I've been a devoted Bob Vila fan since the first episode of This Old House in 1979. That is where I first heard the phrase "Sweat Equity" used by Bob to describe his philosophy for the "new" show. Now there is a show on the DIY network with the title of Sweat Equity with no reference to the "original" use by Bob. Did he original the term or was it that I had just never heard it uttered before?
PS Whenever I see Amy Mathers I say to myself..."Amy,You plagiarist"

I don't know how old the phrase its, but is was used in the 60's by builders of low cost houses where they would advertise that the the buyers could get sweat equity in in the house by doing the painting and cleanup.

And the concept is older than homesteading, which is a form of sweat equity.

Thanks for the info for the term "Sweat Equity". I still believe that Bob deserves a lot of credit for the originating the "Do It Yourself"
concept that has been "cloned" throughout contemporary television.
Mickey