I also agree with you. I don't understand why this show has to go overboard and build these outrageously fancy houses. A modest home that will fit the family and accommodate any special needs would be better. Another problem I see is that some of these fancy homes are built in somewhat rundown neighborhoods. If the family that received the home ever had to move, how would they ever sell it? Who would want to pay to live in a million dollar home surrounded by shacks?

As for the family going into foreclosure, it sounds like they have no clue how to manage money. Actually, if you really listen between the lines to some of these sob stories, you'll note that many of these people got themselves into their situations due to lack of financial skills.

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"Anybody who believes the pen is mightier than the sword hasn't been inside a maximum security prison." ~ Lisa Scottoline

It really does not surprise me. They did a house here and when it was done, the homeowners were whining because they were going to have to pay more taxes on the house because of the upgrade. They already lived in one of the richest areas of Tampa(on an island in the bay) and got on the show because their house had been hit by an airplane and the insurance companies had been arguing for 2-3 years over whether the plane insurance should pay or the homeowners insurance, seems to me that should be cut and dry, like duh the house did not crash into the plane! The house was already worth over 500,000 after the plane crash, after the show was done, it was worth over $1 million. Boo hoo, now they have to pay taxes on their million dollar home. These are people that are already use to luxury and they got their house fixed for free.

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"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money."
Benjamin Franklin

I must not be catching those episodes. Whenever I watch it there always seem to be children with special needs or a family involved in community outreach. I've had the impression that most of the people on it really do deserve the extra help. As far as this family goes, you know they've got to be crying about it. My bet is that they took out the loan thinking the company would work- but who really knows? It is a very bad business and financial move and I can have sympathy for them. I also think they were old enough to know better than that kind of foolishness so yes, they probably deserve this too. Count it as one of lives little learning experiences. Plus who knows the kind of treatment they're going to receive from their community now? It's sad but that's just life. They're going to have to rebuild on their own this time- the same as everybody else.

I don't watch the show - no TV. But one of these homes was done in a town near mine and I know the owner is looking into selling it now. Says he can't afford the taxes or the upkeep of whatever they did to this home. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it, but it kind of is a bummer for all the people / businesses that donates towards these homes. I agree that the money they spend on one home would be better spent towards several other homes -- but they evidently can't find a way sell that to viewers.

i used to watch that show and thought it was great! They really would help out people who needed it...special needs kids and families that have been through so much! They upgraded some really beautiful homes!

But then they started making these huge houses! Geez!

I believe they have helped out some really great people who deserved it, however, on the other hand...don't you think that maybe some of those people are living....6 people in a 2 bedroom house that is rundown...simply because they don't know how to manage money?! If someone can't manage $45,000...they won't be able to manager $450,000. Simple as that!

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Bekah
Co-founder and CEO of the NOVITZKE FAMILY INC.

in the beginning of the show, they would "redo" the existing house. Now, no matter what the state of the house is in, they tear it down and build a mansion. I think that is a waste of resources too, b/c they could help ALOT of families with the money they use on one!

I think this is really sad. I'm sure at the time they thought that they were doing the right thing trying to start a business to make money to help their family. One never knows how things will go in life until your there, experiencing it.

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It makes me angry but part of me says that they just have absolutely No Clue.

We have neighbors that moved here from a very bad neighborhood. They used the insurance money from when the dh passed away (she told us this).

To date, they've had to have 3 lawns put in, because they never watered after it was in (too expensive). They don't water their grass so it won't grow, so they don't have to mow it (again they told us this). There is no landscaping at all that they put in, just what the building company put in, no deck, patio in back, nothing.

They just have no clue what it is to live in a 'nice' neighborhood. They don't realize that THEY have to do the work, I think they think it is going to magically happen. They have a huge house but won't use air conditioning because it is too expensive, yet they bought a $80,000 vehicle.

Our builders do routine checks for maintenance every few months for the first year to make sure the homes are perfect. This was after only living there a year: Their bathroom faucet fell through to the floor because when they washed their hands and got the counter all wet, they never cleaned it up and the caulking eroded and their sink fell to the floor!

They. Have. No. Clue!

This is very true.

You would think the producers of the show would have thought of these things way in the begining. They should have made sure these families realized that going from living in a house that's worth $100,000 to living in a house that is worth $300,000 or more (In a lot of cases, much more) was going cost much more in taxes,maintenance,etc and make sure they could handle it before they built the homes. But I suppose ratings were more important to them.