HGTV: Are those "house-hunter" renovation shows really just Gentrification in the process? (real estate)

[I Love Buildings]

So many shows where millennials these days are buying new urban condominiums like you see on Curbed LA or Urbanize LA. I'm not gonna lie i do watch some of the episodes of shows on HGTV to see how the interior of the buildings came to be.

Everytime i'm on HGTV, it seems like there are all these commerials for shows like "First Time Flippers", "Flipper Floppers", and "The Property Brothers" just to name a few.

[Ohky0815]

I think its because they are being taught money money money...also that they dont have to work for anything. AKA instant gratification.

[jm1982]

Real estate is cool/hip again, since about 2013 or so it seems.
Remember in 2008-2012 or so all you heard about was 'toxic mortgages' and massive foreclosures?
The media told everyone real estate was bad ,bad,bad.
Then when prices rose back up they started writing articles like
"Why NOW might be a smart time to buy a home"

The flipping shows are pretty much real estate porn.

[sc129]

Definitely, yes. It is also a big problem in NYC.
House Flipping in NYC Threatens the American Dream: Study - Curbed NY

One of my used-to-be favorite shows is also turned into fast money making manuals.

It breaks my heart to see when they crushed well-functioning kitchen cabinets or replaced the perfectly fine but old windows or fireplaces for aesthetic reasons. What a waste.

[Ceece]

I'm all for fixing up, especially replacing old windows that may look awesome but function terribly. Making a better flow is ok too because a bad layout is just bad not matter how much marble and stainless you put in. My biggest grip is how generic everything looks when they are done, but I suppose that's preferable to ugly-custom if you want to sell a place. Well, that and knocking down every wall in sight to create a cavern or "open space" with no visual or audio privacy for anyone. Yuck.

[jtamay3]

Originally Posted by Ceece

I'm all for fixing up, especially replacing old windows that may look awesome but function terribly. Making a better flow is ok too because a bad layout is just bad not matter how much marble and stainless you put in. My biggest grip is how generic everything looks when they are done, but I suppose that's preferable to ugly-custom if you want to sell a place. Well, that and knocking down every wall in sight to create a cavern or "open space" with no visual or audio privacy for anyone. Yuck.

May not be what you prefer, but in Real Estate, it's generally one of the basic rules. If someone wants to enclose a space, they can, but if you're looking to re-sell, the less personality your house has, the better.

You're always told to take down personal photos, open up all areas(to give the house a sense of also being bigger than what it is), paint using neutral colors, and have the latest and greatest for Windows and Doors to cut down on noise and wasted energy. Most people want a house that's move in ready that will also allow them to save on coin, not dump more into it.

[West of Encino]

Definitely.