1107 replies to this topic

[DebB]

I felt we needed a special thread to share the hate. Or the love. Or the whatever.

For me? It was mostly hate. Someone commented in another thread that they thought this was going to be a sort of House Hunters located in New York. That's what I thought, too. Instead, it's really about a bunch of name-dropping, butt-kissing real estate agents who cater to the rich. I guess I like that it was a slice of life that I would never experience otherwise, but that's the nicest thing I have to say. Someone also commented in another thread that this show was offensive in the middle of a recession, and after watching it, I have to agree.

Parts of this remind me of Miami Social, and that's not a compliment.

[Scrb]

Well NY has cachet and for a TV show, you have to have visually-pleasing properties. That means high-end with views like that Battery apt.

Some of the low-end properties in HH they still managed to make interesting. But can they feature a lot of affordable properties in Manhattan even if they wanted to?

[JasmineFlower]

Someone commented in another thread that they thought this was going to be a sort of House Hunters located in New York.

I thought it was going to be like Bought and Sold. And it kinda is, but much, much worse.

I stopped watching halfway through. These people aren't likable, they are self congratulatory, self important, don't look as good as they think they do, group of people. And it also seemed heavily staged. That couple who was buying who were also agents and who both, but especially the girl, looked like a former model? And their agent? The worst of the bunch. I thought he was going to trip over himself if he name dropped one more time. And ease up on the faux tanning.

I was totally annoyed that they name dropped who would be living in that building AND gave the address. That's messed up unless those people said it was okay, and I just have a feeling they didn't bother to ask.

[Ahoskie59]

Someone also commented in another thread that this show was offensive in the middle of a recession, and after watching it, I have to agree.

As a New Yorker, it was offensive to me on so many levels. I turned it off after seeing those two men talking about how the Bowery is "so much better now." Better for who? And it pissed me off to see the ruined CBGB's. I remember hearing about that place growing up. I've been in the area they were talking about, it's not much different than it was in the 70's, only now there are richer, nastier people.

[Scrb]

So the Bowery is gentrified like so many other parts of NY since the '90s or so?

That apartment happens to have the same square footage as my home but costs over 3 times as much. I don't have those views but as nice as those views were, it's not overlooking Central Park. Can't imagine what they would ask if it overlooked CP.

Corian floor in the bathrooms? That's a new one.

I would never spend that kind of money even if I could pull it off. But it is a kind of design porn I don't mind watching.

Manhattan has a problem with affordable housing so what else would one expect from a show about NY real estate?

[Homo_Sapien]

Maybe they could rename this show "The Ugly Rich Take Manhattan".

Flipped over to it a few times during 'Flash Forward' commercials, but couldn't endure a full minute of the squawking.

This show could have been interesting : inside stories about NY architecture, history, etc. But instead it seemed to be about the petty personal drama of the agents. I didn't care if the pool had water in time for the gala. I didn't care if they managed to get cups for the champagne and forks for the caviar in time to woo the brokers.

The real estate agent in 'Property Virgins' is likable. She provides information about the property, the area, payment options, and gently gives the buyers a reality check to balance their expectations.
The real estate agents in this show just seem greedy and self important.

I would watch a high-end version of House Hunters -- but not this.

[TheBadHat]

In case I'm not the only one who had not heard of this show here's the HGTV link. It premiered last night (Thursday the 18th) so I assume it will normally be on Thursdays at 9:00 eastern w/multiple showings throughout the week.

Sounds kind of like Bravo's Million Dollar Listings but without the annoying kid-realtors, like when it first aired. Not sure just how much pretension I can stomach but I'll have to give it a look. If only because I love seeing NYC!

[tisha]

Probably not the best choice for a launch in the middle of a severe recession. A couple years ago it'd be understandable, but in this climate? It seems like a fool's errand.

[csichick]

Sounds kind of like Bravo's Million Dollar Listings but without the annoying kid-realtors, like when it first aired.

I was thinking the exact same thing! From the new shows HGTV is putting out, they are definitely heading into Bravo reality tv territory.

[Ahoskie59]

So the Bowery is gentrified like so many other parts of NY since the '90s or so?

It is and it isn't. The last time I was down there, to go to Whole Foods when it just opened down there, parts of the neighborhood looked gentrified, but then parts of it looked like it was still the 70's. I don't know why anyone would want to live down there, the sidewalks are narrow, there's no greenery. I guess I wouldn't live there even if I had the money because I remember what it used to look like, oh, and the last time I was there, there were still a few drunks sleeping on the sidewalk in the area.

[halsfan]

But instead it seemed to be about the petty personal drama of the agents.

Or pseudo drama. I was disappointed too - could have been interesting but wasn't. Definitely Bravo-like. The Real Real Estate Agents of New York. And the damned caterers are taking over all of these shows. If I wanted to see sushi, I would turn to the cooking shows.

[addicted_aardvark]

This show was one and done for me as well. And it looks like it hit all the same triggers for me as others.

During too much of the show I was thinking about how Mama realtor had the dominant genes, since all the daughters had the same mouth. And then was trying to figure out if it was a turtle mouth or a lizard mouth, or some other amphibian.

And was disgusted at them apparently putting the disposable metal catering trays (some containing formerly hot food) directly on top of the ginormous inlaid table. (Although I knew it was way out of my league when they were sharing the champagne in the cut crystal martini glasses.)

I did enjoy seeing the interior of the Upper East Side unit. Particularly since my grandmother was a Swedish maid/cook for the rich types back in the 30s, and I always heard 2nd hand tales of NYC elite residences as a kid - and I never expect to see such a place IRL.

Maybe they could rename this show "The Ugly Rich Take Manhattan".

Yes! And that would fit with HGTV's new reality direction

This show could have been interesting : inside stories about NY architecture, history, etc. But instead it seemed to be about the petty personal drama of the agents.

You have such high expectations of the H-less G-less cable network. But are forgiven. That sounds much more like a show I'd watch. An upscale HH, to provide voyeuristic visits to ritzy digs, backed by info about the buildings and their history.

As a New Yorker, it was offensive to me on so many levels. I turned it off after seeing those two men talking about how the Bowery is "so much better now." Better for who? And it pissed me off to see the ruined CBGB's.

As a periodic visitor to the city who grew up on tales from her parents about their teens/20s time in the city, those were big turn-offs for me too. CBGB's as a designer destination made me sad (while imagining it was a total gut job, followed by complete steam cleaning). The guys seemed to totally look down on any history of the neighborhood and redeeming architectural values, just assuming the influx of arrogant nouveau-faux riche would improve any place.

[SparksFan59]

Someone commented in another thread that they thought this was going to be a sort of House Hunters located in New York. That's what I thought, too. Instead, it's really about a bunch of name-dropping, butt-kissing real estate agents who cater to the rich.

*raises hand*

I thought it was going to be an upscale version of HH, but it turns out it's more about the personalities than the housing market. I was quite disappointed. We did see 2 high-rise condos, but the focus is not on house hunting at all.

[JasmineFlower]

Sounds kind of like Bravo's Million Dollar Listings but without the annoying kid-realtors, like when it first aired. Not sure just how much pretension I can stomach but I'll have to give it a look. If only because I love seeing NYC!

Much worse, in my opinion. If that's what they were going for, they missed the mark. Likability of agents is absent, and the name dropping, self important, obnoxious air that they had was offputting (the way they were talking about the Bowery is a great example). And Million Dollar Listing does a much better job of showcasing the high priced real estate. This was about the over tanned, fake agents posing for the camera.

Don't like the direction, but even if I did, I would hope for a better effort than this.

[addicted_aardvark]

This was about the over tanned, fake agents posing for the camera.

Don't forget the 3 furry "girls" and their scrambled egg breakfast. (At least they were not yappy.) I couldn't figure out if the point was so they could show how connected and in-demand those realtors were that they would get phone calls during their "normal breakfast". Or if the producers planned to feature the dogs in future segments in the office or in purses.

[dietcoker]

But instead it seemed to be about the petty personal drama of the agents.

I agree and found this very disappointing. But I have to say after eating Ramen noodles to save for a down payment for 7 years, looking for an apartment in Manhattan for 2 years and finally buying a small place (nothing glamorous) in Manhattan last year, this show seems pretty realistic of real estate agents in NYC. I'm not saying they are all scum, but I didn't come across one single real estate person that I even somewhat liked as a person and definitely not one that I trusted even a tiny bit.

I won't moan to the board about all the horrors I went through to buy my apartment here in Manhattan but many real estate agent treated me less than dirt. I'll just say that I saw all that snootiness and condescension that this show reeks of is exactly what I experienced in real life. The only difference is that the real estate agents on the show seem to actually care about the properties in that they will make a big chunk of cash on the commission. At my price point, just finding any real estate agent who gave a rat's ass about the sale other than loving an opportunity to make us all feel like worthless paupers was almost impossible.

[EmbiggenedSoul]

I haven't decided if the design porn from the 5 minutes of the voyeuristic peek into high-end properties in NYC is worth putting up with the 20 minutes of annoying self-important, pretentious, faux-drama-laden real estate agents. I'll give it one more chance, then might see if it's worth Tivoing to fast-forward through for those 5 minutes.

It does really strike the wrong tone - if it's meant to be high-end housing porn, then just make it so. Like that Top Ten Design show - now that was great design porn. I'm sure it will never be on again though.

Edited by EmbiggenedSoul, Mar 22, 2010 @ 8:13 PM.

[twinks]

Agree dietcoker. I spent 10 years in NYC real estate and this show depicts it pretty accurately. I find it disgusting to say the least.

[luvhh]

I too thought it would be sort of like HH New York. I shouldn't have watched it after taking my first allergy pill of the spring, which always leaves me a little loopy. I couldn't follow the conversation of the realtors AT ALL and I didn't know who was buying/selling what. When they showed that older lady as if they had shown her before I was like "so who's THAT?" I tried to rewind to see when she first made her appearance but I kept falling asleep. Some how I thought they were all selling the same apartment and having an open house at the pool, until I saw them tipping champagne glasses inside the apartment.

Is the "bowery" the same as the garment District? I haven't been shopping in NY in YEARS.

[Ahoskie59]

Is the "bowery" the same as the garment District? I haven't been shopping in NY in YEARS.

No. The Bowery is on the lower east side, while the garment district is on the west side, closer to midtown.

[diorella78]

I didn't find it offensive per se (what people spend their money on is up to them, and all that), but I did find it boring mainly because of ...

is worth putting up with the 20 minutes of annoying self-important, pretentious, faux-drama-laden real estate agents.

This. Pool is filled/not filled? I don't care. No dinnerware/glassware? Not what I expected to see.

[digdig]

Re: the pool. Sooo uncomfortable watching the lord standing over his minion, telling her that she needed to make sure it all happened on time. Move it to Bravo, people.

[DebB]

Okay, this second show is much more what I had in mind. Lots of shots of plush New York property, more details of the how of selling, and much less name dropping and pompous posturing. This I actually enjoyed.

[chamuska]

Haven't seen the first show, but did see the second. I enjoyed it. Loved seeing all the beautiful interiors. I also like to see the womens' makeup and wardrobe.

[kitty32]

Yeah -- this one was much better because although the prices seem crazy the apartments were to die for. I liked Annie Leibowitz's because of the garden but the one with the round living room was pretty outstanding, too. However, the whole idea of coming to town for two days or whatever it was and expect to buy a $2 million condo with all the paperwork is so out of wack that I assume Suzie was a plant for them to show the kind of inventory they had and why people with big money should come to them for real estate. Same with the $6 million place the other firm was signing up for -- just a hook to show their younger, hipper kind of options.

That doesn't bother me though because real estate porn is why I watch shows like this.

[Writing Wrongs]

I watch this show for the NY interiors and exteriors. I thought the buildings were gorgeous. One of the main reasons I got High Def cable is for this channel and I gotta say it looks great.

[izabella]

Same with the $6 million place the other firm was signing up for -- just a hook to show their younger, hipper kind of options.

I have to believe the only point is to market themselves. Because if they really believed that $3M empty two-story was a good comp for his place and reason to drop his price, either his place is in a really crappy location or the comp was in a great location.

No way those two seemed comparable to me. The comp was long and skinny and seemed not to have many windows and natural light.

Edited by izabella, Mar 26, 2010 @ 7:04 PM.

[Bavct]

Apparently it was a good thing that I missed the first episode. I liked last night for the house porn, but the agents left a bad taste in my mouth.

They reminded me of the time I had the opportunity to accompany my former boss on her own real estate search. What a nightmare! It took me 2 weeks to even get an agent to work with her because she "only" had $1.5 million to spend. When I finally did get someone to set up showings, he sent his assistant who probably made 1/20 of what my boss made and made us both feel like we were wasting his time.

Two months later she finally found something that was FSBO and after she closed, that same agent called her and told her she owed him money because he was her agent! She had never even met or spoke to him directly let alone signed any agreements with him.

Ass.

[Scrb]

Since HH is from the perspective of the buyer, this show's hook is about the agents. But I don't need to see the potential commission for each property.

What kind of photographer has $6 million lofts? That comp with the roof terrace for $5 million was better.

The agent who showed the "Provencal" author the properties knew how to appeal to her sense of importance. She's not as crass as her boss, who was rubbing her hands in the first ep. about some couple divorcing.

But to the boss lady's credit, her office is pretty modest for all the commissions her company must generate.

[ava24]

I am so glad I stuck around for another ep because the format of the second show is what I had in mind when I heard about the show! I hope they stay in this format - maybe they're re-editing their footage based on feedback from the first ep!

I liked the first apartment Ms Gershman looked at but that kitchen was soooo tiny...I live in NYC, so I'm used to that but it didn't seem like you could walk forwards into the kitchen. It's like you had to inch thru sideways...I'll have to look again.

It felt kind of awkward seeing Annie Leibovitz's apartment knowing that at the time of filming, she was in the midst of basically having to liquidate all of her holdings to pay off a massive debt owed to a firm that had lent her oodles of dough. She's worked out a deal with a new financial group today but it was just weird knowing that at the time, she was desperate to sell that as well as other properties.

I liked Alex's apartment. Where was the 1st comp that he looked at located? It looked like it was in the Financial District, and I don't think you can compare the financial district and Little Itay/Nolita, can you? And the O'Neil building is in the Flatiron district. I get that he needed to lower his apartment price, but I thought it a bit odd when they went to completely different neighborhoods.

Anyway, as long as the eps are more like this, I'll stay tuned.