Realistic Home Expectations - Issue 379

Who doesn’t love home reno shows?

Home renovation media is increasingly popular, with HGTV sitting near the top of the list of most popular television channels. People enjoy watching home reno shows not only because they are satisfying, but also because it can generate creative ideas to boost your very own home renovation. Is there anything better than seeing the before and after of a completely redone kitchen?

While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a good home reno show or two (or three), the Washington Post recently released a very interesting article about how HGTV affects homeowners - and it may not be in the way you think. (Click here to read the full article)


Interestingly, the article by the Washington Post found that channels like HGTV makes “our homes boring and us sad.” As homeowners watch & actively criticize the homes of others, they come to the realization that their own home could just as easily be criticized. This causes homeowners to look at their own homes with a more critical eye. Suddenly, your cozy living room is “cramped” and “outdated” and your colourful kitchen seems “tacky”.

This study found that these shows lead to an “overwhelming sameness in aesthetics”. After consuming so much of the same media with similar styles and colours, home renos and improvements begin to all look the same. Rather than doing realistic renos and choosing colours and pieces that stand out to them, consumers will reach for neutrals and modern styles that are seen splashed across the covers of home improvement magazines & HGTV commercials. One reason for this, the article suggests, is that they are attempting to protect their investment - prioritizing what is popular to keep the value of their home higher in the eyes of potential buyers.


It is important for homeowners to understand that your home is just that: YOUR home.


It looks different for everyone. Some of the most memorable homes are the homes that are bursting with character and colour, rather than the white, sterile staged homes that are unrealistic for everyday living. Sure, home renos can add value to your home and be a great decision to make - but it should be your decision, not the influence of HGTV.

Your cozy and colourful home is often a much better representation of your family’s personality than a neutral coloured staged home that you’d have to tiptoe around - no matter how “outdated” or “tacky” home media tells you your personalized home might be.


This same principle applies when we discuss the rising housing costs.

Watching shows like HGTV can make you sink your money into expensive home renovations or searching for the dream home that is way out of your budget. If your kitchen is perfectly functional, it may not be realistic to rip it out just to update to a more trendy look. So why do so many homeowners feel the pressure to do these unrealistic renos and home improvements? It is important to remember to keep your home expectations realistic.

Your home doesn’t have to look like it’s straight out of a magazine to be the home that is right for you. 

It’s no secret that everyone wants to find their dream home, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it is crucial to remember to keep your home expectations realistic. Especially in a market like this where the cost of living is rising and interest rates are high, perhaps it’s time we look at our homes with appreciation.

So next time you sit down to watch your favourite home reno show, don’t let it get you down or make you look at your home critically. Instead, let it motivate you to set realistic expectations and goals that make you excited for the next steps in your home ownership journey and will take you closer to the dream home that you imagine.

If you need help setting these realistic goals and expectations, please reach out to our team. They have all the tools and resources needed to help you find a home that will both fit your needs and be a realistic step in your journey of home ownership.

Enjoy the weekend & thanks for reading!


Paul


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