SELLING NEW YORK on HGTV

yes

Agent Richard Steinberg, a regular, is someone who comes to mind. What a self serving egomaniac!

"The show gives next to no insight however on the financial aspects of buying a home and there is no attention paid to those with much smaller budgets who may be looking to rent or buy something that is not outrageously priced."

Um, do you realize how TELEVISION works??

No one tunes in for an economic lesson. They want to be entertained -- with as much bling as possible.

Why are you not railing about how "Desperate Housewives" pays no attention to the vast majority of married women who remain true to their vows and don't spread their legs for every deliveryman and pizza boy who happen upon their doorstep?

They did do that one with Maggie Kent tarting up a standard post-war one-bedroom in the East 20s. It'd be better if they focused less on new construction, but I guess established buildings don't want camera crews, etc.

I remember some regular NYC apartments on another HGTV channel, House Hunters maybe, where Brian Lewis would turn up occasionally.

Well Matt, streeteasy.com (from what I gather) is a real estate website and SNY is about real estate. If I wanted to talk about about DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, why would I discuss it here?

And yes bling is good, but it's only a partial reality of the real estate maze. And it would be nice to see a show with a bit more REALITY (or perhaps actuality).

And Anonymous, as someone who works in the television industry I'm trying to explain to you that "Selling New York" is no more "real estate" than "Desperate Housewives" is a lesson in matrimony.

It's T E L E V I S I O N.

Entertainment.

And particularly since it's a national show, the national audience really doesn't give two whacks about monthly maintenance, co-op board interviews, and post-closing liquidity. They want to see fabulous kitchens and gawk over $58,000 sofas -- and maybe copy a few design ideas into their otherwise drab Middle American homes.

Matt, relax a little. This is all an observation. And my comments were geared more toward the (majority of) the agents who are on the show.

Wow, didn't expect such strident feedback.

Matt, I think most of us TOTALLY get what you are saying. I am not in the TV industory and I don't really like that particular aspect of TV, and I STILL get your point. AnonymousUser is probably doing this for attention--so don't give it to him/her!

Yeah, as if someone from Kentucky would watch "Selling NY," if it were to feature a potential buyer (a church lady with no personality) and her agent (who also works as a public school teacher), trying to get a deal on a $40,000 coop in Jackson Heights, Queens...for a potential cobroke commisson of $1,200... Oy.

AnonymousUser, you find one of the more innocuous reality shows on television to be "appalling" and yet you tell NYCMatt that he needs to "relax a little?" Here's hoping you don't tune in to Million Dollar Listing: NYC...

Why is everybody here looking to fight? This was an observation about a TV show, not about who are what is the great bellweather of accurate depictions according to public taste. I simply observed that this show does not represent enough of the reality that is NY real estate.

Anyway, before I dare make another comment - I promise I will consult Matt in the future as he so clearly hasthe market cornered on the truth.

"I simply observed that this show does not represent enough of the reality that is NY real estate."

And as a television producer, I'm explaining to you why you will never see the "reality" of New York real estate on a national cable channel -- it would be ratings suicide.

Thank you Matt. I appreciate the clarity.

Guess it's then safe to say that anything affordable in NY must be a dump

I love posters like AnonymousUser, they purposely bait people, then go "Hey, what's the problem man?!"

It's called passive aggressive.

The show probably ticks you off because you can't afford a better home, because you have a lousy job/life/relationships, because you are a passive aggressive jerk and no one wants to hire/love/live with you.

Strident enough for you? I think you're pugnacious, how's that for vocab 101?

We won't miss you when you're gone AU.

"Guess it's then safe to say that anything affordable in NY must be a dump."

No.

It's safe to say that the national television viewing audience is not interested in watching a schoolteacher look at dismal and tragic one-bedroom apartments in Queens while she scrapes together a downpayment.

I find the show totally unrealistic, but completely entertaining. I think it's hilarious that the brokers throw "fabulous parties" with sushi and champagne to lure buyers. They walk around Manhattan in pointy stilletto heels and look as if they should be in traction, all in the name of "selling expensive real estate."

What's even better are the side-splitting recaps provided by the CURBED website.

I freakin' LOVE the show!! It is the best kind of reality show because it makes you hate people, scream at the TV, feel smarter than everyone on it, marvel at how arrogant people can be... oh! I could go on. Just LOVE it. What could be more fun than selling condos in weird or downright lousy locations from one problematic development after another and which have sat on the market for years and acting as if they are fabulous prizes? Or listening to that idiot from CORE espouse pearls to his brokers like "To sell this property you are going to have to price it correctly." It's all delicious. I can't believe anyone would criticize it or fail to find it hilarious.

"To sell this property you are going to have to price it correctly."

LOL, that sure sounds like Shawn Osher to me!

Isle and Kyle - that's essentially what I mean. And while a lot of it is visually pleasing, it's excessive and frankly, while Matt does point out that lower asset, money scrapers don't rake in an audience, I *personally* would like to see a little more diversity. And no it doesn't have to be some hick who doesn't know anything about anything. And again, with the exception of the Kleiers, I find the agents unprofessional and self-serving. But sure, I guess we could leave out the 'picking up loose pennies to come up with a down payment'.

My best friend just bought a condo in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn and yes it was a process that didn't flow with ease, but the end result was great (the developer alotted a gated section of roof space to sync up with the bank's appraisal). This is an example of sories I'd like to see reflected in this show. But again, I'm not a TV producer who deals in ratings.

If you want something more gentle and nominally useful, there is "Property Virgins."

But if you are a real TV connoisseur who relishes the very worst programming available, then on top of Selling NY, tune into the cringe-inducing brilliance of:
Real Housewives of NJ
Real Housewives of NY
The A-List NY
The A-List Dallas
Gigilos
The Bachelor, Bachelorette, or the superb Bachelor Pad

The real test of a show's worthiness is how many cast members per episode discuss what is "classy" and who has no class.

These shows cast generally despicable people behaving badly because they have a mutant fame-whore gene that places so much importance on being on television that they are willing to publicly humiliate themselves, their families and their children.

what? no Jersy Shore?

I found the california show (was it million dollar listing?) far superior to Selling NY in every way.
Of course living in NY and knowing how much of the show is BS may contribute.

Kyle, Yes Property Virgins is a good show. Brooks2, if only Italy had actually taken the JERSEY SHORE cast into custody as happened to Amanda Knox. On the other hand, I'm not sure how many U.S. citizens would have been vying for their safe return.

"My best friend just bought a condo in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn and yes it was a process that didn't flow with ease, but the end result was great (the developer alotted a gated section of roof space to sync up with the bank's appraisal). This is an example of sories I'd like to see reflected in this show."

Unfortunately no one outside of New York City has an interest in seeing that.

Nor do most of New Yorkers, for that matter.

My gosh, yes!
NJ Shore
Million Dollar Listing!!!!!! Oh, how I miss Chad-bot. Vile people. Just vile.

Truthskr10, I remember when the LA show pilot premiered and a few friends here actually complained that the show was classless compared to SNY. There was young guy buying a place and the agent and he agreed the bedroom was great for a bachelor (not explicity saying how great his sex life was about to become). Then nothing for a while and they said "Guess that didn't make a big spalsh." So, judging from others around me were saying, I was kind of surprised it did last but now I like it.

I miss Bethenny. Born for TV, but Bravo probably can't afford her now that she's got money. One of her many classic lines was "Why would you be on a reality show if you have nothing to sell?"

The Real Housewives Beverly Hills is pretty amazing. Nothing can match Camille Grammar's complete lack of self awareness. Alas, she's learned her lesson and is much tamer this season.

I can't wait for Million Dollar Listing: NY starring our very favorite porn star turned real estate agent!

AnonymousUser: why don't you try House Hunters? They showcase people looking for houses at a wide spectrum of price points. They even have an international edition.

Managing one's public image is a very difficult task--so much so that most celebs hire people to do that with/for them. Nowhere is this point more evident than in the naive attempts of reality show cast members to control their persona. Lightening may strike on occasion and the attempt may be a success: see, for example, Bethany. For the rest, though, management is impossible and you are subject to editing story lines and your own inability to hide uglier parts of yourself for very long. Jill Zarin crashed and burned--she completely misunderstood the medium and has paid for it I think. Teresa of Housewives of NJ is an utter mess frantically trying to spin her image; she needs to come up with $8,000,000 to get her family out of debt, but after the pyre she found herself on this season, I suspect she'll be reduced an ash pile by the end of next season from which there will be no phoenix-like resurrection. Simon from Housewives of NY was so desperate to be relevant and somehow parlay that into an income that he ended up making an ass of himself and consigning himself to being a ridiculous buffoon--I doubt there is a second act for him. Chad what's-his-name from Million $ Listing was so self-unaware that his pompous ridiculousness and degrading treatment of his girlfriend may have cost him enough listings that he sulked away from the lime light to lick his wounds and attempt to somehow reassemble a life.

Fame is not for the faint of hear or people unwilling to emerge a fool or pariah just to have 15 minutes in the spot light. If you don't have something to sell, why would you do this to yourself--Bethany was 100% right. You better know how to use the show as much as it will use you and spit you out.

i think Snookie and the Sitch will make it

Snookie manages her image well--perhaps because it is very close to who she actually is and it requires little manipulation. The Situation seems to be imploding and increasingly unlikeable. We'll see about him.

i was beeing sarcastic-- none will make it

Well, you'll have to define "make it." I think Snookie is reported to have earned more than several million dollars last year. Back then she earned $20,000 per appearance in addition to the $30,000 per episode. I'd say she's doing pretty well. Snitch reported made over $5,000,000 last year.

I actually felt sorry for The Situation following his disastrous Trump roast appearance. But then again, it's the viewing public's fault (myself included bc I did watch the first season) for turning them into celebrities.

Buster - yes I watch all the home-buying shows on HGTV and yes they do have greater diversity. And for in general I like them all.

Teresa seems to have gotten herself on to Dancing with the Stars so perhaps she's figuring it out. Ha!

All of you have failed to mention the fabulousness of Flipping Out. That gets into the reality of dealing with contractors that fail to deliver on what they said, firing family employees and of course buying your maid a face lift for their birthday.

KW, sometime off-board remind me to tell you my RHONY story.

ali

I just experienced a side effect of "Selling NY," so I thought I'd share the story on this thread. An out-of-town acquaintance is staying w/ me this weekend. Being a good hostess, I just asked her what she wanted to do. She said she wanted to go "open house hopping." Naturally, I said "Huh?"

Apparently, this is a new fad among non-New Yorkers who are into "Selling NY." While they are in town, they'd go to open houses at Manhattan apartments they have no intention (or financial means) of purchasing. I suppose the appeal is that she'd be able to pretend as though she were one of those fabulous buyers on the show...

She says some websites even list "openhouse hopping" as a recommended free activity in NYC! Hmmmmm... Makes you think, doesn't it?

they probably are the "cash" bidders...

Ali, I'd love to hear the tale. Perhaps you would like to have coffee some time. Never met anyone from the SE universe, but I think it would be fun to meet you.

Kw: deal. writing you at what I think your gmail is.

ali

"Apparently, this is a new fad among non-New Yorkers who are into Selling NY."

Are you kidding me? This is a very *old* fad (I guess that means it's not a "fad" at all) for NATIVE New Yorkers! I know so many people who go open houes hopping, just to keep pulse with the market, see new apartments, and to get a sense of what their own place is worth. And they have fun doing it.

Real Estate Porn. It's one of New York's biggest industries, always has been, always will be. Maybe the next "fad" will be a website devoted solely to New York real estate......

Lucy, yes, that's right. Now we have out-of-towners doing the same for different reasons/motives. The "out-of-town open house hoppers" have no vested interest in NYC RE (unlike the locals, who typically has some connection, such as the reason you cite).

Incidentally, I know of many local hoppers who ended up selling/buying, so local hopping isn't necessarily a bad thing... Also, regarding your comment on RE porn... I think we already have such participants on this board.

I personally suspect that when I read postings that are overly simplistic ("20% lower across the board in NYC since 2008!") or unnecessarily negative/clearly misinformed ("If you think the resale market in new constructions/conversions has picked up over the summer, you are wrong!"). Also, I think someone once called me an idiot when I mentioend that those new(er) constructions on West Broadway on/near Canal were more "Chinatown" than "Soho" or "Tribeca"--the person was clearly unfamiliar with the location.

CB, I see that I misunderstood your original post. I thought you were implying that out-of-towners *invented* the concept of open house hopping. Your post above shows otherwise. I especially agree with that last paragraph.

Luv your moniker, by the way. :)