If you’ve spent any amount of time listening to Armchair Expert, you probably feel like you know Monica Padman’s real estate portfolio better than your own. It’s been years. Literally years. We’ve heard about the permits, the "nosy" neighbors, and the constant back-and-forth about whether her place is actually bigger than Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s mansion.
But here’s the thing: as of early 2026, the saga of Monica Padman new house is still the internet's favorite construction cliffhanger. It’s not just a house; it’s a five-year-plus odyssey of Los Angeles bureaucracy and "gut-job" renovations that would make any sane person give up and just buy a finished condo.
The House Across the Street (Eventually)
Back in late 2019, right before the world collectively stayed home, Monica pulled the trigger on a property in Los Feliz. She reportedly dropped around $2.6 million for it. On paper, it was the dream move. The house is located right across the street from Dax and Kristen.
The goal? Total proximity.
She wanted to be there for the kids, for the podcast, and to basically form the ultimate neighborhood commune. But "moving in" and "owning" are two very different things in the Hollywood Hills. What started as a plan to refresh a 3,500-square-foot home turned into a total overhaul.
Honestly, the delays are legendary at this point.
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First, there was the pandemic. That stalled everything from lumber deliveries to city inspections. Then came the neighbor disputes. If you follow the "Fact Checks" at the end of the podcast episodes, you know there was a massive legal tangle involving an easement or a driveway right-of-way. Imagine buying a multi-million dollar home and not being able to start the pool because the guy next door is blocking your permit. Brutal.
Why it's taking so long (and why we care)
Most people renovate for six months. Monica is going on year six.
Why? Because she isn't just painting walls. She’s working with high-end designers like Amber Lewis (of Amber Interiors), the same mastermind behind Dax and Kristen’s aesthetic. When you’re doing a "wild gut renovation" in Los Angeles, you aren’t just fighting the weather; you’re fighting the city's building and safety department.
The Permit Nightmare
- LA Bureaucracy: Getting a variance in Los Feliz is like trying to win the lottery while being struck by lightning.
- Neighbor Drama: One neighbor reportedly fought the renovations for years, leading to a standstill that kept Monica in her apartment long after she expected to leave.
- Supply Chain: Even in 2026, the tail end of those 2021-2022 delays is still felt in custom cabinetry and specialized stone.
There was even a rumor—well, more of a discussed project—that she was filming the renovation for a show with Ellen DeGeneres’s production company. Whether that’s still happening or got buried in the "Ellen backlash" era is anyone's guess, but it explains why she was willing to wait for "perfection" rather than just moving into a "good enough" house.
Is it bigger than Dax's house?
This is the running gag. Dax constantly teases Monica that her house is going to be "bigger and better" than his. For context, Dax and Kristen’s place is over 4,000 square feet on a massive lot. Monica’s original purchase was around 2,300 to 3,500 square feet (depending on which real estate listing you believe), but the new plans reportedly added significant square footage.
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It’s a classic power dynamic flip. The "assistant" who became a partner and a mogul is now building a literal monument to her success right in the shadow of her mentors. It's kinda poetic, if you think about it.
The Apartment Life vs. The Mansion
Despite being a multi-millionaire with a massive Spotify deal, Monica has spent the last several years living in an apartment. She’s talked about it frequently—the thin walls, the "shithole" vibes (her words, mostly), and the weirdness of being a celebrity who still hears her neighbors through the ceiling.
It’s this weird duality that makes her relatable to the "Armcherries."
She’s at the Golden Globes one night and then goes home to a rental because her "forever home" is still a construction zone with no toilets. We’ve all been in that "limbo" phase of life, though usually not with a $4 million asset sitting idle down the road.
What to Expect When She Finally Moves In
When the Monica Padman new house finally loses the scaffolding, expect a reveal that is pure "California Cool."
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- Neutral Palettes: If Amber Lewis is involved, expect lots of cream, light wood, and "lived-in" luxury.
- The Podcast Attic 2.0: While the current "Attic" is at Dax’s place, there’s always been talk of how the podcast infrastructure might evolve once Monica has her own gates and security.
- The Pool: This was a major sticking point in the renovations and will likely be the centerpiece of her backyard.
Practical Insights for Your Own Reno
If you're looking at Monica's journey and thinking about your own fixer-upper, take a page from her book of hard knocks.
Don't buy a house with easement issues unless you have a legal team. Seriously. Also, if you're renovating in a high-density city like LA or New York, double your timeline. Then triple it. Monica thought she’d be in by 2022. It’s 2026.
Check your local zoning laws before you fall in love with a set of blueprints. What looks good on Instagram might be illegal in your ZIP code.
If you’re following the move, keep an ear out for the "Fact Check" segments in upcoming Armchair Expert episodes. That’s usually where the real tea about the flooring delays and the final move-in date gets spilled. It’s been a long road, but it looks like she’s finally in the home stretch.