Jan
16
Super Fan at the Show Taping
Our Super Fan is at it again. She managed to sneak behind the scenes and get the scoop on taping of the HGTV Dream Home 2009 special. Once you watch her video, take some time to watch the special and enjoy Bobby Flay’s amazing Sonoma-inspired recipes — I gotta try that chopped apple salad!
NLeslie,
I agree with you to a point. You are right, though, it is about different personalities. I cannot begin to dream about a house like this house. I know that it is not anything I could reasonably afford to live in and maintain in the way it should be so would rather dream about something a little bit more realistic.
While finances are something that is heavy on some people’s minds, it still is a dream and nothing wrong with dreaming and what each person would do with this house if they won, is up to them.
I concur in the idea that this is a spectacular home and absolutely stunning looking and appeals to most people’s ideas of what a dream house would look like if they could build it. While they may have planned a different floorplan, different kitchen, different location–it still is a dream house.
Let’s just be happy for the winner and let each and every person dream their dreams.
collegemom:
You are right, no one should have to give the winner money. A winner should be truely a winner, and not have to worry about expenses they would have to deal with. I think one of the biggest gripes on here is the fact that the houses are never practical for the majority for the people that actually enter the contest. History has shown that the majority never keeps the house because of finances. So, since HGTV may or may not offer some extras to ease the finacial pain, why can’t the nonwinners donate a $1 to help beat the odds. A dollar is nothing, but if you times that by say a million people that entered the contest, that is a lot of money tax free to get the winner heading in the right direction. If you were the winner, and these $1 dollar envelopes start coming in the mail, would you keep them or send them back? Even so, I know the risks and such that will come with winning, I still enter everyday, and I hope to win. I just stay positive that everything will work itself out.
I wanted to comment on the decorating. I agree with some of the other people that there is just too much stuff. I have a son who is a toddler, and he is all boy. He would destroy that stuff in no time flat. I have decor in my house, but it is in moderation, kid friendly, and the stuff that isn’t is far and few between. That way I can keep a better eye on him. If I win, I would open a store front on ebay, and sell all the decor that I did not like or need. It is win win for everyone. People would have the opportunity to buy a piece of the dream house, and I would be making money to pay the property taxes.
jctenney-
I love your idea of selling some of the furnishings on ebay. How creative!
First off, I would not accept the $1 contribution from viewers and would not ask for it. A person who wins something should truly win something as you stated. It should be from the organization promoting the prize and not viewers. IF you have to pay shipping, handling, etc. to receive your prize, you did not truly win anything.
If it had been promoted up front that everyone who voted was required to send in $1 to have their vote count with that money going to the winner, that is different–everyone would know the rules up front. Some contests a person has to pay for their texting, etc. in order to vote but I do not want to see this happen with this contest EVER.
Generally speaking, the people who are voting to win this dream house are not going to be over-the-top wage earners, etc. and probably would not pay to enter a contest even to win a dream house.
This is a fun way for people to be happy for another person in the United States and if that person does have to sell this house- so be it at least they received enough money to live within their means and hopefully better off than they were before.
I think this is a lovely home! And HGTV couldn’t have picked a better location. I am surprised at the number of people that say if they win it, they would be selling it. If my husband and I win this home, we will be moving part-time to Sonoma, and keep our home here in the Midwest!! I have even looked at the Catholic schools in Sonoma for our little guy!
The $1 idea was not meant as a requirement to enter or an obligation. I just suggested it because all too many times the winner has to give up the property because of costs. I know everyone is excited to win, and would love to actually live in it. On the flip side, many people will also be happy for whoever wins the dream house. I just thought that it would be a nice guesture and goodwill, if we pooled together as a dreamer communtiy. I just did not want anyone taking me wrong. I just thought it would be a charitable thing to do.
I am hoping NLeslie is right that there will be extras to help the winner that can’t be disclosed at the time of winning. I know if was tough for people in the past, but with todays economy, and not knowing where it is headed, the winner could get in a real jam, and not be able to sell the house right away, and have to pay extra expense. Let’s just cross our fingers and hope for the best.
I know many people are wondering what all the costs will be. It seems like in the rules they should be able to offer at least estimates. I know many people are number crunchers. I know I am. I think the dreamer in me takes precident. I wonder if anyone will actually reply to all the finacial question.
I don’t see anyone responding to the financial questions or concerns we have ben voicing because that will take away from the allure of winning a dream house.
This is after all a dream house first and foremost and the practicality of it probably doesn’t even enter into the builder’s and producer’s thoughts much, if at all.
I know that every time my family watches the program where they tear down the house and build another for a deserving family, we mutter through the whole program, “Don’t make it too big, don’t go over the top, make it so they can afford to keep it.” Most of those homes have been extraordinary and know that at least one of them the family continues to have fundraisers to pay for the taxes, utilities, insurance, etc. which is not what was intended when the house was built but it was built too big for the money brought in every month.
Thank you HGTV for giving us such a beautiful house to dream about and to inspire us in our own homes. That is the reason for the dream home. I don’t understand why anyone would want them to build a more inexpensive home in the 200-300k range. If you can’t afford this home which many can not, you can still sell it and buy yourself a beautiful home with the million dollars you would have left after paying your income taxes and fees. If you don’t want to do that then just play the lottery instead. You always have to pay taxes on any sweepstakes or winnings. I don’t know if I could keep the house or not but I am still dreaming and think it is a lovely idea to donate 1$ to the winner to help them out (although I suppose technically you should declare this income as well….never ending cycle of annoying, dream crushing taxes) Oh well, I’ll keep dreaming. I do wonder about the “ambush”. It seems like they must notify the winner or maybe family member in advance? Past winners always seem to be staged with family and friends around….
Has anyone watched the video to the 2007 Dream Home Winner? The gentleman that won received initially a $250,000.00 check and then awarded the Dream Home and car. The Interview was also informative when they inquired about the financial issues. Check it out when you have a chance – just type in “2007 Dream Home Winner” in the “Search” area of this website and you’ll be able to understand clearly your burning questions.
I tried to post yesterday, but must not have done it correctly, so I’m trying again. I love the guest bedroom in the HGTV house and was interesting in trying to copy it for my guest room I want to redo. I know most of the furniture is from Ethan Allen, however, I really liked the bedding and the pillows on the bed, but there is no mention of where it came from or the brand name. I checked the Ethan Allen website and they didn’t have it and I checked product section and there was no mention of it there either. I’d love to know. Good luck to all those who are entering!
I love the outside style of the home and the landscaping. Unfortunately, I don’t see how this home commands 2 mill, and, in that neighborhood. Has anyone viewed the homes across the street? I don’t think I’d enjoy that view when I step out my front porch. Did I miss the backyard view somewhere? Or is there no backyard to speak of? Are other homes right behind it ? Being on a corner lot is not a real positive thing either.
The choices of most of the colors inside the home did not give me a feeling of “welcome home”. I did like the master br closet and the bedroom size was nice. The same shade of green on the walls AND the ceiling were overkill. A lighter shade would have been better. I’ve really enjoyed all the homes HGTV has produced in the past, and they made me want to live in them, but this one is an exception.
Hi,
Today when I entered my email address on the Dream Home I had to start from the beginning, I’m hoping my past entries have not been dropped.
Just have to keep putting my two cents worth in. I was raised in Sonoma went to El Verano Elementary when it was up on the hill, then went on to Sonoma Valley Union High, as did my brother and two sisters.
Although I am now living on the South East coast my heart is still in the Valley. It has changed drastically over the years but it would be the most wonderful thing to be able to return there to be near family.
The house is a dream no matter how you look at it the builders did such a great job. The location is ideal too, a family oriented area looks like it would be quiet too after all the hoopla is over with.
There are ways to get around the expenses of owning such a georgeous place, just a little ingeniuity.
Please consider me seriously for this home. Dreams do come true and this would most certainly be my “Dream Come True”
Ann F> Venable
Commerce, GA
Too many worrying about how they can afford this beautiful home, Myself I would move family in to help with exspenses others might want to consider if it could be converted to a Bed and Breakfast place.
Ann you are so right , don’t worry be happy things happen for a reason.
HGTV: IT’S AMAZING HOW MUCH YOU HAVE GROWN, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE WATCHED YOUR SHOWS SINCE THE VERY START. WE LOVE YOU GUYS, GODS SPEED TO YOU ALL.
I MADE A COMMENT A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT BUILDING A DREAM HOME IN THE WEST COAST, IT JUST SEEMED THE MAJORITY WAS ON THE EAST COAST.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, AND BUILDING AN AWSOME HOME FOR ONE FAMILY THAT I’M SURE ARE SUPER FANS OF YOURS, (AS WE ARE :> ) WE ARE ALL SITTING ON PINS AND NEEDLES WAITING FOR THE NAMES OF THE WINNERS, ofcourse I hope it
of course i hope it’s us, had to finish my blog, ha.
another question: HOW LONG TIME WISE, DOES THE WINNER HAVE TO MOVE IN? IF THEY HAVE ANOTHER HOME TO SELL OR DISCARD ITEMS FROM HOW MUCH TIME ARE THE WINNERS GIVEN TO MAKE THERE LIFE CHANGING MOVE?
HOW ARE PEOPLE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE TAX BRACKET IS IN SONOMA.
LOVE THAT IDEA OF A WELL FOR RAINFALL TO COLLECT, THAT WAS AN AWSOME IDEA.
WILL YOUR 2010 DREAM HOME HAVE SOLAR?
Remains our favorite show. The lovely host and guest are so pleasant there is no leaving the channel. Before all the kids turned 18 I was signed up everyday for the dream home. This year is my favorite so far. Wife went to RLS HS in Pebble, however, We have raised our four kids in Texas. I am ready to win and move back to CA. See ya on TV.
WOW, I CAN ONLY DREAM IF I WERE THE WINNER, I WOULD GIVE IT TO MY SISTER IN LAW WHO HAS MS, SOMEONONE DESERVING OF IT. SHE IS A INSPIRATION TO ME AND MY HUSBAND. NEVER COMPLAINS AND IS ALWAYS THERE FOR OTHERS, YET SHE IS THE ONE IN NEED. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF HER. GREAT HOUSE I COULD PICTURE PICUTRE CHRISTINE THERE, WARM WEATHER FOR HER MS AND WIDE ROOMS FOR EASE OF HER WHEELCHAIR. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
THIS IS MYMOTHER WHO IS 74 YRS.OLD AND DEAFMUTE FAVORITE SHOW . U KNOW IT IS A BLESSING TO BLESS OTHERS. WE LOVE THE WHOLE HOUSE I WOULD NEVER CHANGE ANYTHING OR BUILD AROUND IT ,JUST APPRECIATE AND ENJOY WHAT GOD HAVES FOR ME . MY CHILDREN AND I ARE CLAMING AND THANKING GOD FOR THIS BLESSING. WITH MOTHER ILLNESS AND NEVER BEEN IN THE CITY IAM PRAYING FOR THIS CHANGE. YES WE WILL KEEP UP THE TAXES HOW IS THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THERE AND WERE IS THE NEAREST HOSPITAL SO I CAN GO TO WORK (SMILE) YES IAM CLAIMING AND BELIEVING GOD FOR THIS HOUSE. GOD BLESS WHOEVER FAMILY GET THIS DREAM HOME AND GOD BLESS HGTV .IAM SO EXCITED!!! BEST WISHES TO ALL OUT THERE !!!
I WAS PROPHETSIZE ABOUT MOVING TO THE WEST IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT MY FAMILY WILL PACK AND BE MOVING OUT THE STATE OF GA. I HOPING I COULD BE MOVING IN THIS BEAUTIFUL HOPE I HAVE DREAMS OF LIVING THERE IN SONOMA . I PRAYING MY DREAM COME TRUE AND IF I WIN I DONT MIND SHOWING OFF MY NEW HOME THAT I WAS BLESS WITH TO THE WORLD I LOVE U ALL WAITING TO SEE IF I WON MY FAMILY IS SO EXCITED AND READY TO MOVE
The Apple salad is wonderful, checked out the recipe @ HGTV.com and made it right after the show! I give it 5 Stars!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
I think that is great that even though there is a lot of people going in and out of the home with the tours and the filming of the home that it is treated so well. I’m sure that will mean a lot to the person who finally gets the home. The house was new and in pristine order when if was finished, and still will be months later when it is given to the winner of this years HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. Keep up the great work HGTV.
I was happy to stumble on the show for the advertisement of the new HGTV dream home and I immediately fell in love with it. The taping of the show makes you feel that it is possible and gives you the images that places you in this home. I have entered the contest, but as being someone who never wins anything big or small, I always wonder whether some contests aren’t setup somewhat. I kinda get that feeling when I see a home designed with a kids room that fits two boys. Will a family with two boys win, only time will tell. I don’t know just an observation. Good luck everyone.
lol. My message above is a little sad. I guess i’m already preparing for the dissapointment. I’m just wishing a little harder this year for the warmth of california instead of the harsh winters of North Dakota. I really hope I win. Good luck again to everyone.
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