ACCORDING to the Woolwich, who for some strange reason conduct surveys on such things, 70 per cent of viewers are fed up with seeing TV property makeover programmes. And I thought it was just me.

If anyone were to do a survey on TV programmes on buying properties abroad I'm sure they would have an even more negative response as no matter what the time of day you turn on the telly there is always at least one tiresome couple with a glamorous presenter being shown round a strange property in an even stranger country where most of them not only don’t speak the language but in many cases have never visited before.

As a strictly British estate agent, the cynic in me always asks, "Are these presenters on commission? Has the price been hiked up for British buyers rather than locals?" and, more relevantly, "Where on earth do these unlikely looking buyers get the huge amounts of money they seem keen on gambling in such an alien environment?" (I also wonder where the TV companies find such people).

I'm told that things on TV are rarely what they appear so we're probably being shown a small part of what actually occurs, thus distorting the true events.

With makeovers the arguments and disagreements make for better entertainment than the main project, which in many cases is too theatrical for most due to the colourful egos of the designers. I wouldn't let these guys anywhere near my flock wallpaper and G-plan furniture!

I have to admit to a grudging admiration for the House Doctor who's brutal honesty us estate agents can only envy from afar. It would be financial suicide for an estate agent to express true opinions on a client’s home.

Professional detachment and experience teaches us to value the property and not the tastes or lifestyles of the vendor which most intelligent buyers can, and do, see through.

Tired of these property makeovers, I’ve decided to improve my drab estate agency image by putting my company Mondeo in the hands of those nice chaps from 'Pimp my Ride'.

* Ron Kennor is general manager of Robinson & Jackson Estate Agencies on 020 8316 6200.