Extreme Home Makeover

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Ken was involved in the one whose link I posted and his experience was quite the opposite. There were multiple mishaps during construction too, including a surprise downpour and the owners kitchen burning down at their other property they use for teaching. Well used, it burnt down and EMHE made the center larger because of it.

Ken said the biggest butthead was the water tank driver. Total lazy butt.

PS - as far as Pennington goes, I have heard both, and I do know he is ADHD in a BIG way. I imagine he has the capabilities to be both mean and nice. Then again, don't we all?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
I have heard the same thing. I've never understood why they would tear down a perfectly good house and replace it with a newer one. Then it dawned on me that it was more of a decorating show. There are so many really good people living in a dump that could really use a fixed house, and be truly grateful for one. But instead they are courting ratings. A few years ago there was a lot of talk about the construction being really shoddy. Exposed wiring, unconnected plumbing, I can't remember all the details. But I don't watch anymore. Haven't in a long time.

Imp- I prefer create on PBS

 

[HHandbasket]

Quote:
Or to see if the people still live there.

I do have a question, how do they afford to upkeep the home?

Many can't. A large number of the homes have been sold or gone into foreclosure after the owners had to take out second and third mortgages just to pay for the upkeep on some of these super-houses.

I think they go into it with good intentions, building super-duper homes that almost cook your dinner and wash your dishes FOR you. But I would imagine that the electric/utility bills on some of those homes are as much as, if not more than, the mortgage payments. Heck, we just moved out of a little bungalow house a few months ago that was less than 800 square feet and cost us an average of $400 a month in utilities there in the wintertime! And we don't even have any kids at home. I can only imagine what some of those homeowners must pay to keep their homes climate-controlled and run all those super-fabulous appliances they are given.

Also, I read somewhere not toooooo long ago that some of the homes that have been sold/lost have to do with the fact that building those homes increases the property value, which is great and all... but increased property value means increased property taxes because those are based on the value of the property in some places (might even be that way everywhere, I don't know for sure). Many of these people are financially strapped and can't afford the increase in property taxes, so they have to sell the homes and move someplace they can afford.

 

[Dunkopf]

It's really just a form of advertising for the companies that donate the materials. It would be better used for causes like habitat for humanity. Or work with that program where they buy fixer upper average houses and provide affordable mortgages in exchange for helping fix it up. That's a win win for everyone.