Fix It Yourself

In 2005, the Okvath family received their dream home from the good folks at Extreme Makeover. Unfortunately, it looks like they aren’t going to be able couldn’t keep it.

According to the East Valley Tribune in Gilbert, Arizona, the Okvath family is the latest in a line of Makeover families currently facing foreclosure.

ABC’s wrecking crew picked the family because of 8-year-old Kassandra, who has been battling cancer since 2003.  If that wasn’t reason enough, dad Bryan lost his truck-driving gig for missing days to be by his daughter’s side.

All the little girl wanted was a few tweaks to the University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. The Makeoverteam granted Kassandra her wish — and threw in a brand new 5,346-square-foot Spanish Colonial-style mansion for the family as well. The home features six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, a movie theater, hardwood floors, granite countertops, a 3-car garage, and ultraviolet-light air and water filtration systems.

Now, like many Extreme Makeover  ”winners,” the family is struggling to keep up with the costs of maintaining the property. Mom Nichol says that last summer, the electric bill alone ballooned to a whopping $1,800 a month. The family took out a $405,000 loan to make a few energy-friendly adjustments. Unfortunately, it was just too little, too late. “We were living beyond our means,” she told the paper.

The Okvath family first put the home up for sale in late 2009, asking for $1.9 million. At last look, the price had dropped to $699,000. If the family can’t find a buyer by May, the home will go to the highest auction bidder.

By Rachel Cericola