What a lot of people are unprepared for is the escalation in taxes and the additional cost of utilities when they receive these fabulous custom-built homes. True, they get a grand plae to live and it is frequently the home of their dreams. But there's so much more to the situation once you get into it. Not too long ago there was an article about a family in Pennsylvania that simply could not afford their new house because the desperate financial circumstances were still plaguing them.

Times are so difficult right now; everyone is struggling somehow. Sad that have to sell the home.

I was wondering if they didn't feel safe in the neighborhood, or if it was taxes. After all, it is New Jersey.

I remember that episode. There was another lady in New Jersey; I think she had a lot of foster kids or adopted kids. Her taxes went so high after the new house was built, I don't know if she was able to stay there. I wonder if this is happening in any other state or just New Jersey?

Taxes and insurance and [quite possibly] safety, I would think. Pennsauken is a little rough around the edges and, when you have the biggest/bestest house on the block, you might start to feel [just a little bit] like a possible target.

Of course this is pure conjecture on my part but there was a family in Pennsylvania that was interviewed by someone from our local paper who reported that this fabulous gift - the home of their dreams - did anything but solve their problems. In fact it hurt them in so many ways. I looked for that particular article yesterday to post to you. I couldn't find it but I will check again. In the mean time you might find this interesting: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/16/114437.php It's old news but still it raises a lot of valid points.

I found some follow-up. It's the higher taxes, per the article.

Man given home by TV show says it's too pricey
Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/190/story/151972.html

A struggling Camden father of five who was given a new house on national television last year says it's too expensive to maintain.
Victor Marrero tells WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Inquirer that's why he briefly listed it for sale.

Marrero says his continuing financial struggles made him feel like a lion was after him. His newfound celebrity also put old creditors on his trail, threatening to put a lien on the home.

The home came with a quarterly tax bill of more than $1,500. Marrero says he also found utility costs high in the bigger home.

A nonprofit group says it will help him find ways to stay.

The Pennsauken home built in less than a week for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is off the market.

Interesting articles, haze & tdsollog. I have no doubt that most of these families are deserving of help, but the show goes overboard by building a brand-new humongous home. I don't know how any of them can keep up with the taxes, maintenence and utility bills. The houses are so large they stick out like sore thumbs in many of the neighborhoods they are in, and I imagine they attract unwanted attention. I know that the winners of the HGTV Dreamhouse sweepstakes have said that strangers come to their door at all hours wanting to tour the houses, and I imagine the same happens with the Extreme Home Makeover homes. It might be more effective to help more people in less extravagant ways, but that wouldn't be as exciting now, would it?

Get real, people! EM-HE is NOT a charity. It is building these homes for one reason - TV ratings. And TV ratings equal $$$$. The only reason most people watch the show is because the homes ARE extreme. If the recipients would budget their money better, they probably wouldn't have to sell them. When they receive these homes, they are given instant equity. Most people know what they can afford, and if they can't afford the higher bills, they can sell the house for below value(if necessary) and still come out ahead. I no longer watch the show, only because I can't stand Pennington's screaming, but I do enjoy watching the homes being built. It makes for good television, period.