Family may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home

Family may lose 'Extreme Makeover' home

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Story Published: Mar 6, 2008 at 6:58 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2008 at 7:46 PM PDT

By Natali Marmion and KATU Web Staff

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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Life before getting a new house on the ABC show 'Extreme Makeover Home Edition' was tough for the Byers family but since that episode aired back in October, things have gotten even tougher.

First, Jenessa 'Boey' Byers lost her battle with cancer and now the family could lose its dream home to foreclosure.

You see, last summer, the Extreme Home Makeover crews demolished the Byers old house but the old mortgage still stands.

Compounding the problem is that family friends say Rob Byers, who owns a cleaning business, recently lost a major client. For a family who just lost a daughter, a sister and a warrior like Boey, it is hard to imagine the situation getting any worse.

"There's still $250,000 left on the old mortgage that they have to pay," said Umpqua Bank Manager Heather Rogers. "And then they have to start paying the property taxes on the new value of the home because it's a lot more than the old home was."

Umpqua Bank is not associated with the Byers' mortgage agreement or pending foreclosure but has partnered with the family on an ongoing community fundraising effort.

"The house is going to be lost if something doesn't happen," said family spokesperson Steven Bjork.  "And here's something that the community built for them and I don't think that's something the community wants lost."

Boey loved her community and the community loved her.  The Byers now just ask that the community keep showing that love.

If you are interested in making a donation to help the Byers, there is a fund set up.  Checks should be made payable to the Sparrow Club Boey Byers Fund and can be mailed to or dropped off at:

Umpqua Bank
415 N.W. Third Street
Corvallis, OR 97330

The producers of Extreme Makeover Home Edition issued the following statement about the Byers' situation:

We have spoken with the Byers family at length and know they are going through a difficult emotional time right now and our hearts are with them.  But, in order to protect their privacy, we never comment on our families' private financial situations.

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