From cheeky home swaps to heritage restorations...

[Homed] Hi {NAME}, Over this past week, many of us have been floored by the revelation [our homegrown Country House Hunters NZ TV show fakes house viewings](. We shouldn’t be surprised, because reality TV is known for stretching the truth, but this deception hit harder because it’s close to home. And that’s precisely how the story broke of course - small towns where everyone knows everyone. But the couple who had owned a house they viewed for 30 years is taking things too far. TVNZ put the deception down to the difficulties sometimes faced in making the show, so producers resort to a little “magic”. Fantasy in other words. The correspondence Stuff has had following this revelation is huge. [Many readers have pointed out other examples]( notably people who bought homes long before they were trotted around to fake viewings. It is far worse on the overseas versions of the show. But there’s one show that doesn’t do that. Phil Spencer of [Location, Location, Location in the UK]( has told me it’s all genuine, including the phone calls to do the “deals”. The producers will edit the process to speed things up, but nothing is faked. The only thing we miss are the practical bits, like building inspections, which come later. And our [long-time favourite Grand Designs NZ]( doesn’t do it either. It’s hard/impossible to fake building a house or builders stopping work for months because the money has run out. All this doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the voyeuristic elements of Country House Hunters. We just have to take it all with a grain of salt. Happy viewing, [Kylie Klein-Nixon] Colleen Hawkes Senior Homed Reporter [Kylie Klein-Nixon] Colleen Hawkes Senior Homed Reporter   Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.](   [timer][trk_px] [timer][trk_px] Buyer beware     [Country House Hunters caught faking viewings]( Oh dear - Paul and Adrienne Reeves, pictured on Country House Hunters NZ, already owned the first house they were shown in Otematata as a possible property to buy. [Read more →]( [timer][trk_px]   a life less ordinary Couple want to swap property for a house truck Got $250,000 or a camper van? You could swap it for this two-bedroom home on a lifestyle block in Nightcaps. [Read more →]( first time buyers win Sisters doing it for themselves - we follow up What life's like in the Rolleston house these four siblings bought together after being given a 'push' out of home. [Read more →]( outdoor inspiration Gardening events around the country this summer If you love gardens or are looking for some inspiration to get growing at your place, check out this summer round up. [Read more →]( renovation revealed Tumbledown 1897 stone cottage saved from ruin The local council knocked a hole in the front for storing the snow plough, until one day a family came to the rescue. [Read more →]( If you find Stuff's Homed useful and inspiring, please consider becoming a supporter. [I'd like to contribute →]( [Discover more at Homed]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Stuff Homed newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox.]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [YouTube](