There’s no denying it, HGTV has become a cultural touchstone. Whether you’re watching Fixer Upper on a Sunday morning or binging House Hunters with a glass of wine, it’s easy to get swept up in the dreamy world of renovations, real estate, and reveal shots. For many, these shows are more than entertainment, they’re where the seed of homeownership is planted.
But here’s the thing: while HGTV is great at showing what’s possible, it doesn’t always reflect what’s probable in the real-world market. There’s no harm in being inspired by gorgeous kitchens, perfectly staged homes, or ambitious renovations. In fact, the creative spark and excitement these shows generate can be a great motivator for future homeowners.
Still, it’s important to remember that behind every sledgehammer and shiplap wall, there’s a lot more going on than what fits into a 44-minute episode. If you’re gearing up to buy, renovate, or even daydream about your next move, here’s a breakdown of what HGTV gets right, and what it leaves on the cutting room floor.
What HGTV Gets Right
The Importance of Vision
One of the best things HGTV encourages is the ability to see potential in a space. Many buyers walk into homes expecting perfection, but these shows do a great job of reminding us that ugly wallpaper or outdated light fixtures can be changed. Vision, and the right professionals, can completely transform a home.
Budgeting Is Key
Many HGTV shows highlight the importance of sticking to a budget, whether you’re buying a new place or renovating an existing one. This kind of financial awareness is vital in the real world. Shows like Love It or List It and Property Brothers walk viewers through the cost breakdowns, helping to normalize the idea that budgeting is a non-negotiable part of the home journey.
Function and Flow Matter
These shows do a great job of pointing out the importance of layout, storage, and day-to-day functionality. Whether it’s knocking down a wall to open up a kitchen or converting a guest room into a home office, the emphasis on how a home lives is spot on.
Working With Professionals Matters
The designers, contractors, and real estate agents on these shows demonstrate the value of working with a team of experts. While the personalities may be made for TV, the principle holds true: buying or renovating a home is rarely a solo mission.
The Power of Staging
HGTV consistently shows how proper staging can make a home more appealing to buyers. A clean, well-styled home photographs better and helps buyers emotionally connect with the space, something agents see play out in real life all the time.
Renovation Inspiration
The design ideas showcased on HGTV can help buyers and homeowners discover styles, layouts, and finishes they may never have considered. These shows help normalize bold choices and customized spaces, which encourages creativity in real estate decisions.
Highlighting Hidden Potential
Shows like Fixer to Fabulous or Rehab Addict often spotlight older homes with great bones, helping viewers understand that charm and craftsmanship can sometimes beat new construction, if you're willing to put in the work.
Emphasizing Resale Value
Many episodes touch on how certain improvements can impact resale, reminding viewers that their home is also an investment. Conversations about ROI, curb appeal, and buyer trends can be incredibly helpful for anyone looking to build long-term equity.
Encouraging DIY Enthusiasm (with Limits)
HGTV has empowered viewers to pick up tools and get involved in their own spaces. While not everything should be DIY, getting hands-on can help homeowners feel more connected to their property and can sometimes save money on cosmetic upgrades.
What HGTV Leaves Out
The Time It Really Takes
Most episodes cover months of work in 30-60 minutes, and that creates wildly unrealistic expectations. In real life, a full gut renovation doesn’t take six weeks. Buying a home involves paperwork, inspections, negotiations, appraisals, and timelines that aren’t dictated by commercial breaks.
The Complexity of Financing
Rarely do HGTV shows go into detail about how buyers get approved, what kind of financing they’re using, or the steps involved in securing a mortgage. Real-world buyers need to understand terms like interest rates, pre-approval, debt-to-income ratios, and closing costs. That’s not exactly ratings gold, but it’s crucial to your success.
Neighborhood Nuance
TV shows tend to gloss over the importance of hyper-local knowledge. They might say “this is a great area,” but they often skip over school districts, zoning ordinances, commute times, or future development plans. These are the kinds of details that truly matter, and that a local agent will help you navigate.
The Real Costs of Renovation
Ever notice how a kitchen overhaul somehow always costs exactly $20,000? Renovation pricing on TV is often subsidized or strategically simplified. In reality, costs vary by region, contractor, and supply chain issues, and surprises always come up. Homebuyers need to be prepared for real-world estimates that don’t fit neatly into an episode budget.
Permits, Codes, and Inspections
Behind every wall demo is a mountain of paperwork that HGTV rarely shows. Pulling permits, scheduling inspections, and making sure a project is up to code are crucial parts of the process, and missing these steps can result in major headaches.
The Emotional Toll of the Process
Real estate decisions can come with doubt, stress, fatigue, and even buyer’s remorse. HGTV tends to gloss over the emotional weight of these decisions in favor of clean, conflict-free narratives.
Limited Inventory and Market Conditions
Buyers on TV usually have three neat options to pick from. In real life, inventory is tight, interest rates fluctuate, and competition can be fierce, especially in sought-after areas. The reality of today's market rarely aligns with HGTV’s simplicity.
Oversimplified Relationships With Contractors and Agents
On TV, everyone is available, affordable, and gets along. In real life, finding the right contractor or agent requires time, trust, and vetting, plus, timelines and pricing can vary wildly depending on experience and demand.
Unrealistic Budget Expectations
HGTV buyers often seem to have generous renovation budgets on modest incomes. These shows rarely dig into where the money is coming from, cash? financing? parent gifts?, which can give first-time buyers a skewed idea of what’s realistic for their own journey.
Emotion and Pressure
Buying a home is a deeply emotional decision, and HGTV rarely shows the stress, confusion, or indecision that comes with the territory. It’s not just about picking between House A and House B. It’s about timing, affordability, family needs, and future goals.
HGTV has undeniably changed the way we look at homes. It’s made real estate feel more accessible, design more exciting, and renovation more achievable. But for all the glossy editing and heartwarming reveals, it’s still television. The real-life process of buying a home is more complex, more personal, and often more rewarding, especially when you have the right guidance.
So yes... take notes from the shows. Get inspired by the open shelving, the moody paint colors, the bold tile choices. But when it comes time to actually make a move, don’t rely on a TV script. Rely on someone who knows your market, understands your goals, and can walk with you every step of the way.
For personalized guidance through every step of the real-life buying journey, no editing, no shortcuts, just real advice, trust Sam Kaplunov. With a deep understanding of the Metro Detroit market and a grounded approach to homebuying, I am the expert you need to help bridge the gap between HGTV dreams and your real-life next chapter.
