SkimIt
Network: Discovery Channel
Genre: Reality TV
TV Rating: TV-PG
Other Choices: Antiques Roadshow, Chopped, So You Think You Can Dance
Available On: Online
Common Sense Says: Reality show about home auction buying with iffy tactics.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that Property Wars will appeal to folks interested in real estate or home flipping, but it isn't geared towards kids at all. Home buyers often insult each other during auctions or get into heated arguments. Some of the buyers also exhibit some sneaky behavior. The show also contains the occasional iffy language ("crap"; stronger words fully bleeped).
- Families can talk about the reasons why home and real-estate themed reality shows are so popular. Can people really learn how to buy, sell, or renovate properties by watching these shows? Or do these shows make it look easier than it actually is?
What's the story?
PROPERTY WARS is a reality series featuring real estate investors descending on the lucrative Arizona housing market to buy homes on the cheap in hopes of flipping and selling them for a profit. Property buyers like New York City natives Scott Menaged and Lou Amoroso, Los Angeles natives Ed Rosenberg and Steve Simons, rehab fixer John Ray, and veteran Arizona real estate buyer Doug Hopkins survey listings of homes up for auction in and around Phoenix for potential good deals. After inspecting the exterior of the home, they must determine the value of the property and decide what they are willing to bid on it. Once the auction starts, the buyers try their best to outbid each other without paying too much. When the winners get the keys, they finally get to walk into the home and see how much it will really cost to fix or improve them. Some properties turn out to be worth the price paid, but others result in some financial nightmares.
Is it any good?
Property Wars offers a chance for viewers to see the various tactics real estate buyers employ and the financial risks they take when attempting to break into the property market through housing auctions. It also shows some of the sneaky ways that buyers attempt to keep others from buying homes in specific areas or making a profit, including purposely driving up bids without any desire to purchase the homes.The series is not really geared towards kids, but folks who are interested in real estate-related television will definitely learn a few things here. Occasional tips offered by auction buyers in-between show segments are helpful too. But if real estate isn't your thing, you probably won't be buying into this series any time soon.
The Good Stuff
Messages: The series shows how the competitive home auction market works, and the kinds of strategies -- not always positive -- used to make it profitable.
Role Models: Greed is what motivates the buyers. Some of them engage in sneaky tactics to keep others from making money.
What to watch out for
Violence Some buyers like to antagonize each other during auctions. Occasionally arguments break out between them, which leads to some yelling and screaming. Frustrated buyers sometimes throw (and smash) phones on the street.
Sex: Not an issue
Language: Words like "crap" audible. Stronger vocab is bleeped.
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs & smoking: Not an issue
