she could have Joanna work with some of her furniture because she knows now that Joanna would have liked some of her pieces and could have used them in her design like she did with Jaime's blue buffet piece in The House in the Big Woods.

Show Your Style

While clients on Fixer Upper are asked to create a Pinterest board with renovation and home ideas, Lindy wishes she had taken pictures of her current home and shown her style to Joanna. Want to see Lindy's Pinterest board that she made for Joanna and the design team? Here it is!

Save Money for Furniture

When you hear Chip say "all in budget" most couples mean it. They want to go all in on the renovation budget and while most clients have a home full of furniture already, many do find pieces they would like to purchase after the reveal and they may not have the budget for those pieces. Because as we all know now, YOU DON'T GET TO KEEP THE FURNITURE! 
Take a peek into a Fixer Upper home before and after the staging. Here's a peek.

Shop the Magnolia Market Warehouse Sale

So this doesn't really just apply to those living in Waco that are eligible for the show, but the warehouse sale is worth the trip. Lindy Ermoain was not only on season 3 of Fixer Upper, she is also a fan of Fixer Upper. She shopped the Magnolia Market Warehouse Sale this summer and said that it's a sale not to miss. 

Many items you see used in staging of the Fixer Upper homes can be found at DEEP discount. Lindy was able to pick up several of the items that were used in the staging of her home at a fraction of the retail price. She also saw many other large furniture pieces that were part of other Fixer Upper homes you've seen on TV. So if you want to plan a trip to Waco, I'd plan it around the next warehouse sale if I were you.

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter because if you are a Fixer Upper fan, I've got more information coming to you and you want to be the first person to get it delivered in your inbox!    Catch all the episodes from Season 3 of Fixer Upper including The Ermoian's episode {episode 14}.  Can't get enough Fixer Upper? I loved The Magnolia Story, pick up a copy today, or subscribe to The Magnolia Journal. 

Still looking for more Fixer Upper? Check out these posts!

What it's Really Like to be Cast on Fixer Upper Part II Fixer Upper Season 5 Sneak Peek The Ultimate Fixer Upper Fan Guide Fixer Upper: The Flip That Made Them Famous 11 Things you Didn't know about Fixer Upper and Waco, Texas How to Get the Fixer Upper Look Without Being on the Show Inside a Fixer Upper Home After the Show Exclusive Interview with Fixer Upper Client Jaime Ferguson

Want to visit Magnolia Market and spend some time in Waco?

How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Waco, Texas 20 Places you Should Visit in Waco, Texas {Besides Magnolia Market} Is it Worth a Special Visit to Magnolia Market 5 Things to Know Before you Visit Magnolia Market

Love Joanna's Style? Get it for Less!

Stay tuned! More Fixer Upper insider information coming soon! 
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