First the foreclosure suicide and now a reality TV show celebrity foreclosure. The mortgage crisis in this country is taking hit at the most unlikely high profile cases.
In 2005, ABC’s popular show Extreme Makeover demolished a family’s decrepit home and helped them rebuild a new one in a show aptly titled, Harper Family Extreme Makeover.
Neighbors and fans wanted to pitch in and around 1800 showed up to lend a hand in demolishing the old home and building a sparkling, four bedroom mini mansion.
Three years later, the tables have turned. (The house it seems had a shell life of only 3 years).
The house has now become the latest victim of the foreclosure crisis. How did it all came to this. Apparently, the Harper family used the gifted home as a collateral for a $450, 000 loan and since then being unable to pay it back they have had to forfeit their living spaces.
What about those who pitched in to help and volunteer? They are fuming mad and less than thrilled about the family’s financial mismanagement.
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Updates:
1. Happy to announce Harper Family took note of my article and left us Feedback below. Don’t forget to check it out. We would love to hear from you as well.
2. This blog does not condone racism. But at the same time, I believe this blog is a reflection of the society we live in so comments would rarely be deleted unless they contain spam.
This just goes to show that some people are destined to be poor. This is in no way a racist comment either. Some people just do not know how to handle money and fine property. Taking out a $450,000 loan w/ your awesome house as collateral to start a construction company in times like these?? Just plain dumb!Why? Why would you risk it? I also question the whole construction company thing. What do you want to bet that money was spent on excess cars, clothing and other frivilous crap?
WOW Jessica!!!!!! Yea, you arent a racist!!!! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT, and the KKK just go out on friendly night rides. Funny thing is I agree with everything you said up until, “What do you want to bet that money was spent on excess cars, clothing and other frivilous crap?”…That right there made it racist. I ask, if it were the poor white-trash that you came from would you have made that same comment? Probably not; and you know what, they would have blown it all too, but they would have blown it on chewing tobacco, home pregnancy tests, the NASCAR Package, and monster truck tires for that beat-up pick-up. ASSHOLE!!!!!!!
Jessica, you’re right. Just plain dumb.
What a shame. Before the show agrees to help a family in dire need, they may need to do extensive research on the family, credit history etc, etc…Also, Jessica is correct. Some poeple are just poor with business decisions. This was a god-awful decison the family made which ultimatley effects the kids.
J you are a plain dumb idiot. For you to think because Jessica made a comment that they would blow it on cars, clothing and other crap didn’t once make it a racist COMMENT at all. What for you to make a response to Jessica comments might make you really think that blacks in general do this kind of thing. First of all, I am a brotha and am no tom. So, lets gets that out of the way!!! You must have no education because if you did, you would have spoke out of intelligence not ignorance. Jessica, was just being straight out real like the rest of blacks, whites, mexicans, and asians would have been. KEEP IT REAL GIRL!!!
J your and Idiot. There was nothing in that comment that specified any race. I understood what he was saying in that when you have not had things in the past and all of sudden you are blessed with something big you lose your head and go overboard with spending because of your knew lifestyle. What a tragedy to be right back where you started. J you need to get a life. It is probably your own guilt bothering you. You can turn any kind of comment to racism if you want but that doesn’t mean is was meant racist. I get tired of that kind of junk. GROW UP!
Two words: “Black” “Family”………..too dumb to know any better………..
I concur, J is a complete idiot, Jessica is correct.
If you go back and look at the re-run of the show and I can remember it, they did not look like they needed help, they were dressed nice and looked like they had just gone shopping at Macy’s or Nordrtroms, but the home needed repairs. If he supposedly worked in construction, why did he not work on his own house, instead of letting it go to shit? Who the heck would lend them them $450,000 when I am almost sure they can’t even handle a checking account?
Hope they get used to life in the trailer park, *where these people belong*
That house was way too much for them.
Enjoy your double wide!
Jessica is right. And J, whatever. I thought the same thing and I didn’t know what color the family was. It could just as easily been some idiot poor white folks. When you assume people are talking about black folks when they make a negative comment, you’re the racist. And you bring shame upon yourself.
To me, it doesn’t matter if they bought cars or boats, or decided to get work trucks, tools, and long term leases they couldn’t pay. Maybe they overpaid their subs, or didn’t bid enough to make a profit. The point is that “stupid” comes in every color and size. Gamblers are the same.
We’ve been offered every type of crappy loan imaginable, but have yet to take one of them. Our “common sense” and “adversity to risk” told “an inner voice in us” that we’d have significant trouble paying off any of these loans if we had just one SMALL bad turn of events. We also knew we wouldn’t want to “feel the shame” of being unable to pay back a loan that we made for very high risk ventures (I have to know — did this man ever have a business of his own beforehand? If not, I’d call this loan “high risk”) or extra toys (like boats, vacations, and remodels).
I don’t think stupidity and greed comes in any one color. Sure, some lenders knew they were making crappy loans — for which they should BE JAILED. And some of their customers also knew they were taking huge chances — BUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY — for which they should BE JAILED. Interestingly, I’d bet that many of the same people waving around the “you’re a racist” comments would have called THESE SAME lenders racists if they hadn’t made these loans to certain people, had any common sense prevailed over the last ten years.
In this specific case, the family had every right to go out and “blow the wad”, if they chose to do so. After all (I presume) they owned title to the home. Also, because of the high profile of Extreme Home Makeover and the good things it does, this is THE MOST LIKELY type of situation to make front page news. BUT I ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS MY DISDAIN AND DISPLEASURE, USING THIS FAMILY AS THE POSTER CHILDREN for foolishness, avarice, and greed. Frankly, I don’t think their color had anything to do with it — statistically, there are plenty of folks from every race and color who “bet the farm” using my life savings to satisfy their “wants” (not needs). MY ANGER KNOWS NO COLOR.
Hey shit for brains, Rappah
This was a white trailer trash family. *maybe your cousins?*
Get your facts straight before you make stupid comments.
look at the white trash in the interview.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/16980412/detail.html
The whole thing is such a shame. The house was a true blessing from GOD, ABC, Beazer Homes and the local community. When people view gifts as blessings, they won’t take it for granted. Just hope the family can rebound and provide a good life for the kids and ABC does not get discouraged regarding providing future blessing to deserving families.
If you’re given a gift you don’t go and pawn it for money right? Why these people risk everything to raise cash that they didn’t need in the first place? I thought that the show would restrict this kind of behavior. For example in PR the Governemnt have funds for a downpayment on your first home but you can’t sell the property for 7 years and if you do sell it before that, you have to give back all the money.
If you think about it it’s not a bad idea.
They received a house fully paid, money for college and for house maintenance and taxes. I don’t see why would they risk it all to start a construction business, which is the worst business that you can venture now. Obviously the bank didn’t advise this family well, we all agree this was a stupid desicion and we ‘re not experts. It’s just common sense.
This family was not greatful for all that was done for them.
This is just like when people win the lottery and start living like there no tomorrow and end up worst than before.
I just hope that all the other families that have been helped by this show will learned from this and that this awful mistake doesn’t keep us from helping others.
I agree with you Klili. You would think that ABC would have discussed with the Harper dos and don’t. Beazer gave the family 100K in addition to everything else. Again, while I will probably never receive such generousity, I sure wont let this story interfer helping others. Additionally, we have not heard the entire Harper Story? Why they made these choices?
Jessica…I so agree with you! Money is the root of all evil.
As for “J” & “Rappah”, it’s obvious you both need a lesson on RESPECT. Its people like you who give no hope to our childrens future. And please don’t come back with the whole “free speech” remarks.
Notice the article plays them as the VICTIM (as always) not the conieveing, ungratefuls that white people wish they wouldn’t turn out to be.
Here in florida, did you know that when a minority/blach women is pregnant, that not only, is here babys’ birth payed for by the state..BUT, also her personal TIME to the doctor is billable/payable! And when the baby is born (out of a 70% National Weddloch statistic), the mother is gauranteed 1 “baby shower” per baby…baby shower defined means:$300-$500 worth of toys, blanckets, cribs, etc. AND if the mother is to ignorant to read, there is a PAID government official to help them fill out the forms and locate more Free Programs they qualify for.
Sooo, lets give em some Bitt-ness’s and Executive Cribbs, Yeahhhh…goorj Buush made ka-trena. Yeeeeeah, me gone shoot at Hellakopta bringin my bay-bays mamma supplies!! Emm, Emmm
Perhaps this was just a husband and wife who were doing what they could to achieve the American Dream. Maybe they wanted to take their good fortune and parlay it into something sustainable: a business that could build on what they were gifted. How were they to know that the construction industry was going to go down the tubes? They simply made poor business decisions, as do hundreds of thousands of Americans do every year – black, white, brown, and every color in between. The middle and lower classes simply do not know enough about finances and economics. Families should talk about money around the dinner table. They should go online to the many reputable financial advice sites and learn. They should read books, talk to their friends and neighbors, watch TV shows, and listen to radio shows that focus on money, how it works, and how to make it work for you. And before going into business, get as much sound advice as possible and start small, building on successes.
Americans, in general, are economics-illiterate. Education is the key. Get yourself educated. Learn as much as you can and make wise decisions based on a wealth of knowledge. If everyone would do that, then there would be less financial strife and most could pull their own weight. Help from government could be for those who are impaired or suffer from a tragic, unforseen catastrophe. Education, folks!
Stop condeming the Harpers and learn from their mistakes.
Viloura is right. In this country of mass consumption people look everything from consumer point of view. It takes generations to educate people. Societies don’t change overnight. In fact, doesn’t a gifted house have any emotions attached.There is no racisim involved in this.When you connect social benefits with the financial gain(from a gifted house), let us talk about sentiiments.Then decide whether you want to live in the same house or otherwise.Keep the help given by the community in mind.
J is a dumbass. Plain and simple.
I’m so sick of fools like J calling anyone with an opinion he doesnt agree with a racist. J is an Ahole. Call me a racist if you want because I really don’t give a crap what fools like J think of me.
What a bunch of morons! They basically received a free house and squared their fortune. They do deserve to be poor. They probably wasted that $450k loan on flashy cars, clothes, and gold teeth. They just had to “keep it real,” didn’t they?
I think that ABC should require a contract that these homes that are gifted to these individuals should have to sign contracts so they cannot take out loans and use the houses or properties as collateral. Checking their credit is not a good source because there is always a lender that will give plus people in financial hardship or medical issues typically do not have a good credit score because they have borrowed and borrowed to help the family. It makes me mad that this family was greedy and I feel sorry for their children because they are going to lose this beautiful home. My 10 year old daughter and I watch this ABC show all the time and asks me “how come they get a new house?” and I have to explain to her that those people need it more than we do even though we struggle everyday like most people, but some of these families that are chosen just do not deserve that extensive of help. Even though the Harpers had been helpt and lost what greatness they had people will possibly help them in the future from the fear of being taken advantage of. I would like to see more effort in the choices by ABC
hi, i’m from Lima, Peru (south america), i saw the show with tears in my eyes, i just couldn’t believe that extreme makeover was changing someone’s life in this way, it was kind of OH MY GOD…thank you so much for helping this family……please HELP ME IN THIS SAME WAY, YOU KNOW I NEED IT. Today, i just can only say, what a shame, it is soooooo sad to hear they r loosing their home……it makes me think……wouldn’t it be better a little help for someone who wouldn’t make such a terrible mistake???? someone told me once, EASY COMES, EASY GOES…..
but do not judge, i’m sure they’ve been so poor they didn’t want to be poor againg and that’s why they thought about a business…….what if they would’ve done great with the new business????
I just feel sorry for their three children because they didn’t take out the loan but must suffer for their parents’ very poor decision! Sad!
Here is a link to pictures of the family and home:
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i agree with killi in all it’s said.
J,
That’s no way to get back your 40 acres
Dummy! Anyways I’m a Hill Billy and I love black people (really love black ladies) And I would spend my money from that home loan on Jonny Cockring Jr. to get outa jail from stompen your ***** ass in the ground. Welcome to urf.
R they gonna loose their home definitely? or …..
Dumb Black family….. I should have known they can’t keep anything!!!! I dont understand why people constantly do things for the poor ones!!!!
THey dont deserve it, the boys were going to be nothing but crack dealers and pimps and I am sure that the daddy has a bunch of baby mommas he had to pay for first.
Maybe when the networks see that they are poor blacks that want to be on the show, they will go to another family.. I am not totally racist. I like other races…
I just think blacks are useless to this society, and they give nothing but crime and heartache to every other race..
This letter is for all who bad mouth us. We are sorry, embarressed and never wanted to lose our place. we wanted to show off and we did get a line of credit from our home and spent it all on some gold teeth and at watermellon fest.
)( thanks ABC. WE did learn 1 thing, The ABC’S. Hey the best things in life are free right. Oh yea, I put every thing in my momma name
we did eat lots of chicken and ribs
In response to the idiot J’s 9:31am post: You think Jessica’s post makes her a racist because she said they probably spent it on cars, clothes etc.,? She never brings up the color of their skin. You are some kind of stupid! You’re black and YOU are the one making a connection between being black and spending money in excess on cars and clothes! It’s hard for me to type I’m laughing so much. Not only are you racist, but you’re also perpetuating(look it up)the stereotype that blacks ….oh I can’t go on. Thanks for the laugh you dolt(look it up)!!
I would like to comment on all of the negative racist messages in this blog. I am a young African American woman and I am sadden from the many negative comments that have been posted on this blog. Yes, the Harper family made very poor decision from placing their home as collateral for a $450M loan with the idea to start a business venture in construction. The construction market is not stable at all and the fact that the family had no means of consulting with someone that would have advised them to not enter into the industry is a factor. In addition, to the family not having a banker to advise them that the loan would be risky. I think this family did not have the financial means to hire someone to consult them through their financial and business plans whereas someone that is middle class or wealth has the means to pay someone to keep them from making a horrible mistake that would cost them dearly. This saddens me and I hope the show continues to provide for families that are in need. Now that this has occured, the should could be in the position to offer financial guidance to families in the future.
Yes, Postive Words, the Harpers are in the position to offer financial guidance to others…for free. Just as they could have and should have sought out financial advice, for free. There are good sources and even associations like SCORE (http://www.score.org) that can help those who have little or no money, but want to start a business. In any event, if they could borrow $450K to start a business, they absolutely had the money and wherewithal to pay for expert advice/guidance. It makes no sense to take out a loan of that size and invest it in a start-up company without doing a lot of research, a lot of planning, a lot of soul-searching, and getting some sound education and advice from many sources.
The Harpers’ situation is sad and, unfortunately, their story is repeated many, many times over every day by others. Again, education is the key. Seek out the information you need, talk about it to experts, understand the risks and weigh them against possible benefits, start out small and build on successes. Education and common sense. You gotta have ‘em and use ‘em.
Boogers taste good! Yummmmm.
In addition to the beautiful new home the Harper Family also received approx. $200,000 for maint/taxes/expense/,these idiots simply blew it! This type of event is typical of the “Atlanta” crowd and I find it hilarious…
Sad….. just plain sad. First, the Harpers using the money meant to pay the taxes on the house for 25 years! God only knows what they used it for. In the end, who cares? They misused it….. plain & simple and now they will pay the piper. Then the racism on this blog….. It’s appalling and I’m embarrassed for my fellow countrymen! In this day & age we still have yet to learn tolerance & acceptance. Sad…… just plain sad.
I love cowards like ChiChi who hide behind the anonymity of the internet and post such racist comments, but in my face she wouldnt as much as raise her voice if I spit in her or his face. I would love for racist people to stop posting such comments on the internet and just say it to a black persons face. Try it cowards.
As Barack Obama would say, typical black people.
“…the family had no means of consulting with someone that would have advised them to not enter into the industry is a factor. In addition, to the family not having a banker to advise them…”
You’ve got to be freaking joking. It does not take a genius to figure out that you don’t gamble EVERYTHING you have on something you have absolutely no knowledge of. How can you actually defend this kind of idiocy?
“J” you sound like the racist. I love this world a white person can’t say anything bad about a black person or else it’s racist, but a black person can say whatever they want about a white person. It doesn’t matter what they really spent it on the fact of the matter is they did a dumb bad thing and if I was one of the ones who helped build it I would have been pissed. You are given this great house for FREE and you use it to get a loan. That is ridiculous
J needs to calm down. You know Jessica is right. Look at all these celebrities. They buy about ten cars and wonder where their money went. You’re the reason why blacks are stereotyped as racist. Shut up! I’m black and I can tell you that.
In a day when we are on the verge of some historical events leading to a person of beautiful brown color, I am saddened to read the racist remarks directed towards us. We didn’t ask to be A color so don’t hate on us because we are one. GOD took the same sands to make a white white that s/he did to make a black black. White people, don’t get it twisted you have some black in your linage whether you like it or not. I ask, when Obama wins the Presidential election are you going to pack your bags and move or will you be white man/woman enough to deal with it?
As for the Harper’s, I’m not feeling sorry for the parents but I do feel for the children. They have to deal with something they can’t understand for a very long time. Other children will not be nice to them. Parents can sustain, kids sometimes never recover.
What part of the house being foreclosed has to do with race?
I believe it is happeing to a lot of people now in the US! The Harpers made a BAD decision and I am sure that all of that money didn’t go into a business but made them feel better about lying to everyone. Maybe next time Extreme Makeover will do a better job of screening the canidates!!
You all need to get a life.
Look people any race can lose their home. It is all about the poor choices people make in life that make any of us fall back or lose things. It has nothing at all to do with color. It is ignorant how all of these people say racist stuff about blacks. It is just plain out wrong. There are and have always been intelligent blacks who have invented things that we all need and use on a daily basis. Blacks have done many useful things for the society. Haven’t you ever heard of George Washington Carver or Martin Luther King Jr.? These were both intelligent individuals and black men. You better cut these people some slack and know that all humans of all colors and ethnicities have faults and errors. So, just realize that all humans are capable of messing up and this incident which occured with the Harper family is not about color. You need to research on the internet; you would truly bite your tongues afer you have read about all of the interesting facts about blacks and what they have done positive in the world. Also, if you fear God then you would never be racist! If you are racist, then you do not fear God! God created all of us to be treated as equals!
These are very unfortunate circumstances. This family made a poor decision. They were not equipped to handle this type of home or cash flow. It doesn’t matter their color, because it could have happened to anyone. I do feel that they took advantage of a situation and ended up right back where they started. Those funds were meant to help them to maintain the home and they squandered it. What I fail to realize is why the mother decided to stay at home. She needed to get out to hustle to make things meet, at the end of the day. Again its sad and I’m sure they are embarassed and humiliated. I know I would be. You live and learn. All of the ignorant racist comments just show your intelligence or lack thereof.
ok so now that its all said and done, does anyone know where i can find the realtor for the home now that they no longer own it? it is a great house and would love to check it out.When i saw the episode i immediatly fell in love with it and now its up for grabs! my boyfriend and i are taking a turn in our life and are looking for a home together. This is around our price range so if someone could help me this would be greatly appreciated. Also where is it located?