Seth Lejeune
We all know that TV real estate and home improvement shows have captured the hearts of millions with their promise to transport viewers into a world of luxury homes, stunning renovations, and amazing transformations. Masu. While these shows provide entertainment and inspiration, they often fall into the temptation of dramatization, oversimplification, and unrealistic expectations. Let’s take a look at the main things we want these programs to do.
Time constraints and simplified refurbishment
In the world of these programs, it’s not uncommon for dilapidated homes to be completely transformed in a matter of weeks or even days. While these shows certainly emphasize the thrill of quick renovations, they greatly downplay the enormous amount of time, effort, and planning required for actual renovation projects. Real estate professionals and contractors know that renovations can be complex and unpredictable tasks, often with unexpected delays and complications that don’t show up on screen. A problem arises.
overly picky home buyers
People home shopping on these shows seem to give the boot to their homes for the silliest of reasons. lighting equipment? Color? Really? These are basic aesthetic fixes that real-world agents help clients look back on. Stop bringing up nonsense like this as a deal breaker. It’s completely ridiculous and honestly perpetuates the spoiled American stigma. Additionally, it can create unrealistic expectations for consumers.
The glamorous life of a real estate agent
I’m not going to lie, I get really annoyed sometimes when I see how real estate agents are portrayed on these shows. They arrive at these establishments in luxury cars, in custom-made suits, and looking like they just came off Rodeo Drive. In reality, being a real estate agent is hard work with long hours, and you rarely feel glamorous or elite. Show me what life is like as a real estate agent! There’s a lot of bending over a desk or sweating in a car in 95 degree heat while wearing sweatpants and a backwards hat.lol
Where are the real people?
Couples on these shows typically have very generous budgets, are often flexible, and have a long list of fashionable “must-haves.” Where are the couples who have cut corners and saved up to the last minute for a down payment just to live in their first home? Where are the families outgrowing their first home and desperately trying to upsize, even if it means giving up some luxuries? These are more realistic clients that a wider audience can actually relate to.
I could go on and on about how these shows are wrong and hurting the industry. But at the end of the day, these are entertainment-based shows and really should be taken with a grain of salt. I wish more people would watch this kind of show and actually realize that reality TV is, to some extent, scripted and edited to keep viewers engaged. think. These shows aim to entertain and captivate viewers, but sometimes this comes at the expense of depicting the complexities, challenges, and realistic outcomes of real estate transactions and renovations. To be fair, the show has created a housing enthusiast and generated interest in housing as a whole, but is there a happy medium here that we can reach?
What’s the most unrealistic thing you’ve seen in these real estate or home improvement 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.