Mar
19
Video: Winner Stephanie Dee Answers Your Questions!
We collected some questions from the blog and sent a video producer along Sunday to record HGTV Dream Home winner Stephanie Dee’s answers. We’ve included the names of the submitters, so watch all the videos and see if she answers one of yours! Find out more about Stephanie and family in their profile.
HGTV DREAM HOME AND MORE
- HGTV Dream Home Central »
- Official Rules: HGTV Dream Home Live Giveaway Home Viewer Drawing
- HGTV Dream Home 2008 Online Tour
- Share Photos/Videos of the Florida Keys »
- The Shore at Islamorada: Site of HGTV Dream Home 2008 »
.
I too was a little disappointed about the family’s reaction. I immediately said, “they already knew they won the house”. What was a dead give away was when Lauren just tapped on the door and walked in. In my opinion,Mrs. Dee acted as if she was disappointed instead of excited. Well, anyway, hopefully the family enjoys their new home whether they keep it or not.
I cant believe all the people who would look a gift horse in the mouth. Hgtv builds dream homes knowing full well that whoever wins it will probably have to sell it. But that also makes them instant millionairs, to make their dreams come true. Not to mention, give us average joes a vacation.The taxes aren’t due until the next year, so if you put it up for sell I bet it sells fast. I thank you hgtv for giving me the opportunity to have a great future thats paid for, Thats my dream
some nasty, truly shocking and negative comments by a majority of those posting.
wow, people’s true natures come out when fueled by greed and jealousy. First, those that “should” have won, because they are more needy, ugly, fat, stupid or just entitled. Or, so they think. Well, they may be needy, but not in the way they imagine.
Then those who suddenly find cause to muse over the possible tax burden on the lucky winner. Even though those same people entered every day and wanted to win. Talk about sour grapes.
And possibly the most pathetic, those that are somehow offended by the winner’s perceived reaction on national TV. As if it is important to anyone else what these mean-minded and completely unimaginative losers think. It really makes me sad to see all these nasty comments on the lucky winners and imagine so many bitter souls out there.
Many, many thanks to HGTV for doing these competitions. And many blessings for the future to the winners. You deserved to win AS MUCH as any other entrant. I’m actually overjoyed that many of these bloggers did NOT win, as that would have been truly sad.
Yes, I also believe that there could be much done as far as building more than one home!!! What It cost to build the one you could have built 10 smaller homes to make 10 Families happy instead of only one, Is;nt that what paying it forward is all about, hELPING ALL NOT JUST ONE, Have a Great Day Karen Mar 24 ,2008 839pm
I also agree with previous comments. My God if I had won the DREAM HOUSE, I would have appreciated and been more grateful. What a disappointment…Please pick me next time I will show my enthusiasm and throw you all a dinner party in my new kitchen.
Dee family congratulations.
I taped the HGTV dream home giveaway show. What a dissapointment.
That winner was by no means surprised. She knew. That was my first and LAST thought.
How in the heck do they (HGTV or judging agency) track down your friend?
Are potential winners screened and expected to meet some sort of criteria? If so, state it in the official rules.
All the winners (previously) seemed to be living a pretty good life, already have a home, etc…
Doesn’t an affidavit of eligibilty have to be signed and notorized before the “potential” winner becomes the WINNER? In every sweepstakes I have encountered, that is the norm. That being said, she had to be notified before this “Surprise” visit by Lauren Lake.
HGTV: Don’t try and fool the veiwers. It leaves a very unpleasant taste. Honesty pays and I felt that I had just had been played over by you.
If you are going to claim to surprise the winner, then do it.
If that is not legally possible, don’t claim it. You ended up looking foolish in many eyes by doing so. In short, it is a lie.
I was so disappointed in the winner’s response and almost felt sorry for HGTV wondering how they would be able to spin this into something possitve. The winner seemed to lack humility, poise and gratitude for her good fortune. This was the first HGTV Dreamhome giveaway that I did not feel happiness for the winner and I know others felt the same. On another note, BRING BACK JOAN!!!!
This is posted to Leslie who was not reading between the lines. The comments posted we based on initial reaction of the winenr of this beautiful 2.2 million dollar home. There was a hype about “who would win” and everyone was let down by an annoying woman who acted like she had just been told she won a dog house. It has nothing to do with people saying pick me..She was very ungrateful “acting” and yes it already looked as if her family were well off. Lets get a reaction of someone who doesnt already live in a $200,000 home and compare reactions. I guarantee thw pweson who is not used to all the finer things in life would be much more appreciative.
Congragulations! Enjoy your new homw with your loved ones.
God Bless
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEE FAMILY. AS FOR THE BIG SURPRIZE WINNER REVEAL- OH, I FELT FOR HGTV’S HOST BUT THOUGHT IT STRANGE THAT SHE SAILED ON UP THEIR FRONT PORCH & JUST “PUSHED” THE FRONT DOOR OPEN- HUH? WHAT GIVES THEN WHEN SHE CALLS OUT TO THE WINNER- IT WAS ALL DOWN HILL FROM THERE. VERY AWKWARD FOR HGTV HOST WHO TRIED HER BEST TO GET “SOME SORT OF REACTION” OUT OF THE WINNER. I WENT TO BED FEELING REALLY DOWN- NOT JUST BECAUSE I DIDN’T WIN- BUT WAS LET DOWN FROM ALL THE HYPE OF ANNOUNCING THE WINNER AND NEVER ONCE DID THE WINNER REALLY SMILE- A SINCERE “THANK YOU HGTV FOR THIS FABULOUS DREAM HOME” WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY! SHE MUST HAVE BEEN TOLD PRIOR TO THE 16TH SHOW! PLEASE RETHINK THE REVEAL NEXT YEAR! THE DEE’S SEEM REALLY NICE BUT DID SEEM “PUT OUT” BY LAUREN’S ENTRANCE! I WOULD HAVE WELCOMED HER WITH OPENED ARMS!!
I know you are trying to spin this in a positive way with only upbeat post but to say this winner was ungratful is an understatement. She looked mad and even when they went back to do the videos she looked put out and mad. WOW to win that and not even say thank you but come across as get out of my house… It is a shame a great prize is wasted on someone who doesnt seem to want it…Oh Well onto the GREEN HOME GIVEAWAY!!
Amen to Elizabeth's and Pat's comment. I don't think people are mad because they didn't win. I think they're mad because Ms. Dee was so ungrateful, almost snotty. Seeing her standing there with her arms folded across herself — there should have been a bubble over her head saying, "Yeah, whatever, now could you just get out of my house and leave me alone?" Really cruddy behavior on her part.
We noticed that the comments on Mrs Dee’s behavior lately were along the line of what we felt. Either shy or whatever, we were absolutely confused by her behavior. She seemed annoyed at best or ungrateful at worse. Even the E channel show “The Soup” showed the clip of Mrs Dee’s behavior and not in a good light. We understand that not everyone acts the same in certain situations but the attitude of annoyance is just beyond comprehension. Her behavior showed a lack of hospitality to guests in her home and I felt bad for Lauren. Congrats to HGTV for trying damage control with Mrs Dee’s video.
I watched the show and listened to all the hype about the winner not knowing they won. When Lauren Lake just walked in the door did not even knock the show just went down hill from there! It all seemed yo be fake. The winner clearly was not surprised at all, she seemed to be annoyed with Miss Lake for comming to her house! If someone gave me a new car and a house worth 2 million You better believe I could’nt say thank you enough! This winner did not smile or even say thank you!
She seems so underwhelmed If it were me i would be stuck to the ceiling. Just goes to show you some people don't deserve what is given to them. I mean she seems honestly upset they walked in her house with out being invited to give her a million dollar home. Honey get a clue and a personality!!!!!
Congrats on winning.I hope you enjoy it for many years.I think you handle yourself well.
I have never won anything I don’t think I
could have stayed on composed.I would have flip
and made a fool of myself.I don’t think I will ever win anything but if I do by some slim chance I hope I can hold myself back, half as good as you did.I know your kids will have a blast.
I have read the comments posted and agree that the winner did not seem very excited, but I’m sure she was in total shock. As a PA, Mrs. Dee probably analyzes information before she reacts and has a calm temperament.
What bothered me most were the comments posted here. The drawing is random and certified. Of course the winners have to be checked out first. What would happen if the winner was wanted by the police on criminal charges – what kind of message would that send? I’m sure they don’t discriminate on age, race or financial means, but simply perform a routine background check similar to one a prospective employer might perform.
Umm, Hello?
Did you already know, Or did you just not want the house?
I mean if you were happy or excited you could have atleast smiled a little?
Next year they should pick someone that actually wants the house.
I am from Florida and LOVE Islamarado. I hope Stephanie and her family have a BLAST visiting the home and keeping it if they can. HGTV did a wonderful job on a beautiful home!
Very strange. My family felt like we were watching the "Twilight Zone". This winner was annoying and definitely ungrateful to say the least!
I agree with a lot of the comments, I was thoroughly disappointed with the March 16th give-away show. So disappointed that I am not sure I will watch again…. I know people are different and you guys cannot look for people to make a good show because it is a contest… but I kept thinking… “What is wrong with this lady?”… “How ungrateful she seems…” After cruising back onto the HGTV website and seeing that she really was a “real person” who wanted the house and was not just annoyed with a strange over-the-top host (that HGTV should REALLY re-evaluate next year), I all of a sudden became happy for the lady and her family that she got the house…
All I can say is: YAY! YIPPEE!…and CONGRATS to the winners of the home!
But…NAY to the way HGTV handled the giveaway. When you knock on a perfect stranger’s door you are SUPPOSED to wait until said stranger answers the door and invites you in…You DON’T just open the door and walk in unannounced…Around here…that will get you shot! I still can’t get past the way Lauren just walked in the door! As far as the couple’s reaction…all I can say is maybe they are REALLY shy and probably couldn’t get past the fact some total stranger just walked thru their front door.
I was too so disappointed with the TV show on March 16th. I was totally turned off that I turned the TV and then be upset. I have watch your show as much I can. I felt like that we were totally useless and then to hear about how ungrateful she seems. I watch the video I can tell that there is something really fishy about this the way she acted. Now reading the winner profile. I wish her the best of all. I feel that HGTV should RE-EVALUATE next year show. Come on- Your shows make us feel so at home, but not the March 16th give away show.
Maybe its just me.. But she didnt seem very happy at all!! I would have been flooding the house with tears!
I just watched Stephanie reaction or lack of i should say. Exactly like A prima Donna. Horrible , I really felt empathy for the HTVG spoke person. what a shame really for the people that would of been so happy and grateful and i guess for me appreiative.
Where’s the HOOPLA??? Out here in the Heartland – we say THANK YOU – & I Can’t Wait to share the place with Family & Friends!!! With all the Baloons and PRE- PARTY going on – I thought coming to the door with a drink in her hands was a clear vision of the rest of the show!
She wasn’t wanting to share the moment with us!!!!~ WHERE IS JOAN???
After watching the video and Stephanie and her husband answering the questions, it became more apparent that she was just shy and probably doesn’t show emotion right away until she realizes it’s really true. But I am excited for this family that they won this home. I hope they get a good chance to stay there before they sell it or not. They could rent it out as a year round home to some high fluential people who like to take week long vacations. Leave that to a property manager and they will take care of it for them. But in any case, Congratulations to you and your family! Now you’ll be amazed at how many family members you’ll have, they will be coming out of the woodwork.
Did she accept the home? A local newspaper quoted her as not wanting to leave Iowa. It didn’t sound like she was going to accept the prize? What happens to the house if she doesn’t? The rules say that she has a week to decide, but what did she decide?? Will we ever really know?
I have a comment to the lady who suggested that HGTV give away the Dream Home to someone who doesn’t already have a home. It’s a contest and anyone should be able to win. Just because someone already owns a home it might not be their Dream Home.
The house was lovely. It looked freezing up there that night. I hope they went for a quick vacation!
However, the taxes will be about 45K/yr. Homeowners w/mandatory wind & flood coverage will be about 5K/yr. if they can find it. The beautiful green lawn will be hard to maintain w/the current water restrictions, costly even w/o restrictions. Job opportunities are limited.
All that said, if you can swing living in the Keys, it is just as beautiful as it looks on TV!
A little stand-off-ish…HE was stoked but SHE was what seemed to me RUDE! JMO!
First and foremost I would like to say that the last time I posted a blog before the winner was announced I said ” I hope the winners would appreciate and cherish the home as much as I would” unfortunetly that wasnt the case most people including myself has been aware of. So that stinks enough in its own…But at the same time for all you people out there, you deffiently need to get a reality check! In case you havent noticed, HGTV only gave ONE house away….yeah theres millions of people out there that need a home(myself included) but why dont you sit back and think about the people in the world that are TRUELY deprived…no i dont think it was right who won the dream home…i dont think she deserved it just like some of us…but at the same time if you want dreams to come true you have to make them happen for YOURSELF…not sit back and have people do it for you….I may have not won the dream home…but im a beach loving freak and one day i will have my dreams come true which are having my own Botique and my dream beach home at LONG BEACH ISLAND NJ….wanna know why because i dont sit around and complain…i make dreams happen….Why dont you all try the same!
All I can think of to say is, WOW, when I watched the give-a-way. I thought she already knew she won or she truely was annoyed. It was so disapointing to watch. I would of been so excited and grateful. Wish I won, but someone who already has a nice big house won. I wish someone who never owned a house and rented an apartment, like myself, won. The host was so great – but her attempts to excite the winner failed miserably. The baby looked more excited. The party must of been for winning the house, but we were told it was a birthday party. Who has a birthday party that late at night on a Sunday with small children? Kinda doesn’t make sense.
I think Jessica may be a bit self-righteous
I was more disappointed in the winners reaction than I was by the fact that I didn’t win. What gives? It is one thing to be shy, but to actually seemed totally annoyed?! Even the husband as well as the guests, didn’t seem to care too much. She must have known ahead of time that she was the winnner, hence the lack of emotion. By the way, who is up on a Sunday night, with 2 kids, that late? That alone would make me wonder. Perhaps HGTV should change the future live winning moments to a Saturday night when it wouldn’t seem so obvious to the soon to be winner.
I want to know, who are you to say she doesn’t deserve to win. Just because she wasn’t entertaining to watch doesn’t make her undeserving. My gosh if hgtv, listened to you guys in the post, they would pretty much have to kick off almost all of the white people, and then go down YOUR list. Not have a job, or have a nowhere job, make sure you can make yourself sound more pathetic and deserving than the next person. And finally be a whatever YOU can do for me kinda person, thats my dream , YOU do it for me. She’s just as deserving as me, (who wouldn’t have been able to wipe the smile from my face, and own my own home. Whoooo)or you or ANYONE else.
I want to know, who are you to say she doesn’t deserve to win. Just because she wasn’t entertaining to watch doesn’t make her undeserving. My gosh if hgtv, listened to you guys in the post, they would pretty much have to kick off almost all of the white people, and then go down YOUR list. Not have a job, or have a nowhere job, make sure you can make yourself sound more pathetic and deserving than the next person. And finally be a whatever YOU can do for me kinda person, thats my dream , YOU do it for me. She’s just as deserving as me, (who wouldn’t have been able to wipe the smile from my face, and own my own home. Whoooo)or you or ANYONE else.
Are they selling keeping the home?
I agree with the other bloggers… where was the excitement??? It seemed obvious that they knew they won before the camera crew came in… they had a party for it for crying out loud! Where was the EMOTION??? It is like that family who won the lottery.
I really felt like it wasn’t a real SURPRISE. What a disappointment. I am happy they won, how amazing. And selling the house will have them set for life, it’s very exciting for them, they are blessed, that is for sure. Good luck!
I have never watched the Dream Home Giveaway before. But I did participate this year.
Yep, I think we were all taken back by the accepting couple. My husband watched it with me and it was definetly a let down. I have not seen any after video’s so I really don’t care to at this point. I think a lot of cleaning up could have been done with the couple. To make your readers, audiance feel better. Always go with the your first instincts (Blink) that what I always say then you are usually right on base.
Camille
the video I saw of her winning was surprising to me as she did not show any excitement or enthusiasm what so ever. I know if I would have won that home I would have fainted more than once!!
I am happy for this family, but their reaction was such a dissapointment!!!! talk about no reaction at all…it was very annoying to see her keep playing with her hair!
How do they surprize the family .When you enter to win you are only able to put one phone number not your friends numbers or your cell number.I mean how did they contact Stephanies’ co-worker?
I am happy for them I just want to know they pulled off the surpize.
No one really owns a home they live in the banks do. I hope to truly win the green home and even though I live in a home (owned by the bank) and live in the east, and am Irish, I will deserve it just as much as someone who is not purchasing a home, or lives in the west or is a minority. Good luck to all of us, and God bless us all.
If any of you had bothered to read the comments by the 2002 winner, you would understand the whole thing. HGTV spends a lot of time tracking down these people. They plan eloborate ways to get the winners where they want them and when. The friend who threw the party did know something was up. That is why the door was open. You people don’t know mych if you think that you can not be tracked by your name and address. Thanks HGTV for the effort you put into these Dream Homes and the programs about them. I look forward to next year!!!
Congrats to the winners, realistically I bet it won’t be theirs for very long, those taxes insurances and on top of that real estate tax would kill anyone, unless your a millionaire already that is. I just registered for the Green House but am rethinking that!
HGTV please build an affordable house so the winner could actually keep it. Like previous posters ask, PLEASE LISTEN TO US>
we all going to be home because everyone enter in this game we suppose whatch the show. it was a surprize, so u contact then first?
Okay first I would like to say CONGRATS to the family
And I’m so not hating on other people’s blessing, BUT…I do feel like it was fake! You would think if she entered to win 5 or 6 days a week, don’t you think the Tv would have been on to see who the winner was?? Okay so people don’t react the same,of course not..but it was just odd that no one else in the room was screaming or jumping for joy either? I love Hgtv!! And very greatful that you do fun sweepstakes like this for all of us 
why has the winner of the dream home always have a home. every one who has won already has a home. entered everyday and the night of the show i was watching and the show seemed staged. because you dont just walk into someones house.
Poor HGTV! I bet you wanted to throw the ungrateful recipient along with her unsubscribed husband’s name back into the pot!