"Flip That House" - Useful or Useless?

I've heard some of the stars of that show speak at a real estate Expo earlier this year.  They tell me that they just show the interesting things that TV viewers want to see.  The more boring details of the transaction (where the money is actually made) doesn't make it past the cutting room floor.

Hey Jay

In my opinion, these shows are for entertainment value only! It can serve as a motivator to say "If he can do it, so can I".

I think both, if you watch it you will see that there is money to be lost, at  the end of the show they update you on a lot of what happened on the flip, couldn't sell, still have it , had to move into it, lost or made money, etc. I own a lot of homes I am a Full time Realtor and Investor / Landlord. I have seen so many horror stories here in South Florida. People trying to flip or just buy and sell in a escalating marketing and getting stuck with the property.

 I think the show is dangerous as I believe most home improvement shows are, they can only get in so much in a 30 minute show. installing a vanity and sink require more than a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.

One good show ''Over my head''  tells the real story after most people try it themselves....

Neither entertaining or educational. Stapling egg crates to the door frame doesnt increase your homes value. I think these shows are inexpensive to make and HGTV and similar channels are on a tighter budget these days. A local subject on one of these shows is from here in Atlanta. He is now facing mortgage fraud charges.

We have flipped many homes and always get lots of entertainment from Flip That House episodes.  It is reality TV - not real life at all!    I think "flipping" houses now has a negative connotation, and mostly because of non professional workmanship! 

I think all of these types of shows are very misleading.  They are giving buyers some very unrealistic expectations.