Home renovation shows have become increasingly popular over the past few years, making it difficult for new shows to stand out. However, HGTV’s new series, Bargain Block, has found a way to bring a unique twist to the genre. Rather than being solely focused on making individual homes look their best, Bargain Block is also focused on transforming neighborhoods. Set in Detroit, the show’s hosts purchase rundown properties throughout the city and strive to bring them back to life. The projects are certainly not always easy, but the reward at the end is always invaluable. Continue reading to learn 10 things you didn’t know about Bargain Block.
1. Keith And Evan Aren’t Just Business Partners
Bargain Block is hosted by Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, but the two are more than just colleagues and co-hosts – they are life partners and have been together for several years. Despite the advice of some to avoid going into business with loved ones, Keith and Evan’s arrangement appears to be working out very well.
2. The Show Does Its Best To Work With Detroit Based Contractors
Keith and Evan are truly dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhoods they work in, and they are all about contributing to the community as much as they can. For that reason, they always make an effort to collaborate with people who are based in the Detroit area. This stands in contrast to some other home renovation shows that employ their own crews no matter where they are.
3. Keith And Evan Were Flipping Houses Long Before The Show
Keith and Evan may be new to the reality TV world, but they’re certainly not strangers to flipping houses. They began in 2012 and have successfully renovated more than a dozen homes since then. Now that they have a larger platform to showcase their work, they’re likely to cover even more ground.
4. The Show Is All About Staying Cute On A Budget
How many times have you watched a home renovation show and thought to yourself, ‘That’s nice, but I could never afford to do that’? If you’re like most people, the answer is more times than you can count. Fortunately, you won’t have to feel that way when watching Bargain Block. Evan and Keith do their best to find affordable ways to design their homes, and you may be surprised at how far they can make a dollar stretch.
5. Keith And Evan Own Their Own Business
Flipping houses isn’t the only venture Evan and Keith have embarked on together. They also own a store called Nine Furniture and Design located in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale. According to The Cinemaholic, “The store offers vintage and handmade furniture and décor items, with options for customizing the designs.”
6. Keith And Evan Aren’t Originally From Detroit
With the amount of passion that Keith and Evan have for Detroit, most people would assume they are from there. In reality, however, neither is from Detroit – or even the state of Michigan. Keith was born and raised in Texas, while Evan hails from South Dakota. Before moving to Detroit, the couple had been living in Denver.
7. Some Of The Houses Were Purchased For As Little as $1k
Buying a home is one of the most significant investments most people will ever make, as houses usually cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. But when Evan and Keith buy properties, they don’t pay anywhere close to that. In fact, some of the homes they renovate were bought for only $1,000 through the Detroit Land Bank.
8. The Show Has Not Yet Been Renewed For A Second Season
Season one of Bargain Block has gotten off to a fantastic start and viewers are really enjoying Keith and Evan’s personalities as well as their flipping skills. The show has yet to be renewed for a second season, but there’s a very strong possibility that the announcement will come soon.
9. Keith And Evan Hope Their Work Will Inspire Others
In addition to revitalizing the neighborhood with their own projects, Evan and Keith hope that other people in the area will be motivated to help keep the area looking good. Thanks to the show, they now also have the capability to inspire people all over the country to take pride in their neighborhoods.
10.The Goal Is To Sell The Houses Back To People In The Community
Everyone who flips houses does so with the intention of eventually putting the property back on the market, but Keith and Evan’s projects have an extra special purpose. Their aim is to be able to sell the properties at affordable prices to people who are buying their first homes, thus improving the neighborhood for the current community and not trying to push people out.
Follow Us
