HGTV musings

[Andtototoo]

One thing that gets me is how cheap the remodels are on those shows. We've been remodeling our house, and everything is so expensive. There's obviously some fudging there.

they don't include the cost of labor. When I've read articles about the various shows, they are quite open about that fact. Just like on Trading Spaces -- they never included the cost of the labor in the $1000 budget. And labor is often the most expensive part of any job.

Exactly. Sure you can get a nicer house, but you have to live in those areas, too. I have a relative who bought her house for 35,000. I used to live in that town, and I tell you, no thanks! I'll stay in one of the most expensive cities in the nation. Cheap mortgages aren't everything.

Right! I have a coworker who is always bragging that her house only cost 25% of what mine did and her taxes are so low. But she and her husband both have to drive an hour to work in opposite directions, they have to drive 45 minutes to a good grocery store, movie theater and doctor. The school system is a joke. The only thing to do in town is go to a bar. The town is dying because most of the young people leave for good as soon as they can. "But it's cheap!" Yeah and sometimes you get what you pay for!

 

[tvguy]

I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't going to be living in the house anymore, or the cost would have been much higher! What can I say, I have expensive taste.

The house was 40+ years old when we sold and the kitchen (other than the floor) and the two bathrooms upstairs had never been updated. Anything would have been an improvement! The master bath was still harvest gold and that gold/brown color. We went with light, neutral colors (gray/white in the hall bath and tan/brown in the master). We bought inexpensive tile and fixtures (a lot of close out stuff). By the time it was done it looked like we spent a lot more than we did.

Like I think I posted earlier in this thread. I had no idea what to do last year when I sold my parents 53 year old house, which was exactly as it was built. Realtor said to do nothing. I sold it in 17 days. Investors that bought it did the remodel......took them a year to sell it, at a loss.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is anyone watching Castle Hunters right now? The first castle (in France) was beautiful - except for the kitchen - and it was only $1.6 million.

When I win the lottery, I'm going to buy myself a chateau in France!

Yes. And the second one, too. I hope they have more of them. I'd like a castle in Tuscany.

 

[EMom]

When is Castle Hunters on? I can't find it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It says, "premieres New Year's Day at 10 AM" - so, probably next Thursday at the same time? http://www.hgtv.com/shows/castle-hunters

 

[JanaDee]

When is Castle Hunters on? I can't find it.

The episodes were on this morning before the parade.

 

[sukhakuli]

Like I think I posted earlier in this thread. I had no idea what to do last year when I sold my parents 53 year old house, which was exactly as it was built. Realtor said to do nothing. I sold it in 17 days. Investors that bought it did the remodel......took them a year to sell it, at a loss.

You're near Sacramento, though, so I assume that house is also. That's not exactly a booming real estate market. Here flipped houses sell really fast, and for a lot. There are a lot of cash investors from China buying here, and they want move in ready houses.

Real estate is always local, so you can't extrapolate based on your experience alone.

 

[scrapquitler]

I hate Love it or List It. She always has some major issue so half the budget has to go to fix it. The homeowners always get mad at her, and refuse to give a bigger budget. Yet, he finds a perfect home that is above their maximum price and they are willing to go for it.
Its so fake, I wish they would at least mix it up instead of having the same scenerio being played out each week.

I loved HGTV when it was more about decorating and less about real estate.

My 11 year old son loves watching Love It or List It, but every episode he says "Mom, this is so dumb...she tells them she doesn't have enough money in the budget to do the renovations they want, but at the end, they always get a new Washer and Dryer and all new furniture. They should keep the furniture they have and save the money for more renovations" I think he's learning a bit about budgeting from Mom and Dad by osmosis.

 

[NewRVLady]

There was a local new article where a couple, about to buy a house in new Orleans were chosen for the show-House Hunters
They admitted the deal was signed-but the show had them 'pretend to just looked at the house in in the show...plus 2 other homes

Most Reality Shows are FAKE!

 

[tvguy]

You're near Sacramento, though, so I assume that house is also. That's not exactly a booming real estate market. Here flipped houses sell really fast, and for a lot. There are a lot of cash investors from China buying here, and they want move in ready houses.

Real estate is always local, so you can't extrapolate based on your experience alone.

Just depends on the price range. $300,000 to $500,000 homes kind of sit, houses under $300,000 and over $500,000 tend to sell.

Yes, lots of cash investors here, One guy alone bought 1,200 homes in Sacramento County in 2012 and 2013. And just over one third of ALL home sales in Sacramento county in 2013 were cash, including the sale of my parents house.

My neighbors 2,200 2 story house (in Carmichael) with a pool and upgrades has been on the market since May, listed at $430,000, with a sale pending now at $359,000. They bought a one year old 2,200 square foot house with a pool and upgrades for $340,000 in Lincoln (a suburb sort of Sacramento). I told a co-worker about the house and he said he was looking for a 2,200 square foot house with a pool for under $300,000. He found a 5 year old foreclosure in Elk Grove ( another Sacramento Suburb) for $280,000. So right now it seems people are winning to commute 20 miles each way to work instead of 10 to save over $100,000 on a house. So yes, real estate is always local.....in Toronto those probably would be $1.4 million homes.

 

[sukhakuli]

Here median priced homes in the 400,000-600,000 range sell within days over asking price. Homes over a million sit longer, but they sell. A house nearby was listed for 850,000 and sold for 600,000 after a year on the market. They flipped it and listed it for 1.4 million, it sat on the market for about 6 months and sold for 1.3 million.

 

[Bella03]

Anyone else not impressed with the coverage of the Rose Bowl parade on HGTV? I miss the days of gardening experts (Paul James) providing details on the flowers.

The network has really changed over the last couple of years and not for the better IMO.

 

[Pembo]

Anyone else not impressed with the coverage of the Rose Bowl parade on HGTV? I miss the days of gardening experts (Paul James) providing details on the flowers.

The network has really changed over the last couple of years and not for the better IMO.

I agree! I thought there was way too much babbling about nothing. Admittedly I am not a fan of the brothers but they were awful.

 

[nkereina]

Late to the party on this thread, but one thing that gets me about these house renovation shows is that they make the homebuying process seem so easy. Here's three houses, we can probably get them for these prices, take your pick. I know they are all contrived, but probably more than 75% of the time something will fall through, loans won't get approved, offers won't be accepted, etc.

I do like Fixer Upper because I love Joanna's style, but I agree with a PP that the decor is FAR beyond the reno budget. Just last night, their reno budget was about $30,000 which is not a lot as far as house renovations go, and they were knocking out walls, moving doorways, etc. Obviously had to cost quite a bit more. As with all the reno shows, they also don't do every single room in the house so if must look funny for the homeowner if some rooms aren't done up in the same manner. And lastly, very few actually put a TV in the living room. The designs are usually really nice, but impractical for how people are really living. They're set up like museums.

Perhaps a spoiler but may be interesting for some... I've heard/read that on Love It or List It, people who want their homes redone will contract to be on this show and will essentially receive the renos for free. They then film two endings - one saying "love it" and one saying "list it" and the producers will pick which ending they edit in. So, all the people on the show are really staying in their homes and just looking for free renos.

On House Hunters, they filmed a few episodes in Rochester, NY which is near me. The people told the local news that House Hunters joins them AFTER they close on their house purchase and films the house they bought. Then they film the people viewing two other random houses that the producers choose - some of which may not even be for sale. This is done because of what I mentioned above - sometimes loans and deals fall through, so with the people having already closed, they have a secure ending.

 

[Darcy03231]

Late to the party on this thread, but one thing that gets me about these house renovation shows is that they make the homebuying process seem so easy. Here's three houses, we can probably get them for these prices, take your pick. I know they are all contrived, but probably more than 75% of the time something will fall through, loans won't get approved, offers won't be accepted, etc.

I do like Fixer Upper because I love Joanna's style, but I agree with a PP that the decor is FAR beyond the reno budget. Just last night, their reno budget was about $30,000 which is not a lot as far as house renovations go, and they were knocking out walls, moving doorways, etc. Obviously had to cost quite a bit more. As with all the reno shows, they also don't do every single room in the house so if must look funny for the homeowner if some rooms aren't done up in the same manner. And lastly, very few actually put a TV in the living room. The designs are usually really nice, but impractical for how people are really living. They're set up like museums.

Perhaps a spoiler but may be interesting for some... I've heard/read that on Love It or List It, people who want their homes redone will contract to be on this show and will essentially receive the renos for free. They then film two endings - one saying "love it" and one saying "list it" and the producers will pick which ending they edit in. So, all the people on the show are really staying in their homes and just looking for free renos.

On House Hunters, they filmed a few episodes in Rochester, NY which is near me. The people told the local news that House Hunters joins them AFTER they close on their house purchase and films the house they bought. Then they film the people viewing two other random houses that the producers choose - some of which may not even be for sale. This is done because of what I mentioned above - sometimes loans and deals fall through, so with the people having already closed, they have a secure ending.

I think I've seen an episode or two of this show. The renovations where they move walls and/or doorways aren't that expensive if you aren't factoring in labor (and you don't need to install a supporting beam). DH is in construction and we've done some relocating of doors/walls and most of the cost is in the time to do it. If their reno budget is $30,0000 and the bulk of the reno is time that they aren't factoring into the budget, then you can get quite a bit more for your money. For example, DH and I just bought a new to us house. We're gutting and redoing the downstairs bathroom. We're going to reuse the existing tub and toilet. We've estimated that it will cost us about $800-$1,000 in materials for a new vanity, sink, floor, tile, light fixtures, bath fixtures (towel bars, toilet paper holder, faucets, etc.). If we were to pay someone else to do the work it would run closer to $5,000.

 

[Andtototoo]

Late to the party on this thread, but one thing that gets me about these house renovation shows is that they make the homebuying process seem so easy. Here's three houses, we can probably get them for these prices, take your pick. I know they are all contrived, but probably more than 75% of the time something will fall through, loans won't get approved, offers won't be accepted, etc.

I do like Fixer Upper because I love Joanna's style, but I agree with a PP that the decor is FAR beyond the reno budget. Just last night, their reno budget was about $30,000 which is not a lot as far as house renovations go, and they were knocking out walls, moving doorways, etc. Obviously had to cost quite a bit more. As with all the reno shows, they also don't do every single room in the house so if must look funny for the homeowner if some rooms aren't done up in the same manner. And lastly, very few actually put a TV in the living room. The designs are usually really nice, but impractical for how people are really living. They're set up like museums.

Perhaps a spoiler but may be interesting for some... I've heard/read that on Love It or List It, people who want their homes redone will contract to be on this show and will essentially receive the renos for free. They then film two endings - one saying "love it" and one saying "list it" and the producers will pick which ending they edit in. So, all the people on the show are really staying in their homes and just looking for free renos.

The reno shows do not include the cost of labor in the budget. In the various articles I've read about Fixer Upper, for example, Chip is quite candid that the homeowner gets their labor for free because HGTV pays for it, but that the homeowner has to agree to a minimum budget of $30K for the rest of the reno costs. If you don't have to pay for labor, $30K goes a long way.

House Hunters originally did follow people around on real house hunting, but had to stop because it simply cost too much money both in time and if the sale did not go through. I remember reading an interview with a producer and they cited a particular show (which I remember) as the lightbulb moment when they knew they had to stop being real -- the woman looked at over 115 houses.

 

[Pembo]

Late to the party on this thread, but one thing that gets me about these house renovation shows is that they make the homebuying process seem so easy. Here's three houses, we can probably get them for these prices, take your pick. I know they are all contrived, but probably more than 75% of the time something will fall through, loans won't get approved, offers won't be accepted, etc.

I do like Fixer Upper because I love Joanna's style, but I agree with a PP that the decor is FAR beyond the reno budget. Just last night, their reno budget was about $30,000 which is not a lot as far as house renovations go, and they were knocking out walls, moving doorways, etc. Obviously had to cost quite a bit more. As with all the reno shows, they also don't do every single room in the house so if must look funny for the homeowner if some rooms aren't done up in the same manner. And lastly, very few actually put a TV in the living room. The designs are usually really nice, but impractical for how people are really living. They're set up like museums.

Perhaps a spoiler but may be interesting for some... I've heard/read that on Love It or List It, people who want their homes redone will contract to be on this show and will essentially receive the renos for free. They then film two endings - one saying "love it" and one saying "list it" and the producers will pick which ending they edit in. So, all the people on the show are really staying in their homes and just looking for free renos.

On House Hunters, they filmed a few episodes in Rochester, NY which is near me. The people told the local news that House Hunters joins them AFTER they close on their house purchase and films the house they bought. Then they film the people viewing two other random houses that the producers choose - some of which may not even be for sale. This is done because of what I mentioned above - sometimes loans and deals fall through, so with the people having already closed, they have a secure ending.

Sign me up! I'd love a free reno. Of course my house isn't a s***hole like most of those. lol

 

[nkereina]

I think I've seen an episode or two of this show. The renovations where they move walls and/or doorways aren't that expensive if you aren't factoring in labor (and you don't need to install a supporting beam). DH is in construction and we've done some relocating of doors/walls and most of the cost is in the time to do it. If their reno budget is $30,0000 and the bulk of the reno is time that they aren't factoring into the budget, then you can get quite a bit more for your money. For example, DH and I just bought a new to us house. We're gutting and redoing the downstairs bathroom. We're going to reuse the existing tub and toilet. We've estimated that it will cost us about $800-$1,000 in materials for a new vanity, sink, floor, tile, light fixtures, bath fixtures (towel bars, toilet paper holder, faucets, etc.). If we were to pay someone else to do the work it would run closer to $5,000.

Its true the labor saves them a lot but what about all the furnishings? They essentially furnish the entire house. Are we to believe that $30K covers reconfigurations of the house, new kitchens, new bathrooms, and all those furnishings on a fairly decent size house? I'm sure the numbers are ballparks and they aren't giving real figures, but I do think HGTV picks up more of the tab than we know, making it less realistic for anyone looking to achieve the same results in the "real world".

 

[mombrontrent]

Late to the party on this thread, but one thing that gets me about these house renovation shows is that they make the homebuying process seem so easy. Here's three houses, we can probably get them for these prices, take your pick. I know they are all contrived, but probably more than 75% of the time something will fall through, loans won't get approved, offers won't be accepted, etc.

I do like Fixer Upper because I love Joanna's style, but I agree with a PP that the decor is FAR beyond the reno budget. Just last night, their reno budget was about $30,000 which is not a lot as far as house renovations go, and they were knocking out walls, moving doorways, etc. Obviously had to cost quite a bit more. As with all the reno shows, they also don't do every single room in the house so if must look funny for the homeowner if some rooms aren't done up in the same manner. And lastly, very few actually put a TV in the living room. The designs are usually really nice, but impractical for how people are really living. They're set up like museums.

Perhaps a spoiler but may be interesting for some... I've heard/read that on Love It or List It, people who want their homes redone will contract to be on this show and will essentially receive the renos for free. They then film two endings - one saying "love it" and one saying "list it" and the producers will pick which ending they edit in. So, all the people on the show are really staying in their homes and just looking for free renos.

On House Hunters, they filmed a few episodes in Rochester, NY which is near me. The people told the local news that House Hunters joins them AFTER they close on their house purchase and films the house they bought. Then they film the people viewing two other random houses that the producers choose - some of which may not even be for sale. This is done because of what I mentioned above - sometimes loans and deals fall through, so with the people having already closed, they have a secure ending.

We don't have a TV in out living room (than again we don't have cable anymore). We only have two TV's in the house now, one is in my room which we connect our computer to to watch stuff and the other is in the kids rec room in the basement and is only used for their video games. Any shows/movies the kids watch is downloaded and watched on their computers or through Netflix on their ipads. Our living room is just couches, coffee tables and a fireplace. We read in there, play games (and use our computers in there). If we all want to watch a movie together on occasion we pile into my king size bed or use the TV in the rec room.

 

[Darcy03231]

Its true the labor saves them a lot but what about all the furnishings? They essentially furnish the entire house. Are we to believe that $30K covers reconfigurations of the house, new kitchens, new bathrooms, and all those furnishings on a fairly decent size house? I'm sure the numbers are ballparks and they aren't giving real figures, but I do think HGTV picks up more of the tab than we know, making it less realistic for anyone looking to achieve the same results in the "real world".

Before we sold our old home we redid the kitchen (new cabinets, granite counters, glass tile backsplash, new sink, faucet, lighting, gfi outlets), totally gutted and redid two bathrooms (one with a custom tile shower), had the hardwood floor refinished in one bedroom, had the stairs redone, took a door out of the garage and added a window, new steel door in the basement, and a couple of other small things. If we had done all the work ourselves, other than the counters which we bought including installation (we didn't because of time) it would have cost us about $8,0000. It ended up costing about $33,000(we bought most of the materials ourselves and just paid someone to do the work).

Also, they probably buy a lot of the furniture/furnishings at a discount in order for the stores/suppliers to get their names on tv.