HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: INTERVIEW - Flip or Flop star Tarek El Moussa: 'I feel like I have a very intimate relationship with HGTV because I feel like I've grown with them'.

The Flip or Flop star Tarek El Moussa who flew from the United States to South Africa for the launch of Discovery Inc.'s HGTV (DStv 177) channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service told TVwithThinus that he feels that he has a very close relationship with HGTV as he's grown with the channel over the past 7 years and 8 seasons of his show.

I had the chance to sit down with the star of Flip or Flop, and who is working on a new spin-off show, Flipping 101, at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town on the afternoon of Day 2 of Discovery Inc.'s 3-day press tour for the HGTV channel's launch in South Africa.


What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to renovating homes as assets to then sell for hopefully a profit - what is calling "flipping"?
Tarek: There are so many mistakes and I always tell people, the most important thing you have to do is be educated.

It's a big deal. You're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars and if you don't have the right education, it can be very risky and you can lose a lot of money. And the biggest mistake I see is that people will buy a house just because it's a piece of junk, thinking they can make a profit.

But just because a house is a piece of junk doesn't make it a good flip because you have to get it for the right price.


For people who want to start out - because "flipping" is not really yet that big here in South Africa, but the trend is starting and growing, what would be your advice?
Tarek: You know, when I started I had no capital, I raised other people's money but I was able to raise other people's money by doing extensive research and writing business plans.

So my suggestion for everybody who wants to get into it is to read as many books as you can and use the internet and learn about house flipping. There's so much valuable knowledge out there that you can teach yourself.


In terms of house design and trends, what are some of the latest changes and trends when it comes to home renovation that you've noticed?
Tarek: Marble has been really, really popular over the last few years and I'm starting to see that dwindle off and starting to replace that is we're starting to see cement tiles, a lot of bold patterns. I'm starting to see a lot of black-and-white tiles, and actually really becoming very popular now is black-and-white pattern tiles.

Overall, design-wise I'm seeing a lot of simple designs with really bold accent pieces, so you'll have a simple-looking kitchen countertop, simple cabinets, with a really defined backsplash that pops and it looks it looks like artwork.


What are your thoughts and impressions of South Africa and Cape Town so far?
Tarek: It's different than I thought. It's absolutely stunning.

At the HGTV cocktail party at the house overlooking the ocean, it was the most spectacular house I've ever seen. So I must say that the real estate and the architecture here is phenomenal.

With Flip or Flop and since you joined HGTV, what has that journey been like for you, and what do you think contributes to the success of HGTV as a TV channel?
Tarek: You know, HGTV has grown so much. I first aired season one of Flip or Flop in 2013, and I feel like I have a very intimate relationship with HGTV because I feel like I've grown with them.

HGTV as a channel has become so big over the last few years and my show Flip or Flop has risen with them. So, I feel like we're a team and I just love the network. They've just been really amazing and been really good.


Then, finally, you're good at or have become good at "flipping" properties but I think you started out as, or still are a real estate agent? In terms of bringing that expertise and background knowledge to HGTV is there other types of shows that you would like to do or consider or do you see "flipping" as your domain?
Tarek: Oh, there are so many different shows!

I would be open to do anything - design shows, challenge shows, competition shows, talk shows. You know, I've been through a lot in my life, outside of real estate, so anything entertainment-world related I'm interested in.



ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 1: IN PICTURES - 37 photos of HGTV's beautiful cocktail party at sunset at the infinity pool of a Upper Clifton mansion in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 29 photos of HGTV's official South African media launch event presentation.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Lee Hobbs, Discovery Inc.'s global brands boss for EMEA, says HGTV channel will bring 'loads of new and unseen content' to South Africa. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch says HGTV 'is a channel tailor-made for people who love their homes - and there are a lot of those people'. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Tarek El Moussa, the star of Flip or Flop on HGTV says it's 'a magical channel about real people working on real houses' and reveals what home means to him.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Announcing Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa and a new teaser trailer.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s Africa boss Amanda Turnbull says new channel HGTV on DStv is about real people but also aspirational, 'which is why we fought really hard to have it on Compact as well so more people can see it'. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice's content boss Aletta Alberts says Discovery Inc.'s new HGTV channel will do well on DStv because 'HGTV fits so well with South African consumer culture'. 
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 9 photos of HGTV's terrific 'Toolbox' lunch.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference opening remarks: 'HGTV is going to be both inspirational and aspirational'. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference: Ads on HGTV won't get in viewers' way, instead it will add to the viewing experience.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice on why it decided to make HGTV available to DStv Compact subscribers as well: 'The content speaks to everybody'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: HGTV in HD - why MultiChoice launched Discovery Inc.'s latest channel in high definition on DStv and the factors influencing what quality version a TV channel is launched and seen as.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Will Discovery Inc.'s latest channel have local content? MultiChoice explains how it works with international third-party TV channels. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Press conference - Why Discovery Inc. launched it so quickly in South Africa after acquiring Scripps and Africa's growing importance as a pay-TV market among global content suppliers.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference - HGTV's surprising answer on design trend-spotting and staying ahead of the curve with what viewers want to see next. 
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN IMAGES - 20 photos of HGTV's gala rooftop dinner at the Zeitz Museum in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 9 photos of the media breakfast and press screening & 4 sizzle reels including a special Home Town surprise message.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 8 photos of the Grand Provence media lunch.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch press tour - An overview.

HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Tarek El Moussa, the star of Flip or Flop on HGTV says it's 'a magical channel about real people working on real houses' and reveals what home means to him.

Tarek El Moussa, the star of Flip or Flop on HGTV (DStv 177) says the magic of the HGTV channel is that it's about real people, working on improving real houses, and reveals what "home" means to him.

Tarek El Moussa flew to Cape Town, South Africa, from the United States, for the South African media launch event of the HGTV channel, where he addressed the press during the official presentation, and afterwards did several one-on-one media interview later during the day.

Discovery Inc.'s HGTV channel has been added in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service for DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, and DStv Compact subscribers.

"It's really, really exciting that HGTV is in South Africa because back in the United States everybody knows HGTV and it's really a magical channel because it's super successful, but what's really unique about it is that it's real people, working on real houses, running real businesses that they own," said Tarek El Moussa who is getting a spin-off show, Flipping 101 on HGTV.

"So it's not just celebrity reality TV shows - these are real people, and as a viewer you get to make real connections, and I just love everything about HGTV."

"Myself, I've been on HGTV - season one was 2013 - and when I first got on the channel I was a rookie house flipper. I had my life savings on the line, borrowing on my credit cards. And it was real. And for my fans to have watched over the last 6, 7 years, what the show has developed and become is really amazing to watch people grow on HGTV," said Tarek El Moussa.

"What's interesting about me is I knew nothing about TV. It was a random email that I sent back in 2010. I was flipping my first house and I had this crazy idea about getting a reality show about flipping houses on TV."

"I got the contract to do 13 houses in 10 months and I've done three houses in a year, and I had no idea how I was going to do it but here we are - 7 years and 8 seasons later. That's over 100 episodes on HGTV."


Home
"For me home is family, creating memories. When I think of home I think about the place where I live, I think about my hallways with the kids' pictures on the walls, I think about the artwork on the fridge. A home is just family, that's what I think home is,"said Tarek El Moussa.

"I'm busy all day, running businesses, filming, running around. The second I get home I walk right to my kids, give them a hug, give them a kiss, go to my bedroom, change into gym clothes, and then the fun stuff starts. We ride the bikes, we play the scooters, we play video games in the living room, so that's my routine with my babies."

"There's so many projects I've done on and off TV - I've done hundreds of houses but the most exciting thing that I've recently done is a digital series that's going to come out on HGTV called Tarek's Flipside."

"What I really love about that is that it gives the audience the chance to get to know the real me and most importantly it shows my babies, my kids, and I got to film with them and it's just an amazing experience. Now that I have that footage it's there forever and I'm so happy with that," said Tarek El Moussa.

"I've had a lot of struggles in my life - personal and business - and I will say the greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of allowing them to believe in themselves because the truth is that all of us as people can accomplish much bigger things than what we believe is possible."

"There is a lot of pressure doing what I do - and I do such a lot of different things - but at the end of the day in life we have choices, and everything I do is a choice, and I ask myself 'Is this something that I want to do?' When the answer to that is yes, then I do it."

"Everything that I do is something that I want to do, so I do enjoy my life. I love everything about it," said Tarek El Moussa.

"Right now I'm working on Flipping 101 which I'm really, really excited about. I get to use the home expertise I've built up over the years and give back to rookie flippers because I've been a rookie flipper and it's really, really scary."

"So, if I can go in there and really help someone and put them on the right path, and really help them and their family and their business it's a very rewarding thing."

"My favourite style is return on investment. It's designing for the highest returns. At the end of the day when you do sell a house you want to make money, right?"


ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 1: IN PICTURES - 37 photos of HGTV's beautiful cocktail party at sunset at the infinity pool of a Upper Clifton mansion in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 29 photos of HGTV's official South African media launch event presentation.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Lee Hobbs, Discovery Inc.'s global brands boss for EMEA, says HGTV channel will bring 'loads of new and unseen content' to South Africa. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch says HGTV 'is a channel tailor-made for people who love their homes - and there are a lot of those people'. 
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s Africa boss Amanda Turnbull says new channel HGTV on DStv is about real people but also aspirational, 'which is why we fought really hard to have it on Compact as well so more people can see it'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Announcing Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa and a new teaser trailer.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice's content boss Aletta Alberts says Discovery Inc.'s new HGTV channel will do well on DStv because 'HGTV fits so well with South African consumer culture'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 9 photos of HGTV's terrific 'Toolbox' lunch.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference opening remarks: 'HGTV is going to be both inspirational and aspirational'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference: Ads on HGTV won't get in viewers' way, instead it will add to the viewing experience.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice on why it decided to make HGTV available to DStv Compact subscribers as well: 'The content speaks to everybody'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: HGTV in HD - why MultiChoice launched Discovery Inc.'s latest channel in high definition on DStv and the factors influencing what quality version a TV channel is launched and seen as.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Will Discovery Inc.'s latest channel have local content? MultiChoice explains how it works with international third-party TV channels.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Press conference - Why Discovery Inc. launched it so quickly in South Africa after acquiring Scripps and Africa's growing importance as a pay-TV market among global content suppliers.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference - HGTV's surprising answer on design trend-spotting and staying ahead of the curve with what viewers want to see next.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: INTERVIEW - Flip or Flop star Tarek El Moussa: 'I feel like I have a very intimate relationship with HGTV because I feel like I've grown with them'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN IMAGES - 20 photos of HGTV's gala rooftop dinner at the Zeitz Museum in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 9 photos of the media breakfast and press screening & 4 sizzle reels including a special Home Town surprise message.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 8 photos of the Grand Provence media lunch.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch press tour - An overview.

HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Announcing Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa and a new teaser trailer.

Discovery Inc.'s chief lifestyle brands officer, Kathleen Finch, used the South African media launch event of its HGTV (DStv 177) channel in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service to announce that HGTV has commissioned a new spin-off show, Flipping 101, with Tarek El Moussa, and showed a teaser trailer for it.

Kathleen Finch flew to Cape Town, South Africa, from the United States, for the official South African media launch event of the HGTV channel, where she addressed the press.

"This is new news, just for you guys - we are bringing a familiar face back in a brand-new format. Tarek El Moussa who's joining us today and who fans have come to love as the star of the huge hit, Flip or Flop, has a brand-new show, doing what he does best, which is sharing his expertise with other hopeful house-flippers," said Kathleen Finch.

"Here's the first-ever look at Flipping 101" said Kathleen Finch, after which the teaser trailer was played:

In Flipping 101 Tarek El Moussa will mentor real estate novices to help them learn the secrets of successfully buying properties to renovate to sell at a profit, a process called "flipping".

With hundreds of profitable sales under his belt, HGTV says that Tarek El Moussa is ready to lend his invaluable expertise to those who want to win big in the competitive real estate game in the new 14-episode series that is scheduled to start on HGTV in 2020.

"My passion for real estate has led me to flip hundreds of homes over the years and I've been incredibly lucky as an entrepreneur to build a successful business," says Tarek El Moussa.

"Now I get to help first-time flippers learn the ropes, find the best property deals and show them how to make the most profit on their investment."


ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 1: IN PICTURES - 37 photos of HGTV's beautiful cocktail party at sunset at the infinity pool of a Upper Clifton mansion in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 29 photos of HGTV's official South African media launch event presentation.

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Lee Hobbs, Discovery Inc.'s global brands boss for EMEA, says HGTV channel will bring 'loads of new and unseen content' to South Africa. 

ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch says HGTV 'is a channel tailor-made for people who love their homes - and there are a lot of those people'. 
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Tarek El Moussa, the star of Flip or Flop on HGTV says it's 'a magical channel about real people working on real houses' and reveals what home means to him.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Discovery Inc.'s Africa boss Amanda Turnbull says new channel HGTV on DStv is about real people but also aspirational, 'which is why we fought really hard to have it on Compact as well so more people can see it'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice's content boss Aletta Alberts says Discovery Inc.'s new HGTV channel will do well on DStv because 'HGTV fits so well with South African consumer culture'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN PICTURES - 9 photos of HGTV's terrific 'Toolbox' lunch.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference opening remarks: 'HGTV is going to be both inspirational and aspirational'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference: Ads on HGTV won't get in viewers' way, instead it will add to the viewing experience.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: MultiChoice on why it decided to make HGTV available to DStv Compact subscribers as well: 'The content speaks to everybody'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: HGTV in HD - why MultiChoice launched Discovery Inc.'s latest channel in high definition on DStv and the factors influencing what quality version a TV channel is launched and seen as.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Will Discovery Inc.'s latest channel have local content? MultiChoice explains how it works with international third-party TV channels.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Press conference - Why Discovery Inc. launched it so quickly in South Africa after acquiring Scripps and Africa's growing importance as a pay-TV market among global content suppliers.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: Executives press conference - HGTV's surprising answer on design trend-spotting and staying ahead of the curve with what viewers want to see next.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: INTERVIEW - Flip or Flop star Tarek El Moussa: 'I feel like I have a very intimate relationship with HGTV because I feel like I've grown with them'.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 2: IN IMAGES - 20 photos of HGTV's gala rooftop dinner at the Zeitz Museum in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 9 photos of the media breakfast and press screening & 4 sizzle reels including a special Home Town surprise message.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch Day 3: IN IMAGES - 8 photos of the Grand Provence media lunch.
ALSO READ: HGTV DStv channel launch press tour - An overview.

HGTV commissions new series, Flipping 101, with Flip or Flop presenter Tarek El Moussa.

HGTV (DStv 177) has commissioned a new series, Flipping 101, with presenter Tarek El Moussa of the existing HGTV show, Flip or Flop, in which Tarek will mentor real estate novices to help them learn the secrets of successfully buying properties to renovate to sell at a profit, a process called "flipping"

With hundreds of profitable sales under his belt, HGTV says that Tarek El Moussa is ready to lend his invaluable expertise to those who want to win big in the competitive real estate game in the new 14-episode series that is scheduled to start on HGTV in 2020.

"My passion for real estate has led me to flip hundreds of homes over the years and I've been incredibly lucky as an entrepreneur to build a successful business," says Tarek El Moussa.

"Now I get to help first-time flippers learn the ropes, find the best property deals and show them how to make the most profit on their investment."

Jane Latman, HGTV president, says "Flip or Flop fans have followed Tarek's personal and professional journey for years and now HGTV will show off his expertise and personality in a whole new light".

"People daydream about what it would be like to renovate an investment property and make a profit. Tarek is a skilled and seasoned expert who can help newcomers navigate the pitfalls of house flipping."