How House Hunters (HGTV Show) really works

[rgf207]

If all of HH is scripted, they need new writers.

There's no place to grill.
We can't live without two sinks in the bathroom.
I really wanted granite and stainless steel.
This whole room is a re-do.

don't forget

"This would be great for entertaining"

Like everyone hosts weekly dinner parties

 

[dsneprincess]

Don't really care for the new version of Property Virgins with this Egypt lady, but I loved Sandra Rinomato. Sometimes she made a snarky comment or facial expression that gave away her true feelings towards some of these head-in-the-clouds buyers.

Jim

Agreed. She was/is about the most "real" reality show hosts. Also, agree about the LIOLI hosts, don't like that show at all because of them. And let's not start about the awful Design Star winner.

You know, I should probably just turn OFF the tv & get something done instead! ROTFL

 

[Andtototoo]

don't forget

"This would be great for entertaining"

Like everyone hosts weekly dinner parties

Every single time we watch the show with my dh, he carries on about that, wondering how we failed at life that we don't have weekly dinner parties.

Plus all those guests coming to visit that require a dedicated guest bedroom AND bath.

Guess we're just really unpopular!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

We have some friends that recently moved to Germany for work.. They applied to be on House Hunters International before they moved and they were recently accepted. They received a call the other day on their taping and how it actually works.

First of all, our friends have already bought their house in Germany. HGTV comes to their new place and moves everything out. They then find 2 random other houses to "show" them along with the house they've already bought. They tape them going to all three houses and commenting on them. They then have to "choose" a house (keep in mind they already own it). After they make their choice (again), HGTV flies them back to the states for the "goodbye" (also keep in mind they have moved already). At the end HGTV will move their stuff back into their house.

Also, the parts of the show where the sellers refuse the offers or the bank financing get's hung up for some reason. All scripted. It never happens.

Interesting huh? DW and I really like the show though but it's interesting to see how it really works.

Awww, next thing you're going to tell me is there ain't no Santa Claus.

Someone before said this show was scripted, which was kind of a let-down for me. It seems like a lot of trouble for a show to do all of that moving in and out.

Other shows I like are Property Brothers and Love It or List It. By watching I know that LILI is scripted. Some of the homeowners are really snotty and I figured it had to be fake or else I would walk out the door and let them find someone else to finish the job.

I guess they have to be scripted.

 

[RitaE]

I have to admit I really, really dig those Property Brothers.

I caught their new show over the weekend and I liked it well enough too, although by the end of the hourI was about ready to smack the home owners for their over dramatized stress bickering.

 

[TaraPA]

My place of employment was on Undercover Boss this season. I got to see the whole inside world of taping a "reality" TV show. While we weren't given actual pieces of paper with written scripting, we were encouraged on what to do & say, and for a 5-minute segment on TV, they filmed for 10 hours. We filmed the same scenes over & over & over.

The most frustrating part was that we KNEW it was Undercover Boss, but corporate (and the film crew) denied it til it aired. It was awkward to have to make small talk with "Dan the new guy" who was reall our CEO, that we all knew, but we had to pretend it wasn't. For 10 hours!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

My place of employment was on Undercover Boss this season. I got to see the whole inside world of taping a "reality" TV show. While we weren't given actual pieces of paper with written scripting, we were encouraged on what to do & say, and for a 5-minute segment on TV, they filmed for 10 hours. We filmed the same scenes over & over & over.

The most frustrating part was that we KNEW it was Undercover Boss, but corporate (and the film crew) denied it til it aired. It was awkward to have to make small talk with "Dan the new guy" who was reall our CEO, that we all knew, but we had to pretend it wasn't. For 10 hours!

Did they show you on TV?

I could never understand how they think they could fool people after the first show aired.

Like you said, once you see a new guy and tv cameras, how dumb do they think people are?

 

[joviroxx]

The obvious fact that these shows are scripted doesn't bother me. Im nosy, I just like to see the inside of these houses and all those redecorating ideas!

 

[TaraPA]

Did they show you on TV?

I could never understand how they think they could fool people after the first show aired.

Like you said, once you see a new guy and tv cameras, how dumb do they think people are?

Yes I was on the show 2 times in the 5-min. segment (I wasn't the person they "showcased").

That's exactly how we felt - "dumb" - the CEO HAD to know we knew it was him (in a very bad disguise). I was on break eating in the back room when he was back there on a break as well, and he was chatting with me about his failed restaraunt (the story of why he was there - his restaurant filed & he was trying out retail instead). I was like 'Um, I know this is all made up, can we just not talk to each other right now?!?!"

 

[Bob NC]

It was awkward to have to make small talk with "Dan the new guy" who was reall our CEO, that we all knew, but we had to pretend it wasn't. For 10 hours!

I really would not want to give the CEO the impression that I was stupid enough to not know it was him.

 

[TaraPA]

I really would not want to give the CEO the impression that I was stupid enough to not know it was him.

EXACTLY!!!! I mean seriously - his picture is on our computers right in front of our faces every day. We had to sign something before taping that we would not disclose any info until after it aired, so we had to play along with it til then.

Like I said, I would rather not have had the opportunity to have to spoken to him at all that day. Now if I ever run into him again it will be awkward for sure.

 

[mdsoccermom]

don't forget

"This would be great for entertaining"

Like everyone hosts weekly dinner parties

That's the one that gets me the most. Every single couple they show needs a house for entertaining and for all the dinner parties they give. Just once I'd like to see people who say they're shut-ins, and never entertain or cook for others.

My husband and I also just roll our eyes at the people who buy their houses based on what their pets would like. One couple was looking at a condo, and they had to make sure the view was good for their cat. On the Key West episode, the couple was concerned whether or not they could fit their bed so the dog would be able to jump on it.

It's so obvious Property Brothers is scripted. I mean, every episode, the homeowner buys a house and then complains about the condition of the house and how they'll never be able to live in it. I want to reach out and throttle them. You're on the show. You know you'll have an amazing place when you are done so SHUT UP!

 

[Coconut36]

That's the one that gets me the most. Every single couple they show needs a house for entertaining and for all the dinner parties they give. Just once I'd like to see people who say they're shut-ins, and never entertain or cook for others.

My husband and I also just roll our eyes at the people who buy their houses based on what their pets would like. One couple was looking at a condo, and they had to make sure the view was good for their cat. On the Key West episode, the couple was concerned whether or not they could fit their bed so the dog would be able to jump on it.

It's so obvious Property Brothers is scripted. I mean, every episode, the homeowner buys a house and then complains about the condition of the house and how they'll never be able to live in it. I want to reach out and throttle them. You're on the show. You know you'll have an amazing place when you are done so SHUT UP!

OMG....I saw 2 episodes fairly recently where it was all about the pets..both couples actually brought the dogs to the prospective properties and had them running around and saying things like "oh he doesn't like this one" or "he loves it here". Seriously? I can understand things like making sure you have adequate outdoor space for the breed you have and some other minor things but to buy a house (or appear to buy it ) based on how your dog reacts makes them look like morons. I am a huge pet lover but aside from outdoor space or obvious hazards we humans decide where we live not the pets.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

don't forget

"This would be great for entertaining"

Like everyone hosts weekly dinner parties

Adding "space" to the list.

When did a room become space?

Having said that...my son and I just love House Hunters. For the same reason as the others, love the style of houses, decorating and prices in other areas. The rest of the time we are goofing on the "buyers" and crazy things they say. Or do. Like the ones on the Key West episode that had the little dog they brought everywhere and was letting run around the house or sat on the counter in the kitchen. Or when the lady made the comment the master was to small because the bed would not fit at the right angle that Moe the dog could not get enough of a running start to jump up. Even Moe the dog thought she was crazy. Of course that was the house they bought and the bed fit fine but the dogs favorite space in the space was on an ottoman.

 

[DISvirgin1]

That's the one that gets me the most. Every single couple they show needs a house for entertaining and for all the dinner parties they give. Just once I'd like to see people who say they're shut-ins, and never entertain or cook for others.

My husband and I also just roll our eyes at the people who buy their houses based on what their pets would like. One couple was looking at a condo, and they had to make sure the view was good for their cat. On the Key West episode, the couple was concerned whether or not they could fit their bed so the dog would be able to jump on it.

It's so obvious Property Brothers is scripted. I mean, every episode, the homeowner buys a house and then complains about the condition of the house and how they'll never be able to live in it. I want to reach out and throttle them. You're on the show. You know you'll have an amazing place when you are done so SHUT UP!

My favorite is when new buyers with a tight budget walk into a kitchen and are disppointed that it's not granite and stainless steel. Just for once I would like the "real estate agent" (most of the "agents" on the show are actually actors...) to set them straight on camera - something like "Are you out of your minds!! What do you expect for $60 grand?!
I had found out years ago how House Hunters worked. One of the producers said it wouldn't make financial sense if you had a house hunting show where the couple didn't get the house. No one would watch. So now instead of trying to figure out what house they will pick, I try to figure out what house is theirs based on their reactions/body language

 

[mdsoccermom]

Adding "space" to the list.

When did a room become space?

Having said that...my son and I just love House Hunters. For the same reason as the others, love the style of houses, decorating and prices in other areas. The rest of the time we are goofing on the "buyers" and crazy things they say. Or do. Like the ones on the Key West episode that had the little dog they brought everywhere and was letting run around the house or sat on the counter in the kitchen. Or when the lady made the comment the master was to small because the bed would not fit at the right angle that Moe the dog could not get enough of a running start to jump up. Even Moe the dog thought she was crazy. Of course that was the house they bought and the bed fit fine but the dogs favorite space in the space was on an ottoman.

YES!! The word space. And clean lines. Another thing that kills me are some of the things that come out of the buyers' mouths. Like, someone will open a closet and say, "oh, this will be good for storage." Really?! Because I was really confused as to what that closet would have been good for.

That Key West episode was the one that I referred to. It was making me crazy the way they brought the dog into someone else's house and let it run around.

DH and I are so cynical and we have a blast watching this show together.

 

[dday2022]

The one word that I hate to hear 30 times an episode is "Open Floor Plan", it must be one of the buzz words they tell them to say, along with granite and stainless.

"Oh I like this open floor plan"
"I was really hoping for a more open floor plan"

That and "this room would have to be gutted and redone", then they buy the house and they show the 3 months later, all they've done is slap a coat of paint on the wall, usually some "neutral" color.

 

[DeaverTex]

The one word that I hate to hear 30 times an episode is "Open Floor Plan", it must be one of the buzz words they tell them to say, along with granite and stainless.

"Oh I like this open floor plan"
"I was really hoping for a more open floor plan"

That and "this room would have to be gutted and redone", then they buy the house and they show the 3 months later, all they've done is slap a coat of paint on the wall, usually some "neutral" color.

OMG yes!!!

I really like open floor plans myself -- really! But not everyone does. We have friends whose house, which they had built, resembles a series of caves. They wouldn't gush over an open floor plan.

I wonder myself about the people who talk about remodeling part of the house, but I figure that they're just blowing smoke because the show wants them to. They can always say that they haven't gotten around to it when HH does the follow-up interview.

And another thumbs down for "space" instead of "room".

 

[Hrhpd]

New drinking game:

Everytime somebody says "charm" one takes a shot.

Well, maybe not such a good game. Paramedics would need to be called before the end of the half hour.

 

[POOHsie]

I love the young couples on HH who budget less than $200k then complain that the kitchen isn't granite, with stainless appliances and an island. The garage is only single-car and too short for the SUV (which car payment will impact negatively on their ability to get a mortgage). The master bath only has a shower and one sink. And the master isn't half the size of the entire house. Oh, and the backyard is perfect for them and their dog, but it isn't fenced along the back. Deal breaker!

Don't like to hear the phrase "Open Floor Plan"? I'm also sick of hearing "Open Concept." As if a '50s Cape or Ranch had any sort of concept except "sell cheap new housing to returning WWII vets who have VA loan guarantees and expectant wives."