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San Antonio Couple Featured on HGTV's "Cheap A$$ Beach Houses"
Elizabeth and Rene Luna showcase their North Padre Island beach home on the popular show.
Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:15pm
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San Antonio residents Elizabeth and Rene Luna recently appeared on the HGTV show "Cheap A$$ Beach Houses", which follows buyers as they search for affordable beach homes. However, the Lunas had already purchased a beach house on North Padre Island prior to filming, and the show worked with them to portray the home-buying process.
Why it matters
The Lunas' experience highlights how some reality TV shows work with participants who have already completed the process being portrayed, in order to create a more compelling narrative. This provides insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of such programs.
The details
The Lunas were approached by the show's producers after Elizabeth emailed them about her Airbnb listing for their North Padre Island beach home. The couple then spent three days filming, shooting the same scenes multiple times from different angles. Despite the show depicting them as first-time beach house buyers, the Lunas had already purchased the home prior to filming.
- The Lunas taped their segment on North Padre Island in September.
- "Cheap A$$ Beach Houses" can be viewed on several streaming services, including HBO Max, Hulu, and Discovery+, as well as the HGTV app and website.
The players
Elizabeth Luna
A San Antonio resident who has long dreamed of owning a beach house, and connected with the show's producers when they put out a casting call for Corpus Christi beach homeowners.
Rene Luna
Elizabeth's husband, who appeared on the HGTV show "Cheap A$$ Beach Houses" with her.
What they’re saying
“Just for giggles, I emailed them, introduced myself and sent them a link to my Airbnb listing of my beach home on North Padre Island. By the end of the following week we were on their shooting schedule.”
— Elizabeth Luna (expressnews.com)
“The network knows that a home purchase is a long, drawn out process. So they work with families that have already purchased a home.”
— Elizabeth Luna (expressnews.com)
What’s next
The episode featuring the Lunas is expected to air on HGTV in the coming months, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a reality TV home-buying show.
The takeaway
The Lunas' experience on "Cheap A$$ Beach Houses" offers a glimpse into the production techniques used by some reality TV shows, where participants who have already completed the process being portrayed are enlisted to create a more compelling narrative for viewers.
