Bargain Block
I was watching some Drag Race snippets on youtube when suddenly, this video came up. I was immediately sucked in, of course. YouTube, always the stalky ex-boyfriend you just cannot shake. But it was a good try. By now you may know I'm totally addicted to HGTV and all kinds of decorating/makeover/DIY shows so this was right up my alley. I'm gay, after all, duh.
I loved the idea of somebody taking abandoned/ruined cheap houses in Detroit and remodeling them to turn around and sell them (sometimes without a huge profit). I've been to Detroit only once because we wanted to go to see where Motown started and to see a Frida Kahlo exposition, but the city is fantastic. It was a total surprise for me. Like a ruined movie star from yesteryear, you can still see the beauty and glam behind the bruised façade. The city has the cutest neighborhoods and some of the houses look fantastic even after being abandoned for years.
What I also loved about the Bargain Block program was the easy rapport of the two men doing the reno: one seems to be the muscle, the other one seems to be the creative force and they make a fantastic pair: the houses I saw did a 360, literally. They're so cool I watched five of their videos on Youtube in one sitting. The dudes are @KeithBynum and @EvanThomas a real-life couple *squee* who apparently started in another HGTV show (Rock the Block??) and now have their own show and have even opened a store in Detroit. Love that journey for them.
The thing is, I've seen many a show in HGTV with two men doing remodeling because of course I have (even though it's more often than not a perky blonde/brunette and some taciturn lumbersexual) but these two kind of pinged my gaydar. And I was not wrong. Their easy rapport comes from the fact that they've been together for ten years (that's a quarter of a century, give or take, in gay years) and they've thought about tying the knot but their show took off (I think there's a season two coming!) so they've postponed it.
Their strategy is to buy and move into the house they're working on, remodel it, prettify it and then sell it with the help of Shea, their guardian angel Real Estate Agent. I think they're adorable and will probably become my next OTP, but meanwhile, I'm enjoying their journey through Detroit making tiny, horribly deteriorated houses in some of Detroit's most blighted neighborhoods livable and beautiful again. And doing all this while teaching us a lesson on inequality and redlining, as well as giving us tips on how to make our homes more beautiful and some real estate know how. And that, to me, is a talent on its own. Totally recommend, whether on YouTube or on cable/streaming if that's your thing.
Happy viewing!
XOXO
P.S. and in a case of double whammy, I found this video of Nate and Jeremiah where they interact with Keith and Evan. Double OTP!
I like Bargain Block because of the way they are bringing back these neighborhoods. And the two are funny together.
ReplyDeleteSame!
DeleteThe idea of helping those neighborhoods recover is fantastic. Detroit is so interesting! And they are funny together. Love to see it.
XOXO
Being a flooring specialist, I frequently have to deal with hours flippers. They go with cheap rather than with quality; it's about making... oh, $60 thousand on 2 houses. They're made to be photographed, not lived in. As for HGTV? The channel sets bad trends because they use specific lighting and staging to enhance the appearance of rooms and houses that no one else in America is going to be able to replicate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point Dave. So few seem to want or care but good quality and well- made of anything anymore. A shame as a society how we could care less or just disposable about anything. I will pay for quality any day and go with less.
DeleteHeh
DeleteFunny that you say that. In some of the links I posted their Real Estate friend talks about how they took a cut in the profits because what matters to them is recovering the neighborhoods. And they actually live in one of the houses they flipped in one of the neighborhoods they have helped recover. You don't shit where you eat. They are part of the community they are helping rebuild.
Are some of the flips only showcases? Of course! I just don't think this is the case. And their aesthetic is easy to replicate.
BTW, when we moved to a new house in 2008, the floors and the kitchen had to be upgraded, because the 'basic package' was trash. That's the way houses are made nowadays: for maximum profit. The marvels of capitalism, which keep the Homo Depot and the such thriving.
XOXO
Been watching Bargain Block for many moons. Evan and Keith (spoiler alert!!!) bought a two-story, multi-family house that would've cost too much in repairs to remain multi-fam (can you say "not to code," boys and girls?) --- so they fixed it as a single-fam and bought it! Now they don't live in the houses they're fixing. LOL. Keith does some things I would be tempted to rip out immediately upon move-in, but over all they do a pretty goof job. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they existed!
DeleteI'm totally hooked to their series. And I think they show their house in one of the links I posted. It's pretty and it definitely helped that neighborhood look great. It was fun to watch them move around with the shopping cart and a rug and a plant from house to house. I imagine that helped keep the costs down, them being so involved in the process.
And I sometimes question Keith's installations, but I mostly love them. He's very creative!
XOXO
HuntleyBiGuy:
ReplyDeleteI haven’t watched renovation TV in forever. But what these guys are doing is pretty amazing. When I heard that they usually buy houses for $1000, I was wondering where and what they’re buying. Then when I saw an actual $1000 house and what they did to it, WOW! They’re literally changing a neighborhood. And when the neighbors come over to see what you’ve done, I think that makes an impact.
XOXO 👨🏼❤️💋👨🏽
Oh, I'm totally hooked.
DeleteDuring the pandemic it was home and decor and National Geographic documentaries for me. And it's true! In one of the videos they buy a house for one thousand dollars and turn it around completely. They are indeed changing those neighborhoods and that's what I think it's fantastic. Some of those people have no idea their houses could look like THAT or that their value could increase if the houses are not in shambles. It's a lesson on recovering a depressed neighborhood.
XOXO
I have not seen this show, as I don't watch much television unless it's on PBS, BBC, or a Aussie or Dutch show!!!! LMAO!!!!!! I watch very little American tv. But the show does sound like it would be good. I over time burn out of watching so much make over and house flip shows. But once in a great while I watch the Magnolia Network. Like once a month. But someone's dump or junk, can be someone's else treasure, if they have the nouse to repair and remake it.
ReplyDeleteI really don't watch mush American tv either.
DeleteI learn about these series and programs by chance! I do like to watch the flip shows. Sometimes people make really stupid mistakes and they also show how expensive a remodel can get.
I despise the Magnolia woman and her husband. They belong to a very homophobic church, so I avoid them and the products they peddle like the plague. It's a no from me.
But two gay guys helping recover neighborhoods in Detroit? Yes, please.
XOXO
I think i know the annoying couple you mean. The show was on for about 30 minutes and I got annoyed and turned it off. I had no idea about the. Homophobic church. The station does come across Hallmarky
DeleteFascinating and what a city in need. So, this is what I and the Ex with a couple of investors did in North Minneapolis... we only did eight homes before we burnt out... we fenced them and rented to people with dogs. We then decided to be landlords. I left it to the Ex. We had some TERRIBLE tenants. This meant rehabbing ever few years. We're in the process of getting rid of the houses. Four down. Four to go. This was about taking a little savings and a tiny 401K from a company who did not like me and turning it into a retirement nest egg. It's working. Anyhoo... I loved doing it, but man... that is a lot of work. A lot of hours. How fun. Best to do that while you're young. Thanks for sharing this. Detroit needs these two. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteOh, Detroit really needs initiatives like this one!
DeleteAnd I cannot believe you did this! Eight homes! And I could never be a tenant. It may be productive, but dealing with people is a process in itself that I don't enjoy. And I can imagine that it's a lot of work and a lot of time invested. That's why I love what these guys are doing.
XOXO