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Even though I know most of the dialogue is "scripted," I find it interesting that the realtors in the European countries are more frank and blunt with their buyers.

Have you all noticed the remarks and looks on some of their faces? Priceless!

Once again: The dialogue is not scripted, never was. There are no cue cards and no Prompters. Repeat: not scripted.

If you perceive European realtors talking so bluntly, it's because they are talking like themselves. Now, what that says about the American realtors, who knows?

I know you've said that before, Aychi, but isn't it an "unusual coincidence" that the buyers ALL remark about:

* Natural Light

* Enough room in the Closet for MY stuff, but Not Yours

* The rooms are "A Little Small"

* I'm Afraid Little Johnny will Fall Down the Stairs

* I Can See The Neighbors

* Etc. Etc. Etc.

That's the way real people who are untrained and nervous in front of a camera sound. They make banal, cliched remarks.

They may be coached to expand on their comments or clarify them, but they are NOT given a script. If they were scripted, they would sound a heckuva of a lot more articulate, but also stilted.

Take it from me; I used to do this kind of stuff for a living for a major mortgage/ financial institution, directing real people(customers), not actors, for a variety of testimonial film and video projects. We did not use cue cards and scripts. They spoke in their own words. Just like the HH homebuyers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aychihuahua,

You forgot to mention that the buyers all want:

"Stainless Steel"

"Granite"

"Hardwood"

"Big fenced yard, no neighbors"

"Under $100,000"

And this is not scripted???

NO, NO, a thousand times NO. It is not scripted.

Think about it: people who apply to appear on HH are already big-time HH viewers. Of course, they are going to chatter stupidly about stainless or granite in front of the camera because that's all they hear and see on HGTV and think that's what they need or want in their next home.

They don't have cue cards or Prompters to read from. If they did, they would look straight at the camera as they read aloud. They don't. The cameras follow them around as they talk candidly like relatively normal people, which is to say, not particularly brilliant or insightful. Generally, the director will brief the homeowners or ask them to clarify or repeat their own words. That's it.

I had the interesting experience of assisting a real estate agent during several open houses some years back. I didn't exactly eavesdrop, but I could hear the prospective buyers as they toured the home, and some of their remarks were exactly like the utterances of the HH homebuyers: "Oh, I don't like that wall color." "Ugh, that rug's gotta go." "Ooh, love the kitchen counters." "Where will I fit my bicycle or treadmill." Ask any realtor.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aychihuahua,

I think many on here have the mistaken impression that because the outcome is predetermined - the entire show is fictional. It is supposed to be a representation of their search for a house. I think Aychihuahua pretty well nailed it - yes they are coached but don't ask non-actors to do script - big mistake!

I do have an issue with the American real estate agents they show - or perhaps I work differently from other agents - they all sound like seller's agents on the show. They go through and talk about how absolutely wonderful everything is in the house even though it only meets one of the buyer's criteria. I tend to be more honest with my buyers. Right up front I will say - well you know you want, a, b, c, and d but in your price range we might be able to find a & c but not all 4.

While walking through a property if the kitchen stinks - yep, you're right the kitchen is rather rough and you will have to take that into consideration if you choose this property.

Oh, I believe ya, Aychi - I'm just "yanking your chain."

quote:

Posted Oct 01, 2012 02:38 PM Hide Post
I think many on here have the mistaken impression that because the outcome is predetermined - the entire show is fictional. It is supposed to be a representation of their search for a house.

I do have an issue with the American real estate agents they show - or perhaps I work differently from other agents - they all sound like seller's agents on the show.

BINGO, Charming. It's called a re-creation of an actual event, after the fact.

As for the US agents, I noticed that, too. Too eager to please. Definitely don't sound like buyers agents to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aychihuahua,

I may just be fortunate enough to have honest agents with the last homes I've bought, but these gals were great - they kept me focused on what was on my wish list, told me the nitty gritty of the houses we toured and altho she probably wasn't technically supposed to, the last one did tell me if a neighborhood was decent or not (I was moving here from out of state). Also, neither of them batted an eye if I wanted to see a home more than once, or twice - or even 4x if I were trying to narrow it down.
I cringe when I see the agents on HH breezing thru a property that has no actual resemblance to what the prospective buyer actually wanted and/or tells them "easy fix" when anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it will take major bucks/time to get whatever it is up to decent standards.

While I don't believe here is an actual script for these shows I do believe some of the production people may "suggest" certain commentary. It seems somewhat odd to me that no buyers ever remark about a "nice big room" but often say it is quite "spacious".