Realtor Carolyn Nolan has always been a bit camera-shy so when she got a call from the producers for a popular cable home show to possibly be the featured agent for an episode, her first reaction was to decline the offer. It was her three children who changed her mind.

Exactly one year ago, a production crew from the cable channel HGTV were in Barrington filming for an episode of the program Beachfront Bargain Hunt where Mrs. Nolan showed a buyer, Mark Piccerelli, four houses near the water in town. The episode aired June 21 and will replay on Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m.

A realtor with Coleman Real Estate and a Barrington resident, Mrs. Nolan said she is very happy she decided to participate on the show and that stepping out of her comfort zone was a lesson she learned from her kids and hopes others will take stock in.

"My first reaction was no way, maybe another agent can do it but my kids said 'Mom, you are always telling us to try new things and spread your wings', so I had to practice what I preach," she said.

The experience of working with a professional TV crew was exciting, but hard work. She had an initial interview with the network people via Skype and was in Boston with her husband Tim when she got the call informing her that the crew would be in town in a few weeks to begin four days of filming with her as the agent in charge. She said there wasn't much time to change her mind.

"I was so nervous but two of my good friends helped me decide what to wear and gave me talking points. They really came through for me," she said.

They filmed 10 hours per day all over town and in neighboring Warren.

The four houses Mr. Piccerelli and his daughter Isabelle toured were from different areas of town: A home in Bay Spring overlooking Allin's Cove, a house on Bay Road a few blocks from the town beach, a house in Hampden Meadows on the Barrington River and a house on Hundred Acre Cove. All were in the $300,000 price range, a bargain in the making and in tune with the theme of the show.

In the end, Mr. Piccerelli chose the cottage on the Cove.

The half hour show showcased the Town of Barrington nicely, making Mrs. Nolan's role on the show not as cumbersome as she had thought it would be.

"They did some really good editing," she joked.

Dave Coleman, owner of the real estate company that bears his family name, said the program really made the town look fabulous.

"They did a nice job. I think the show was a great experience for Carolyn to self promote while showcasing the beauty and charm of the town," he said.

Mr. Piccerelli thought the show was well done and like his agent, thought the editing was superb.

"We spent a lot of time filming and the end result was great," he said. "Carolyn did a fabulous job on the show, but more than that, she is a very good realtor. I hadn't bought a home in many years and she walked me through the entire process."

Mrs. Nolan is pleased with the attention the show has sparked but is still the same unassuming realtor she has always been.

"The show was a great experience and I am glad I did it. If it wasn't for my children pushing me I would have passed on the opportunity. I'm glad I listened to them," she said.

Show, Realtor make Barrington shine

Since Beachfront Bargain Hunt aired last month, Carolyn Nolan has received many calls from friends and family all over the country who saw the program. She even got a call from a couple who were so impressed with the town after seeing the show that they called her up to see some properties.

Carole and Michael Cryan from New Jersey were in Barrington last week and toured a few homes near the water.

"The show absolutely brought Barrington to the forefront of our minds," Mr. Cryan said. "We loved the different waterfront areas the town has and the varied coastline."

"Carolyn did such a nice job of showing the town and understanding the buyer. For viewers like us it was more about the features of the town rather than the houses that peaked our interest," Mrs. Cryan said.

— By Joan D. Warren