Are you a fan of House Hunters International? The hit reality TV show takes you on a journey across the globe as hopeful homebuyers search for their dream properties in exotic locations.
But what if we told you there’s more to the show than meets the eye?
You may have thought the show was all about beautiful homes and interesting cultural insights, but there’s much more behind the scenes. From staged scenes to fake budgets, we’ll delve deep into the show’s secrets to uncover what happens.
Are you ready to have your mind blown?
The House Hunters International formula
House Hunters International has been a popular HGTV franchise for years. The show follows a specific formula that usually involves a couple or family moving to another country, looking for a new home, and working with a real estate agent.
Overall, House Hunters International is a fun show to watch, but it is important to remember that it is a reality show and not everything that is shown is completely accurate.
The properties are already purchased
One thing that House Hunters International won’t tell you is that the properties that the buyers are shown during the show are often already purchased.
According to Hip2Save, some families have already bought a house before they even apply to be on the show. The show then films them looking at other houses for the sake of television.
While the show might not explicitly state that the buyers have already purchased a home, it’s not necessarily a secret either. In fact, some real estate agents have reported an increase in interest in local real estate after the show has aired, according to TheList.com.
So, the next time you’re watching House Hunters International, keep in mind that the properties the buyers are shown might not be up for consideration.
The budgets are often inaccurate
One of the most contentious aspects of House Hunters International is the budget issue.
The show often portrays homebuyers as having a very specific budget, but many fans have pointed out that these budgets are often inaccurate.
According to Cheatsheet, the budget is often inflated to create more drama and tension, which can be frustrating for viewers who want to see a more realistic portrayal of the homebuying process.
On top of that, the show doesn’t always take into account the additional costs associated with buying a home in a foreign country. As The List points out, homebuyers may have to pay for things like taxes, insurance, and legal fees, all of which can add up quickly.
The buyers are already homeowners
One thing that House Hunters International definitely won’t tell you is that the featured buyers are already homeowners. According to Cheatsheet.com, many of the buyers on the show are not actually looking for their first home, but rather a vacation home or investment property.
This means that they already have experience with the home buying process and may be more knowledgeable than the show portrays them to be.
While this might look counterintuitive to say the least, it makes sense from a production standpoint.
The show is more entertaining when the buyers are not complete novices and can provide more insight into the home buying process. Plus, vacation homes and investment properties often have different criteria than a primary residence, which can add an extra layer of complexity to the show.
Regardless, this can also lead to some criticism from viewers who feel that the show is not entirely truthful. As Hip2Save.com points out, House Hunters International has been accused of being scripted and staged.
It’s important to keep in mind that it is still a television show and should be taken with a grain of salt.
The show is not a true representation of the buying process
One of the biggest criticisms of the show is that it does not accurately portray the real estate market in other countries. The show often features properties that are well above the average price range for the area. In reality, most homebuyers have to make compromises and settle for less than their dream home.
Another issue with the show is that it does not show the full extent of the buying process. The show often skips over important steps, such as negotiations, inspections, and the closing process. These steps are crucial to the home-buying process, and their omission can give viewers a false sense of how easy it is to buy a home in a foreign country.
It features buyers with unrealistic expectations
To no surprise of hardcore fans of House Hunters, the show often features buyers who have unrealistic expectations.
Many of the buyers on the show have a long list of demands, such as a pool, a view, and a large yard, but are unwilling to compromise on their budget. While this makes for entertaining exchanges amongst couples, the reality looks very different.
Actual home buyers often have to make tough choices and prioritize their needs and wants.
Conclusion
Overall, House Hunters International is an entertaining show that can provide viewers with inspiration for their own home-buying journey. However, viewers should take the show with a grain of salt and understand that it is not a realistic representation of the buying process.
So the next time you watch House Hunters International, remember that what you’re seeing may not be entirely real. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the show for what it is: a lighthearted look at the challenges and joys of buying a home in a foreign country.
