Answers, Answers
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Good afternoon, bloggers!
January is just whizzing by, so it won’t be long now until a winner is chosen for the HGTV Dream Home 2009. (Did I mention that I get to go behind the scenes and check out the winner selection process? I can’t wait.)
Now, on to the questions:
•Although the wine closet in the study is not currently temperature controlled, it would prove an easy upgrade. Believe me, there are wine-storage specialists galore in Sonoma.
•Adding a female touch to the study would require nothing more than a beautiful bouquet of flowers and lots of shelf space to display girly things.
•Bay-area artist Anthony May is the person responsible for the artwork above the fireplace. The piece is entitled On Being Mortal (Part One).
•The double-mirror look in the master bathroom was created by layering framed mirrors in front of a flat wall-mounted mirror. This is another technique I will be using in my home.
Whew, just when I think all the questions have been answered, you come up with more! I love it. Don’t forget to check out HGTV Green Home Central for updates on the ’09 home currently under construction. And don’t forget to enter DAILY for your chance to win the HGTV Dream Home 2009 … you could end up livin’ in sunny Sonoma!
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Big trouble- should be working but got lost in blog!!! Loved the link to Ledson hotel and Armstrong Estates, and Victoria’s great pictures. I loved seeing the porch spaces and the beautiful property around, that I can daydream looking at in the late afternoon and that wonderful old oak tree!!!! Back to earth … Thanks Marie Miller for cheering on { Is that too strong?} the Cardinals in the Super Bowl, just so you know I always root for the San Diego teams unless we are playing them. I am also enjoying the wine references , learning alot. Visited The Crooked Vine Vineyard in Livermore when visiting family in Calif. last fall- LOVED their Port…Still dreamin of making this our home .. Madeline says her bones are already packed!
Lessie, I live a hour away from the DH, and no, I have met any of the Bloggers that I know of
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I hope to see Ingride and BoBo on my next visit.
It’s almost Friday!!
Hi Tom. I fell in love with the Ti Amo from Ledson last year, along with the Persistence from Reynolds Family Winery. I love the red blends; they truly are a best of all the varieties all in one glass. I have some old early 70′s Cabs I’d love to bring to a blog party. Hope they’re not vinegar.
I’m not sure the tax talk is a rumor, my tour bus driver mentioned the same rumor, about something being done about the taxes. I’m also sure that HGTV doesn’t pick the winner based on the ability to pay, or else more than one winner would have kept the house. One of the winners was even a single mother, so I don’t think they’re looking for the traditional family either.
Working today, so back to the coffee.
Cheers!!
What happened to our video today? Not like you haven't given us so much already
You do get to keep the bikes and the golf clubs in the garage. You keep EVERYTHING IN AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE!!
Hi! I give you so much credit in the things you try in helping people. Ex: A chance to win a new home. I think that’s very,very nice. However, since watching and enjoying HGTV since it came on the air, I’m sad to say, I’m now “pretty-well-bored” with all of them. What’s happened with showing tours of gorgeous homes, or shows like Bob Villa’s? There’s too many redo a room, or redo a small house shows all of the time. I am so bored with the choices. There aren’t any. I’m sorry, but the truth hurts some times. PlEASE go back and look at the shows you had about 8 or 10 years ago!? Hope this helps, cause I’m about to give-up on ya.
Lovelykitty,an hour away is not bad. I’m grateful to you, Victoria and others who share your photos as well as those who write such descriptive details that I can visualize the home. Reading or writing a blog is fun.
You can afford to win if you join myunclestan. They pay the taxes for you.
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments about my photos of the DH. A special thanks to lovelykitty for re-posting my link. I didn’t know you could enter a search string like that – I learned something new! Your photos are really lovely lovelykitty. I figure the more photos the better – visualization you know. This blog is really fun and there are so many warm hearted clever people commenting that I feel I have already won something. Thank you all.
Dream big!
lovekitty – thank you for the easy to use link
victria – love the pics – answered many questions – the place look so much friendlier with peoples in it – thanks again
lesie – are you entering this rodeo in houston? – send us the video link………
Energized and excited again ..again.I love getting my dose of HGTV Dream Home every day. To DB Coop love the way you thing thank you for the comments on the wine I know there are 2 wine koolers in kitchen ? or one ….. I read the blog every day when I get home this is great..Good night to all DREAM>HOME>DREAM HOME..zzzzz
Anyone know? Are the bikes in the garage part of the deal? Hope so, it would be heavenly to bike around Sonoma!
Again, does anyone have the link (I can’t seem to find it a second time!) of the room dimensions? Would love to see it again!
I can’t wait to win my new home!!! Love love love it!!!! It doesn’t matter how much I know about the house because I guess I’ll discover the rest once I win!!!!
steve e, oh no, I’m not a rodeo participant–I’m a spectator! I leave bull roping, animal raising, and concerts to professionals. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a three week party–trail rides, animal judging, cowboy and cowgirl stuff, carnival, great food, and lots of fun. No, I’m not a cowgirl but I like the boots, clothes, hats and jewelry as well as other fashion.
I think this whole thing is fabulous it gives hope to people especially the way the economy is. When I saw this house I felt like I had a chance to live the happy ever after. The green master suite is perfect I love the green color and the beautiful master bath; I just see my significant other and I in the tub taking a romantic bath together; our favorite thing to do. I belive our baths is how we got through the ups & downs of life. It is as though each room was built just for my family from the boys room to kitchen to the garden and my fiance would love the TV’s. My favorite part is my sister/bestfriend lives near by and our children are the same age it would be dream for our kids to grow up together. California is her peaceful place and she is my rock. We’ve been through alot its hard living without her near. Anyway the real reason I hoping to win is My fiance and I agreed family is always first so no wedding until we have our own home to raise our children but with two kids & me at home even that seems impossible.So 6yrs have gone bye & I am about out of hope for a wedding.. Therefore, I hope to win so we can finally tie the knot & live happily ever after.. So to me even with taxes & fees we’ll find away its the dream its worth it. I know I’m not alone out there; So goodluck to all & thank you HGTV for giving HOPE and all the great ideas and tips.
Hi Gail…did you ever think that becoming the Super-fan would require so much reading of all these blogs? I can’t believe how many people are now on this site. I bet the closer we get to the give-away,the more comments you’ll have on this site. I hope to see you at the DH soon. Ingrid from Sonoma
Ingrid, it gets really full after the winner is announced.
Have you been around when they announce the winner? It can get VERY ugly!
Last year was sad. Just hope the fun is still going on here after the win this time
I, too, would love to live in this area and that house. It is a delightful work of skill and art.
I am somewhat confused about the monies involved – paying taxes would be bad enough – but what about the IRS? – Taxes on winnings of over 2 million would have to be a hefty sum. It would be a shame for someone not already a millionaire (which is most of us) to be able to win it, but not afford to keep it. I am curious how this has worked with past winners. Perhaps I am ill-informed and this has been addressed before. But it is potentially tragic to hope for so much, have it in your grasp and not be able to hold on to it.
***RANDOM DRAWING is to be computer generated. No Blog will help or hurt your winning chance. Entering more than once gives you better chances than someone that enters once, however, RANDOM can pick someone that entered 1x. Some organizations that giveaway prizes of homes, help pay for closing costs (6 – 18 mo property taxes, etc) but rarely help pay for Income Taxes required to pay. Why they picked CA that is one of the top 3 highest income tax states is beyond me… I would have picked a state that had low taxes such as there last giveaway. I doubt that HGTV is paying for a full 5 years of property taxes. If anything, the County Property Tax Assessor might require 5 years to be pre-paid prior to move-in as part of the closing costs so winner should get a lower taxes value to pay for those 5 years. One should ask for “DISCLOSER OF CLOSING COSTS” as part of the entry info provided prior to entering a contest such as this.
Elizabeth had most all the TAX figures, except she stated only 1 tax of 35% as GIFT TAX. Don’t fool yourself… this is INCOME TAX and NOT GIFT TAX. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble but $1.5 Million falls into the 40 – 50% Federal, 35 – 50% CA State, and around 15 – 35% Local (if any apply) Income Tax brackets (final % depends on other income received during 2009 and tax law changes that are expected for 2009).
WINNING PRIZES IS INCOME AND NOT GIFTS! Winner from the first Survivor Show found that out the hard way and is now paying jail time for tax evasion. FEDERAL TAX LAW > A gift of $12,000 can be given to any person each year by an Individual or by a Trust Fund without anyone paying income taxes on such… Sweepstakes does not fall into that category since this comes from a business. All prize winners should receive a proper 1099 Tax Form in January 2010 and must pay taxes on the estimated value within the proper tax quarter.
Yes, you must pay for all 3 income taxes within the same quarter of year you won the place. Say March 1st 2009 is the final give-away date, then you have until March 31st 2009 to pay the quarterly taxes or you will be required to pay heavy late penalties and fines. Of course, you also will be paying taxes on your regular income on top of these winnings within the state you earned that money and usually at a higher tax rate. TOTAL OF ALL 3 INCOME TAXES + 1 yr PROPERTY TAX IS HOW THOSE PRIOR $600-900k move-in cost was determined. Strictly speaking as a Licensed OR Tax Professional > people under estimate how much taxes are necessary to pay up-front after winning such a house. It usually costs a winner 2/3 to 3/4 the value of the prize for Income Taxes if more than $750k, plus closing cost that include property taxes. For $1.5M, I would estimate between Income, Property and Closing Costs that approximately $1M – $1.125M. That’s a lot of money to have to come up with within a few days of learning that you won such a house!
Besides the Income Taxes, there is the PROPERTY TAX and CLOSING COSTS. Property Tax must be paid for the current period at Closing (Date that the Title is Signed to Move In). Some areas is a full year of property taxes minus the days/months that you did not own it, others only 6 months minus the days/months that you did not own it. HOWEVER> When winning such an item, the giver (HGTV) can retro taxes and costs back to date that they purchased property and expect the winner to pay for such at Closing and these costs will not be listed as taxes but some other label.
In some areas > Property Taxes for the first year or 2 might be Assessed Value at the lower cost of the property when HGTV bought the land, but will inflate when area comes up for re-evaluation after that period so its best to pay the lower tax for that longer period at closing. However, most areas in CA prefer to keep up with the Assessed True Value and will re-assess the property prior to Closing and/or Move-in Date.
$15k for Property Taxes??? Sounds a bit low… No matter which way Property Taxes is determined, it will cost the normal every day person around what they usually pay for a house payment. I would rather pay that much for yearly property taxes than house payments!
Personally in these economic times, it would be more benevolent of HGTV and other shows to give away several lower cost prizes such as:
Pay off 3 – 10 Individual Mortgage and fix up their houses (to which they could center many shows around)
or
Buy 3 – 10 Less costly new homes to give away after the winners are picked so that the winner could impact the overall design with what their needs / tastes are.
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For a show that is set around DIY, why isn’t there a craft / sewing room? Sometimes there’s a workshop for the “Man of the house”, but he’s not the only one that would be living there and the “Lady of the House” doesn’t spend all her time in the kitchen!
DBCoop, you are such a sweetheart!
BeckyfromNapaValley -
I would pop those ’70′s. I opened a couple Mondavi’s this summer (’75 Cab. & ’82 Cab. reserve). The ’75 was turned and the ’82 was on the brink. These were second purchases that I had for a while so I can’t say if they were stored properly prior to my purchase, but as a precaution I’m beginning to drink through my older vintages.
I think yours might make it to your blog party if you win the home, but have those Ledson wines ready in case you have a bottle of salad dressing!
Jbonnevi: Thank you for supporting the San Diego Chargers…they need it!! As I say every year, well, there’s always next year! Hopefully, they will keep LT!! And, yes, GO CARDINALS!!
I was just dreaming about a Super Bowl Party in the DH2009!! Two Islands to serve up delicious tidbits & that cozy livingroom to lounge around in with all my football buddies. Life doesn’t get better than that..so, I’m dreaming..San Diego will go to the Super Bowl next year & I will be entertaining all my family & friends, including my favoriate “Dream Home Bloggers” with a barbeque going on the patio, plenty of cold ales in the “two” refrigerators, and wine galore for all my Connoisseurs of assorted vino!! Yes, of course, we will have appetizers as well..maybe Lamb Sliders, Buffalo Hot Wings, Salami Pops, Baked Reuben Dip, Spicy Grilled Shrimp…just a lot of fabulous football food!! Oh yes, for once my prediction will be right…the Chargers WIN THE SUPER BOWL!!
As for 007 (Coop), I’ve slated you for the Super Bowl “half time” entertainment..maybe a classic-rock act, like “the Boss”, Bruce Springsteen, and the E Street Ban? Oops, they are starring in this year’s half time aren’t they? Well, I trust that you will come up with something fantastic..do you think we should invite Dan Fouts?
Please don’t wake me up…Dreaming, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Just curious— is the Dream Home from last year up for sale? Wondering how a young couple with two preschoolers would be able to keep it. Can’t seem to fine the info.
You wont get no complaining from me.. I would love to move and have a wonderful life in Calforina.:) So go ahead don’t wait chose me..I ‘ll be the happiest person who ever saw on tv..I’ll make a great show too.
I am sooo Disappointed today to read that every day I have been entering for over 3 weeks may be invalid. I did what HGTV page said just enter ur email address and it hasn’t been accepting my state. So now someone answer this and tell me I have not been entering for nothing.That it will count.I will be expecting to hear something
All the tax talk exasperates me & interrupts my dreaming…please enjoy the moment!!!
Good Morning Gail!! What do you have coming our way for our “Friday Fix?”
Lovelykitty,
You’re absolutely right about the negative comments after the winner is announced. The past two years have been exceedingly ugly. That’s why I took a break from this blog. I imagine it will be the same this year because of our depressed economy.
We’ve got to remember that this is a dream home and that one person’s dream will come true!
Enjoy the journey!
I to am back to dream today and visualize what will soon be someones new place to call home. I have to agree that even though we do not know the answers to the tax issues it is still worth dreaming for. If you don’t have a dream/goal to reach for you will never live that life that you are hoping for. Blessing to all again!
“There is hope in dreams, imagination, and in the courage of those who wish to make those dreams a reality.” Jonas Salk
Marie Miller
Its not healthy to dream about the unobtainable. Enjoy / dream about what is optainable.
Wow, You’re not kidding, Ingrid. So many boggers now in the community! Like you, jbonnevi, I should be working, but here I am blogging! Well, we can have coffee when we can’t have wine. All the wine talk – good grief! I have also found that some of my older wine is blown out. My theory now is to enjoy it sooner rather than later…there are always occasions, or just a simple, relaxing evening. Save some special Cabs, and other selections, but enjoy it now.
jandvsmom – the oysters are delicious! What an excellent idea! There’s our Pinot Noir pairing.
Most importantly now, my comment du jour will echo Michelle S. and Coop. This contest wouldn’t be the same and we wouldn’t all be so intensive, if the DH were different. It is a DH after all. It is supposed to be grand. This is a beautiful, classic home in the best area of California possible. Winning the DH, hopefully, will be especially humbling to the winner this year, with our poor economy, and the economic outlook in the near future. We do, however, have hope (Marie Miller), with our fantastic new leader, and hopefully, people will take action at their community level to help those less fortunate as a result of this economy. The winner will be lucky, indeed. Let’s be grateful for what we have now, and grateful for this wonderful DREAM!
Yes – Now, I’ve had my daily dose and can start the day. More fun, please! Hope to hear from you soon, Gail!
“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”
Napoleon Hill quotes
Another great quote!
Hi Bonnie B, Sorry it took me a while to respond to your question but work gets in the way of my dream home dreaming. RE: Myunclestan.com, you need to enter the site by logging in after you have paid your $4.95 and then you will be able to pick a sweepstakes to enter. Sorry about the tax talk Marie. Also, to Melissa, when I have tried to enter without choosing the state I was always sent back to the top of the page and prompted to fix my mistakes. They can always find the state by your zip code. I would just keep your fingers crossed. Good luck and keep on dreaming!
Well said, steve e.
I’d like to know what is unobtainable about the Dream Home. One lucky winner’s dreams will come true, a life-changing event. Those who fail to dream simply fail in life. You can absolutely put me in the Dreamers column, and with HGTV, I dream big!
“Dear John” Are you saying that the Chargers cannot win the Super Bowl; or are you saying it is not possible to win the DH2009? My suggestion to you is to read the “Freud’s Wishful Dream Book!!” CHAPTER ONE: “A Dream Is the Fulfilment of
a Wish!!”
Can’t stop imagining myself in this house. What a fablous location. It’s a good thing I love wine! Its is a perfect home. A Victorian farmhouse is the BEST. What a wonderful place for my husband and I to raise are two small children. You’re all invited to my house warming LOL. Good luch to all. Dreaming……
DBCoop and Marie:
Well said!
Oops on my spelling errors above. Question, does anyone know if there is a washer and dryer. I see the laundry room am I missing it?
Morning, Bonnie about the blog number difference, I started writing mine and got side tracked with mundane things like making the family breakfast and dishes and… by the time I finished my blog it had been sitting for on my computer for some time, it was 209 when I started, probably not when it was actually posted
Coop and MM – I COULDN’T AGREE MORE! (I know all-caps is like shouting, but that’s how I feel). I don’t know why we have so many “Debbie Downers” and “Bob Bummers” (Who else is a SNL fan??). Just take a look at this place? C’mon friends! It really doesn’t get better than this!
Happy Friday, All! No more “Wah-wah’s”. This is FUN STUFF, remember??
Love reading all the informatiion, concerns and comments. Could someone confirm the square footage of the house please? It is a beautiful home, and I hope that I am the lucky winner.
Gee, I have been dreaming and hoping that I have a chance to win this beautiful home. As a renter, I am now quite concerned about the taxes. I had a friend that won a Mercedes and had to sell it because he could not afford to keep it. I guess I was so caught up the the “what if’s” that I lost track of the reality of it all. How sad to the winner who only makes a humble living to have their dreams dashed!
Anyone know the answer as to whether you can use mailing labels on the envelope? I’ve read the official rules and it does not say anything about hand printing the address. I believe the labels they are talking about are for the entry itself. I just used return address labels, now I am worried they are tossing my entries.
Hi all, I just started to read all the entries and there is no way one can catch up! I gave up but got a few very informative ones in, especially the ones from people touring the house. It just adds more visual to my imagination. Thank you! It is good to know there is a loo downstairs. The house is small because it seems to be in a track house neighborhood. I read somewhere else that it is a well established neighborhood with a combination of new houses and some very old historic ones. I have not seen the house yet, I don’t live in the town of Sonoma but I live in the Sonoma County and it is a beautiful place to live and raise children. Can’t beat the weather and the beautiful surroundings. I can’t help but laugh at some of the critical comments though! Do you really care if there is a place to line dry your clothes in the laundry room? How about, wow, there actually is a laundry room!
I also laughed about the bad pollution car one, it is a free car for the love of Pete! I should probably add here that I drive a low emission car, prefer organic and grow my own veggies. And to contribute to all that wine discussion, cheers to Ledson wines. They even have rose and white zin you can start with before working your taste buds up to their more sophisticated wines and deciding that ice cubes don’t belong in a wine glass. 
I admit I am very partial here as I am a member of the Ledson wine club. Hope that will not eliminate me from the contest! Anyway, keep on dreamin’! I know I am!
I love reading all about my new home-to-be. We were just married, and this would be the perfect place for us to relocate from the NorthEast to the Sunny CA coast! And I’m a teacher, and I promise to keep my job and add some good teaching to the SOnoma area