OCEAN CITY – An Annapolis couple’s search for a home in Ocean City will be featured on HGTV’s “How Close Can I Beach?” this Sunday.
On March 17, viewers can follow Annapolis couple Colin and Samantha Long in their search for a full-time residence near Ocean City’s iconic beaches and Boardwalk.
A synopsis of the show reads, “An Annapolis, Maryland, couple is tired of dealing with traffic and wants to move full-time to Ocean City. Having grown up in the area, they’re hoping to give their kids the same positive experiences that come with living near the world-famous boardwalk and gorgeous beaches.”
While the Longs declined to be interviewed, Chelsea Tull, a featured real estate agent affiliated with the Ocean City office of Coldwell Banker, said HGTV first reached out to her colleague nearly two years ago.
“They had specific requirements clients had to meet and a specific price range, so she passed the email onto me,” she said. “I happened to have clients that seemed a good fit for what they were looking for.”
With their permission, Tull and the Longs soon began a two-month audition process.
“We had to do some Skype interviews, and they had to send in pictures and information,” she said. “Then there was a waiting period before we found out they were picked to be on the show.”
Tull explained the idea of “How Close Can I Beach?” is to show buyers potential homes at varying distances to the shore.
“The idea is to show them three homes in the same price range …,” she said. “One was a direct oceanfront condo at 70th Street, one was on an ocean block on 142nd Street and one was in Ocean Pines, or a close drive to the beach.”
For four consecutive days in June, Tull said she and her clients were filmed throughout Ocean City. She said the show will feature the Boardwalk, bayside and local establishments, including Mad Fish Bar and Grill in West Ocean City.
“Filming went on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for four days straight,” she said, “and I would come and go as they needed me.”
Tull said she was most surprised by the production process.
“We had to wear the same clothes and had to do our hair the same way every single day,” she said. “The episode looks like we do everything in one day, but in reality it was four long days of filming.”
Overall, Tull said she enjoyed the process.
“It was a great experience for me to get myself out there as a younger, newer agent …,” she said, “and of course to promote Ocean City as a great family vacation spot.”
Tull declined to publicly share which home the Longs chose, but encouraged the community to tune in on Sunday.
“It’s cool that the whole nation is going to be watching and will see the best of Ocean City, how great the beaches are and what properties you can get,” she said. “It’s neat to see how much you can actually get for your money and still be within walking distance to the beach, or actually on the beach.”
“How Close Can I Beach?” will air on HGTV March 17 at 8:30 p.m.
