Jan
9
The Magic of Panoramic Photography
Happy Friday!
The blog has been buzzing. Thanks for all the comments!
Today, take some time to watch Super Fan’s interview with Bruce, our master of panoramic photography, and Jeannine, our super-organized interactive project director. They brought to life the 360-degree tours you’ve been enjoying online.
Coop: Since most soirées are evening parties (from Middle French), I want to think of our party with all the special dreamers and online friends as an “all-day” kinda affair!! We should start with early morning & greet the next rising of the sun with a toast of good fortune, good friends & good wine!! What a gala we shall have!!
To all my fellow bloggers: I can’t help but to pass on some verbage I just read: “We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path.”
Please help…I have entered online daily for me and my husband, but since we each have 3 email accounts I entered all of them daily…3 for me and 3 for my husband from the same computer…and now reading the bolgs I’m not sure if that’s ok…Can somebody tell me if they will count or does that void my entries for that day or the entire contest? What sould I do from now on…just enter once daily/one email address…can I enter my husband’s email once daily from the same computer? can somebody give me an answer please?
If I could get paid for the time I’m spending on this great DH , I might be able to buy it , I love looking at it everytime I enter, now I found the blog !!!! love reading everybody’s comments,especially blogs about this not making life easier but part of the great adventure life is,all the ups and downs included. Both my kids are working to finish college and would not only love a chance to go instate Calif schools but be close to our family that lives about an hour a way from this DH. Our home may be sold and we need to be out March 1 , I think I’ll park myself in front yard just waiting for Hgtv to come and get me !!!!! It sure would help put the next part of our life in order!
I am really glad that I remembered that they do the Dream Home Giveaway this time of year. I don’t have cable anymore and am unable to watch HGTV. So I am on the site a lot now! I don’t plan on winning because I am unlucky. Have you noticed that some people are super lucky and win everything?
Not me!
But it is fun none-the-less.
Love the house!!
Love the color!!
Too fun!!
This home is so beautiful, everytime I enter the Sweepstakes I have to take a quick 360 tour! I’ve been a fan of HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for many years, every year it gets better and better. I love everything about this one, especially when I dream of sitting on the porch sipping a glass of wine!
Coop: katydidn’t….INDEED! Thanks for the info on the in person tour. Of course, we would all be delighted if you won, but isn’t there a question of eligibility??? Oh, how you made me laugh with your remark about the electric fence and ZAP. You are truly a delight and the banter between you and Marie is priceless. Thanks HGTV for not only giving us a chance at the Dream Home, but this wonderful blog as well.
Hey there everyone!
Does anyone have a clue what the taxes will be for the 2009 Dream Home. I am a single mother with 2 great guys, we are like so many others praying we win.I grew up in Sonoma and have family there, ah helpers a single mothers dream LOL. Hey that would be 2 dreams that came too. The concern are the taxes/ins/utilities. I sure wish the dream car was a hybrid-Go Green! Thanks.
Bonnie: Please read my apology to you under “Have you Seen”.
I have enjoyed your blogs so much.
No, seriously, don’t “blame” DBCoop. Katydid was already “taken” so I thought I’d avoid any confusion and modify the name I usually use when “surfing.” It has been a real pleasure reading the blogs and the fun and witty exchanges between the bloggers. I’m just not as clever as the rest of you and feel out of my league with such as ya’ll so I generally keep my participation to reading.
This is a wonderful home and I would love to win and live in it until such time as the tax man cometh!
Does anyone know who the artist is for the large artwork in the dining room? Also, what are the olive branches hanging in in the dining room – what is that “container” called? Beautiful house! Thank you.
I think answers to your questions are in the Dining Room photo gallery:
http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/dining-room-from-hgtv-dream-home-2009/pictures/index.html
Love the interior of the home. The exterior is ok; plain compared to the other Dream Homes, but the neighborhood does not look very desirable. Heck they could have built this home in any suburban/city neighborhood in this country and this home would have fit in. Sorry, but I think HGTV and the Dream Home Team this year laid an egg.
Does anyone know where Frank (Fcole) is?? I miss his comments. I hope they do the clues to the 2010 home this year. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out the clues.
I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Just love coming here to chat with you all. I tell you, Marie and DBCopper, you two are the best!!!! You both have such a way with words
.
And you two are very funny too. And Bonnie, you are always so sweet.
Great postive energy! It really would be great if someone from here or the DH message board wins this beautiful home.
Shar,
If I understand the tax system on “gifts” correctly, you would have to report the 2 million as income for 2009 and would have to pay 35% of that on your income taxes.
I am guessing on the property taxes based on how much it is in Southern California – I would guess the property taxes to be about $20,000 a year but that depends on what value the assessor puts on the house, it may be different than what HGTV estimates.
From my personal 360 degree perspective (thank you Gail, Bruce and Jeannine), the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes is simply a wonderful gift. Regardless of one’s station in life, despite whatever challenges you may face, it’s a unique opportunity to participate in an exciting, surprise-filled, unfolding drama. From the one-time Dream Home entrant, to the occasional HGTV website visitor, to the frequent blogger, right down to the verifiably HGTV addicted (online OR on the big screen TV) the Dream Home (and Green Home) sweepstakes are just downright fun, informative, and potentially, oh so rewarding.
Oops, gotta go—the HGTV Dream Home table is set, and they’re calling my name…. After all, life is a banquet, and I’m determined to get my money’s worth!
(As always, to all my blogging buddies, thanks for putting up with my dry wit, skewed satire and oblique metaphors. Como siempre, saludos a todos mis amigos.)
And thank you, Katydidn’t, for clearing up the simple misunderstanding about your posting reference. I think that was doubly thoughtful of you, first for taking me off the hook(!) and second, for making the effort to avoid the name confusion from the beginning…that’s sensibly polite blog etiquette.
Marie, of course you are absolutely correct, grande journée would be more apt. On that occasion, the right path that leads us to the 2009 HGTV Dream Home will be the only path I’ll be following…making a beeline to the front door!
katydidn’t: Sure, ya’ll just “happened on the information by chance”. Nice try with the explanation of your moniker….mums the word by me. What shall I revisit now in the Dream Home? Oh, found the adorable doggy house. As I don’t have a pooch now, thought it might make a cute doll house for my three granddaughters. My only grandson would go nuts in the room designed by Ms. Miles. That’s what I’m going to visit next….see if the beds could be switched with the guest room bed. See, just like most bloggers, I’m already envisioning myself as the winner. Good luck to all and pleasant dreams.
Karen,
I did check on that and you are correct, if the house is appraised at 2mil the federal income taxes are 35% then the winner will be paying $700,000.00 !!!! for income taxes plus the additional 20K a year for property taxes. Thats just insane… how can anyone afford that??? You have to be a millionaire to win this home.
To Cat: I, too, had a hard time at first doing the online tour. Last year, all you had to do was click an arrow and it started “panning” to one side or the other. This time, you have to click and drag at the same time and then you can control the 360 degree tour (I hope that makes sense!).
I also had a question. I was looking at the rooms again (as I often do to my husband’s delight..NOT!..lol), and I noticed that there is no crown molding in any of the rooms, and also, that every room’s ceiling is the same color as the walls. Is it not “hip” to have crown molding anymore? I think it adds such a nice touch and architectural interest (oh my spelling! sorry). Of course, I am definitely not a designer, so I probably have no clue!
has anyone figured out how much you would owe in state & federal tax if you should win this dream house! Maybe that’s the catch you can win but who can ultimately afford to accept this “prize”
Okay, I’m totally depressed..I am ashamed to say so, but I admit I am. The San Diego Chargers just lost their play off game against Pittsburgh Steelers…UGLY GAME!! I really feel it takes some luck to win in football..and, let me tell the Supercharged Lightning Bolts did not have it today! Even as they struck so quickly for the game’s first lead, the Chargers began to become their own worst enemies…they drew five penalties asap. The first was called against Vincent Jackson for unnecessary demonstration with the celebration of his 41-yard TD catch (COME ON)!! In one series alone, the Chargers were penalized for a facemask violation, false start and delay of game. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? Okay, I know, the Chargers were lucky to even be in the play-offs, but I so wanted them to be a “Cinderella” team & go to the Super Bowl.
One good thing..it’s over…no more upset stomach over bad calls, bad luck & loosing!!
I feel somewhat better now….thank you!!!
4dewdrops: I’ve looked through the house many times, but until you pointed out the lack of crown molding and the ceilings being the same color as the walls, it hadn’t registered!
Katydid: Yes, I really found it by chance and I’m glad I copied and pasted, because I haven’t been able to find it since.
Has anyone been to the Armstrong Estates development page? If you haven’t, check out that Craftsman home, WOW, just as impressive (if not more so) as the DH.
The Chargers fiasco is nothing, Marie—just think of the penalties YOU’LL face for unnecessary demonstration with a 4.1 foot high DH jump for joy when HGTV arrives at your door for the winner’s reveal. In one segment, you’ll be called for out-of-bounds enthusiasm, offside rushing of the photographer, tackling the HGTV host, illegal hugging of the camera crew, and subsequent delay of filming, all captured on national TV. Talk about a “Cinderella” story—on the road from Brookings to Broadway in Sonoma as the “Super Bowl” Champion of HGTV’s 2009 Dream Home Sweepstakes. Do you feel better now?
OHH! My wonderful Blogging Buddies! I am behind in my replies, but have missed you. I just love this blog. Thank you Marie! I would be delighted to attend the party! Michelle – you are so sweet, and I am amazed at your wonderful spirit and your precious family. I just have one child, and I am in awe of those with multiples (3 of the blogging buddies!). DBCoop – you are one of a kind! You are conversing in Spanish now? Ah! You are full of talent and surprises! I posted something on the prior blog about my visit to the DH today…I thought of you BB’s (Blogging Buddies) today, as I dined at Rins Thai, which is next door to Gail’s fave place. A wonderful restaurant with impeccable service. I had the spicy seafood – delicious! I am here in the area on business, but sure wish I was dining with my BB’s in Sonoma! Cheers!
Katydid – You are so sweet to apologize, but you have no reason to! I love what you say! I have just been on the road.
Here is a picture of Bruce at DH08 when I went there during a filming.
http://images29.fotki.com/v1036/photos/1/1239747/5521136/KeyWestTrip018-vi.jpg
He was very nice, but not happy to see me and my friends, as the DH wasd not year open for Tours
I have toured the POWDER ROOM many times. I just go to the bottom right corner of the display and a floorplan pops up. I glide my curser to the powder room on the 1st floor and CLICK. Poof- tour of the powder room. I think its a “sun fall” color similar to the office.
Okay Coop, I can drown my sorrows with the thoughts of winning the Super Bowls of all Super Bowls…winning the DH2009 would definitely heal my wounds from the battle grounds! If not, I will say what I always say each year as the Chargers get “unplugged!!” There is always next year! It’s a motto that sticks in my craw, but what choice do I have? You have to be tough to be a Charger Fan…you never know with them what team will show up! Okay, lick your injuries and shut up!
Back to reality…winning the DH2009! Ahhhh, just saying that makes me feel 100% better!
Bonnie…such a lucky girl to be in Sonoma! Other than the obvious of taking the tour of the Dream Home, how did you like the “The Plaza” and the surrounding historical buildings, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, Captain Salvador Vallejo’s Casa Grande, the Presidio of Sonoma, the Blue Wing Inn, the Sebastiani Theatre, and the Toscano Hotel???? Of all the restaurants (which I think there are about 30) in the plaza area, including Italian, Irish, Mexican, Portuguese, Mediterranean, and French, I am not surprised that you chose the Rins Thai restaurant…which is fabulous!! All of us BB’s have to live vicariously through you right now & enjoy your good fortune of spending time in Sonoma.
P.S. Coop…love your dry wit, skewed satire and oblique metaphors, and especially love your Spanish…lo que no cuesta dinero, siempre es bueno!!
Thank you, Marie! I enjoyed The Plaza yesterday. I hadn’t been to Sonoma in about 4 years, so it was great to “rediscover” the area. Aside from food & drink, I just wandered the square, and did some minor shopping damage. Hi to lovelykitty. Tell us about the interiors after this weekend. I won’t be here on the 15th. I am going to come back later during the tours. Have a great day!
To Marie M.; I never heard the quote about
the road one travels may be the right one for
you,but is not the ONLY road to travel. Great
words to remember…thank you for sharing.
Ingrid from Sonoma
I visited the Dream House neighborhood yesterday and was amazed! All of the homes in Armstrong Estates are victorian mansions on large lots! It’s too bad that the Dream house is on the outskirts of this neighborhood with a view of the modest homes surrounding it. No problem though for me…I’d live there in a heartbeat if I could afford the taxes on it!
I just came in from shoveling the driveway. I can tell you that Sonoma sounds great right now and there isn’t a thing about the Dream Home that doesn’t look wonderful. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to win it?
Thank you HGTV for an opportunity for someone. Thank you for answering my tax question! Whew!!!! HGTV if you are listening please as you did last year find a sponser to donate the monies needed to pay the property taxes,the federal/all taxes,and any Homeowner’s Association dues. I think it was last year when there was also a cash prize. That cash prize would aid whom ever won to have this DREAM if only for a year, isn’t that what it’s supposed to be? Please HGTV here the pleas of your people (LOL) seek out that sponser, and make this dream a reality for many more. 1 year could be enough for many.PLEASE HEAR OUR CRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are probably a lot of sponsors waiting and willing to be affiliated with your sweepstakes/show. Wow what a cool new twist it would be for this sweepstakes if this could happen, and for the ptential winner. Come on give it some thought! A home 1 year of mortgage and tax freedom due to your sponsor stepping up to help make this dream come true. Oh and let’s make it one better another sponsor agrees to pay all utilities for one full year, and kicks in monies for groceries for a year. This sounds like the ultimate dream and one that would be available to everyone, without much legal complications. You see it works for everyone!
OOPS forgot my o in potential. I guess I just got to excited thinking about the possibility of all the taxes/home expenses being paid for 1 year. HGTV I have confidence that your show could pull this off. Come on people let’s cheer them on. How does it go, oh ya “Yes, WE CAN”!
Taxes paid by a Californian on a $2 million estate would be about $880,000. Makes it tough to accept the award if won. HGTV ought to address this. Most of these dream homes are sold rather quickly. I can see why.
Sorry, the remark about the cabinets does not apply in this kitchen. The ones in the DREAM kitchen are wonderful.I just meant in general. I Love the gas stove. There’s nothing better than cooking with gas.What a beautiful home someone will win.
I would love to retire is this great home.
My granddaughter thinks I’m going to win.
I hope she is right. Hgtv is the best television ever. The Kitchen is so great I can see myself cooking for my children and grand children.
Admin Secretary School District
That was way cool to see on the photography is done. Thanks. I really love watching HGTV and seeing the different Dream Homes each year. This house is my favorite one. I would love to live in it.
Who ever happens to win this home will have enormous expenses, and even with the sale, that will take time. It would be great if HGTV would allow other sponsors the privledge of contributing towards the Dream Home. I am sure there are so many sponsors so those of you call, write, or email to HGTV an offer up your help to defer the expense of all taxes,home assoc dues (if any),utilities and in exchange you will recieve soooooooo much positive exposure. We all know and love HGTV and what it brings into our homes, so many great shows/stories/stars/people/hope. A day of HGTV is a day of change within our lives.Sponsors get on it bring on the peace and tha hope for the new Dream Home owner and HGTV please an open heart.
Hey does anyone know if there is a washer and dryer? That and the stairwell are missing. I love the charitable Dream Home tours that is such a great idea.
Hello to everyone. I do have some information that has been asked in the above comments. Only one of the winning families (Tyler Texas) have tried to live in the house they won. All the rest including last years winner have sold or are selling. The winner of the Tyler house is now having to sell because he can’t afford the taxes. He had to take out a 1 million dollar loan just to meet his bills. Here is the link to that article.
ttp://money.aol.com/cnnmoney/realestate/canvas3/_a/the-house-that-swallowed-don-and-shelly/20060627161909990001
I have entered almost every day and have sent in a lot of mail in entries. I have dreams of living there, just as most of you have I’m sure. But, If I was so blessed to win this beautiful house it will be on the market on the first day possible. I don’t know any one that can afford to live in this house. It is unfortunate that they don’t pay all expenses but such is life. It makes me wonder about all the “home makeover” winners and what their property taxes run.
My hope is that whoever wins can either afford to live there comfortably OR whoever wins can sell the house and live comfortably elsewhere.
Good luck and blessings to all!
Thank you so much Kristy. It is what I have heard as well. You know the homes would be just as great even more so if HGTV, or Home Makeover would do more afforable homes with incredible landscapes/interior/exterior designs. That’s what we all love about the show they can take every day homes and make them so beautiful. An affordable beautiful inside and out 2,000ish sq ft home with a hybrid in the garage, rain barrels to collect water, and solar panels to off set the utility costs. That sounds like a more realistic dream for most of us. The market is depressed so for some the ability to sell my not be realistic, therefore than they are stuck with a huge bill with an enormous amount of stress. The people that had the Washington Home Makeover home also has it on the market, a depressed market with hopes to sell it and escape the stress of a large financial tab. It’s a risk a gamble. Hopefully the folks at HGTV are reading this blog with curiousity and take the comments into consideration. What if they did 2 smaller homes instead of one so large and blessed 2 families in 2 different areas? Well we’re all hoping to win in order to have that dream. I am hoping to finally get back home so I can be closer to family with my 2 younger children. I can only hope the market will be alive and well for whomever wins it, or that they have the funds to be able to afford it. Best wishes to all of you have that have entered, I’m sure we all deserve such a gift.
Since the economy has pushed retirement off into the distance, what better timing for me to fulfill a dream of owning a bed and breakfast!! We have church connections throughout the country so I would love to advertise solely to clergy to stay with us when on the west coast. Though I know my chances of moving into the Sonoma house are next to nil, I still have had the joy each year to enter this HGTV drawing and take my own private tours of the house. Thanks HGTV for great programming each evening, my down-time, and for providing some dream time each winter!! Gratefully, Kay
Jeannine is H.O.T!
I just love the 360 degree tour! It almost makes you feel as if you are there…in Paradise! I showed my daughters the tour and they were fascinated by it and the house inside and out!
Almost makes me want to buy a panoramic camera!Except I really have nothing that spectacular to show,lol! Just my pride and joy.My two Beautiful daughters!Who I wouldn’t trade for the world!
Thanks for letting us tour everything.It’s So nice to dream..this cold,cold winter! And oh that fireplace is to die for!I would much rather have a gas firplace then a wood-burning one anyhow.It seems to be much more eco-friendly! After all burning less wood = less trees cut down!
And I’ll bet they are much cleaner as well? As well as,alot less hassle..just a flick of a switch??Wow…That’s awesome and definately wouldn’t spoil any family quality time! On those Chilly winter nights. xox
Beautiful House and Great Location! For an ordinary citizen like me. I would be happy to have a new house even as big as the living room.
Does anyone know just how much and when the taxes will be due? 1.3% property tax due in April? Federal taxes 32-35%. Is the home Quit claimed? I am sure there are many legal documents to be signed and information disclosed prior to the transfer. Anyone know the basics of what happens? Would there be enough time to seel to pay the taxes? There would be about $12,000 due in April for property taxes. Any clues?
Wow…I have been entering everyday, wishing and dreaming of my DREAM home! I have always imagined my pale yellow farmhouse with the wrap around porch, ferns and flowered baskets hanging. The casual elegance is understated and welcoming. I hang the photo above my bed to remind me that dreams can come true. Thank you for your beautiful website, the gorgeous photos and for keeping my hopes and dreams alive!
Just checking the blog again. Everytime I watch the video, I find something new to be excited about. I know everyone is dreaming about owning this dream home. Still I can’t help but dream too. I am counting the days.
Thanks, Laura