Binge-watching HGTV is the most fun! And shows such as “Property Brothers,” “Fixer Upper,” and “Love It or List It,” are really enjoyable. All the places you get to virtually visit! All the dream homes you'll see! The interesting "everyday people", the personalities. It's great entertainment. But is it real? Is this how it is in real life? Hardly.

Reality TV Show Myths vs. Real Life:

Myth #1: Buyers look at 3 homes and decide to purchase one of them.
Truth: There might be a few buyers who fall in love and buy the first home they see, but the National Association of Realtors tell us the average home buyer personally sees at least 10 homes during their home search. And, after seeing 3 homes, Reality "Buyers" sit down, talk briefly, and decide to make an offer. Does that happen? Again, rarely. There are consultations with their agent, maybe family. There are comps pulled, there is consultation with a lender. Maybe a second/third showing in the next few days. It can take days or more of deliberating to decide to make an offer.

Myth #2: The houses being shown to the buyers are still actively for sale.
Truth: Everything is staged for TV. In fact, we've been contacted several times by these shows to find a certain type of home (that we sold), certain type of "Buyers" that might want to participate in what essentially is a show. Be actors. Many of the homes you see have already been sold and are off the market.

Myth #3: The buyers haven’t made a decision to actually buy yet.
Truth: Because there's no way to show the lengthy buying process in a 30-minute show, buyers who are much further down the road in the buying process and have already chosen a home to buy are actually selected. Makes it look simple and carefree!

Myth #4: Homes always sell at an open house.
Truth: This would be fantastic! Open houses are helpful to market a home to interested buyers in the area. But that's just for openers. Many times most buyers are dreamers, or recreational "lookers"; many are neighbors! The reality is that with the advent of online real estate websites, replete with professional photography, aerials, virtual tours, MOST homes attract buyers online FIRST. And request a showing. Most homes are sold during scheduled showing appointments.

Myth #5: Homeowners decide to sell their homes after a brief "meet and greet" and short conversation with a savvy agent they've just met.
Truth: Many of the sellers are also "staged", similar to buyers in these shows. They've already spent hours deliberating the decision to list their homes. What you see is carefully rehearsed and choreographed.

Bottom Line

We think you can learn certain things from these shows. They may help you prepare somewhat for either buying or selling a home. You CAN get some tips. And you can get excited about the prospect-- enthusiasm goes a long way. But, whether you're a Buyer or a Seller, having an experienced local agent on your side from the beginning of your journey to the end, can make your dreams come true. In real life!

So, you can write your own "story"!