OT: Extreme home makeover

Brokenwrench · Mar 9, 2009

Dave s post below brought to mind something I ve always wondered.

On the show Extreme Home Makeover, they often remodel or often build houses for people who have fallen on rough times. Most of these are pretty extravagent, sometimes even with additional buildings.

I like the premise of the show and am sure these people are well deserving, but...

Do they take into account the after the fact expenses? Property taxes, home owners ins, maintanance or replacement of the high end appliances, energy cost increases, and things like eventual home maintanance, roofing, siding, etc.. Seems to me in some instances, this could be more of a curse than a blessing, especially if you re barely squeeking by to start with.

What happens when their kids grow up and no longer like their custom Barney room. The way they design some of this stuff, it would take a heck of a lot more than some paint to redo it.

I m not trying to be negative, just wondering if I m the only one who thinks about this stuff when I see that show..

dhermesc · Mar 9, 2009

When they are selected they have to attend a class that prepares them for the additional responcibilities of owning a nice home.

Germ · Mar 9, 2009

I've often wonder that. I would like to see them go back after 5 years and see if the peoples situation has improved. It would be nice to see sucess stories.

I've wondered how well the houses are built since they are put up so quickly and under some less than desirable weather conditions. I'd like to see if they are problems with the concrete cracking and settling, dry wall joint compound shrinking, etc.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

You just reminded me- on tv game shows (like the Wheel of Fortune) contestants win prizes like "A Trip to The Bahamas!" BUT, when I hear the host tell what they claim the trip is worth I cringe! They put a high price on them. So- you can guess the contestant will be taxed (income) for about a third of the price. For about a third of the price you may be able to BUY the trip yourself! At work I once won a thing they said was worth $600. They warned me that would be added to my income tax. I could go buy the thing for around $200. I said "no thanks". Adding the price of a madeover house to your income tax would be a choker.

Goose · Mar 9, 2009

I did an insurance inspection on an Extreme Makeover home in Lincoln, NE shortly after it was built.

I really can't say I was impressed. You could tell everything about it was designed to be put together in a hurry. Plus, it was a dark blue, two story house in a neighborhood of white single story homes so it stood out dramatically.

LenND · Mar 9, 2009

A friend of mine got one of those deals. He wouldn't go for it unless they GAVE his 40+ yr old home to someone and moved off his lot. They have a handicapped son and the old house they had made for a wheel chair, etc. They really appreciated the home. This was a two story home but the second floor couldn't be finished--all trusses. He works for Target store here and she donates time ti handicapped kids.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

There's at least one family that lost their extreme home. You know when they get their house an account is set up to take care of expenses and it's in a trust. The husband promptly used the houses full escrow to take out a loan and start a construction business. That went broke, he couldn't get any trust money to use, and the house was foreclosed on. Think it was in Georgia, last year.

garytomaszewski · Mar 9, 2009

In addition; to me some of the homes looked more like they needed only a severe cleaning and some maintenance. It might be real interesting to go back to some of the first homes and see what shape they are now in.

NY 986 · Mar 9, 2009

I think that show fuels a desire for people to want more than they need. I think it demonstrates why this country is decaying. I have not seen one project that realistically fit the needs of the family. Maybe this is going too far but I find the host (even though he is well intentioned) very annoying.
It's too bad that most Americans feel a simple single story ranch home is beneath their dignity. It's not like they were in line for a Mc Mansion based on their means.

Bill Shafer · Mar 9, 2009

I have heard that some had to sell the homes. Because the tax went through the roof.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

They did an Extreme Makeover not far from our farm, the house was located in Richland Center Wisconsin. Information I saw was a fund was set up for taxes for at least the next five years.

I was shocked at the house they built, the family went from a run down two story farmhouse with a bad roof to a McMansion. The one son had a computer keyboard as the floor of his bedroom. They family really worked hard, and deserving of a hand, but I wonder if this hand will turn out to be more of a slap in the long run. If you cant heat the old house, how are going to heat some monster house?

JML755 · Mar 9, 2009

Agree 100%. People have "neighbor envy" and want the latest appliances, granite countertops, spas, etc. even though that is NOT what makes a house a Home. Plus the increased taxes HAVE hurt a number of recipients.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

They did one near me and afterward the woman could not afford the taxes.Taxes go up for all when you improve.

Walt Davies · Mar 9, 2009

They built one just south of me the family sold it just after it was on TV, couldn't afford to live in it.
When the show started they would rebuild the older run down home to a small livable home it was nice to watch. Now they destroy some nice old homes that could be rentivated to a usable home that would not put the family out on the street looking for a HOME.
Walt
PS I don't watch it anymore.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

Like White Knight sez they did one here in Ga.,Clayton County. Took out a 450,000 loan against it and set up a construction co.It folded, was set up to go to the courthouse steps due to foreclosure but declared bankruptcy.Article in the paper sez this put a hold on the foreclosure.Still ongoing.

tlak · Mar 9, 2009

You only pay taxes on Fair Market Value (FMV). At the time you win something get ads, statements from sales people, or whatever documents the FMV at the time you win something. I don't know why businesses have an elevated values on prizes, probably for their own write off.

Mike M · Mar 9, 2009

I have thought the same stuff and I'll go one farther.
I could build 5 homes for the money they spend on 1 big fancy home and help out that many more people.

Kestrel in CT · Mar 9, 2009

I think the show executives are learning. They just put one up a few miles from me and it has a grid tied solar system sized to run their geothermal heating system.

It aired a few weeks ago. Pretty good idea.

Actually, same set up I have but I had to pay for mine.....

Bret4207 · Mar 9, 2009

IMO these shows are no more than a different type of Lottery, it's all BS and I'd walk out in front of the first train I could find rather than debase myself and my family like that.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2009

I heard or read somewhere that there is a warehouse full of prizes on game shows like the price is right because the people can't afford the taxes on the prizes. In the case of extreme makeover home edition, the key word is extreme. The people getting the new home are usually very deserving but they don't need every single one of the latest gadgets. Dave

DBAF · Mar 9, 2009

I don't get that station since I moved out to bfe to a larger farm with a decent house.I did watch it sometimes and remember thinking,that house they are tearing down is way better than the one I live in.

MarkB_MI · Mar 10, 2009

An Extreme Makeover house here locally went into foreclosure after the owners refinanced it to pay medical bills.

Giving a needy family a new home is nice, but most of these families have fundamental problems that can't be solved in two weeks. Long after the TV crew is gone, the family still has to deal with those problems.

cannonball · Mar 10, 2009

What about GIFT TAX who pays it?

MAY GOD BLESS THE USA

DanMollie · Mar 10, 2009

They built one here in Maine for a fisherman and even replaced his fishing boat for as he had lost one arm while fishing from his old boat. Less than a year later they find out that the guy sold his boat, spent the money and was a convicted felon.

Oldmax · Mar 10, 2009

I have been thinking the same thing as the rest of you. the money could be better spent just fixing up or remodeling the existing home. Most of these folks couldnt keep up a house thet they get given to them " how many of us could". There is a local paper that features local homes in this area. After doing a two page spread on this couples home, about two mounths later they got a paper from the county TAX office that their taxes were almost doubling. But this is same county that if they find out you supported some other than them for election your property TAXes get reassesed.

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