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HGTV, a 4-Letter Word

By
Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

HGTV, a 4-Letter Word

 

Not only a 4-letter initialism (Home & Garden Television) but, in many real estate agents’ opinion, it’s a 4-letter word!

 

In a recent news exposé, several of the reasons we, as agents, have issues with HGTV were touched upon.  Here are some of the key reasons we consider HGTV a four-letter word to us!

 

  1. #CharlotteHomeRenovationWAIT! Knocking down walls is NOT that easy. It is, however, easy to say, “Tear down those walls” but, in reality, we are NOT structural engineers and don’t have a clue as to whether or not the wall in question is load-bearing or not. It costs several hundred dollars just to have a structural engineer to consult.

  2. Negotiations don’t typically take place in coffee shops! Yeah, no! This is NOT how they go down! In fact, there is a lot of phone tag that is played throughout the negotiation process OR negotiations are even sometimes done via text or email - never in the coffee shop!

  3. Buyers don’t negotiate at the coffee shop and then Close on the house AND have the renovations all completed to turn-key status in 48 hours - heck, the Title search takes longer than that!

  4. Hold onto your wallet! - Most people don’t have the funds to spend willy-nilly on a second home, renovating it while they live in another home. The rare few may but, the vast majority of the population does not have that financial capability, let alone the funds to spend on major overhauls. According to HGTV, a kitchen renovation that looks positively spectacular - the best dream kitchen you can muster up in your mind - is only $5,000! In the real world, granite for an entire kitchen will run you more then $5K!

  5. Oh, those nagging permits! Reflecting upon the last issue, time in #4, permits can take as long as 14 days in our municipality - and we think we move pretty quickly in our permitting department. And, don’t even THINK about beginning work without one. Doing so could necessitate you ripping out walls and the work done in not on record when you sell your home. Just bite the bullet and obtain those permits NOW.

  6. #CharlotteHomeRenovationOh, the drama! A good real estate agent protects their clients from any and all drama. On the rare occasion that a client is pulled into situations, it is legally unavoidable. Otherwise, the HGTV drama is so over-the-top and SO not how I would want to work if I were a consumer. Our services are called white glove for many reasons and keeping our clients out of situations and focused on their big move is one of them.

  7. Just because it looks cool, doesn’t mean the ROI is worth the renovation. As a Charlotte home buyer, you simply must listen to your experienced agent when it comes to your return on investment (ROI). If the entire home needs an overhaul, you will NOT get every dime back that you put into it (and then some, according to HGTV). The same goes for Charlotte home sellers - updating some things in your home is just not worth it. The high ROI items often fluctuate based upon the local buyers’ preferences so, what was a high ROI 5 years ago, may very well not be one today. Seek advice from your Charlotte real estate agent - he/she is FAR more informed than anyone on a national TV show!

  8. Last, but certainly NOT least - Lowball Offers are NOT in vogue in a sellers market - under any circumstances! I just sold a fixer-upper to a buyer, intentionally looking for a home that they could make their own and they absolutely did not want new construction. They paid 25% above list price to win the bidding war - yes, you read that right, 25% above list. I also had the same experience with a small ranch home recently as the listing agent…same thing, 25% above list price and we had 27 Offers on the property. MOST of them were over but, there were some HGTV watchers who lost out again…offering below list price.  

#CharlotteHomeRenovation
Real estate is local and you really must consider the source when watching these TV renovation shows.
Yes, they may have some great ideas and some amazing outcomes but, in our area, are those renovations worth it? What is it going to take to do those renovations? How long is it really going to take to get through just the planning process, much less actually having the renovations completed? Will there be drama involved and will I see a return on my investment (ROI)? These are questions for your local Charlotte real estate agent…not someone on TV!

 


 

 

These are just a few of the reasons that we feel that HGTV is a 4-letter word! Disillusion is one word that encompasses all of the reasons. See your local real estate agent for the ‘real scoop’ when it comes to home renovations.

#CharlotteHomeRenovation    #HGTVorReality 

© Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | HGTV, a 4-Letter Word

Comments (93)

Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It really is eye-opening, Tammy Lankford, and it's our job to open them too! I don't know about you but, we hear the comparison all of the time with home buyers - they are SO out-of-touch!

Jul 23, 2018 09:20 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Same here in Charlotte, Raul Rodriguez! It does make for good TV but, the difference is, it's not REALLY reality!

Jul 23, 2018 09:21 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

You are so funny, Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents but, I have to say, you're SPOT-ON! 

Jul 23, 2018 09:22 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debe- love this because it is so very true. When I watch some of the shows, I wonder what world do some of these people live in???  I can't remember seeing one where a wall wasn't knocked down!!!

Jul 25, 2018 05:40 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Let the Truth be Told - Debe Maxwell, CRS style!!!

Now THIS is a great feature story and so honest too! 

You should have your own T.V. show and knock out the competition that is pure nonesense. 

Jul 27, 2018 10:00 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

H Debe: I have never watched a show on HGTV---I always thought "What do they know??" but when I talked to my sister who used to watch it, she told me how uncomplicated they make everything seem!....So then I KNEW that they were phony baloney bit actors who really do have an oportunity to INFORM, and well, they actually miss-inform!! Very good topic to cover here! 

Jul 28, 2018 07:50 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Isn't that the truth, Kathy Streib - they ALWAYS take out walls and often, it's totally unnecessary and I can't imagine that every one that they knock out is not a load-bearing wall! LOL

Jul 28, 2018 08:54 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Yeah, I don't know about that, Patricia Feager - I much prefer to be BEHIND the camera - not in front of it! As for the story - I'm sure you know what I mean and it can be so disappointing to our buyers when they believe everything they see on TV.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Jul 28, 2018 08:59 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

LOL I love your description, Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA  - "Phony baloney bit actors" - PERFECT and priceless...and the truth!

Happy Saturday, Paula!

Jul 28, 2018 09:03 PM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Agree with you Debe!

Aug 02, 2018 08:08 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Thank you, Ricardo Mello! Hope you're having a terrific Thursday!

Aug 02, 2018 08:20 AM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

You are so right, Debe.  Those shows are misleading! My husband is a builder.  We watch those shows together and laugh at the costs.  Apparently, all labor is free. This does not reflect today's market.  Building materials are commodities.  Pricing has gone up and so has the labor rate. Construction is expensive now and HGTV does not reflect actual costs,

Aug 07, 2018 04:33 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Debe Maxwell, CRS I am so happy that Fred Griffin reblogged your fun post.  As I mentioned in my comment to him...HGTV is not Reality TV - it's Non-Reality TV!

Sep 15, 2018 07:19 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning Debe.  And, I was going to try to give my buyers three homes to look at and then let them know that they will have to buy one of these three.

Sep 26, 2018 05:57 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

It is amazing that people can still "buy" everything on TV and the internet as reality !

Sep 30, 2018 03:41 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Great job referring to it as an initialism instead of an acronym Debe Maxwell, CRS (editor in me, haha!) I don't know how I missed this awesome post. I'm bookmarking it and reblogging it soon! -Kasey

Sep 30, 2018 01:33 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Debe, I don't know how I missed this when you first posted but, am so glad Gabe Sanders reblogged it today. You put into words what so many of us think and feel. I will occasionally turn on this four letter word and I just shake my head. What's next for "reality TV," ocean front property in Arizona?! 

Sep 30, 2018 02:16 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I missed this when you first wrote it! This is a great overview of why HGTV isn't loved by all real estate professionals. It's just not realistic!

Oct 25, 2018 03:15 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debe. It is amazing how easy, fast and inexpensive things are on HGTV. Great post.

Oct 25, 2018 05:36 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Debe - oh those HGTV dramas.  My wife watches them.  It really is fantasy work.  Many join these real estate ivestestors groups thinking they are going to do things like HGTV.

Oct 25, 2018 05:37 AM