"House Hunters" Is Heading To Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Ding dong! That doorbell is the sound of the hit HGTV show "House Hunters" making its way to Macomb County! The incredibly popular TV show, which follows buyers as they choose between three homes, filmed an episode chronicling Keller Williams Macomb county realtor Jessica Swanson helpingy her clients couple search for the perfect Macomb county home. You can catch the episode on Friday, Nov. 18 at 10 p.m. In the meantime, Swanson gave Patch an exclusive behind the scenes look at what it was really like filming a super hot TV show, as well as an insider's perspective on the equally super hot Macomb county real estate market.

The whole experience has been "A little surreal, " Swanson told Patch. "It was my client's idea. She said 'I didn't tell you this but I just talked to 'House Hunters' and do you want to do this?' It was a ton of fun. We finished filming in April and now that our air date is getting closer and closer it's becoming 'Oh, we're really going to be on TV?'"

While Swanson said filming itself was a breeze (she had three days of filming - one day at each home), it's the after-filming part that's been giving her butterflies, "My husband and I are originally from Bay City so we're going there to my sister's so I can watch it with family. That's the most anxious part. There's no preparation for 'Oh is that really how I sound?' The show is really organic but you'll say something and they'll say 'Stop, do it again' or 'Let's do it from another angle.' Then you're trying to remember what you just said. You're dealing with the sound people and the camera angle. All of these little things that you never think about."

And if you like guessing which house the couple will buy, be forewarned that this episode will be a wild guess! Swanson had a trick up her sleeve during filming and revealed "One of the things they say about 'House Hunters' is that you can tell which one the clients are going buy because it's usually the empty house. I made a point to show all empty houses. Just to make it a little more interesting if people at home are playing a game."

So what will HGTV viewers across America think of Macomb county homes? Swanson says "We filmed in St. Clair Shores and Clinton Township. People who do not live in Southeast Michigan feel like this area is Detroit. Everyone lumps it in and doesn't know there are a lot of suburbs and outlets of Detroit that people live in. That's what people will be surprised about."

And if you yourself want to be a Macomb county house hunter, know this: The market in Macomb county is red hot and inventory is dead low. Translation? Buyers, grab your checkbook and hustle. Swanson said, "Banks have loosened up on their guidelines and people that have been repairing their credit over the last few years are eligible for financing. A lot of buyers on the market. Not a lot of sellers. Lot of multiple offers. Homes going in a matter of days. Some getting over ask. It's a seller's market now."

Watch Swanson in action on "House Hunters" airing Friday, Nov. 18 at 10 p.m. on HGTV.

Photo by Mark Moz via Flickr