Lights, Camera, Action!

Lights, Camera, Action - HGTV comes to My Town!

It just had to happen.  For the better part of four years I have spent a fair number of Saturday evenings watching House Hunters the HGTV series. That show seems more based on "real"  house hunting rather than the fantasy/ drama mix of the Million Dollar shows.  It comes on in our area at the perfect time.  Fits right into that slot when I am either having an early dinner in or headed out just after the show.  So this past Saturday -for the very first time in four years of watching – it happened! My town was featured in an episode.

Exciting.. and knowing the formula so well,  I was sure I knew what would be said and what would happen.  The couple looked at the three condo properties before deciding on one.  Knowing my market inside and out I knew every complex they toured, even lived in one years ago, and all the ins and outs of each one.  But then it happened....listening to their comments and the agent comments was frustrating. I found myself talking to the screen because there was very important information they had not discussed. I wanted to be sure they knew!  I embarrassed myself – luckily, no one else was home.

In the end, of the three choices they really did pick the better one.  None of their choices were perfect but if I had to choose between the three I am sure I would have chosen the one they did. Their agent did a good job advising them.  BUT!!!.... I learned several things Saturday night that will forever alter my viewing of the show.   

What I Learned About Reality Real Estate:

1)      The Editor must KING in the TV biz. The editing is very tight!  There was so much left out. So much info they seemingly glossed over or missed – but face it, it is only 20 some minutes once you subtract for commercials. They can only hit the highlights - and they get to decide what those are.

2)      They made my town look even better than it does in real life.  The magic of TV production, good editing and good camera men I guess.  Our chamber of commerce can't be anything but thrilled!

3)      They made all the units shown look MUCH better than they do in real life. Again, the magic of good production and editing. On their best day none of the units shown look quite as nice as they appeared on screen.

4)     Self Realization time: I guess I'm really am like the energizer bunny when you start talking Real Estate. I might need to take it down a notch! Still working on that. 

So in the end, while it was great fun seeing my hometown featured,  I just can’t help myself.  I now know that I don’t have the complete story when I watch the show.  While I am vicariously helping the couples pick the right home on Saturday nights ( I think I talk to the TV more than I realized) - I will now worry that I might be doing it wrong!