HGTV... How relevant are their programming these days?

**ukikkgr** · 01-22-2008, 07:14 PM

How relevant are any of these home improvement shows and house value shows? It would seem to me that most of this content was filmed 2-3 years ago. I think granite countertops and Stainless Steel appliances will take a hard hit with this year's recession turn. How relevant are these shows. Maybe they should turn back the decadent lifestyles on a dime shows and offer some shows that offer some foreclosure help.

I recently watched an episode of 'House Hunters' in which "Fred" a 'real estate developer' and his young family moved into a 5,000 sq ft home. Fred didn't look like he made it past the 10th grade but his mortgage payment was $8000 per month. So the question is... does Fred still own this home, or has it foreclosed?

**Jim** · 01-22-2008, 10:27 PM

Good post. People really need to be careful about believing what they see on television. Please keep in mind that it is Television/Entertainment and may not be true or current.

**Mike Taylor** · 01-23-2008, 03:34 AM

They should go back and film these "investors" in the foreclosure process. Those shows are terrible now that the market turned so fast.

**Macye Kirkpatrick** · 01-23-2008, 05:30 AM

I actually enjoy those show. I get a kick out of the flipping ones and think they pretty much portray it accurate. It's hard to do, getting sub contractors to show and finish a job properly, time management, under estimating money to renovate and over all time frame of job cuts into the profit of the flip, thinking they can do it and not hire subs taking longer.

As far a home renovations they have shows now that show you what your house is worth and have you invested to much renovations in the home to see a profit at sale. Not making the mistake to buy the best house on a street and renovating it but to buy the worst house on the street is better in a great community and you will see your return.

As far a renovations I think they offer both for people looking to make it beautiful with granite and how to cut corners and install other options like stained concrete. How to recycle things or donate to Habitate for Humanity.

I think these shows have provided alot of insight into how to best protect your investment and how to do it from a dime and more what ever your budget can afford.

As far as putting someone in a home they can't afford I hold mortgage companies responsible for that not TV shows.

Just my thoughts from a HGTV fan!

**Jim** · 01-23-2008, 11:27 PM

Macye-
You may like this video report about flip this house Atlanta http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aG5G38GzhU
or this follow up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM8pX...eature=related

**Macye Kirkpatrick** · 01-24-2008, 04:27 AM

Wow I don't know what to say. I hadn't heard about this guy or even seen any of his shows till they got pulled. I guess there is wrong doing everywhere and there is always someone out there scamming and they need to be more careful when selecting people after this hopefully.

I do think the reality shows are somewhat staged as to make for viewer appeal or what they think we want to see.

Thanks again for a heads up.

I still like HGTV but will view it with a different thought process.

**ukikkgr** · 01-24-2008, 05:45 AM

While in the past I've enjoyed watching some of the programming on HGTV and remodeling shows like Trading Spaces I do find them pretty hard top watch these days, knowing what's going on in the housing industry and I as pursue my first home purchase. The days of quickly flipping a home for a profit are all over with and I imagine every show you seen with people trying to act like they are a junior Donald Trump are in or headed toward financial ruin. That's because in most of these cases they decided to use the bank's money to 100% finance their venture. The smart people kept some savings or invested that money with some diversification. But the majority spent them on a new BMW, Hummer or an earth shattering mortgage. At the very worst I've heard of flippers being foreclosing on 6-8 homes at a time. Yet despite all this all I see on HGTV are still shows showing first time home buyers buying beyond their financial means. I would think after all this they would alter their programming a bit.

**carlam** · 02-13-2008, 04:01 AM

I love HGTV! As with everything, one must do their homework!!!

The "Flip" shows, "What you get for the money" and a multitude of others offer great information regardless of the year filmed.

Granite and stainless steel are not going anywhere, people still want what they want and will pay for it.

The guy who was a "Flipper" and then lost everything, he made a mistake or two, don't we all? It was entertaining right? That's what HGTV is, that and a "How To."