Home Town - General Discussion

[Mannahatta]

I found myself very distracted after Ben said Dr. Cooley had the five Phds. I was more interested in that backstory than the house selection. Then I became further distracted when Dr. Cooley said her school had students who were on the spectrum and students who had Aspergers, as if these were two separate classifications. However, in 2013, Asperger's syndrome was reclassified as autism spectrum disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). So it just isn't something that a professional in the field of special education would say nowadays.

So I found Dr. Cooley's website:   https://www.unlimitedcoaching.org/about-5. In it she writes that she earned all 5 PhDs from Northwest Christian University in Florida, which is theologically accredited but not regionally accredited. Cynical me just hopes she knows what she's doing, because it sounds like the students she mentioned, who hadn't learned to read, were already failed by whatever school system they had been in before. 

That said, they did a nice job on the house, and I wish her and her students the best of luck. However, I'm done watching this show (which by the way, is currently the #1 show on HGTV). I've enjoyed this forum but as far as HGTV is concerned - the thrill is gone. At least for now...Lol

[LoveIsJoy]

@Mannahatta I had the same general reaction.  I was trying to calculate in my mind how old she was, while wondering how long it took to earn 5 PhDs, and in what subjects.  And wasn’t it interesting that Erin attended school with a genius.  

Like you, I thought they did an admirable job on the new school.  I’m pleased that so many in the community are committed to the children’s education and wellbeing.  I do appreciate her service and wish them all the best.  But good grief, that was a damning portrait of the Laurel, Mississippi school system.

I’ll still be watching though.  I record a few HGTV shows and watch them in the background.  The thrill is gone, but I still can’t quit them. 😄

[chediavolo]

9 hours ago, Mannahatta said:

I found myself very distracted after Ben said Dr. Cooley had the five Phds. I was more interested in that backstory than the house selection. Then I became further distracted when Dr. Cooley said her school had students who were on the spectrum and students who had Aspergers, as if these were two separate classifications. However, in 2013, Asperger's syndrome was reclassified as autism spectrum disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). So it just isn't something that a professional in the field of special education would say nowadays.

So I found Dr. Cooley's website:   https://www.unlimitedcoaching.org/about-5. In it she writes that she earned all 5 PhDs from Northwest Christian University in Florida, which is theologically accredited but not regionally accredited. Cynical me just hopes she knows what she's doing, because it sounds like the students she mentioned, who hadn't learned to read, were already failed by whatever school system they had been in before. 

That said, they did a nice job on the house, and I wish her and her students the best of luck. However, I'm done watching this show (which by the way, is currently the #1 show on HGTV). I've enjoyed this forum but as far as HGTV is concerned - the thrill is gone. At least for now...Lol

Agree. She certainly did not speak or come across like she had 5 phds. Someone was giving our degrees like candy. 
And the teachers are just her mother and herself? Something seems off. She also did not look very healthy. I hope there is a back up plan if one of these teachers can no longer work. And I am no fan of “Christian schools”.  
The house was impressive. I guess if it couldn’t be sold as a residence at least they didn’t destroy it. Let’s see how long this school is in operation. 

[pasdetrois]

My family in MS and LA devoted their professional careers to public schools, which were devastated by residents' decisions to "white flight" to private schools after integration. As the public snidely bashed southern, rural public schools over the years, all kinds of scams were launched via the private school phenomenon. Some viewed it as an opportunity to make money and pay the (unqualified) administrators (friends and family) high salaries and benefits. Or the schools' administrators didn't understand how difficult it would be to keep their doors open. The children suffer the consequences.

[RoxiP]

If you haven't taught in an underserved community I wouldn't pass judgment.  I see my daughter teach in a school that serves a population similar to Laurel - education is just another political football to those in power.

I think there must be more than the two teachers.  I actually didn't get the impression that Dr. Cooley actually taught, plus they mentioned there were 4 more classrooms upstairs.  I feel like this is more of a homeschooling type of situation only the home is this academy. This is not unusual - there is a community homeschool in my home town that actually meets in my church - different parents teach individual subjects and the children seem to thrive.  Besides, the school has grown from 4 to 102 in what - four years - at least they are trying to make a difference.

[CrazyInAlabama]

There had to be a much larger staff than Dr. Cooley and her mother.   They are a K-12 school, so lots of teachers, staff.  

 They are accredited, and do not charge students, so rely on lots of donations, corporate sponsorships, individuals can sponsor a class too.   They have a very impressive list of course offerings.    

[Scatterbrained]

I wonder how many people who turned down the house due to the bump in the floor are now feeling regret since it was such an easily solvable problem that didn’t cost a lot of money?

It makes sense to move only a few doors down.  It doesn’t really change the students’ or parents’ commutes.

 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm watching the rerun, and the house has 4 bedrooms, now classrooms, and 5 1/2 bathrooms.  So they weren't shown.  

Since it's a commercial building, they didn't show having to put in exit signs, hard wired fire alarms, and the other things you need for fire safety.   

[Scatterbrained]

The building previously housed a different organization (IIRC the beginning of the episode correctly).  The previous organization may have had some of that done.

[chediavolo]

4 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

I'm watching the rerun, and the house has 4 bedrooms, now classrooms, and 5 1/2 bathrooms.  So they weren't shown.  

Since it's a commercial building, they didn't show having to put in exit signs, hard wired fire alarms, and the other things you need for fire safety.   

And that cost wasn’t included in the budget ,I wonder

[kirklandia]

I was curious, found the house on Zillow. It was interesting to look through all the pictures.
They must have had trouble finding a buyer - there were quite a few price reductions while it was on the market.
I also read about the Christian organization that owned the building previously. Before it became The Glory House, the building had been vacant for seven years. And before that, it was the Laurel Inn.

[CrazyInAlabama]

On 1/11/2025 at 3:50 PM, chediavolo said:

And that cost wasn’t included in the budget ,I wonder

I suspect it was, or it could be some company did a lot of the work after, and donated it.   

Or maybe because of the many egress points, they might not have to do sprinklers.    Maybe exit signs, smoke alarms with flashing lights, and signs to show evacuation points?   

Tomorrow's new episode: 

"The Garden Shed" S09.E03

New 1/12/2025

"A family looks to renovate their home to create more room for visiting grandparents. Ben and Erin take on the task of a dream guesthouse renovation, but disaster strikes when they soon encounter major, unforeseen issues." (I wonder if this is the house shown on the commercial for this season with the awful issues?) 

Jonathan, and Allison are new doctors in town.  Ben and Erin will show them two properties that Jonathan and Allison already own.  They want to fix one up so Jonathan's parents can come and stay longer.   $60,000 to convert the upstairs to guest quarters.   It's a huge attic space.  Pull carpet, put in LVP floors, built-ins to make stairs more private, crafting nook, dining,kitchenette, built-in oversized toaster oven, min-fridge, fix the bathroom, huge walk-in shower.   

For $120,000 Ben proposes remodeling the Garden Cottage in the backyard.   At one time someone lived in the garden shed.    Fixing the shed would would mean adding a patio, bigger porch, foundation issue fix, keep the brick floors.  They would be starting from scratch.   Combined living and bedroom, bathroom with walk-in shower, there's a kitchen room, and that would be torn off, and rebuilt into a kitchenette. Plus a fish cleaning station outside.   $115,000 total estimate for remodel.  

The couple opt to do the garden shed remodel. 

There are snakes in the foundation.  They save the rose bushes, demo the failing kitchen area. They find tons of termite damages, throughout the cottage. Ben and Erin say they can save the floors, windows, and tear down the shed, and rebuild it.  Repairing the damages would be $15,000, tear down and rebuild would be $7,000.  They opt for the $7,000 rebuild option. 

Jonathan and his dad love fly fishing, and Ben's building a fly tying station.   Tearing down, and rebuilding was the right decision.    With a metal roof, board and batten siding.  Cottage is also higher foundation, and the water runoff situation was fixed with a dry creek.   They found enough leftover brick to patch the hole in the floor where the builders put the brick floor around the bed. 

The landscapers found an old septic tank, and house has to be tied into the city sewer and it's own tap into the city line will cost about $7,000.    No septic systems allowed inside the city limits. Director of Public Works comes out to discuss the sewage issue. City will pay to drill under the highway to the nearest sewer line.  Brick floor sealed and finished, cabinets and built-ins are installed, appliances, and landscaping are done.  

Ben builds two nightstands, with armoirs on top for clothing storage. 

The finished guest cottage is adorable.  The fishing box Ben built is on the outside fish cleaning station.  Jonathan's parents and the kids love the cottage.  

Edited January 13 by CrazyInAlabama

[RoxiP]

I just find the price tag on this one a little high, even with the issues.  It's not like they had to purchase the land the shed was built on.  I did like the finished project, although did they say they only put a standard size bed in it?  I'm single and I always want at least a queen.  I mean - where is the cat going to sleep?

My other nitpicking issue was that (in my opinion) the refrigerator door opened the wrong way. If I was looking at it correctly you would have to walk around the door (and in that narrow kitchen that would kind of be an issue) to get anything from the fridge.

Edited January 13 by RoxiP

[retired watcher]

I always tease my daughter that I want to put a tiny house in her backyard. This one was perfect for visits.

[RoxiP]

6 hours ago, retired watcher said:

I always tease my daughter that I want to put a tiny house in her backyard. This one was perfect for visits.

I agree.  You have your own space and yet you are close enough for visits with the little humans. Plus if the husband doctor works night shift it will be a quiet place for him to sleep during the day.

[CrazyInAlabama]

S09.E04: "There's No Place Like Home"

New, 1/19/2025

"When a couple's must-have list keeps growing, Ben and Erin must go back to the drawing board. They present two homes that have plenty of potential, and for the first time, it includes a property they previously renovated for another couple."

Mark and Julie ended up in Laurel because he may or may not have bought train tickets to the Pacific Northwest, so they went to Laurel and looked at older homes.  $400,000 to $500.000.  

House 1-Hosey Place 3 bed 2 bath 30 acres, 2,000 sq ft (?) $315,000.   House has lots of window awnings.   Awnings would go, screened porch stays.   Comes furnished.  original kitchen.  dishwasher is in the middle of the room.  Erin says eliminate a door, keep the drainboard sink, dishwasher next to sink, add a pantry.   update laundry/mud room.   update primary suite, add a big closet.  primary bedroom is big, and would have a big closet, and five piece bath.  $465,000 with reno.   

House 2-Carson House, (they did it eight years ago).  Scott and Linda Carson,were the clients,  he's retiring from the college, and they're moving near family.  $310,000 price, 3 bed 2 bath.   They renovated over half of the house.  Add a screened porch. Fix some drainage issues.  

Love the house exterior and interior.  kitchen is still lovely.  Living and dining are gorgeous.  Change the bedrooms, laundry room, guest bath, bedroom is small, with a small closet.  make a bigger bathroom, move laundry closet, turn office into his and hers closet.  The couple want a laundry room.   They want an addition for the main suite, and laundry room. There is already a den, and an upstairs with guest bedrooms and bath.  Big back yard, and need a carport with a charging station. 

$400,000 with reno and addition, but pending discussing with the architect.    With architect input the total is now $

$310,000 list,, $525,000 with the addition, carport, extra driveway.   

They're buying the Carson House, with the additions.  

Adding a half bath on the first floor.  Lots of demo, taking the back wall of the house off for the addition.  The couple are currently staying in a neighbor of Katie, the project manager.   They're pouring concrete for the addition, screened porch, second driveway, carport. 

The following episode is Memory Lane: Tickled Pink. with the Aunt and Great Niece moving in together.  They add extra information, so it should explain some of the questions about the episode.  The main suite bathroom is huge.  The arches on the addition will match the arch on the front of the house.   

Scott Livingstone and his wife, Deanna, (from the Zen room episode) were shopping with Mark and Julie, and saw some beautiful stained glass windows that Ben will put into a cabinet in the den room.     Erin and David, the tile genius, are using a lovely small hex tile everywhere on the floor in the main bathroom, attractive, and much cheaper since the budget is already over what the couple wanted to spend.  Then 4 x 4 tiles on the bathroom walls.

Erin and Mallorie are fixing a table up Erin found for $40, for the screened porch, using leftover kitchen tile from eight years ago.   Julie wanted wallpaper somewhere in the house, so it's in the half bath with a green toilet and sink. 

The car charger is installed in the carport.   As always, Mr. David fixes the tiled table.    The table's previous top was particle board, so changing it out to plywood makes it a table that will last forever. 

The finished house is gorgeous with the added screened porch, with a ceiling fan (they make fans for outdoor use in humid climates.). 

Carport is beautiful, and so useful with the second driveway to the alley.  The main bedroom addition is beautiful.  I love the table Erin, Mallorie and David did. The new addition with mud room and laundry are fantastic.  New half bath is lovely.  The main bedroom, closet and en suite are fantastic, and huge.   The den was remodeled too, and it's a beautiful family room with the stiained glass door cabinet Ben built.  

The Memory Lane : Tickled Pink expanded episode with Aunt Yulanda and Great Niece Antinicia moving in together.  House 1 was the Ware House that would have Aunt on the main floor, and Antinicia on the walk out basement level.  This would have allowed the Aunt to have her own kitchen, and Great Niece to have her own level with her own kitchen on the lower level. $250,000 with reno. 

  House 2-the Turner House, all one story.but with a shared kitchen.  $55,000 list price.   I don't think Antinicia like the combined kitchen, she's a vegan, but her Great Aunt isn't.   This is a one level house.    They bought the Turner House because of the price.  

I love the celery green kitchen cabinets.  

I'm watching the rerun of There's No Place Like Home, and I think the Hosey Place with 30 acres might have been good for the couple that make salsas.    It may have been out of budget though. 

Edited Monday at 10:05 PM by CrazyInAlabama

[RoxiP]

This was one of my favorite houses they have done this season.  It was tastefully done and everything that was added enhanced the original house.  I even liked the green toilet and sink!  And of course I loved the added screened in porch.