Did you know House Hunters is FAKED?!

[pixy0stix]

I'm fricken dying over here that this made it to the front page of Yahoo. The comments have me :-( with laughter for once.

shine.yahoo.com/at-home/8216-house-hunters-8217-fake-172000660.html

The blog Hooked on Houses is giving fans a dose of reality about the HGTV series "House Hunters." According to an interview with a former participant, Bobi Jensen, much of the popular show, which has been on the air since 1999, is faked.

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The premise of 'House Hunters' is that viewers follow a buyer as they anxiously decide between three different houses. Jensen says that, in fact, one house has already been purchased--the producers wouldn't even finalize her as a subject until after the closing. "When I watch other episodes of the show now I can usually pick out the house they were getting based on hair-dos alone," says Jensen. Houses are sometimes shot months apart. While the two rejected properties may be on the market, in Jensen's case, "They were just our two friends' houses who were nice enough to madly clean for days in preparation for the cameras!"

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A former subject of the spin-off "House Hunters International" confirms that one house on the program has already been bought before filming begins. Ted Prosser, who did his real estate search in the Virgin Islands, said in an interview with a St. John blog: "The show is not really a reality show. You have to already own the house that gets picked at the end of the show. But the other houses in [my] show are actually the other houses we considered buying."

Hooked on Houses originally busted the program for using houses already in escrow in 2010, but now they are providing more dirt about other phony details. Jensen says producers tweaked her storyline to make it more TV-friendly. "The producers said they found our (true) story--that we were getting a bigger house and turning our other one into a rental--boring and overdone." Instead they had Jensen emphasize that their old home was too small, something that she claims makes her "cringe" with embarrassment when she watches the episode.

When confronted with Jensen's allegations, a publicist for 'House Hunters' told Entertainment Weekly in a statement:

"We've learned that the pursuit of the perfect home involves big decisions that usually take place over a prolonged period of time - more time than we can capture in 30 minutes of television…. We're making a television show, so we manage certain production and time constraints, while honoring the home buying process…. Showcasing three homes makes it easier for our audience to "play along" and guess which one the family will select. It's part of the joy of the 'House Hunters' viewing experience. Through the lens of television, we can offer a uniquely satisfying and fun viewing experience that fulfills a universal need to occasionally step into someone else's shoes."

Notice no denial of Jensen's claims. Do you feel cheated that the folks on "'House Hunters" are probably only pretending to wring their hands over details such as closet space and kitchen cabinetry or is this standard on so-called reality shows? Please let us know in the comments below.

[dev22]

LOL that this is news.

I just like looking at houses and guessing which one they bought. I don't care that it is fake.

[frlcb]

I am shocked that people are just finding this out. I thought this was well known?

[brookles]

This just in: reality television not all that real! Story at 11.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:31:13 GMT -5 dev22 said:

I just like looking at houses and guessing which one they bought. I don't care that it is fake.

ME TOO! During the after birth/before heading back to work stage I watched so much House Hunters that I probably rotted ZB's newbie brain since she was in the room with me.

[MrsAxilla]

I feel like the world is crashing down around me.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:31:59 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I am shocked that people are just finding this out. I thought this was well known?

I think it is. There's another blog out there about a family from... the netherlands? that started receiving hate mail after their stint on HHI. She went through the process and said it was all staged. People were furious with her appearance because she appeared to be so "typical American" wanting an American house in a foreign country.

[Deleted]

I remember FMLB telling us about being on the show, that was when I heard about the staging part of it.

For once, I enjoyed those yahoo comments. Fun.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:34:22 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:31:13 GMT -5 dev22 said:

LOL that this is news.

I just like looking at houses and guessing which one they bought. I don't care that it is fake.

They bought the one without any furniture in it (i.e. the one that's no longer on the market).

*Sometimes* they buy the one that is "already furnished." Meaning they'll specifically ask, "Does the furniture come with it?"

[msmerymac]

No shit, Sherlock! Sometimes people have sob stories about how they've put offers on 4 houses and they all fell through. Or they've been looking for 2.5 years and have seen 100 houses they hate. You expect them to magically be able to buy one of the three houses they see on camera?

[dev22]

Jun 14, 2012 14:35:23 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:34:22 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

They bought the one without any furniture in it (i.e. the one that's no longer on the market).

*Sometimes* they buy the one that is "already furnished." Meaning they'll specifically ask, "Does the furniture come with it?"

It is amazing that the sellers are always willing to give them all their furniture too!

[marie427]

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Stainless steel appliances
- Open floor plans
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

[msmerymac]

Jun 14, 2012 14:39:22 GMT -5 dev22 said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:35:23 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

*Sometimes* they buy the one that is "already furnished." Meaning they'll specifically ask, "Does the furniture come with it?"

It is amazing that the sellers are always willing to give them all their furniture too!

Everything's negotiable!

I even started watching it after I knew for a fact it was fake, because I knew someone who was on it. Then I said, "hey, this is kind of a fun show."

[pixy0stix]

What is with the closet thing? Every show they have to look into the closet and peer around.

[pixy0stix]

I like bringing up this story - I recognized an old pestie on house hunters because of her dog.

[laurenpetro]

Jun 14, 2012 14:41:34 GMT -5 marie427 said:

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Stainless steel appliances
- Open floor plans
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

i would shank quite a few bitches for a double sink. just the idea of washing up in something NOT covered in marty's spit makes me swoon.

apparently i am not capable of convincing him that it's fucking disgusting. then i go potty in his parent's house and see where he got it. +o(

[msmerymac]

Jun 14, 2012 14:41:34 GMT -5 marie427 said:

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Stainless steel appliances
- Open floor plans
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

Don't forget granite counter tops and "room for entertaining" - even if they just moved to Namibia and know no one.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:46:14 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

We just got married 30 seconds ago and blew our entire savings on our wedding but we have $37.12 from our dollar dance so we want a two story 4 bed 3.5 ba house on a 1/4 acre with custom cabinets, stainless appliances, granite counters, marble baths, and custom fixtures throughout."

Doesn't whatsherface from Property Virgins do that?

[msmerymac]

Jun 14, 2012 14:46:14 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:41:34 GMT -5 marie427 said:

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Stainless steel appliances
- Open floor plans
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

Actually, from the comments I've seen, that part is also scripted. They tell people what to bitch about. The sad thing, they probably would have bitched about this stuff anyway. I wish the guy from Real Estate Intervention would host a house BUYING show. It could be called "Not in your budget." It would open with the all-too-common:

We just got married 30 seconds ago and blew our entire savings on our wedding but we have $37.12 from our dollar dance so we want a two story 4 bed 3.5 ba house on a 1/4 acre with custom cabinets, stainless appliances, granite counters, marble baths, and custom fixtures throughout."

I think both Property Virgins and the show with the metrosexual brothers do something similar.

People are all, "this is my dream neighborhood!" and then are told that the average house on that street costs $800k. On the brothers show (I've only seen bits) they show them a house that's *perfect* and about twice their budget. Then they buy a fixer and do about $50k in renovations to get them what they want in budget.

Which totally meshes with my own perception - I don't want to pay for someone else's tastes/upgrades.

[Deleted]

Do people even understand how much of a pain in the ass it would be to film it as a straight reality show? People often pick a house only to walk away after the inspection or other shit to just fall apart.

The only way this makes sense is if it's faked.

There used to be a show about the process of buying a house. I miss that show sooooo much. I think it was called buy this house or something like that. It featured a couple an episode and all the hoops and setbacks they went through both in selecting the house, submitting an offer, negotiating with the seller, doing the inspection, renegotiating with the seller, etc.

I loved that show.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:49:32 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

and the show with the metrosexual brothers do something similar.

Ok, since I've found my HGTV watching peeps, answer this question for me. Why is the real estate brother even in the show. He's there for about 5 minutes in the beginning, and the rest of the time it's all construction brother.

[Deleted]

And I swear if one more heifer says, but I want to entertaaaaaaaain people, I'm gonna slap someone. It's soooo obnoxious.

[MrsAxilla]

Jun 14, 2012 14:51:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:49:32 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

and the show with the metrosexual brothers do something similar.

Ok, since I've found my HGTV watching peeps, answer this question for me. Why is the real estate brother even in the show. He's there for about 5 minutes in the beginning, and the rest of the time it's all construction brother.

Because they're both cute?

I love that show. Holmes on Homes/Holmes Inspection gives me nightmares.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 14, 2012 14:53:43 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Holmes on Homes/Holmes Inspection gives me nightmares.

Because of all the shit that inspectors seem to miss? I'm hoping that part of that show is faked, but I really don't think it is. All I can think is, "Those poor people."

[meshaliuknits]

I don't watch reality television to watch reality. I go outside to do that.

[MrsAxilla]

Jun 14, 2012 14:53:25 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:49:32 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I think both Property Virgins and the show with the metrosexual brothers do something similar.

People are all, "this is my dream neighborhood!" and then are told that the average house on that street costs $800k. On the brothers show (I've only seen bits) they show them a house that's *perfect* and about twice their budget. Then they buy a fixer and do about $50k in renovations to get them what they want in budget.

Which totally meshes with my own perception - I don't want to pay for someone else's tastes/upgrades.

Totally this. As someone who is sort of starting the house hunting process here, I do not think it is a bonus if a house is "fully upgraded" and $100K more expensive than one that needs some TLC. Plus, I so rarely like what other people do with their kitchens and that's so expensive to fix. I'd rather you just hand me a dump and let me do what I want with it. I'm currently drooling over this house:

www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/823-S-Kenilworth-Ave-60304/home/13248740

and this one:

www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/104-Wesley-Ave-60302/home/13268345

I totally thought about you when we decided on our new house. It's been fully upgraded (including granite and stainless steel) and is open concept. You'd hate it! But the garage isn't the prominent feature in the front (the terrace is!) so maybe you'd like the outside at least.

[msmerymac]

www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/104-Wesley-Ave-60302/home/13268345

I wouldn't change a thing in this Victorian. Love it!

I saw some people on HH this morning look at a raised ranch. Which solidified my decision to never buy a home built after 1930. I would fire my realtor if he or she showed me that crap.

[IIOY]

Jun 14, 2012 14:41:34 GMT -5 marie427 said:

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

You take these back RIGHT NOW you filthy hoor!!

[MrsAxilla]

Jun 14, 2012 15:10:52 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jun 14, 2012 15:05:30 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/104-Wesley-Ave-60302/home/13268345

I wouldn't change a thing in this Victorian. Love it!

I saw some people on HH this morning look at a raised ranch. Which solidified my decision to never buy a home built after 1930. I would fire my realtor if he or she showed me that crap.

I wouldn't change much either, there's just a ton they didn't get to before they decided to walk away. And I actually would redo the kitchen. Even though I like the colors they chose, they used cheap finishes. They obviously ran out of money.

So you are apparently my house twin because my favorite time period for houses is from about 1880-1940. After that the ceilings start to drop and the finishes start to get more manufactured looking.


Also Mrs.Axilla - if that's your actual house, you might want to edit the post because it has your address in it.

Yes. I still can't figure out how to post pics from the app on my iPad. Besides, we haven't closed yet and the whole thing could fall apart!

[marie427]

Jun 14, 2012 15:14:22 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jun 14, 2012 14:41:34 GMT -5 marie427 said:

You know what I wish was fake? People's love for the following on these godawful HGTV shows:

- Double sinks in the bathroom
- Closets the size of Russia
- Kitchens the size of Africa at a time when Americans don't even cook that much

You take these back RIGHT NOW you filthy hoor!!

No. H and I do not use the toilet simultaneously so we do not need to wash our hands simultaneously. Big closets breed hoarders. Huge kitchens are pointless unless you're a Top Chef. And even then, they might still be pointless.

And these are my UOs.