#ASKSETHANYTHING: Real estate television programs … please, just stop

We all know that television real estate and home renovation programs have captured the hearts of millions with their promise to whisk viewers away into a world of luxurious homes, stunning renovations, and jaw-dropping transformations. While these shows offer entertainment and inspiration, they often fall prey to the allure of dramatization, oversimplification, and unrealistic expectations. Let’s look at the top things I wish these programs would STOP doing.

Time Constraints and Simplified Renovations

In the world of these programs, it’s not uncommon for a dilapidated house to undergo a complete transformation in a matter of weeks or even days. While these shows certainly emphasize the thrill of a swift renovation, they wildly downplay the immense amount of time, effort, and planning required in real-life renovation projects. Real estate professionals and contractors are aware that renovations can be complex and unpredictable endeavors, often involving unexpected delays and complications that aren’t showcased on screen.

Overly Picky Homebuyers

It seems like the people that are home shopping on these shows will give a home the boot for the silliest reasons. Light fixtures? Paint colors?  REALLY? These are basic aesthetic modifications that agents in the real world can help their clients see past because we know they are just superficial. Please stop making these silly things out to be deal breakers, it’s quite ridiculous and honestly it perpetuates the stigma of spoiled Americans. Plus, it sometimes sets unrealistic expectations among the consumer.

The Glamorous Life of Realtors

I’m not gonna lie, watching the way that realtors are portrayed in these shows really annoys me sometimes. They roll up to these properties in their luxury cars, with their custom-tailored suits, looking like they just stepped off Rodeo Drive. In reality, being a realtor is hard work, with long hours, and it rarely feels glamourous or elite. Show the life a realtor for what it is! Lots of wearing sweatpants and backward hats while hunched over a desk or sweating in a car in 95 degree heat! LOL

Where Are the Real People?

The couples that are generally shown on these shows have a very comfortable budget, often with flexibility and a long list of swanky “must-haves.” Where is the couple that has been cutting corners and scraping by to save every last penny for their down payment just to get into their first home?  Where is the family that has severely outgrown their first home and is busting at the seams to upsize even if it means having to forego certain luxuries? These are the more realistic clients that more viewers would be able to actually relate to.

I could go on and on about how these shows get it wrong and do a disservice to the industry. But at the end of the day, these are entertainment-based shows and should really be taken with a grain of salt. I just wish more people could watch these kinds of shows and actually recognize that reality TV is, to some extent, scripted and edited to maintain viewer engagement. These shows aim to entertain and captivate audiences, which can sometimes come at the expense of portraying the complexities, challenges, and realistic outcomes of real estate transactions and renovations. To be fair, the shows have created housing superfans and created interest in housing as a whole, but surely there is a happy medium we can reach here?

What’s the most unrealistic thing you’ve seen on one of these real estate or home renovation programs?

Seth Lejeune is a partner/team leader at REMAX HOMEPOINT in Royersford and can be reached at asksethanything@gmail.com or 610-804-2104.