HGTV has killed the housing market. Yes, it’s true. Shows like Love It or List It have turned would be home buyers into cynical, picky, whiny nut jobs. Potential home buyers tour homes and snarl up their noses at what appear to be decent homes to the average home buyer. But lack of “granite countertops” and “media rooms” turn many homes into house “orphans”. HGTV has other assassins as well, Property Brothers. Where 2 brothers take a dilapidated home and turn it into a stunning home for pennies on the dollar. Now I know this happens in real life. With people who are their own general contractor and super-duper- handyman, but for the layman, no way. They always show how “cheap” they get items but always fail to mention how much the labor cost them. Granted they are doing the work themselves, but that’s great if you happen to have a crew of ready and willing contractors at your disposal. Not for the weekend warrior my friend.

Bottom line, these shows are killing the housing market by filling potential home buyers heads with a bunch of fluff and preconceived ideas of quality and design that should be in every home. I remember my first home. While brand new, it did not have hardwood floors, a media center, or granite countertops. Because it was what I could AFFORD! Wake up people! Learn to live within your means.