How Do I Love Thee, Sandra Rinomato?
Sandra Rinomato
Let me count the ways… Yes, I’m back to talk about HGTV again, specifically the host of “Property Virgins,” where first-time homebuyers see a few homes and then attempt to purchase one of them. I did not always love Sandra Rinomato; in fact, the first time I ever expressed an opinion about her at all, it was in this email to the friend who had introduced me to HGTV: “I hate this woman, and she’s even Canadian!” These were harsh words, because I love Canadians. But I have seen the light and become Sandra’s biggest fan. Yes, she tends to make bad “virgin” jokes a bit much, and yes, she does that same hokey routine about delivering “bad news” at the end of the show that is always a fake. But I still love her. For all these reasons:
1. In the beginning she takes the would-be homebuyers to a neighborhood that they love and then has them guess home prices. And promptly tells them that they are wrong and cannot afford to live there. This may sound cruel but I like how she very quickly checks people’s expectations and lets them know that – contrary to many of their beliefs, and like life more generally – they cannot actually have exactly what they want.
2. She lets the property virgins look at the homes first without her being there. Yes, the cameras are obviously there but Sandra is not, so the shoppers can make up their own minds about what they think and say bad things about the house or apartment that she has chosen for them without worrying about offending her.
3. This is my favorite: Many of these shoppers tend to fixate on things like dirt, bad carpet, or ugly paint or wallpaper. Sandra will have none of it! She consistently makes fun of these people—to their faces—for focusing on the cosmetic, telling them that she will not hear of these things as reasons not to consider a home.
4. She makes them guess the price once they’ve seen the home. I think I like this because it sort of makes it like a game show. That and trying to guess which house they will choose to buy.
5. She doesn’t rush the potential homebuyers, letting people take their time in making what is clearly a very important decision.
6. The show doesn’t always end in a sale. Sometimes property virgins discover that they don’t want to make an offer or they don’t want to pay as much as the sellers demand. In other words, this is a reality real estate show that actually resembles reality now again.
7. Did I mention that she’s Canadian?
If I ever buy a home, I want Sandra by my side every step of the way!
Yeah–I don’t get the cosmetics as dealbreakers either. I mean, if there’s a house you need to SCRAPE entirely and rebuild–don’t buy it, unless you can afford to rebuild. But scraping a little (or even a lot) of bad wallpaper–not a big deal.
I’m not replying to anyone. Who cares if she,s a good realtor or not. If I could I would get her on her hands and knees and bang her stupid.
I don’t understand why so many people are so critical of her looks. She’s called fat, too much body stuffed into tight clothes…etc. Let me say that I find her very attractive. In fact I think she is a real hotty
This is probably a bit too butch for you Blake, but I also love me some of this Canadian:
http://www.hgtv.com/holmes-on-homes/show/index.html.
If I ever buy a house, I want sandra to help me broker the deal. But if i ever renovate said house, I want holmes in my home.
You know, I actually have watched Holmes on Homes, and it wasn’t bad. But I just tend to like the real estate ones better than the makeover ones. Add to that the fact that Holmes is just so TECHNICAL — wiring, plumbing, circuit breakers, and a million other terms that have no real meaning to me — and I got a bit lost.
I actually love this show so much, some people tend to think that she is being harsh or rude to the people on the show or that she is taking a “SALE” from a real real estate agent. I think she is showing people that just people you want it doesn’t actually mean you can afford it. She will show you that even if your money is small you can still have something nice. I would love for Sandra to help me find my first home!
I could not agree more. I have seen others complaining about the fact that she takes house-hunters to an unaffordable neighborhood beforehand and that no “real” real estate agent would ever do this. These complainers seem to forget this is a TV show and not just a regular old real estate consultation. I also LOVE how she deals with people’s ridiculously high expectations, something that seems to be a bit of a problem in our culture. She brings them down to size.
cant stand her. Cant stand her voice, her choice in clothing (she’s trying to squeeze way too much flab in young clothes), and i’d swear there isn’t a drug testing program in force at her employer. Not to be so cruel, but rare as it is, sometimes someone just grates on you…she grates on me can’t stand her and ALWAYS change the channel when she’s on.
and as for her being a partner broker after only 12 years? With her personality? Obviously it wasnt real estate she had to sell a lot of to get there.
I hear you, Jim. And I admit then when I first watched Property Virgins I agreed with you completely. But then somehow I just turned, which is totally rare for me.
Rinomato is awful. The camera most definitely does not love her. She has an annoying screechy voice, bad skin and badly hennaed hair. I think she is either an alcoholic with liver damage or uses way too much bronzer on her skin, which definitely appears jaundiced. She has a face you want to scrub and a gap between her two front teeth. Her clothes are way too tight for her body type.
I can barely look at her.
And her saleswoman ship….GROANS. She actually argues with her customers! You don’t argue with customers IMO….You ‘bring them around’……they are precious flowers! To be cultivated!! ……and she’s also “gimmicky
Sandra looks the way she looks; I can’t fault her for that. We’re all born with flaws.
I think you’re right about saleswomanship but I really doubt that she behaves the same way in private as she does on this show. It is, after all, a television show. She’s being paid to mix it up a little bit, not to be boring.
She’s a mess and one eyebrow is like 3 inches higher on her face than the other. Watch her, she has a racket going where she tells the couple “there’s another buyer interested, so you’ll have to offer your max…” She goes to her car and “calls the other agent” and comes back out to say “THEY ACCEPTED IT!”
If the buyer doesn’t go for the max she inches them up and up until she gets them as close to it as possible. Come on now, EVERY TIME there’s another offer? Yea right, she just wants a bigger commission.
Scandalous bitch. No wonder that kid went around her ass. But, she does give hilarious looks when people say dumb ****!
Hello Other Blake,
But she also has shows where there is NO SALE AT ALL. She’s hardly getting a commission there, so I’m not sure that your theory necessarily holds water. I just find it hard to believe that she’s deliberately misleading people about pricing (which would be illegal) while there are television cameras present. I don’t buy it.
Good news!
This show has been cancelled so there will be no more Sandra Rino.
I’m watching an episode now about a couple looking at a property near Toronto and there is a “train” in the backyard. When the wife mentions that is her setback-Sandra says “I’m not going to lie to you-the train is noisy”. Typical rocket science statement-but does it mean “I’ve lied to you before??
Almost always condescending-most important-tends to place people in the maximum they can afford if not over a comfortable budget. Some of these prices make me cringe. Can you say “HOUSE POOR”? Get the commission, get the commission-Show should not be called property virgins-should be “Realtor Sharks are us”
Seems to always force putting in offers because it’s a “real hot property”. If it’s property virgin, how about telling people about closing costs, mold in basements, old plumbing, and also the HOA fees are always minimized by Sandra-hello, that’s why so many condos are for sale, first time buyers are blowing thousands on HOAs and not realizing that beforehand. Sandra, if you really cared, help these people.
The saddest thing about this show is the red faces these property virgins have when she puts down for what they say.
I really have to say she has a bully streak. She’s the kind of girl in high school that you dreaded to see coming down the hall because she was sure to insult you in some way or another. I never feel good after I watch the show.
Just very nauseous.
We’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one, Shannon. What people don’t seem to be able to understand is that this is a TELEVISION SHOW. She does things on it — like being a bully — that she might well NOT do in real life. Rules are bent, scenarios are invented, situations are enhanced. It may be “reality TV” but this is not, strictly speaking, real life.
If her show is really cancelled thats wonderful.
She’s misleading future homebuyers. Yes it’s a show, and that’s what makes it worse because media is used for this matter. And with her on the show doesn’t make her a better person. I watch HGTV but not her show. It’s funny how she allowed herself to be directed to do what she’s doing, or that maybe the real Sandra Rinomato anyway that’s why she comes so naturally. Or she could be far worse who knows.
I just don’t watch her. But i’ll get her as my agent. However i’m not buying nothing from her. I may consider it a free tour in Canada. I have that much time to waste. LOL!
[...] “teeth,” or “breasts”); Alastair and I posted on Richardson and Rinomato, respectively. While we here at DOD think we’re writing a little blog about all things gay [...]
She’s horrible. There are only 2 things wrong with the show, the style and the content. I’d rather be the only woman on a Greek freighter than watch her.
All I can say about Sandra is I would love to bend her over a kitchen table and teach her a dirty lesson. you a hotty, baby
Well, Joe, I can’t say as that’s my first instinct. But I do appreciate someone who sees something appealing about Sandra, especially after all these naysayers!
Sandra Rinomato is not just the worst realtor I’ve ever seen; she’s the most obnoxious too. She is most deserving of censure and highly offensive to watch. Just the way she play’s up to the camera is utterly sickening.
I won’t criticize her looks as others have only because you really don’t have much to say in how you were born but I can say that trying to squeeze into a tight pair of designer jeans when your 50 years old and out of shape is revolting.
Waiting out sided like a fool is just pure laziness and no serious buyer would put up with that kind of non-sense. As for forcing the buyers to guess the price every single time, that is redundant and so ridiculous.
It’s very annoying and not entertaining.
It’s all just part of her scheme. If she can get the buyers to guess too high then she can pitch the actual price as steel. Psychologically the buyer is tricked into thinking they are getting the property for less than it is worth.
The problem is, in the real world buyer would ever go near a house without first knowing the asking price. It’s obvious this show is more like a cartoon version of the real estate business and should be called Sandra Rinomato in Wonderland show.
Another reason Sandra doesn’t go in with the buyers is so the camera crew can transmit the information back to her who is watching and listening in on their every word via her lap top computer.
So when she appears out of the blue and says in her squirrely voice “so watya think of the howse?” she damn well already knows what they think and has prepared her rebuttal in advance. After all she doesn’t want to be caught with her pants down. Ugg! What a thought! Too bad for her the scheme rarely works.
Carol, I think you’re absolutely right that most of these strategies would never work in real life. But, at the risk of repeating myself here: THIS IS A TELEVISION SHOW. It’s not real life. It’s STAGED for viewers like you and me. Rinomato would never behave this way in real life; no realtor would. I find it a little bit crazy that people don’t seem to understand this.
What’s wrong with all these complainers? If they don’t like Sandra, all they have to do is change the channel. I think she’s great. I love looking at houses and I enjoy her show.
Georgia, welcome. A voice of reason! I could not agree more.
I think the show is expected to have some dramatic effect. Sandra is entertaining; I live in a rural town where no one would have the options the buyers here do. Sandra is reasonably attractive but not perfect, therefore she is more reality to me. I enjoy her persona and the show. And it seems to be common on all of the homebuyer shows that houses on short sale are lost, there is a bidding war, etc. I was in a bidding war on my not so expensive home so it happens.
I agree! As a television show, it clearly has to deliver some drama or no one would bother to watch.
It’s funny, the naysayers in this comment section can be found commenting on random “I Hate Sandra Rinomato” websites, using exactly the same language. Just change the channel, don’t let it get your blood pressure so high, you might stroke out.
What I find so funny is the vendetta people seem to have. We have received more comments about this post — and over a longer period of time — than any other.
[...] in reality TV — our niche market may well be reality TV stars without their own websites: Sandra Rinomato, Sarah Richardson, Mondo Guerra, Gretchen Jones, Tabatha Coffey (back soon on Bravo!) — [...]
I love Property Virgins. Love the reality check at the beginning. Love Sandra’s no-nonsense and occasionally grating tones. She’s always direct and honest. I think the reality check and the “guess how much this house is” really help the virgins to rightsize their expectations.
Also I want in the worst way to know who the designer is of that belted coat with the wide collars she wears. I want that coat!
Karen,
Glad to hear a voice of reason here. AND some love for SR’s wardrobe!
Buyers Beware
Please people trust me. You don’t want to do business with Sandra Rinmato. I know from personal experience and I’m here to tell you unless you want to through away all your hard earned money on overpriced shit box put your check book away and go find another Realtor as quickly as you can.
Take my word for it Sandra is the worst realtor you will ever meet and before you know it you will find yourself signing your life away on a house you really didn’t like and was several thousand dollars over your budget
Sandra uses her massive size and her physical appearance to bully her client around with intimidation, threatening stair downs, scare tactics and even stoops down to staging phony phone calls to trick the buyers into believing more offers just came in and if they have any chance to buy this house they are going to have to pay way over their budget and way above the sellers asking price.
Before you know it you’ll be house poor and in foreclosure and Sandra laughs all the way to the bank.
Stick to your guns and remember, they work for you. If you don’t like the house they show you tell them and don’t allow them to talk you into expensive remodeling projects to bring it up to your liking, unless of course Sandra will pay for it.
Have you actually worked with Sandra or is this your conjecture from watching Property Virgins? I admit I’m skeptical….
It’s a staged TV show guys. Get a grip. She isn’t even really the agent. She’s Canadian and isn’t going to be licensed in every state!
They either partner with a local agent or attorney. And all those multiple offer deals? In real life they’d have to be foreclosures. And God bless her for tolerating the shitty foreclosure buyers who want a move in read McMansion for a 10th of the cost.
Thanks for the voice of sanity, Jon!
Hi Blake, did HGTV cancel Property virgins? I hope not. I love Sandra and I think she is sexy! some of these comments are over the top. The show is edited to fit into less than 30 minutes. What do they expect? In real life it can take weeks or months to find the right home. Be real people! It’s TV!
Thanks for the words of sanity, Leah! I see no evidence at hgtv.com that it’s being canceled. New episodes are scheduled for airing soon. Keep at it, Sandra!
Like you Blake, when I first watched this show I thought it sucked. But, it grows on you and I now watch it on a regular basis. For those who say that she forces buyers to look at homes above their budget, I have never seen that (I have seen it on House Hunters and My First Place). Also, depending on the location, bidding wars do occur, especially in large cities like Toronto. The only thing that really bugs me about the show is that you would think she would have a wardrobe consultant. Her clothing is very tight and I have seen me a camel toe more than once.
Hey Melicious, I do agree that sometimes SR wears clothes that are a little too tight, but clearly some of her viewers seem to appreciate that… (see other comments). But so glad to hear that you also have a soft spot for Sandra!
Dear Haters of SR,
I just want to laugh at all the haters. I feel Sandra Rinomato is a great realtor, and she doesnt ‘sugar coat’ anything. If you dont get a house, she says it straight out. If your in a bidding war, she prints out comparables and helps you choose an adequate price. Its almost astonishing that she has her realtor license in Ontario, Texas, Florida, California, etc. I live in New York and my brother took a realtor test, and he said it was hard. Imagine taking around 10 of those for your license in a specific state. I think her outfits are kind of cute too! I can watch 10 episodes in a row because the overall ambiance of the show draws me in. So if you dont like her, shut your mouth and change the channel!
Sincerely,
SR FAN
hear hear, SR fan! You took the words right out of my mouth.
Well, obviously this show was not cancelled — thak goodness! — because I am watching it right now. It is, and has been my favorite RE show (well, maybe a tie with International House Hunters). I think Sandra looks fabulous, and I envy her figure! What is the matter with you people? Obviously you haven’t been anywhere near Wal-mart lately, because she has got to be in the top 2% of great-looking people. I also like 1) that she’s kind, and has the patience of a saint 2) that she lets people speak their minds before she gives them a reality check, and 3) she is as mush psychologist as agent. She digs out hidden issues people don;t even know they have, or don’t want to face. Then she helps them nail down what is realistic. I think she is a fab person, and I read she has had to undergo some ver serious cardia surgery to correct a birth defect, so people who make fun of the way she looks, shame on you! You have no idea what people you see are going through. Judge not, as the wise saying goes. Sandra manages to raise a lot of dough for charity, is one of the top 5% brokers in the world for Coldwell Banker, is a cornerstone in her community and finds time for a family, to boot.
She must be doing something right. And I hope she goes right in doing it!
Hear, hear, Jeannie! A voice of sanity.
I happen to think that Sandra Rinomato does a terrific job on her show. She’s smart, funny,
and knows real estate inside and out. Maybe she’s not the slimmest woman out there, but
who are all these people criticizing her? Have they won Miss (or Mr.) America pageants lately?
I doubt it. People are so quick to comment on another person’s physical attributes…….none of
us is perfect.
Vicki M.
Kingston, MASS.
I’m with you, Vicki. Some people rub us the wrong way, but that’s no reason to criticize her appearance.
She is so cute, I would just love to grab those breasts and grope em all night long
me to shes a great person
i love the show and thinks shes hot as hell and i want to sell her my bedroom