> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Shows That Taught Me About Property & Design - URL: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/ - Published: 2026-08-28T14:24:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-30T10:10:04.000Z - Description: The Home & Design Shows that inspired my property management business - Author: Jess - Tags: Building Wealth, On my Screen, Home & Design *Hey there, I’m Jess* ✨*. On* [***The Signature***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/about-me/)*, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th.* [***You're welcome to join***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/)*.* --- From 2019 to 2024, in what seems like a lifetime ago, my husband and I created and ran a short-term rental business [**in the Algarve**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tag/algarve/) in southern Portugal. We started by renting out his bedroom with ensuite bathroom at his parents' place. By year three of our entrepreneurship adventure, we were running four listings simultaneously. It was a tremendous accomplishment which allowed us to grow as a couple and professionally. After being consistent *Superhosts* on several platforms and successfully hosting over 700 guests in the span of those intense five years (especially considering we had a pandemic in the midst of it all), we were ready to focus back on [**our corporate careers that were taking off**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tag/corporate-life/) and moving countries. It was a heartbreaking decision yet a much needed one. One thing I cannot forget from the experience was what inspired us. It all started in 2016, during a stay at a very cute small hotel in the Algarve. We were by the swimming pool, watching a young couple play with their baby by the swimming pool, soaking up some sun and we asked each other: *what if we did it? what if we had a place like this, and hosted people?* I had experience being a couch-host in Paris (seems like another life) but we both had [**massive experience as travellers**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tag/travel/) and consumers. Beyond staying in hotels and short-term rental ourselves, we drew inspiration from TV as well. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup/free) These are the shows that most influenced the way I thought about property, design and hosting. #### My favourite Property & Design Shows - [****Selling Sunset**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#selling-sunset) - [****The Luxury Home Show**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#the-luxury-home-show) - [****Dream Home Makeover**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#dream-home-makeover) - [****The Deed & The Deed Chicago**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#the-deed) - [****Interior Design Masters**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#interior-design-masters) - [****Instant Hotel**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#instant-hotel) - [****Stay Here**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#stay-here) - **Bonus*: [****Below Deck (all franchises)**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tv-shows-property-design/#below-deck) ## Selling Sunset *Where to watch: Netflix, Hayu* **What this show taught me: drama-aside, staging and presentation** Aside from all the over-hyped drama and excessive plastic surgery, is there anything to learn from ***Selling Sunset***, Netflix's first major real estate show? Well, there was a bit, even if only for 5 minutes for every 30-minute episode... The unscripted series revolves around the *Oppenheim Group*, a high-end real estate brokerage firm in California and follows a group of absolutely gorgeous agents as they navigate their personal and professional lives. We see them date, get married, separate, have children whilst moving furniture and doing open houses in the highest heels you can imagine. The listings that are showcased on the show are dreamy and they do give some great pointers in staging, pricing and selling. I never was in a brokerage business, but it gave us a bit of insight into the property world as a whole. And, well, if you love (exaggerated) drama, it can be the show for you. It has been such a success since starting in 2019 that it has since created 3 spin-offs: - ***Selling the OC*** in Orange County - ***Selling Tampa*** in Florida - ***Selling the City*** in New York After my first trip to the UAE a few months ago, I would totally connect with a similar show around gorgeous high-end listings [**in Dubai or Abu Dhabi**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/tag/uae/)! Hope Netflix catches that idea. ## The Luxury Home Show *Where to watch: Youtube* ***The Luxury Home Show*** did not start as a professional tv production but it turned out to become a major player in the luxury property market. With a great channel on Youtube which has generated over 300 million views [since their first video in 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycN-Nzh%5Fk-Q&ref=thesignaturejess.com), founders **Matt and Summer** have conquered the world showcasing stunning properties mainly in England and more recently, in the United States and Dubai. ## Dream Home Makeover *Where to watch: Netflix* **What this show taught me: design and texture** How not to be impressed with a blogger who created a design empire? That is the story of **Shea McGee**, who designed her own home, posted pictures 2013 and is nowadays a design mogul with a show on Netflix and Substack! Even if we are far from the Salt Lake City and American reality, this show drew our attention to design especially palettes and textures, something we had never really though about before. But it is really what elevates your short-term rental (or home) from Ikea catalogue to a more high-design abode. Also, this show made me want to watch [***The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/all-real-housewives-franchises-review/), can you believe it? ## The Deed *Where to watch: The Deed Chicago is available on Hayu.* **What this show taught me: having a cohesive look and valuing a property** ***The Deed*** a reality show in a docu-series style where we followed real projects by developer **Sydney Torres**, in New Orleans. He would tackle dilapidated property into high value assets, orienting the best advice and expectations with each owner. About the Chicago franchise: different host, different city and different approach. This time by the hand of Sean Conlon, an Irish-American business, we followed projects in Chicago. One of the most striking episodes for us was this airbnb in Chicago, it was really inspiring for us, to think about design in a functional way for guests. In both shows, we tackle touchy subjects such as not getting the value you expected from your property, the contractor game, the choice for materials and appliances... it's always beautiful to watch the end project but this is a business we are talking about and the bottom of the iceberg is an endeavour in itself. ## Interior Design Masters *Where to watch: BBC* **What this show taught me: about design and being a better furniture and decor buyer** This is one of my favourite shows on this list and also a reason to fawn over the glamorous **Michelle Ogundehin**, the former editor in chief at ELLE Decoration UK. ***Interior Design Masters*** is a competition for 10 amateur designers per season. Many people love designing as a hobby, for themselves or friends, and this is the opportunity to compare and elevate skills. The main reward is to get a professional contract by the end of each season, which can be life changing for those who were not in the business initially but just had a knack for it. The show not only showcases stunning properties - from small hotels to private homes to businesses! - but also has a guest panel judge at every episode to give great insight. One of our favourites (and a show regular) is Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (also the ***Instant Hotel*** judge, the next show we will talk about!) who just has a flair we love and identify with. ## Instant Hotel *Where to watch: Netflix* **What this show taught me: about removing personal feelings and preferences when decorating a house to list it** Set in Australia, we just loved this show that focused on real life home owners who are ready to receive (more) guests and need professional advice. To do so, they have several contests and have to visit each other's properties for challenges and insight. The show not only featured renovations but the aspects of the business of short-term rental in mind as well. This is the difference from putting your home in the market as is from turning it into a real instant hotel. One of the main takeaways from this show? We started preparing welcome baskets for our clients that most compliment at check-in. Score! ## Stay here *Where to watch: Netflix* **What this show taught me: pricing and preparing a listing for the go-to-market moment** This show is perfect for short-term rental managers. Hosted by **Genevieve Gorder**, an interior designer and **Peter Lorimer**, a broker, their aim is to tackle deep transformations to properties for them to become money makers. They do talk about design of course, but much more, such as guest requests, location and value. All these insights were most valuable to think when tackling our own properties. Okay, we don't have the ocean view but what is it that we have? Let's focus on promoting that. > Bonus ## Below Deck (all franchises) *Where to watch: Bravo TV, Hayu* **What this show taught me: customer service for (demanding) travellers** Wait, why am I putting a show about yatching and boats in a property management? Well, not much in that regard but - aside from all the drama expected from a reality show - it did teach us allow about customer service, especially for travelling customers. The reality of the short-term rental business is that expectation is very high: people want more than just booking a place to stay. They want your attention to detail, your care and to have a memorable positive experience. We have had difficult guests throughout the years but mostly lovely and empathetic ones. We have to be ready for all scenarios, especially the types of guests who want you to use google for them. --- **Like this content and want more?* You can* [***subscribe to get a monthly edit***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/) *and we can connect also on* [**BlueSky**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/eebbfd7d?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**TikTok**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/3a8dd75f?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Youtube**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/5cd54466?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Pinterest**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/f6c35afb?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb)