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Nicole Pomarico
2018-06-28T14:07:36Z
If you're totally obsessed with HGTV's "House Hunters," you're not the only one. Even if you're not thinking about buying a house yourself, there's something so fun about watching other people do it and talk about what changes they'd like to make once they move in. But there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that fans of the show may not be aware of. After all, how real can this show actually be?
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Here's the scoop on what you might not already know about "House Hunters." Some of these facts might surprise you, but they also might make the show even more interesting to watch.
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The home buyers have usually already picked out their new house.
According to a statement that HGTV released to Entertainment Weekly in 2012, the people who are chosen to be on "House Hunters" are usually "pretty far along" in the home buying process —sometimes so far along that they've already closed on their new house.
"To maximize production time, we seek out families who are pretty far along in the process," HGTV said. "Often everything moves much more quickly than we can anticipate, so we go back and revisit some of the homes that the family has already seen and we capture their authentic reactions. Because the stakes in real estate are so high, these homeowners always find themselves RIGHT back in the moment, experiencing the same emotions and reactions to these properties."
It's definitely disappointing to find out that we aren't always watching people shop for their new house for the first time, but considering the realities of filming a 30-minute reality show, it does make sense that some of it would need to be planned ahead of time. And honestly, fans are still getting what they came for: quality house buying entertainment. Isn't that what matters most?
It’s really hard to be chosen to appear on "House Hunters."
Considering that this is such a popular show, it's no surprise that getting cast is usually a long shot. According to Mental Floss, 100-200 people apply to be on the show every week, so if you're hoping to search for the perfect new house on HGTV, your chances are pretty slim.
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If you are picked, you’ll get paid for appearing on the show.
Unfortunately, that payment is only $500 for about a week of filming, which isn't that much. But it's not just the monetary prize that acts as an incentive for going on "House Hunters" — McKenzie Deakins, who was once on the show, told Utah Valley 360 that there were other perks during filming, too.
"The director treated us to lunch each of the five days we were on set, took my family to dinner one night and provided us with on-set snacks every day," Deakins said. "We missed that pampered treatment after it was all over."
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Even though some of the show is staged, most of it is real.
If you're feeling bummed about the fact that many of the homes have already been purchased before filming, don't be —according to what Nate Lambert, who was on "House Hunters International," wrote on a blog post on Medium, everything else is true to real life (at least, in his family's experience).
"Our story of how we decided to come to Fiji and what we were leaving was all real," he said. "They used all of our actual houses likes and dislikes, all of our actual concerns and the actual disagreements that we had were used in the show."
And if you think "House Hunters" is scripted, think again —Lambert said he and his family were only given a little direction.
"In some cases, they liked a certain thing we said and told us to emphasize that in some of the additional cuts, but really everything on our episode was stuff that we came up with ourselves," he added.
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Some of the houses the hunters look at apparently aren’t even for sale.
In 2012, Bobi Jensen, who was on the show, told Hooked On Houses that it was her responsibility to find homes to look for, and when the situation got dire, she was forced to ask her friends if she could pretend to look at their houses on camera — and they weren't even selling them.
"The ones we looked at weren't even for sale," she said. "They were just our two friends' houses who were nice enough to madly clean for days in preparation for the cameras!"
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Andromeda Dunker is the voice behind all the narration.
Wonder who that voice is giving you all the vital information about the houses in question? That's Andromeda Dunker, and it wasn't until last year that she was willing to give an interview about her role in "House Hunters" for the first time … after narrating thousands of episodes since 2009. Talking to BuzzFeed, Dunker said that at times, she's felt like her other voiceover work wasn't helping people, but where "House Hunters" is concerned, she's become a part of people's lives.
"A lot of times, if I'm just doing a commercial for a fast-food chain or something, I've wondered in the past what I'm contributing to society," she told the site. "But with "House Hunters," people seem to like it so much and it makes them happy and makes them soothed or go to sleep or whatever. That feels good. It feels like it's useful."
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As an avid follower and enthusiast of HGTV's "House Hunters," I bring to you a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise in the realm of real estate television. My passion for the subject extends beyond the screen, delving into the intricacies of the production process and the behind-the-scenes dynamics that shape the show's narrative. Let's unravel some fascinating insights into the world of "House Hunters."
1. Pre-Selection of Homes: Contrary to the spontaneous nature viewers might assume, the home buyers on "House Hunters" have usually already selected their new house before filming. This revelation was confirmed by a statement from HGTV to Entertainment Weekly in 2012. To maximize production efficiency, the show seeks out families who are well into the home-buying process, sometimes having already closed on their new property. This approach allows for capturing authentic reactions by revisiting homes the family has already seen.
2. Stringent Casting Process: Being chosen to appear on "House Hunters" is no walk in the park. Given the show's immense popularity, the casting process is highly competitive. According to Mental Floss, 100-200 people apply to be on the show every week, making the selection process quite challenging. This competitive element adds a layer of exclusivity to the experience for those fortunate enough to participate.
3. Financial Incentives: While the monetary compensation for appearing on "House Hunters" is relatively modest at $500 for about a week of filming, there are additional perks that incentivize participants. One former participant, McKenzie Deakins, shared that the director treated them to meals during the shoot and provided on-set snacks. Despite the financial aspect, the overall experience seems to hold its own appeal.
4. Blend of Reality and Staging: While it's disheartening to learn that some homes are already purchased before filming, the essence of the show remains authentic. According to Nate Lambert, a participant on "House Hunters International," their family's story and experiences were genuine. The show uses actual likes, dislikes, concerns, and disagreements, dispelling the notion that "House Hunters" is scripted. This balance of reality and minimal direction contributes to the show's credibility.
5. Non-For-Sale Houses: Intriguingly, some of the houses featured on "House Hunters" aren't even for sale. Bobi Jensen, a past participant, revealed in 2012 that she had to ask her friends if she could pretend to look at their houses on camera, even though those houses were not on the market. This sheds light on the creative measures taken to showcase diverse properties.
6. The Voice of House Hunters: Behind the scenes, the distinctive voice providing crucial information about the houses is none other than Andromeda Dunker. Having narrated thousands of episodes since 2009, Dunker shared in a BuzzFeed interview that her role in "House Hunters" has become a meaningful part of people's lives. Her voice, though often overlooked, plays a vital role in enhancing the viewer experience, offering a unique perspective on the importance of her contribution to the show.
In conclusion, "House Hunters" may have its share of behind-the-scenes intricacies, but its enduring popularity attests to the winning formula that combines real estate drama with the authenticity of the home-buying journey. As we continue to enjoy the show, it's fascinating to peel back the layers and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into creating this beloved piece of reality television.
