Greetings,
When it comes to reality television, it has become quite hit or miss with me. I am not into it the way I once was. I'd say that, in this state of my life, I can only handle the shows that have a theme like, "Hey, do you have an overabundance of paper clips? Well, let me show you how to make some sweet jewelry!" Yeah, that kind of stuff. Also, I like house themed shows, the ones you will find on HGTV. God bless them, because my current obsession is House Hunters, mostly domestic, but occasionally, international as well. I don't know what it is about me and looking into other people's houses, but it's just a thing I enjoy. Don't worry, not in a creepy way. Actually, searching real estate sites is a good tool for all you writers out there, if you are visually stimulated and need something in your head as you write a story. It has worked for me. But I am getting off topic.
There are a lot of things I enjoy about this series. However, there are a few things that bother me, too. Funny enough, the good and the bad both stem from, nothing having to do with the structure of the show, exactly, but rather what goes into creating each episode - the people. Or contestants, if you want to go there. So, we have seen many, many people come and go and hunt and buy on this show. Some, I absolutely fall in love with. They are funny and lively and understanding and reasonable. And then...there are others.
Okay, look, I have been there, my friends. I have done the house hunting thing, and I have done so on a budget WAY SMALLER than anybody I have ever seen on this show. I knew that I was not going to get everything I wanted. I knew I was going to have to compromise. Unless you are super-rich, that will usually be the case. However, I think that not everyone got the memo on that. You know, sometimes, if you want to get everything that you want in a house, you may just have to buy yourself a nice plot of land and build it yourself. It's kind of a last resort, but if need be, go for it. That's my first problem.
Next is the aforementioned issue of the big, bad budget and the really confusing way that some people seem to define it. If you tell your real estate agent that you have a budget of, let's say, $350,000, do not throw a fit when they show you a house that costs $350,000. This happens all the time. They always pull the old, "Ugh, that's at the top of our budget!" Hello! If you don't WANT to spend that much, then don't say that you CAN spend that much. Say you can only spend $300,000 and then you'll be safe. I am, however, giving a pass to all the fits that are had when the agent brings buyers to a house $25,000 or so over budget, though, never underestimate a wife's power to talk her husband into buying said overpriced house anyway, if she wants it.
And now, we come to the bathroom issue. How many times have I seen people brought to a house with four bedrooms and two-and-a half bathrooms, only to have them reply with the outcry of their want for three bathrooms. Yeah. Let me throw some reality into this situation, people. That IS three bathrooms! Look, I know the concept of a half-bath. It's just a toilet and sink, but no shower or tub. Yeah, that's still a bathroom. I understand that some buyers have their little hearts set on having their house equipped with the ability to bathe three inhabitants at once, but come on now. I mean, holy crap, you put that half-bath label on it and some people act as though it isn't fit for use by civilized humans. Just calm down, everyone It's going to be okay.
Kidding aside, I do truly like this show. There is much more to enjoy than there is to complain about, and that is very good for a show. As I said, I like looking at houses and whatnot, and, as much as I criticized, I have gotten quite a good kick out of some of the "characters" that have appeared. It is nice to see hardworking people going out and fulfilling that dream of being a homeowner. It has its days of frustration, but it's also kind of nice. Trust me. I know.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
