Keep in mind that, despite the “reality TV” label, they’re not an accurate representation of what it’s like to buy or sell a home! What you see on TV doesn’t always translate to the real world of real estate. A typical house hunt can take weeks, if not months, and real estate agents work with people on every step of the process. The simple fact is, renovating, buying, or selling a house is almost always a lengthy and sometimes complicated process.

After the credits roll, many things can stop the sale from becoming final. From fallen-through financing to failed home inspections, hiccups can and do happen that can send the buyers back to house hunting or sellers back on the market.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s entertainment and what’s information. At the very least, you shouldn’t bank your real estate transaction on what you see on the TV. The best advice to take away from any real estate show is to assume mostly everything on it is a total fiction.

Having an experienced professional on your side while navigating the real estate market is the best way to guarantee success when buying or selling real estate.