Re: Americans are just spoiled!

brii · ‎06-20-2010

There is a show called Fixer Upper. Chip and Joanna Gaines show a couple 3 houses, they do all the renovations, and decorations. It's based in Waco, Texas.

One couple bought a house for $10,000 and their overall renovation budget was $90,000.

It's a great show.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

There is a new show coming this fall, based in Buffalo. They will rehab some old homes on the West Side - an area with beautiful old houses that is now home to a lot of new immigrants. It's the area where the ABC show renovated a home a few years ago. Since they left, the entire neighborhood has had a revival. There are now new apartments, a year round farmers market and food court, upscale restaurants and art galleries. There are also a lot of Sudanese and other African immigrants who came here to escape war.

Here are some details:

Meanwhile, HGTV crews have been in Buffalo for the past few weeks filming a house rehab project for a show called American Rehab Buffalo.The six-episode series will focus on rehabbing a historic house on the city's west side."I think our HGTV show is definitely going to help lift Buffalo's image to the nation, that we're more than just chicken wings and cold weather. We're beautiful, historic homes and neighborhoods," said Jason Wilson, of Buffalove Development.American Rehab Buffalo is scheduled to air sometime in the fall. - See more at: http://jamestown.twcnews.com/content/news/742202/qvc--hgtv-put-buffalo-in-tv-spotlight/?ap=1&MP4#sth...

LooPY · ‎07-30-2011

On 7/2/2014 bikerbabe said:
Here's something to argue about:

The baby boomer is the most materialistic generation in the history of the United States.

Au contraire! Most of us were so busy advocating for civil rights, championing women's rights, serving in the Peace Corps and rescuing war orphans, that we paid little attention to materialistic pursuits. "I'd rather be a hippie than a yuppie!" comes to mind.

As far as the HGTV shows, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are set up, scripted and pretty much bogus. Several years ago, there was a show that was a combo of the House Hunters and Property Brothers themes. We know a couple featured on one episode. At the end they were shown skipping off into the sunset, to their new house. Not only didn't they buy the house, they never even actually moved from their old house!

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/3/2014 LoopyLoo said:

As far as the HGTV shows, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are set up, scripted and pretty much bogus. Several years ago, there was a show that was a combo of the House Hunters and Property Brothers themes. We know a couple featured on one episode. At the end they were shown skipping off into the sunset, to their new house. Not only didn't they buy the house, they never even actually moved from their old house!

They are definitely staged as a relative of my husband's was featured. Her realtor knew someone who knew someone that worked on the show. There are a lot of quirky things about the relative's life and personality so her realtor submitted her story. She'd purchased her home almost a year before she was chosen. She never considered the other 2 properties featured.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

On 7/2/2014 Clover29 said:
On 7/2/2014 stilltamn8r said: I am single, have 3 bathrooms and I use them all.... When I was a kid, I had to share one with my sister and brother...didn't kill me, but hey, my house, my rules now...

I'm with you. When we were looking to move recently, top of my "must have" list was "at least two bathrooms". Having to share, even when there are just two of us, is inconvenient. I know my grandma had just an outside toilet for a family of four, and I appreciate what I have today, but life is different now.

I would rather do without a car than a second bathroom. I don't need a TV. I do love my internet, and my own bathroom.

The day you have to poop in a pot is the day you realize you need two bathrooms.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

stilltamn8r · ‎03-14-2010

On 7/3/2014 loveschocolate said:
My DH's younger brother and his wife bought a $500,000 house a few years ago. Fancy cars, designer clothes, expensive trips. Turns out they couldn't afford any of it. The house went into foreclosure and they filed for bankruptcy. If people can afford fancy cars, fancy trips, fancy houses....great. If they can't then they shouldn't.

And thus brings me to another point..it depends WHERE you live...here, a condo, and not even neccessarily a very nice one, goes for $500K... So it is all relative....certainly agree with your point about no one should live beyond their means, but sometimes it's hard to live WITHIN them! even modestly I didn't buy my first house till I was 50, and I had sved up a couple of hundred grand to put down on it...as a woman who has been single most of my life I have learned that you can't always get what you want,WHEN you want but if you persevere, eventually you can get what you need ( to paraphrase the Stones)...

AngusandBuddhasMom · ‎03-10-2010

On 7/3/2014 lulu2 said:
On 7/3/2014 LoopyLoo said:

As far as the HGTV shows, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are set up, scripted and pretty much bogus. Several years ago, there was a show that was a combo of the House Hunters and Property Brothers themes. We know a couple featured on one episode. At the end they were shown skipping off into the sunset, to their new house. Not only didn't they buy the house, they never even actually moved from their old house!

They are definitely staged as a relative of my husband's was featured. Her realtor knew someone who knew someone that worked on the show. There are a lot of quirky things about the relative's life and personality so her realtor submitted her story. She'd purchased her home almost a year before she was chosen. She never considered the other 2 properties featured.

I have read that to be on the show you have had to of purchased a property and either on the verge of moving in or are moved in. You can kinda tell that the other two properties are not what the "buyer" is going to be buying. I like to watch the international version and see what other homes look like in other countries.

stilltamn8r · ‎03-14-2010

I agree those shows are very entertaining, but I don't take them very seriously...imlove seeing what the same money buys you in different parts of the country, though...

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

I like to see if my final choice is the same as their choice.

I prefer the shows with renovations of older homes.

Margo Channing · ‎03-09-2010

Interesting thread.

I will never, EVR forget a comment my sister made after she deserted her husband son and was shopping for condos:

"I DESERVE to live better than I can afford".

My jaw promptly hit the floor.....