I’m going to be on TV! It seemed it was bound to happen. With all of the home-improvement, real-estate, fix-and-flip, decorating, and get-rich-in-real- estate shows on the tube, I had to end up in one of them. And as luck would have it, I was chosen to be the guest “expert Realtor” on the an episode of the DIY Network’s “Sweat Equity” home improvement show.

But apparently, something happened when I wasn’t around. The show’s online synopsis teased me the other day. It read… “Charlie and Julie Buchanan drop more than $20,000 finishing their attic bedroom. But a surprise mid-construction costs them thousands more. Will their dramatic choices help or hurt the homes value?” Hmm. I guess I’m in for a big surprise.

Now, way before I got involved in giving homeowners advice on television, I used to think that all of this stuff was planned out in advance. Surprises? What surprise? I don’t know anything about any surprise. It all seemed so predictable. Isn’t television production supposed to be rigorously scheduled, perfectly planned, and specifically timed to the second.

It certainly seemed that way. I filmed two separate segments at the property in northwest Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood. Once last spring, and again in the fall. I came prepared with market research, comparable sales, and renovation budget numbers dancing in my head from the current fix-and-flip project I was doing at the time. And I oohed and aahed on cue. The homeowners, who I only knew as aquaintances, were very nice, and had big plans for the house. The crew were professional and confident in their duties, and deftly directed us amateurs to “…say that one more time, but don’t look in the camera” and “…can you pick that lint off your shoulder”. Most impressive was the on-air host of the show, Amy Matthews. What a whiz. This gal can seemingly do it all. Wield a saw with finesse, grout tile with grace and speed, and I bet even mix and pour concrete like a home-improvement-crazed Martha Stewart.

But I still don’t know what the big surprise was. Did Julie paint Autumn Red instead of Buttermilk Yellow and have to start over? Did Charlie improperly reinforce the rafters and fall through the ceiling on second floor? They certainly didn’t give me any clue to what had happened. When I returned to film the second session in the fall, I got to do the “big reveal” to see their finished product. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but I was truly impressed with the result. You’ll have to tune in for yourself to see how their hard work paid off. Meanwhile, I’m going to watch very close for what I missed! And maybe make a few calls.

Check out “Sweat Equity” on the DIY network, in Denver on Comcast 277. My episode, titled “Attic Attack” debuts on Wednesday, March 26th at 7pm, and again that evening at 11pm. And if you miss it that evening. Don’t worry, its on A LOT in the next few weeks. You can find out the complete schedule at http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dseq/episode/0,3110,DIY_27280_54490,00.html.