Reality TV and Real Estate: How Shows Like ‘Selling Sunset’ Affect Housing Trends

We are exposed to more media now than ever, whether it be social media or television. Social media, in particular, has had an impact on how we perceive wealth. If you are a prospective homebuyer, you may be especially inspired by shows like ‘Selling Sunset’ due to the way it follows housing trends.

There are certainly pros and cons of the increase in reality real estate television shows. Let’s take a look at how these programs have impacted the market and its trends.

Lofty Goals

Many people may not even realize that reality shows based on real estate can create unrealistic expectations. These shows can make the house buying process seem much smoother than it is. Renovations are made to seem like a quick upgrade, and the halts in progress are often skimmed over.

In addition, a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors shows that 68% of respondents said their buyers were disappointed in the appearance of real homes on the market as opposed to homes on TV.

However, these real estate shows can be motivating for someone who wants to make large property investments. Even if much of the process is simplified and cut out, these shows still highlight the appeal of making profitable property investments.

Desirable Locations

Choosing locations with trendy and aesthetically pleasing properties may be a higher priority than showing more realistic locations when it comes to producing a television show. Every location will have pros and cons, from small-town living to life in a big city.

There’s also a genre of reality real estate that focuses on beach or lake-side properties. Such homes are already popular in the market for a variety of reasons, including their potential health benefits. Being featured in reality real estate programs can only increase the already high value of these homes.

Agent Expectations

Not only can real estate reality TV shows build high expectations among home buyers about houses, but they can also build expectations around real estate agents or companies as well.

Make sure that you set realistic goals for working with and choosing a real estate agent.

Connections

Hiring an agent who has many connections and resources could benefit you in many ways. A general rule of thumb should be “the more connections an agent has, the more experienced they are.”

Being in contact with an agent with many connections and resources can be especially beneficial to you if you are moving to a new area. They may be able to suggest bankers, contractors, appraisers, and even plumbers or electricians based on your needs.

Sales Rates

It’s important to choose an agent that has a long track record of successfully selling homes. While everyone has different needs, you could ask about their success rates with clients who had similar priorities to yours. This could be especially helpful if you don’t personally know any home buyers who have needs similar to yours.

You should also consider their reputation when it comes to saving their clients money and how quickly they can fulfill their clients’ needs. However, you don’t want to hire an agent who is so concerned with selling that they ignore your needs.

While agents are paid in commission per sale, there needs to be a balance between the agent's desire to make a sale and your happiness with your purchase. Well-versed real estate agents know that referrals who come from previous customers are high-value leads.

At the end of it all, their focus should be on ensuring your satisfaction, even if that means walking away if they cannot provide the value you’re looking for. A solid agent should guide you away from unwise purchases, not encourage them.

Client Relationships

Communicating with your real estate agent should be hassle-free. When researching a potential agent, reading reviews from other clients can be very informative. This will let you know how considerate they were of their clients’ needs and budget.

Before making your final choice on an agent, consider interviewing them to analyze how compatible you are. Not only should you be able to clearly communicate with one another, but you should be on the same page with how you are going to communicate.

While most agents are using technology as an additional communication tool, ensure that you’ll be able to contact your agent whenever you need.

Vetting Agents and Working With More Than One

Some agents are the type to keep in contact with their clients for years after the sale. Is that something you’re looking for? Asking around for people’s experiences with an agent is a good way to determine if that would be possible for you.

It’s important to note that in some cases, you may end up working with more than one agent to find your dream home. Sometimes a realtor isn’t able to show you a property that suits your needs, budget, and other priorities.

Your home-buying process may take longer than you expected, but as long as you get what you need in the end, consider it time that's been well-spent.

Take Reality Real Estate Shows With a Grain of Salt

Buying a home can be an overwhelming process, and in many ways, reality real estate skips over the more challenging parts. However, it’s not a bad thing to get inspired by the properties pictured on real estate television and use this motivation to drive your goals. Just know that most of the footage you’re seeing is specifically curated for the show’s ratings and may not always reflect what the home-buying process is like.

Certain areas, such as the suburbs, are rarely reflected honestly, if at all, in reality shows. If you are buying a property in the suburbs, you can’t go into it expecting your buying process to be identical to a show that focuses on urban living.