'Extreme Makeover' Home in Foreclosure

PJ of GA said, "You cannot give an idiot a million dollars and expect them to spend it wisely there are sharks lurking everywhere and yes chase bank is one of them they knew exactly what they were doing!"

There are always sharks in the water but they cannot hurt anyone unless the person(s) decide to jump in the water. Stop blaming Chase bank. They just grabbed a golden opportunity as anyone would. You would, too. The homeowners are to blame for their greediness. I knew when the show started that they weren't going to have it for long...no surprise here. ABC...when you build another home....make it no larger then 1500 sq. feet. People that are applying need a home, not a castle with all the bells and whistles. I think this show is nuts for giving all this to people. Just a home is needed.

Kelli of VA @ Nov 27, 2008 22:07:55 PM

Absolutely ridiculous

Not only was this family given a brand new home with it the mortgage was completely paid off in full upon completion of the project and they were given $250,000 for up keep to save up for following bills and college scholarships for 3 children. Not a smart or thought out decision to try and put your FREE house up for collateral, but also this family was chosen out of 15,000 applicants for the show. So while I do not feel bad for the parents because they are grown adults my heart does go out to the children for their parents horrible mistakes. They should have thought about what got them on the show in the first place. Just be happy and thankful for your gift and work to pay bills...not try and start a business you know nothing about and a business venture that would take several years to get going.

P.S.- starting a business takes several years of being broke to even make a little bit grose profit so why you would put a gifted house up for a loan is beyond me and completely and utterly ridiculous!

SO Right of @ Nov 12, 2008 17:36:10 PM

Mother with four kids need lots of help

I have four children I need help with providing to my kids such as, beds, basically, please need help to give things that I've never had in my life. I need help with purschasing a home for my kids, a van or truck and food, clothes all the bawsic needs. Overall, i would like to go to nursing I can't afford it. Hopefully, god will help me someday.

Georgina Marie Delva of GA @ Nov 05, 2008 23:22:14 PM

Mother with four kids need lots of help

I have four children I need help with providing to my kids such as, beds, basically, please need help to give things that I've never had in my life.

Georgina Marie Delva of GA @ Nov 05, 2008 23:20:12 PM

It is also rather amusing that people like to choose the word "exploited"...Im PRETTY DAMN SURE people are MORE than given the chance to turn DOWN the offer,in exchange for being left to live where ever they live to begin with...And that is just the families who are nominated by OTHERS...As for allot of the other families who made there OWN request video's,i STRUGGLE to see where the TRUE "exploitation" comes into play when you ASK for HELP and you are GIVEN that and more?!... ...A story must be told,for others to realize what is wrong around them...I mean,people who work as news anchors are payed from advertising on there corporate owned networks,so there making money while there telling sometimes "sob stories" that "tug at your heart" and are more often than not,followed up with "and this is how you can help this person in need"...So,tell me,is this simply "exploitation" or also getting the word out!?

@ Nov 01, 2008 17:02:47 PM

should have restrictive covenants on these properties

As a hardworking, single parent mother of three, barely making it as a non profit sector professional, I'm sad, perplexed, and aggravated... oh, I'm also African American. I watch this show, inspired and gratefull that my own circumstances... as challenging and overwhelming as they are at times, are not as dire as the families/households who receive this generous opportunity to comfortably shelter their families. It is an insult to all who gave of themselves in time and resources, personally and professionally, to this particular project. Given the nature of home lending, home ownership, & the fragile economy (including issues that impact economic self sufficiency), these projects should include restrictive covenants and be linked to housing land trust entities such that the property/asset can not be misused, intentionally or not, or lost. I can understand the family trying to get ahead, start a biz, and so forth... however, even the bank should have been limited with the amount of money it loaned the family toward the biz... seems it only had its interest in mind; predatory on the backend.

R Dyson of NC @ Oct 21, 2008 17:56:58 PM

Harpers Foreclosure

If ignorance is bliss well then this family should be on cloud 9 !!!! Youtube has all 5 parts of this story and if you notice when the cameras are in the house there are no rugs or many furnishings but there must be $15,000.00 worth of turntables and records. Hell, the father doesn't even have his front teeth!!!! Shame, shame, shame, on this family for not educating themselves! You can take them out of New York but you'll never take the New York out of them!!! I hope they posess enough character to make this all right!

Anonymous of AK @ Sep 23, 2008 19:50:09 PM

Taxes

They received a house worth 450k and 250k for maintenance and college for the kids. Wouldn't these gifts be considered ordinary income by the IRS? Don't they owe federal income tax on 700k? Does Georgia have state income tax? I hope Harper goes to jail for income tax evasion!

RLK of MO @ Sep 19, 2008 11:03:00 AM