Buy Me follows the listing and sale of a house for a maximum of six months. Viewers are shown the tension build as homeowners face setbacks and disappointments while their home is in the process of being sold.
On Buy Me, each episode begins with a brief background of the seller. Viewers are told how long the sellers have lived in their house, a bit about their life in the home, the condition of the real estate market in their neighborhood, and the reasons why they are selling their home.
Listing the Property with a Realtor
The real estate agent enters the scene and shows market comparables, which are prices of recent sales of property in the area and prices of houses currently on the market. The sellers decide on the asking price on the property and sign the listing agreement.
In many episodes of Buy Me, sellers list higher than what the market comparables show. Although realtors are obligated to list the price that was set by the sellers, agents warn the sellers that the price may be a bit too high in the current market.
Presenting Property for Viewing
The program shows homeowners getting their house ready for sale. The realtor coaches the sellers on what they can do to make their home more sellable. It may be a matter of clearing up clutter, making repairs, or staging the home.
Sometimes on Buy Me, sellers are not willing to make the suggested improvements due to lack of time or money or feeling that the house does not require additional work.
Conducting Open Houses and Agent Tours and Private Viewings
The real estate agent drums up business by having open houses. Viewers see visitors making comments as they tour the house. Many times, the criticism is centered on the price being high or the house being in disrepair or the size of the rooms.
Realtors will also host an agent’s tour or caravan. This is the opportunity to obtain feedback on price and to encourage agents to bring their buyers for a viewing.
Often on Buy Me, the open houses have a poor response or potential buyers are not interested in making an offer or the house is overpriced. Homeowners are disappointed when open houses and viewings are not successful.
Tensions elevate as homeowners wonder why their house is not selling. Realtors may suggest a price drop or further improvements to the house. Homeowners blame realtors for not doing their job.
Accepting an Offer on the Property
After months of being on the market, the real estate agent finally receives an offer and presents it to the seller. Negotiations begin as the seller and buyer agree on a price. In many situations, the seller accepts an offer lower than the asking price.
Most times, the final sale of the house is dependent on a home inspection. Viewers are shown this process and then a final price is established. Once all parties agree on the price, the offer is finalized.
The episode of Buy Me ends with the sellers signing the agreement and celebrating because the ordeal of selling their property is finally over.
About the Production of Buy Me
Buy Me first aired on HGTV Canada in 2003. The shows were filmed in Montreal with a few trips to Calgary and Vancouver.
It was picked up by HGTV U.S. in 2005. After the U.S. expansion, a series of episodes were filmed in Denver, Chicago and Raleigh.
Whalley-Abbey Media Holdings is owned by Canadian celebrity designer Debbie Travis, her husband Hans Rosenstein. Their company produces other shows for HGTV such as The Property Shop, Debbie Travis Facelift, Painted House and From the Ground Up.
Related Articles on HGTV Programs:
Maureen K. Fleury - Maureen joined Suite101 in March 1999 as a Contributing Editor and worked her way up as a Managing Editor and Senior Managing Editor. In ...
