Must admit it I love to watch it and play 'Place in the Sun' bingo.
The people are generally deluded and really don't think long term. At least one of them has a health condition but no thought about how that will be managed in an unfamiliar health care system.
They never speak the language and seemed determined to surround themselves purely with expats.
They want somewhere 'where all the action is' so they don't need a car but then complain the property found is 'too noisy'.
They want something 'traditional' but when they see it claim it's 'not to our standard' and it'll need it load of work to get it to 'our standard' generally meaning turning it into a modern grey box.
They want a mansion despite having a £50000 budget. They always want at least 2 to 3 bedrooms so the family can come and stay but eventually compromise on a one bedroom with the magic sofa bed in the living room which manages to accommodate a family of 4!
As someone else said does the visiting family want to be tied to the same destination every year to stay in a cramped house/appartment.
They base their final decision on whether the pool has a toddler/baby area despite the fact kids grow really fast and in a couple of years won't be relevant but no they can't possibly buy the perfect property because there's no toddler pool. (For the famiky who may or may not ever visit).
Everyone single programme some imagines themselves drinking a morning coffee or sipping wine on the balcony.
I have seen a lot of the programs mentioning site fees though but only one stating that according to site rules they couldn't rent out the apartment and another that barbecues weren't allowed.