How HGTV's New 'Flip Or Flop' Series Is Giving Back To The Veteran Community

Chip and Joanna Gaines fans who are still sad about their show ending, listen up — there's a new house flipping couple taking over Texas in the latest spinoff of the hit HGTV home renovation franchise Flip or Flop. The highly anticipated spinoff set in the Lone-Star state will premiere on Thursday, Nov. 2. But who are Ashley and Andy Williams, the Flip or Flop Fort Worth hosts?

Like the original Flip Or Flop show, featuring Tarek and Christina El Moussa, Flip Or Flop Fort Worth will follow a husband and wife team as they buy "rundown properties and transform them into stunning family homes." According to HGTV, "a shared love of fitness and similar goals and values," brought veterans Andy, 35 and Ashley, 31 together almost a decade ago and eventually to Andy’s home state of Texas to build their Dallas-Fort Worth-based real estate business, Recon Realty.

Both veterans of the armed forces, Andy served in the Marines, while Ashley was in the Army. They met at a gym while both serving tours in Baghdad, Iraq, and Andy asked Ashley if she needed a personal trainer. “He was really muscular,” Ashley said to HGTV. “For that particular work, he had to be in peak condition, so [his body] was definitely the first thing you noticed.” Things quickly heated up for the couple, who soon became “battle buddies" per HGTV, and the rest is history.

After serving, the couple saw real estate as an opportunity to transition into civilian life and give back to their community, all while getting the chance to work locally so they could be close to their two children Ashton and Amina, according to The Dallas Morning News. Since they returned home in 2011, they've flipped more than 49 homes.

“A close call with an IED [Improvised Explosive Device] in Iraq in 2005 would have cost me my life. Real estate was my rally point and eventual safe haven for my family,” Andy told HGTV. “I've always viewed real estate as a way to add value to the community while making above average returns. I decided to study the real estate market closely and invest with a purpose for pathway to transition from Iraq back home in Texas.”

Of course the two plan to run their flip projects like military operations, with clearly defined roles for each party. Andy will be in charge of purchasing the houses and renovations, as he's "amazing at finding deals." Ashley on the other hand, who loves pattern mixing and playing with textures, will handle the designs and decorating. You can also expect to see how the duo's children play a key role in the family business. In a fun family outing, which the Williamses have dubbed "driving for dollars," Ashton and Amina help their parents pick out which houses they should flip next.

The hosts are also bringing a unique twist to the home renovation show: The series will highlight their commitment to hiring fellow servicemen and women to assist on their projects, per an HGTV article. As viewers will see in several episodes of season one of Flip or Flop Fort Worth, many of the outside crews brought in for Andy and Ashley’s flips are owned, operated, and staffed by veterans. These include a veteran landscaper, a veteran tree trimmer and a debris removal and recycling companies led by veterans. Recon Realty also frequently works with veteran-owned title companies, a disabled veteran mobile notary for closings, and a veteran loan officer for potential buyers.

“Each time we buy a little piece of America, each project is an opportunity to add value to our community: To make a positive impact and return. We choose to impact the veteran community," Andy said. "The day it becomes just a transaction, Ashley and I will find another problem to solve." With a so much patriotism between the duo and a commitment to giving back, it's clear that Flip or Flop Fort Worth will be one to watch.