Jerry Fleeman of Gastonia e-mails with this (sarcastic) query:
"Given the many past columns and blogs surely you will write on the evils of the McMansion built by the TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in the Windsor Park neighborhood of Charlotte.
A 1,900 square-foot single-story house was transformed into a 5,100 square-foot multi-story mansion. Surely this house now adversely impacts the neighborhood. Some quotes from the Observer story: "At 5,100 square feet, it barely fits on their Sudbury Road lot. "
And, "Its tall roof soars over the Windsor Park neighborhood, where modest one-story brick homes are the standard."
Whaddaya think?
I've been wondering how much thought went into making the house as energy efficient as possible. Does anyone know? I've not been following it closely. Is there daylighting? Passive solar? Any solar panels? Geothermal heating? Recycled materials?
I hope some provision is being made to help this family with what are likely to be much higher utility bills (unless the house is "green") and higher property taxes.
Monday, August 04, 2008
"Extreme Makeover": Is house too big?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
60 comments:
I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking these things. I'm happy for them that they got a new house, but I wish they'd make them a little more comparable in size and style with the rest of the neighborhood. The first thing I thought of was it sounds like they may have been struggling a bit, I hope they can afford to maintain a house that size. I also imagined that it would look VERY out of place with the rest of the houses in the area. Not sure what the real estate market implications are, but I hope give them this "mini-mansion" doesn't backfire on the recipients or their neighbors.
With ABC, it is never about the deed, but about the splash. I learned that first hand when I ventured to Tampa two springs ago to audition my invention for that "reality" summer series. I found out only after getting down there that they didn't give a hoot about the invention, but only about whether or not the person showing it could connect with their "young" audience and hold viewer-ship. My invention will/would save lives, I'm out of money b4 I could get it to market, but they said that they wanted something in the 'entertainment' field. One man next to me in line, had a carburetor that would instantly cause your car to get over 70mpg, but he was older, scruffy, and redneck looking. He got the boot after waiting for over ten hours in line outside within the first five minutes after he entered the holding room. He looked poor, and it is too bad, as I would love to have that invention in my car today! ABC couldn't do houses like habitat for humanity, because for them it is about ratings and those houses would draw flies to the TV set. And in knowing what ABC is really all about, I wouldn't watch that show if Jesus was on it, and I’m a Christian.
I would have been happy with a 2,500 square foot house, then had them build another that size for someone else.
But I guess we've gotten used to the lottery principle: Better to give $100 million to one person than $100,000 to 1,000.
You know, everyone seems to have an opinion. It's like the whole world is gossiping. They deserve this house. So what if it doesn't match with the community image. These people did great things for the community. Let them enjoy it in peace and for once everyone else needs to be totally selfless.
I don't even think my first schoolhouse was bigger than 5,100 square feet. Just how much space does a family that size need?
In that neighborhood, I give them a month after ABC airs the show (showing all the flat screen TVs and electronics) to be robbed. I hope Ty thought of installing a security system.
from AP: 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.
I have learned in life that either people are happy for you or jealous. If it were you being the receipent, would you stipulate when strangers offer to give you a new home, my new house must be less than 2500 sqft so it doesnt diminish the value of everyone else's home, please make it white with black shutters and a white picket fence or I dont want it facing that way, I need the bedrooms to be on this floor with baths for each NOOOOO...you get what people give you. This show is watched by millions for its wow factor and if they had given them anything less than something like a 5100 sqft home, we would be commenting on a completely different issue: Why wasnt it as big as the others. You dont have to maintain it, pay for it or live in it. SO SHUT UP!!!! Now if we're talking about the family in ATL who took a $450K mortgage on a free home that came with $100K in cash, then we could complain about the selection process of this show because those people are idiots.
How do you know these people deservedit? Do you know everything about them? Since when is working a full time job considered a big deal? These people haven't done anything anyone else hasn't done.
They will probably take out a Home Equity Loan to finance their new tax bill (and maybe purchase some new cars, and who knows what else) and then ask for a Bank to bail them out where it's up for forclosure. Hey, worst case scenario they get to keep the cars.
I think everyone who has something to say about how this family doesn't deserve the house and that it is too big and how you think that they are going to take out a loan and screw it up too, should just SHUT UP and be happy for the family. If it were you, you would not be complaining about the size or it overbearing any of the other homes, or about whether if you deserved it, you would be happy and greatful. No one can make a judgement of whether they deserve the house or not. That was up to the Extreme Home Makeover Crew and they chose this family, so obviously they deserve it. So everyone complaining and gossiping about this should just let it go. The family that took the loan out on the home has nothing to do with this family, don't hold someone else accountable for what others do. LET IT GO and BE HAPPY. I myself am very happy for this family, and no I don't know anything about them, but I am happy for them. You don't live the life of this family or know what they go thru. Only God knows and therefore they have been blessed. SO LET GO AND LET GOD!!!!
Why can't we just be happy for these folks? Good for them I say! Sounds as if they have big hearts and now a "big" house to go with them. Congratulations I say!
I only wonder if she is licensed to do day care, was the house upfitted for that purpose, does she have adequate insurance for not only daycare but for the house. I think that DSS and who else enforces daycare licensing and other of those types of codes look into this. She had what, 9, 11 children including her own that she was watching in a small home, does nuc pro tunc (now for then) apply in this case? And, does the McMansion that has been dissed in Myers Park, etc. going to be dissed for the same reason where her home is. And, who will pay taxes, water bills, she has a huge roof, ergo, her storm water management portion of her water bill will soar, electric and gas bills, lighting, heating and cooling and power for all those electronic toys will cost a big chunk of change they were struggling before, this will only put them into a struggling situation again. Yea, I agree, probably take out an equity loan for something and get foreclosed on.
The one thing I have noticed about Extreme Makeover homes is that they ALWAYS seem to be too big for whatever neighborhood they are built in. Just once, I'd like to see a house that is replaced by one that is comparable to those in the same neighborhood. I have watched the show since its debut, and this is the norm. I am happy for the family, but wonder how long they will be able to maintain the new home before it ends up in someone else's hands (i.e, the BANK) The fault is with ABC; maybe everyone should let them know how we feel. Of course, now real estate prices in the neighborhood will be affected in an already terrible market.
Wow, the more I read these negative comments, the more I get the sick feeling in my stomach that most of the negativity is stemming from the fact that this is a black family! I feel that if this was being done for a white family, I'm sure the comments would have a different slant to them.
All the comparisons to the other black family in Atlanta that, in reality, did something that many Americas do everyday - they started a business that unfortunately failed. If that construction business was making millions of dollars a year, would anyone be complaining about them putting the house up for collateral.
Back to the Charlotte family - who cares if the house is bigger than the others, or if barely fit on the lot...this house was their reward for having a kind heart. I doubt the thousands of people that volunteered thought they were wasting their time or that the family was undeserving.
What a sad waste. This house is hopelessly out of place in that neighborhood. These people will probably run out and get an equity line of credit, waste the money and then face foreclosure in a year or two. At least they'll have Obama and the Democrats on their side - they'll make sure honest hardworking Americans are there to pick up the tab.
I'm happy for all the families who receive homes on this show. Maybe not all of them handle it correctly as with the Harper family (seriously, what were they thinking taking out a $450,000 mortgage to start a business on such a great gift???). Maybe Extreme should make it a condition that a family can't take out such a huge mortgage on a gift without some sort of permission or clearance.
I do agree that this home is going to "stand out" in that neighborhood. If Extreme needs to be on the grand side of things, why don't they do a "neighborhood" makeover???? Why not go into some of these neighborhoods where certain families have lived for years and are fighting for their neighborhoods and redo them??? Each home doesn't have to be a McMansion. I'm sure people would be just as happy with new roof, new windows, new kitchen, etc..... Basically use the lottery factor to awarding 10 people $100,000 instead of one person a million dollars. I would STILL watch the show!!
Anyhow, congrats to this family and I hope they are able to enjoy their new home for many years to come.
anonymous, you were so right...either people are happy for you or they are jealous! I've never posted here before but this time I could not move on without making a statement or 2.
So what the house soars over the others...it's only going to bring up the value of the other homes. I've been a successful real estate agent in Charlotte since 97. When I saw where Extreme Make Over was building, considering the fact that major changes are "eventually" going to happen at Eastland Mall, I wish I already owned a home on Sudbury. Atleast if it turns out like Dilworth, Wesley Heights, Wilmore etc. it was over a good cause.
Also, crime is not prejudice to a single neighborhood in the Queen City.
The show is called "Extreme" Makeover because??
The show has helped a lot worthy people that have done generous things for others that the average person would not do and No one is perfect. If the King family is willing to help a single mom out by keeping her child at any hour so that mom may go to work and be able to contribute honestly to society & provide for her child and not charge the mom if she is unable to pay or is willing to work out a payment plan so the mom doesn't have to quit her job and go on welfare...The King Family DESERVES a 5100 sq ft home...for free!
And that's all anyone needs to know about the family. ABC did a criminal back ground & a detailed reference check, that's good enough.
Anonymous, sorry ABC didn't like your invention or didn't care to hear what your convention was about. Also, sorry that your funds ran out but if you want someone to have favor with you & give you a chance you may want to get over the bitterness and start being happy for the people ABC did have favor with. Furthermore, let's be real, if you were really a Christian by it's true definition, would you have made that comment about Jesus? Also, if you feel so poorly about the show why would you click to see the updates and read the posts? I think it's an awesome show and I love it that's why I was curious to read the posts, unfortunately, I was disappointed with some of the responses.
It's unfortunate about the one Extreme Maker Home going into foreclosure. It's hard to believe they allowed that to happen & to bad they didn't have a good financial advisor but things happen.
Volunteers can only give their best with good intentions and hopefully those being blessed will be a good steward over their blessing. You always reap what you sow and as you give, it will be given unto you.
I'm not saying the recipient isn't deserving.. that's not my call.. I'm not paying for the materials and labor to extend them the opportunity for a new house.. (if their new dream doesn't come from your wallet and your children's mouths, who are you to say whether they're deserving.. you're only complaining that you or someone you care about is more deserving and that's pretty shallow).
My concern is much like what was mentioned earlier.. like any contest, the taxes and the value of the 'prize' is the responsibility of the 'winner'. Water restrictions will hit the beautiful large landscape pretty hard, property taxes will go up for the neighbors around the home (not to mention what it will do to the owners' taxes)...if the neighbors have to sell-out, how long until rezoning occurs and eliminiates single-family residential in their area?
I'm not a pessimist.. I'm a realist.. this has the propensity to cause some significant pain and I hope someone's looking out for them (financially, not spiritually).
enough with the Christian "feelings" and Jesus Loving, please, not all of us are Christians, some of us are Buddah lovers, Wiccans and so forth. That doesn't make us BAD, it makes us look at those Christian comments as discriminating.
OK, WHO SAYS ALL US SELF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO COMPARE APPLES TO ORANGES?! GOD GAVE THESE PEOPLE A BEAUTIFUL GIFT. FOR THE LOVE AND SAKE OF GOD AND HIS MERCIES STAY OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have read each and every comment and I am absolutely ashamed at some of the negativity and jealousy that I am reading. If the shoe was on your foot, you would have jumped at the opportunity to have this home. You don't know how God will provide for them to keep this house or if he just wanted them to have it for the moment. NOT YOUR BUSINESS! Unless any of you are paying the bills or the upkeep of this house, please don't discourage this family. Negative thoughts and that little green monster called jealousy can cause negative reactions and I would hate to know that you all destroyed a wonderful thing with your Sodom and Gomorrah minds. I pray that this family never reads the negative remarks placed here. And, if I am ever so Blessed to get an "Extreme Makeover Home", I hope you are my neighbor. Go figure!
lets just watch where it goes! I bet we will not be surprised
It's obvious the same "don't build me a bobcat arena" people are now saying "don't give a deserving home to deserving people." If you would do research and actually watch the show you'd know that the house comes with a security system, state of the art environmental controls, energy efficient appliances, and automated controls. People need to realize that the reason they're able to do so much is because the effect of the show being so popular and the houses being so spectacular causes companies to showcase their top of the line equipment and appliances. For people who devote their time to give to their community with the outlook of no reward, this is more than a great reward back to them. Oh yeah, the house will probably be paid off so they should never have to worry about a mortgage again, and only have to worry about maintenance. I'd take that deal anyday. Yes the house is large for the neighborhood, but the area has mature trees and other two story houses that it does not stick out like a sore thumb, just a well designed one. Congratulations to the family.
After reading some of these comments I am disappointed at what some people have become. I am personally jealous of them a little bit because that is an awesome house!!! I know the family personally and I know they are very deserving. I am very happy for the King family and I wish them well. They are a great family and very kind hearted. Alisha is a sweet soul and deserves all this. Everyone who has posted negative things even racist things about them or their house should be very ashamed. If you are not, shame on you. When no one else is around you take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself why you cannot can't be happy for the Kings. Know them first before you slam them. Share in their joy! Congratulations!!!!
Ok... I couldn't take it like a few others after reading all these negative comments. Next family I hope they just tear down the house, leave it in a pile of rubble and just move the family to a brand new all brick home in Ballantyne, Lake Norman, Palisades, or something of the sort. I am praying that this family continues to receive favor from God, and all their needs are already met (tax bill, water bill, electric bill, gas bill, etc). No weapon formed against them shall prosper..mentally, physically, financially, spiritually and in no other form that I'm sure you negative people have already thought of before I could finish this message.
I also pray that God remove the bitterness, jealousy, hatred, and any other negative thought from your heart and minds at this very moment. I pray that you also receive favor from God so that you can feel what she feels.
I want to thank all those who post positive messages and continue to encourage this family and keep them in your prayers. I will keep the rejoicers and the haters in mine.
Take care....
Unbelievable. I really hope the fortunate family that was just blessed with such an awesome home from Extreme Makeover never see these posts.
King family, should you come across these posts please know that the majority is very happy for you!!
I am very certain your future will be filled with continued success. After all, you had enough intelligence, desire to succeed and compassion to start your own business which helps others. As a result of your greatness and generosity it lead a National Network and National TV program select you out of thousands of families in the Charlotte Metro area to be the recipient of such a beautiful home. In a addition, it prompted a Respected Custom Builder & his Team, as well as Contractors, Vendors & Hundreds of Volunteers to invest their time, money & energy to ensure the success of your new home.
Best Wishes and Enjoy!
I worry what the new house and its new tax value is going to do to the neighbors. Will the neighbors have to suffer a tax increase? Did anyone make sure that they can pay for their taxes?
I think this family has done wonderful things and is deserving of the support of the community. The house is beautiful, but simply inappropriate for the neighborhood it sits in. That's no fault of the family - its fully the fault and responsibility of the show and its sponsors. Long after the show is aired, their neighbors will be left to deal with a home that truly overshadows everything around it and simply doesn't belong. Can you imagine waking up one day to discover that your neighbor's house has expanded five-fold overnight? The show could have easily created a wonderful new home for this family with a more appropriate footprint for the community - which I'm sure the neighbors would have appreciated.
jealousy...why are you all jealous of their gift.they were in need "put your$$ where your mouth is"
It's not about being jealous or judging whether or not this family "deserves" the gift they've been given. The question was is the house too big. My only point in my first comment was that I hope they considered whether they were helping them by giving them this much bigger house, or whether they were going to contribute to their apparent struggling by giving them something that was CLEARLY going to cost even more to keep up. Talk about negativity. Just because someone expresses concern about something doesn't mean they are jealous. I also was worried about the fact that they have such a grand house with "$75k of new furnishings" in what the article paints to be a not so desirable neighborhood. Hence the point about giving people a house that is more in line with the neighborhood that they will be stuck living in if they want to keep it.
I never said anything about expecting them to foreclose because they go out and get a loan, etc. I expect that is probably a very rare occurence since I've only heard of that happening once in all the time this show has been on.
I think this show is a wonderful idea but I don't think they need to build people mini-mansions to get their ratings. I'm pretty sure most of the people watching are more interested in the "people" factor than in what kind of construction is going on. I just hope the show considers the aftermath and makes sure that the families will be able to comfortably take care of their new homes. I thought I remembered one show they mentioned giving them money to cover taxes, at least for a certain time?
Giving them money to "cover their taxes" is still taxable income to them. As is the house. As is the amount of debt that is discharged from ABC paying off the mortgage on the old house (which they may have done.) These people are looking at a MASSIVE tax bill this year. If ABC gives them money to pay the taxes, then it will just continue to go up. So currently they are looking at probably at least 35% of $500k (bare minimum) for the value of the structure alone. They are going to have to get a mortgage just to pay the Federal Income Tax bill. On top of that, they are going to have to pay property tax on whatever the new tax value of the property is every year. Those people better be praying that Obama doesn't win, otherwise their 35% tax bill might skyrocket to 65% or more.
Bottom line, they better get to work. It's August now. They've got till April 15 to come up with about $200k or more to pay Uncle Sam. Good luck and Godspeed.
begrateful,
I'm the commentor above you. I'm not jealous at all. I'm happy for them. I think it's great and that they are wonderful and as deserving as all get out.
However, the dark underbelly of these types of tv shows is the fact that the people that get the prizes often end up getting screwed due to the tax implications. That's not sour grapes, that's just facts and figures. They've got a long row to hoe going forward.
I just can't believe how jealous people can be when good things happen to others. I know this family personally and have known them for over 13 years now. They are a very loving, humble, and deserving family. Many of you are just outsiders looking in. You haven't been there to see the struggles and the hard times that this family has faced. They've had the daycare for over seven years now and ofen didn't profit from it. Why didn't they close it one might ask, well the answer to that is the simple fact that many of the children in the daycare are from single family and low-income homes. The King family often kept the children for free when the parents couldn't afford to pay the monthly childcare cost. That is like many of you going to work each day and working for free. Would you continue to work each day or even overtime for free? Heck NO! Well the King family knew that the daycare was all that many of those families had. Instead of closing the daycare, Mr. and Mrs. King made the sacrifice to do without things of their own in order to provide for other families. I've seen times when Mrs. King would spend her LAST DIME on food for the daycare students. Not to mention that the Kings have NEVER been on a family vacation because they were always so worried about the daycare parents not having a place to send their children for a week. Many of you have questioned whether or not the daycare is licensed. The answer to that is YES! The Step-By-Step daycare was just inspected in February and received 225 points out of 235 points. The daycare has a superior rating, which is more than I can say for many of the well-known daycares. Mr. King volunteers with numerous little-league teams. Mrs. King is also an advocate for many hearing impaired people in Charlotte. Moving on to the size of the house...You can't be mad at the family for the size house they were given. If someone gave you a 5,100 sf. house, I bet you wouldn't complain about the size. Also please keep in mind that about half of the house, if not more is for the daycare. I know that the family will not have to worry about the house going into foreclosure. If they paid their bills on the old house while not making any money off the daycare...I'm sure they will definitely survive now. Financial advisors have been set up to work with the family. All I can say is to be happy for them. They have the house regardless of what you may think and will have it no matter how much you disagree. They are a very deserving family, and there are more people happy for them than those wanting to find something negative to say. Just imagine if the Kings lived their life always being negative and putting others down...they would not be where they are today!
I am disgusted with some of the negative comments about the King family and all the dire economic predictions concerning them. What a bunch of party poopers some of you bloggers are. I guarantee you that if it was your house that had gotten the makeover, you'd be dancing for joy.
Why begrudge this family their moment in the sun, their happiness? Let them worry about maintaining the house and paying the taxes, etc. It's not your house and it isn't any of your business...is it? But some of you just can't resist the urge to find something "wrong" or "bad" with the whole thing, can you? You just have to insert some negativity into someone else's good fortune, don't you?
Sounds like nothing more than a classic case of sour grapes to me.
This is exactly why I quit watching this show. They go overboard in what they give to the families. I, too, am concerned they give them more than they will be able to maintain, causing heartbreak later on.
If they needed that many square feet, why not just move them to a neighborhood the size they need and replace the old house with a new one, comparable in size to fit the surroundings and not negatively impact the other neighbors.
THIS HOUSE IS TO BIG FOR THIS AREA THE HOUSES IN THIS AREA RANGE IN THE 120,000 NOT IN THE 450,000 THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER APPRAISE FOR THE AMOUNT THE HOUSE IS WORTH. WHAT A SHAME THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO MORE THAN WHAT IS IN THE AREA ITSELF.NICE JOB BUT TO MUCH
I simply am amazed at the comments that many chose to actually put on this blog but am not amazed that the majority decided not to leave their names. If these people do decide to do anything on their property is it any of our business? I am positive that since you have to get zoning permission from the city before building that this house was approved by the governing body of our fair city.If the Kings decided to sell the house before the show aired how would it affect you? none of us live in the house or pay any of these people's bills. This is why we cannot get along now because we spend so much time messing around in somebody else's backyard instead of tending to our own. And how many people have taken out a loan and had a business to fail? all the financial planning in the world does not prepare you for that type of failure. Most businesses lose money for the first three years according to statistics. I for one have not even seen the pictures or looked at the video but what I do know is that regardless of what anyone says these people have recieved a gift that somebody thought they were deserving of and more than likely appreciate it more than most. Instead of being so negative why not lend them a kind word or some type of encouragement. If you know how to help them then be of some help... and from what i ubnderstand their neighbors were in full support of the whole shebang lending their support, yards, anything they could. I am sure the knew what the end result was going to be and if they had any concerns they had an opportunity to voice those from the beginning. This project probably brought their community closer together by allowing them to work together and help make someone elses life great! Congrats to the King family for their new home and new daycare! And thank you to whomever realized that Obama is going to be the next President and make this a better place for everyone and not just for a few;)
And I thought the original post was pretty ugly. If you look into how "Extreme Makeover" designs the houses, they have people specially assigned to make the house energy efficient and "green". Do your homework. As far as knowing anything about the people that won this house, and whether they are "worthy" of this gift: I do know these people. I can assure you, this family is deserving of this gift and will use it to help others. For the one that judged that a "family this size" did not need that much space, please consider that the majority of this space will be used to run a daycare that provides assistance for single mothers and serves several children. For the person questioning their license - she is licensed. Try a different angle if you're wanting to sabotage someone's joy.
This is so completely disgusting that I can't read much further. The people that wrote those comments are very obviously very jealous, miserable people who apparently are looking for company.
And oh my goodness I just looked at the pictures and how different is this house from the houses that they are building in the North Charlotte, Wilmore and Beatties Ford area where the homes are being bought for maybe $50,000 and then rebuilt and then valued at $400,000? there are people driving up people's taxes for the sake of making a buck and getting closer to downtown for a game and people are complaining because somebody gave a family that gives freely of themselves a wonderful gift? Come On People!
It's our business, inasmuch as I'm a Charlottean, and I hate to see a family receive such a gift, then not be able to keep it up. It has nothing to do with jealousy, and everything to do with concern for the family, and the neighborhood. It's my business because I care about this city.
@Anonymous, who said "Can you imagine waking up one day to discover that your neighbor's house has expanded five-fold overnight?" I don't have to imagine it - it's happening right in my neighborhood, off of Matheson Ave. Sweet little '30s cottages, that were affordable rental property, are being razed and HUGE homes are going up. They don't fit in here, they block the sun, and most of them have been vacant over a year. I know the impact it's had on my neighborhood - NOT good - and wish the producers had thought about that before they planned and built this behemoth.
So the person who said the Kings spend their last dime on daycare food - bad financial management to begin with. Do they have daycare permits? We were told we could have a "home occupation" (daycare) in our home but only have four children including our own. I went through inspections, permits, insurance, renovations on the house, child proofing all cabinets and doors, fencing, railings, things in the electrical outlets, menus for food and so forth. Documents for parents and guardians to fill out and sign, medical papers on all children so that their vacinnations and stuff were up to date. Did Mrs. King? I hope someone checks into her do gooding, it was probably illegal. And, now that she has a castle among her neighbors' servant homes, will she still take in kids or will she get out there and get two jobs so she can pay the tax bills. The house and vacation and furniture and so forth are prizes. If you go on Wheel of fortune and win, you have to pay about 1/3 of the value in taxes to the state you live in and the federal government. My friend did Wheel of Fortune and won a trip to Mexico valued at (by the show) $8,000, she got hit with a tax bill of $2700 and her "income" then went up, because it is considered taxable income and put her in a different (higher) tax bracket that year. Do they realize that their trip, and we will conservately call it $10,000, the $75,000 of furniture, the house at $400,000 (again low ball price) will cost them over $125,000 in taxes???? No wonder Ty said to consult a financial advisor - they need to sell off all those new thingys to pay part of the bill. HR Block won't help and a real financial advisor charges by the hour, again, more $$$. Yes, we will end up payings, we will put our money where our mouth is - they will probably get an equity loan and then go belly up and we will have to bail them out. How come we who live within our budget get screwed all the time. And, please no more God will take care of them - if that be the case, our banks wouldn't be in trouble with all those foreclosures.
WOW, there are a bunch of "haters" out there! You all need to get a life.Be happy for this family. They have done alot for their community, unlike some of those who have spoke negatively about them on this post.I'm happy for them and hope they continue to do great things.
Best bit of financial advice for the Kings will be to switch their vote from Obama to McCain faster than you can say "here comes the tax man". Unless they plan on foreclosing on the property and having someone else pick-up the tab. Then it's Obama all the way!
I am an original resident of Windsor Park. My parents passed away and my sister inherited the house, where she still lives today. She has been inconvenienced by this "makeover," as well as the other residents of Windsor Park. I know for a fact that there have been many, many complaints over this build from the neighborhood, as the president of the neighborhood association has stated, but you would never hear that from the media, as that would be bad publicity. I resent the allegations of this being a crime-ridden neighborhood. This was once a fine family neighborhood, which has only gone somewhat downhill because the original residents died for the most part or moved away, replaced by renters and thugs who didn't give a damn. It is on its way back, and it remains to be seen whether this house will help. One thing is clear--this house is way too big for the neighborhood, and for those of you (yes, also those of you in real estate) who say it doesn't matter, why don't you try to live next to a behemoth where it doesn't belong. This family may have deserved a house, but the neigborhood didn't deserve this eyesore. It will be forever known as "that makeover house" and be made fun of for years to come because it is so huge. Contrary to some posters, it will not increase the value of other homes in the neighborhood, wait and see.
I wish the family the best. I hope they enjoy their new home and live in it for as long as they choose to occupy it. My comments are not driven by anger, jealousy, or racism. My questions are the same regardless of the race or ethnicity of the recipients. My concerns are with the show itself, not the recipients.
After Ty Pennington and crew leave, I wonder how the recipients are treated by their neighbors. Do their neighbors become jealous? Do they assume the recipients are now as wealthy as their house is large? Do their neighbors badger them for gifts, etc? Are they more likely to be the victims of crime? How does their new home alter the character of the neighborhood? Can they maintain their home? My costs (taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc.) are high enough on my 2800 square foot home. I can’t imagine maintaining a 5000 square foot home.
BTW, one poster suggested that the house was a gift from God. I am not certain, but I doubt God selects “Extreme Home Makeover” recipients or, for that matter, lottery winners. Also, another poster stated that some of the posted comments were in response to the skin color of the Atlanta and Charlotte recipients. Given the history of race relations in our country, I can understand how one may perceive that. Yet, with the exception of the poster who accused the other posters of being racist, no other poster mentioned race in their comments.
Typical Charlotte mentality! How much is this? How much is that? What's the size of the house? The one thing I've always hated about this town are all the money grubbers and status freaks who have to put other people down just to make themselves feel better. The comments on this blog show us just how shallow and greedy some of you really are.
Unless you live next door to these people your opinion of the house is irrelevant. As is your opinion of their tax situation, daycare certification status, and anything else you use as an excuse to vent your jealousy toward them.
It was never about the King Family or their home. It was about Mary ( The Observer) critizing McMansions as an evil for everyone in many many articles and then given the Home Makeover scenario The Observer finding and printing only the good. Mary has yet to provide us with her opinion. My point to Mary and the Observer is that the beauty and benefits of the McMansion are in the eye of the beholder and not in the absolutes good and bad found in morality as they like to editorialize. Jerry Fleeman
I was born and raised in W.P., my parents and grandmother still live there. I now live in NY and just last year we had an Extreme Makeover in a nearby neighborhood. Just for all of you who haven't already heard, they do extensive checks with the city and county about the family. They are running a legit daycare if they were featured on the show. For all of you who are all worried the Ty and his crew might of missed something I am sure the city knows now and will take care of it. I remember last year a bunch of people here in NY came all out of the woodworks to put the family down and try to find fault with them. Let me say that I dont know this family and I could really care less if they are "good canidates" for this home, but yay for them, who am I to judge that they may have financial problems, and be stolen from. Remember I lived in that neighborhood, some of y'all make it out to be gang banging all the time don't go outside. Most people that are losing there houses put themselves in that problem. Living outside their means, building huge houses in South Charlotte, using 50% of there income just for housing to live on the "right" side of town and another 20 percent to drive the "right" kind of car. This family apparently decided to live in a home that was in their means ... hints living in what y'all call crime infested "hood". I saw their car didn't look like it was brand new. I am sure they wanted to live in the "right" neighborhood sometimes and have a nicer car.
Lastly, the question is the Extreme Makeover: is house to big? I have to say that I havent seen anything but photos but my mother walked up the road the other day behind the house and you could see it from there. 5,000 sqf in W.P. is outragious, not because are they going to be able to pay for it, is it green, or even if it is ugly, it just does not keep with the interigty of the neighborhood. most house are ranches with 3 beds, and 1 and a half bathrooms. There are a frew split levels and even fewer two stories. Driving down the section of Sudbury it is all ranches and then there is this huge two story with porches on both levels home, with huge a garage. It just seems to me that you have taking what use to be a modest working family neighborhood and added a house for a hard working deserving family that really makes them stand out and not fit in with the community.
Isn't it all about community anyway?
Mrs. King's daycare is a highly certified daycare as it has superior ratings. There is NOTHING illegal about the daycare. She went through all of the hoops just as everyone else. Also spending your last dime to feed children is not at all a bad finanical decision. That is called having a giving heart and caring about others more than you care for yourself. Anyone with a heart would give their last dime to children in need. If you don't feel the same way, then maybe that is why you are so quick to judge this family. Also why is anyone worried about the taxes? As long as you don't have to pay them, you shouldn't be concerned. I am sure that with all of the negative, the King family are going to do everything in their power to keep their house in order to prove you WRONG!!!! Sometimes negativity just encourages one to do better!
SO MANY NEGATIVE THINGS ARE SAID ABOUT THIS??????????? WHAT THE F*%k???????? Seriously, I live on the east side and have for the last 12 years with my wife and 4 year old. My mother in law lives 5 house up on the 4100 block of Sudbury. THis is a great thing, I can only think that those who post negative comments are just JEALOUS........ Get over it!. HOw about this..Pretend it did not happen...would that make things better? NO it happened and it makes ones life better for a that much longer. UNBELIEVABLE the crap I read, They will blow it, who pays the taxes, they can not afford it??????? How about the rich MOFO's who live in Plaza kidwood, Dillworth, or NODA and pay taxes on a home "valued at"(79,000.00 home but take out an equity loan for 600,000.00 ( what they can actually sell it for). WHAT EVER! Christ I have never seen so many negative, jealous, pretenious, nay saying, cosmo drinking, SUV driving, NON TAX PAYING, OIL SUCKING, and pissing and moaning inmy entire life.. IT IS A GOOD THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My negative comment was about ABC, not the KIng family, and I stand by it. If ABC really wanted to do something nice with that show, they could, for the same price, build eight to ten Habitat Homes on every show, and put folks in them wereas they would not be taken advantage of (for ratings) to the point where they had to become tax attorneys in order to find out what just happened to them. I don't understand why this type of "truthful" comment keeps getting slaughtered by the "be happy for the Kings or else" crowd? I thought this was a place where all could have their say without the "persecution." I just happen to know what the true motives are behind that network, and I also remember, like you probably don't, that they gave 50 times the media coverage for the death of precious princess Diana, and very close to no coverage for Mother Teresa, who, unfortunately died at the same time, and yet who deserved the coverage to be exactly the other way around. I also know from personal responses from representatives at that network that they could give a rip about Christians, Christianity, or, citizens over 50. Someone said earlier that hollywood is evil, and whether or not that is true, most pastors agree that TV in general is Satan's great tool far more often than not. So you have to be careful when "TV" gives away something for nothing, as there is usually a catch, and with this particular show preying on the downtrodden, or, families having lost a loved one, or pehaps even recently "handicapped," emotions are running high to begin with. And so it's like fishing in a barrel for ABC. Finally, if the powers to be had honorable motives, they would build these houses in proportion to all community considerations, and not just for their ratings, which cause them to "care less" about the surrounding areas, and/or the folks who live in those communities, who do matter, whether you like that or not, because they just fly back to tinseltown and don't have to live with the any aftermath or repercussions.
My family of four lives in a 3000 square foot home our finished basement with batroom adds another 1000 feet. We are on 8 Acres. My taxes are $16,000 +/_ per year. We earn about $300,000.00/yr. My kids are needing to go to college, I need a new car, and my oil bills are going up. I think I need extreme makeover to come build me a SMALLER HOUSE!. Hey if the poor get free big houses, why cant the middle class get free smaller houses..HUH why not PLLEEASE. Oh if Obama becomes president my taxes will go up so much that i will have to fire my three employees and sell my kids.
Post a Comment