Comments on: The Official Word on Mail-Ins

By: david kelly

david kelly — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:15:47 +0000

I just recieved answer from Scripps that said their understanding is that postcards need to be in an envolope. Mary is saying that postcards dont need to be mailed in an envelope. Which is it?
Also what about prepaid postcards or stamped postcards. The sweepstakes rules need to very clear!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:23:57 +0000

Alaska, Although I do not have knowledge of the HGTV process, one common process is to assign online entries a progressive number, scan mailed entries and also assign a progressive number to the scan. Picking a winner would consist of selecting a random number from 1 to the highest progression number, then matching up the selected number with the assigned progressive number and then verifying the person listed.

By: Alaska HGTV Fan

Alaska HGTV Fan — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:55:59 +0000

I am still wondering how they combine the “online” entries AND the “mailed” entries for the drawing? Does anyone know?

By: Diana Bianculli

Diana Bianculli — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:58:11 +0000

JIM– I would Love to make this “Dream” a “REALITY”. If I won, I would hate to sell it. Not only is the home “Perfect”,but living in that area is like, “living in Paradise”. But I know that all I’m doing is “dreaming”, I guess it’s kind of like “your chances of winning the lottery”. I will say though, three of my old co-workers all moved out to SanFrancisco last year, and another good friend has been living in Sacramento— so I already have friends!! It would be awesome!!! But damn, if I do not win, I’ll still have my own “wine party” here in Ft. Myers, and we’ll all just “pretend” to be wine connoisseur’s. GOOK LUCK to you too, JIM — if this dream doesn’t come true, another one will one day.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:14:44 +0000

Nina, duly noted. You may be right, as I’ve posted before, it wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong, and surely not the last. ) Good Luck.

By: Nina

Nina — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:58:21 +0000

Jim, I did not accuse you of anything. But you are entitled to “interpret” it as you wish.

By: Shane

Shane — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:21:30 +0000

I did some investigating and found out that the address is approximately on the corner of 5th Street East and Patten. Do a Google maps search and then a street view to get an idea of the area. Winning this house is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You’d owe about 800K in state and federal taxes (yet CA has announced that they are suspending state tax refunds this year due to lack of money), and you’d have to pay the 20K in property taxes right away, PLUS insurance, which would cost about $1700/year. And think about homeowner’s fees of maybe $200/month. Just in taxes, insurance, fees, upkeep and utilities…you’re spending about $6K per month, not including food, gas, entertainment, clothing, car repairs and everything else. And you’re still on the hook for those income taxes. The lesson here is twofold: taxes will kill the American dream, and sometimes the simpler things in life are more enjoyable…like your median priced home in your own neighborhood with your old friends, etc. just because your current home isn’t the best or biggest, enjoy what you’ve got!!

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:24:29 +0000

“Don’t sweat it” is a perfect phrase for winning the Dream House Diana! Most will not be able to maintain the taxes and upkeep. In that case “don’t sweat it”, sell it and have a nice nest egg. If the sell amount is considerably lower than the estimated value, use the appraisal for a reassessment of tax. Bottom line, you still have a windfall! If you are afraid of the SAF, sell it! You are not required to live there. Take the profit from the sell and buy a home far from the fault line. In fact I am sure HGTV doesn’t not expect the winner to actually live in the home. It is about the excitement and anticipation. It doesn’t matter your current situation, rich, poor or somewhere in between. It is a “Dream”, your dream on how it will make your life more enjoyable!

By: Diana Bianculli

Diana Bianculli — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:24:18 +0000

Jim– I do Agree with you. I wouldn’t want to even Possibly Void Out my Chances of Winning on my Own Doing. Why are there blogs about the San Andreas Fault?? I’m plugging my ears!!! If the neighborhood is near the San Andreas Fault ( and it might be because there is an area of Napa Valley that is)— I won’t sweat it. Besides, they are predicting that the next “Big” one is going south to L.A.

Diana

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:57:59 +0000

Jim, get a life man. If someone wants to submit 51 entries a day, then good for them. Everyone has their own set of circumstances. To each his own. Settle down brother and enjoy the inauguration.