The Real Deal
By Sierra Filucci,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Profit-focused reality TV for real estate addicts.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
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, and 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. Viewers are 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. Typically, Trademark is aiming for a specific deadline, which helps build tension.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 21, 2007
- Cast: Richard Davis
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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