Let’s talk about Karen E. Laine, the beloved HGTV star who’s never shy about sharing what’s on her mind. Fans of Good Bones know her as the open-book mom with a knack for flipping houses. Recently, she revealed that her kids have thrown a wrench into her retirement plans. Turns out, moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, wasn’t exactly the smooth sail she imagined.

Why Wilmington? And Why Not?

Karen, a former lawyer turned DIY queen, decided Wilmington would be the perfect place to hang her hat after years of hard work. “I came to Wilmington because I had such an amazing experience here,” she said during a recent episode of the “What’s Up Wilmington” podcast. “It’s just as wonderful as I remembered. People are so kind, and the weather is fantastic. I thought this would be the perfect spot to retire.” But then her kids stepped in and changed the game.

“My children have completely destroyed my dream,” Karen joked with a mix of humor and honesty. “And let me tell you, that’s not a bad thing. It’s just different from what I planned.”

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Life After Good Bones

At 62, Karen is a mom of four—Mina, CR, William, and Kelsy—and a grandmother who’s ready to enjoy life. She starred alongside her daughter Mina on Good Bones for eight seasons, but now that the show has wrapped, the mother-daughter duo isn’t exactly on speaking terms. Still, Karen remains optimistic about her future and her family.

Before buying her new home in Wilmington, Karen thought her life would remain relatively stable. “I had one son in San Francisco with his family of four kids,” she explained. “It didn’t matter if I lived in Indianapolis or Wilmington because it’s just a plane ride away. We were doing great.”

Big Changes, Big Decisions

But as life often does, things took a surprising turn. “My son decided to move back to Indianapolis with his four kids,” Karen shared. “And guess what? My youngest daughter, Kelsy, who I honestly thought might never have kids—because I trained myself not to ask her that question—it turns out she’s pregnant! She’s due in December. Can you believe it?”

Mina Starsiak Hawk stands next to mom Karen E. Laine at event — Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Cost Plus World Market

Now, Karen has five grandkids in Indianapolis, and she admits it’s going to be tricky to balance her time between Wilmington and Indianapolis. “I think in the winter, Wilmington will definitely win,” she said. “But during the warmer months, I’ll definitely spend more time with my grandkids.”

Starting Over in Wilmington

Karen revealed that Wilmington feels like home in a way she didn’t expect. “When I step onto the ground at my little house, it feels like I belong there,” she shared. “This is where I’m meant to be right now.”

Her move to Wilmington came after separating from her husband, Roger Rominger. “We filed for legal separation last year,” Karen explained. “It was the right decision for both of us. Now I can retire wherever I want, and Wilmington feels like the perfect place for me.”