CLOVIS, CA (KMJ) – Sunday was the “big reveal” as HGTV’s reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition unveiled a house that was built from the ground-up for a Clovis widower and his family.
One week, one goal, one family’s dream come true. Today will see the completion of the Reeder family’s brand new De Young Properties home and the highly anticipated conclusion to this life changing project in Clovis. Adding the finishing touches, the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition design team will ensure that every detail is ready for the family’s return at the closing ceremony.
Less than a week ago, Nick Reeder, a firefighter and hero in the community, was told that the community “has his back on this one”.
The Cal Fire Captain was left a single parent with three young children, when his wife Amanda Sawyer died after giving birth on April 18, 2018.
KMJ has been covering the progress as Cumulus Media has exclusive radio coverage of the big reveal.
The reality TV show’s host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for his role on Modern Family, and the show’s all-star design team of Breegan Jane, Darren Keefe and Carrie Locklyn have been working to customize the house for Reeder and his young children.
After six days of round-the-clock construction in the Central Valley heat the Extreme and De Young Properties teams said they are proud to have completed this mission.
KMJ’s Liz Kern on set in Clovis@ Waiting for the big reveal! #hgtv @extremehome Extreme Makeover Home Edition will show off the brand new house for @CAL_FIRE Capitain Nick Reeder and his mom and 3 kids! @LiziKernNews @jessetyler @BreeganJane @CarrieLocklyn @Daz_Keefe pic.twitter.com/aY9SkblvO3
— KMJNOW (@KMJNOW) August 4, 2019
At 3:00 p.m. Sunday, the big reveal commenced as host Jesse Tyler Ferguson gathered the Reeder family by his side and together they yelled “Move That Bus!”
Waiting… in Clovis! #hgtv @extremehome Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s brand new house for @CAL_FIRE Capitain Nick Reeder and family! @LiziKernNews @jessetyler @BreeganJane @CarrieLocklyn @Daz_Keefe pic.twitter.com/oywunIf17f
— KMJNOW (@KMJNOW) August 4, 2019
For the Reeder family, it was their first glimpse at their beautifully crafted, energy-efficient home.
MORE photos from the big reveal!
“Move That Bus! @extremehome #HGTV w/ host @jessetyler & design team @BreeganJane@CarrieLocklyn @Daz_Keefe
Tears as @CAL_FIRE Captain Nick Reeder sees his energy-efficient home courtesy @DYProperties and the hundreds who helped build it. pic.twitter.com/2FUV7dlN6v— Liz Kern (@LiziKernNews) August 5, 2019
De Young Properties raced to finish during the 96-hour build, with workers on site for 13 hour shifts.
“We are straight all the way through until the very end,” said De Young Properties President Ryan DeYoung to KMJ.
The Reeder home is being built with De Young Zero Energy technology which means that the home is designed with the potential to produce as much energy as it consumes in a year.
The intent is that this technology will eliminate the worries about high energy bills for the single income household.
“It’s actually one of our DeYoung floor plans that we tweaked perfectly just for the Reeder Family. Every family member is going to have a special space just for them,” said DeYoung.
De Young Properties has started a fund through Fresno County Pink heals, Inc. to benefit the Reeder family.
Monetary donations to benefit the family can be made through Fresno County Pink Heals Inc. Visit extreme-deyoung.com for more information.
Click to hear the reports by KMJ’s Liz Kern: