Mar
16
Watch the Winner!
Want to take one more look at our winner ambush? Learn more about Cheryl Smith, the winner of the HGTV Dream Home 2009, plus watch exclusive online interviews (we asked Cheryl questions you posted on this blog!).
No wonder no one was making any comments on the last page, A new one!
I wished that the special had spent more time with the winning family, That is what I was really interested in finding out about.
I knew it! It’s all fake! I watched the give away tonight at 6 pm where it was still day light in Colorado but they wanted me to believe that it was dark in California/Pacific time. Then, the winner in Florida (for the 2nd year in a row) was watching Dancing with the Stars in the background and that is on Monday night with this, the LIVE giveaway on SUNDAY night…oops I guess it wasn’t live! I should have known, a chance to live a 2-million dollar home was too good to be true.
For 2010, I believe the Dream Home should be in: Seabeck, Washington State. Seabeck has INCREDIBLE VIEWS: 180 degree views of the ocean, SPECTACULAR snow-capped mountains, and forest all around. AND Seattle is a short ferry ride away! When the sky meats the ocean, meats the mountains and the forest, THAT is truely a dream. Seabeck, WA should absolutely be considered for HGTV Dream Home 2010!!!
(Sorry, my spelling is horrid! ^_^ I meant to spell “meets” instead of “meats”. LOL!)
“For 2010, I believe the Dream Home should be in: Seabeck, Washington State. Seabeck has INCREDIBLE VIEWS: 180 degree views of the ocean, SPECTACULAR snow-capped mountains, and forest all around. AND Seattle is a short ferry ride away! When the sky meats the ocean, meats the mountains and the forest, THAT is truely a dream. Seabeck, WA should absolutely be considered for HGTV Dream Home 2010!!!”
Sounds Great, Stacy! I’d TOTALLY want to live there!
Congrats to the Smiths. It sounds like they are ready to sell. She mentions having money for her grandkids’ college funds. She won’t have that unless she sells. Plus, what grandma who spends 3-4 days a week with her grandchildren is going to leave them for a city where she knows no one but her husband?
A home is more than a house.
OMG! It’s very exciting. I got so teary watching the video when the winners found they’re the owners of HDTG DH09. Congratulations.
I do wish them the best! They sounded like very nice people. And to everyone who thinks that HGTV selects people, well maybe they do when it gets down to a handful drawn. They cannot surprise meth heads or drunkards. Think about it..they disclose their right to screen in the rules. I think that it is fun and it definitely is better than watching the news these days. Thanks HGTV!
he,he..I kept refreshing the page and no more comments…now I know why! A new blog!!! Ha,ha,ha
John Lassiter was going to be my neighbor!!!! OMG! Now I’m even more disappointed I didn’t win! Oh well, I can always but a home there and relocate to Sonoma…hey! I’m still up in the clouds dreaming…Audra! Wake up! Spring Break is over! Time to get ready to go teach tomorrow at 8:00am eastern time..so it won’t be live on the west coast…sorry….he,he,he
I am so happy for the Smith’s, however I wonder why HGTV has never given away a dream home to an African American family. I have never seen that before. Only older white couples or single white women. I dont know how much of this I beleive isnt set up. I love HGTV but I really think they should play fair. What about giving away the dream home to someone who cant afford to buy a home and is renting? I am happy for this couple but I am dissappointed in HGTV.
Congratulations to the winning family. I’m concerned for them since they are retired and will have to pay the taxes on this home. Hopefully they can come up with the funds.
I have entered this contest for over 10 years but this will be my last entry.
Good luck, and enjoy your new beautiful home.
Congratulations to the winners!! I missed it on tv and just watched the announcement online. It was so exciting watching the winners! I smiled from ear to ear and had tears streaming down my face because I was so happy for the couple!! I loved seeing their joy and excitement!! Thanks HGTV, keep ‘em coming every year! Your homes and dreams are beautiful!!
I thought I would be totally jealous of whoever won but she and her husband were so ecstatic and overly happy that I just couldn’t be. Oh the financial freedom of not having a house payment!!! But that’s okay. She and her husband have paid their dues, working hard and raising a family. Maybe another 20-30 years and my husband and I will win. Next year, well I absolutely love Wimea, Kauaii. Mona, Utah (yes, it is a tiny town but has moutains on the east and west and a large pond that is gorgeous) or Sedona, Arizona. All are beautiful.
You know everyone deserves to win…But really what are they going to do with such a big house for just the two of them. Hopefully one of there sons will move in with them. I think for the next home HGTV should really consider only family’s who really don’t own there own home, or the ones who really have young children. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking why couldn’t it had been a family who won this home not couple.I also dont beleive this was an ambush today. come on it was night time when they were there. I saw the show at 5:00 p.m. still day time in calif this was recorded around four days ago. But I’m happy for the Smith’s they really seem happy congrats.
ok so i spelled (beleive) wrong should have been (believe) i’m tired it’s 10:30 going to bed. tah tah”
So after switching over from the blog from March 13th and reading the comments after the “ambush”, Here’s what I think: I think they were ambushed last night(Saturday night). Of course they filmed other portions sooner (It would make sense to do that), but I feel that the actual on the porch ambush was the night before it aired. There was lots of speculation that it was a whole week earlier because “Dancing With the Stars” was on in the background. However an encore presentation of DWTS was aired on Saturday night. If they did it too soon, the news would inevitably be spread prematurely. One blogger(…kitty) even saw that the winners next door neighbor had posted on a message board that she saw the ambush happen. I wonder when the neighbor posted the message?
Congratulations to the Smith’s. I’m not going to go down the road of thinking that only certain demographics should be allowed to win. Everybody has their own set of circumstances and needs. I’m sure this will bless their lives. I’m happy for them!
Thanks Mary, for putting in all these vidios on a Sunday! Great video. They seem like such a nice couple. Ingrid And BoBo, I am sure they would welcome your visit and cookies
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Ii am just so happy for them
Lovelykitty, I’m glad you just posted. I was spacing the first half of your name in my recent post! (I really should be in bed now.)
Your just the person I have a question for… When was it that you saw the Smith’s next door neighbor’s message board post that they had seen the “ambush”? I wonder if that would support my theory above about the “ambush” being on Saturday night.(The night before it aired.)
I had a lot of fun reading everyone’s positive talk leading up to this. There are lots of good people out there! God bless!
I am wondering if Cheryl Smith was the backup winner & what efforts were made to contact the actual winner if she was the backup winner? WHO can answer that question?
Some really weird things happened Friday night and early saturday morning before I even got out of bed so I was thinking maybe I won and they couldnt get in contact with me. I know it sounds silly but I wouldnt answer the door at 8:05am saturday morning when my bell was ringing and I didnt answer my phone at 10:15 the night before.
No the ambush was done before Saturday. I saw it on there Friday, or Thursday, but I know it wasn’t Saturday.
IF MR AND MRS SMITH DECIDE TO SELL THE HOUSE…I’LL MAKE THE FIRST OFFER….I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A HOUSE UP THERE FOR A LONG TIME…AND I’VE GOTTEN VERY ATTACHED…..AND THEN YOU GUYS CAN ALL COME BY AND VISIT…EVEN IF IT’S NOT FOR FREE. INGRID…MY SCANDINAVIAN COMRADE…LOL…YOU SEEM LIKE YOU WOULD BE A LOVELY NEIGHBOR…AND OUR DOGS COULD PLAY TOGETHER…AND WE COULD HAVE A SWEDISH/DANISH SMORGASBOARD… NIGHT FOLKS…FOR TODAY. THANKS LOVELYKITTY….YOU’VE BEEN GREAT. WHO HAVE WE NOT HEARD FROM TODAY…I FEEL LIKE SOMEONES MISSING. OH WELL, IT’S LATE. PLEASANT DREAMS TO ONE AND ALL.
i am a hater,,, lol
Congratulations to Cheryl Smith. I’m sure they will be selling as they moved to where they are to be close to one of their sons that lives in the same town.
I’m sorry it wasn’t a blogger but they seemed really nice. I wish them the best.
At least all of the bloggers have clean houses and look just beautiful!
This has a drop down window with more clips from the winner. She answers blogger questions too. I almost missed it again!
To all the wonderful bloggers, this was really fun. However, my brain is saying “How come she was wearing a brand new t-shirt with the words “Coca Cola” on it?
My brain wants to know!
Angie- Yes it was 5pm in California which means it was 8pm here on the east coast where the winner (in Florida) and I (in New Jersey) are located. It was nighttime – dark here when the show came on. That’s why it was dark outside when they were ambushed. I did think it was odd though that they weren’t watching the HGTV ambush on TV when the front door was opened. I know we shouldn’t be bitter but I did hope that if it wasn’t me who won that it would at least be one of the millions of people who have lost their jobs this last year because of what George Bush did to the economy. Why does it always have to be a comfortable retired couple with a nice house already? I would have loved to see someone who really needed it win.
It honestly bothers me that every year another white family wins the HGTV dream home. i’ve never seen a black family win, or any other race at that. Is HGTV racist?
I think the giveaway should have focused on people who dont have a home or lost their home due to the economic disaster… but i guess they wouldnt have gotten as many viewers suprising a family in the ghetto. I do however wish the winners the best. the SMITHS.
I wish to see one day at spanish people could win that house.
Angie- Yes it was 5pm in California which means it was 8pm here on the east coast where the winner (in Florida) and I (in New Jersey) are located. It was nighttime – dark here when the show came on. That’s why it was dark outside when they were ambushed. I did think it was odd though that they weren’t watching the HGTV ambush on TV when the front door was opened. I know we shouldn’t be bitter but I did hope that if it wasn’t me who won that it would at least be one of the millions of people who have lost their jobs this last year. Why does it always have to be a comfortable retired couple with a nice house already? I would have loved to see someone who really need it win.
Congrats to the winner they were drawn good for them. It doesn’t matter to me that they did or didn’t come from a certain demigraphic. The rules didn’t state that. Get over the fact that you didn’t win and let the winner enjoy it. Think about how you would feel if you had just won and everyone was posting comments about you winning and acted like a sore loser. Let them be and let them be happy. Again, Cheryl congrats on winning the beautiful HGTV dream home 2009.
I hope that the next DH will be one that is not a financial hardship on the winner. Would be nice even though I know HGTV does not care about nor control that fact.
Meant to add that it is sad that some many people are so critical on the prior post. (smh)
Luisa, did you see anywhere on the entry form where it ask what race you are?
Do you think the computer is programed to only pick a certain race?
If there is one thing I really believe about this give-away, and that is that it is really a random drawing.
Well, here is the new article from the democratpress about the winner. The winner was ambushed on MONDAY!!
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090315/ARTICLES/903150966/1349?Title=Florida-couple-wins-Sonoma-dream-home
Good morning fellow bloggers! First of all congrats to that sweet couple! I hope this helps their retirement dreams come true. Wasn’t that a fun week? So many of the things we read were correct! The winner was from Florida, remember the post that said someone in Florida saw their neighbor ambushed? Secondly, I think it was last weekend like we read in the article, because they filmed the couple walking on their property and it was daylight! So while the show was live, the ambush was not. But, HGTV never claimed to have a live ambush, only a live show showing the ambush, there is a difference. Hey! Did you notice that Marie Miller’s question was one of the blogger questions? I am praying that if this sweet couple intends on selling the home (which most of us would have had to do), that it will sell quickly and not become a financial burden to them. It is very difficult to sell a home these days (my brothers home has been on the market for over a year for $125k less than they owe on it), but this home is sooooooo beautiful and has had the best advertisement! I guess they would NOT need to call in “Designed to Sell” to help them sell this home! hahhahahaha! Diane, I think that HGTV does care and would help the winner to sell if they didn’t have the money to keep it. They do however take no responsibility (understandably) if you choose to keep it and fail financially.
so now that the dream is fading, how does it really work? property tax $20,000/year. how much does uncle sam have the right to take?
Lovelykitty, thanks for the link. Ledson said he would be willing to buy back the dreamhome from the winners and ride out the downturn in the market! Thats integrity. I’m so relieved to know this. Now I can truly be happy, happy, happy for this lucky couple!
Hey all. The winner’s weekend is April 12th which is a Friday. Maybe we should try to get together that Saturday and play in Sonoma and go by the house?
Dianne T, isn’t it sad that people have to be critical? Lets make this the HAPPY PAGE!
Wow, once again there is a contest, once again there is a winner, and once again the winner is someone who really doesnt need it. Granted, it was an open contest and anyone could join. But jesus, there are people without homes down in New Orleans. There are people who are just starting out in life and lost their home in this crazy market. And once again, they chose someone older in age, who really doesnt need a 2 million dollar home. Their house looked fine enough. Maybe next year HGTV shouldnt hold a drawing. Maybe next year you will pick someone who really Needs a house.
I wanted that house but I guess I will be a tad happpy for them.. I would of moved there..Let my kids enjoy that park and enjoy that neighborhood. Maybe next year…:(
CONGRATULATIONS SMITH FAMILY,
I’m very happy for you and wish you all the best.
To everyone who doesn’t like the way HGTV does this, please don’t enter next year, it will give me better odds of winning!!!!!!
Wow! I’m shocked by all of the racist comments on this board that HGTV picks only white families and should select a black or hispanic family. THAT’S RACIST! Not the fact that HGTV doesn’t pick them. HGTV doesn’t “pick” anyone. It’s a random drawing that anyone is allowed to enter.
Boo hoo for the low income or folks in New Orleans that lost their homes. But they are entitled to enter this sweepstakes just like the Smith family.
Congrats to the Smith’s and best wishes!
Richard, I understand that there is a lot of need out there and my heart goes out to all those suffering right now. But this was a random drawing, HGTV did not “choose” a winner. There was an outside company brought in to make sure that it was purely random and fair. It was not a contest based on need, it was purely random.
MY children were so excited that it might be us that won the new dream home that they could hardly be contained.Yes we rent a house now in Louisiana and can not afford to buy one at this time.I am happy for the “COUPLE’ that won,but from other blogs i have read i do believe that someone should have won that rented and had children.We even put a letter on the front door stateing we were at church and gave directions.But now i hear it was possibly done the day before.I am disappointed in HGTV.
With the controversy over the selection process of past winners on last year’s blog. It is no surprise HGTV has tried to cover themselves, by showing the selection process on TV. Which is still rigged. However, they did try to select someone who lived “in the middle of nowhere” this time. HGTV should really consider adding to the official rules “if black need not apply”. This contest has been going on for over 12 years. No discredit to the winners.
What a fake piece of sh!t. I tried to log on just now and HGTV didn’t even have my email address, even though I “entered” the contest several times. “Dancing with the Stars” (I guess it could have been on TiVo), Coca-Cola (obvious advertisement), night time (so the weather couldn’t be compared using the sky)…all these things tell me the whole thing was fake. Why did they have to pick a “runner up”? This whole thing was staged and I will never enter this again. They should have given it to someone who could have actually moved in — someone who’s life would have really been changed for the better — not someone who “plays around with horses”. Now I have to go through the process stopping all the HGTV email they are sending me (did I mention they claim to NOT have my email address?) Sour grapes? No. I just hate believing in something that is so obviously rigged.
Congratulations to the winners!!! I have a few things I would like to say to the bloggers here. First, this is “suppose to be” a blind and objective drawing—so stop your ever-lasting whinning about ‘oh, why not an African-American, Hispanic, etc. or who is in financial dire-striats. It is not about who has the best sob story for we all have our “crosses to bear”. Some of us simply do not wish to tell all. HGTV should not be confused with Extreme Home Makeover nor should they ever put themselves in the same catagory. Personally, I would wash my hands of HGTV if I found out that the drawing was rigged. With that said, I do find it rather odd that the name blocked out on the video of the drawing seems a lot longer than Cheryl Smith. Was she the inital winner or did they eliminate the first winner and why?
Congrats to the Smith Family! Have fun in wine country!
To RaSha,
Think of what you said here. It is a random drawing . That’s what MAKES it fair. If they specifically chose an African American or any other nationality for that matter, or only those who are renting or of a lower economic status, then that wouldn’t be FAIR anymore would it? What you suggest is selecting SPECIFIC people and criteria for the drawing. I’m sorry but that would not be fair at all.
Congratulations to the Smith Family! Sure, I’m sorry I didn’t win, but I didn’t, so I’ll try again next year. That is, if HGTV wants to put up with all the complaining and bad comments from people who didn’t win. It is a CONTEST, A RANDOM DRAWING. If you think HGTV would “fix” it, you have lost your marbles! Thanks for all your hard work HGTV and I’ll try again next year.
Congratulations Smith family. I have been reading this blog for the past few days and there seems to be a lot of great people out there. It seems that good friendships have been formed. It is unfortunate that some are bitter with life and can’t be happy for the winner because they are not down trodden. Even if the winner lived in a million dollar house they would deserve to win as much as I or you. It is a contest so good luck next year everyone. God bless you! I guess I will have to paint after all this spring.
Hi everyone,
Her name is also Cheryl, close! 
But not me, boooo hooo! 
Really, really very happy for Cheryl Smith and her family. Yes, the whole family can benefit from her entering. Grandma’s always share what they have and eight beautiful grandchildren, loving and devoted husband, sons that are and inheiratance (SP) of the belly, what else could be better!! Well, maybe be able to pay all the taxes. 
Keep the Faith still.
I was so excited at watching the Ambush! It was in another Sunny State but close!
Does it really matter if the ambush is live or not. The winner is still chosen randomly and we still get to see them at their home and it’s all fair. Even if we new that it had already been filmed we would watch it anyway. They would still get our loyalty. A Gream Home is what EVERYONE dreams off, wants, needs and would love the opportunity. That’s what we had, the oppotunity, and we will again if we so choose. Like was said. Don’t be ugly and wish ill on the Smith’s they went through the same channels we did (online entry) and it truly was random,
HGTV racist? Hardly–look at Chico, David Bromstad, Lui, Myles, can’t recall all the names but I can see there faces and there skin and they are of color. That’s what we are, so please don’t judge adversely.
As for me, I’m going to enter as often as I can for the GreenHome09 starting in April and have that possable chance of winning a Florida home! Doesn’t that sound good?
CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL SMITH!!
Congratulations, Smith family! We’ll be back to enter again in 2010! My boys still loved every minute
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Sorry about all the misspelling! ;(
There is no criteria for the random selection process. Maybe minorities aren’t entering as often… Notice how the winner turned out to be from online entries, since there were only 900,000 mailed in entries compared to the 39 million total. Odds were an online entry would win.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith seem to be a lovely couple! Congratulations to them! I hope they have a fabulous trip to Sonoma in April – it will be fun to watch. What a businessman of integrity Steve Ledson is – offering to buy back the property (assuming they decide to sell) so the Smiths can continue on with their life in FL and not have to deal with real estate issues in CA. I’ve loved following the videos of this home on TV and online! The Super Fan did a fantastic job! This has been a fun way to get through a cold winter. I entered everyday, but I can honestly say that I am glad we didn’t win… it would have been difficult for all of us to actually own the home for a short time and then have to give it up (no way we’d be able to pay the $500K-700K winning taxes). I could see family conflict written all over that one for us. But I am truly happy for the Smiths and their family – a great story!!
Loved hearing Marie Millers question answered by Cheryl and my favorite HGTV shows are with Candace Olsen and David Bromstad also!!
i dont think hgtv is racist maybe that is just the demographic that makes up the majority of hgtv viewers
Where does it say that a winner up was selected? How did they disqualify the original winner?
Oops I meant the runner up. I wish the Smith much happiness in their new home. May God bless them.
Courtney? Boo Hoo for the low income people in new orleans? are you serious with that comment? Boo Hoo? I pray that a hurricane comes and takes your home and kills every single member in your family leaving just you to survive. I hope you can watch your mother be swept away by the current and all you can think about is how your mother died right in front of you. I hope you have a child that gets trapped in the house and you are not able to save your child in time. I hope your child dies and you beat yourself up over it. After all that happens, please come back to me and say Boo Hoo. And just so you understand, I am not a “low income” family, I pull in enough money to buy my own house twice over, but a hurricane doesn’t discriminate against your income. Think about that next time you group an entire city together and downplay the horrific events we went through.
Congrats to Cheryl Smith and her husband! They seem like a lovely couple. While we all would have loved to win the DH, the Smith’s won fair and square. Nowhere on the application did it ask for ethnic/race or salary information, so those claiming it was not a blind, random drawing are making ridiculous accusations. It’s disheartening to see how many sore losers there are out there, and what an ugly turn this blog is starting to take.
Congrats to the winner. There is some things I don’t understand. I thought that when they do the giveaway they are coming to your house live when the show airs. I’m thinking, well, I’m in California, retired and just about ready for bed at 8. Ms.Smith is in Florida and it’s now 11PM and she’s retired. Just want to know how she could look that good at 11 at night with such a pristene t-shirt on. She was only missing her shoes. They didn’t even look tired. hmmmm If I was her, you would of been dragin me out in my flannels:)Soooooooooo, HGTV, are you telling us a story or what. If you are, well, I don’t need to be looking for lights out the window the next time you do a giveaway. I never could understand why these people are never watching the giveaway show when you show up. I’m just glued to the set. Would love to see the Smith’s real reaction to this. I would be one crazy lady for sure. Good Luck to everyone next time.
INTERESTING THAT THE FEW NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE COMING FROM A SMALL NUMBER OF ‘NEW BLOGGERS’ THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN BLOGGING ALL ALONG HAVE BEEN HOPEFUL AND POSITIVE……AND THE QUESTIONS WE POSE….AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY…ARE JUST THAT…QUESTIONS….WE’RE A CURIOUS BUNCH….BUT THEY ARE NOT ACCUSATIONS OR SEVERE CRITIQUES…IF YOU DON’T HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE “SUGGESTIONS’ WHY EVEN BOTHER….I KNOW A BLOG IS A BLOG…BUT IF YOU DON’T LIKE HGTV…THEIR METHODS…THE SHOW…THE HOME….THE SWEEPSTAKES IN GENERAL….GO FIND ANOTHER BLOG YOU CAN COMPLAIN ON! THE WHINERS ON HERE HAVE NOW TAKEN THIS TO A NEW LOW….THE RACE CARD THING IS RIDICULOUS….THE REGULAR BLOGGERS ARE ALL DIFFERENT COLORS AND COME FROM VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS….DO YOU WATCH THE HGTV SHOWS…IF YOU DO YOU WILL SEE A RAINBOW OF PEOPLE GIVING AND TAKING…. ONE MORE THING…JUST BECAUSE A COUPLE IS RETIRED….WORKED ALL THEIR LIFE AND PROBABLY WERE WISE WITH THEIR FINANCIAL PLANNING DOES NOT MAKE THEM A BAD CHOICE….THEY HAVE A LOT OF LIVING TO DO….HAVE A LARGE EXTENDED FAMILY TO SHARE IT WITH….THAT’S CRAZY…AFTER 55 WE DON’T CURL UP AND DIE ON THE COUCH IN FRONT OF THE TV. AGAIN THE LITTLE GREEN MONSTER HAS RAISED ITS UGLY HEAD. I WISH THEM ALL THE JOY AND HAPPINESS THEY CAN GET …..SURE I WISH IT WAS ME…BUT IT WASN’T…IT WAS A RANDOM DRAWING…SO MOVE ON….SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE POSITIVE PEOPLE….THE MORE NEGATIVE ONE IS THE MORE THINGS WON’T HAPPEN FOR YOU. TIS TRUE.
Hey, I think that is the best ambush I have seen! Cheryl and her husband were so genuinely surprised! And it probably was pre-recorded, but it didn’t seem staged like most the past winners that just happened to have a big gathering waiting for the ambush.
So much more fun to watch a great reaction like Cheryls!
I am happy for whoever won this but i feel very dissapointed by what i have read in this blog..that HGTV has the right to pick more or less who they want out of a group of “possible winners”?
Did I get that right?
If i knew because I own a doublewide on a few acres in Gods country rather than a $250,000 brick house in some very nice section of town i would be disguarded as a possible winner to win the home,….possibly unsuitable as I may not be able to come up withwinners Federal tx and sales tax for the 2 mil package?…. I wouldnt have signed in every day of the contest as i did if I knew that were true.
That really makes me sad if that part is true .
And if true, unfair as they dont seem to mind us watchingtheir station to add to the ratings.
Maybe its not true. Gosh I hope not.
Lily-Beth and others: I agree! Stop the comments about HGTV’s supposed racial bias. It demeans and degrades the real racism that exists in society – this was a random drawing. Shame on you!
To the Smith family: congratulations! I wish you much happiness with your prize – whether you sell or keep it – much love and luck.
This has been a wonderful positive experience for me here on the blogs – with the positive bloggers at least – and I am so glad I participated (my first blog).
On to the Green Home! The DH was my winter dream – how fortunate that now I will have a spring dream with the GH. Care to join me?
Congratulations to the winners. As I have said all along I hope the winner is financially more stable after winning than they were the day before. That would be the best part of this dream.
I also hope that if they are not going to live in the house, they are able to sell it quickly or this will surely be a nightmare house for them.
I do hope HGTV builds more realistic homes ($175-225,000) in the future and possibly instead of one expensive home 7 or 8 smaller ones.
This is a great way for people to dream but a house this big and lavish is not what most people are dreaming about.
Just a thought.
YOu know the house was nice but I have seen better Dream Homes..but as a gardener i would LOVE LOVE to have owned some of that property!!!WOW!!
Wonder if there is enough land for Cheryl to just keep a part of it, build your own afforadable home with with you get out of a sale of this house?
No I think its a subdivision of some kind with rules probably.Too bad.!!..it sure is a DREAM SPOT!!!
All I can say is WOW! It is so sad to come on here and read all these rude and dishearting posts. After all the POSITIVE posts before the winner was selected I just cant believe this. But I did notice that most of the negitive posts are coming from “new” bloggers.
If you dont like the way HGTV does their thing then dont enter and dont come on here and complain about it cause most of us DONT want to hear it.
This was my first year entering and blogging. And I have to say that I am sooo HAPPY
I did!! It has been and will be a fun and happy thing for me to do for years to come! On to the GREEN HOME 09. 
CONGRATS TO THE SMITH FAMILY! AND I SAY FAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS. JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE A “COUPLE” DOESNT MEAN THEY WONT BE SHARRING WITH THEIR FAMILY.
Oh and I am so excited to read that Mr. Ledson would be willing to buy back the home!! How awesome is that! What a true gent. He “sees” what HGTV is really trying to do. Even though all the homes have been sold or are being sold it is still making DREAMS come true for those families. I know that I would not have been able to move into and live in the home but I know that my family could really use $200K or more!
As far as the low income family thing goes…you know what I am from IN and was one of the 1000s of RV workers that were layed off. My hubby works for them too but by the grace of GOD he is still working! He was demoted and we are making a $30K less than we had been!! You dont here me boohooing about not winning. Man it is the luck of the draw! It just makes me want the next DH and GH homes even more! I WILL be entering everyday to try and win.
I was excited to watch the bloggers questions asked! It was so cool to hear names that I have been reading on here for the last several months.
OK I am done~LOL!
GOD BLESS~Renee from IN
I was totally disgusted to read a local Florida newspaper comment directly from the winner herself that her and her husband have not made up their mind if they even plan on moving to California to live in the home she won. WHY EVEN BOTHER registering if you don’t even know if you are willing to move! What a total waste for the millions of families who would move in 2 seconds flat – it should have been someone who genuinely wanted and needed the home!
The Smiths looked really happy – I’m glad for them. Regarding the comment about President Bush – give it a break – he kept us safe since 9/11. Regarding ‘comfortable retired’ – you have to work to get to the ‘retired’ point. To the RV’r who lost her job – keep on striving – use even this blogging as an opportunity to improve your communication or computer skills – invest in yourself – you are your own franchise. To all – good luck in the next sweepstakes and if I see you while I’m driving I’ll try to not cut-you-off. Take care
i think hgtv should have picked a realistic winner,instead of some old lady with a comfortable life and a touching story just to make everyone happy.the realistic majority of people that submitted and truly needed this house”to sell” would have been renters,people in california,poor people (like me),really young people,crackheads,meth heads,felons,satanics,sex offenders,and a few hobos with internet access.it wouldnt have made everyone happy to see them win,but it would have been realistic in todays world.i think whoever entered should have had a fair chance at winning no matter who they are,and only one winner should have been picked and no runner ups
Congratulations! What an exciting moment for them. Best of luck to the Smiths
Wow this is so amazing I wish the couple and their families the best. I do beleive that they do screen many applicants. It’s stated in the rules I also know that they have to pay taxes on that so of course who ever win would have to be someone that can afford the taxes. We have the St. Jude Dream home giveaway here and for the past 3 years only one family kept the property due to not be able to afford the taxes.
Its still fun entertainment and I’m glad we all followed along and enjoyed the ride! Just think how awesome it would have been for one of us to be the runner up or even contacted for the giveaway!!! I would have liked to see the home given away seperately from the Truck I need a car! LOL Everyone continue to be blessed and have an awesome week!!!
I wish I could attend winner’s weekend in Sonoma in April, it would be great to see the MBer’s and bloggers there…I glad for the Smiths as I would be for anyone who won…this was a random drawing…only “luck of the draw” not needs,or wants…we all have those, and then everyone would be entitled….for those who would have moved in…I doubt you make 2mil a year…but to Uncle Sam that will be your income for 2009 got a extra 800,000.00 to pay your tax? So selling is a wise choice, I do hope they at least spend a month in the home and around Sonoma and the Bay area before they sell…they may decide to buy a smaller home and move there.
I am so exciited for the couple that won the 2009 dream house. Although, I’ve entered the DREAM home since the day they’ve began the sweepstake. My question is have you guys ever wondered how they pick the winner? Do they look for specific people like older people? Matter of fact, I’ve never seen an African American win ever! However, I love entering the contest everyday and believe me, I ENTERED everyday. One last question guys, did any of you order the magazine that Dream home was promoting, Redbook. I did thinking it will help me win. But, I’m not giving up. I’m going to keep dreaming!
Congratulations Cheryl and Joe Smith! My best wishes to you as you enjoy your beautiful home and begin to make decisions about how to deal with the windfall that has landed in your lap! And thank you to HGTV for all the fun and the chance to dream….it has been a great ride!!
I think it was Lovelykitty who warned us that the blog entries would turn ugly after the winner was announced, but I had no idea it would be as ugly as some of the entries above have been!! I feel that HGTV was very open and transparent with showing how the selection process is accomplished, and I am totally satisfied that it is completely fair and random. EVERYONE had an equal chance to win, be they white, black, hispanic, rich, poor, single, retired, no matter what state they live in….people, it was totally “the luck of the draw”!! You wouldn’t go to Las Vegas and when you lose at the gaming table, claim that you didn’t win because you were black, or poor or whatever, would you? This was a contest (with no entry fee!), and no one had any better chance of winning than anyone else. At a time when we should be happy for the winners, instead we get the “poor me” and “sour grape” stories. These people need to recite the serenity prayer:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”
.
On a happier note, now that the winner has been revealed, it is time to celebrate! Once the winners have a chance to wrap their heads around what has just happened, then maybe they will be able to let us know if they want to be involved in the SISBP planning or if we will be on our own in doing so. I hope we get a chance to meet them at the party and congratulate them in person. I look forward to helping put the party together. Maybe we can get together for a planning session??
As a side note in regards to the winners. I think the Smiths are adorable and they don’t really seem like they have money oozing from all sides so I think it will certainly be an improvement in their lifestyle. Eight grandchildren require a lot of money for college so the Smith’s can certainly use the money I’m sure. Congrats Mr. and Mrs Smith. I could care less about the race of the winners (again being multi-cultured myself I can’t be biased of once race over winning over another)BUT I hope that HGTV in their “screening” process didn’t eliminate those people that may be of lower income, non homeowners or people in need, maybe just lost a job or home.
Being an African American, I am baffled by some of the responses from people wishing a “person of color” or “someone who needed it” would have won. I mean Im sure there is some kind of demographic/statistic HGTV keeps in order to monitor viewership of their show. Im sure the largest demographic watching HGTV are the older, white crowd. I think, by chance, thats just how it is. In fact, from my perspective, I have many friends of all colors, not one of them watches HGTV. The fact that the winners are white means nothing to me. It shouldnt mean anything to anyone. Congratulations to them.
Look at the lottery, most people who win the lottery aint the most wealthy of folk. Thats just the demographic of Lotto players. And for crying out loud its a contest, a free contest at that. Id like to see more of a reality show next time, this whole “ambush them in 5 minutes” was really weak.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Smith!
Keep your home in Sonoma, sell your home in Sonoma, it is yours to do what you feel is best for you, so… honestly, it’s nobody’s business but your own what your final decision will be.
HGTV, please make the 2010 Dream Home bigger and better. You don’t call it “Dream Home” for nothing. It’s not called “Affordable Home” or “Mediocre Home”. It’s “Dream Home” for goodness sake! I am looking forward to 2010 to see the next season on HGTV “Dream Home”
A sweepstakes is great fun. A chance to win, or not. If you enter and then lose sight of the fact that you may not win, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
No “sour grapes” from non-winners, please! Be happy for the winners.
HGTV had specific posted rules for entering.
If one chooses to enter sweepstakes, read every word carefully.
I have a question for someone who is knowledgeable. How much is earthquake insurance on a home such as this one? Is it on an earthquake fault line? Any geologists out there?
What a huge letdown. This was the first year I actually entered and couldn’t wait to the “actual” night. The winners were definitely acting surprised. I know if it were me or my friends we would’ve been screaming and crying with excitment. That’s the response I wanted to see.
Hello fellow ‘happy’ comadres and compadres!
I for one am growing weary of all the complainers, and so I’m hoping that they will just go away. I will move onto the Green Home Blog and hope it stays a happy bunch as negative begets negative and most of us truly enjoy the process and are willing to actually be happy for the winner, regardless of their race or financial circumstance.
Very few people would have been able to afford the taxes on the home, but so what? It would still be a windfall to sell it and keep the balance – that’s what makes dreams come true!
This is all free to those who enter and we should all be grateful that HGTV doesn’t decide to spend their and their sponsor’s hard earned money elsewhere! It’s a wonderful ride, but only one person will win and we all knew that coming into it, so stop trying to read between the lines and look for something that isn’t there. It’s over, now get over it!
Whatever the Smith’s decide to do with THEIR winning is THEIR business and nobody else’s and I am wonderfully happy for them and wish them all the best, to them and their extended family!
See all you ‘happy’ bloggers next month!
Ciao and keep the dream alive!
I AM SO SICK OF ALL THE WHINING, RACITST, MOANERS AND GROANERS, that I have read from on this site. GROW UP ALL OF YOU PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE HAPPY FOR SOMEONE, SOMEONE WHO DESERVES TO BE HAPPY JUST LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE. They entered the contest just like every one else, and as someone else mentioned, I don’t believe the computer can see color or economic status. SO JUST BE HAPPY FOR THE WINNERS, DO NOT BE WHINERS.
CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL SMITH, YOU DESERVE IT. ENJOY IT.
Right on Barb!…..Everyone should be THRILLED for the Smiths…after all, it could have been any one of us! and as far as all of the “more deserving” people out there…go write to Vern and get on his show!
Hi All…This HGTV site has been my first time ever blogging also,and it’s been fun. Lovelykitty told us a long time ago that things turn ugly after the winner is announced. I must confess, I’m so sorry to see that she was correct. This Sonoma home has been a positive gift from HGTV…please STOP with all the negativity. As I stated several months ago; Sonoma does not allow whiners,complainers,or nay-sayers to live here.So all you people that are complaining about EVERYTHING…please stay away. We welcome the Smith Family with open arms and hearts. I know that THEY will not have any complaints about HGTV or beautiful Sonoma.
Ingrid from Sonoma
And if it wasn’t (and I don’t believe that for a minute) then his “job” at HGTV is toast!
Congratulations to the winners of the beautiful Dream Home. They did seem surprised! To those of you who have ranted and complained about the selection process, perhaps you could contact the judging agency and re-read the rules of the contest to answer the questions and concerns that you have. It is unfortunate that one might expect to reap rewards over others who entered a contest with millions of entries, to the extent that person would slander HGTV and exhibit such hostility toward the selected winner. Perhaps those persons should reconsider entering such promotions in the future, sparing the rest of the world from the negativity that lies within the darkness of their thoughts.
I think it was great! HGTV does not have to do this. Why can’t we accept that something nice happened and be happy for them? Thanks HGTV for making a wish come true and making someone’s life a little better.
Congratulations Cheryl Smith and family. My only disappointment was that you were In Florida. Seems like so many winners, Green Homes were from your state. But then I connected with Lakeland, where the Tigers have spring training (or whatever it is called) and you have a son in Michigan. Then I thought of your sons and eight grandchildren. and how happy they would be to visit you in your Dream Home. Then I thought of how lucky you will be to meet the HGTV crew, the neighbors, and I hope those planning the SIS party. lovelykitty has been so great with her information, as have many others. I’m guessing that you bought your t-shirt at a sidewalk sale for $1.00 and I loved that you were barefoot.
Hated the negative comments. LOVED the positive ones.
I don’t care when the ambush took placed. What does it matter?
The winner was chosen by a FAIR process. If you don’t believe this, please don’t enter the contest again, and get off this blog.
Sorry, that doesn’t sound like me. I believe in dreams.
So have happy ones tonight. .
They were not even watching the giveaway on television when they were ambushed!!! LOL How funny is that???
Delise,
I am so sorry you were bothered by such ignorance. Look past them. The world is full of those people and you should not let them hold you from your dreams. There are just as many white felons out there or more than blacks or other races. In Sonoma there were 7 rapes, 90+ robberies, 250+ burglaries all in one year. Let me remind you…there are no blacks in Sonoma and about 1% is black in the entire Sonoma County population ratio. Sonoma is an all white town with a 0% African-American population in it. FYI
Sorry…Where’s my manners. Congratulations to the winners. My heart was beating fast for you. What a surprise!! Enjoy. I found that you can apply for an extension on your taxes owed with all government entities. Use those if you have to. Meanwhile enjoy it with all of your might. Maybe you can start a business out there and be able to stay. If your family does not stay with you, perhaps try the group home business. I’m sure your head is spinning right now. Mine would be. I personally would sell it. The market is slow out there. Good Luck..not that you need it…Play the lottery…couldn’t hurt. Stay safe.
Congratulations, to the Smith family. They seems like a nice family. Wish them all the the best. I hope that the next time around it will be a middle class family.At a time like this it is tough especially with children, struggling to make ends meet. Let’s hope for the best.
folks, folks!!! come on, this was a “RANDOM” drawing for the winner! I do not work for, nor am I affiliated in any way with HGTV – but come on – random means random. I do not for one minute believe that race or creed or colour or whether the person has skin or no skin – played any part of this “random drawing”. Who knows: next year’s “random drawing” may see someone with, let’s see: purple skin; single with septuplets; married w/1 or 2 or 3, etc., children; already a multi-millionaire; a businessman or businesswoman; OR someone with no income whatsoever; what else? hmm, I’m trying to remember all the other negative comments there have been. I mean, remember, please, that this is a DREAM HOME contest. DREAM being the key word here. Whether or not the winner keeps or sells the Dream Home – is THEIR business and it is still a dream which has been won! (my opinion)
I just want to add: thanks HGTV from the bottom of my heart! I truly have enjoyed this journey of dreams from the beginning and I can’t wait for next year’s “journey” to begin!! Hip, Hip Hooray for HGTV!!!
RIGHT ON, Katydid!!!
Hi Ya’ll
I read the comment from the other blogger named Hope (I’m HOPE (all caps))
I just wanted to say, we must trust that HGTV
Ok So It wasn’t live big deal. I was wondering why HGTV would ambush someone at 11 pm. (I’m in AZ it was 8 pm here)
Congrats to the Smiths!
WHEW….YEAH IT’S GETTIN’ DICEY ON THE OLE BLOG…BUT THIS TOO SHALL PASS….INGRID..YOU ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE….READING SOME OF THESE ENTRIES MAKES ME FEEL LIKE ALICE IN WONDERLAND…FALLING INTO A DARK TUNNEL OF BAD DREAMS….AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING INAPPROPRIATE I GUESS WE CAN BE GRATEFUL THAT OCTOMOM DIDN’T WIN THE DREAM HOME….(LET’S PRAY FOR THOSE BABIES AND CHILDREN SHE ALREADY HAS)….JUST WANT TO MENTION TO NEW BLOGGERS…DON’T ASSUME EACH BLOG YOU READ IS CREDIBLE….REALIZE ANYONE CAN AND WILL SAY ANYTHING….I AGREE WITH A PREVIOUS POST….READ THE RULES….REALIZE THIS IS A FREE SWEEPSTAKES…AND IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY…STAY AWAY…
Hi Ya’ll
I read the comment from the other blogger named Hope (I’m HOPE (all caps)) I just wanted to say, we must trust that HGTVis an honest and fair organization that has chosen to allow people from every walk of life to enjoy in the possibilty of owning a 2million dollar home. Whether your rich, poor, purple or green, WE ALL HAVE DREAMS &We must trust the fact that this a ramdom drawing, no human intervention, no computer bias & if you don’t agree with the legistics of this sweepstakes, then it is best not to apply. Maybe it will takes the sting out of losing.I truly understand how so many of you feel. It’s hard to have your dreams unfulfilled but we must keep our hopes up & and we must keep dreaming. If we look at a standard clock. The hand on the face of that clock doesn’t hit every second at once, but eventually it gets aroung to every second. IT JUST TAKES TIME.
HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SICK, BUT WHEN THE DESIRE COMETH IT IS TREE OF LIFE(this is some comforting words from our blessed Creator himself, PROVEREBS 13:12)KEEP HOPING and DREAMIN’
opps so many type O’s
Lily-Beth Reilly…I agree 100%. Let’s hope the negative comments disappear altogether,and we can all be excited for the Smiths. Ingrid from Sonoma
Congrats to the Smith’s!! Let’s stay positive and keep dreaming!!
How wonderful for you Mr. & Mrs. Smith! I wish you so much happiness in your new home.
If HGTV screens entries before they pick the winner then it is NOT a fair Random drawing, they are picking someone that THEY fell they want to win. Do they tell you on the roles that they screen people ahead of time and what do you have to do or have to meet this? I think it is time for all of us to move on to the next 2009 house and get that felling back that we maybe the next winner. Congrat to the Smith family.
Happy Tuesday, Bloggers and other California dreamers (present and past). Congratulations again to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Unfortunately, there were a lot of negative and profane comments (which proves our comments are not screened), but many of us wish you well. I believe “The List” joins me in that sentiment. I believe that it was Bonnie and Lovelykitty who warned us in December that comments turn brutal after the winner is announced.
My only regret is that a North Bay California resident didn’t win (namely jealous me), which would have probably increased the chances of them staying in the house. But, it’s the Smith’s house to do however they choose. If they don’t want to stay there, I’ve got my eye on some items in the house that I would LOVE to purchase, but I’m sure that they’ll spend SOME time in that lovely house.
Lovelykitty, JandVsmom, Jenny D, Bonnie B, Ingrid and Bobo, Katydid, are you all up for the SISBP? Lovelykitty, the date you gave April 12th is a Sunday not a Saturday – is that the date you’re suggesting to go play again in Sonoma?
Marie Miller and DBCoop, are you joining Gail on the Green House blog? Happy Dreaming, everyone – there’s always next year!
Interesting comments ranging from incredible disappointment to heartfelt joy for the family.
Hope this sets them and their entire family up for years to come. Whether they chose to move to California, or not–let’s hope they sell quickly and use the money as they dreamt about.
Echo a previous post, read all the rules before entering any give-away of any kind.
Was there this amount of bad talking about the last dream house and winner’s selection for that one?
Unsure of all the legalities of random, etc. but over and done with; let’s move on.
Just like many of you, i think that a more needy couple shouldve won. Like someone with kids and no house. Also, the house is so modern, i dont think older people should really occupy it. Its a waste.
Yes, I’m happy for the winners. But did any of you receive an increase in spam after entering this contest online? I cannot bear the thought that by entering this contest, it seems I’ve only increased the amount of spam and even junk mail via USPS!
At least this year’s winner showed some genuine emotion …I wonder if HGTV notifies the winner before they arrive @ their door though because if it were me I would have been jumping up and down screaming and crying.
No, I am sure this wasn’t a “live” ambush and I am just as sure they screen the winners so people who actually dream of owning a home like that better have a D&B number, live in a paradise already (Lakeland) and have enough wherewithal not to “bring anyone down.”
It may sound like sour grapes and perhaps a little of it is. All your “winners” seem like they are just moving from one dream home to another. And worry about taxes??? The winner before this house was already putting it up for sale before the hoopla died down.
Congratulations to all winners…we can’t all be that “lucky.” Maybe they can apply for some 0% loan the goverment is giving away. Whatever. Such good acting. Such good fortune. I will think positive. I am positive the winners are screened.
JB
Come on bloggers…if you don’t have something nice to say why post at all??? This is a totally random drawing. The winner is not chosen because of age, race, ethnicity, financial status or lack there of, personality, disability, hardship or any other accusation you can dream up. It is a random drawing. I applaud HGTV for ambushing the winner in advance. The rules state the winner will be contacted on OR ABOUT March 15th. I wish we could have seen more footage with the winner! She was very excited!!! I enjoyed wathcing the videos of her on HGTV. Although the rules do not state the winner should be a deserving one, I think she deserves this beautiful home as much as any of us who entered and perhaps she deserves it more!!! So again I say congratulations to Chery and enjoy your beautiful home in Sonoma!!!!!
Hi everyone. I can not believe all of this negativity for the winners and HGTV. These people won fair and square. Congrats to the Smith family. Thank you HGTV for giving ALL of us a chance to win this wonderful home!
There is one home and over 39 million entrys to win ONE home. Be for real people you all read the rules before entering and did not complain but now that is over you start?
There are 50 states and because two familys win in one state in two years you think it is rigged? A young couple with two children won last year and yet you complain because an older couple win it this year?
For all of you out there who have enjoyed this time on the blog, don’t be disheartened by a few nay sayers.
I hope to see many of you on the green home blog. I wil again enter and try my chances as all of you and be very happy for whoever wins as they deserve to win by just entering.
Thank you Ingrid for being such a gracious host. I hope you stop by the green home blog to say hi. Give BoBo a great big hug. Brenda you take care and play some wonderful music on your piano as I am sure you do
Jandav tell your little one hi and keep smiling. Have fun all with the party. I hope the Smith’s will be able to attend. To all of you who number more than I can remember at the moment it has been a blast. Thank you and God bless.
Cynthia Newland
Brenda: As much as I would like to be able to join you for the SISBP in Sonoma, it would be impossible for me to travel from Michigan, but thank you so much for thinking of me. What I would really love, if, on some blog, you could describe the activities, who is attending, PICTURES, etc. . That way I could be with you “in spirit”.
Because I wont be there in person, please thank Steve Ledson and Ingrid&BoBo. And of course, the HGTV crew, I look forward to seeing the video of our handsome Jack T handing the keys to Cheryl and Linda escorting her through the house. It would be nice to have some chicken and veggies in the fridge for them to make their first meal.
Gee, I’m still dreaming and I love it.
I’m putting all the negativity aside. I feel so sorry for all the folks who don’t understand what the HGTV Dream Home is all about.
Love to all dreamers
You know what we can all play the lotto and hope we win and we can enjoy homes just like the one in Sonoma
Everyone has thier turn, It just wasn’t ours yet but one day. Sometimes we have something better in store for us. Our blessings will come one day
Whatever? I also agree with the others, that a family with children should have won. Or someone that doesn’t own a house. So for all those of you who say your soooo happy for the couple….stay true to yourself and stop lying about how happy you are for them, unless your also retired and old.
Winning an HGTV dream home is something I’d love to happen to me when I’m retired and old….
I hope Coca Cola gave the winners enough money to be able to pay off the taxes on that prize so that there will finally be a Dream Home winner who can afford to keep their house.
Congratulations to Cheryl Smith and her family. YOU deserved to win!
Before I read this blog after the winner is chosen, I pray that this year the posts will be different. They aren’t. Most of the posts are filled with hatred and jealousy and just show that you hateful people SHOULD NOT have won! Thank GOD the people full of HATE did not win. Maybe this is why your entry wasn’t chosen? KARMA!
It is the same thing year after year. If a family wins, then the house should go to a couple without children. If an older couple wins, then the house should have been won by a younger couple with or without kids. If a retired person wins, then the house should be given to a working family, etc. etc. etc. What is wrong with so many of you that you begrudge this winner her prize when she did exactly what all of us did…she entered a contest….FREELY.
I’m surprised year after year that HGTV still builds these homes. They get so much grief from sore losers that I wonder if it is even worth it to them.
I am constantly amazed at the mean spirited people that frequent this blog. Oh by the way, just because a person doesn’t post does not mean they do not read this blog and they deserve to win just as much as anyone.
I know on the Blog Cabin, people actually asked if the bloggers could have MORE entries than those that didn’t post. What NERVE these people have to even think they are MORE entitled than others.
My mother always told me that WHINERS never win. It looks like that is true. Keep whining people because you are only showing your TRUE self, and that self is disgusting and undeserving!
Another letdown.
Bring back Joan – she is the best.
The new woman bringing the good news was just
awful. Another winner from Florida. Hmmmmm
Everyone,,,don’t be so hateful towards the couple who won. They will find out soon enough that this “dream home” will most likely be placed on the market within days of winning. We all forget that unless they can afford the “gift tax” (which is 45-50% of the value, of the prize) a whopping $800,000-$1,000,000 they will have no choice but to place it on the market. One of the tour guides said in the 12 years of the dream home, only 1 winner was able to actually move in. They seem like a lovely, genuine couple and I hope they can live in the “dream home” and have all 8 grand children playing in the back yard, if not, I pray they can sell it in this tough market for enough to cover the tax. A new construction home built in the same community, sat on the market for 2 years for an offering price of 4 million, and finally sold for 2 million. So even here in Sonoma, real estate has had a down-turn. You can thank good old Uncle Sam for the harsh tax laws!
I was just happy that these Smiths were genuine people and GRATEFUL.
AC, just cos they’re retired and own their own home doesn’t mean we should judge them and assume that their lives have been a bed of roses. They lived as Cheryl said ‘in no-man’s land’, their house is probably worth 150K.
They just seemed like a couple who’d worked all their lives and would have a smile on their face even if they were living in a studio apartment in the Florida ghetto.
So yes, I’m ecstatic for them and whatever they decide to do with the house, I hope they’re as happy as it looks like they’ve always been.
I wasn’t able to watch the show on TV but viewed the video clips online. Congratulations to the Smith’s! The geniune surprise and enthusiasm was very refreshing. They seem to be truly deserving of such a fabulous prize. Married 44 years…WOW…and they appear to be loving, active grandparents. Good luck to you in all your decision making in the coming months. Thanks HGTV for making someone’s dream come true.
seriously… you all need to get a life! it’s a contest with stated rules… you didn’t win… who really cares? I’m amazed how many people put energy into this.
I actually toured the Dream Home and wasn’t all that impressed. They said that it was built in six months, and it showed. They should have used shoe molding to cover the gaps where the hardwood didn’t met the baseboard. The colors were too over the top in the living room and master, and I didn’t care for light fixtures, but that isn’t something that can’t be changed. Victorian isn’t my taste anyway.
The reality for almost anyone who wins these Dream Homes is that they can’t afford to keep the home. It is in a neighborhood of other Victorian style homes, and several are for sale, with pricetags starting at 1 million. The fact that Ledson has offered to buy it back should make them jump on it, however, I doubt that he’d pay 2 million for it. I certainly wouldn’t. Also, the house directly across the street from it is a SHACK. It most likely was there before the neighborhood was developed by Ledson. Anyway, of course I wish the best for the winners and hope that they come away with some money from the sale which most likely has already taken place. Good luck!!
I am ashamed of the people on here that have posted such nasty things. How dare you sit there and say that the Smith family doesn’t deserve it because they are older or because they own a home already. It is a terrible thing to try pull the race card as well. Yes, there are people suffering due to the economy, BUT they have hope. Things will get better. EVERYONE that entered knew there was a very good chance that they would not win. Don’t make the Smiths cry when they read the blog. You all know that they entered online, so chances are they read the blogs too! Don’t even think for a moment that the winner was “chosen” and it wasn’t just pure luck. I would have loved to win this house, but I didn’t and just because I already have a house doesn’t mean I didn’t deserve to win. Fair is fair. The Smiths won and I sure hope they don’t read the terrible things that some of you have posted (you know who you are and you should feel about two inches tall right now) but if they do I hope they let it roll right off their shoulders and enjoy their dream home. Remember it’s called DREAM HOME GIVEAWAY for a reason, not realistic home but DREAM HOME!
To the Smith family from my family, ENJOY your new home!!!
Congrats, I hope all goes well for the winners and will be able to keep the house a for a lot longer than all the previous winners. Having a house in Sonoma, CA is truly a dream come true.
Congrats to the Smith family. I hope they
atleast go out to see the dream home. I know
if I had won it. My husband and I said that
we could afford maybe a year of living there.
Then we would have to sell the home.
I was disappointed that so many people were so negative about either them not winning or
because the Smiths were white and not homeless or poor. Sore loosers I guess. Enjoy
your new home!
Our country is in tough times with practically everyone suffering in many the same ways and otherwise. Greed has certainly put its stamp on many of our citizens. Why can we not be happy for another when something good comes along? Think! Whoever wins anything must be able to accept the responsibility of taxes, upkeep, etc. that goes along with ownership…this lasts a lifetime! Hard working people are just as entitled to have something given to them as anyone else; most successful individuals, including those who may already be retired, have made sacrifices to have obtained their goals. We all have choices in life and most often the end result reflects these choices we have made. Thank you HGTV for being so generous and adding to the excitement and zest of life for those who really care about others. You are appreciated.
Has an apartment dweller ever won a house? All of the winners I’ve seen already have a home. Just asking…
i love this program because so we can get idea how decorate a house please please i dream to win i need to fix my kitchen and my house im no working right , AND I FEEL REALLY SAD BECAUSE I WANT TO DECORATE MY HOUSE BUT I CAN’t DO IT
Check out what I found in one of the other posts in this blog. It was posted by Kevin Potter. Thank you Kevin for letting us all know this…
“I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble, but this probably wouldn’t be the best prize for a retired couple to accept. First of all, if they are on Medicare, Medicaid or are receiving anything from Social Security they will lose those benefits. Then at the first of 2010 they will have to pay 35% Federal Income tax and 10.3% CA state income tax on the ARV of $2,052,450 for a total of $929,760 in income taxes, not including the $23,000 annual property taxes; first half due in November and the other half due in February. And if they can’t afford that and wish to take out a mortgage to pay for the taxes the monthly payment on that would be $7,447 per month, or so. And if they decide to sell the house within the first 2 years and since it will most likely not be their primary residence it will be considered an investment property. The winners already have a home in Florida, and most likely won’t be able to sell it in time to take over ownership by the date HGTV chooses. Capital Gains tax will have to be paid unless they do a 1031 exchange and use all the money to buy another house, which the taxes would be a 35% federal capital gains tax + 10.3% state capital gains tax on the sales price of the house (assuming it sales for $1,800,000) for a total of $815,400 in capital gain taxes. Leaving them with $307,290 minus any other taxes and fees they may need to pay after it’s all said and done.“
I sent him a message and we’ve talked… he is so smart and knows a lot about finances. The winners should talk to someone like him to know fully what they are getting into. You can even look him up in the UT, CA, or AZ Department of Insurance databases… just google it and you can find him. HGTV doesn’t allow anybody to post their contact info so you’ll have to do a little research. Or just click on my name below and do a search there, much easier. I’m still happy for the winners and I hope they can keep the house for a very long time and have the home of their dreams…
Congratulation to the winning family. All the very best
I thought the home was beautiful but the winner’s were not very good actors. My sister,her husband and myself went to South Carolina last June and was wanting to tour the Dream Home there. We went to the Hospitality Center and ask to go on a tour and the lady told us the tours had stopped 2 weeks before. I laughed and told her it was okay because I was going to win it anyway. Her response was,”No you aren’t because the winners were here 2 weeks ago to see the house”. I said I thought it was suppose to be a surprise and she said “No way”. after I saw the winner’s this year and what bad actors they were then I knew the lady was right. She also said that most of the winner’s couldn’t keep the houses because of the high taxes for winning the house. She said that the taxes and other legal obligations would be several hundred of thousands dollars. If it isn’t a surprise please don’t make the winner’s fake a srprise because it makes them look stupid. I was totally shocked to find out it wasn’t a surprise. The tour for the house in South Carolina cost $20.00 a person and I thought this was a little ridiculous. I wanted to say that I have been really disappointed in the deception of the show.
In response to Marry June’s comment – Wow, that info sure makes me not want to enter any more Dream Home contests. We’re better off (and stand more chance: JUST MY OPINION) winning the lottery. To the winners: Congrats on your new headache! LOL
You know what I have been in the background reading these posts and boy oh boy how mean people can be. How jealous, how ugly you posters that made all those nasty comments about the Smiths. I must admit I was somewhat disappointed that I didn’t win, but I knew that with 39 million people entering would only be “the luck of the draw”. I am over that now because I realize that this was not for me and that there is something much better for me. Realistically, I could have not afforded this house, the taxes, the upkeep and God knew that and so he saved me as He did with you haters. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Jealous hearted people never get nothing good. Maybe it was not your time; can’t you be happy for someone for once in your lives? Stop all your bickering and complaining and be appreciative for somebody other than your selfish self. God forgive you, for you know not what you do!
Now, with that being said, I am going to enter again for the Green Home and if I don’t win that, then there’s next year and the year after that and the year after that. Remember, the Smith’s entered every year for 10 years before they won! Remember quitters never win and winners never quit.
To the Smiths, God bless you on your endeavor to try to keep that beautiful home in Sonoma. I, too, have grandchildren, but not as many as you, and I know they will love your new backyard and family bar-be-ques. Whatever you do, pray and ask God for guidance and he will lead you to the right decision. Congratulations again and I hope you enjoy your first walk-through in your new home.
Ok, I hope Scarlet A’s comment was not true! If it is, I am highly disappointed in HGTV! What a shame!
I am also so happy to see the winners enjoyment. This is one beautiful home and my husband and I fell in love with it when we toured. I was so happy to finally have one in California so I could tour in person. I can’t wait to see the video of winners weekend.
I LOVE the idea of a a GREEN home here in FL. Hope my
husband and I are the winners! (No offense to anyone of you ~ if we can’t, we hope it’s you ~ smile.)
I watch the HGTV channel (and the Green channel) all the time. Love the idea of great green ideas. Can’t wait!
Wish my trailer was as a good as their OLD home. Can’t help for feelin’ a lil jealous.
I was soooo wanting to win this house
but I’m soooo very happy for this wonderful family! It seams they deserve that house!! Congrats to them!!! God bless!!
Hello All
I’m laughing at many of the comments who offered their thoughts on “why” they shouldn’t had won or that only “white” win. Can’t you all just be happy for the wonderful couple who won! If you won, would you want to read all the negative comments left about you? jealousy is so not cool! Have hearts of gratitude and you too could be a recipient of something this awesome!! Good luck to all of you as you continue on trying to win the houses! It’s TRUE! It can happen to any of you! In the mean time, lets all be HAPPY for the the Smiths and their family!
Thanks HGTV for giving your viewers something to look forward to every year.. Also LOVE the Green home! What a FANTASTIC idea! Congratulations to the Smith’s,hope this will make your retirement more enjoyable.
I thought I read that this couplke isn’t even interested in moving to California…then why enter the contest??? The ambush was definitely scheduled as you can tell she is excited, but over doing it for the tv. Plus, don’t you find it suspicious she has on a brand new bright re coca-cola t-shirt??? I am sure that is one of the sponsors and they asked her to wear it for the “ambush”. Too bad.
Ijust wanted to say cograts to the winner
and to say all you people need to grow up and act like adults .and if you had of won that house how would you have paid the taxes i mean really get real they say you win it but look at the taxes who could afford it with the economy the way that it is and if you did sell it you wouldn’t get that much.i am thankful that i have my doublewide its a roof over my head a place for my kids to sleep and i don’t owe hundred of thoundsands of dollars on it
HELLO FIRST TIME HERE ITS GOOD WHAT HDTV DOES FOR PEOPLE AND IT SHOW WHAT WE SHOULD ALL DO ARE PART ON GOING GREEN PASS IT ON FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN “GOOD LUCK TO ALL” AND TO ALL A GOO D NIGHT
I would like to know if the winner is acutually ramdonly selected from a big bin in which all the enteries are placed in. I always enter online, so all the entries in which people enter online are printed out and put in this bin for the day of the drawing? I just want to thank HGTV for making dreams come true. I love HGTV, it’s #1 for me. I look forward to seeing the 2010 HGTV Dream Home being built in my beautiful Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. Good Luck to All!
If you cant afford to buy a home RaSha then you wouldn't be able to pay the taxes or utilities on this size house… I don't think you realize what goes into owning a home. Its more than just the note. There is alot of up keep after a few years too. Could someone that cant afford to buy or is renting take on such responsibilities? HGTV has put alot of time and money into building such a beautiful home and want to make sure that it is going to be kept that way.
BOO HOO, get over not winning!
Amen to this! This blog needs more viewers like you.
Wow, shame on you for wishing that on anybody. This mad over a blog comment? Geez people.
Just so you know, as the Dream Homer WInner's granddaughter, although the taping may not have been the actual night that the show was aired, they were certainly surprised and overwhelmed. It shocks and offends me at all of the rude accusations and comments, when this is a fair and honest RANDOM DRAWING… my grandparents entered for ten years and never thought they'd win in a million years. It was truly a blessing and HGTV was so good to them throughout the experience. I saw the dream home in person, it was beautiful and I could only dream of living in Sonoma one day. (Our family was in one of the videos, I was one of the grandkids on the porch, tehe) God has truly blessed our entire family from this experience, and thanks to Him my grandparents are gong to live a financially comfortable, fulfilling life and accomplish everything they desire; they are the most deserving people I know, and we are all deeply grateful and are all overjoyed from the experience. Thank you to all of the positive bloggers, and shame on the negative ones that claim HGTV is rigged. Not so people, not so!