How Much Of HGTV's 'Home Town' Is Fake?

Highlights

Home Town showcases Ben and Erin Napier revamping historic homes in Laurel, Mississippi, proving their design skills and commitment.
Despite speculation about authenticity, Home Town’s impact on Laurel is real, revitalizing the town and boosting community morale.
Clients like Jay Stein, Rhonda Phillips, and Amanda Matthews have praised the Napiers for their exceptional work and personalized designs.

HGTV’s Home Town brings Ben and Erin Napier to the forefront of revamping and reviving historic properties in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. The success and appeal of Home Town has spawned spin-offs like Home Town Takeover, Home Town Kickstart, and Home Town: Ben’s Workshop, elevating the couple to powerhouse status in the world of reality television.

For eight seasons of Home Town, the Napiers have shared heartwarming stories of families at various points in life looking to establish roots in Laurel. Erin and Ben combine their design and woodworking backgrounds to revamp homes inside and out for clients. The final results of the Napiers’ efforts are impressive, but it’s easy to wonder if the efforts – and the Napiers – are fake.

There are mixed interpretations of how real Home Town is and, as a result, it’s up to viewers how much they want to believe. Overall, Home Town is legit, but like in other reality television shows like HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, and House Hunters, the extent to which it’s real is subjective.

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According to the Laurel Merchantile website,the Napiers have the academic credentials to back up their work on Home Town. The Napiers own and operate the Laurel Merchantile with partners Jim and Mallorie Raspberry and Josh and Emily Nowell. Erin started her career in graphic design after earning a bachelor’s in the discipline, but developed a “passion for preserving and renovating historic homes.” Ben studied history at the University of Mississippi and had an affinity for woodworking.

Ben and Erin Napier posed in front of a beautiful home

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Erin and Ben channeled those degrees and their own love for renovation into Home Town. When Home Town goes to work on a house in Laurel, the Napiers take part alongside the rest of the carpenters and craftspeople. Contrary to what many people think, Ben Napier isn’t a contractor or a carpenter. Instead, Ben sees himself as a woodworker who makes “history-inspired” items. When talking about his work with wood on Instagram (via housedigest.com), Napier said,

Woodworking takes precision [and] dedication to be done right… I love bringing my ideas to life.

Ben’s woodworking is highlighted on Home Town: Ben’s Workshop, one of the spin-offs of the original show.

Home Town Spin-Offs	Premiered
Home Town Kick Start	2022
Home Town: Ben’s Workshop	2021
Home Town Takeover	2021

The Napiers’ Hometown Work Has Been Legitimate And Impressive

What the Napiers have accomplished on Home Town has done wonders for Laurel, Mississippi. Erin Napier told realtor.com that Laurel was once “a baby tourist town” but has become a bona fide tourist attraction.

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The Napiers nearly missed out on revitalizing Laurel. As the couple looked to graduate from the University of Mississippi, they considered relocating to New York City or several Southern cities such as Memphis and Birmingham. As Erin told House Beautiful, moving back to Laurel felt “rebellious” but she and Ben ultimately decided,

“Everywhere has problems. You can either complain about them and leave, or you can stay and do something about it.”

To make Laurel the go-to destination for visitors, the Napiers tackled historic homes to restore them to their original beauty. Before Home Town, Laurel was home to numerous shuttered buildings and closed businesses. Since the show began, the Napiers and their team have revamped 50 homes in and around the town.

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The Napiers brought new life to Laurel but also boosted morale in the community. New and old residents of Laurel alike are genuinely excited about the town. Restaurant owner Pearl Campbell returned to Laurel in 2015 after more than 30 years away. For her, , just like the Napiers.

‘Home Town’ Has Plenty Of Satisfied Clients And Credible Reviews

Season four clients Jay Stein and Rhonda Phillips had nothing but positive things to say about their experience on Home Town. Phillips, a native of Mississippi, told Realor.com,

“They know my husband and I are into historic preservation,” she says. “They really do take into consideration what you do and what you like… I had a high level of trust. The house that we picked was in such bad shape, if anybody could fix it, it would be them and their team. And they did.”

Amanda Matthews, who appeared on Home Town during the show’s first season, credited the Napiers with giving her a front porch looking out at Laurel and a specially made calligraphy table – two things she described as “dreams.” Overall, Matthews praised the Napiers for perfectly capturing her style.

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One more happy couple was Kristie and Jeff Verret. When they moved to Laurel from Ontario, Canada, they bought a house that needed $135,000 for repairs and renovation. Paint, a new roof, and a revamped kitchen accompanied the newly screened-in back porch to make the Verrets feel nothing but love for their home.

The Napiers have also taken their efforts on the road. Home Town Takeover features Ben and Erin Napier revamping buildings in towns and cities across the United States. In season one of Home Town Takeover focused on Wetumpka, Alabama, while season two, which united the Napiers with Fixer to Fabulous hosts Ben and Lisa Marrs, undertook 18 projects in Fort Morgan, Colorado. When talking about the impact of the show on Fort Morgan, Charles Cole, a business owner whose store was renovated, said “We have experienced a ten-fold increase in business” since Home Town Takeover was there.

Home Town Takeover Locations, By Season
Season One	Wetumpka, Alabama
Season Two	Fort Morgan, Colorado
Season Three	Sebring, Florida

The Napiers’ decision to return to Laurel ultimately paid off for the Napiers, too. Their shows and other business ventures have reportedly made them multi-millionaires. The couple has also welcomed two children to their family since Home Town began in 2016.