I love House Hunters International TV show. It’s my most recent obsession. It’s on HGTV almost every day, and I swear they’ve shot a million episodes so there’s always one I haven’t seen yet. A thirty minute episode takes you to a foreign country and follows a buyer on their search for a home. Three homes are featured in depth, along with a taste of the culture and community. People say the show results are predetermined and scripted, but I don’t care. I soak in those small tastes of foreign cultures and cities I’ll probably never visit. The rent or buying price is always translated into American dollars, so you get a feel for the type of home you could afford if you lived in that country.
I’ve learned not to be surprised if the toilet is outdoors when you’re shopping in developing counties. I’ve learned that “key money” is an expected cash “gift” of two month’s rent to the landlord in Tokyo. And when your rent is $3000 a month, that’s a hefty gift. I’ve learned some people have HUGE amounts of money to spend on their home. Or second home. But HGTV puts the same level of focus on the college student searching for an inexpensive flat in Edinburgh near his school.
It’s also a study in human behavior to watch couples work through their priorities. Will he give up his room for a home gym, so she doesn’t have to commute for an hour? Will she sacrifice that ocean view, so he can have a garage for his beloved Jeep? Pets add another element. It’s amazing how many people view a home with their pet’s comfort in mind. “This yard isn’t big enough for my dog.”
I place myself in each buyer’s place. Can I live in that tiny box without a closet or oven? Could I live where I don’t speak the language? Could I uproot my children and plop them down in a new culture because I needed a change in my life? All of my answers are no.
My favorite episodes involve the ocean. People seeking a life near the beach. My husband and I hungrily watch those, debating each home’s amenities, because that is our long term goal once the kids are out of the house. A home in a warm climate and near water.
What TV shows capture your imagination and make you dream?
Add to Google
We watch those shows, too, Kendra – both regular and international. They’re fun and they allow us a chance to dream about where we’ll eventually go when we leave this place. Of course, my husband also likes ‘Selling New York’, but I can’t get into watching a show about properties I will never ever afford. At least with House Hunters, they have properties that might someday be within reach. ;o)
We watch House Hunters, too. There’s a big variety of homes featured on there. And I like seeing what’s available in other states. I occasionally watch Scoring the Deal which features a realtor for sports stars. That has amazing, untouchable homes.
House Hunters International rocks! I was the state side one as well but not as often as the international on. I love it because they often show families moving somewhere for a job but are taking it as an adventure. I would LOVE for that kind of opportunity, I think it would be wonderful. That said I also know that HH and HHI are scripted to a degree. The buyer/renter often has already chosen a place to live and the episode is just to show. I do find it amazing what you can get in different areas for really cheap or really expensive. Such variety and strength of money.
It is really interesting to watch the family dynamics. So many of the adults are searching to give their kid the international experience they had as a kid or trying to widen everyone in the family’s horizons. I still live in the state where I grew up, two miles from where I went to high school. I haven’t expanded my horizons much.
Hi Kendra,
I’m addicted to this show, too! I much prefer the international version to the House Hunters in the U.S. I think part of the fun is seeing people trying to adjust to a new culture. My favorite aspect of the show is, as you mentioned, the human drama of couples having to compromise for one another. Some of the wives come across as so spoiled. Some of the husbands are really controlling and bossy. It’s interesting to see how they work it out and come to a decision.
Yes, sometimes I worry for their marriages! Or I nearly turn off the episode if their bickering is driving me crazy. There was one on the other night where I truly despised both of the people! Makes me wonder if they’re playing it up for the camera or if they are really like that. Either way, I suspect there is a bit of their true character coming through.
Wow I soo dont feel like an odd ball now. Love both House Hunters. It actually came in handy when I bought my first place last year. Knew all the lingo
I also have a HUGE crush on Bryan Baeumler from Disaster DIY 
I haven’t watch that one! I’ll check it out. Sometimes these shows make me want to house hunt or else stay far, far away.
The last TV show that made me dream? Magnum PI:) I mean, who could look at Tom Selleck and not get carried off by their imaginations? Seriously, I love the travel channel or the discovery channel–almost any show on either. I, too love to learn about other cultures and see exotic places that would require more inoculations than I have the nerve for–not to mention the poisonous creep-crawlies. But, I am endlessly amazed by this vast and wonderful world.
I was a huge Magnum PI fan! And the setting was so beautiful. You need to watch Hawaii Life.
I love House Hunters!
I can’t believe how picky some people are. Also I swear you can tell which marriages are going to fail — just be how much they don’t want the same thing in a house!!
Mostly, I love to look at other people’s houses!!!
I think we’re all nosy by nature. Especially about homes.
Never seen the show, but sounds like something I could watch in a marathon!
And I’m with BJ — mostly, I love to look at other people’s houses 
It’s on demand. When I was sick recently, I OD’d on these shows because I couldn’t focus on a book or computer screen.
I watch Hoarders. And when my husband complains about the state of our abode, I have him watch it with me.
Smart man – he usually agrees that our place is way better than those.
I went through a Hoarders phase…watching the show, that is, not hoarding! I found it fascinating. The mental illness insight is amazing. I remember the one show with the lovely woman in her thirties that looked perfectly normal but her house was a nightmare. It’s so good for the public to be made aware of this issue. And feeds our curiosity of other people’s homes!