Most people who want to own a home turn to reality TV shows to get some inspiration and ideas. And with the so many different real estate TV shows to choose from out there – from house hunting to renovating properties to selling homes – there is definitely a show that suits anyone’s needs and interests.
However, while most of these shows are great for helping viewers get ideas and information they need when it comes to home buying and selling, they are not as realistic as you think. Here are some of the things that your favorite real estate TV show won’t tell you:
The process is way too long.
You probably get amazed every time you watch a remodeling show and see how a dull bedroom, for instance, is transformed into a beautiful haven in an instant. While it seems quick and easy, the truth is it takes a lot of days to complete the entire project. As many people know, there are various stages when it comes to remodeling a house, and most of the steps aren’t done all at once. Sometimes, you even need to wait for a few days before you can continue with the next step. Same goes when it comes to buying and selling a property – the process usually takes a lot of days – and sometimes weeks, or even months.
The process is never easy.
On screen, you’ll see how homebuyers find their dream home easily. Mostly, the homebuyers will just be given three potential choices, inspect each of them, and pick the best at the end of the show – easy as pie! But in reality, it’s more complicated than that. Of course, there are lots of behind-the-screen footage that the production staff will never air in order to make the process seem simpler, including applying for the loan, getting approved, dealing with taxes and bank statements, checking credit reports, and many more.
The cost is not realistic.
On TV, you’ll also see couples successfully find their dream property with the help of the house hunting team even with a very tight budget. While there are affordable deals available out there, the budget that usually appears on TV isn’t as real as you might think. Most networks are working in partnership with different advertisers that provide discount rates (sometimes half the price of the property) and even free materials, in exchange for free publicity. So before you get out there and negotiate with the seller or lender, you should first make a thorough research about housing prices.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong in watching reality TV shows. Most of these shows can, in fact, provide helpful tips and useful ideas about the home buying and selling process, in addition to entertainment. However, it’s important to not believe everything that you see on TV; instead, make an effort to understand the reality of the situation so that you can well prepare for the process.
If you’re in Australia and looking for a new property to buy, it’s best to talk with a mortgage broker Melbourne to help you sort out your options and determine the best type of mortgage that suits you.