Originally I thought this was a great show. Then i watched Proprty Brothers, Fixer Upper, and Flip or Flop. Hilary is the biggest scammer in the world and I feel bad for the homeowners that hire her. She is always making excuses as to why nothing more than paint, new cabinets, and new floors can only happen. I'm tired of her scamming ways. Flip or Flop is based in Cali which I live in and is the most expensive place to do anything in especially home improvement. BUT Flip or flop still manages to flip an ENTIRE HOME which means every room, structure work, foundation work, and additions with the same budget Hilary is given. She needs to take lessons from the Property Brothers, Flip or Flop, and Chip and Jo.

I have to admit, when I first discovered this show--I WAS HOOKED. I actually love the hosts and their squabbles; I thought they were funny. BUT, it does follow the SAME formula: 1) couple disagree about the home, whether to keep it or move, 2) Hilary is never satisfied with the money they offer for renovations, 3) David rarely finds a worthy new home on the first try, 4) Hilary runs into problems with her renovations and need more money. and she NEVER fully completes the "asked-for" renovations, and 5) the majority of the time the couple decides to stay and not list it. FYI--the need for a "mud room" seems to be an issue quite often.Well, I tired of the same formula, but I still liked the show, BUT I discovered a more satisfying technique to watching it. I DVR the show, and watch the last ten minutes of the show. It's all I need, and it's satisfying enough.

Spoiler? I do like the show for the most part... but there is definitely a few things that just bother me. Why does it have to be such a competition? Hilary tries to make their space a little easier for their new lifestyle and save them the trouble moving if they don't have to and David finds them another home for what would make them happier if they just cannot stay in their current home. What does one get out of their choice? Bragging rights? Why is that important? It should be about making the homeowners happy in the end.Nonetheless, I realized later its bc it brings more viewers in for a little drama... but WHY do some of these homeowners treat them like dirt???? I get that one wants to move and the other doesn't, but Hilary and David are both there to try to help them! The episode I'm currently watching just has me shaking my head when the woman says "I'm not talking to Hilary anymore" and speaks to her with such disrespect. Like why? Seems immature... Hilary is helping them. How can it possibly be her fault when things with either the foundation, plumbing, or wiring issues come up as a major issue and eat a chunk of their budget? If its an older home, what do you expect? Then they get nasty toward her for not getting that and EVERYTHING else (most being ridiculous requests for their budget) they asked for.Which brings me how naïve these homeowners are... they act like their money is gold. You give her an unlimited amount of money and she'll give you what you asked for if its possible... but to think your gonna get a full renovation for the entire house, fix any issues, add a bedroom, add a bathroom, furnish basement, brand new kitchen, knock down walls for open spaces, etc. all for a budget under 100K is completely absurd. If you honestly need ALL of that, why renovate in the first place? Wouldn't it just be easier to move somewhere that offers it all or less and then just renovate 1 or 2 things? I just don't understand why they act ridiculous when they cant get every little thing, like children throwing a tantrum. Life is full of compromises and in the end it should be about what's better for your family. Cant always get everything you want with set limitations.Added to that is when the spouses treat each other poorly... why cant they both be open minded and respect eachothers opinions/feelings? They did agree for David and Hilary to come out in the first place... and not to mention you're on TV.. I don't get why some of them act like children.

The basic premise is pretty good. People all over struggle with fixing up their current home or moving. That's where it ends. While some of the before and after are good work, the journey is unnecessarily painful. I have been watching home shows for over 30 years from when they were simple "how-to" on PBS to the current menu. I am a fan of This Old House and HomeTime where the camera moves smoother and actually gives me a chance to see what is going on and they explained what was happening. Love it or List it is a culmination of all the fears people have to move or remodel. Testy people to deal with, sarcasm, and Hillary who demonstrates the stereotypical behavior that people expect from a contractor. Over promise and under-deliver then surprising the homeowner with tough financial and functional choices. I have built many things and fired many contractors who perform just like Hillary and I never get held hostage. This is exactly what scares people away from remodeling.While I have grown a tough exterior for dealing with these things, many people have not and fear getting ripped off. The encouraging truth is that if you do your homework there are actually honorable contractors who will take your money and deliver a quality product as promised. Nothing is ever completely perfect, but the surprises should not be as drastic as the failures on this show. Good contractors just do not do what Hillary does and get half-way through a project before doing their homework and examining the entire house first and then presenting choices to the homeowners. The other encouraging news is that there are better, "can-do" shows. While I miss Norm and, yes, Bob Vila who encouraged you into making things happen and taught you how to do it, the Property Brothers and Fixer Upper, plus so many more take their place pretty well. I only wish they would have better or smoother camera work. That aside, while I like some shows better than others, only one is truly annoying to the point of changing the channel and living up to every stereotypical contractor fear...it is "Love it or List it". With so many other great, positive, shows, I would say do not Love it or List it, just lose it.