Is It Really Like HGTV?

by Ellen Garcia 04/21/2019

If you spend much time binge-watching House Hunters, Property Brothers, and Love It or List it, you may find yourself completely stunned by the actual process of buying a home and renovating it. And if you get your advice from House Hunters, can you narrow it to three? Reality television is great entertainment, but when it comes to buying and renovating a home, you might find that reality bites.

Get a real dose of right reality here and house-hunt with confidence.

Shopping

Unlike your television counterparts, only seeing three homes before you make a choice is unrealistic for first-time homebuyers. Most first-time buyers visit 10-15 homes, but seeing 30, or even more homes with their agent before they narrow it down is not unheard of. And many new buyers come to the table already having visited a plethora of open-house events, too. That being said, certain markets have limited home choices, so if you’ve narrowed your list by neighborhood and price, there might only be three to see.

You can have your list of “I want’s” and “must have’s” but your budget may dictate otherwise. Here’s the deal: you don’t really know what you want until you’re inside it. Even if you have a Pinterest board filled up, the home's space itself dictates what makes the kitchen “perfect” or the concept “open” enough for you.

Online shopping is helpful too if only to narrow down what you actually book to see with your agent. Just realize that the images online have impossible angles, hide flaws, and usually have distorted dimensions, just like a fashion magazine. Seeing it in real life may improve the odds you buy it or disappoint you into starting over.

Buying

The time between making an offer, negotiating, and closing takes place between commercials on reality TV, so when you experience your first back and forth negotiating that could take several days or even weeks, don’t be discouraged. Buying a home is a big deal. It’s not meant to happen in 30 minutes or less. And don’t count on everything to fall in place either. Some areas experience bidding wars while others have homes sitting on the market because the seller isn’t motivated enough to negotiate.

Renovations

Rarely do renovations go as planned. Thankfully, many of the online shows highlight the oops’s and uh-oh’s that plague reconstruction. If you buy an older home, plan on replacing wiring and plumbing, and even foundations and supports to handle the modern appliances and bath fixtures you want to add. 

Selling

A word to the seller here: Do you need to be out of your home to sell it? No. Could it make it easier? Perhaps. The truth is each potential buyer sees your home through their own lenses. So, a person able to visualize their belongings in a place, even if it still contains yours, might not care, while another buyer without that natural ability may respond better if it's empty. Still, others cannot imagine their current furniture anywhere but where it is, and for those folks, staging is essential. Don't let your inability to move out of your house discourage you from putting it on the market. Do, however, keep it clean and picked up, and be very aware of pet and other odors since that is more of a turn off than your furniture being there is. 

Let your realtor know your situation. That way, they can market your home the best way for you. And if you’re buying a home, give your agent as much information as you can, but let them show you alternative listings as well— you might be surprised what you fall in love with.

About the Author
Author

Ellen Garcia

Ellen Garcia Broker, GRI, SRS, ABR, RSPS, SRES, RENE, MRP, LRS, LSE, LSS, AHWD, e-PROÒ Ellen believes that listening and understanding her clients' needs are the foundation of a successful business partnership. Her knowledge of the many unique communities in Fairfield County is an invaluable asset to clients new to the area, and she is able to help anyone moving to, from or within Fairfield County make an easier transition into a new home and community. For clients who are preparing to sell their homes, Ellen offers her first-hand knowledge of how to leverage the strength of a "brand" in showcasing and marketing their properties. Ellen offers a powerful advantage in bringing her skills and resources to work for her clients. With over 10 years, of full-time experience in the real estate industry, she is well-versed in the Fairfield County real estate market. Ellen has successfully completed: · Over 130 closed sales and rental transactions · Representing a dollar volume of over $65 million Ellen’s people skills lead the way in building a strong network to assist and support her clients in achieving their goals through every step of the real estate process: · Negotiations both local and global · New business development (sales & marketing) · Creative problem solving · Building partnerships · Tapping into Halstead Property’s network of 1100 agents in NYC and Lower Fairfield County Her career in Real Estate has been recognized with many awards including: "Agent of the Year” for Halstead Property Wilton and "Most Closed Sale and Listing Transactions” numerous times. Within Connecticut, Ellen has been recognized over the past several years as a "Connecticut Magazine 5 Star Realtor”. Awards 2016 & 2014 AGENT OF THE YEAR – HALSTEAD WILTON – HIGHEST GROSS SALES 2016 - 2011 CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE 5-STAR REALTOR AWARD 2016 - 2013 MOST CLOSED LISTINGS – Wilton Office 2016, 2014 - 2012 MOST CLOSED SALES – Wilton Office 2016, 2015, 2014 HALSTEAD PROPERTY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL 2013, 2012 & 2011 HALSTEAD PROPERTY DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL 2014 HALSTEAD – PLATINUM CIRCLE 2016 HALSTEAD - GOLD CIRCEL 2015, 2013 HALSTEAD – SILVER CIRCLE 2007 COUNTRY LIVING ASSOCIATES OUTSTANDING RELOCATION SPECIALIST PRESIDENT'S AWARD (2005, 2006 & 2007). Leading Real Estate Companies of the World PREMIER CLUB – SILVER AWARD FOR REFERRAL ACHIEVEMENT (2006) Sales Associates Recognition Program Professional Associations: · Connecticut Association of Realtors (CAR) · National Association of Realtors (NAR) · Consolidated Multiple Listing Service (CMLS) · Connecticut State-wide MLS (CTMLS) · Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors (MFCAR) · Senior Advantage Real Estate Council (SAREC) · Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) · Seller’s Representative Specialist Council (SRS) · e-PRO Professional Designations: · BROKER · ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) · SRS (Seller’s Representative Specialist) · RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) · GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) · RSPS (Resort and Second Property Specialist) · MRP (Military Relocation Professional) · SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) · LRS (LeadingRE Relocation Specialist) · LSS (LeadingRE Sales Specialist) · LSE (LeadingRE Service Expert) · AHWD (At Home with Diversity: One America) · REALTOR e-PRO · CONNECTICUT TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION