About three months ago, I blogged about an "Extreme Makeover" home in Georgia that succumbed foreclosure. The owners, Milton and Patricia Harper, used the house at 5489 Ahyoka Drive in Clayton County, GA, as collateral for a $450,000 loan, the Associated Press reported.

Records at the law firm handling foreclosures for the lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank, confirmed at the time that the home was in foreclosure. The house was built in January 2005, after Atlanta-based Beazer Homes USA and ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" demolished their old property and its faulty septic system.

This former This former "Extreme Makeover" home in Port Orchard, WA, is listed for $550,000. Photo courtesy of Windermere.com

Call it bad luck or the "extreme jinx," but another one of the popular reality television show's home is on the market for sale. After only three years of calling the sprawling Washington property home, the Kirkwood family has placed their McMansion - located at 1366 SE Spruce Road in Port Orchard, WA - up for sale, according to the Kitsap Sun.com.

Washington home for sale
The price tag for the 5-bed, 4.5-bath home was once $650,000, according to the Windemere Real Estate Web site, but the price has been reduced to $550,000, Dawne Kirkwood told the Kitsap Sun. The home, which was built in the fall of 2005, boasts three large cleaners and filters that keep the home's air cleaner than that of a hospital.

But unlike the "Extreme Makeover" home in Georgia, the Kirkwood family is not being forced out by the bank. Despite her efforts to stay in the home, Dawne Kirkwood and her ex-husband, Michael, are selling due to their divorce. She has little choice, she told the Kitsap Sun, citing Washington's community property law. She and Michael divorced in August, and the law says property between the divorced parties must be halved.

Dawne also told the newspaper that because of "back property taxes, money owed to lawyers, and life's expenses, selling the home has become their only option." Dawne currently shares the home with her five children. Her ex-husband has since moved to Tennessee.

I guess you don't get more realistic than divorces and hefty property taxes in this day and age.

View more photos of the "Extreme Makeover" Washington Home for sale.

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.

 
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4 Comments on Reality Show Home Up for Sale

NOV
10
2008
Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

WOW, that's some story. Was the home given to the buyers thru Extreme Makeover?

Rich

Charlotte NC

9:07am • #1
2 Featured Posts Hit Router

It's very sad that Dawn has to leave her home.  That's not the first time I've heard of the owners of "Extreme Makeover" homes running into problems.  Sometimes people don't realize that those new homes come with increased property taxes and other expenses.

Thank you for the post.  Take care.

 

9:10am • #2

Rich, the home was in fact was built and given to the family from "Extreme Makeover," but the family was still responsible for the property tax, which has become too much for the single mother to pay.  

Amy Le
9:13am • #3
110,332 Points

Amy, this story underscores the complexities of life and that some of the best plans have to be adjusted to accommodate them.

We should all pray for those that experience these hardships.

Bo

9:40pm • #4

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Amy Le

Chicago, IL

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