Bargain Block

Finally, a fixer-upper show with some sense and smarts!

Keith & Evan buy derelict houses in Detroit for next-to-nothing ($1,000 for some), do ALL the work themselves, while living in the houses, then sell them to people for very little profit (doesn't look like the market could stand any higher prices), so that "normal" people/first-time home buyers can get their foot in the door for home-ownership. Some of the designs are a little "out there" (I cringed when I heard "gold cabinets", but I ended up liking them!), but the point is to get houses fixed up, improve the neighborhood, and get people into their own homes.

I also LOVE that they sell the homes furnished...and they hit the thrift stores, Habitat For Humanity's ReStore, etc., and walk out with furniture that they re-upholster, paint, etc. And it goes with the house. And these houses could almost hold their own against other shows that "stage" for several thousand dollars. They re-use as much as they can, which leads me to a major gripe I have...

I think it's terrible that almost all these home remodel shows throw so many things into the dumpster, and off to the land-fill. Some put things on the curb, and people take them off to put in their shop, garage, etc., which is great. Some re-sell on the internet, also great. But there is so much needless waste...Season 1 of "Rock The Block" was absolutely APPALLING!!! My little town of 2,000 on the Oregon Coast has a ReStore, you can't tell me huge cities don't!!!

A really good show!

Love the intent here - renovate abandoned houses near each other and sell for affordable prices creating momentum for the neighborhood becoming a lovely place to live. These two guys are enjoyable to watch and working on more than one house at a time keeps the show's energy high. They seem to know what they are doing and are creative with a very small budget. And selling the furnishings (also renovated from thrift shop finds) is brilliant. Will the painted tiles chip? Sure. Do they need help with window coverings? Yep. But if you want to buy the best house you could for less than $100K, this show is your inspiration. And that makes for an excellent HGTV program.

Keith and Evan transform throw away houses into stunning works of art and I want one of their creative houses! Their transformations are artsy and fun--never sterile! They are uplifting neighborhoods and offering affordable houses that are unique, colorful and gorgeous. I just LOVE their work and this show. One of the best shows. Thanks guys! You are so inspirational!

I love Bargain Block and Good Bones more than any other flip / design show because they are doing what they do out of love. It's about bringing abandoned and run down homes new life and injecting beauty back into neighborhoods. Keith and Evan are making affordable fully designed and furnished homes for first time buyers and adding so many fun and artsy (think graffiti...glam...animal print) touches to each and every one. No two are alike! The uniqueness isn't for everyone, but it doesn't have to be. It just has to be for "one." I can't wait for season 2!

I love this little show. It's a change of pace for HGTV, featuring two pleasant, likable, down-to-earth guys who salvage terribly broken-down houses to help lift up a sad part of old Detroit. They actually do the work themselves, living in one project while finishing the next. It's fun to watch them do practical but very clever renovations on a tight budget and turn near-wrecks into unique, cheerful, very affordable starter homes for people who might not otherwise be able to become homeowners. This is much more grounded in reality than most of HGTV. If you want a feel-good show and a change of pace from the usual steady stream of zillion-dollar cookie-cutter makeovers, I highly recommend Bargain Block.