What I Learned From a Holiday Season of HGTV
It might be reality TV, but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn something.
I don’t watch a lot of reality television. In fact, I watch almost none at all. But, when it comes to HGTV, I could binge watch for days – and so could my family.
When I was home for the holidays, most of my spare time was spent listening to Hilary on “Love It or List It’’ tell potential buyers she has transformed their home or watching the Property Brothers tell another family they found mold creeping up their walls. I even witnessed yet another marriage disintegrate, because a young couple couldn’t decide whether they wanted to live in the city or the suburbs.
Many of the shows are comical and worthy of a headshake, but I think there are some lessons potential homeowners could learn from the variety of programming HGTV provides.
1. Discuss where you want to live with your significant other before marriage: Many couples on HGTV fight over where they want to live or what kind of house they want to live in. If you are a city woman unwilling to compromise to live in the suburbs, maybe have a chat with your significant other who refuses to raise kids in a concrete jungle. Also, a good pre-marriage discussion might be what type of house you want. If you have certain needs that cannot be compromised, be sure to talk before you are on a reality home show for the world to see.
2. Figure out any structural damage in a home before writing the check: In many of these shows, such as “Property Brothers’’ or “Love It or List It,’’ homes require extensive renovations, or show evidence of major structural damage, rats, or mold. Be sure before you decide to buy a home or revamp the one you have, that you pay extra money to get these things checked out. You don’t want to purchase your new home only to find out there has been asbestos in the walls for 30 years and now you need to pay more to get it out.
3. If you are living with someone else, know you will have to compromise: Similar to number one, know that unless you plan to live alone, you are never going to get everything you want. Even if you do live alone, your perfect location might not match up with your perfect abode. You are likely always going to have to compromise in some way, so learn to make the best of it.
4. Don’t let a realtor show you houses way over budget: Frequently on these shows, realtors will show a couple their dream home – everything both partners want. They finish touring the house and then the realtor says, “one problem, this home is $300,000 over your budget.’’ The people are devastated and often a little mad their dreams have been crushed. Tell the realtor your budget and how much you are willing to go over and make him or her stick to it.
5. Realize renovations on your house will always cost more than you budgeted: I am not sure I can remember any renovation on HGTV that ended up being under budget. Almost always, there are hidden costs or add-ons that people decide they want in the process. So, when making a renovation budget, provide yourself with a cushion.
6. If you decide to go on a TV show, don’t be surprised when they antagonize you: Though these shows are helping people, they are shows and made primarily for entertainment. So if you are on a show and a realtor shows you a home way over budget, or makes you and your significant other argue for the cameras, don’t be surprised. You were warned.
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