House Hunters: Buying in the USA

[joanofarch4]

I'm all for friendly family ribbing, but the general feeling here was deep-seated mean-spiritedness (or a producer-driven plotline), or so I perceived it.  Different strokes!  At any rate, I didn't find the episode pleasant or entertaining viewing.  And I love historic Chicago condos!

[izabella]

Did I miss the discussion on the single woman looking to buy a historic condo in "stroller land" with the evil older sister?

 

I saw that one and had to laugh because "stroller land" (Lincoln Square) and Ravenswood (where her sister wanted her to live) are not much different. In fact. Lincoln Square is actually smack in the middle of Ravenswood. Ravenswood is not a hip, cool neighborhood for singles like Wicker Park, Bucktown or Lincoln Park are.  So it screamed producer-driven to me.

[Sims Addict]

Like everyone else I was surprised at how disagreeable the SD wife was. Normally when both the husband and wife are asses I feel bad for the realtor alone, but I poured a little out for the husband last night. Even in the last TH, she told him something like, "I was right...just remember that from now on." I know some fly the Babe in Total Control Here flag high and proud, but my goodness...she was too much.

 

And, yes, the "new build" wasn't all that.

[BearCat49]

I saw that one and had to laugh because "stroller land" (Lincoln Square) and Ravenswood (where her sister wanted her to live) are not much different. In fact. Lincoln Square is actually smack in the middle of Ravenswood. Ravenswood is not a hip, cool neighborhood for singles like Wicker Park, Bucktown or Lincoln Park are.  So it screamed producer-driven to me.

 

Her ultimate choice was obviously going to be Lincoln Square so that told me the realtor probably had a decoy home, approved for filming, available in Ravenswood so they worked that into the storyline.  The sisters came across as good natured, sibling ribbing, to me. 

 

---------------------------

Agree with everyone WRT the SD wife.  When they display that type of personality throughout an episode, I assume they're showing us their true colors!  No need for the production team to manufacture conflict!

[chessiegal]

Boy howdy, y'all weren't kidding about the SD wife. Just a gut feeling, but I don't think the producers didn't need to do much "driving" on this episode. I always imagine them doing a happy dance when they come up with a natural drama queen of either gender.

[bubbls]

Here's a question I have for anyone who cares to answer: would you overlook a not-so-appealing (but not hideous) home if it had an interior you love?

 

I'm actively house hunting now and I would and have. We're downsizing from a granite/stainless/beige McMansion (and snarking a lot about hideous kitchens that simply MUST be gutted) and I'm far more interested in the interior than the exterior. What I'm most interested in though is the location I want followed by a floor plan I like.

[KLovestoShop]

In what universe do white cabinets equate "beachy"? If I heard the Nashville wife say beachy one more time, I was going to throw something at the TV. But I do think they made the right choice.

[laredhead]

The Nashville couple was such a nice change from the San Diego woman last night, I was willing to forgive them almost any annoying must have in their first house.  Yes, adding a "y" to adjectives and verbs seems to be the trend; i.e. "beachy" and "vacationy".   The house the Nashville couple's house had only 1450 sq ft, and I'm assuming that did not include the porch which I think was a screened porch.  It might provide a space for a future addition which could include a second bathroom.  The existing bath was very small, but I thought they were dealing with it well and turning one of the bedrooms into a closet and dressing area for her was a good plan.  

[peggy06]

I caught the Chicago sister act last night. They waaaay overdid the sisterly conflict. It was like they were disagreeing just to disagree. Eye-rolling. Also, this episode had a complaint that should go in the HH Hall of Fame for sheer silliness. One place had a front door opening onto the smaller of the two common areas, so presumably the dining room. (It looked a little narrow to be a living room) "Helping" sister said that would never do, because all you want to do when you get home is crash on your couch, and it would take too long to go all the way through this room into the living room. I mean, seriously?

 

On the plus side, all three properties were quite nice. The buyer-sister made a good choice, I thought. Nice woodwork and floors, nice looking neighborhood. It did surprise me a bit that there was just a common laundry in a kind of grungy looking basement. I'd tolerate that in a rental, not in my own place. She said she was going to put a washer and dryer in her unit - is that feasible on the upper floor of an older building (c. 1920)?

Edited November 21, 2014 by peggy06

[izabella]

She said she was going to put a washer and dryer in her unit - is that feasible on the upper floor of an older building (c. 1920)?

 

Yes, it's feasible,and it's done often.  You have to be able to tap into the existing plumbing, so they're often added near bathrooms and kitchens.  A bedroom on the other other side of a bathroom would be a good place to carve out a closet space for a washer/dryer combo, with a door in the hall.  Those 1920s buildings are very solid structurally even though the floorplans can sometimes be awkward.

[AnnieGirl]

Portland to San Diego 11/19/14 - I think we have a winner for biggest bitch ever! Lady, fine, be a big 'ole bitch to your husband but leave the poor real estate agent alone.

[bubbls]

"Helping" sister said that would never do, because all you want to do when you get home is crash on your couch, and it would take too long to go all the way through this room into the living room. I mean, seriously?

 

 

Her sister's response was great. She said she thinks she can make it the extra five seconds or something, lol. 

 

I saw one last night where the husband said they needed a big yard for their 3-lb dog. It was so funny as I think he was mocking HH while on HH. 

[JennyMominFL]

Has anyone seen this? House Hunters, the musical, from Tosh.o.. It's a bit rude, so be warned. Starts about 30 second in

[BearCat49]

Yes, it's feasible,and it's done often.  You have to be able to tap into the existing plumbing, so they're often added near bathrooms and kitchens.  A bedroom on the other other side of a bathroom would be a good place to carve out a closet space for a washer/dryer combo, with a door in the hall.  Those 1920s buildings are very solid structurally even though the floorplans can sometimes be awkward.

 

Agree, izabella.  It's done often and that, quite frankly, makes me wonder why someone hadn't already done it.  The answer might be very simple - the other condo owners / homeowners' association (HOA).  That type of change would probably require HOA approval.  Unfortunately, although I agree with you that the 20's buildings are typically structurally solid, the other homeowners won't simply make that assumption.

 

In a larger association, a design committee might be involved.  For her smaller building, it'd probably require each of the other homeowners to sign off.  I suspect they'd require a structural engineer's report.  It's all easily doable but that might double the cost of installing a stackable unit.  Another possible cost might be a slight increase in her annual insurance premiums.  The add'l cost(s) is/are my guess as to why the homeowners continue to use the basement laundry.

Edited November 22, 2014 by BearCat49

[chessiegal]

Tonight's Las Vegas couple supplied so much for my husband and me to snark on. First, her make up and the intro saying she wanted a make up area. Yikes! Some times more is not better. Ditch the make up area. The need for a grand home for what? At least they didn't say entertaining. I believe her motive was resale value. Sorry - I have no need for a 4,000 sq ft house. When the husband said he wanted a house with a "medieval feel", I thought, what, he wants a moat? At the end the wife said he got the house he wanted with the "Renaissance" feel he wanted. Sorry, sweetheart, 2 different periods.

[MaKaM]

Naples, FL. Megan and hubby want to live the retired person life in their 20s. They are walking, talking cliches of the gimme mindset. As bad as the San Diego couple...maybe worse. They want a country club life but no formal dining room. And she will drive her golf cart to the gym. They were SO pretentious and noveau riche. They made the 4000 sq ft minimum princess and her medieval husband seem reasonable.

[goodygoody]

I was just coming here to comment on Naples. Listening to them yammer on I actually found myself thinking they were too young to own a home. Good god woman, shut up about the golf cart already! My just-a-hair-over-28 year old newlywed son and his wife live in Los Angeles and couldn't buy a room let alone a 2000 square foot house on a golf course for $290K. So, quit yer bitching about not having a pool in your backyard and be thankful for what you do have you tools!

[IAmJ]

When the husband said he wanted a house with a "medieval feel", I thought, what, he wants a moat? At the end the wife said he got the house he wanted with the "Renaissance" feel he wanted. Sorry, sweetheart, 2 different periods.

 

I thought the bar was pretty low there, but then, at the end, he also talked about the "proudness" he feels.

[BradandJanet]

Young couple to Naples episode: I showed my son what vocal fry is and how old women of his generation may have to speak in whispers because of damaged vocal cords. 

[laredhead]

Is the Naples episode a new one or a rerun and when did it air?  I couldn't find it listed and my DVR did not record it.

[Christine]

San Diego - just watched last night and agree with the entry into the Hall of Fame.  I don't judge appearances that much, but frankly the clown makeup for the first house had me mesmerized.  She seemed to tone it down a bit for later homes - or maybe it was having her hair down around her shoulders.

 

Drama queen.

[BearCat49]

Is the Naples episode a new one or a rerun and when did it air?  I couldn't find it listed and my DVR did not record it.

 

I believe I remember the episode they're referring to and yes, it's a rerun.  laredhead, do you mean when did it originally air or when did it air this week?  You probably know this but new episodes (U.S. version) only air between 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.  If your dvr's set up for new episodes only, it wouldn't have recorded it this week.  Hope that helps.

 

ETA:  According to the HGTV website, it aired Friday night at 11 p.m. so yes, that was definitely a rerun.

Edited November 23, 2014 by BearCat49

[mojito]

Do these Naples, FL chuckleheads even play golf? They wanted to be on a golf course and drive a golf cart, but I don't recall them mentioning that they even play the game. If not, they should go down in the Hall of Shame as one of the more pretentious couples.

[DownTheShore]

Her with her fan fixation, too? I was thinking, "Honey, what you need in Florida is air-conditioning nevermind the fans. Hot humid air being pushed around is still hot humid air."

[MaKaM]

Watching the couple wanting to buy in Evanston, IL with a 1M budget. The horror of having to look in Wilmette instead of Evanston, the horror! I have relatives in Wilmette and I seriously should have sucked up more to them if that is the pile of money in real estate they are sitting on. Wish they had toured more houses because Chicago's north shore is house porn heaven with the variety of house styles.

The choice was obvious though.

I disliked her need to swap out perfectly nice kitchens for similar kitchens with different finishes. His voice would drive me nuts if I had to listen to it on a constant basis.

[mojito]

Somewhere in Alabama to Somewhere in Tennessee.

 

She wanted a "fabulous" home.

 

She wanted a separate closet for her shoes. Has 100 pairs already, wants room to grow.

 

At least she had $275K to spend.

[Patti Jean]

And Ms Fabulous Shoe Lady wanted "hartwood" floors. Enunciate, for the love of all that is holy!

 

I really didn't like the house she picked. The house looked like it was dropped in the middle of a field. There was none of the lovely scenery we saw in the episode.

[izabella]

Watching the couple wanting to buy in Evanston, IL with a 1M budget. The horror of having to look in Wilmette instead of Evanston, the horror! I have relatives in Wilmette and I seriously should have sucked up more to them if that is the pile of money in real estate they are sitting on.

 

That drove me batty.  Can you imagine if they had been shown a house in...Kennilworth?!  Dude would have probably run screaming if he had to suffer living in a gorgeous house in a beautiful neighborhood 15 minutes away from Evanston.

[camom]

 

And Ms Fabulous Shoe Lady wanted "hartwood" floors. Enunciate, for the love of all that is holy!

 

In her "betroom."

[DownTheShore]

In her "betroom."

 

I laugh at that, but don't we all have our pronunciation idiosyncrasies, due to our regions?  LOL   We just don't recognize them because everyone else speaks the same way.

 

I remember one time a co-worker from another part of the country asked me if I was from the South.  I looked at her a bit oddly, because I was born and raised in central NJ.

[laredhead]

Birmingham to Nashville episode - did anyone else pay attention to the realtor's wardrobe?  It's like she was auditioning for something other than being a realtor.  The first outfit looked like shiny leather and the accompanying jewelry was huge.  The second one was a very short skirt with extremely high heels that probably did a number on hardwood floors, and the third dress was cut very low.  I have to admit I had to go back and rewatch some of the house tours because I was too distracted by her clothes and hair.  As for the HH and her family, none of those houses had 4 bedrooms, and while the first one had bedrooms that were probably large for the 2 boys to share, the one she bought had very small rooms.  Maybe the daughter was going away to college and did not plan to live at home for very long.  She seemed to be more concerned about her shoes than anything else.  The first house was the perfect one for her situation and ticked all her boxes, so to speak, but we all know that one was a red herring because someone was living there. 

[truther]

Birmingham to Nashville episode - did anyone else pay attention to the realtor's wardrobe?  It's like she was auditioning for something other than being a realtor.  The first outfit looked like shiny leather and the accompanying jewelry was huge.  The second one was a very short skirt with extremely high heels that probably did a number on hardwood floors, and the third dress was cut very low.

I'll be honest with you -- I could have watched her all day.  And not to sound like a pervy old man or anything, but from the angles and closeups they used I'm pretty sure that the camera operator and the director were on the same page as me.  I'll agree that when they first showed her and she had all that jewelry I thought she looked like she was trying too hard, just as you said.  But she went a little more basic in the latter two outfits. 

 

I've watched enough morons on this show that I feel like I've earned an episode of eye candy. 

[KLovestoShop]

Tonight's NY couple, Andie and Ronan, I liked the wife but did not like the husband at all. It seemed so much with him was me, me, me and not a lot of regard for anyone else. He complains about how much money it takes to upkeep a house, but he buys all kinds of weird crap. I was yelling at the TV "Hey, if you didn't buy so many strange things on eBay, you wouldn't have to worry about huge garages and storage sheds". Not only that, but how many people want to move away from a beautiful lake? Most people would kill to live on a lake, but can't afford it because lake houses are insanely expensive. And what was with him and the urinal?

[Honey]

And Ms Fabulous Shoe Lady wanted "hartwood" floors. Enunciate, for the love of all that is holy!

 

I really didn't like the house she picked. The house looked like it was dropped in the middle of a field. There was none of the lovely scenery we saw in the episode.

This drives me nuts!!  Hartwood, betroom.  For the love of Og, can I get a D please?

[laredhead]

The house in NY that Andie & Ronan bought must have been a foreclosure or estate since they bought all of the furnishings with it.  That or it was another elaborate fake story and all of that furniture was really theirs.  Some of it looked kind of out of date/style which is why I thought it might be an estate sale property.  Their backstory said she met him when she prepared his income taxes.  Did they ever say what he did to make all that money buying and selling on eBay?

[QuinnM]

 

Did they ever say what he did to make all that money buying and selling on eBay?

 

He owned a temporary employee business.

 

I know that area and the house they sold was worth much more than the house they bought.  I did see a for sale sign, Century 21, in the yard of their lake home.  I can't imagine ANYONE willingly moving from that lake to a non lake property.  People turn garages into bedrooms when they outgrow the house just to stay on the lake.  They weren't moving out of the area either.  

 

I noticed that all the furniture matched the drapes.  That's pretty dated so I can't imagine actually buying the furniture just to have it match the drapes.  Now as these things go the indoor pool means 12 months of pool instead of 6 months of pool.  But the walk to garage in the winter?  They get a lot of snow through the Finger Lakes so these people are just plain crazy.

[aliya]

I seem to have forgotten - what benefit do the HHs get? If we accept that the show is staged, that sometimes the other houses belong to staff or friends, and even if they are already in escrow (almost wrote 'foreclosure,' probably not too far from right with some of these folks), what do the HHs get for being on the show?  Even on 'My First House,' they used to get some furniture or a gift card. I'm not sure if getting my 15 minutes is worth being laughed at or disliked by the whole country.

[BearCat49]

I seem to have forgotten - what benefit do the HHs get? If we accept that the show is staged, that sometimes the other houses belong to staff or friends, and even if they are already in escrow (almost wrote 'foreclosure,' probably not too far from right with some of these folks), what do the HHs get for being on the show?  Even on 'My First House,' they used to get some furniture or a gift card. I'm not sure if getting my 15 minutes is worth being laughed at or disliked by the whole country.

 

The participant's stipend was $250 per person fairly recently.  Haven't heard about any changes - they receive numerous applications these days.

 

Not enough IMHO for the 50 hours (5 long 10 hour days) filming to score that 15 minutes of fame.

[BearCat49]

Tonight's NY couple, Andie and Ronan, I liked the wife but did not like the husband at all. It seemed so much with him was me, me, me and not a lot of regard for anyone else. He complains about how much money it takes to upkeep a house, but he buys all kinds of weird crap. I was yelling at the TV "Hey, if you didn't buy so many strange things on eBay, you wouldn't have to worry about huge garages and storage sheds". Not only that, but how many people want to move away from a beautiful lake? Most people would kill to live on a lake, but can't afford it because lake houses are insanely expensive. And what was with him and the urinal?

 

WRT his stuff, it appeared he could afford it.  They purchased the home with major upkeep and maintenance expenses.  (The complaints were the episode's red herring, IMHO.)  So, that's his problem, i.e. the storage, etc.  Ridiculous but whatever ...

 

Speculating here but the lake home appeared to be a vacation home - or could be used as one.  Have to wonder if they retained it.

 

WRT the precious urinal, tptb have each and every guy, IIRC, make those same, stupid urinal comments each and every time a urinal appears in a home!  Just sayin' ...

[BearCat49]

He owned a temporary employee business.

 

I know that area and the house they sold was worth much more than the house they bought.  I did see a for sale sign, Century 21, in the yard of their lake home.  I can't imagine ANYONE willingly moving from that lake to a non lake property.  People turn garages into bedrooms when they outgrow the house just to stay on the lake.  They weren't moving out of the area either.  

 

I noticed that all the furniture matched the drapes.  That's pretty dated so I can't imagine actually buying the furniture just to have it match the drapes.  Now as these things go the indoor pool means 12 months of pool instead of 6 months of pool.  But the walk to garage in the winter?  They get a lot of snow through the Finger Lakes so these people are just plain crazy.

 

Speculating (again) - perhaps they kept their lake home and that was her parents' home ???  Otherwise, why - just, why?  You never know, lol!

 

IIRC, they did say she'd grown up in the area.

Edited November 28, 2014 by BearCat49

[Mondrianyone]

I also thought it was likely one of their parents' home.  Not much about that whole story made sense.

[Pickles]

The house that the NY couple bought looked so dated to me! All of that matching fabric and wallpaper. Omg. I am wondering it was, in fact, her parents' home. That makes sense. When they toured the home, neither one of them made any negative comments regarding the hideous, dated interior design. If it was her parents' home, they would not want to offend them. It seems like otherwise, a few critical comments would have been made. She did say she had grown up in that same area.

[jcbrown]

I thought it was beyond weird that they did not make any comments about the decor of the house, not to mention that they bought the contents. It makes marginally more sense if it was one of their parents' homes.  So much nasty wallpaper and who in their right mind matches their curtains to their busy floral upholstery?

[laredhead]

The style of decorating in the NY house was popular years ago.  I agree with other comments about this episode that the house was probably her parents house or that of another relative.  It was extremely odd that absolutely nothing was said about the decor which would make sense if they did not want to offend someone they know.  if they sold their previous house for more than what they paid for this one, then they can afford to install a tennis court and break even or better.  I agree about the detached garage.  I did not see any covered parking next to the house, but that angle might have been missed in the exterior shots.  I would want covered parking before putting in a tennis court, but that's just my preference.

[peggy06]

BearCat49, I suppose I should have seen it coming that they'd buy the high-cost maintenance house, just because the husband harped and harped on it so much. I didn't like the house all that much. Maybe it was the pool that sealed the deal. Nothing else stood out.  If it was a parent's house, that begins to explain some of the oddness of the episode.

 

I liked their original house best.

 

laredhead, I agree about prioritizing covered parking - actually, a garage would be mandatory for me in that area - over a tennis court etc.

Edited November 29, 2014 by peggy06

[MsTree]

Someone up thread said it takes 50 hours to tape an episode with the HHs...what the heck takes so long? Re-shoots of them walking up & down the stairs? Seems like an awfully long time. I can tour 100+ houses in less than that.

[QuinnM]

You know those matching 14 foot drapes and furniture cost like private plane money back in the day. So if it was her parents home that girl comes from money.

WTH? Just clearing out the tivo and there is a pop'd HH? I've not seen this before but it is very irritating. Does anyone know if this is a repeat that's been pop'd (like pop up videos in the olden days when MTV played music)?

We had stripper pole, house like I grew up in, virtually every HH cliche.

[NYGirl]

WTH? Just clearing out the tivo and there is a pop'd HH? I've not seen this before but it is very irritating. Does anyone know if this is a repeat that's been pop'd (like pop up videos in the olden days when MTV played music)?

We had stripper pole, house like I grew up in, virtually every HH cliche.

I was just coming here to say how much I loved the stripper pole couple.  They were so much fun and very nice..no negativity.  I LOVED the pop ups too.  I was laughing the whole time.  They're on my top 10 favorite HHs.  As long as they make me laugh rather than curse at them, I like them.

[ByaNose]

There's a HH: Where Are They Now? Marathon. Most of the couple's are really nice and did a great job fixing them up. Also, there was a mega rich couple from Philly who needed a getaway in the Virgin Island of St. John's. The kicker was they got divorced since they bought the place and it looks like he's in control of it & renting it out to other rich people. Ah! The good life.

[Bastet]

Someone up thread said it takes 50 hours to tape an episode with the HHs...what the heck takes so long?

 

Filming anything is a s-l-o-w process thanks to all the stops and starts (set up equipment, get the lighting right, shoot from different angles, do retakes when something gets messed up, etc. - and lather, rinse, repeat for each room they're touring).