Karen E. Laine Lists Renovated North Carolina Cottage for $500K Amid Family Rift
Karen E. Laine, co-star of HGTV’s Good Bones, has put her recently renovated Wilmington, North Carolina, cottage on the market for $500,000. This comes just months after purchasing the 500-square-foot property for $70,000 in February 2023, according to Zillow records. The coastal retreat, which Laine planned to use as a part-time home, was featured in the mini-season of Good Bones that aired in August.
The three-episode ninth season marked the show’s return after Laine’s departure following season eight in 2023. While Good Bones initially spotlighted Laine and her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, renovating homes in Indianapolis, the mother-daughter duo did not reunite on-screen due to a well-documented family rift. Laine previously shared on her podcast that tensions in their relationship led to her decision to step away from the series.
The mini-season highlighted separate projects from the two women. In the premiere, Starsiak Hawk transformed a lake house in Indiana for her family. The following two episodes showcased Laine’s dramatic makeover of the North Carolina cottage, which now blends modern charm with coastal aesthetics.
Despite its petite size, the cottage’s impressive transformation justifies its ambitious asking price. Its sale signals a new chapter for Laine, who appears to be shifting her focus away from Indianapolis, where her career and the show were rooted.
Good Bones, which debuted in 2016, built a loyal fanbase for its emphasis on family and community-driven renovations. However, the show’s future remains uncertain following its abbreviated ninth season. Whether Laine and Starsiak Hawk will mend their relationship—on or off-screen—remains to be seen, but Laine’s real estate move signals a potential pivot in her life and career.
