Reality Shows vs. Real Life – The Truth about Buying a Home
Reality shows have become a staple of TV in the past decade, with millions of viewers eager to watch, record and even try to copy what they see on the screen. One of the most popular types of reality TV focuses on homes and real estate. Everyone needs somewhere to live, so it makes sense that the audience for this kind of show is huge.
But what you see on television isn’t always an accurate picture of how the home buying process really works. If you are thinking about buying a new home, it is important to understand where reality shows bend the truth—and what actually happens when you work with a real builder and real estate team.
How reality shows simplify the home search
On TV, everything happens fast. Your average episode of a home buying show is 30 or 60 minutes long. In that time, you meet buyers like “Stan and Nan Smith,” who want a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home with an open floor plan, dedicated laundry room, breakfast nook, sunroom, inground pool, oversized deck for entertaining and fireplaces in both the family room and the primary suite.
It sounds like a dream list—and it is. The first thing most real buyers learn is that they need to prioritize their wish list. Very few homes will check every box, and that’s perfectly normal.
In real life, compromise is part of the process. You might tour model homes and discover that you love a spacious primary suite without a fireplace, or that a large, sunny backyard is more appealing than a pool. Maybe your breakfast nook becomes a bigger kitchen with an island for bar-stool seating, and your Florida room turns into a larger garage or extra storage. Focusing on your most important needs instead of every single want opens up many more great options.
How long does it really take to find a home?
On TV, buyers often “choose” a home after walking through just three properties. In reality, most buyers look at far more homes before making a decision. According to the National Association of Realtors, typical buyers will tour at least ten homes before they purchase.
No reality show could film that much house hunting without losing the audience’s attention. That is why many shows feature buyers who have already selected the home they want. Producers simply recreate the early steps of the process in a shorter format to fit the time slot.
The truth about staging and availability
Another TV trick: many of the homes showcased on reality shows are already off the market. They have been carefully staged to create a specific look—either completely empty to highlight the space, or filled with designer furniture and décor.
What you almost never see on TV is the paperwork. In real life, buying a home includes contracts, lender documentation, inspections, title work and more. It is one of the most important parts of the process, but it doesn’t make exciting television, so it usually happens off camera.
Budget vs. “TV magic” financing
Reality shows also make it seem easy to buy a home that is outside your budget. You might see buyers with modest incomes falling in love with a home that is far more expensive than they planned, only to have “miracle” financing appear at the last minute so the deal can close.
In real life, responsible builders and lenders work hard to keep buyers within a comfortable budget. If financing falls through or a buyer is overextending, the sale may not go forward—and that is often the best decision for the family in the long term.
Is any home buying show realistic?
Not all shows miss the mark. Many builders and real estate professionals agree that HGTV’s longtime series My First Place gives viewers a more realistic look at the path to homeownership. The situations may be edited for TV, but the challenges buyers face—budget conversations, inspection surprises and tough decisions—are much closer to what truly happens.
Get real guidance for your home search
So go ahead and enjoy your home buying reality shows—but take them with a grain of salt. If you have questions about any part of the home buying process, the team at Ernest Homes is here to walk you through every step.
Call us today at (912) 660-9673, or send us a question via the web. We’ll give you honest answers, clear expectations and real-life guidance to help you find the home that is truly right for your family.
