HGTV's 'The Property Shop' does Realtors no favors
Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Real Estate
HGTV's latest real estate show, The Property Shop, debuted on New Year's Day. It showcases Montreal estate agent Tatiana Londono as she looks to start her own real estate brokerage, juggling family obligations with the financial stress of entrepreneurship.Londono is pretty much a parody of a high-powered real estate agent with her big hair and outlandish persona. Of course, nearly every real estate reality show has obnoxious stars -- Jeff Lewis on Flipping Out, Armando Montelongo on Flip This House and Chad Rogers on Million Dollar Listing, just to name a few.
But people like Jeff Lewis -- known as much for his obsessive compulsive disorder as for his real estate prowess -- are interesting to watch. Londono isn't. She's just not likable or interesting in the way that the stars of the better shows like this are. She's a self-described "born salesman" and it shows: She's every stereotype of real estate agents on the planet condensed into an aerosol can and sprayed into an over-sized 'do. She's a loud, fast talker, over-animated and obnoxious. She visits people who have the nerve to try to sell their homes without an agent -- and then erupts in a fit of rage when she finds out the couple she had told needed her sold their home on their own -- and saved themselves a 6% commission.
With two of the buyers she's working with, Londono is also the listing agent on the property which, she notes, creates the potential for a conflict of interest. But that doesn't seem to bother her too much, and with a double commission on the line, she keeps busy prodding buyer and seller to move out of their comfort zones on counter-offer after counter-offer.
With public respect for real estate agents at an all-time low in the face of tanking real estate values, this show does little to help the industry's cause.
The Property Shop airs on HGTV at 10:00 PM ET on Mondays.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-03-2009 @ 4:23PM
mlimberg said...
And tell me again why anyone needs a a third party to take 6% of a transaction for doing what sellers and buyers can do for themselves?
2009 will be the year people begin to understand that Realtors are a waste of time and money, you don't need them!
Reply
2-09-2009 @ 10:40AM
rebecca22 said...
You are obviously not a fan of agents.....being an agent myself. It is totally impossible to explain to someone not in the field why they(agents) deserve. Buyers and Sellers cannot do this themselves, people have a misconception that they can because the transactions go through, someone sells a house, but the reality of the aftermath is another reality series in itself. Stick to whatever it is that you do and leave Real Estate to the professionals!
2-12-2009 @ 11:04PM
Diana said...
I have been a real estate agent for many years and come from a family of agents and brokers. You really need to read the papers, watch the news and listen to whats going on in the US real estate market. It is not real estate agents fault that the economy is so bad! Are you kidding me?! What cave do you live in? Have you followed the events of the past few years at all? Its the greedy banks and greedy leaders that are to blame. I work VERY hard to earn a living and I'm not out there to just sell houses. I earn every cent I make. It takes a lot to be a good agent. The schooling required here in NY is intense and it's required to keep it updated constantly. I have a college degree and I'm a smart woman. I shouldn't take offense to your remarks as ignorance can be excusable. 2009 will be a year for change and hopefully you will change with it.
2-27-2009 @ 4:39PM
mk said...
What gets me about buyers/sellers is that the first question they always as is for the agent to reduce their commission.
I am very sure that if their boss walked into their office and said "Hey, I'm only going to pay you 1/2 of what you normally make for the next 2 months", they would would think their boss was crazy !!!!! Yet it's expected of Realtors, and you are classified as "greedy" if you don't do it.
If you have a good Realtor, they will earn their money. 90% of the time the Realtor doesn't even get 6% because the listing agent and buyers agent have to split it!!
1-04-2009 @ 2:31PM
b said...
And what does her hair have to do with anything? She appears to have naturally curly hair; that has nothing to do with her personality.
Reply
1-04-2009 @ 3:50PM
MediaDog said...
Zac's got it wrong on this one - I saw The Property Shop in it's summer run and its a great series. Most Real Estate shows portray agents as straight-laced bores (mostly because they are).
However Tat's a fun, over-the-top character - and yes she can be annoying - but its great entertainment and all adds up to a zany real estate show that's hard to beat.
Trust me on this one - keep watching the series - its really a character piece - set in the real estate world. I hope Zac gives it another go - and shouldn't we surprised if he gets hooked !
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1-04-2009 @ 10:28PM
justmabel said...
I must agree with Zac also. I imagine the "real" real estate agents are bummed that this person is such a selfish snot, and it is not a typical HGTV type show. Usually the characters are pleasant. I will find something else on the tv until this one burns out. I doubt it will take long, who would actually WANT to invite that into their living room?
Reply
1-05-2009 @ 12:01AM
Catherine said...
I'm a big fan of HGTV, but The Property Shop will not be on in my home in Iowa at 9:00 CST on Mondays because I don't care for obnoxious people. Watching that real estate (?) person for several minutes was enough for me. I changed channels.
Reply
1-05-2009 @ 8:53AM
Anna-Marie Overend said...
I agree, Zac! She doesn't seem to do much for her desired $17,000 commission and in addition, does not seem to have any respect or understanding of her client's needs. She's just impatient for them to settle quickly so she can get her commission. I'm sure other real estate agents are cringing when they see this show- and there are some very good real estate agents out there.
Reply
1-05-2009 @ 1:30PM
Lyn Sim said...
I'm a 'real' real estate agent and she is a looser that was presented as the listing agent on a couple of other programs. I noticed at that time her phoney selling skills she claims to possess. If things don't go her way she pouts and pitches a fit - wow a born salesman? Someone in her area check her sales record out in the MLS and then let me know, but I'm betting that she's a nobody that photographs well on TV. She is larger than her own hair in her own mind! LOL. You don't have to be a high pressure bimbo to be successful. Blame it on HGTV, they picked her for the drama she adds, not her sales abilities!
Reply
2-21-2009 @ 11:21PM
misspriss said...
Haters...
1-05-2009 @ 3:51PM
Drew said...
I'm a real real estate agent, and she really gives agents a bad name. She comes across so ditzy and uninformed that it makes people think we are all like that. Although I'm not sure how much is her, and how much is the producers telling her what to do, as they do in many "reality" tv shows. To those who think that agents are a waste of money, on average homes sold with an agent net more in the sellers pockets than those sold without an agent. Check it out in the US and Canada. So many people are uninformed about what the agent does, how much training is required, how much time, money, marketing and effort is spent on getting the seller the highest price for their home. Most of the for sale by owners I run into waste a year of their time, don't sell, give up, then decide to list with an agent who promptly sells it for them. I suppose professional athletes don't need agents either, or actors. The reality is that a homeowner may not be a specialist at negotiations, market values, marketing, home inspections, legalities, paper work, zoning, etc. Just like an athlete, he may be good at swinging a bat, but not at negotiating $10 million per year for doing it.
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1-06-2009 @ 11:25PM
Sue said...
Yeah, not so much. She is a self absorb brat. If I would be selling my house and she showed up I don't think I would list with her. Why do we need more reality shows. I like the old HGTV, how to fix up on a budget, fixing things around the house. I like to do things like that.
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1-07-2009 @ 1:06PM
arlee said...
If I ever had the intention to sell my home, Tatiana is the agent I would call. She really knows her "stuff".
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1-10-2009 @ 1:14PM
Kyle said...
I'm an agent, and completely agree that she is giving Realtors a bad name. There is something positive about having a personable, fun agent who can get the job done but she is too extreem. Granted, this is a "reality" show and is all about ratings, so I'm hoping that this is a produced act. However, if this is the way they would try to portray me, I would never do the show. As far as FSBOs go, when they can sell their home for a good price in a short amount of time, I am happy for them! When a homeowner decides to sell the home themselves, we are in the same business. I don't want homes on the market forever so more power to them, especially if it's near my home. It can be done w/o an agent, but so can representing yourself in court, self-diagnosis of a medical condition, and getting yourself a sports/movie/book/etc. deal. We are professionals, who put our clients interest ahead of our own, and if you are truly a great Realtor, the money is a bonus.
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1-14-2009 @ 9:30AM
Angela said...
I, too, am a Realtor. I opened my own little shop in February and it has not been easy. I have to agree with the other agents who have commented. She does not portray us in a good light and is very much the spoiled brat type, and comes across extremely ditzy. Realtors have to fight enough stereotypes without the help of the likes of this show. If I was her 'broker' I would have been apalled with her negotiation skills when she was representing the seller and trying to get the buyer as well. I don't recall if she ever truelly sat down with the would be purchaser and explained the proper disclosures to him and where her true fiduciary duty was. I would have walked out if she started pouting at me and badgering me to purchase a home knowing she was also the sellers agent. Reminded me of the used car salesman trying to make a quick buck...
Reply
1-16-2009 @ 6:06AM
Maeve said...
well here's a link to her business which is actually called Londono Group (http://www.londonogroup.com/index.php) and she currently has 31 one agents and has over 50 listings herself. Her listings range from fixers to high end mansion although she isn't in the upper tier market much. In the Montreal market she is one of the major smaller brokers and she is very successful. I think perhaps Americans are not use to her style or manner not to mention the anti-semetic comments about her hair are in poor taste. Considering she is better educated and wealthier than most America realtors and far more honest than most, I think I would be far more likely to work with her.
Reply
2-09-2009 @ 10:41AM
rebecca22 said...
I totally agree with you! She is awesome, Yeah she pouts and whines, she's loud, takes way too many chances, but I love her drive!! I am an agent and I watch her shows over and over again. I am also a Realtor and she has made me see my career in Real Estate differently. Take a chance, do what you want, but she does need to slow down sometimes to speed up. But hey it's her style she makes money that way and it works for her. In this business you need a mentor and I have chosen her to guide me on the do's and don'ts!!
She is classy, brassy but hey you have to be to standout among the thousands that carry the Realtor name. Who is going to recognize you for being plain and calm. No one other than your family and friends!
2-27-2009 @ 4:30PM
tiersa said...
I am also a Realtor and I love my job! This show cracks me up- simply because Tatiana actually "says" what most agents think, but would never dream of saying out loud :-) I just opened my own office and all of her experiences are real !! There are some really great Realtors out there, you just have to find them. It's just like any other profession.........you have good and bad.
3-08-2009 @ 1:04AM
Wendy said...
FINALLY!!! Someone with some sense!! Thank you Maeve, I LOVVVVEEE this show! Tatiana, is in my opinion, a fascinating, and likeable person. All this talk about her hair? I mean common, it is what makes her unique and so captivating and proves that she is just being herself. I cannot beleive people have the nerve to call her SELFISH. Apparently they have not seen all of the episodes. Like the one on "Walkley St." No other agents would take the listing because it was on such a bad street. Tatiana not only took the listing and worked her butt off to try and sell it, but she then reduced her fee so that the homeowners would come out free and clear. You could see how badly she felt for this poor young couple being stuck in a bad neighborhood. They wanted to start a family and it broke her heart for them to be stuck there. Then there is the episode with a seller listing that was @ an hour or more away from. Tatiana gets sick and can't go to the appt. for a showing. The homeowner acted like "How dare you not get out of bed just to come walk around my house with a realtor and his client. Excuse me but I am pretty sure that if she was sick in bed and her bossed called and said, "Ugh, where are you, you can't take a sick day." She bent over backwards for those people and they were so ungrateful and unrealistically demanding. Then another client is supposed to meet her at the 2nd home b/c she was stuck in traffic and could not meet them at the 1st home. She told him on the phone she would meet them there at 7pm. Tatiana waited for 1 HOUR!!!!! Something I would never do. They did not bother to even call her and tell her they were taking there precious sweet time wondering around the house over and over and standing around talking. By the time they finally come rolling up to the 2nd house Tatiana was at home and going to bed. They had some kind of nerve to then be upset with her. I know for a fact that if she had told them to meet her at 7 and she did not show up for an entire hour while you are waiting in your car outside in the cold and all your calls are going straight to their voicemail, they would have fired the realtor on the spot and would have moved on after waiting only 1/2 an hour.
I think "The Property Shop" is one of the freshest and most interesting shows to come along on HGTV for sometime. Right now I would rate it my favorite (and that is saying a lot because I love almost everything on HGTV).
I personally think all you agents that posted rude comments are all just jealous b/c you will never have the success she does and the rest of you just have nothing better to do then try and put other people down to make yourself feel good. Leave her alone, she is the model of what a real estate agent should be. Likeable, Ambitious, and wears her heart on her sleeve!! Tatiana, I think you are great!!