Property Virgins (2007)
Property Virgins is a reality television series produced by Cineflix. The show portrays the experiences of prospective first-time home buyers, or "property virgins." The host of the show coaches first time home buyers to adjust their dream home vision to a more realistic one that fits the market and their budget. The program originated on HGTV Canada in March 2006 and expanded to HGTV in the United States in its second season. The program was hosted by Sandra Rinomato, a Toronto-based real estate expert, from its inception until 2011, and is now hosted by Egypt Sherrod. Rinomato subsequently launched a new HGTV series, Buy Herself, in April 2012.
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Episode 1 - Second Chances
Release Date:A small town girl at heart, Rebecca works in the city but dreams of living in a quiet neighborhood, and is hoping to find a transit-friendly suburban Toronto home complete with a big backyard and a basement apartment for her best friend. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to lead Rebecca to the starter home of her dreams, but warns that satisfying her long wish list on a modest budget will be a challenge; especially in a seller's market. Rebecca is impressed by one of the first homes she visits. But when she hesitates, she loses out and ends up searching for months. Will she find another contender? And is she ready to take a gamble to get what she wants?
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Episode 2 - Homeward Bound
Release Date:Tired of living in his sister's basement and looking to buy a move-in ready home of his own, naturopathic doctor Jonothon has his heart set on the mature inner-city neighborhood he grew up in. But with a limited budget and sky-high property values, will he agree to compromise on location? Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find him a great home in a comparable neighborhood. But before the search has even begun, Jonothon is angling to spend more than he's been approved for. Sandra encourages him to take one step at a time, but after scores of house tours, can she help him narrow the focus? And will Jonothon ever find his dream home?
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Episode 3 - A Shiny Future
Release Date:Ready to take their relationship to the next level, Mike and Linda want to move out of their parents' homes and into a picture-perfect home of their own. But with a limited budget and a massive wish list, they may be in for a shock! Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find them a detached two-bedroom home with a basement apartment, but warns they'll have to make some serious compromises along the way. The couple insists their wish list isn't out of step with reality. But three months and 60-plus homes later, are they prepared for a bidding war? And is Linda ready for the surprise of her life?
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Episode 4 - Feels Like Home
Release Date:Trading in the exotic lifestyle they enjoyed in Malaysia, married marshal artists Aimee and Alex are now ready to buy a Toronto-area family home where they can put down roots. But with two very different wish lists, can they first agree on their priorities? Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to track down a suburban gem with an ample yard, but admits that finding a move-in ready four-bedroom property complete with a basement kung fu studio, all on a limited budget is a tall order. Can these property virgins find a home that matches both of their criteria? And will their fighting spirit get in the way of making a deal?
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Episode 5 - Homeward Mission
Release Date:After ten years of traveling the world as a humanitarian nurse, Sherri is ready for her next mission. She's hoping to invest her sizeable nest egg in a two-bedroom Toronto oasis where she can unpack her gear for good. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to lead Sherri to a starter home she'll love, but warns that finding both parking and outdoor space in a prime downtown location will be a challenge. After touring a number of options that fail to impress, Sherri still isn't ready to give up on her wish list. And when she finally finds a property she loves, she risks losing it in a bidding war.
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Episode 6 - A Perfect Fit
Release Date:Having moved over 20 times in the past ten years, humanitarian aid workers and world travelers Rachel and Todd are finally ready to put down roots in Toronto. And since they've saved up an impressive down payment, they're hoping to find a cozy home base where they can unpack their gear for good. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find them a perfect starter home that fits the bill, but warns that satisfying their long wish list will come with a hefty price tag. The couple is convinced they'll know their dream home when they see it. But can they get all the suburban comforts in a quaint inner-city neighborhood? And can they find an upscale move-in ready property that still feels comfy and casual?
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Episode 7 - Doors to Happiness
Release Date: 2011-05-16With only 60 days to vacate their cramped basement rental, Amanda and Vishnu are searching for the perfect Toronto property. And in record time, are hoping to find a move-in ready two-bedroom home in a pedestrian-friendly inner-city neighborhood. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to help them with their high-speed house hunt, but warns they'll have to be flexible about the location in order to make it happen. With their deadline looming, the couple is seriously stressed out. And, when they finally find a home they love, fear their deadline pressures may cost them the deal.
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Episode 8 - Dream Investment
Release Date: 2011-05-23After working in six different cities in the past year alone, 23-year-old Neil is tired of living on the road and paying rent. And since he's now landed a steady job in Toronto, he's hoping to buy a sprawling suburban home where he can settle down, and where his friends can move in to help pay the bills. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find him a move-in ready property with plenty of room for tenants, and while she says Neil's wish list should be easy to meet, she also cautions that a quiet leafy location may be beyond his budget. Along with his buddy, Neil tours a number of homes and eventually narrows down the options. Will his determination to get a great deal on his first investment backfire?
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Episode 9 - Sibling Realty
Release Date:Fast approaching 30 and ready to settle down, rock bar manager Noel is looking to buy a spacious Toronto condo that's just minutes from his work. And since he's already given notice to his landlord, he's got just one month to find, buy and move in to the bachelor pad of his dreams. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to lead Noel down the path to home ownership but stresses that even with his ambitious deadline, he's got to stay focused on the essentials. They immediately narrow the search to the city's waterfront communities, and although Noel is impressed by the options, his brother Andy is concerned he may be getting in over his head. Will he blow his budget to accommodate his looming deadline?
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Episode 10 - Layout Holdout
Release Date: 2011-06-14Robin and Curtis are serious about their relationship, and since she already spends most of her time at his place, they've decided to pool their resources and buy a spacious Toronto home they can share. The only problem is she wants an open-concept condo, and he wants a town home with a large outdoor space for entertaining. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find them a move-in ready property where they'll both feel at home, but first she's got to get them to agree on their priorities. The couple tours a range of options in the trendy neighborhood they love and in an up-and-coming neighborhood that's closer to where they work. But when they finally hone in on a property, will their top offer be enough?
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Episode 11 - Making Plans
Release Date: 2011-06-21John and Vicky have each lived with their parents since birth, and now that they're engaged, they want to buy and settle into their very own suburban dream home before they walk down the aisle. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to lead them to a two-story Toronto-area home that matches their high expectations and long wish list, but cautions they'll have to keep an open mind in order to make it happen. But when the first few house tours leave them unimpressed, the process hits a snag. That is, until Sandra comes up with a solution that lets the nearly-weds call the shots.
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Episode 12 - House Jitters
Release Date:Tired of living in her parents' basement, Kathy wants to buy a home of her own. And, as she's determined to move out before her 30th birthday, she's got just two months to track down the starter home of her dreams. Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to help Kathy find a picture-perfect move-in ready town home, but warns that in order to satisfy her wish list, she'll have to look beyond her ideal neighborhood. After a few house tours, a nervous Kathy is concerned she'll never move out. And when she's finally ready to make a move, she second guesses her decision at the very last minute.
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Episode 13 - Location Fixation
Release Date:Stephanie and Ed have just returned from living in Geneva, and are now ready to put down roots in Toronto. They've saved up a hefty down payment with a dream home wish list to match. But with their sights set on an uber-trendy neighborhood, are they in for sticker shock? Enter real estate expert Sandra Rinomato. She promises to find them a move-in ready home that fits the bill, but warns that properties in their prime location will come at a premium. After a few home tours, Stephanie isn't ready to compromise. And while finding a house she likes isn't a problem, the couple doesn't seem willing to pay the going price. Will they find the home of their dreams? And can they compete to get what they want?