Calendar
Retailers
Stack & Reach
Custom Geometry Calculator (beta)
More To Come...
MAIN
INDEX
RULES &
LEGEND
LOG
IN
Search
this forum
this category
all forums
for
All words
Any words
Whole Phrase
(
options
)
Newsletter Signup
Slowtwitch Forums
:
Lavender Room
:
'Makeover' home foreclosed
1
2
View All
Tri Forum
Classifieds
Lavender Room
Jobs
The Womens
Print Thread
squesen
Jul 29, 08 5:00
Post #1 of 47 (745 views)
'Makeover' home foreclosed
Can't Post
I guess this was only a matter of time ...
'Makeover' home foreclosed
More than 1,800 people showed up to help ABC's "Extreme Makeover" team demolish a family's decrepit home and replace it with a sparkling four-bedroom mini-mansion in 2005.
Three years later, the reality TV show's most ambitious project at the time has become the latest victim of the foreclosure crisis.
After the Harper family used the two-story home as collateral for a $450,000 loan, it's set to go to auction on the steps of the Clayton County Courthouse Aug. 5. The couple did not return phone calls Monday but told WSB-TV they received the loan for a construction business that failed.
The house was built in January 2005, after Atlanta-based Beazer Homes USA and ABC's "Extreme Makeover" demolished their old home and its faulty septic system. Within six days, construction crews and hoards of volunteers had completed work on the largest home that the television program had yet built.
The finished product was a four-bedroom house with decorative rock walls and a three-car garage that towered over ranch and split-level homes in their Clayton County neighborhood. The home's door opened into a lobby that featured four fireplaces, a solarium, a music room and a plush new office.
Materials and labor were donated for the home, which would have cost about $450,000 to build. Beazer Homes' employees and company partners also raised $250,000 in contributions for the family, including scholarships for the couple's three children and a home maintenance fund.
ABC said in a statement that it advises each family to consult a financial planner after they get their new home. "Ultimately, financial matters are personal, and we work to respect the privacy of the families," the network said.
Some of the volunteers who helped build the home were less than thrilled about the family's financial decisions.
"It's aggravating. It just makes you mad. You do that much work, and they just squander it," Lake City Mayor Willie Oswalt, who helped vault a massive beam into place in the Harpers' living room, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
(AP)
TTBooooda
Jul 29, 08 5:20
Post #2 of 47 (727 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
Hopefully the scholarships are put to good use.
Pretty stupid.
David in FL
Jul 29, 08 5:26
Post #3 of 47 (726 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
A sad, but perfect example of the futility of so many of our social programs these days. Simply giving people money or things does nothing to improve the manner in which they manage their lives.
Give a man a fish and he only eats for a day........
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
sphere
Jul 29, 08 5:49
Post #4 of 47 (705 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
One hundred and twenty homes built, and only one foreclosure. Probably not the best example for your argument. ;)
"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." - George F. Will
David in FL
Jul 29, 08 6:06
Post #5 of 47 (685 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [sphere]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
Do the math.
The national foreclosure rate for Q2 is 1 per 171 households. At 1 per 120, the Makeover homes are almost 40% above the national rate......and the Makeover homes are owned free and clear! What do you think the national foreclosure rate is for people who were mortgage free?!
I'd say it's a
perfect
example.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
BarryP
Jul 29, 08 6:09
Post #6 of 47 (680 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I tend to agree with you, but Sphere brings up a good point as well.
My coworker and I were talking about this this morning as it was a great follow up to our conversation about winning the lotery yesterday and how many people simply blow all of their money in something like 3 years. I was kind of shocked that someone could lose a house since, well, you can't spend a house. I think that's probably why none of the other's have foreclosed (yet).
"Give a man a fish and he only eats for a day........ "
I've always felt this way. If you want to help, you can't just give things away. Don't give the fish, but DO teach to fish.
Having said that, some are just plain beyond help.
______________________________________________
-Barry Pollock (aka Baron Von Speedypants)
-Running Coach
RunTraining articles here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...runtraining;#1612485
or you can search Runtraining## where ## is a number from 1-16.
ajfranke
Jul 29, 08 6:16
Post #7 of 47 (668 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
The overwhelming majority of people simply can not standing having any wealth or money in the bank. If confronted with such a situation, they will usually take aggressive steps to remedy the problem. Usually, they succeed.
____
This forum is going to be a place of civil discourse, and those who wish to foment hate and discord are no longer welcome here. -- slowman 11/8/04
Art Franke
FishyJoe
Jul 29, 08 6:18
Post #8 of 47 (660 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
How the heck did they burn through $700k in a year?
BarryP
Jul 29, 08 6:23
Post #9 of 47 (651 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [ajfranke]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
Quote
The overwhelming majority of people simply can not standing having any wealth or money in the bank. If confronted with such a situation, they will usually take aggressive steps to remedy the problem. Usually, they succeed.
I remember saying the same thing to two friends of mine when I was in college. One had no car, but woul dspend his entire pay check on stereo equipment. My favorite was an $800 sub woofer to be used in his bedroom on the 2nd floor of his parent's house. I'm betting he rarely got to experience what $800 worth of bass sounded like.
My (undisclosed person with undisclosed relationship to me) blew through $250K in about 3 years after his wife died. Not only did he have nothing, he had to sell his house and most of his belongings.
______________________________________________
-Barry Pollock (aka Baron Von Speedypants)
-Running Coach
RunTraining articles here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...runtraining;#1612485
or you can search Runtraining## where ## is a number from 1-16.
slowguy
Jul 29, 08 6:23
Post #10 of 47 (653 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I understand the feelings of previous posters, and I agree to an extent. However, based on the article alone, it doesn't appear that these people squandered their money on big screen TVs or fancy cars. It seems as if they tried to turn their good fortune into the opportunity to start a business that would have long term positive effects, and simply didn't suceed at that venture. It's not like they lost the money betting on football games or investing in Alpaca farms. They tried to start a construction firm, and failed. Now, why they failed remains unclear, and maybe they were shitty business owners, but it seems like they were at least attempting to do something good with the value of the house.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
Tridiot
Jul 29, 08 6:25
Post #11 of 47 (647 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
If you're going to try and use the stats to support your case, take a look deeper into the situations of the 120 EHM cases.
I'm willing to go out on a limb and say they aren't your "average" families and situations. Not sure if you watch the show, maybe you don't know a lot about it (maybe you do?) but they tend to help people where the family is facing some serious recovery from a crisis, or ongoing health issues.
So yeah, 1 out of 120 of some of the most beat up families in the US is actually pretty good.
And I'm sure you and Art aren't making the following argument (though correct me if I'm wrong), but it does somewhat sound like you are saying "Oh, one family failed, see, this is why social programs don't work." Which would obviously be a bogus argument.
The article (a short one at that) specifically mentions that ABC provides them with services/counseling of the "teach him to fish" variety.
vitus979
Jul 29, 08 6:28
Post #12 of 47 (641 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [slowguy]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I'm with you.
Now, personally, if I had a free house, you can believe that I'm not putting it at risk for anything.
But all of our "everyone can get rich if they want to" folks wouldn't seem to have much room to complain about this. The family was chasing the American dream, taking a risk in order to better their financial situation and their lives. And so on.
That's the thing about risk- it's risky.
"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."
sphere
Jul 29, 08 6:29
Post #13 of 47 (639 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
The numbers I'm finding are much lower, actually (in the neighborhood of 1:500). I'm not sure I'd cite n=1 as a perfect example of anything (specifically as it relates to this sample group), but I cede the point and mostly agree with your larger one.
"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." - George F. Will
David in FL
Jul 29, 08 6:49
Post #14 of 47 (610 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [sphere]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I'm not sure I'd cite n=1 as a perfect example of anything (specifically as it relates to this sample group)
LOL....! Of course, you're absolutely right about the statistical relevancy of both the sample size and n=1. But you brought up the math and admit it, you'd have been disappointed in me if I hadn't taken a swing at that pitch! ;-)
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
sphere
Jul 29, 08 6:57
Post #15 of 47 (598 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
Taking a swing at my math is about as about as sporting as Barry Bonds stepping up to a tee-ball plate. Congratulations on your victory*
;)
"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." - George F. Will
David in FL
Jul 29, 08 7:01
Post #16 of 47 (586 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [sphere]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
In Reply To
victory
*
Subtle........
perfect
!
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
DawnT
Jul 29, 08 7:03
Post #17 of 47 (583 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [David in FL]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
If this were some government program, then I would agree with you. However, it's a TV show and, as such, has done a pretty good job of helping out some people who really needed help while still making money. Most of the families that I have seen on the program have done incredible things to help other people or are in touch situations due to illness. It's really heartwarming to see someone help these families out. I don't see anything wrong with that.
BeeHunter
Jul 29, 08 7:22
Post #18 of 47 (555 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [squesen]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I disagree that this was someone trying to do a good thing and start a business with the money to make for a better life. I think it was simply greed. They started off in bad shape which is why they were chosen for a makeover. On top of a FREE $450K home, they were also given another $250 in contributions. Thats $700K!!! And just like the drunk idiot in Vegas who has a huge winning streak and then blows it all in the next few hours - greed kicked in. These people could have worked at a grocery store bagging groceries for the rest of their lives and had more free spending cash than the rest of us who work hard over 30 year to own their home. I don't feel sorry for them at all. Anyone dumb enough to put their free home up on the chopping block to make even bigger money simply didn't deserve this in the first place.
erichollins
Jul 29, 08 7:24
Post #19 of 47 (550 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [BarryP]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
In Reply To
"Give a man a fish and he only eats for a day........ "
I've always felt this way. If you want to help, you can't just give things away. Don't give the fish, but DO teach to fish.
Having said that, some are just plain beyond help.
A lot of my current job is teaching people to fish (within the company) but everyone leaves their fishing pole at home.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/
last tri in 83
Jul 29, 08 7:24
Post #20 of 47 (550 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [DawnT]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
maybe they should put a deed restriction on the homes - no loans or sale for 10 years, 15 years, etc.
_____________________________________________
Conservative in exile.
slowguy
Jul 29, 08 7:29
Post #21 of 47 (546 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [BeeHunter]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
"These people could have worked at a grocery store bagging groceries for the rest of their lives and had more free spending cash than the rest of us who work hard over 30 year to own their home. "
How do you figure? They got 450K worth of house (no cash) and 250K worth of scholarships (no cash) right?
I guess you're right, they could have just sat in the nice new house and been happy with how they have a nice new house, but instead, it looks like they tried to do something with the value of that house, instead of sit on it. They didn't get greedy and try to just sell the house for the cash, they tried to invest it in a new business. That's exactly what we ask Americans to do with their money.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
MJuric
Jul 29, 08 7:35
Post #22 of 47 (533 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [slowguy]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
I'm wondering what bank would give a loan of that magnitude based solely on the collateral of the house? It would make sense that if these folk were in as bad of shape as they were before the house that they didn't have a great "Skill set" going for them and obviously no experience.
In essence they walked up and said "I have a 450K house and want 450K to go start a business I apparently have very little experience in".
If this is ANYWHERE near what happened we REALLY need to start reigning in the banks before those morons run everyone into a depression.
I've never been a fan of banks and have suffered from what I believed to be really bad decisions on their part on more than one occasion...but they have ALWAYS put me thru the wringer when I held my hand out.
I have noticed that over the last 10 years or so they've been loosening up, too much apparently.
~Matt
David in FL
Jul 29, 08 7:38
Post #23 of 47 (529 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [erichollins]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
A lot of my current job is teaching people to fish (within the company) but everyone leaves their fishing pole at home.
And if you then
give
them a fishing pole, they'll sell it and by a double quarter-pounder with cheese! Right back to square one........
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
BeeHunter
Jul 29, 08 7:40
Post #24 of 47 (523 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [slowguy]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
"Beazer Homes' employees and company partners also raised $250,000 in contributions for the family, including scholarships for the couple's three children and a home maintenance fund."
The $250K in contributions wasn't just scholerships - it "included" scholerships - along with a home maintenance fund. OK - maybe bagging groceries wouldn't cover the taxes on the home, but still....
slowguy
Jul 29, 08 7:47
Post #25 of 47 (509 views)
Re: 'Makeover' home foreclosed [BeeHunter]
[
In reply to
]
Can't Post
"The $250K in contributions wasn't just scholerships - it "included" scholerships - along with a home maintenance fund. OK - maybe bagging groceries wouldn't cover the taxes on the home, but still.... "
Obviously, the family got very lucky being selected for the show. No argument there. However, essentially, they got a new house, some scholarship money, and some other funds (who knows exactly how much?). They tried to turn that into a business. They didn't try to turn it into a Ferrari or a loan so they could buy more expensive stuff. Starting a new business is hard, and lots of them fail, so it doesn't even mean they were stupid or poor businessmen. Obviously, we don't have all the details, but with what we have, I can't say they "squandered" their money or got "greedy." It sounds like they were trying to take advangtage of their good fortune to build something that would last a little and provide them with a lasting source of income, instead of the single shot of good luck they had stumbled on.
Slowguy
(insert pithy phrase here...)
1
2
View All
Print Thread
MAIN
RULES &
LOG
