Just a few things I'd like to clarify from the article. Nicole and I paid a bit more than $7,000.00 as we WERE responsible for the taxes on labor and gratis as mentioned by the HGTV rep later in the article, although in the end we still made out like bandits considering the end result and where our financial responsibilieies ended. Secondly, while we are both writers, only Nicole works in Marketing. I work in logistics, though technically dabble in promotions and PR for Shadowline Comics. Finally, we had to be present for filming over five days, not three. Aside from that, our experience with HGTV was wonderful and I hope anyone who is considering auditioning should try out. Just don't expect everything for free like FourSisters thinks.
Foursisters: I don't know about you, but I think it's exciting to pay 1/4 of the value for something you get to keep. As for the surprised part, sometimes it's genuine and sometimes it's acting and more often than not it's a little bit of both. Don't believe EVERYTHING you see on TV.
And F
RESIDENT EXPERT
Daniel McGinn
Affording Your Dream Kitchen
Marc and Nicole Lombardi got a $45,000 renovation for just $7,000 by successfully auditioning for a home-improvement show. Here's how.
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It's no surprise that amid a weak economy and a deepening housing bust, Americans' spending on home improvements is declining. For the latest evidence of that, look to Home Depot, which reported that in 2007 its sales fell for the first time in its history—and that sales will likely dip another 5 percent in 2008.
But even as tough times lead fewer of us to actually renovate, many of us still aspire to—and still spend time watching other people remodeling on cable channels like HGTV. There's a vicarious thrill to be had watching more fortunate homeowners transform their spaces. Turns out they're even luckier than we thought. That's because on some shows the production companies step up to cover big chunks of the renovation expense.
Consider the case of Nicole and Marc Lombardi. When they purchased their Philadelphia-area home in 2006 they had their hands full. The house hadn't been updated in years, so the couple dove into the DIY lifestyle, tearing down paneling, scraping acres of bad wallpaper and trying to bring their 1925 home into the 21st century.
But despite their handiwork, big eyesores remained—especially the kitchen. It featured mismatched cabinetry, layer upon layer of vinyl flooring (which the previous owner had also put on a countertop), a terribly cramped floor plan and too few electrical outlets. While the Lombardis were comfortable renovating the living room and bedrooms themselves, remodeling a kitchen would require plumbers, electricians, carpenters—and money. Their dream kitchen would have to be deferred.
Then one day Nicole clicked over to HGTV.com, the Web site run by the home-improvement cable channel. She clicked on the button marked "Be On HGTV." And she began looking over applications to appear as a homeowner on various home makeover shows. She zeroed in on "Spice Up My Kitchen," which is produced by a Philadelphia-area company and looks for homeowners in her area. Then she downloaded the application.
Some of the questions focused on simple logistics. Could both husband and wife take off five days from work to film the show? Is there a room near the kitchen to use as a staging area for cameras and lights? Do they have allergies?
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