All Episodes Talk: French Country in Texas?

[aguabella]

They improved the hell out of the outside of tonight's home. I missed the set up (dogs!) but my cable guide said the husband was a pastor--Church of the Hat?

I understand different vernacular for different folks, but the youse guys has got. to. stop.

 

Edited to ask if Jo has a warehouse full of farm sinks--cause they're probably not hauling those out.

 

Always love to see curb appeal addressed.  Yes, nice exterior work on this house, IMHO.

 

Drives me a little bonkers when these reno shows ignore it.  (Looking at you, PB's!)

 

Yep, don't know about the farm sinks, lol!

Edited February 19, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

Neither Joanna or Chip are real estate agents, and thank goodness they don't pretend to be ones. As mentioned upthread, they could probably lose the looking at 3 houses since the decision has already been made. However, I do enjoy seeing and hearing Joanna describe what could be done with the various houses, including the computer graphics. If you're not looking for move-in ready and are willing to have renovations done, it gives you some ideas. I could probably come up with the something similar myself, but I find her ideas interesting. HGTV used to have a show where they would show people several houses that all needed work, and use computer graphics to demonstrate what the changes would look like. Can't remember the name of the show now.

 

The only time a real estate agent drove me to prospective houses was when I was looking out of town and didn't have a car. We always drove ourselves to houses we were looking at for the last 2 houses we bought. We just met our agent there (although he offered to drive us.) Agents don't even drive clients to homes on House Hunters (or Beachfront Bargains or Hawaii Life or Caribbean Life or the other many iterations of house porn). Probably easier for filming reasons.

 

Add me to the list of those waiting for Joanna to design something other than a white kitchen. It would be nice to see some variety.

 

IIRC, Chip's bio indicated he worked as an agent for at least a few yrs b4 they started doing their own projects as Magnolia.  Perhaps I'm interpreting the show incorrectly but it always seems to me that Chip fulfills the "agent" role on the show, quoting each home's stats, leaving Jo to demonstrate the design alternatives.  Have no idea if Chip maintains his license IRL, to either keep up appearances for the show or as part of Magnolia Homes.  (They're doing a subdivision of custom homes, IIRC.)

 

chessiegal, do you mean the show with the Chicago based agent and the younger, cool dude designer who did the graphics?  IIRC, that's the show where it eventually came out that exactly 1 of the participants over ??? season(s) had actually purchased a new home and maybe(?) used some of his designs.  At least they won the prize for fakity-fake!  His designs were extremely cool and probably major $$$, if they'd ever been actually built, again IIRC.  Don't have to worry about budgets when everything's conceptual, lol!

 

Agree, some real life RE agents drive clients but others don't.  For purposes of the show, I believe they utilize the drive time for dramatic purposes, i.e. to set up reaction and/or set-up dialogue scenes between both the participant couples and also Chip/Jo.  Many of the reno shows film during drive time so I can't imagine it's that tough to set up for production purposes.  JMHO, again. 

 

Yep, white kitchen overload on reno shows, currently.  S-T-O-P ptv, enough!  The styles, like the times, they are a-changing!

Edited February 19, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

Waco has a LOT of churches but glad camom clarified that there's not one called Church of the Hat! LOL.

 

Waco's like anywhere else, you'll find everything. 

 

I do know that another house they did...on a busy street I drive down almost daily...is Mid Century Modern. I think. I hope they kept it that way. That is rumored to air in March. The outside looks amazing. I can't imagine her usual stuff going in there.

 

aguabella...here's her Pinterest page: http://www.pinterest.com/crippy8129/

I will say their business, Home Place, is very traditional. John, her husband, helped me pick out tile and flooring for our kitchen remodel and I've bought some rugs there.

 

Yes, I believe most of our cities have a variety of home styles so hopefully these reno shows can branch out.  (Looking at you, LIOLI, Toronto, lol!)

 

So happy to hear a mcm home's coming up!  Will be interested to see Jo's work.

 

Thanks for all of the info and Christi's link.  Even if their styles differ somewhat, nice to hear Jo has some local competition!

Edited February 19, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

I don't necessarily think staging the house for reveal with Magnolia products is a bad thing.  I'm guessing the homeowners are getting some kind of compensation by agreeing to appear on the show, whether it be free/cheap labor or a straight up appearance fee.  If I were buying a fixer upper in Waco, I wouldn't care about Joanna doing whatever she wanted to the house for the reveal, provided that everything was made straight after she left and all the permanent fixtures were to my satisfaction.  After she leaves with all her stuff, it'd be just like moving into a new house.  I'd still have to hire movers, etc.  Plus, no one would want to see my horrible Craiglist & 10-year old Ikea furniture anyways and I think that would be personally mortifying.

 

I know in the first season, there were a couple of episodes where Chip alluded in the reveal that the homeowner's weren't necessarily going to keep the house as their primary residence.  I would guess that Chip & Joanna really don't care what happens to the homes afterwards unlike Nicole Curtis.  They aren't in it for any kind of historical preservation.

 

Joanna's style definitely holds up in this part of Texas (not from Waco, but only about an hour away).  The shabby chic has really hit the upper middle class SAHM segment hard in my town.  They don't want to look like they are Dallas socialites, but they spend just about as much money on their decor.

 

Yes, they do receive a benefit.  Can't remember all the details but Chip called it a discounted reno.  (If you're interested, the details and/or links are upthread.)  I'm sure they receive a tax bill, too, lol!

 

??  Haven't ever had the impression that anyone wasn't going to occupy the homes.  Heard about the Baylor soccer coach after-the-fact.  Do you remember the particular episodes?  No big deal - am just curious.  Seems like most of the time Chip says something like, "We hope this will be your forever home" in the final scene.  This last episode, the Baylor chaplain, IIRC, uttered the word "flip" to his wife and Chip said, "No, no, no".

 

Nice to see the Baylor location shots this last episode and the Baylor scene was fun, too, IMHO.  Lucky Chip and the boys!

 

I definitely understand the desire to be different than Dallas, lol!  To each his/her own, WRT style.  Interesting to hear about shabby chic - thanks for the local info, Saylii.  Agree, shabby chic doesn't necessarily mean cheap, does it, lol?

Edited February 19, 2015 by aguabella

[fayster]

OK...finally watched this weeks episode...now I get it: Church of the Hat. He never took it off, did he?

 

I actually knew exactly where all those houses were. The red brick was in an older neighborhood, not far from downtown (and Baylor). The 2nd one was in a town-house type neighborhood. Don't know if you noticed, they couldn't get a shot of the house without other houses in the shot as well. The house they chose...oh my goodness...has always been an eyesore. My orthodontist built it. (hey...I'm a lifelong Wacoan and my mom sold real estate for 40 years. Used to be that you didn't buy a house at such-and-such address, you bought the "Bob Smith's" house). I'm glad that they fixed it up. 

 

I really like what they did with it. Yes, she had a lot of shabby chic, but the basics were great. 

 

And having read all your comments about the lingo, I chuckled a couple of times because Chip said some things that I say: "I'm sweating like a pig" and one other one that I can't recall. Not the squirrel one, though I'd heard it before. I have to say, I think Chip's goofiness is kinda cute. It doesn't seem forced or like it's not who he is. And her reactions to it are cute. 

 

I do think the "finding out which house they chose" is so obviously fake...always at their house, together, exact same wording. Definitely a weak point. 

[aguabella]

OK...finally watched this weeks episode...now I get it: Church of the Hat. He never took it off, did he?

 

I actually knew exactly where all those houses were. The red brick was in an older neighborhood, not far from downtown (and Baylor). The 2nd one was in a town-house type neighborhood. Don't know if you noticed, they couldn't get a shot of the house without other houses in the shot as well. The house they chose...oh my goodness...has always been an eyesore. My orthodontist built it. (hey...I'm a lifelong Wacoan and my mom sold real estate for 40 years. Used to be that you didn't buy a house at such-and-such address, you bought the "Bob Smith's" house). I'm glad that they fixed it up. 

 

I really like what they did with it. Yes, she had a lot of shabby chic, but the basics were great. 

 

And having read all your comments about the lingo, I chuckled a couple of times because Chip said some things that I say: "I'm sweating like a pig" and one other one that I can't recall. Not the squirrel one, though I'd heard it before. I have to say, I think Chip's goofiness is kinda cute. It doesn't seem forced or like it's not who he is. And her reactions to it are cute. 

 

I do think the "finding out which house they chose" is so obviously fake...always at their house, together, exact same wording. Definitely a weak point. 

 

Wow, fayster, your orthodontist - small world!

 

Agree, great job.  Seemed like a small kitchen for the sq. footage but was prob average for the home's age.  (I missed the home tours and home stats.)

 

I didn't notice the lingo during this episode.  They both seemed natural, to me.  Previously, in a couple of episodes, it was "you guys" on steroids, from both of them.  Perhaps they're both getting more comfortable in their roles. 

 

In addition, I believe most of us enjoy Chip's goofiness, up to a point.  That said, in at least 1 episode, it felt as if the home tours were merely used to set up skits for Chip, e.g. Chip eating a cockroach, Chip removing his shirt and so on ... 

 

Yes, hopefully they'll find a way for Jo to present alternative proposed designs but eliminate the faux home selection scenes.

 

Thanks again for the local info!

[Saylii]

Yes, they do receive a benefit.  Can't remember all the details but Chip called it a discounted reno.  (If you're interested, the details and/or links are upthread.)  I'm sure they receive a tax bill, too, lol!

 

??  Haven't ever had the impression that anyone wasn't going to occupy the homes.  Heard about the Baylor soccer coach after-the-fact.  Do you remember the particular episodes?  No big deal - am just curious.  Seems like most of the time Chip says something like, "We hope this will be your forever home" in the final scene.  This last episode, the Baylor chaplain, IIRC, uttered the word "flip" to his wife and Chip said, "No, no, no".

 

Nice to see the Baylor location shots this last episode and the Baylor scene was fun, too, IMHO.  Lucky Chip and the boys!

 

I definitely understand the desire to be different than Dallas, lol!  To each his/her own, WRT style.  Interesting to hear about shabby chic - thanks for the local info, Saylii.  Agree, shabby chic doesn't necessarily mean cheap, does it, lol?

 

I don't remember the episodes specifically, but there were two or three when Chip was going over the final numbers and he would say something like, "Your other option is to sell the house and we can list it for you today for $XYZ."  It struck me at the time as a very weird thing for someone in his position to say, since the whole premise was renovating a house for the homeowner to live in.  I've noticed he's changed it to, "You have $XYZ amount of equity in your house now and you haven't even moved in!".

 

I know Joanna has said in her blog that she's the one with the real estate license.  I remember thinking at the time that had to be a very lucrative way to make money-- be the buyer's realtor, have your husband renovate the home and get paid for that, then be the realtor for the sale.

[CruiseDiva]

Not sure if it was an intro to their show or one of the show promos that appear on HGTV, but I noticed the other day that Chip & JoAnna remark that their clients get a real estate agent, contractor, and designer all in one package.

 

So, one of them must have a RE license if they are actually handling that part of the transaction.

 

One thing that has bugged me is when JoAnna tells the homeowner that there is X amount of money "left in the budget" and then offers them three suggestions on how to spend it. While it seems like a good idea to do the additional improvement since the house is already being remodeled, in one instance she made the suggestion, they picked one, and THEN found out about an expensive repair that wasn't anticipated. I wonder if those add-ons are to use up any funds in their contingency budget. Not wise, IMHO.

[aguabella]

Not sure if it was an intro to their show or one of the show promos that appear on HGTV, but I noticed the other day that Chip & JoAnna remark that their clients get a real estate agent, contractor, and designer all in one package.

 

So, one of them must have a RE license if they are actually handling that part of the transaction.

 

One thing that has bugged me is when JoAnna tells the homeowner that there is X amount of money "left in the budget" and then offers them three suggestions on how to spend it. While it seems like a good idea to do the additional improvement since the house is already being remodeled, in one instance she made the suggestion, they picked one, and THEN found out about an expensive repair that wasn't anticipated. I wonder if those add-ons are to use up any funds in their contingency budget. Not wise, IMHO.

 

Like other reality TV RE shows, the homes have been purchased prior to filming.  Production companies can't afford to film an actual house hunt and won't assume the liability associated with one.

 

I had the same concerns WRT their contingency budget, CruiseDiva, until I read that Magnolia negotiated a fixed fee for these renovations.  Both the expensive, unanticipated repair cost and additional project occur each and every show so JMHO but I believe it's all canned and preplanned for dramatic purposes.

Edited February 20, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

I don't remember the episodes specifically, but there were two or three when Chip was going over the final numbers and he would say something like, "Your other option is to sell the house and we can list it for you today for $XYZ."  It struck me at the time as a very weird thing for someone in his position to say, since the whole premise was renovating a house for the homeowner to live in.  I've noticed he's changed it to, "You have $XYZ amount of equity in your house now and you haven't even moved in!".

 

I know Joanna has said in her blog that she's the one with the real estate license.  I remember thinking at the time that had to be a very lucrative way to make money-- be the buyer's realtor, have your husband renovate the home and get paid for that, then be the realtor for the sale.

 

Not a big deal and after double-checking multiple sources, with all due respect, I believe your recollections are incorrect.  According to various bios, Joanna started her shop after college, closed it when she became busy with her kids and then reopened it to capitalize on the show's publicity. 

 

WRT Chip, I've never heard him seriously suggest that one of these show participants list/flip these properties.  For one thing, as a professional myself, I believe his equity estimates would place these people in the (net) red, each and every time.  (When calculating investment gains and losses on RE, using 8% for selling expenses is fairly standard.  The homeowners may gain a few $$$ of equity but they'd lose $$$ overall, if they liquidated these properties upon completion, according to Chip's estimates, so far.)  If he routinely advises clients to invest hundreds of thousands of $$$ to immediately realize a loss, their business would have failed long ago, IMHO.

 

I believe your initial impression of the show's premise is the correct one, i.e. they're renovating these properties for the participants to reside in, not flip.  Otherwise, IMHO they'd be doing a significantly different renovation project than what tptb have aired, to date.

Edited February 20, 2015 by aguabella

[auntjess]

I remember in the first season, a lot of the houses were under $100K, and really in need of work, and actually more fun to see.
Now, the prices are a good bit higher, and I wonder if the prices are getting higher (recovering?) in Waco.

A lot of this house I liked better before, including the staircase and the pale brick of the outside.
I hate it when brick is painted unless the homeowners really decide it's worth the cost of repainting periodically.

And that pool seemed to have no fence at all.  That would have been the first thing I added.

[GaT]

I recently started watching this show on OnDemand, so I'm still on season one. I'm curious as to the houses they look at, so far the people have always ended up with the house they choose, does the show somehow have a hold on the houses? How do people never get outbid?

[chessiegal]

I recently started watching this show on OnDemand, so I'm still on season one. I'm curious as to the houses they look at, so far the people have always ended up with the house they choose, does the show somehow have a hold on the houses? How do people never get outbid?

 

GaT - it's just like any other house hunting show - the "other houses" are for show. They already own/are in escrow for the house they choose.

[GaT]

GaT - it's just like any other house hunting show - the "other houses" are for show. They already own/are in escrow for the house they choose.

OH, I see. Then I wish they wouldn't bother with the other 2 houses because I don't care. 

[chessiegal]

The only interest I have in the "other" houses are Joanna's computer graphics on what can be done to improve them. I would think the house hunters did some similar comparisons while looking for a house IRL.

[CruiseDiva]

Like other reality TV RE shows, the homes have been purchased prior to filming.  Production companies can't afford to film an actual house hunt and won't assume the liability associated with one.

 

I realize reality TV isn't "real" but the way the promo is presented Joanna certainly implies that she and/or Chip are the real estate agents, as well as contractor & designer. So, I wonder if they are instrumental in assisting with the actual house hunt, off camera and before the fake filming of the three "choices."

 

I had the same concerns WRT their contingency budget, CruiseDiva, until I read that Magnolia negotiated a fixed fee for these renovations.  Both the expensive, unanticipated repair cost and additional project occur each and every show so JMHO but I believe it's all canned and preplanned for dramatic purposes.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that information about the fixed fee. I wonder if any of the home buyers get inspections before the purchase. I'm sure that's something we'll never know.

Edited February 22, 2015 by CruiseDiva

[txvoodoo]

Their language seemed slightly better these past couple of new episodes. HGTV does typically send their new hosts to training. Perhaps that occurred.

 

It definitely did - they tweeted about it. Apparently the trainers had a good time with Chip. Chip and Joanna actually seemed to enjoy it. 

[txvoodoo]

Here's a link to the GFCI project.  It's an extremely simple job and should only require, literally, a few minutes per outlet.  IIRC, this came up when Chip quoted $2-3K to do someone's home.  Chip's quoting for someone who would know how to do this.  If you use an electrician for this, you're throwing $$$ away, IMHO.              http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-a-gfci-outlet/index.html   

 

OTOH, if you don't want to deal with it, an electrician might need only a minute per outlet!  I can just imagine some reno show setting up a race.  When the diy network indicates 30 minutes, it's either their minimum time or they're practically talking about an entire home, lol! 

 

I was curious about this, so I talked to my husband. He used to work with his dad building custom houses and renoing old ones, had his GC license, etc. So he said there are different levels of upgrading to GFCIs, and would depend on what's in the house to start with, what you're doing, and building codes. If it's an older house, the whole thing might have to be rewired because it doesn't even have the 3rd wire to use as your link stated. Or you might have to redo multiple outlets because of the way they're set up on the circuit - if one tripped, they'd all trip. Or, depending on how much you're doing, code might require you to rewire everything, including adding tied-in smoke and carbon dioxide monitors.

 

Interesting stuff! But I can see how it could add up quickly. I'd want an electrician, or at the least, someone knowledgeable to do this in an old house. 

 

 

I know in the first season, there were a couple of episodes where Chip alluded in the reveal that the homeowner's weren't necessarily going to keep the house as their primary residence.  I would guess that Chip & Joanna really don't care what happens to the homes afterwards unlike Nicole Curtis.  They aren't in it for any kind of historical preservation.

 

 

I agree, they're not in it to "save houses." On the other hand, they actually are, even if they're not doing period accurate restorations. A lot of the houses they've done were "red tagged", i.e. if not bought, slated for demo. 

[GaT]

I just realized that the episode I just watched is the one in the thread title. I don't know why I felt the need to share that, I'm not even drunk :-)

[aguabella]

I was curious about this, so I talked to my husband. He used to work with his dad building custom houses and renoing old ones, had his GC license, etc. So he said there are different levels of upgrading to GFCIs, and would depend on what's in the house to start with, what you're doing, and building codes. If it's an older house, the whole thing might have to be rewired because it doesn't even have the 3rd wire to use as your link stated. Or you might have to redo multiple outlets because of the way they're set up on the circuit - if one tripped, they'd all trip. Or, depending on how much you're doing, code might require you to rewire everything, including adding tied-in smoke and carbon dioxide monitors.

 

Interesting stuff! But I can see how it could add up quickly. I'd want an electrician, or at the least, someone knowledgeable to do this in an old house. 

 

 

 

I agree, they're not in it to "save houses." On the other hand, they actually are, even if they're not doing period accurate restorations. A lot of the houses they've done were "red tagged", i.e. if not bought, slated for demo. 

 

Rewiring is a separate job and is typically quoted and completed as such.  Otherwise, the contractor may have an issue receiving payment!  If someone says "GFCI", they don't mean they're rewiring.  In addition, IIRC, I don't recall the home in question that needed GFCI as being in that type of electrical situation.  If it had been and an electrician was needed, I'm sure Chip would have mentioned it when he made that episode's budget drama telephone call.  IRL, the need for an electrician would have typically come up much earlier, e.g. on inspection or after demo, however.

 

Believe I've seen every episode to date but don't recall a "lot of" red tagged homes and/or foreclosures.  IIRC, the Baylor coach's home was purchased from the city and ??? possibly Clint Harp's.  Otherwise, haven't they been typical fixers?  In general, they're not doing period homes, e.g. Toronto LIOLI, 100+ y.o. homes.

Edited February 22, 2015 by aguabella

[wait.what]

Awwww, they did fix Chip's discolored tooth.

[aguabella]

I realize reality TV isn't "real" but the way the promo is presented Joanna certainly implies that she and/or Chip are the real estate agents, as well as contractor & designer. So, I wonder if they are instrumental in assisting with the actual house hunt, off camera and before the fake filming of the three "choices."

 

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that information about the fixed fee. I wonder if any of the home buyers get inspections before the purchase. I'm sure that's something we'll never know.

 

I agree - that's what they imply, CruiseDiva.  This is JMHO and the way I personally think about these reno shows but I believe their first and primary role is that of an actor.  My keyboard is on the blink or I'd link you to an article I read about HGTV's specific involvement in FU but it said, "The production company chooses the homeowners" and Chip and Jo are paid as "on-air talent".

 

I do realize that Magnolia has a realty arm but neither Chip nor Jo is listed as an agent.  According to her bios, I don't believe Jo's ever worked as an agent.  I didn't see many agents listed, IIRC.  Chip employs a manager for that group - his manager probably functions as the "office broker".  Like most cities of that size, the large realty firms have moved into Waco and swallowed up small firms.

 

The production company cares about a few things more than anything, IMHO.  One is their filming schedule.  They're only going to select homeowners who've already closed on a property b/c they've sent an out-of-town team to Waco for a specific period to film.  The Waco locals can possibly help us out here but I believe some of the homeowners, e.g. the coffee house people, had purchased well before filming.  (???  I believe I heard something about that during the episode.  Perhaps they were willing to wait to score a promo for their shop from the buzz, pun unintentional!)  If Chip's (relatively) few agents are involved but can't close their deals to meet the filming schedule, their buyers' projects won't be selected. 

 

The production company also cares deeply, hugely, a ton in fact (!) about liability.  Once they pack up and go, they don't want some homeowner calling them up and threatening them with liability about termites or leaky roofs or whatever.  There's no way that standard precautions, e.g inspections, don't occur, IMHO. 

 

In addition, banks and insurance companies normally require inspections plus another realtor, e.g. the selling side of the transaction, is probably involved and realtors worry about liability, too.  For liability reasons, in fact, the production company might prefer to have other, non-Magnolia agents representing these homeowners as buyers' agents.

 

I've read articles and show information about other reno shows that have mentioned that inspections occur long before the on-air talent has any involvement whatsoever in the project.  The production companies won't take on that risk.  They want to get in and out and be over and done with it.  The typical one per episode construction drama that occurs on basically all these shows is IMHO just that - drama.  Production companies don't do surprises, again IMHO.

 

Although it's tough to button down a construction reno and know everything, 100%, in advance, I believe these guys know as much as possible before they accept these projects for the show.  JMHO

[GaT]

Why does the client have to go to their farm every episode? And why do they have to call the client to discuss the problem that has just come up (and will cost money) so the client can make a decision? 

 

I just watched an episode where Chip almost killed Jo with his birthday present. Yikes!

Edited February 23, 2015 by GaT

[aguabella]

Why does the client have to go to their farm every episode? And why do they have to call the client to discuss the problem that has just come up (and will cost money) so the client can make a decision? 

 

I just watched an episode where Chip almost killed Jo with his birthday present. Yikes!

 

IMHO those are 3 examples of made for television drama, GaT.  Some viewers like it, as mentioned today on the other thread.  I'm with you, however, would rather they stick to the renos and eliminate the faux drama, including the unnecessary house hunt.  Incidentally, although I do enjoy seeing possible design alternatives for the other 2 homes toured, they could simply include more of the design process for the participants' home.  

 

BTW, one of the newspaper articles linked previously mentioned that Magnolia negotiated a fixed fee for these renos.  So much for the weekly budget drama -

Edited February 25, 2015 by aguabella

[CruiseDiva]

There was a re-run on before the new episode aired tonight and Chip said it would cost $600 to $800 to get a chimney sweep to clean the chimney. My husband nearly gagged... WHAT?!? It's been a while since we had our chimney cleaned (I'm not fond of using the fireplace), but the cost wasn't even half the amount he mentioned.

 

Anyone have any recent experience to share?

[aguabella]

There was a re-run on before the new episode aired tonight and Chip said it would cost $600 to $800 to get a chimney sweep to clean the chimney. My husband nearly gagged... WHAT?!? It's been a while since we had our chimney cleaned (I'm not fond of using the fireplace), but the cost wasn't even half the amount he mentioned.

 

Anyone have any recent experience to share?

 

Agree, CruiseDiva.  That's ridiculous.  You're right - it s/b less than 1/2 that.  Plus, labor's much cheaper in TX than in my area.  Sounds like they're just pulling these figures out of their - uh, well, proverbial a**, for dramatic purposes. 

 

Perhaps Magnolia simply performs most tasks and bids every job on a fixed fee so they don't have a clue about actual costs.  That's the only thing I can figure out.  Anyone know? 

[CruiseDiva]

aguabella, my husband suggested that perhaps there were no "local" chimney sweeps in Texas and they had to import one. Perhaps from Europe where they are plentiful. /sarc

 

We've paid less than half that to get our chimney cleaned, but it's been a while so I wasn't sure if rates had doubled or tripled, which is why I asked.

[HonestlyWTF]

I really have enjoyed this show, but each remodel uses too many of the same elements. The giant clocks, empty window frames hung on the wall, white kitchens with subway tile, etc. My husband and I take bets on how many clocks each house will have.

It will be interesting to see if Joanna comes up with something new for the upcoming MCM home.

[Lola16]

Neither Joanna or Chip are real estate agents, and thank goodness they don't pretend to be ones. 

 

Chip does.  Joanna has said things like, I hope Chip can negotiate a good price so that there's more room in the design budget.

 

aguabella - are you dyiguy from TWOP?

[chessiegal]

Lola16, I stand corrected on Chip and Joanna's RE license background. I assumed they were just showing clients homes. Mea Culpa.

[CruiseDiva]

 

 

I really have enjoyed this show, but each remodel uses too many of the same elements. The giant clocks, empty window frames hung on the wall, white kitchens with subway tile, etc. My husband and I take bets on how many clocks each house will have. It will be interesting to see if Joanna comes up with something new for the upcoming MCM home.

On last night's show JoAnna said something about not doing the same thing in each remodel. When she said that, you could see a giant clock over her shoulder. Then the camera panned over to puddled drapes. There was also a "magnolia" wreath on the wall hung over an empty window frame.

 

I enjoyed the first season of the show, but her "designs" are getting very repetitive. Let's see... tear down walls that enclose a foyer, tear down a wall on a staircase, tear down the wall between a kitchen and dining room.

 

My husband mentioned that "kids" are baby goats and "kiddos" should be referred to as children. 

 

Personally, when people enter my home I don't want them to see everything. Especially the pizza delivery guy.

[GaT]

I really have enjoyed this show, but each remodel uses too many of the same elements. The giant clocks, empty window frames hung on the wall, white kitchens with subway tile, etc. My husband and I take bets on how many clocks each house will have.

It will be interesting to see if Joanna comes up with something new for the upcoming MCM home.

I've been wondering if all the furniture is something the clients keep, or if it's just for the show.  I was watching a show from season 1 & Joanna said something about staging the house. I got the impression that the furniture & decorations weren't staying after the cameras left.

[CruiseDiva]

I've been wondering if all the furniture is something the clients keep, or if it's just for the show.

Upthread someone from Waco said that trucks arrive after the reveal and haul it all away. However, I believe they can buy whatever they want to keep.

 

I'd like to see how the houses look with the homeowners' own furniture in them :)

Edited February 26, 2015 by CruiseDiva

[laredhead]

CruiseDiva, that's exactly why the houses are staged with Joanna's stuff.  Recent episode showed the several storage units where she keeps her inventory for staging and selling.  I have a feeling those houses would not look anywhere near as good as they do with the homeowner's furniture.  That's why professional staging is a good idea if you are trying to sell a house after you move out of it. 

[aguabella]

Chip does.  Joanna has said things like, I hope Chip can negotiate a good price so that there's more room in the design budget.

 

aguabella - are you dyiguy from TWOP?

 

I believe they both imply they're agents, although it's clear that Chip's designated to play the "agent" role for purposes of the show's house hunt.  Personally, I've never thought Joanna was licensed but someone upthread, during an exchange with me, insisted that Jo was an agent.

 

I noted earlier that Chip isn't listed as an agent under their "Magnolia Realty" arm and employs a manager who probably functions as the office broker.  At that time, I kinda' gave Chip a pass, believing perhaps he simply doesn't work as an agent currently. 

 

IIRC, I did check out Chip's linkedin previously but didn't see any mention of him as an agent.  The overwhelming majority of us who hold professional licenses do mention them on our resumes/bios.  Given all these facts, I don't believe Chip's ever been an agent.  Instead, I believe he probably started investing in RE for his own account after college and his business grew from there. 

 

As most of you probably already know, realtors work as independent contractors, paying almost all of their own expenses, earning a split of the % commissions from their sales.  Consequently, it's very easy and inexpensive to set up a RE office.  To save commission $$$ on his transactions, I believe that's what Chip and Jo did.

 

Lola16, TWOP dyi - who?  Guess that'd be no, lol.  Or, should I be? hahahaha ...

Edited February 27, 2015 by aguabella

[aguabella]

CruiseDiva, that's exactly why the houses are staged with Joanna's stuff.  Recent episode showed the several storage units where she keeps her inventory for staging and selling.  I have a feeling those houses would not look anywhere near as good as they do with the homeowner's furniture.  That's why professional staging is a good idea if you are trying to sell a house after you move out of it. 

 

Although I agree with you, laredhead, (and I'm sure you already know all of the following) that staging definitely makes houses appear much better, IMHO that's not its primary function.  The overall goals, again IMHO, are to make homes appear larger and move-in ready, where move-in ready means the prospective residents can envision their own belongings in the space.  So, they s/b clear of all the sellers' personal possessions and have sufficient available space such that the new resident feels the home can easily accommodate all their bits and pieces. 

 

Because of those distinct goals, staging's considered a different function than straight home decoration or interior design.  I'm sure Jo used that term b/c she's used to staging Chip's / Magnolia's investment properties for either sale or lease.  That said, they definitely, as part of the Magnolia / FU experience, want to welcome the new homeowners, demonstrating that the home's ready for their "stuff", making them happy about surviving the ordeal of a home renovation and reinforcing their buying decision by citing an unverified equity increase, IMHO. 

 

As a by-product of the staging, Jo must be doing a bang-up job selling those over-priced doodads.  Speaking of diy, IIRC, those clocks can be made for about $10 or something!  Anyone notice they're even peddling her jewelry and personal accessories on the website?

Edited February 27, 2015 by aguabella

[Lola16]

 

 

As most of you probably already know, realtors work as independent contractors, paying almost all of their own expenses, earning a split of the % commissions from their sales.  Consequently, it's very easy and inexpensive to set up a RE office.  To save commission $$$ on his transactions, I believe that's what Chip and Jo did.

 

Lola16, TWOP dyi - who?  Guess that'd be no, lol.  Or, should I be? hahahaha ...

Reminds me of Property Brothers where the one twin pretends on camera to be the realtor but he's not licensed in that area nor is he actually doing any of the house hunting or listing.

 

I thought maybe you used to post on TWOP - a few of us transitioned over here when the site closed but not everyone kept their screen name. 

[CruiseDiva]

I totally understand the concept of staging a house for sale. Houses with furniture show better. What I don't get is why Fixer Upper stages the houses that are already purchased with JoAnna's store/warehouse furnishings and accessories instead of the homeowners' own belongings. Okay, I do get it that she is trying to sell those things, but seriously... those homeowners would be better served if their own furniture and accessories were artfully used to decorate the homes they are moving into.

 

I remember a few episodes of Property Brothers where homeowners asked them to incorporate their own pieces and they did so. The results were personal spaces that had meaning and the homeowners were very pleased.

 

Instead of all the letters and writing on walls, cheesy clocks, and miscellaneous bric-a-brac, I'd love to see JoAnna go through the homeowners' belongings and use them in the final design.

[aguabella]

I totally understand the concept of staging a house for sale. Houses with furniture show better. What I don't get is why Fixer Upper stages the houses that are already purchased with JoAnna's store/warehouse furnishings and accessories instead of the homeowners' own belongings. Okay, I do get it that she is trying to sell those things, but seriously... those homeowners would be better served if their own furniture and accessories were artfully used to decorate the homes they are moving into.

 

I remember a few episodes of Property Brothers where homeowners asked them to incorporate their own pieces and they did so. The results were personal spaces that had meaning and the homeowners were very pleased.

 

Instead of all the letters and writing on walls, cheesy clocks, and miscellaneous bric-a-brac, I'd love to see JoAnna go through the homeowners' belongings and use them in the final design.

 

I agree with you, CruiseDiva but I believe it's for the reasons I mentioned above, i.e. besides peddling her wares, they want to reinforce the homeowners' huge decision of buying a dump instead of a shiny, new home.

 

In addition, these reality show TV folks always promote, promote, promote.  Although it may seem as if they're only marketing Magnolia to Waco locals, they could also pick up relocation RE business from potential homeowners transferring to the area.  And, for all we know, Chip may have expansion plans, too.  Today, Waco, TX but tomorrow the world, lol!

Edited February 27, 2015 by aguabella

[MsChicklet]

It may also be that it's more expedient to stage the house with Magnolia stuff than have to wait for the homeowners' stuff to be moved over, unpacked, sorted, etc. Joanna can have her Magnolia goods brought in, do the staging (and the shooting of it) in a day or two, have the homecoming and closing party scenes shot, and be out the next day. The show may also not want the liability if, God forbid, Shorty or Chip didn't attach a shelf securely enough and Great-Grandma's Depression glass shatters all over the floor.

[aguabella]

You raise valid issues WRT liability, MsChicklet but I believe tptb would veto this idea long before anyone reached that point.  Although it's a lovely thought that Joanna could use the homeowners' belongings, tptb won't shoot that.  This is reality television, after all, not actual reality.  The production company wants these places to look as great as possible.  How many people do you know who have sufficient knick-knacks and case goods in near perfect condition to stage a home?  In addition, how many people, when they purchase a home, have case goods in the proper dimensions for 100% of the rooms?  For both questions, in my case, the answers are probably close to zero.

 

And, BTW, that'd be stage a home for camera, i.e. not to live in.  Designing for the camera is different than designing for the way people live.  Likewise, staging a home is different than designing for the way people live.  Sure, Jo could supplement the homeowners' items but that'd be a logistical nightmare.  Jo plus her design team would have to expend numerous hours sorting through their stuff, arranging and finally, supplementing it with new.  Then, they'd probably need an entire team of interns to track everything.  So, although it sounds nice, it won't happen, IMHO. 

 

If the homeowners care to hire Jo separately to design their home for the way they actually live, using their items, they can do that, assuming she offers those services.  (Between filming, promotion, Magnolia Homes' design duties, the newly reopened retail store and her parental responsibilities, Jo's time must be very limited these days!)  In the meantime, bottom line, for purposes of the show, it's quite frankly, simply not part of her job, IMHO.

 

Here's a couple of small observations about staging v. designing - did anyone notice that the family on this week's episode sat at the dining table during the closing party scene but had to pull auxiliary chairs from the game table b/c the table lacked head/foot chairs?  The dr both feels and looks far more spacious w/o them, doesn't it?  In last week's episode, IIRC, the Baylor chaplain was the first concession Jo's made towards actually admitting that most homeowners set up rooms around televisions.  Is she now routinely staging for them?  Was it just the first time I noticed?  IIRC, no TV's were staged during the entirety of Season 1. 

 

All of the above is JMHO as per usual.

Edited February 27, 2015 by aguabella

[WildPlum]

The only problem with the furniture staging is that the house are really all starting to look exactly alike, particularly after you've seen several episodes. White cabinets, white or black counters, dark flooring, gray walls, white trim.

 

Also, for the record - I hate those exterior non-working shutters. Adding them does not help the house. And using books as decor items by turning the spines to the wall makes me want to go in there and turn every one of them back around so I can see the titles.

[CN42]

Also for the record: I hate barn doors. I love real barn doors, but that's where they belong: in the barn. When did sliding barn doors become a thing? Especially in suburban homes? IMO, it looks like they wanted a classic pocket door but didn't want to take the time and expense to install them.

[HonestlyWTF]

Joanna did a great job with the MCM home in last night's episode. I didn't see any giant clocks, but there were a few window frames on the wall.

I would have chosen different finishes in a few areas, but at least she didn't make it look the same as all the other houses she has been doing.

[Honey]

Joanna did a great job with the MCM home in last night's episode. I didn't see any giant clocks, but there were a few window frames on the wall.

I would have chosen different finishes in a few areas, but at least she didn't make it look the same as all the other houses she has been doing.

I liked the house with one exception.  Brass!!  She used brass supports for those glass shelves in the kitchen.  I loved the concrete seat that runs the length of the fireplace.  I really like mid century modern homes.  Simple and uncluttered.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Honey

[texastornado]

The homeowner (wife) wanted the brass finishes in the kitchen.

[Honey]

The homeowner (wife) wanted the brass finishes in the kitchen.

Maybe she did.  I still hated it.

[HonestlyWTF]

I didn't care for the brass at all either, or the way the dishes were displayed on the shelves.

It would be interesting to see what the homeowner does on her own.

I love the sofa and I hope they keep it!

[camom]

And the cabinets weren't all white!

[CruiseDiva]

I'm kind of glad to see brass making something of a comeback. While we've replaced some of it in our house with brushed nickel, we need new master bathroom sink faucets and would like to keep them brass because we don't want to change out light fixtures, etc. However, brass has been nearly impossible to find, which is why it's been put it off. While I prefer brushed nickel, I like brass well enough and my husband loves it.

 

I really wanted to like the Fixer Upper show last night, but it was disappointing that the actual house reveal was so abbreviated. All the extra birthday stuff took away from the reason I watch the program.

 

I did notice the empty window frame on the wall during the short reveal, although it wasn't glaringly out of place. On the other hand, the barn door seemed really out of place.