That might sound like a given, but Property Brothers gets thousands of applications from people who "just want a free house," the bros wrote in their 2017 memoir, It Takes Two. Others simply want to meet Jonathan and Drew. Make sure you're in it for the right reasons!

The house-hunting and uncertainty you see on-screen isn't always the real deal. Ideally, those who appear on the show should already have a house in mind to buy before filming. "Because everything moves so fast for the show, we have found that it doesn't work well for people who haven't even started searching," Jonathan told PopSugar.

The show does like to tour other homes with you just in case, and there have been times when a couple has switched over to a better option that they didn't even know was available.

In the beginning of each episode, a couple looks at an "inspiration home"—a house just out of reach budget-wise, but has everything they could ever want. But these aren't always on the market, so don't get too attached.

"You don't have to be a married couple to get on the show, but if you're single, you need to have a likable sidekick such as a best friend or relative so there's someone to discuss your decisions with," they revealed in It Takes Two.

Get ready to drop some big bucks if you want Jonathan and Drew to come calling. According to a 2019 casting application, you have to be willing to spend upwards of $90,000 on renovation and design.

Producers need to know that homeowners have more than $90,000 in the bank for any hiccups. Case in point: In the only episode they've ever abandoned in the middle of filming, a house inspection revealed sinking floors. The homeowner "wanted Jonathan to cheap out," Drew told TV Guide, telling him to level the floor instead of paying extra to fix it legally. The bros had to say no, and go.

Make sure to organize everything regarding your pre-approval, mortgage details, and budget before even applying. Proof of funds are required to "avoid any delays and to stay on production schedule," per the casting notice.

You're more likely to be cast if you have a compelling story to share with viewers. So don't be scared to share what makes you unique when you apply!

The brothers have traveled all over, from Las Vegas to Nashville and everywhere in between. Keep an eye out for the location they're casting for, though. Each year is different, and you have to either be living in or moving to the city very soon to be considered for one of their shows.

Quick thinking is so important to producers, they list it as a requirement on the application. That way, when asked about color or layout preferences, you won't waste precious time on such a tight schedule.

"I've heard that some other shows take it all away and I was like, 'Uh . . . That's a jerk move,'" Jonathan told PopSugar. "You get someone to fall in love with a room and then you're like, 'See ya!' So no, everything that you see on TV stays."

Completing an episode of Property Brothers can be a seven to eight weeks-long process. Your presence is required for seven to ten days of filming within that window.

Production is very accommodating. Carson Padgett, a homeowner who appeared on the show, told the VUMC Voice that they can plan around your work schedule and other conflicting dates. List everything in your initial application so they know what to expect.

Due to time constraints, only three or four rooms are usually shown in each episode. Behind the scenes, you do have the option to renovate the entire house—but it will require a "separate budget and timeline," Drew explained in a Twitter Q&A.

In fact, you'll need to share where you plan to stay when you first apply, so production knows you have somewhere to go.

For obvious safety reasons, take your furry friends with you when you temporarily move out. In a moment that never aired, a homeowner once halted production every time her cat walked into the room—and didn't allow work to resume until the cat decided to leave on its own.

Talented as they are, Jonathan and Drew can't do it alone, which is why they hire local general contractors. "That's the only reason why we get it done so fast, keep the quality high, and keep the costs down is because all of these professionals that are local that work on it with me are willing to help get it together fast," Jonathan told PopSugar.

The show enlists the help of homeowners to "stretch the budget," Jonathan revealed to PopSugar. "If we find that our budget is taking hits left, right, and center, I'll jump in and do even more because I'm not charging for my time, or we'll get the homeowners to jump in and do more."

The show wants to make sure you're happy with the finished results, so they value your taste. If you're not feeling a couch or a certain piece of art, speak up! "I'm very collaborative, so I know along the way if there's anything that they're nervous about, but I've never had a problem," Jonathan admitted to PopSugar.

"You're bringing us in as professionals. This is what we do day in and day out, you have to trust us," Jonathan once said. Remember, an entire episode was scrapped due to "irreconcilable differences" with a homeowner—so if you want to be on TV, listen to the twins!

To keep emotions as real as possible, Jonathan and Drew might keep some secrets from you...and wait to tell you until when cameras start rolling. "A lot of people wonder if all the surprises, and the terrible news you get during the process, they think—that can't all be true, but it really is," Carson Padgett told the VUMC Voice.

Luckily, the brothers are just as friendly in real life as they appear to be on television. "They were so personable and genuine," Jenny Reimold told HouseBeautiful.com. "We talked about Drew's wedding, and they really took the time to get to know us. They understand that this is a treat for people."

Before you take that hammer to the wall, you'll need the proper permits. Thankfully, the show helps out with this stage, working with local city offices to speed up what's often a lengthy process.

The final reveal is the best part of the show, so getting the moment just right is important. "Knowing they were gutting the house I just bought, and I couldn't see it—and I had no control over what was happening—oh my gosh, it was a stressful process for me," Carson Padgett told the VUMC Voice.

If anything in the home breaks or you aren't satisfied after Jonathan and Drew say goodbye, you're covered. The show leaves you with a warranty on the work from the local general contractors.

There's nothing worse for TV than a reaction that reads as fake, and production will stop filming if they sense you aren't being genuine. "We just want homeowners to be themselves. We don't want any acting," Drew once shared on a panel.

If something happens that the cameras didn't catch—or a homeowner ruined the take—they reshoot it. "We will walk in and it will be this ugly, ugly carpet or something, like terrible carpet and they'll be like, 'Yeah, that's not so bad actually! I could see myself getting along with that!' And we're like, 'What are you talking about?' And they're like, 'Oh! We thought you wanted us to like it!'" Drew explained in a Q&A.

The brothers are constantly filming multiple episodes—and sometimes entirely different shows—at once, meaning you won't be their sole focus. In each city, they can be working on 17 different homes with five construction crews at the same time, so expect them to move quickly.

Because Jonathan and Drew get wholesale prices for everything from materials to furniture, the savings add up. “[Homeowners] would never be able to get it for that price if it wasn’t for the show,” Jonathan revealed during a Facebook Q&A.

Having a huge team and camera crew at your house will attract attention—and not always the good kind. "A crazy neighbor came running out of her house with a large chef’s knife in hand, screaming that we were trying to rob her and she was going to call the police," Drew recalled about one particularly wild moment in the twins' 2017 memoir.

Anyone who appears on camera—even random people walking in the background of certain shots—must sign a release form to be included in the show. Fun fact: Usher was once caught zipping by Jonathan and Drew on a bicycle in Atlanta. Because producers couldn't chase after him to have him sign the release, they had to cut him from the episode!

The brothers take audio very seriously, so don't be surprised if they want you to hold for any distracting noise. Things like planes, trains, dogs barking, birds chirping, and kids yelling can all interfere with the sound quality.

It makes sense, since chances are those younger than 21 aren't up to buying a house just yet.

Even if you're a little hard to work with, production tries not to show it. "We do trim content that might make them look unlikable. We would never intentionally humiliate anyone for entertainment’s sake," the brothers revealed in their memoir.