MAKE SPACE with Cara Newhart // home design & diy · Cara Newhart

Buy it or Build it, Strategies for taking risks, and Building an Empire with HGTV Hosts Chris & Calvin Lamont

·45 min·4 clips

Cara Newhart reveals how to create spaces you're obsessed with, backed by features in top design publications.

This episode of MAKE SPACE features host Cara Newhart in conversation with twin brothers and business partners Chris and Calvin Lamont. The Lamonts are real estate investors and builders who recently premiered their HGTV show, *Buy It or Build It*. They discuss their professional journey and strategies for risk-taking in business and design. The brothers recount starting their business after college around 2007, a difficult time for real estate and construction due to market instability. They describe initially feeling confused about their path after graduation. Their business now encompasses real estate, finance, construction, and design. The conversation explores the decision-making process between purchasing existing properties versus undertaking new construction projects. They share insights on evaluating financial risks and opportunities within the real estate market. A key insight is their emphasis on a business-focused mindset from the very beginning of their careers. They highlight the importance of adaptability when entering a volatile economic climate. The episode teases practical strategies for assessing whether a project is a "buy" or "build" scenario. Their identical voices and appearances are noted as a humorous challenge for listeners. The discussion frames design and construction decisions through the lens of calculated risk and long-term value. The tone is conversational and interview-based, blending personal storytelling with professional advice. The style is educational, aiming to provide listeners with actionable frameworks for their own projects. This episode would appeal to aspiring real estate investors, DIY home renovators, and fans of the Lamonts' HGTV show. Listeners seeking a highly technical, step-by-step DIY tutorial might find the broader strategic focus less immediately applicable.

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