Extreme Home Makeover

[sgrizzle]

Looks like they are doing a 24hr delay, but I'm excited that a family in Tulsa is the recipient of a new house packed with goodies. Don't know what anyone is allowed to disclose but is a family I know, and the sister of another forum poster. He is out there right now trying to get the scoop because the family is kept away from phones, internet, etc.

[Conan71]

Where are they building it?

[cjmcinty]

Since TU is a sponsor, we've been receiving emails about the build. The message we received today included this link  http://www.extremesimmons.com/ and mentioned that the home is near 11th and Harvard.

[sgrizzle]

SE corner, by the liquor store and dentist office. 1124 S Indianapolis.

The family was in a hotel last night and finally heads out of town this morning. Work has been going all night and demo is supposed to be at 2pm.

[Conan71]

Hmm trying to picture the house, I was looking at property right there a year ago. I love the little circular neighborhood from Indianapolis over to Knoxville right there.

[sgrizzle]

Visited the set yesterday. They poured the foundation at 3pm on Saturday and laid the last shingle about 3pm on Sunday. Since this picture was taken they have put on a brick exterior, sheetrocked the walls, installed cabinets, etc. At one point they were 16 hours behind but now they seem on schedule to complete today/tomorrow so the house can be furnished and revealed at 2pm on Wednesday. It is hard to tell int eh picture but only the front section of the house is two story, it expands into what used to be the backyard quite a ways. It is likely 3,000sqft +

[Red Arrow]

I know that a BUNCH of people are working on this but..
I've been told that only a few courses of bricks should be set per day.  How can the whole exterior be done so quickly?  Any brick masons out there in TNF land?

[sgrizzle]

Meant to add the note that if anyone wants to view it, you HAVE to catch the shuttle at the west end of the fairground pavilion, it will take you to the spectator's area.

[patric]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100201_11_A1_Callie981596

[Conan71]

Where are the "Preserve Midtown" protestors? 

Very cool to see a deserving local family wind up with this.

[sgrizzle]

Here's what it looked like two hours ago

[godboko71]

The house setback is very respectful to the rest of the hood IMO

[oktommy]

I think the intentions behind these projects are great, My brother in law has now helped with this one and the one they did a few years ago near bartlesville. Helping out families in need with the many resources that would otherwise just be sold to someone is wonderful, however, the reality of these situations often don't work out as well as intended.  As green as they make some of them these houses are generally huge and come with big utility bills, also because most of the time they come mortgage free its all too tempting to borrow against the value of the house.  More than a few of these houses have ended up in foreclosure.  Like I said the idea is fantastic and sometimes it works out great, just seems it would make more sense to build a sensible sized home with a bit more modest furnishings to be more realistic to a lifestyle these families will be able to maintain.

[sgrizzle]

I think the intentions behind these projects are great, My brother in law has now helped with this one and the one they did a few years ago near bartlesville. Helping out families in need with the many resources that would otherwise just be sold to someone is wonderful, however, the reality of these situations often don't work out as well as intended.  As green as they make some of them these houses are generally huge and come with big utility bills, also because most of the time they come mortgage free its all too tempting to borrow against the value of the house.  More than a few of these houses have ended up in foreclosure.  Like I said the idea is fantastic and sometimes it works out great, just seems it would make more sense to build a sensible sized home with a bit more modest furnishings to be more realistic to a lifestyle these families will be able to maintain.

A moron in a 4,000sq ft house is still a moron in a 2,000sq ft house.

The family was likely paying $800ish a month on mortgage payments before and doubling the house size is not going to mean their utilities will go up anything close to that amount.

[godboko71]

A moron in a 4,000sq ft house is still a moron in a 2,000sq ft house.

The family was likely paying $800ish a month on mortgage payments before and doubling the house size is not going to mean their utilities will go up anything close to that amount.

Since the house was poorly insulated among other issues (according to the interview they did the other morning on channel 8 with the builder) I have a feeling utility costs should stay about where they where before. I also agree someone that makes poor financial decisions will make them no matter the size of the home.

Either way I wish this family luck.