5 Reality Home Shows That Aren't Real (& 5 We Think Are)
The world of reality television is quite a confusing one. But that doesn't keep us from indulging in our favorite show, no matter how unrealistic they can come across as. However, sometimes we can't help but wonder just how much is true and how much is completely scripted? How far do producers go to make the audience's favorite series seem either completely fake or absolutely real?
And particularly when it comes to home shows, we often have to take a step back and ponder. Just in case you are part of this club, we've done some research for you. Are you ready to embark on this somewhat real journey? Keep reading!
10 Fake: House Hunters
Both House Hunters and House Hunters International have been around for quite some time. Decades, in fact! And they became a staple of reality home shows, where audiences can partake in the journey of people who are looking for their dream house, getting to choose between three different houses. It's exciting, but, turns out, it's also very fake.
The houses we see are usually ones that those who are looking for their new home have already visited. Plus, very often, when the show is filmed, the house had already been chosen and bought. The emotions and reactions we see are all staged, and the decision-making process is all an act. It's still very much enjoyable, though!
9 Think It's Real: My First Place
My First Place follows the struggles and adventures of people who are looking to buy real estate for the first time. The show truly resonated with audiences and ran for an impressive 22 seasons. Everything you can think of when it comes to the perils of buying a house is depicted on the show, including unexpected expenses and auction wars.
Because all of these things are a bit too familiar for anyone who's ever been in the shoes of the first-time home buyers, we believe there's a very strong possibility the show is real. Unlike many other reality home shows, this one isn't all fun and games and is a true lesson for anyone who wants to enter the turbulent waters of home-owning.
8 Fake: Fixer Upper
Fixer Upper originally ran from 2013 to 2018, and it followed married couple Chip and Joanna Gaines in their struggles to turn fixer-upper places into beautiful homes. Their goal is to give the citizens of Waco, Texas the house of their dreams through extreme renovations. What's not to love?
Well, perhaps the reality of it. One of the best parts of the show is that they show their clients three houses in need of repair, and the client chooses one. Much like in House Hunters, the client already owns the house they end up choosing. Plus, all the beautiful interior design Joanna chooses only gets to stay if the homeowners are willing to pay. At least the renovation is real!
7 Think It's Real: Flip Or Flop
Flip Or Flop does a wonderful job of marrying the exciting world of renovations with the uncertain real estate market economy. The overall premise of the show is that real estate agents Tarek and Christina buy old homes and flip them into houses they end up selling, and making some serious profit in the end.
Even though there are have been some questions on whether or not the profit they make is accurate, there's no reason to believe the show is fake. Tarek and Christina actually buy houses and put all the work into renovating and selling them. Compared to many other reality home shows out there, this one seems pretty real.
6 Fake: Beachfront Bargain Hunt
Who doesn' want to own a beach house in a dream location that overlooks the ocean? The answer is probably no one, which is why Beachfront Bargain Hunt was such a hit with audiences. Following home-buyers who wanted to find their dream beach house for a decent price - meaning, not a fortune - there was plenty to be excited about.
However, it turns out the show isn't quite as real as one might think. There was even an instance where a realtor was contacted to be on the show, with a series of demands - the clients had to already have purchased a home, it had to be under a certain price, and, of course, beachfront. She ended up using her own home on the show, and they all pretended it was Summer while it was actually freezing cold. Ups!
5 Think It's Real: Tiny Luxury
Tiny Luxury represented a breath of fresh air when compared to other reality home shows. As opposed to showing or building everyone huge mansions that were always over the top, the show focused on homeowners who wanted to trade their big houses for smaller places, in order to live a more stable lifestyle.
While it's quite the challenge, it's a fun and inspiring show to follow. There is no reason to believe any part of the show is fake since people actually do trade their big homes and start living smaller. What happens after the show is unclear, but it's believable many people stay true to their new ways of life. A lot more real than others out there!
4 Fake: Property Brothers
Reality television is a sucker for anything family-related. That's probably one of the reasons why twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott became such a hit in the first place. One is a realtor, the other one is a contractor. Together, they help families choose a fixer-upper that is then renovated. Everyone is happy, and people get new houses! Right?
Well, kind of. To be able to be on the show, families need to be in the process of buying or renovating a house, which makes the realtor's part of the show completely fake. Plus, the timelines on the show are completely unrealistic, although that's the lesser of two evils. The best part was always seeing a family falling in love with a house and believing they couldn't have it.
3 Think It's Real: Hoarders
It might not be your typical reality home show, but it still counts. And boy oh boy, does it work when it comes to keeping audiences glued to their screens! Hoarders has been around for ten seasons and snatched a Primetime Emmy in the process. Following the lives of different people with hoarding issues, the show is a guilty pleasure for many.
Over its entire run, there hasn't been a single whisper questioning the reality of the show. Television will go to great lengths in order to ensure viewers, but faking hoarding isn't one of them. For what it's worth, Hoarders is probably one of the realest reality television shows out there.
2 Fake: Love It Or List It
Love It Or List It had a pretty interesting premise. It showcased the sometimes over-the-top competition between an interior designer and a realtor. While the first one focused on decorating the homeowner's existing house, the latter found a new one. In the end, contestants had to choose between their newly decorated house or the new one found by the realtor. Pretty cool!
Also, pretty fake. The show was on the air for a few years, but soon enough plenty of relevant information came up. Including a couple who sued the show for leaving holes and paint in their house, and another contestant who disclosed the show filmed both potential endings and chose the one the producers liked best, whether it was true or not. Apparently, they did this for almost every single episode that aired.
1 Think It's Real: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Very few reality home shows leave us weeping and holding our chest quite like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition did. There's a reason why the show aired for nine seasons and won two Primetime Emmy Awards, right? And a lot of it had to do with the fact that the stories of the families who were featured on the show were simply heartbreaking.
But the show was quick to warm our hearts and fill us with joy when the team worked day and night to rebuild the houses of these families. Unlike the other shows on this list, there was probably no caveat. And it was beautiful!