Avid watchers of HGTV, TLC and other cable networks with real estate programming assume they are learning important lessons that will help them buy, sell or improve a property. If you ask many local real estate agents, they would agree.
Shows such as "Curb Appeal," "Designed to Sell," "Flip That House," "Design on a Dime," "House Hunters" and "My House Is Worth What?" have garnered millions of loyal viewers nationwide. Do they paint an accurate picture?
While some programs may be a bit unrealistic in terms of appraised values or the ability of average adults to remodel their own kitchens, Washington-area real estate insiders say the overall message is worthwhile: Homeowners need to clean, maintain and neutralize their homes to improve their value.
"Real estate television shows are great because they let people know that you can't put your home on the market 'as-is' any more," says Maggie Britvec, a Realtor with Prudential Carruthers Realtors in Alexandria. "It's almost a given now that people know you need to do stuff to improve your home."
Mrs. Britvec says that while the shows are sometimes unrealistic about what home improvements cost and the time it takes to make sure quality work is done, the overall messages of neutralizing and updating homes are particularly valuable in the Washington area, which has many older homes.
"Some of these television programs are valuable because they give another perspective in addition to the perspective of the Realtor," says Brenda Lawson, a Realtor with RE/MAX One in Bowie.
"For instance, the show where sellers hear the comments made by visitors during an open house is great," she says. "The sellers make changes based on the comments, and then they bring the visitors back to get their reaction. That show reinforces the lesson that agents try to share with sellers when we delicately try to tell people how important it is to clean up their house."
Mrs. Lawson says people who watch a program like that are less likely to be offended by comments made by their real estate agent.
Shows such as "Curb Appeal," "Designed to Sell," "Flip That House," "Design on a Dime," "House Hunters" and "My House Is Worth What?" have garnered millions of loyal viewers nationwide. Do they paint an accurate picture?
While some programs may be a bit unrealistic in terms of appraised values or the ability of average adults to remodel their own kitchens, Washington-area real estate insiders say the overall message is worthwhile: Homeowners need to clean, maintain and neutralize their homes to improve their value.
"Real estate television shows are great because they let people know that you can't put your home on the market 'as-is' any more," says Maggie Britvec, a Realtor with Prudential Carruthers Realtors in Alexandria. "It's almost a given now that people know you need to do stuff to improve your home."
Mrs. Britvec says that while the shows are sometimes unrealistic about what home improvements cost and the time it takes to make sure quality work is done, the overall messages of neutralizing and updating homes are particularly valuable in the Washington area, which has many older homes.
"Some of these television programs are valuable because they give another perspective in addition to the perspective of the Realtor," says Brenda Lawson, a Realtor with RE/MAX One in Bowie.
"For instance, the show where sellers hear the comments made by visitors during an open house is great," she says. "The sellers make changes based on the comments, and then they bring the visitors back to get their reaction. That show reinforces the lesson that agents try to share with sellers when we delicately try to tell people how important it is to clean up their house."
Mrs. Lawson says people who watch a program like that are less likely to be offended by comments made by their real estate agent.
By Michele Lerner
Washington Times March 21,2008
1 comments:
I also view the Tv Shows for House Fixing. I like it.
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