[tragic312]

does anyone watch this show? i watch it from time to time and love it when they send a family to WDW. did anyone see the episode where they sent a family to WDW and they were in Cinderella's suite? i was nearly in tears when i saw the room. they never said they were in the suite, but just from looking at the carpeting and saw the design of it, i knew they were in there.

[emamasa]

I saw that - it was so cool! I love that they give them such a great week while they wait for the reveal! such an awesome show!

[tragic312]

i am curious to see the MM penthouse. i don't know if they had an episode where they sent a family to DL and had them stay in the penthouse. i would actually like to see a little more of DL. since rob and i might be moving to Vegas and DL is about nearly 4 hours drive away, we'll be going there quite a bit, i'm sure.

[DisneyorBust]

I saw it too. I love that show it makes you want to do something incredible.

[Dopey]

I am sorry, I cannot stand that show. Don't you think it is all too hokey?
What makes us think that a family who cannot keep their house clean, will keep up these beautiful homes? I donno, I just don't buy it. Being poor does not justify a mess.

I am not trying to start a controversy, let's just come back to reality

[LittleMissMagic]

hmm... no, but I've noticed that they nearly always send the family to Disney. They had an episode with a Native American family (two kids living with their grandparents... mother was in army, died) and they sent them to Disney. The little girl was a Disney princess fan, so they made her room a princess bedroom, and they stocked her closet with all of the princess dresses! She was thrilled!!! (and I was staring at the TV, choking up... I'm such an emotional wreck when it comes to those magical moments on TV, especially Disney ones. I choke up whenever I watch a Disney Vacation Planning video. Yesterday, I choked up during the wing-flapping scene in Angels in the Outfield...)

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by Dopey

I am sorry, I cannot stand that show. Don't you think it is all too hokey?
What makes us think that a family who cannot keep their house clean, will keep up these beautiful homes? I donno, I just don't buy it. Being poor does not justify a mess.

I am not trying to start a controversy, let's just come back to reality

Well most of the shows aren't featuring a poor family. It's a family that lost their parents, or had their house hit by a tornado, or have disabled family members...

But, I wonder... the family must have to pay taxes on the house, right? And how can they possibly afford that if they don't have the money to remodel their home? I'm not so sure the families are able to maintain their homes. They'd probably be better off just selling them... I dunno.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Dopey

I am sorry, I cannot stand that show. Don't you think it is all too hokey?
What makes us think that a family who cannot keep their house clean, will keep up these beautiful homes? I donno, I just don't buy it. Being poor does not justify a mess.

I am not trying to start a controversy, let's just come back to reality

Dopey, most of the shows are dedicated to families who have endured hardships - not always related to money. Last week was a family whose home was destroyed by an airplane and mostly it seems that the family's have had a death of a loved one (caregiver) or have a sick child, etc. I think it is a wonderful show - with all the crap on TV I think this is a great way to show that there are people wh do good things for others.

[peter pan]

Move That Bus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

But, I wonder... the family must have to pay taxes on the house, right? And how can they possibly afford that if they don't have the money to remodel their home? I'm not so sure the families are able to maintain their homes. They'd probably be better off just selling them... I dunno.

We had a home done here in the Austin area a few months ago and my DSIL and family went to watch the progress of it all, I asked the same question about taxes. Appartently there's some sort of loophole that they will remain paying taxes on the pre-improved project...can't remember all of the details, but it comes down to the owner not paying anymore out of pocket for taxes so they will be able to continue living in their new dream house.

[whitba]

The loophole is that, apparently, you can provide your property for use in a television or movie production and if in the course of that production, improvements are made that might increase the tax burden on your home, you are exempt from that increase.

So... they have been able to make full use of this provision and knock down houses left and right. I love to see loopholes used in such a positive fashion.

Most of these families are just this side of being totally overwhelmed, a shiny new house, built to the families needs, hopefully makes each day a little easier and restores some faith.

[WishUponAStar]

I'm all for American families getting extreme home renovations gratis. That's it, if a television network is willing to foot the bill for an overhaul, a family in need is willing to allow their experience to be taped, then what the heck.

The house we live in is in desperate need of huge renovations, do I have the $300k to do it, no. If they came to my house and offered me the opportunity I would volunteer without a second thought.

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by whitba

The loophole is that, apparently, you can provide your property for use in a television or movie production and if in the course of that production, improvements are made that might increase the tax burden on your home, you are exempt from that increase.

So... they have been able to make full use of this provision and knock down houses left and right. I love to see loopholes used in such a positive fashion.

Most of these families are just this side of being totally overwhelmed, a shiny new house, built to the families needs, hopefully makes each day a little easier and restores some faith.

Thanks for the clarification, now that I hear it, it's exactly what my DSIL told me...short term memory problems, sorry!...I'm glad there are loopholes that can benefit the ones that really need it!

[MissDisney]

I heard a different story -- but hey, this is New Jersey, the wackiest taxing entity in the free world.
The family who received a home overhaul on this show several years ago in Teaneck, NJ, I have heard are facing increased taxes because of the renovations! Apparently they are NOT exempt from tax increases, and so there is some townwide effort to get the town or county to not increase the taxes after all.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

I heard a different story -- but hey, this is New Jersey, the wackiest taxing entity in the free world.
The family who received a home overhaul on this show several years ago in Teaneck, NJ, I have heard are facing increased taxes because of the renovations! Apparently they are NOT exempt from tax increases, and so there is some townwide effort to get the town or county to not increase the taxes after all.

haha, I wouldn't be surprised! We are facing rising preoperty taxes on a house that I SWARE is LOSING value.

This is what I don't get though, why can't people afford the greater taxes if they don't have a mortgage or costs from construction? Doesn't the TV show pay for these things? I thought it was like a "free house." You'd think people would be GLAD to have to pay just taxes and utilities.