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Home Built By ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” In Trouble

A home in Lake City, Georgia is in Foreclosure. Not just any home. A home built by ABC's 'Extreme Makeover' crew. The story was written by Dawn Wotapka of The Wall Street Journal.

The Harper Family were the lucky recipients of this "gift house." The original problem that brought ABC to their doorstep was a faulty sewage system that leaked into their house when it rained. The episode was aired back in January 2005.

The home was going to be foreclosed and auctioned off at the Clayton County Courthouse Today, August 5th, because the family used the home as a collateral for a $450,000 loan to finance a construction company that in the end never really took off, leaving them with a BIG debt in their laps. An email to the Atlanta Journal Constitution from ABC included this quote “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” advises each family to consult a financial planner after they receive their new home. Ultimately, financial matters are personal and we work to respect the privacy of the families.” Obviously, the Harpers didn't take the advice.

An update from the Wall Street Journal, however, states that the homeowners are working with the Chase Mortgage Loans Company to form a repayment plan that will allow them to keep the home and pay off the loan.

What do you think? Did this family "abuse" what they were given? Do they deserve to keep the home? What would you do if you received such a grand gift?

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.