4 Lessons About Renters

From House Hunters International

By Leah Etling on Jul 10, 2015 in People

For a short list of reasons, which are relatively uninteresting, I’ve recently become obsessed with the HGTV show House Hunters International (and its parent program, House Hunters). A couple of years ago, it was revealed that the elimination process featured on the House Hunters program is somewhat contrived – participants apparently have often already selected their property before they become part of the show.

That doesn’t bother me too much, because the episodes that I find most interesting are those in which the participants are looking for a home to rent, not buy. Often living temporarily outside of the U.S., the reactions of Americans to rentals in different countries is telling, and brought me to these realizations about our collective renters’ mentality, circa 2015.

1. We are spoiled with inexpensive modern appliances. The kitchen seems to be the focal point of most apartment searches, especially for the female half of the prospect party. (Most of these shows feature a heterosexual couple, usually married, with a few exceptions.) Certainly, it’s nice to have a stainless steel oven or fridge, and no one can ever argue that a dishwasher isn’t an object of great convenience. But if the appliances function without burning the place down and allow you to cook food, are they really a deal breaker if they’re not new? In the case of many renters, apparently the answer is yes.
2. Being in the city center is apparently overvalued. More often than not, the renters presented start out their rental wish list with the desire to be close to whatever attraction has brought them overseas in the first place (typically a job, educational opportunity, arts & culture or a beachside life). But when it comes down to maxing out their budget for other items on the list, such as a spacious interior, a yard, views or that modern kitchen, being in the thick of downtown life quickly gets tossed out the window. Either few adherents of walkable urbanism are also adventure-seekers, or the concept is more attractive theoretically than practically.
3. That budget is flexible. The finances of show participants run the gamut, from couples attempting to live comfortably in Europe on just one income (sometimes with children in tow) to families who clearly have money burning holes in their pocketbooks – which can also be used on a $3,500/month villa in Costa Rica. But no matter what their tax bracket, it’s common to see a home or apartment with just the right character sway the decision over the budget limit. Realistically, a budget range – rather than a hard and fast single number – would remove some of the program’s drama, which is probably why such a thing is not stated.
4. Historic charm rarely trumps all. While it might seem like the opportunity to live in a historic rowhouse along the Bruges canal or in a plantation-style cottage near a Caribbean beach would be a dream come true, the American renter abroad almost always chooses the rental with the most modern feel and amenities. What does this tell us? Well, the efforts of our multifamily providers to accustom us to quality living experiences, with luxury finishes, are clearly making an impact. Given the chance to live life away from the norm, we’d prefer to do it within a comfort zone that feels like home.