Status: UNKNOWN
When Debbie Oatman and her children moved into their brand-new 3,700-square-foot custom home shown in a two-hour season finale, it was viewed by 20 million Americans and 1 billion viewers in 69 countries.
Behind the Scenes
The happily-ever-after storyline hid a more complex reality. According to reports, Debbie’s “mercurial temperament and past problems” resurfaced after the cameras stopped rolling.
Hundreds of local volunteers had labored continuously for four days to build the dream house crowded into a cul-de-sac on Fairway Lane. But the home couldn’t solve all the family’s challenges.
The Aftermath
The Oatman case demonstrated that a new house, no matter how beautiful, cannot fix underlying personal issues. The show’s selection process sometimes overlooked warning signs in favor of compelling television narratives.
Last verified: January 2026
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