216781 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.hgtv.com%2Fdreamhome%2F2008%2F01%2F11%2Fanswering-some-of-your-hgtv-dream-home-questions%2FAnswering+Some+of+Your+HGTV+Dream+Home+Questions2008-01-11+20%3A04%3A40Frank+Colehttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.hgtv.com%2Fdreamhome%2F2008%2F01%2F11%2Fanswering-some-of-your-hgtv-dream-home-questions%2F

1. Last year an additional cash amount was given to help the new owner take possession of the car and house. That amount is not offered this time. Do you have an estimate of what it could cost to take possession of the SUV and house? Suv taxes? I am also assuming that once the transfer of the house takes place, then electricity/water bills are sent to the new owner?

   Carolyn on February 9, 2008 at 1:33 pm
2. I see alot of questions here. Where do i find the replies?????????? I would like to know the answers to alot of these questions.

   gina cole on February 9, 2008 at 3:13 pm
3. HGTV You are the best!!!
   If I win this would be so happy that I would cry cause my family has been looking for a house!

   If I don’t win thats okay, but you guys still ROCK!!! ;( LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

   Aracelis on February 9, 2008 at 10:06 pm
4. Are there any other prizes besides the grand prize 2.2 million dollar home?

   Heather on February 9, 2008 at 10:33 pm
5. Hi,

   I gotta say this is a beautiful home. I do have one question though. In the master bath…what is there to cover up the windows?

   Brandi Poston on February 10, 2008 at 6:43 pm
6. I WAS JUST WONDERING– IS THIS HOME HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE,AND IF IT IS ,PLEASE SHOW ME WHERE THIS IS. BUT- IF NOT CAN IT BE ADDED AFTER.

   John on February 11, 2008 at 8:33 am
7. How in the world can anyone afford to win this place? The closing costs, the income tax, state tax, property tax? This sounds like a game for the rich only. If I won, I would have to sell it the next day! In this market, that might be a problem.

   Debra Riley on February 11, 2008 at 3:00 pm
8. The only replies you will see here are what kind of paint they used or where they got the furniture. They don’t seem to answer ANY of the “hard” questions.

   Ken Dixon on February 12, 2008 at 3:22 am
9. There is going to be a lot of construction going on at that lot for at least a couple of years during the construction of the next 8 houses. It’s 7 or 8 neighboring houses going up. That means lots of dust and loud construction noices. I keep telling myself I’ll have to sell it ASAP if I win because of the taxes, but with the way the market is, not so likely.

   Mary on February 12, 2008 at 12:16 pm
10. It would be so freakin awesome to win a home and a Hybrid SUV. Maybe I can’t afford the tax, but I’m going to try and do whatever I can to keep it. Never owned a home and I’m ready. Beg, steal or borrow before I give up.

    Anonymous on February 12, 2008 at 12:24 pm
11. Dream Home? My requirements for a dream home:
    1) Any state but Florida
    2) Any Arch. except southern colonial
    3) Any house that puts the master bedroom on the first floor
    4) not a condo or community living
    5) one that I would have ANY design input instead of NONE.

    Well, I would love to win this home, live in it for 2 weeks, and then sell before the next hurricane. Any buyers out there?

    bobby on February 12, 2008 at 1:12 pm
12. You know, I haven’t read all the comments but I’m struck by how defeated everyone sounds. I was excited about entering but after reading some of this blog, I think I want to take back my entries! JUST KIDDING…..

    Let’s think creative……I live in NH and it is freakin’ cold here 6 months out of the year. I would love to use that house for about 5 months out of the year……..why couldn’t I hire a property mgmt company to lease the house out by the week, month, whatever? I am sure that the rent would more than pay the yearly taxes……being on the bay in Islamorada/the keys? I can’t imagine what the rent would be (daily/weekly) but it’d have to amount to thousands over a 7 month period….and yes, maybe you wouldn’t be able to rent it during hurricane season or maybe you would but I wouldn’t already have it in my head that I’d HAVE to sell it….there must be a way to have a dream home, eh?

    Pattie G on February 12, 2008 at 1:21 pm
13. This is obviously my “dream” retirement home. Being a Florida native; born on the East coast; I truly appreciate the beauty of the Florida Keys. My grandchildren will fit right in with this home and atmosphere. Anyone who knows the history of the Keys is aware of the “protective barrier” that has surrounded the Keys during most major hurricanes and having survived Charley, anything else would be a cake walk! Thanks for the preview of my magnificent home and someone else can worry about the tax details for me!

    Julia on February 12, 2008 at 10:57 pm
14. Whatever!! Just pick me! No regrets…single, white female…have kids…been there done that…ocean ready…loves to cook…cleans…looking for something diff…Dream? Yeah! Wishing upon a star! Pick me!! I’m awesomely ready to “sell” HGTV!! AND there’s no question…the house is a Dream come true! In essence…uh…Dream House!

    leslee p miller on February 13, 2008 at 12:32 am
15. Why are all the pictures in the home of non-ethnic descent? Is the home only able to be won by someone of non-ethnic descent? Please explain. Thanks!

    EMLyles on February 13, 2008 at 6:41 am
16. I read on an internet tax site that the taxes will be $700,000 on 2.2 million – the cost of the prizes. I would just sell it, or rent it out…either way you win.

    ree on February 13, 2008 at 9:32 am
17. Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that the kids room is on the ground level while the master bedroom is on the 3rd level? I don’t like the fact that my children will be sleeping on the ground level with glass doors leading outside while I am on the 3rd floor sleeping. It just seems to be the only flaw in the design of the home to me. Guest room on the bottom floor makes more sense. I would rather my guest has a door to the patio then my wandering children. Especially when this home will draw media attention.

    Caroline on February 13, 2008 at 10:11 am
18. It amazes me the questions people are asking on this blog. Does the land come with it? How much are taxes? Did previous winners sell their homes? Wine closet, no wine closet? Really, if you need to ask these questions, you do not deserve to win. There is a rule, you do not get something for nothing. Clearly taxes would be your responsibility. Isn’t the house being given to all of you enough? Enjoy, watch and celebrate the winner. No more selfish questions please!

    Jackie on February 13, 2008 at 7:59 pm
19. ‘Keys disease’ is what happens to you when you visit the keys, it brings you to a snails pace within hours of arriving … The locals call it ‘Keys Disease’ because you never get accomplished what you intended to. You need to be able to relax in the Keys … things are much slower … the weather is great, the people are great, the food is great, the fishing is great,…what else would anyone need. It’s been said the ‘keys are a small drinking village with a big fishing problem’. I think the motto should be “Don’t worry, be happy”

    Darlene on February 13, 2008 at 8:59 pm
20. For everyone that keeps complaining about how if they won the house, they would never be able to afford to keep it…stop complaining!! This is a DREAM home…if you have read about previous winners, most weren’t able to keep the homes anyway. If it bothers you so much, maybe you should reconsider entering the contest.

    Sharon on February 13, 2008 at 9:18 pm
21. I think this house looks great but where exactly is it? I go down to Islmorada every year because my parents have a house down there but where is it? I would actually like to know so i can see in real life or even maybe my parents could see it

    Joseph on February 14, 2008 at 3:09 pm
22. It’s a gorgeous place, but, um, where’s the pool?!? I mean, it is Florida, right? There should be a pool!

    Liz on February 14, 2008 at 4:33 pm
23. I live up here near the last Dream Home(???). More like a nightmare!! Snow snow snow & more snow!!! I could sure use a shot of sun & warmth!! Now Florida sounds like a dream to me!

    Jan on February 15, 2008 at 10:34 am
24. Everyone is asking about taxes. I would like to know too.
    My assumption is this will be treated as a gift. Therefore you will owe taxes as if it were income. $2.2 mil income is $500k-$600k easy. So if you were lucky to win could you afford this mortgage with the high paying jobs of the florida keys… are there any jobs there?
    Maybe we would be taxed on the cost and not the appraised value??

    Derek on February 15, 2008 at 2:16 pm
25. My husband is a rescue Scuba Diver and this would be an AWESOME place for us to retire.
    I watch HGTV more than you can ever imagine and I find it to be ???????? of WHY so many people register for these dreamhomes and cannot afford them.
    The house maybe free, but there are taxes / etc… Just to let you know we can afford this and think it is a beautiful home. Please express to your designers they did a GREAT JOB.
    The only other place I would care to retire would be in Ashville,NC…..I’ll keep my fingers cross.. God bless you all for what you do.

    BB on February 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm
26. A home my family could really enjoy!

    HGTV is a station / channel I watch that is
    opposite of all the violence that is now on our
    T.V.’s .
    I pray that more people will watch GREAT
    shows such as yours.
    Again, THANK YOU for a FANTASTIC show for family
    viewing.

    JJQ,III on February 15, 2008 at 5:20 pm
27. I was always told if you can’t say something nice about it don’t say anything at all. Well Mama, I can say a great deal about this home. It’s absolutely beautiful, if a room is a bit small, if I have to pay taxes and fees oh well, how terrible. (Kidding of course) This house will be mine because I have imagined myself in it in every room, I deserve the best and this is it as far as I’m concerned. Oh Lord, just bless me and let me hear my name called the day they announce the winner. Thanks for the chance.

    Anonymous on February 16, 2008 at 5:15 am
28. I have been waiting for the day that something like this would happen to my family and I. My son and I enter every day, sometimes I think he wants this more then I do.My family has had a very hard life and something like this is just what my family needs to lift up up there spirits and let them know that someone still cares about them. I know that something like this could give my family the chance to have a new begining. I am sure there are millions of applicants, and my chances are slim, but there always is that one in a million chance, right?

    Jossie Rivera on February 16, 2008 at 1:20 pm
29. How do I find out where to buy The tub in the Master Bath?

    Anonymous on February 16, 2008 at 7:03 pm
30. The 2008 DREAM HOME is AWESOME!
    How I would feel really blessed to own this home.

    Thanks HGTV for all the homes you have given away.

    I;m keeping my fingers crossed….

    BWQ

    BB on February 17, 2008 at 3:32 pm
31. where is the front door?!

    danielle on February 17, 2008 at 5:40 pm
32. This house is AMAZING. I want to win so bad (:
    But i do have a few questions…

    All of the previous dream homes had come with $250,000…does this house come with that??

    How much are the taxes on this house??

    is their a pool??

    Jackie on February 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm
33. Just a quick question….Is the property tax paid for or would I be responsible for that?? If so how much is it? The house is absolutely beautiful, it is definitely a dream home…my dream home )

    Meghan on February 17, 2008 at 6:39 pm
34. I have asked this before, the dining room Lantern, could you please let me know who is the manfacturer and where I can get it.

    Thanks!
    Marie Byrne

    Marie Byrne on February 17, 2008 at 7:29 pm
35. It’s a gorgeous house with spectacular views—and most likely killer taxes!! Personally, I would have preferred that there be 2 kids’ BR with a ahared bathroom and closer to the master’s BR — not all the way down on the first floor.

    Carlyn on February 17, 2008 at 9:14 pm
36. WOW!!! I would be thrilled to have this house but for everyone with financial questions, this I how I see it: Federal taxes to the IRS based on a 1099 of 2.2 million equals $770,000 due by April 15 of 2009, property taxes in Florida on a house appraised at 2 million dollars, between 48 and 60 thousand dollars a year, insurance between $18 and 24 thousand dollars a year. So, if you could afford to pay the IRS, you would need between $5,500 and $7000 per MONTH, just to keep the house. This does not include utilities, HOA fees, and maintenance. Yes, this is an amazing house and it would be a dream come true to win,but the average family could not even afford the monthly tax bill. If I could suggest an idea, it would be that HGTV builds ten “dream houses” all for $250,000, in ten different locations, more work for them, but that is something the “average” family might actually be able to move into. In most areas of the country, you can build a very nice 3 bedroom, 2-3 bath house which is what most people desire and need. Thanks for the opportunity to blog.

    kim on February 18, 2008 at 9:04 am
37. The house is Beautiful and i’m ready to move in !

    Shelley on February 18, 2008 at 1:44 pm
38. Having this house , would mean so much to me my family would finally have a house, losing my Dad this year and having no one to help with all the costs. It would be a true mircale . HGTV, thanks for the opportunity , good luck everyone

    Ayak Mawien on February 18, 2008 at 10:17 pm
39. my family and i would fit in this home my son is autistic and my uncle is who is 77 needs some assistance and my daughther,and husband and 3 kids would fill this house with fun and laughfter,the dinning table seets 8 and so does the outside table it looks like it was designed for us, between all of our incomes we could make it. we want to make it our home.

    tammy hiett on February 18, 2008 at 11:02 pm
40. This dream house is miraculous I LOVE IT. My family would love to win this home so as everyone else. This is the perfect vacation spot to share with family and friends and just enjoy life! This would be a prayer answered for sure in anyone’s life. HGTV you are wonderful for giving someone an opportunity of a lifetime!!! Thank you so much for giving me and my family a chance at this beautiful dream home!!
    THANK YOU ,THANK YOU, THANK YOU

    Misty Gosha on February 18, 2008 at 11:03 pm
41. THE FACT THAT THE KIDS’ BEDROOM IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME.. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN , AND THIS WOULD SCARE ME! I WONDER WHAT POSSESSED THEM TO DO THIS? GUESS I’D HAVE TO SWITCH THE GUEST ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR WITH THE KIDS’ ON THE FIRST.. LOL.. IF I WIN, THAT IS. ;D)

    D.S on February 19, 2008 at 12:49 am
42. I think people have the right to be concerned about how they are going to pay for the house. There are legitamate questions. We have alot of people on this blog that are big dreamers. Many of them say they are struggling and really need this dream home. However, if you are already struggling to pay for what you have how can you afford a 2 million dollar home. That’s why the foreclosure market is full because of people with that mentality. If you can’t afford to buy a house now or even a house that’s between $100,000 and $500,000 you won’t be able to afford this one. You’ll actually wide up in more debt than you had before because if the home is foreclosed you still owe on the house even if someone buys it afterwards. You’ll be in debt forever.

    I put in my entries. If I win, then I’ll see what we can afford, although I have 3 kids and there is not enough bedrooms for us. I will either sell it or my other option if they allow me to do it is move it. I own property close to Seabrook and Kiawah Islands in South Carolina and this would look nice on my property. I’d of course change the kids’ room into a guest room and then remodel the second floor to include atleast 2 or 3 extra bedrooms and expand the master bedroom (sleeping quarters) to about another 100 square feet. I’d also remodel the bathroom to make the tub and shower area seperate. Since I’d be adding square footage to the second and 3rd floors I’d have to add some to the first to balance it off so I’d make it sunroom so that we can sit outside in the winter months and enjoy the view of the pool, I’d have installed. That’s just one option. I also have land in Conway, SC which is 14 miles from Myrtle Beach, I could just move it there and use it for a summer home. Either way, I’ll just way my options.

    We all must think rational and to figure out the true value of something and your financial liabilities is just plain common sense. It’s not about complaining, it’s about being smart. Some of you just want to move it in it with no thought of the consequences. Be smart and think ahead about what owning this home means. Some of you will be going from low to middle income all the way up to a high tax bracket, don’t get excited that this home is being given away. It’s someone’s tax write off and your new tax liability. For instance, Oprah gives away stuff all the time, her heart maybe in the right place but I bet her wallet is much bigger. She’s a billionaire and what’s giving away a vehicle or a house to her? That’s less tax money she will be responsibile for paying. My husband owns his own business and believe me the object is to find them most you can deduct and this means giving way to charity as well. All I’m asking is for those who are excited about the offer just think ahead what the personal liabilities will be before you accept the blessing.

    Tressa Adabo on February 19, 2008 at 10:46 am
43. Tressa, You may be right in a lot of ways. I can say that we thought most things through, like the upkeep and the utilities. What MOST people forget is the Federal tax that would be owed on the total appraised value once you take posession. You see things like Extreme Home Makeover, and of course those homes are tax free, and most people who enter the HGTV dream home think that it works the same way and the taxes are covered!! Now that today is the final day AND the first day to read any of the blogs, I am almost sick to my stomach with fear that if we do win this house…it’s the approx. $750,000 in federal taxes that we are going to owe in 2009. Everything else we can handle! We may not be as fortunate as you to have that much money and own all that property with the ability to immediately remodel the DH when you move in….that seems silly to me anyway. It is really discouraging that HGTV DOES NOT make the financial information available to the people that don’t understand that part of it. It really puts that winner at a dissadvantage and more often than not extreme finacial strain, even if they make over $100,000 a year. It truely does break my heart to know that so many people are in such financial strain, have entered this contest to have a roof over their head and a place to call home, will most certainly fall into bankruptcy before the house sells or if the house doesn’t sell at all, then loose the house, and have now money from the sell, if it did eventually sell.

    I think that should be a requirement for future Dreamhome giveaways is to do a fincial check on the winner, before announcing!! I know it’s suppose to be fair and equal, but I’m sorry fair and equal is not drawing a winner who desperately needs a home and then tell them they have to take out an $800,000 mortgage to pay the Fed. taxes.

    This home could be a Dream Home, but unfortunately…none of the past DH’s given away have become anyones Dream Home. They’ve all been sold to someone who never even entered the contest or that needed this home like the majority of the people who have entered!!

    It’s a Dream Home yes, but I am hoping that it doesn’t become someone’s nightmare in this very soft Real Estate market!!

    Kimberly on February 19, 2008 at 12:56 pm
44. Also, I see comments above about just getting a reverse mortgage on the DH. The only problem is that you have to be 62 or older to even qualify for a reverse mortgage. You can look it up on their website, I’ve been doing all the research on all the aspects so that If I win, I can hopefully be the first to keep and afford this BEAUTIFUL home!!!

    Kimberly on February 19, 2008 at 2:44 pm
45. who won the contest

    Tammy on February 19, 2008 at 7:05 pm
46. you know you people need to really chill if your that worried about the taxes don’t register to win and let the few of us that really want and need a new start because we haven,t had the opportunities some of you others have

    april boseck on February 19, 2008 at 8:16 pm
47. Teresa of SC-My dear if you can afford to move the dream home all the way to SC you can afford to build one just like it there, because it would cost you more than the house itself is worth to move it even if you could get it across all those bridges and through Miami………funny

    Julie on February 20, 2008 at 1:13 am
48. I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE ALL THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE OUT THERE. IF YOU HAVE A GRUDGE ABOUT THIS HOUSE THEN WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE.THIS IS A GOD SENT MOMENT FOR A VERY LUCKY FAMILY. WHAT THE WINNER DOES WITH THEIR HOME IS FRANKLY UP TO THEM !

    JOHNNY on February 20, 2008 at 2:53 am
49. First I want to like hgtv and there staff.For there continued support and partonage of HGTV and it’d Dreams.This is truly a blessing for a contestant and viewer like me.That is a constant Watcher of your programs.**************************************************
    But what I wanted too know was.I’m confused with delivery of your rules and regulations at the moment for this drawing.When you say;You can’t send in mailings labels or handstamped entires or entires produced by other automatic means.Are you saying of the envelope or the piece of paper the entry is on.What are you talking about,I really need to know this b/c I have sent in some entries with with mailing label of my current address on the outside of the envelope.Is that what your talking about.And as far as the entry.It cannot be typed or copied it’s has to be hand written.Also can multiple people with different names of the same address.Send in entries.With the computer entry does that count.And can a person with the same email address enter at different computers.Ans long as it not the same one.Or all,your just entitled is one online entry per day.Please Get back to me with this information.Thank you.

    kenny on February 20, 2008 at 10:27 am
50. I can’t wait to see who won!!! God willing, it’s me!!! It would really be a dream come true for me!!!

    Good Luck to ALL who have entered!!!

    Liz on February 20, 2008 at 12:56 pm