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The Kitchen Table

An 'Extreme Makeover' story...

15 years ago

Have you heard this story? I've often wondered how the people who get the new homes fare. I hope this isn't a typical story.

Leslie/KS

Here is a link that might be useful: story here

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Comments (9)

monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Foolish.
sue_va
15 years ago
What I have never understood is why they build such EXTREME houses for people who would probably be just as happy (maybe more so) with a house like most of us have. Two are three families could have homes for that much money.

In the case cited, that couple was EXTREMELY foolish. Wonder what happened with the kid's scholarships?

I quit watching the show after a few episodes when I saw the kinds of homes they were building.

Sue
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I clicked on monnshadow's link-- wow!!! that's gonna be a big and beautiful house! Pammyfay, I know that the father is well-liked and respected by students and families in schools where he teaches music. And the family is very active in their church. They even drive over an hour to go to their church everyweek. They are nice Christian family, friendly, too. I don't know what criteria they (show) use and chose our friends. I'm thrilled for them! Their house is really tiny for 7 people, and oldest one (girl) is going to be a teen-ager soon, so she needs some privacy. I was reading the comments on the (online newspaper)articles, and there seem to be a theme- envy/jealousy:( A lot were criticizing why they have so many kids when they know they cannot give them the living space that they need. Some are concern about the property tax, some are just plain upset that they know more deserving families than the winner. Ahhhhh, why didn't they join the contest? Or entered the family they think deserves to win? Like I said, I don't know the criteria they use.
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I did read the article. As you noted, the $250,000 wasn't just for home maintenance. It also included a scholarship fund for the three children. If you estimate $15,000 per year(which is a bit over the 2006 average in-state tuition + fees + room + board) and assume 4 years of college per child, that comes to $180,000 for all three children. That leaves $70,000 for home maintenance. Admittedly, $70,000 is still quite a bit of money and this is based on guessed numbers... but still. My point is just that the gift of an "extreme" house can open the door to comfort, but it can also open the door to risky decisions that might not have otherwise been options. That's why I can feel sorry for them. I would feel horrible in their shoes. How awful to feel like you had everything set, to think you were being smart and starting a business, and then to have everything come publicly crashing down around you. It would have been kinder to give them a smaller house or better financial training than, "seek your own advisor."
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I love this show...this is from Variety (you might have to skip the ad if you read the link) "Additionally, [casting director] Strack points out that dire poverty is not a prerequisite for being cast. "That's a huge misconception," Strack continues. "We have to be conscious of what we're doing. We can't give someone a big house knowing full well they can't afford to keep it." Home-makeover recipient Brian Wofford of Encinitas, Calif., credits the show's producers with "drumming it" into his head that "with a bigger home comes bigger upkeep." To ensure that he could afford a big, new house for himself and his eight children, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" conducted a thorough check into his financial background, according to Wofford. Someone's financial history is only one part of an extensive background check. The show investigates every aspect of a potential subject's life. Strack contends that the background check "is the same as if you were applying for a job at the FBI." Veronica Ginyard, a resident of Capitol Heights, Md., whose family was the subject of an episode, says she had to provide court records to back up her contention that she was the victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband. "You have to prove your story," Ginyard says, "and I don't blame them one minute for that. Once vetted, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" pitches a family to ABC executives who make the final decision. A family doesn't actually find out whether it has made the cut until the day host Ty Pennington and his crew arrives at their house." Here is a link that might be useful: Variety
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lynn_d
15 years ago
I have wondered the same thing, Sue, the homes are beautiful but not exactly practical in many cases. Like in this case, the home is gorgeous and probably worth $800-900,000 but not in that neighborhood.
softball_80
15 years ago
Dragnet theme:

Dumb, dumb-dumb dumb;

Dumb, dumb-dumb dumb DUMB!!!!!!!
bigfoot_liz
15 years ago
this is exactly why i have no sympathy for anyone who makes bad financial decisions(all the foreclosure people), no matter what the circumstances might be. people knowingly do stupid stuff like this & always end up back at the bottom & wondering why. in our area extreme home makeover did a redo for a woman who ran a "non-profit" charity from her house and has been on the verge of losing it this yr. turns out the county/city & her neighbors didn't know that and it's against code... after the makeover her business grew so much she needed a delivery truck & was parking in the driveway which is a big no-no. they are forcing her to either get a separate business location or close down all together. ~ liz
majaco
15 years ago
I often wondered how they could afford the taxes.
jayokie
15 years ago
This was on another forum I read, and the thoughts there were just like the ones here.....KIS would work and make so much more sense. "Extreme" would be doing 2 homes in a week instead of a mini-mansion. I understand they're offered or supplied with finanical help, but apparently a lot (most?) don't take it to heart.
williamsburgjane
15 years ago
If you have watched the last few homes that were built this past season, they were not nearly as elaborate. The last few homes seem nice and all but not the huge show places they built on the first seasons. Maybe the show has realized what can happen. Some people just cann't handle money.
dances_in_garden
15 years ago
I think the point was that it was not only helping out, but sort of a reward for people that were extraordinary and in difficult situations.

A family that took in the children of friends after they had died, even though they were low income and didn't have enough space.

A woman who helped the homeless and poverty stricken with clothes and food items even though she wasn't rich herself.

It was to give them MORE than they could have dreamed. Unfortunately, it misses the mark in the aftermath. These people don't KNOW how to care for houses like this. They don't have the financial skills and so on. It's sad, really.

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