First-Time Homebuyers Look to HGTV's My First Place and Property Virgins for Real Estate Information and Insights

First-Time Homebuyers Look to HGTV's My First Place and Property Virgins for Real Estate Information and Insights

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- My First Place and Property Virgins, two programs that focus on first-time home buyers in HGTV's popular real estate programming line up, have shown significant ratings growth among younger viewers since last year. In fact, weeknight airings of My First Place at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and Property Virgins at 8 p.m. ET/PT have seen ratings increases of more than 20 percent among 18-49 year olds when compared to the same periods over the past three months. Additionally, both series have been among the network's top five prime time programs among young adults (18 to 34 year olds). Increased viewer interest in the series seems to align with a recent report from the National Association of Realtors'(R) March practitioner survey which showed that first-time buyers accounted for 53 percent of recent transactions, based largely on contracts offered before the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit became available.

"Property Virgins and My First Place help guide first timers through one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking decisions of their lives," said Jim Samples, president, HGTV. "First-time home buyers want the guidance, practical tips and valuable takeaway information that these series provide. They turn to HGTV because they will find the credible experts and information they need to sort through the headlines and make sound buying decisions."

Property Virgins, airing Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning May 4, takes viewers inside the intense world of house hunting through the eyes of first-time buyers. The series focuses on the roller-coaster journey of a first foray into real estate, offering tell-it-like-it-is insights and practical take-home advice. Part real estate expert, therapist, friend and financial advisor, host Sandra Rinomato, a Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager, helps new buyers understand what it takes to find the right property.

My First Place, now airing Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning May 4, follows first-time buyers and their agents or Realtors(R) along the stress-filled, yet exciting, search for the perfect home. Viewers get the latest information on financing in a down market, plus proven know-how straight from real estate professionals.

HGTV has a broad spectrum of real estate programming to address the needs of its audience, including the perennial favorite, House Hunters. In addition to programs for first-time home buyers, the network also offers programming for people who are looking for creative solutions in this difficult market, including Income Property; For Rent and people who need help selling in today's real estate market, including Designed to Sell; Unsellables; Get It Sold; The Stagers; and, premiering July 19 at 11 p.m. ET/PT, Real Estate Intervention.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 97 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of 5 million unique visitors per month.

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Source: HGTV

CONTACT: Emily Yarborough of HGTV, +1-865-560-4643, +1-865-803-3681
(cell), eyarborough@hgtv.com; or Eileen Campion of Dera, Roslan & Campion
Public Relations, +1-212-966-4600, eileen@drcpublicrelations.com

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Profile: International Entertainment