So we watch a lot of HGTV in our house. It’s family friendly (no chance of UFC or R-rated movie trailers) and generally we enjoy the shows.
But I’m starting to get really annoyed by shows like “Property Virgins” and their ilk. Folks out house shopping, usually for their first house.
I am basically stunned that these folks won’t even consider a house that doesn’t have stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and perfection at every turn.
Huh? Really?! It’s your first house!!! What a bunch of spoiled babies.
I blame the McMansion’ing of our country during the real estate bubble, and HGTV themselves for this. It’s convinced an entire generation of home buyers that anything less then the finest materials is simply unacceptable, icky, and below consideration. It’s taught them that formica is trashy, and that a house that needs some careful renovation is not worth their money. That a shower that isn’t custom tile, or a fixture that isn’t special order is beneath them.
It’s appalling.
Today we watched show where the hosts were trying to convince teh about-to-buy couple that instead of putting the planned 20% down, and dumping “only” $25,000 into renovations, they should put just 10% down and double the renovation money… because… you know… how could they possibly move in with those dated bathrooms and {gasp} white kitchen appliances.
PAH-LEEZE! Did we learn nothing from the bursting of the real estate bubble??
Look… I understand that times have changed, I get that not everyone wants a fixer upper. But what we have here, the insistence on high end trim materials in particular, is just appalling. None of these folks would even consider my wonderful, modest home, with it’s mismatched trim, it’s half-refinished wood floors, it’s cracked plaster, it’s banging pipes.
Most of these young families will never know anything but cookie-cutter McMansion construction, perfect, featureless Sheetrock walls, and lighting and heating systems that are state of the art.
So color me a bit jealous I suppose, but mostly incredulous.
