Why 'Extreme Makeover' Contest Winner Got Evicted From Dream Home
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Published 2017-06-01
The Michigan mom who got her dream home on reality TV is now living a nightmare. Arlene Nickless' home was completely transformed on ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' in 2008. Nine years later, she has been evicted. Inside Edition cameras were rolling as she and her family scrambled to pack her furniture and personal belongings out of the 3,200-square-foot house and into a moving van. "The sheriff could show up anytime," she said. "We'd have to leave whatever's left behind." #InsideEdition
All Comments (21)
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Moral of this story, if you ever get a free home makeover, sell it as fast as you can.
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Once the taxes went up. I would've sold the house quick and walked with a fat bank account.
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This actually happens to a lot of families who've had their house redone by this show.
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She could have just filed for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. They take all of your debt and past mortage payments and put it into a 3-5 year repayment plan. you get to keep the house AND you get to pay off your debt interest free
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She should have sold that house quicker than it took for the new paint to dry.
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How can you give such a luxury house to someone who struggles to raise her 3 children? If someone ever gifted me a Ferrari I would sell it within 24 hours.
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Oh man, I remember that episode, I was about 8 years old and felt super happy for them. I hope they're safe, together, and making ends meet. I used to move a lot so I understand how hard it is to say goodbye to a home especially one with a ton of memories.
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Losing her home had nothing to do with the show “Extreme Makeover”. Also, by law, she had approximately 90 days to remove personal items, furniture & furnishings from the home before the sheriff would take any action. This took place in Michigan. I live in Michigan.
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This show was heavily criticized for the whole concept of going big without considering how the hell homeowners could afford it moving forward.
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It seems like this show leaves the family with more problems than they originally had.
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This is exactly why I don’t show updated photos of my home on real estate sites from the inside and backyard, they’ll just update the home assessment and charge me more in property taxes. Why should I have to pay more per month for a home I’m trying to pay off just because I want it to look nicer? Screw that.
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She bought a house that needed work and was probably barely worth the 30 grand they paid for it back in the day. As a result of the show and her neighbors coming through for her, they quadrupled the value of that property, now the bank gets to reap the rewards. They didn't want to work with her because it was more profitable not to. Greed is the root of mankind's worst aspects.
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For some reason I thought these home makeovers were gifted to these families?... Wow...really sad
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why is everyone blaming the show? she had 9 years to figure out she couldnt afford the taxes and sell it . they gift you a house theyre not life coaches
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Sensationalism. She was there for 9 years and was evicted after failed payments. She had extra equity for a few years and could have sold the house to buy something smaller. There were likely a few options she did not take and that got her into this mess.
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I don’t think we’re getting the whole story here. Any halfway productive adult - even with three boys - should be able to afford a $30k mortgage. Her Ford Flex and tons of stuff that she had to pack tells me the money was going everywhere except the mortgage. Don’t blame the TV show - they did something good and gave the woman an opportunity to turn it into something.
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The mortgage company Didn't want to help her because they wanted the house. Mafia style.
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I thought the houses were paid for?! I mean these families needed help, not higher payments!
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I can't understand why she didn't sell the house, when she knew she was getting into trouble? She left it until things got to the point that she was so far behind, she couldn't come up with the money to pay. This is so sad, and she seems to be seriously depressed, which would account for her not dealing with the issue. So sad for her, and her sons. What a horrible outcome.
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A lot of people do not know that the bigger your house and land is then the more taxes you have to pay. All the Banks do not care about your situation. They only care about getting their money. Also , since your neighbors and community were on TV and helping for free , they will not give up any of their money to help you get back on your feet. This happens every where. Because your neighbors or friends rather go on vacation then give a dine to help you out. So so sad 😭
