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 bet some rich person with a really big nice house already, is gonna win.then their gonna have some stupid heartbreak story how they struggled through some crisis (even though every being on this earth struggles)me and my family struggle just to rent just because were from the generation that missed out on being able to own something.this recession has no effect on the rich ,but on the medium class blue collar workers.we make nothing,pay just as much as the rich,and dont qualify for any government assistance programs.this housing crisis just lets rich people be able to buy more houses.then they rent them out and make more of a profit.
Thanks Victoria for the great pictures! I will invite you over!
: )
I just had a question about the selection process. Do they take into consideration how well a family would fit with the dream home? There is obviously two kids beds and a dog house so what would happen if they chose at random a family with more children? I think they should consider the size of the winning family and how well the suit the dream home.
A wonderful husband, 2 kids and a dog. We’re ready to move in!!
Just got back to chilly Chicago after a rainy but wonderful weekend in Napa! I’d never been before and fell in love with the entire Sonoma/Napa area– the people, the food, the WINE!!! My husband and I were debating on retirement areas– this is the only one we agree on!
Good luck to all~
Wow is raining here just 3 hours south of Sonoma and I’m wondering if the Dream Home 09 is getting some rain on it. Every chance I get to see the house on HGTV I’m always looking at the beautiful HG Dream Home. I read some bloggers asking about the square footage of the house. I heard in one of the videos that it is 3700 sq. ft. That is plenty of room for me to have to maintain super clean. I would be happy to sleep in the laundry room. Believe me. Well this dreamer is going to get some sleep and I’m wondering what room in the HD Dream Home I’ll be sleeping in. I might end up in the vineyard. I’ll take it. Goodnight everyone and good luck.
Hello bloggers!!!! This is my first time to blog anybody. I just had to send my viewpoint. I am not silly enough to think I could afford the home, even as much as I would love to keep it. Selling the home would not be such a bad thing though when you realize that the amount of money you would receive would get you completely out of debt. Even with the economy and housing market down the house would sell in a heart beat if listed at a price that would make someone a awesome deal. Then two families would benefit from the win!!! So yes, I will be excited and would probably take a great, maybe extended vacation in the home but the greatest excitment will be knowing “I AM DEBT FREE”!!!!! Have an awesome day.
Dear Gail,
I have taken the Dream Home tours and have loved every minute. The Home and everything in it and around it is truly a Dream. The area and neighborhood is so quaint and awesome. They have absolutely got everything right! I can see why you are a great fan. Whoever wins this Dream Home has got to be the luckiest person on the planet. Best Wishes another fan..Candice
HI HGTV my name is Sandra Vargas I live in Suisun City CA am 22 about to be 23 in mar9.I live with my 3kids in my moms home i reant a small room that me and my kids sher we all sleep in my small bed. we put all ther staff in the garoge so we can fit to gethr. I love you your HGTV chanel because it gives me some ideas how to fix my kids rooms some day thats my dream for my kids to have a home that they can call ther own some day thats all of ares dream. Thats way i go in every day to see if i can win me and my kids dream home but i am not sher if the entry is goin in every day i wen in sens the frist day with out missing a day thats way i sead you this comment i even sent 5 letrs with my name and age hop you read this comment
I’m a Google Earth Fan ands I have been trying to find the house there. Of course, without an actual address is more complicated, and typing in armstrong estates doesn’t take me too far either. Can you disclose the actual address? I’m sure that whoever has toured the home has this info, so I wouldn’t think is a secret. I just want to know so I can start planning ahead. I need to find a school for my 2 year old, doctors, job for my husband (I already sent out a job application for myself so that’s taken care of), etc. When is the moving in date by the way? I know that by march 15th it will be official but when can you move in??? I need to start planning the house warming party with my family and I have to arrange flights, etc. Oh Boy!! I can’t wait!
Hello all! I have just retured from Florida where I went to be with my mother on her 94th birthday. We had a great time. I’m just catching up with the blogs.
Jessica, Ynotme, Jenny D, Marie Miller, Juni, Michelin, and Debbie: I’m so glad you enjoyed my photos. I had a lot of fun taking them and the tour of the DH was really special. Also thanks for the invites. I will invite you when I win.
Ynotme: I moved to San Francisco from Florida and kept wondering what was so strange about the homes in SF. Then I realized that none of the homes had screens on the windows. There is just not the bug problem that we had in Florida. So, probably, the omission of screens on the DH widows was deliberate. I don’t think you need them there.
Jenny D: The bikes are included as well as the golf clubs and fishing pole in the garage. How thoughtful!
Also, as far as I remember, they said on the tour that the DH is 3700 sq ft on 1/3 acre of land. There are no HOA’s and the land is included in the prize. So generous!
I dream everyday (and night) of the time when my husband and I move into the DH and live “happily ever after” – although we are very happy right now – we would just have a more posh setting for our happiness.
Glad to be back and I’m enjoying all the new (to me) blogs.
Thank you for explaining the neighborhood.
I now appreicate the different designs of the surrounding houses. It would been wonderful to call such a place home. Has the Herb garden been planted and is there room to add a pool? Good Luck to all!
Hello to all of the wonderful people at HGTV.
This is the the best ever. I will sell everything I own and move right in. If we win this house, our retirement would be more than we could ever dream. We have 3 grandchildren ( 2 boys and a girl)and the bedrooms are perfect for them. I love the masterbedroom.
The designers out did themselves. What a wonderful home to win or for that matter wonderful any way you get it. A beautiful location perfect for my lifestyle. Good luck to all. I’m so excited!!!!!
Hi all. Wow, nice house, nice area — I would loooove to win! I have had such heartache in the last few years, including losing a very lucrative career due to health issues, then having my health drift down, down, down.
I am thankful to be alive and have a good doctor who is able to keep my health relatively stable, but I am still in a great deal of pain and will never again be able to go back to my career.
These days I am just hoping to find a job I can do without too much difficulty. And even though I am sick of doctors, I am stuck seeing them in order to keep myself alive. Just affording doctors and meds is a huge deal, there is nothing left for a home this extraordinary, to be sure!
A home like this would be an answer to my prayers!!!
My one REALLY BIG question is about the taxes. Maybe someone has already addressed this, but if I was lucky enough to actually win, how are the taxes handled? How much would I need to pay? It would be such a shame to win, only to realize I cannot afford the taxes on it.
Thoughts? Does an expert from HGTV have an answer for me?
Thanks so much for offering this contest. Now more than ever I am crossing my fingers so very hard… please let me be the lucky one. Please! I will be watching and waiting, hoping my dream comes true on March 15
Heather
I am so in love with this house, I just now found the blogs..lol
I have been so busy looking @ it over and over. I think the neighbors, as long as they are good people (which Im sure they are) would be a blessing!
And I would think they are NOT lacking for funds, they must pay the property taxes, and look how much they’re house is worth….
I live in tennessee and love it here, but would also love it there We have 4 grandbabies, all under 9. And we also have 2 daughters and 2 fantastic son in laws. Which our oldest daughter Suzie is also in love with the DREAM HOME. I think it would be good for my health I was diagnosed with a rare disease back in 2000. But I am much better now.
I am truly a blessed person when it comes to my family. Anyway just letting you all know who I am.
So Glad to meet all the other DREAM HOME FANS!!!
To live the dream is what I dream of.
I’ve been amazed by the dream Home Phenomenon for quite a few years now, and I have to say even though I always admire the beautiful houses this is the first time I have actually fallen in Love with one of them and actually ambition and visualize myself living there on a day to day basis . However as wonderful as it would be to getr a free house as beautiful and perfect as that one (specially right now that I have lost my job and I’m struggling to pay the rent) I am terrified that If I in fact win the taxes and the living will be so expensive that I’ll end up worst than I started. Is there a way to find out before hand what the taxes will be on that property?
I thought that if the house was free then from the money I get I could put aside for the taxes every month so I would get them taken care of by November each year , But If they are too expensive then what can I do?
It will be a nightmare instead of a dream come true!
Please super fan, can you help me find out what the taxes will be? or at least a projected amount?
Thank you!
I say be thankful for anything that you have today, it could all be gone in a flash whether it is a 550 sq.ft. house or a 5,500 sq.ft. house. Thank your lucky stars that you have a place to call home. I live in the deep South area of the U.S. and have not had the opportunity to visit California as of this date. Should I be so lucky as to be the proud owner of the new Green Home, I would at least have the opportunity to visit Sonoma and other cities in California. I cannot believe there are negative comments about this gorgeous new home. I do not see anything about the home that I do not like or that I would not enjoy. And winning this fabulous new home would make me the happiest person on this great earth right now. I do not know that I would continue to live there the remaining years that I have left, but I also do not know that I would not live the rest of my days either. I would just have to try it to see if I like living in California before I could make a decision on it’s location. But, there is nothing wrong with the house by any stretch of the imagination, it is a beautiful home and it is decorated beautifully. I have never won anything in my lifetime, but there is always a first time for everything, maybe this will be my lucky streak.
Spoiled to living in the South where friendliness, good manners, and happy faces greet you everywhere you go.
I’m glad that article was posted about last year’s winning couple, as all info is good info. But, it seems obvious that the reason they haven’t sold it is the fact that the ENTIRE PKG. was valued at 2.2 million, but they’re trying to sell the house alone (without the car, and they’ve likely kept some of the furnishings)for $2.5 million. That’s about $340,000 more than it’s valued.
Who would buy it at that high of a price over a value that was written up in the news and on this site?
I am read to move
What a beautiful house. I hope the person that wins did not write negative comments. As I am up in age I know “crow” does not tast good.
I need help where do you mail postcard ?
does it have to be regular postcard ? Any help would be great !
Thank-You
Mike Herms
how big is the house, square footage, and does it have a garage and basement? just curious Thank you
Dream house 2009 is defently a realy dream house.I don’t know how much luck is on my side. I keep dreaming until feb 19.
The home is a mansion. I will have a panic attack when I win. thank you for answering. good luck to all. Carol
Last Day To Blog! First time I’ve blogged! I’ve read almost all your blogs and have to say..what a great community we have here! So many dreamers (myself included!) and so many optimistic people! See, this economy won’t get us down! YES WE CAN!!
Ooops! Hit the post button by mistake! See? Told you I was a first-timer! Even the CHANCE that I might be the winner of this beautiful property is a dream for me! And i do a lot of dreaming about this home! It is the style I’ve always dreamt of owning..never on this scale though! Now I find myself 54 (boy does time fly and it doesn’t seem fair!)and disabled. I live on a fixed income and surely wold not be able to keep a house of this size up by myself..but see? This is where my ultimate dream comes in! My son has a beautiful blended family. Together he and his wife have 5 great kids and live in Florida. Their house is really WAY to small for them..see where this is going? Just so happens I will have a perfect solution! Not only that, but my daughter in-law is from Ca, and has always dreamt of moving back! Oh Boy! Will I make a lot of people happy! But, if by some remote chance I don’t win, I wish the new owner the best of luck, and a wonderful future in Sonoma! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!
It saddens me to think that anyone would have any negative comments to make about the dream house or the surrounding homes.It’s funny that people would enter a giveaway for a dream home and not respect what it is.Even though it is a beautiful home in a good neighborhood,But lets just say it was an okay house in an okay neighborhood it is essentially a free home and there are so many people who would be so proud to just have a place to call home no matter where it was.And I think we could all learn a little from those people. I hope the family that wins will respect the home and the community and know how lucky they are to be there.
A couple weeks ago I found the house using Google Maps’ satellite view of the neighborhood. It looks like a great neighborhood and a beautiful spot in Sonoma, which is a beautiful place in California. I would love to meet the neighbors.
I moved from CA to TN approx. 4 years ago. And, I have been trying to figure out a way to get back home ever since. HGTV, PLEASE bring me back to CA. I love the house & the neighbors!!!!!
well what up fellow bloggers? hope everyone out there had a wonderful weekend as we are nearing the end and it is back to work as usual. I want to say this has been quite an experience to be blogging with you all i only started a couple of weeks ago and now iam hooked. iam currently up on all the comments out there and i have been sadden by some and others have truly been a hoot. only a few days left to enter and i to will hate to see this end. you all have been a great source of info, a well of inspiration, and down right intertaining. i will remember you all when they come and ambush me at the door. you all are a great bunch of people and you are all my boos this is from mrs johnny j. from mississippi be well my friends and good luck happy dreaming.
Hi Gail, remote question is the neighborhood open to black residents as well. I love this home and it would be perfect for myself my dog max, my daughter Daija, and her dwarf bunny Ruby. The neighborhood is beautiful! The home is one only I could ever dream of. I would only love it I win it that my husband could be here to share it with me. See he had a transplant and he didn't make it, my daughter and I need a change, what a change it would be to win a home in sunny California! I'm sure I could find a nursing job there quickly since the economy has to be better. I only asked the question about the neighborhood because I would want my daughter and I too be accepted where ever we go. Oh, and the dog house is lovely. My poodle Max would adore it. But, it likely would make Ruby my daughter's drawf bunny very jealous. Shelley, Cleveland, OH.
I have been reading the comments regarding affording a house like this, I’m working now for the 3 bedroom house I am in and I don’t own it. If I am blessed to win the dream home I’ll have just one more reason to continue to love my job as an RN and work even harder. I’ll miss my friends and coworkers, but what a lovely place to send a postcard from! To leave this cold weather and move to California would be amazing, although it’s just a dream I am realizing it in my mind as I speak. Good luck to everyone! Shelley, Cleveland, Ohio
my wife and i would be the first to actually live in the dream home if we win? after living in michigan my whole life,(55 yrs.)i would gladly pay the taxes,and enjoy a warm,hard earned retirement.
Is there a bathroom downstairs?
I think my husband and I would be the first people to actually live in the dream home they won. We own a home about 20 minutes from Sonoma and have always planned on eventually
moving there. This would truly be a dream come true for us!
Kate, San Rafael, Ca.
Shelley,
I think that the neighbors would welcome you with open
arms. This is Northern California after all.
Kate, San Rafael, Ca.
Hello Everyone,
I can’t wait to meet our new neighbors when we move into our new home from HGTV, we are people persons and love life. My husband the school teacher that is retiring this year. We will live in the home and not sell it. We have never owned a home because of the kids come first but so rewarding. On there own now we can have a home for the kids to come visit and bring their kids, to start new memories and we will be close but not around the corner 2 hours is good. We are very much people person and love life and try and get along with everyone and we care about our neighbors.
Will be meeting you soon.
May the lord bless you all.
Kimberli
I realize from reading all the blog comments that everyone is worried about the taxes, the neighborhood, the economic situation, finding employment, the square footage, whether or not there’s a bathroom on the first level, etc., etc., etc., but the way I see it . . . it’s better to win than to not win, you will come out ahead any way you look at it. Even if I can only stay for a week . . . and then put it up for sale, I’d be satisfied!
Well, when I heard the news that HGTV was giving away a beautiful house in Sonoma, my heart leapt with joy. For the past few years, I have been telling my fiance that Sonoma is where I want to be. But, we couldn’t make any real decisions until I finish nursing school, which is just around the corner– this May. Winning this wonderful home would certainly make the decision making process much easier! I hate to sound cheesy, but winning this house would be a dream come true– dog, backyard, garden, walks to the farmer’s market- who could ask for anything more? This is what I think about when I go to bed at night, and the stress from my day just melts away…[big sigh]. See you in Sonoma!
Kate, thank you for your encouraging words and response. I love my diverse unit of coworkers, and nurses I work with in the ER from all over the world and I love my neighborhood as well which is also diverse. I am happy to know that if I was fortunate enough to win the dream home for myself and my daughter that she would be able to look forward to meeting her new friends. We love people, and we love God. We believe in “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Kate, I am really going to miss blogging and networking with other people on this website. Just the thought of winning this beautiful dream home has given me a reason to dream again. I don’t want this dream to end! Kate, may God bless you and continue to let his light shine in your heart! Shelley, Cleveland, OH.
I was wondering about the house across the street. Thanks for answering my question. It cost way more than mine. It would be a change if I win. I have been entering for a dream home for I don’t know how long. Maybe one day I will get blessed.
Q: the rules state that you can enter electronically OR by mail, not and/or. Can one do both? I’ve only entered on-line, but have to tell you this is one fine dreamhouse. A green couple, indeed, along with cats YoYoMeow and Seaweed (we hope for a puppy some day), we’re ready for a change.
Since we’ve worked intently on behalf of the wild environment for many years now (toward establishing a new academic home for our Center for Soundscape Studies) we’ve practically ignored the interior habitat of our home environment. We’re linking it all up, now. The choices we make in the way we live, and our connection with home, land, and community, are so very important. Living nearby to Sonoma, we’re used to the taxes, the farmer’s market, and community ourtreach. The GMC Acadia would be useful in the field, and the kitchen garden provide an immediate connection between the land and the table. The HGTV home would make several dreams a reality. Even our cats, Yo Yo Meow and Seaweed concur, with the dream house, we could even invite that puppy we’ve been wanting to add to the family. I know everyone entering must feel as I do. What a lovely place it would be to call ‘home’.
Hi everyone,
My husband and I toured the Dream Home on Sunday, and it was wonderful. The homes across the street on the front of the house are just fine-great neighborhood. To the right of the house are the spectacular homes of the Armstrong Estate-incredible. We drove around that entire area before we left Somona to return to Antioch, Ca where we live and I am so impressed. I hope I win this as I love the area.
Hey, If I win, everyone on this wonderful blog will be invited over for a big celebration party!! And the Dream team of course.
Wishing and hoping!!
pj
Hello to everyone at HGTV who makes this wonderful opportunity possible. I’m excited to enter as often as I can be on my computer! I was born in Los Angeles and lived there until I was 5 years old. After that, I grew up in a 1910 farmhouse in West Virginia, very similar in design to the Sonoma Dream House. I haven’t been back to California since the summer of 1961 and I would love to go back and see all the changes over the years. I frequently Google the street I lived on in Studio City just to keep my wonderful memories alive. What a dream it would be to win this house! Thank you for every opportunity you’ve given us to enter!
Hi Everyone, 1 more day to go! This really has been fun. I have done my homework on Sonoma County and feel much relieved! According to the census bureau you don’t have to be “rich” to live there. The median income is between – $50,000 – $75,000 which is that of most middle income people like me. I loved Ora’s comment, no matter who wins let’s all pitch in to help an ordinary person pay the taxes, I think she called it a “not a sore loser’s fee.” This has been great. Hey, the way I figure I can afford this house since I won’t have to pay my lease payment on my house anymore, I’ll win a car so no more car payment, since I’d sell my current one. Let’s see what’s left, “Taxes, utilities, maintenance” I can work hard for that since I won’t even have a house payment. Yes, I am definitely dreaming and my little girl said she can’t wait to move in her new room. I did remind her that there are so many others dreaming of this lovely house also, but we all can still dream at least for one more month up to that winning day. Good look to all and keep the DREAM ALIVE! It is just one touch a way for one of us! Shelly, Cleve. OH
Good luck everyone!!!
bye for now,
patty
For so many bloggers its a dream come true..as for me i dont know how i would react..we have tried so hard over the years to purchase our own home and to call home. now i am faced with sick parents that need my help for care, winning this house would be a dream but it would also make it possible for me to do what i need to for them.as for my daughter she would love to move to the sunny state and 2 dogs would love there new home as for living in mich were getting so we cant take the cold anymore,my husband could easily find a job there being a chef as for me i hope my job will be is to take care of my parents like they did me when i was growing up.as far as the taxes its gonna be a slam for whoever wins. lets face it, were not used living in something worth so much it could be a small house worth nothing i would be happy its a home..as far as the car we need one soo bad right i cant even tell you.it would be nice knowing i could drive somewhere and not break down on the road.good luck bloggers. but best to me for my selfish reasons