<p>Isn’t the obvious plot development one in which Crosby and Jasmine buy the house from the parents? </p>
<p>That would keep them from having to design and build a bunch of new sets for the show. They already use way more than the normal number of sets anyway.</p>
<p>They are certainly considering that – hints were heavily salted into last night’s episode. It will take a bunch of willing suspension of disbelief to accept that Crosby and Jasmine could afford what a house like that would be worth in the Berkeley hills. Maybe Camille will decide that she doesn’t need to get full value out of the house in order to see the world. But I doubt it. I predict they will try and fail to work out a deal to buy the house.</p>
<p>Money doesn’t seem to be a significant barrier in TV-land. How did Crosby and Jasmine ever afford to buy house #1? It defies logic to believe that The Luncheonette is producing revenues sufficient to support the lifestyles of the two brother partners and their respective families. The only person on Parenthood whose lifestyle seems to be impacted by earning capacity is Amber.</p>
<p>But even in the real world, families can transfer real property in ways that help out the purchasers but are mutually beneficial to all family members. They can structure whatever financing arrangement they want, over whatever time frame they feel is appropriate. There can also be significant tax advantages to the parent-owners to avoid a real estate transaction that realizes the full value of the family home. (The Parenthood writers don’t need to worry about the tax issues – the point is that I have seen many very valuable homes in the SF Bay area be transferred from aging parents to offspring who could not possibly have afforded to pay full market value for the home with a standard down payment + loan given the skyrocketing cost of real estate in the area. It’s actually fairly common around here.)</p>
<p>To be fair, they established that Crosby’s house was dilapidated and in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood. Crosby sold his boat and spent months renovating the house himself; he put every dime of savings he had into it. Even so, it may not have been realistic, but the writers didn’t ignore the economic issues. And Crosby’s family does not seem to have such an extravagant lifestyle. Adam and Kristina are a different story, but Adam had more savings from his corporate period (though they have also been paying Cornell tuition, no?). They DO cut back, some. You don’t see them calling Haddie anymore, or flying her home for anything. That has to save some money!</p>
<p>Yes, I thought Crosby was going for the house too, until Camille had ‘a look’ on her face while they were all doing their s’mores and zeke welcomed back Drew. It was an ah ha moment I think. Or I could be wrong.</p>
<p>You’d be quite surprised at what a dilapidated house in a sketchy neighborhood in Berkeley costs these days. See <a href=“Berkeley CA Real Estate - Berkeley CA Homes For Sale | Zillow”>http://www.zillow.com/berkeley-ca/</a> (Hint: the sketchier neighborhoods are the ones on the left, closer to the Bay)</p>
<p>I wonder if Crosby might rent from his parents and they would be free to travel and maybe even stay in the studio when back. Just a thought.</p>
<p>@Momom77, I noticed that too, but my take is that Zeek was going to change his mind about selling to make Camille happy. In terms of them “giving” the house to one of the kids, or otherwise making a deal for them, I have to imagine most of their retirement funds must be tied up in that house. What was Zeek’s former career supposed to have been? I am one of four kids too and wished my family was like this one, all showing up to support their sibling!</p>
<p>Finally got around to watching this week’s episode. Loved the support of the siblings. Loved that Drew finally got around to doing the right thing about Amy. Love Drew, but really want to cut his hair. @oregon101 I like that idea of Crosby and Jasmine renting the house letting them have the best of both worlds. Camille did not bother me as much this episode. </p>
<p>Warm coats: Despite my screen name I have lived in Southern California all my life. Whenever the thermometer dips below 60 we turn on our heaters and break out the warm coats, scarves and Ugg Boots. My son who is a freshman at Berkeley requested a warmer coat for Christmas since he was “freezing”. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine giving up that place, the family home. Seriously. I didn’t hear the reason Camille gave for wanting to do this? Can someone fill me in?</p>
<p>I interpret that all their money is tied up in the house so they (Camille?) is not free to travel and do the types of things she’d like to do. I assume the idea is to free up the cash, buy or rent something much smaller and less costly and be able to spend on other things.</p>
<p>She wants to travel, to see the world. She got married young, and had never been out of the country until her recent trip to Italy.</p>
<p>The house needs a ton of repairs and $$$. </p>
<p>Got it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Plus it’s not a house…it’s a large chunk of property. Outbuildings, no neighbors in sight. The yard work alone would be a full time job, which nobody ever seems to do. Huge amount of work just in maintaining that patio where they all gather. Adam and Julia both have big houses and yards but never seem to host. I’d be tired by now as well and I’m a decade younger or more.</p>
<p>I love everything about this show except for Drew’s hair…there is no way he could comb it like that when he wakes up…but what a sweetheart anyway!</p>
<p>Also…my 3 kids are saying the same thing about our house…my H and the kids love it …but it’s a mansion which without the kids is a shell of a place in which we are rattling around. Keep it they say…but it is a huge chunk of equity which keeps us tied down. i commiserate with Camille. I want more but everyone else wants us to keep things the way they are.</p>
<p>Just caught up with the show last night - very heartwarming. Loved the fact that all the siblings showed up for Julia. Also liked that Drew talked to Amber about the girlfriend problem. What’s so irresistible about Sarah? Why does she have two guys fighting over her next week?</p>
<p>Sarah has screwed up again. Oy.</p>
<p>Kind of a boring episode… I don’t know if Sarah really did screw up. I think Hank was right about her not taking herself and her supposed career seriously. I too would jump at a chance to go to Africa, but it sounds like the new BF, actually travels quite a bit so that trip was most likely not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. </p>