No signs of slowing for real estate TV

NEW YORK -- Oct. 5, 2006 -- When it comes to real estate television shows, these days reality TV should be renamed fantasy TV.

"Million Dollar Listing," which has its season finale this week on Bravo, is one of several reality shows -- others include "House Hunters" on HGTV and "Flip This House" on A&E -- that base much of their drama on home buying and selling. But the real estate boom they depict is a fading memory.

Bravo has to decide whether to renew the show. Lauren Zalaznick, Bravo’s president, indicates the popular show will probably be back. "One of the beauties of this show is that in a down market or in an up market, there’s interesting stories to be told," she says.

A&E and HGTV’s real estate shows are less tied to the fortunes of the market. HGTV’s "House Hunters" relies on the drama of first-time buyers trying to make a decision. A&E’s "Flip This House," follows investors who buy homes, renovate them, and try to sell them at a profit. Even though the market is slower, their respective producers say both shows are likely to be renewed.

As one investor, Sam Leccima, who was regularly featured this season on "Flip This House," says, "Real estate works off a wonderful pendulum. As soon as it goes down, you can expect it will go back up."

Source: The New York Times, Jeremy W. Peters (10/03/06)

© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Questions, comments or suggestions on this article? Have a news tip? Send a letter to the editor to: Newseditor@floridarealtors.org.