accessAtlanta

In another twist in their ongoing effort to save their "Extreme Makeover" home from foreclosure, a Lake City family has reached a preliminary agreement with their bank to take their house off the auction block.

However, it's unclear whether Milton and Patricia Harper will decide to sell it.

Michael Maciag/mmaciag@ajc.com (ENLARGE)
The ABC show 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' built Patricia and Milton Harper a new home in 2005.
MOST POPULAR STORIES How and where to have a blast on the Fourth LA police plan for huge crowd at Jackson memorial Los Angeles police under scrutiny in Jackson death Sandra Bullock movie takes over Atlanta private school Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home
EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR
RELATED: 'Makeover' goes to extremes 'Extreme Makeover' home in Atlanta in foreclosure Photos: The 'Extreme Makeover' house

In February 2005, construction workers and volunteers rushed to build what would become one of the most elaborate homes ever featured on the ABC-TV show. Complete with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the 5,300-square-foot building resembles a fairy tale castle.

The Harpers were selected among thousands of applicants for the show because of their hard-luck story. When their septic tank flooded the basement, the family was often forced to sleep in their van outside.

The home at 5489 Ahyoka Drive had been slated for auction Tuesday at the Clayton County Courthouse.

The Harpers, who did not return calls for comment, used it as collateral for a $450,000 loan to fund a construction business.

Christine Holevas, spokeswoman for JPMorgan Chase, said a 30-day hold was put on the foreclosure to allow the family to work out a deal so they could stay current with their payments.

Negotiations began last week, and Holevas said she expects an agreement to be signed in the next few days.

"We're confident the Harpers will stay in their home," she said.

But the family's days in the home still might be numbered.

The home was listed with ReMax — with an asking price of $950,000 — until the listing expired a few weeks ago.

Max Chavez, a ReMax associate broker who listed the home for the Harpers, said it appeared the Harpers were still interested in selling the home when the listing expired.

"I'm hoping that they'll re-list the property with me," he said.

Their house wouldn't be the first "Extreme Makeover" to be sold.

Extreme Makeover homes in Idaho and New Jersey were also put on the market earlier this year.

An ABC-TV spokesman declined to discuss problems some show participants have faced.