Flip the houseI think the answer is both.  Shows that talk about flipping properties seem to ever simplify the process.  I find clients, who think they will buy a home, slap a few thousand in it and flip it for giant profits, all in 10 days.  That is where some of the shows on television have hurt us a bit.

In our real estate market on Oahu in almost every case there is one reason someone may be in trouble of losing their home.  It is usually because they made some real bad decisions or some catastrophic happened.  Our market hit a record median price high last month.  Homes should have equity in them unless the lenders loaned more than they are worth or the buyers put a ton of cash in them to fix and flip and ran out of money, etc.

Now there are some areas that have seen price softening, but they are the exception.

The type of real estate show that has made my job easier as an agent is the home staging shows.  They have helped me in two ways.

  • They have given me a lot of tips about preparing homes.
  • They have given my clients a more realistic view of what they need to do to prepare their home
  •             Remove clutter
  •             Paint
  •             Carpet
  •             Staging

When I meet with listing clients they are much more receptive to my suggestions to get their home ready. They are now more and more asking for me to go room by room and give them a list of things to do to get it ready.

So the home staging shows have been a winner for me and my clients. 

The flipping shows have been a bit of a problem for some of my clients.  With that said I still enjoy watching them.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, Broker-in-Charge, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams Realty

 

Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers.  His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.

Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) Performs mediations and ombudsman services for the Board of Realtors.  To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents. 

 

www.HawaiiRandy.com *  Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search  *  Hawaii Military Relocations

 

56 Comments on Is Television Helping or Hurting Real Estate?

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JUL
15
2007
865,066 Points 20 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

The flipping shows have been a bit of a problem for some of my clients.  With that said I still enjoy watching them.

The shows, the flipping shows, or the flipping clients? :-)
10:42pm • #37
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I have honestly not watched much TV in the last 7 years since we got married - but I recently got cable internet with TV as a free add-on.  I'll get to the flipping shows eventually...but who has the time to sit and watch?
11:25pm • #38
JUL
16
2007
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Television does not seem to show a true picture of how things are often times.
12:46am • #39
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Sue - One of my Realtor friends was on the show.  She went to the open house.

Neal - Good luck with the interview.  One of the things they do mention is what it takes to get building permits.  I can take months here.  If it is in a planned community add time for that.

John - Most of them are not completely real.  Even the staging show, the people at the open house know they are on the show for the second open house, so they will love it even if the wall is painted orange.
1:31am • #40
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Gary - I have seen a couple of flipping disasters in my community and wondered if they were trying to copy TV and didn't realize the true costs.

TLW - As long as I don't get flipped off, I am happy.  :)

Ann - Watch TV,  LOL
1:35am • #41
322,190 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
I can live with the shows you talk about - I can usually show the reality of the project - but this morning as I was ironing FOX news was on and some stupid idiot was saying that sellers do not need an agent... I hit the ceiling - plan on writing a few emails explaining what a seller could be held liable for that the normal seller is not aware of - they think it is all about the dollar and forget that there are disclosures, and issues that can haunt a seller
1:51am • #42
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George T - I see the same thing.  I get people constantly asking about foreclosures.  We hardly have any to begin with.  Once they know what is involved most are no longer interested.

Mike F - Even the staging show in most cases says they should be getting an offer any day now.

Jason - I just can't do the infomercials.  I sit there listing all the flaws in their story.
2:02am • #43
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Ethan - The toughest clients are the ones who pay for advice and then don't follow it.

Bob - That is an amazing story.  I watched all of the clips.  Thank you for pointing us to them.

Wendy - I also like it better when they show the mishaps and obstacles they run into.
2:34am • #44
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Kathy - I see that with the flipping shows also.  The prices almost always seem dirt cheap to me.  I am in Hawaii, so things cost more here, but I don't think that much more.

Tony - I do watch them regularly.  I may be better prepared for the clients who take it all literally.

Jeff - I am playing one as I do my Active Rain comments.
2:40am • #45
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Bob and Carolin - They are similar to the get rich quick seminars, only they hit more people.

Thesa - I am happy to hear that TV reports are now real estate experts.  Next week they will be giving medical advice, followed by legal advice.  Isn't TV amazing, how it can take a report and make them an expert on any subject.
2:45am • #46

Although I enjoy watching these shows sometimes, I think they are a bit unrealistic . The staging ideas are great and sellers should stage, but will that sell your home faster or make you an extra buck - hmmmm iffy. I know a lot of sellers expect a return on all the home improvements they've made, but those home improvements don't always translate into extra $$$$.

 As for flipping - nothing is flipping down here in Florida
5:54am • #47
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Anonymous - If the home is staged properly it will help sell your home faster for the most money.  If the home is dated or cluttered, you will see it take longer and sell for less. 
8:04am • #48
1,150,600 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog
The problem with media is that, even if they are trying to do a good job, a story almost never goes into any depth. This is especially true on TV. So they end up with a bunch of half-truths and often leave out the information that helps someone better understand an issue.
10:11am • #49
559,078 Points 91 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Randy,

I already spoke with the person before..we are planning to see how I can do it from the phone or via you-tube but I will include the transcript. I'm not defending anyone and I'm sure there is some hype because it is TV but I am going to try to find out how easy people think it really is. I for one have done this over the last few years. Basically it is easier in a crazy market we had but I am sure it is a bit more difficult now. The problem is we only get to see 30 min or so of a process that takes sometimes months and you have to know what you are doing and compensate for possible losses..this is all rthid guy does..he does not sell anything else so hopefully you'll listen in if I get it on DVD or tape.
3:17pm • #50
337,556 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

The national news certainly hasn't helped. Haven't though much about the other shows, and have not heard much about them at the client level... other than for their entertainment value. Norm is fun, though that's about craftwork, and Bob is really fun to watch too.  Really haven't seen these type of shows bring buyers in. But we hope too of course.

 
8:26pm • #51
JUL
17
2007
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Steven - very true

Neal - I look forward to the interview.

Gary - I do not get clients from those shows, I do get potential clientes from watching the flipping shows and my clients do reference the staging shows.
12:57am • #52
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I agree about the flipping shows.  It's hard to turn a profit that quickly in reality, especially here! 
1:31am • #53
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Pete - I think it is hard anywhere.  It is possible, but you better be very good and you have to understand all the risks.
1:43am • #54
I like watching flip this house. I think its funny how they try to make it into a drama. But i don't think tv is hurting real estate cause theres no such thing as bad publicity.
11:29am • #55
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Rick - I think it negatively effects some of the consumers who are made to believe they can make lots of money and never see the truth.
2:51pm • #56

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Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (808) 384-5645

Island Style Realty Inc. - "The Prothero Group"

Mililani, HI

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Island Style Realty Inc.

Address: 94-539 Puahi St., #B, Waipahu, HI, 96797

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