Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series about real estate investment probably won't interest younger viewers and isn't intended for them anyway. That said, there's not much problematic material, although profit and personality conflict are definitely emphasized. A pair of employees will sometimes butt heads on a decision, and their boss sometimes seems to relish the conflict. But despite some false starts, disagreements are often resolved professionally. Most of the male owner's employees are younger and female; he relies heavily on them, praises them frequently, and treats them professionally.
Families can talk about why shows about houses and real estate are so popular. Do you think viewers learn anything useful from these programs, or is it mostly just vicarious living? Does anything about this particular series surprise you? Do you feel like you have a sense of how the real estate business works after watching? Families can also discuss renovating a house. What would you like to change about where you live now? Did this show give you an idea of how easy or difficult that change might be?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci
In one episode the company owner recklessly throws massive amounts of chemicals into a swimming pool in hopes of clearing up the water. His assistant later tells the camera how irritated she was with her boss at that moment.THE REAL DEAL follows the busy operations of a South Carolina real estate investment business as staffers buy, renovate, and sell properties, often within an incredibly short period of time. (Interestingly, the group featured here previously appeared in a similar show called Flip This House.)
Richard Davis (who often seems like an overgrown boy throwing fits, making unreasonable demands, and creating big messes) owns Trademark Properties. With the help of his trusted assistants -- including young-but-experienced Ginger, who heads up the business' investment properties division -- Richard pulls through tough spots to make impressive profits again and again.
What kind of tough spots? In one episode, Richard fancies himself a do-gooder when he buys a do-it-yourself special whose owner is about to undergo foreclosure because the property won't sell. Of course, he hopes buying the property (at a deep discount) will also help his company turn a profit. When Richard and Ginger inspect the house after purchasing it (they often buy sight unseen), they find a gunky swimming pool, a tiny kitchen, a master bedroom painted mint green, and buckling hardwood floors.
Viewers are then walked through the investment and renovation process, with numbers appearing onscreen to reflect the purchase price, estimated repair costs, likely selling price, and, finally, the hoped-for profit -- in this case $100,000. As each repair is made, the cost appears onscreen. (For instance, when Ginger talks to a floor specialist about ripping up the floors and replacing them, the job's $3,000 price tag appears in the corner of the screen.)
Typically, Trademark is aiming for a specific deadline, which helps build tension. In the case of the about-to-be-foreclosed property, for example, they want to have it ready for the following Sunday, when they're holding a city-wide open house for all their available properties.
For real-estate junkies, The Real Deal is a fun half hour, giving viewers a glimpse of the thrills and disappointments that come with renovating a house. Because in this case it's a company buying houses rather than an individual, you don't get the sense of immense personal risk that's often associated with the financial commitment of real estate, but Trademark is small enough -- and the personalities appealing enough -- that viewers are likely to feel a connection.
Fans might also enjoy Flip This House, Property Ladder, and Trading Spaces.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentA hint of sexual tension between male and female leads. |
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LanguageOccasional profanity, like "ass" or "screwed." "S--t" is bleeped. Richard says things like "Whoever did this is a complete idiot!" |
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Social BehaviorShows people working hard at a successful business and handling challenges in a variety of ways, mostly positive. Personality conflict is emphasized, but not a big deal. The greed that goes along with being a successful business person is standard. |
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CommercialismSome flashy cars and occasional fancy clothes. Making money is the main point of the show. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOccasional social drinking. One episode featured a recovering alcoholic. |
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