The Dream Home Neighborhood
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WHOOPS! I did not mean to sound the alarm with my “selection process” wording. The winner is definitely picked at random. I am just curious to see how it all comes together. (With all of those entries coming in online and through the mail, it has to take some coordination, right?)
I meant to also answer CG’s question about the coat closet off the patio door. There isn’t one, but there is room for a cool coat rack by the door.
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I would like to take a moment to address the location and neighborhood concerns. The houses across the street may look modest to you, but probably cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. I have met the neighbors; they are extremely nice and would be really disappointed to read some of the comments that have been posted. The quaint cottages and bungalows of Sonoma serve as a nice counterpoint to the grand homes of Armstrong Estates. (One cottage in particular was in the middle of a big landscaping/driveway redesign when the pictures were taken).
And don’t worry – you won’t be disqualified if you enter multiple times in one day. Duplicate entries are automatically removed from the system – only one online entry per person per day is registered. Entering for a friend or family member? The legal team says that the entry from your computer will be accepted, as long as the name and e-mail address for the entrant differs from your own.
Your Super Fan,
Gail
I went to Google maps and easily found the preconstruction lot site. I think the The Dream Home is located at the intersection of 5th St. E and Patten. Type in the address: 616 5th St. E, Sonoma, Ca., and you will see the empty lot and then can take a “tour around the neighborhood”. You may need to drag the little orange “Google” figure to the street you want.
I have seen talk in the blog about buying the house for $1.00 from HG. How about each person that does not win the house send $1.00 to the winner to help pay the IRS so, finally, someone can keep the house! Call it a “good sport loser’s fee”.
Thank you, Bonnie B, for the great article! It was energizing and reassuring! Much appreciated! Here is the link if that helps anyone!
http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/a-winners-tale/index.html
Dreaming in PA,
Janet Rozzi
I just realize that the east-coast has the advantange, because some of us on the west-coast may seem as if we double our enteries. If the enteries count as ET and I enter at 10:15 pm one day then 1pm the next day thinking it two seperate days, then computer going to delete one entery thinking I entered twice on the same day?????
My husband and I love everything about this house. It is perfect home for our two boys and our dog. Being that my husband is in the military and we’ve moved around for over 12 years across the U.S we’ve never had a place we can call home. So in this situation we can only dream of a house except this time we’re dreaming big to win this HGTV Dream Home. Good luck to everyone. For the lucky winner, surely you can appreciate the beauty and the talented work all designers conspire into making this dream home a reality.
Since the houses across the street from the DH are valued anywhere from $500,000 to 1-million, does this bring down the value of the DH?
Hey Chip!! So happy to hear that your recipe for the Reuben dip was amazing & that your guests probably enjoyed it beyond delicious!!!
I am so glad it is random. I always thought it was. I am crossing fingers. I have been trying to get closer then 12 hours away from my family for years now. They live in the Bay Area and I live in Tucson, AZ. I am just crossing fingers and hoping, but I also think no matter who gets chosen, they will be very lucky. Good Luck Everyone
Hello Everyone
We had to move from Northern California to a central mountain state (close to the midwest) because of a layoff. Before we moved from California, I was promised employment in the new state. Just as we were in transit to our new home, I was laid off before I even started on the new job. That event was unbelievable. However, I was able to get a very good job after that.
We miss California so very much and want to return. It is a premium blessing to live there, especially, in the Sonoma area. The neighborhood is excellent. If all the homes in the area were as wonderful as the Dream Home, the taxes would be more. We would like to win of course, but whomever wins, will be very blessed.
Fellow Bloggers-
Although I’ve read and enjoyed (and laughed, grimaced, and shook my head at) the blog from day one (I have read EVERY post), this is my first time posting. I realized this morning while writing my “acceptance speech” that I needed to stop just lurking and make myself known to all those I’ve come to feel are friends (so you won’t be surprised at the invitation from a “stranger!”). So, here it is (after, of course, a bit of joyful, yet decorous jumping up and down):
“OMG! This is sooo wonderful! I WANTED this!
I have only 3 addictions: reading, chocolate, and HGTV, and HGTV is my main one!
I’m looking forward to meeting and thanking the incredible crew–Jack Thomasson, Linda Woodrum, Bruce Lee, Norm Oliver, Linda King, John Gidding, Kim Myles, Monica Pedersen, SuperFan Gail, and Steve Ledson at the party.
Dream Home Bloggers–of COURSE you’re invited to the Sippin’ party! I’m especially looking forward to meeting the “regulars”–Coop, Marie Miller, lovelykitty, Katydid, Ingrid & BoBo, bonnie, brenda, amy, and others. I have SO enjoyed my daily dose of humor and dreams from you!
Thank you HGTV for the opportunity to dream big!”
So, I’m off to practice my speech–lot’s of names to memorize and jumping up and down to practice!
Question Gail: I notice the posting are on ET. I live in CA and I enter different times of the day.
Question- What time does the day start and end? Does it start 12:00 am ET, which would make it 10:00 pm my time?
Thanks to Victoria for posting your tour pictures! The side porch, guest room closet, and guest bath(with shower curtin open)were just the ones I wanted to see. BTW what is up with the exposed pipes behind the sink in the main level powder room?? Very unsightly from a designers perspective. Is that why it was left out of the 360 tour?
Hi Mary,
I was wondering what is in the DreamHome 2009′s CC&R’s. Can they get posted somewhere?
What are the restictions? Can a person run a home business from their home?
I read where the 2005 winner was not allowed by his Texas Community to set his house up as a B&B, so I’m wondering about the Covenants, Codes & Restrictions in that development, or in Sonoma’s community.
Thanks!
I have a problem with people being negative about winning something too. Anytime someone gives you something free you should thank your lucky stars. Being nitpicky about it certainly won’t accomplish anything. I also have a problem with morons getting on this blog and telling me that their child placed 1st in the spelling bee. I understand people are VERY prideful about their children but this is neither the time nor place for parental pride. This is the Dream Home blog. Thanks for being considerate.
JohnFL, I don’t think anyone will care to be “considerate” of your “problems” after being called morons.
What a wonderful source of information here today. I want to thank Victoria for sharing her pictures with us – it answered some of my questions and really fleshed out the neighborhood, yard, driveway and garage. Also the web site regarding a previous winner’s experience took some fears away.
Good luck to all of us!
regarding the post from JohnFL Thanking people for being considerate that you just called morons…Does that make sense? This IS a blog about the Dream Home but it also has become a place that people share there own dreams and feelings. I have been reading these blogs for weeks and have never seen such a negative, mean spirited attack on some one. To the mom of the child who won the spelling bee, Tell your little one Good job! And don’t feel that this is not a safe place to express yourself, aside from this comment, this is a great bunch of people and a great community. This is a blog about winning the Dream home and this is neither the time nor place for name calling and negative input, And I think you should have just stopped your comment with your first 4 words.
As a fellow New Yorker I would welcome the opportunity to relax in wine country anytime. The house is fabulous and so is the decor. I hope I win! I hope I win!
I hope the winners of the Dream Home, whoever they may be, show a lot more enthusiasm than last year’s winners. Maybe the family from Iowa was in shock but it was kind of a let down for those of watching to see the lack of emotion.
I grew up in Sonoma County. I have lived in Sonoma there 3 times, only to have to move away because of jobs and the cost of living. Sonoma is an amazing town. My uncle runs the town band. Fourth of July celebrations are amazing.The historical buildings are educational and enjoyable. The community center offer so many wonderful activities. My children attended Musical Kindergarten there. We used to take walks down to the park and feed the ducks. OneMake sure to take kids to Traintown.
The dream house looks beautiful! What’s the square footage of the house and what’s the square footage of the lot?
JohnFL I have a problem…..about negative people attacking others
So many lovely people talk about everything here, from the Main Event – the Dream Home – to their families, dreams, taxes, what they do and don’t like about the house – but not what they don’t like about a certain person. Being nitpicky about a proud mom calling her a moron – then thanking us for being considerate. To the mom who’s child won the spelling bee Tell your kid -Good for You! and please don’t think this is not a safe place to talk about your dreams. I’ve been blooging on here for weeks now and this is the rudest comment I’ve seen to date, All I can hope is that you didn’t see it. To JohnFL I’ve written all kinds of things about my kids, why this one…? Reread it, it was not only filled with contradictions but it had nothing to do with the Dream Home either. I hope you were just having a bad day.
My son won the spelling bee in 8th grade too…I will hang his award in one of those picture frames in the guest room which will be his room. Does that make it relevant to the Dream Home…?
I will be graduating from nursing school in May and my husband will be returning from his 3rd tour in Iraq and we are already moving back to the Napa area, where we are from. I feel like this house was ment for us. So I’m hoping my luck has changed. All of that area is great and I can’t wait to move back.
Wow I had to move form California last year because of my fiances job winning the Sonoma home would be a dream I could go to Cali more often and visit our family and friends maybe this could help us get back home!!! Oh an by the way If the next home was in Sedona AZ that would be awsome my dad and stepmother live there it is amazing. Not only would you have a dream home but you would live in a dream land it is the most enchanting place I’ve ever lived if anyone goes there check out the West Fork trail it is beautiful!
catmagic…I look forward to meeting you to! For right now, maybe we could get together and practice the jumping up and down together, just in case!!!!
What a beautiful place,I’m in love with everything I’ve seen about the town. Dream House or not, get ready Sonoma because here we come.
Well- I have driven by the Dream Home- and not to insult the owners of homes across the street- but they are not what I would want to look at. I would even venture to say that HGTV gave them money to “upgrade” the landscaping and bought covers for their junk cars and boats stored in front. Also- Sonoma has temps over 100 degrees in the summer months- why no pool???
My sis ter and I lived for a year in Sonoma and enjoyed immensely. We saw the neighborhood when it was first starting to be populated with its Victorian amenities and wanted to live there back in the 1990′s. We couldn’t afford it then, but this sweepstakes opportunity might make that long-ago dream come true. I love the idea!!
I would love to win the 2009 dream home. Being in a warm place would help me live my balance of life in less pain. With all the water I could be able to get therapy everyday. The cold is bad for me and I would love to be able to help relieve my husband of some of my duties if I could move better. I sure hope I win.
BoBo and I will continue walking by the DH09 NO MATTER who happens to win it!!! I’ll smile and say hello and Bo will wag his “feather” tail,and we’ll all be sooo very grateful to live here in beautiful Sonoma. Happy Dreaming! Ingrid from Sonoma
Living in Sonoma would be a dream. If I win this home, I will figure out a way to pay income tax and property taxes. I absolutely love the kitchen and I am definitely a cook (entrees,desserts and candies). I hope I win because I know I deserve it.
As to the message posted on February 2nd about the previous owners of the Dream Home, putting it up for sale because it is hard to afford the taxes and insurance. Well gosh I wish I would have won it. We live in Naperville, IL, just about 40 miles west of Chicago, and purchased our 3800 square foot house for $309,000 13 years ago. Guess what we are now paying for property taxes, almost $13,000 and our house is pretty average, certainly not a “dream home”. Well that’s cause our state has a bunch of dubious governors and senators spending too much money who knows where. We do have excellent schools in our district and that is a large chunk of money. Oh well, love the homes you do each year, even if I never win! lol.
In reply to Rose,
Living in Hawaii is paradise but a very high cost of living it is very expensive to live here and have you ever lived on an Island.If I won this amazing house I would be on the next plane out of here.
Hello everyone! I would like to start by introducing myself. My name is Tracy and I live in Florida. I am a substitute teacher and a student of Psychology with three great kids that range in age from 7yrs. to 14yrs. old.
Now that we have the intro out of the way – Let me say, I have really enjoyed reading everyones thoughts and feelings. I have also loved Mary’s updates! I do not usually “blog”, but this is such an exciting event that I had to drop by and share my enthusiasm! I have always wanted to move out of my comfort zone and have considered re-locating to California several times. How great would it be to finally have that decision made for me! I enter every year and really loved last years home. I truly thought that nothing could top the Keys location with all of its spacious beauty; however, you did it again! I am in LOVE with this years choice of location and floor plan!
Best of luck to all, but I will warn you, my children have already picked out their rooms. lol lol
Thanks, Tracy in Florida
Thank you HGTV for giving all of us another dream home. I have visited Sonoma and I can tell everyone that you have built this years dream home in the most beautiful, peaceful and friendly place I have ever had the pleasure to visit.
I wish everyone the best of luck!
Sheila from Santa Barbara, California
Hello all!
This is my first “Blog” posting, so, please have patience.
First, I am amazed at the negativity found on this blog! If you or I are to be chosen to be the new HOMEOWNERS of HGTV’s Dream Home, good Lord, be THANKFUL! Yes, there will be taxes, but, if you are healthy and you have a job, then, please quit complaining and start saving your money from EVERY PAYCHECK! What has happened to being POSITIVE and DREAMING????
Just my thoughts for today……and I am NOT targeting ANYONE in particular!
I’m from South Louisiana and have been fighting hurricane disasters year after year, but, I’m grateful for my friends and my NEIGHBORS!
I wish Good Luck to all!
L.P.
NUMBER 13! I’m not one of those step on a crack break your mothers back thinkers.
HGTV: I don’t recall seeing any of the past homes all one level. Would you at all consider building a single level DH with perhaps a basement instead?
You know I feel the neighborhood is great, HGTV has great taste, and make great choices where to build. The town of Sonoma is quaint and promising.
HELLO OUT THERE EVERYONE. ICAN'T BEGIN TO TELL ALL HOW VERY EXCITED IAM TO WIN THE HOME WAY BEYOUND MY DREAMS. I CAN SEE MY FAMILY AND I WAKING UP EVERYDAY THANKING GOD FOR SUCH WONDERFUL BLESSINGS. WE ARE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING ALL THE NEIGHBORS AND WELCOMEING THEM OVER TO BREAK BREAD WITH US. I WISH YOU ALL HAPPY DREAMING.
Hi Dream Home Dreamers- I’ve never blogged before- but it sure has been fun reading all the DH Blogs!!! My husband and I look after my 93yr old father (Rudy) 3 days a week.He feels like a “King” when he is with us; he gets to sit in my husband’s leather chair and even gets to hold the “clicker” He wataches the movie channel and whenever I walked into the room-he switches the channel to HGTV. The other day he asked me if I had remembered to put my name in that day to win “OUR new house” and I assured him that I had:) You’re going to love Rudy when you see him on TV!! Best of Luck to all those who are living the Dream!! From Michigan
I agree with the comment that Kathleen said (on Feb 2nd). Although I don’t believe you need to be very wealthy to own the Dream Home…I do believe you have to be able to handle the taxes and upkeep on this home. Why win the home just to turn around and sell it? I hope during the “selection process”, they take this into account. It would be nice to win the home and be able to live there (and fortunately I have the income to support it)!
JohnFL, Sorry if me being a proud mom offended you in any way. But in case you failed to notice, the same wonderful people who are giving away this beautiful Dream Home, also run the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which I am proud my son is in!Thank you very much, and happy dreaming everyone!
Wow, finally a dream home in my dream location! The property value alone makes this home a thing of beauty. I love the landscaping, especially the box planters just outside the kitchen. I imagine picking fresh herbs and vegetables from them as I prepare a gourmet feast in that state-of-the-art kitchen. I adore the sitting area in the master bedroom, with the sun room windows overlooking the landscape. It looks like a cozy, intimate place to read or watch television, while having coffee and dessert, or wine and cheese (from a local vineyard of course). The only thing I would change about the master bedroom is all the white bedding (it doesn’t seem practical or interesting), and I would introduce some wall color to that white master bath. The blue living room makes me swoon as well as the wine cabinet in the study.
About the taxes: When Oprah gave cars to her guests on the show, there were also many complaints about the taxes that the recipients had to pay in order to receive the gifts. Receiving a gift shouldn’t be more headache then it’s worth. It shouldn’t financially cripple you. It seems disingenuous to offer a prize knowing that the majority of those who may win it cannot possibly afford to keep it. Of course, the property taxes are the price the winner should pay for upgrading to that posh community, but perhaps, since we are experiencing an economic crisis of unheard of proportions, the contribution that HGTV can make to helping it’s viewers get through this crisis is to offer to pay the winner’s gift/income tax on the prize. For a prize of 2 million dollars, that’s about $300,000! That’s what an average, upper-middle class, married couple in America, pays in their 30 year mortgage. It’s hardly a gift or prize, if you have to take out a mortgage on it, to keep it. What if your credit is not great or you’re a single mom? What then? Or HGTV could offer a choice to the winner, between having the taxes paid or receiving the SUV and furnishings. Just a thought, because winning this home would be the answer to my lifelong dream to live there, but having my heart broken, and dreams dashed by the IRS, would be a nightmare.
First I would like to thank all the different people on here for all the great information about the house. I have learned so much throught these blogs, like the square footage of 3600 sq ft. or the type of grapes planted (zinfindel). I just can't believe some of the comments, some people are so ungrateful. I also would like to tell the people that speak negative about the neighbors, you really need to stay where you are as I don't really think they would want You for a neighbor as you seem to be very snobby. I was born in Napa and have lived here all my life except for about a year in Sonoma. The people there are great, yes they have "bad" people just like everyone else, but over all they are wonderful people and so very friendly. I would love to win this beautiful home and would be proud to have these people as neighbors if even for a few months that I could live there. Because like most other people I could not afford to live there. Living in California I know how much the taxes can be, and it's a lot. So as much as I dream and dream I do, it's a dream that can never be (at least for long.) I would sell it and fix up my 100 year old home to become my new dream home with all the furniture from my other dream home. Just keep on dreaming………….it doesn'g hurt.
I have one other question- How much are the home owners associtaion dues for Armstrong Estates? Being that the house is on the outskirts and not actually “in” the Armstrong Estates- I’m hoping there are not any due.
My husband and I are freezing through a Mid-West winter, and regularly lament over why we are living where we are. I recently heard about the sweepstakes. I have been entering every day and we are dreaming about raising our little girl in a nice home with a yard to run and play, rather than a crammed apartment with a concrete parking lot…
My husband being an RN could work just about anywhere, and we’ve already scoped out hospitals in & near Sonoma. We’d miss our church family, but have been looking at church websites as well…
Ah, one can only dream
My earlier post didn’t make it for some reason; maybe because I used my nickname “Ado.” This house, this neighborhood, this community, all of it, is perfect for me and my family. I would love to be the 2009 Dream Home Winner!
Hi everyone,
I’m so happy I found this blog! Thanks so much all the good info!
Thanks Dream Team for Everything! Sanoma is so wonderful!!Beautiful!!
patty
I have entered the dream home sweepstakes every year since the very first one! Although I haven’t ever been a finalist, I have so enjoyed the fun of entering.
HGTV has always been my favorite cable channel. Somewhere between youth and adulthood, we tend to lose our imaginations – HGTV has brought mine back to life. My house is gone now, but I have a place that I have been able to make “home” for me and my children.
This dream home is the most beautiful of all the others before it. Beautiful location as well.
Good luck to you all! Someone will be very blessed to be the recipient of such a gorgeous house and hopefully he/she will fill it with love and wonderful memories.
Most likely im keeping the car and selling the house for $1,500,000.00 to attract buyers and building the exact same dream house “definetly not in cali”.then i’ll use the rest to pay of all the taxes and get totally wasted on my trips to hawaii and mexico.thats my dream
Hello, to all. First of my name is “sophie” I have a beautiful five year old little boy and we are tire of being in the cold. We are praying and hoping God will give us this opportunity to have something as beautiful as the HGTV Dream Home so I can give my son the life that I can only dream of, and give my 77 year. old papa a place to call home and to rest his final days in a place where it could remind him of being back home. These two people are the only two people in the world that I pray for this once in a life time chance. Because green is my color and cooking is my thing so I already can see my myself in that kitchen cooking up a fire, and seeing my son running around, and my papa sitting on the porch catching some breeze. So I am leaving this into God hands…God bless
i would also consider renting the house out for a year