House Hunters TV Show

[disykat]

As for pharmacists and what they make....I've been told around 100k. Can't recall where I got this info.

The young woman I know in Florida is making 125K, more than older, more experienced pharmacists I know of in other areas of the country.

 

[cybrkitn]

I like watching HH, First Time Home Buyers and Property Virgins. Not too fond of HHI though.

What I'm amazed at are the people that go around looking at the houses and they don't look at the potential it has. Ugh, it's got carpet. Ugh, I don't like the paint color/wallpaper. Or, it doesn't have stainless steel appliances nor granite counter tops. So, if you don't like it, you can change it! Those are minor fixes compared to a complete remodel of a kitchen or bathroom.

However, I do like seeing what type of houses are out there and what other states are going for. Newer houses that I've seen on the show, can be in the $200 - $400k range, yet here in NY will be at least $600 up to over 1 million.

I've also noticed that some of the shows like FTHB are filmed in Canada. Therefore, the housing prices are obviously going to be different then here in the States.

But I still enjoy watching them none-the-less.

 

[krcit]

Some of those buyers put very little if anything down and are paying a huge mortgage! It always amazes me the ones who buy a house but don't have money for closing costs! They shouldn't be buying a home yet if they don't have the money for down payment and closing costs. Lots of those buyers buy houses at the max of what they are approved for.

And that is a major part of why the country is in the economic mess it is. Drives me nuts.

My dd cracks up at me when I watch HH because I get soooo mad at some of the buyers. "Oh, I hate that paint color." "I can't stand those window treatments." "Those floors are ugly." Ughhh!!! Don't these people have a clue about what is important about buying a house?? Location, location, location...almost anything else can be changed eventually. Then I watch HHI and wonder what I'm doing wrong that I can't afford 2 million on a vacation home

 

[cybrkitn]

As for pharmacists and what they make....I've been told around 100k. Can't recall where I got this info.

I'm noticing that even $100k doesn't seem to be enough. If you have another income that is $40k or more, then yes, it can be. But by itself, it's not.

DH is making close to that in his field of IT (he works for NY state). When I was working I added about $30k. With all of our bills, daycare for DS7 at the time (infant up to 4 years old), then tuition for school and before/after-care for him, we found that we really didn't have a lot of money left over. There was no way we could afford a house. Now that I'm a SAHM (after being laid off last year) and DH is the sole income, we still can't afford a house, especially here in NY.

 

[krcit]

I'm noticing that even $100k doesn't seem to be enough. If you have another income that is $40k or more, then yes, it can be. But by itself, it's not.

DH is making close to that in his field of IT (he works for NY state). When I was working I added about $30k. With all of our bills, daycare for DS7 at the time (infant up to 4 years old), then tuition for school and before/after-care for him, we found that we really didn't have a lot of money left over. There was no way we could afford a house. Now that I'm a SAHM (after being laid off last year) and DH is the sole income, we still can't afford a house, especially here in NY.

I'm on LI also and luckily we bought our house 13 years ago before the prices went insane otherwise we would never be able to afford a house. The real estate prices plus taxes will be driving many, many younf couples out of here

 

[disneyfans95]

I'm noticing that even $100k doesn't seem to be enough. If you have another income that is $40k or more, then yes, it can be. But by itself, it's not.

DH is making close to that in his field of IT (he works for NY state). When I was working I added about $30k. With all of our bills, daycare for DS7 at the time (infant up to 4 years old), then tuition for school and before/after-care for him, we found that we really didn't have a lot of money left over. There was no way we could afford a house. Now that I'm a SAHM (after being laid off last year) and DH is the sole income, we still can't afford a house, especially here in NY.

Really? We live up in the Hudson Valley, but wife grew up on long island and her family is still there. They are out in east islip.

Making 100k a year, you should be able to afford a house out there. I won't ask the details because that would be too personal. But you have the income to do it.

 

[Cooky]

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[Jennasis]

We watch...and it's like a personal affront to me if they don't pick the house "I" would have! I get so mad! It's quite funny.

 

[focusondisney]

I love HH so I can see home styles in other parts of the country. What cracks DH & I up is how everyone needs a home office! We've been married 32 years & have managed just fine without one! LOL! And someone always says "there's a lot of light". As soon as DH sees me watching this show he just says " I bet there's a lot of light i that house!"

But I always wonder about these young couples paying so much for their first homes. I'd love to know how these people make out a few years later. Are they the ones who caused the housing crisis? Or am I just jealous?

 

[paintnolish]

I like HH, especially if they are looking in someplace uniqe, like SoCal or Hawaii. Midwestern surburbia? Not so much. I LOVE HHI! I am ready to move into a restored monastary in Italy or cave house in Spain! Sign me up!

The only thing that bugs me about the shows, however, is the conversation a couple has when they see the master bedroom closet. It's always some joke, like the woman says, "Sweetie, where will YOU put all of your clothes?" Haha. All women are chronic shoppers whose closets are overflowing.

 

[krcit]

Really? We live up in the Hudson Valley, but wife grew up on long island and her family is still there. They are out in east islip.

Making 100k a year, you should be able to afford a house out there. I won't ask the details because that would be too personal. But you have the income to do it.

In my town you cannot find a house for under 400K, maybe a real fixer-upper for 350. I could not afford that on a 100K salary.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm noticing that even $100k doesn't seem to be enough. If you have another income that is $40k or more, then yes, it can be. But by itself, it's not.

DH is making close to that in his field of IT (he works for NY state). When I was working I added about $30k. With all of our bills, daycare for DS7 at the time (infant up to 4 years old), then tuition for school and before/after-care for him, we found that we really didn't have a lot of money left over. There was no way we could afford a house. Now that I'm a SAHM (after being laid off last year) and DH is the sole income, we still can't afford a house, especially here in NY.

That is going to largely depend on your area. Many places have a cola that allows that paycheck to stretch farther.



Also important to note with this show....these folks usually have looked at other houses. I think they show the top 3 picks.

Everyones shopping tastes are different. Some folks are fine with a paint change or carpet switch while others are not. Reality is that at some point,'money will need to be spent. We bought our home knowing the entire interior required painting. We could look past that to buy the house. It did impact what we could buy it for so that we could get it AND paint it. And it all worked out. But due to the paint issue, we did attempt to buy another property first that was similarly priced but move in ready. However due to seller issues, we pulled our offer and bid on the house we got.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Does anyone else watch this? I love looking at the different houses and getting ideas for what I want in my next house. But the price of some of these and what their budget is just gets me. I asked my husband what we are doing wrong!

There was an episode of a young couple (25 yo) where she was a Pharmacist (same profession as my DH) and he was a student. They paid $400,000.00 for a house in Florida! The first thing I asked my DH was do Pharmacists make that much more in Florida than Ohio? There was no way we could of afforded a house for that price when we were 25 yo.

I am shocked, but in the opposite way that you are. I WISH we could find a house for $400,000 here. And on some of the shows, they have houses that are $120-300,000! WHERE do you find these houses and why are they not near my work?????

 

[TTFN]

The HHI that really threw me for a loop was the girl shopping in Tel Aviv. She (and her mom) were concerned that the condo/apartment have a bomb shelter! I just can't imagine living like that, but they seemed so nonchalant about it.

 

[focusondisney]

The only thing that bugs me about the shows, however, is the conversation a couple has when they see the master bedroom closet. It's always some joke, like the woman says, "Sweetie, where will YOU put all of your clothes?" Haha. All women are chronic shoppers whose closets are overflowing.

I think the couples are given some "key phrases" that they are to work in. As I mentioned, we notice how often people say:there's a lot of light. I've also noticed the closet comments that you have. There's also "we could make it work/ we can work with it." Or: this could work as an office. And of course:keep it on the list!

 

[southernbohemian]

It also seems that they knew that they were going to buy the Bananarama business/property all along and that they looked at the others for the show.

I don't know, it wasn't deceitful exactly, but they really didn't explain things fully.

This is actually the case with House Hunters. The people "looking" are generally already in escrow on one of the houses and the producers pick 2 other houses to show them. It makes sense - before I knew that I always wondered how the couples ALWAYS ended up buying the house they wanted - nothing ever fell through between deciding on a house and going to closing (which obviously isn't the norm in house buying - why I like Property Virgins better).

It also may explain why some people make such stupid comments about the paint and stuff - they have to find something about the house that they don't like. It would be my luck that I would have a house in escrow, go on the show, and find another house that I absolutely loved.

I love the show, but I do find the budgets mind-boggling.

And my friend who just completed school/residencies for becoming a pharmacist is starting at $100K+ at a major drug chain - so I guess that is the norm.

ETA: Here is a link to a good blog that talks about the secrets behind House Hunters:

http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/06/02/the-truth-about-house-hunters-on-hgtv/

 

[Mouseteacher]

HH is my favorite show. I need my daily fix!

I also find myself talking to the screen about some of the comments that the buyers make. I especially don't understand the "need" to update perfectly good bathrooms or to replace perfectly good appliances with stainless steel.


Me, too, especially when they don't like a paint color on the walls...an easy fix and shouldn't turn you off from the house.

I do love HH and HHI and PV...addicted to them.

 

[Robinrs]

The only thing that bugs me about the shows, however, is the conversation a couple has when they see the master bedroom closet. It's always some joke, like the woman says, "Sweetie, where will YOU put all of your clothes?" Haha. All women are chronic shoppers whose closets are overflowing.

They HAVE to be reading a script, too many people say the same stupid things!!!

 

[angie@dvcstore]

I love that show I always watch it with my mom love to see other people decorative style

 

[paintnolish]

The HHI that really threw me for a loop was the girl shopping in Tel Aviv. She (and her mom) were concerned that the condo/apartment have a bomb shelter! I just can't imagine living like that, but they seemed so nonchalant about it.

That was a little crazy, but the locations were otherwise beautiful. I liked the two story one, but it didn't have a bomb shelter.

I think the couples are given some "key phrases" that they are to work in. As I mentioned, we notice how often people say:there's a lot of light. I've also noticed the closet comments that you have. There's also "we could make it work/ we can work with it." Or: this could work as an office. And of course:keep it on the list!

There's a lot of light in here is a good one!

They HAVE to be reading a script, too many people say the same stupid things!!!

I, for one, could never use the closet comment. Granted we don't have a large closet, but he uses our entire closet! I use dd's!