Mary

Contributor to HGTV Dream Home

Mar 12

How We Choose the Dream Home Winner

Nervous? Excited? Can’t wait for Monday night? Me too. Today, Super Fan presents a “How We Select the Winner” Tutorial. Watch and learn.

Posted at 4:17 pm

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  • 1,156 Comments

1,156 Comments

  1. Do they ambush at 7? or is it already decided? My daughter is so hopeful, she's 7 and cleaned our yard and front porch, in the middle of winter! How cute right? I hope that I am blessed with this oppurtunity. But if not I hope that the winner is one that truly deserves and appreciates the blessing of a new home and vehical. God bless!
    Megan

    Megan on March 15, 2010 at 7:41 pm
  2. I'm really interested in what type of Home the Winner currently Owns or Rent…They may already own a Dream Home in other folks eyes…Gonna be glued to the TV tonight .this is gonna be a sight to see…Omg and if the Winner have a Lovely Home Already…The Blogs will be full chatter…GOOD LUCK TO THE WINNER.
    Enjoy Life

    Lyn on March 15, 2010 at 7:53 pm
  3. It would be so cool if for mine & my husband's 30th Wedding Anniversary (YODAY!!!) We'd win this home! Either that or a home makeover….ours after 23 yrs is falling apart!

    Debi Hamel on March 15, 2010 at 7:55 pm
  4. I am so excited……I live in as/w mobile and this home seems like being in heaven!!!!A drunk driver hit my husband and I yrs ago, I lost my husband then……I think he is really living up there, in this home!!!!!! congratulations to the winner!!!!

    sandy on March 15, 2010 at 7:59 pm
  5. ~To The Winner – After the Initial Shock wears off-You Most Certainly Have Been Blessed & Take Care of that Gorgeous Beauty of a 2010 HGTV Dream Home !

    Linda Lee on March 15, 2010 at 8:04 pm
  6. I so hope I lucky enough/blessed enough to win this one the day before my wedding anniversary but now I’m not even home. How do they handle that?

    Gwendolyn on March 15, 2010 at 3:21 pm
  7. My husband started life off in a trailer in Arizona. He loves the desert and would dearly love to go back. It would be a dream come true for me to be able to tell him he could by winning the house. He is a nuclear physacist but loves the outdoors and Los Alamos is close by where hopefully he could find a job.

    Sheila Voyles on March 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm
  8. I have to go pick out my outfit so that I look good when you ring my doorbell later!!! ;)

    Dawn on March 15, 2010 at 8:36 pm
  9. Oh Lord, pleeeaaase send them to my home!!!!!! The minutes seem like days until the reveal!!

    Angel G. Tx on March 15, 2010 at 8:39 pm
  10. has winner already been notified?

    R Ferral on March 15, 2010 at 8:42 pm
  11. New Mexico is where my husband and I go almost every 2nd year………..we wanted to live there, but the grandkids are here. Earl is a carver and I am a painter, we feel as if NM is our home not DC. My brother lives there also so we would always stay with him. If we won we would be creating a retreat for all our family and friends in this economy. We would share in all we had. Of all the places you've built a house this is the one we delight in………….thank you HGTV for all your great ideas and shows. chris mann in virginia

    Christine H. Mann on March 15, 2010 at 8:48 pm
  12. can't wait so excited …

    shunda on March 15, 2010 at 8:51 pm
  13. YES…YES…YES!!!!! AMEN!!!

    DREAMTIME on March 15, 2010 at 8:52 pm
  14. I truely HOPE the winner is someone who REALLY NEEDS the hme–someone who will appreciate the BEAUTIFUL home..someone who doesn't own a home now & maybe has NEVER been a home owner-LIKE ME!!(and a few other hundreds of thousands of people)..I feel sure the winner already knows who he or she is but..just in case, I stil have my fingers crossed & will HOPE til the very end!!
    GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!!

    Joni on March 15, 2010 at 8:54 pm
  15. i would shout shout shout. a dream come through. what a wonderful birthday gift.

    lynn on March 15, 2010 at 4:06 pm
  16. I just can’t wait for the winner! It would be so wonderful to win this house! My kids, husband & I would really love to have a place to call home. We are a military family moving from place to place. My youngest boy just had his first birthday yesterday & my husband’s birthday is today. That would be an awesome surprise. Good luck to you all and God Bless!

    Denise on March 15, 2010 at 4:09 pm
  17. I am suprised at the people who say that the winner should be punished or somehow ashamed if they sell the Dream House. Most people would not be able to afford the taxes(which will amount to many hundreds of thousands of dollars). If you can afford to pay those taxes without selling, more power to you…but I sure can't! It would still be wonderful to win! The proceeds from the house would be great!

    Rosanna on March 15, 2010 at 9:15 pm
    • I agree. And Imagine how many people could benifit if the home was sold. I would buy a house and donate it to a local needy family, and help all my family out. The home would be amazing, but in reality I'd probably have to sell eventually. And with the profits, I'd attempt mini ambushes. I would give anything to be able to help families have a home as well as having a home of my own.

      Megan on March 15, 2010 at 10:36 pm
  18. They should really have enough of a cash prize to pay for the taxes of winning the house + say… 5 years of property taxes. I know they give you 500k too, but i doubt that covers the income tax on winning the house after you pay the taxes for winning the 500k.

    Blair on March 15, 2010 at 10:09 pm
  19. They say 13 is an unlucky number but today march 15 is our 13 anniversary come on ambush us
    please !! I love the desert.

    jon westray on March 15, 2010 at 10:17 pm
    • I have hope that there's still a chance for all of us to feel the surprise! God Bless to you and yours. Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

      Megan on March 15, 2010 at 10:33 pm
  20. I keep reading the thousands of comments! And I get happy and my hope continues. Then I come across the ones saying they already ambushed the winners… But according to the rules its on or about the 14th, the 15th is about. So I hope its still waiting arrival, and the last year it was a night ambush. So to all those still praying and hoping with me good luck. Dreams can't come true enless you have faith and dream. SO DREAM Away! I'm dreaming, and I hope as I watch the show my front door appears on my tv, followed by a knock. And then my luck. I jump up and down, to injure my already broken toe. Yep.. Doorbell rang and I ran. Right into a door, broke my toe and now can hardly waddle. Only to find my hubby's buddy sitting on my couch. :) GOOD LUCK!

    Megan on March 15, 2010 at 10:31 pm
  21. It's really exciting to even have a chance to enter a contest like this. With the economy the way it is, I'm sure there is sooooo many deserving people out there. Either way, I know the right person will win this beautiful gift. I will be glued to my tv , I can't wait. All the best to those that entered!!!!

    Elisheba on March 15, 2010 at 10:34 pm
  22. After listening to Mary tell how the winner is chosen, the odds are so great and the mailed bins choice versus the emailed entries [?] choice selection process unexplained, it is pointless to even consider rushing home, West Coast, to beat the East Coast entry deadline. Each of the past few years' homes has held special meaning for me, i.e., I met and married my late husband in Florida. One of my daughters studied viniculture and worked in three vineyards of the wine country of California. We toured each year, getting to know owners and getting discounts on great yields and that home resembled the one in which I grew up in South Carolina.

    Mary Biggs on March 15, 2010 at 11:02 pm
  23. Dear patkasper – thank you for thinking of me. I am blessed to have people think of me even those I do not know.

    Hawk Bethany Lessard on March 15, 2010 at 6:08 pm
  24. But New Mexico holds really special memories for me. I have flown into ALBQ and driven with NM former USAF friends or rented a vehicle and driven up the Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe. En route is a tiny hamlet a short distance off to the left side of the highway that has a bar named "MARY'S BAR" where we have always stopped and had an ice cold beer and some good friendly conversation with the male bartender, usually one of the owners. Of course, I call it my bar.

    Mary Biggs on March 15, 2010 at 11:08 pm
  25. This has been a very exciting time and may God bless the winner

    marionhicks on March 15, 2010 at 6:11 pm
  26. This is so awesome, but I just want to know already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    tori on March 15, 2010 at 11:17 pm
  27. The terrain and natural scenery in NM is incomparable. There is another tiny hamlet on farther that has apple orchards and a vineyard with apple wine that is very good and sells off the square in Taos; but my favorite spot to stay is the La Fonda in Santa Fe where a cold one is available in the Bar and usually a handsome Latino who enjoys dancing with a blue-eyed redhead, great art galleries, Potter Bookstore, et al.. But alas, my dreams of watching sunsets, mountain coloration changes, entertaining, painting, writing, plus replacement of 4th Qtr 2008 retirement losses were for naught. I did not win; but I can dream, can't I?

    Mary Biggs on March 15, 2010 at 11:19 pm
  28. Wow. What a beautiful house this is. Good luck to everyone!

    Guest on March 15, 2010 at 11:23 pm
  29. I just want to say GOD BLESS everyone because everyone needs prayer. There are a lot of people out there and i have went to this website everyday looked at the house top to bottom like i know they are going to pick me or something. I wish the best of luck to the winner and I hope they are very appreciative because winning something so special as your own home is fantastic. I wish everyone the best. and GODBLESS

    dominique on March 15, 2010 at 6:29 pm
  30. Why are some folks still thinking that the HGTV ambush team could still show up at their door tonight??; it's already a done deal. The winner knows they won !!!!

    gremol on March 15, 2010 at 11:35 pm
  31. I think I WON!!!! Being I have four while vans and three black suburbans out front!!

    John bipbobship on March 15, 2010 at 6:50 pm
    • It's probably the SWAT Team. Somebody gave them the wrong address. Congratulations to the winner and good luck to all of us next year.

      Will on March 16, 2010 at 1:16 am
  32. I’m so angry I haven’t won! I guess this familia was not meant to have anything! We don’t have Jack $hit

    John bipbobship on March 15, 2010 at 6:53 pm
  33. Good luck to all. I can’t wait to see who the winner is and where they are from. I’ve been entering in the HGTV sweepstakes since 2002. Most of the winners have been from the east coast.

    MK on March 15, 2010 at 6:55 pm
  34. Its always dark in the background when they are getting ready to announce the winner. Another eastern standard time winner.

    MK on March 15, 2010 at 7:06 pm
  35. State of Louisiana. At least we have a winner that is in the central time region. They definitely did this in advance because its already night time in the background. I’m in Texas right now…its 7:05pm and its still sunny outside.

    MK on March 15, 2010 at 7:09 pm
  36. I just hope this time the person that wins it actually keeps the house and lives in it. I know that is exactly what I would do…

    Becca Wilkinson on March 16, 2010 at 12:10 am
  37. okay, they just gave another clue as to where the winner is… New Orleans. That's great but come-on seems a bit set-up if you ask me.

    SCD on March 16, 2010 at 12:15 am
  38. Good Luck everyone! :)

    Ingrid G., Lumberton, NJ

    Ingrid K. Guerra, NJ on March 16, 2010 at 12:29 am
  39. How can I enter into the next HGTV Dream Home Giveaway?

    Myeesiah Lyles on March 16, 2010 at 12:55 am
    • Wait till January 1, 2011. That's the normal time for the dream home giveaway to start taking entries. This year's green home giveaway should start on April 16th.

      dreamn_again on March 16, 2010 at 7:13 pm
  40. Just wondering here. What if they chose someone who is a lazy piece of crap, never worked a day in their life, has been on public assistance forever, let's their yard grow up to the heavens, has a car on blocks in front of their trailer house…..etc. How would they deal with that? Give it to them anyway. Or, a bunch of meth freaks, child molesters, and the like. I know they must have to check folks out before showing up. I am happy for the woman who won, don't get me wrong. She lived through Katrina and needs a medal. Just wondering the rest of the story.

    skooterdog1 on March 16, 2010 at 1:19 am
    • hey big skooter dog be areal man and not talk hatejesus was apoor man too ,living off his parents before he decidedto get out walk away, and they didnt pay for plumbing water or food ,they grew it in there tall weeds in there back yards and partied on wine and sang songs like we do now in americathe women doesnt even need a house, she was built oneallready by the freestate of massouri. heck they built her a home away from katrina but she doesnt look lie shes happy for another onemaybe shell come visit my neighbors in ohio ,obama is here just lie you talking loudsayinnothing,getmyass back to work im 55 ineed ahouse to sell just tosuport my familyouta here.

      catdoglover on March 16, 2010 at 3:31 am
      • My GOD, can you not read or write? Your post is horrific to say the least. I suppose because you have no education, or are messed up in some way. I too have feelings about this alleged "drawing" as I feel it is rigged.Yeah, the drawing "happened" tonight, but yet they had footage of her Katrina house and such. I am not a fool. What I said initially, I believe is true. They will not give it to an uneducated, piece of crap person, welfare family and the like. They made it look mighty good though by giving it to a person hard hit by Katrina. A doctor no less. What are the chance of that happening in the "real" world? None

        skooterdog1 on March 16, 2010 at 5:01 am
        • I'm smiling skooterdog1 (love your moniker, by the way!) even though I disagree with you. I am no Pollyanna, believe me … however, this is a RANDOM drawing. So what are the chances of this happening in the "real" world? I'd say "1 in 40 million+", which is pretty darn slim … that's still a far better chance than None, which IS your chance of winning if you did not enter the contest at all!

          Both_sides_now on March 16, 2010 at 7:43 am
    • They'd probably disqualify someone with a long criminal record, or is a registered sex crime offender, or is on a state list of deadbeat dads who don't pay child support. That's what the official rules are for regarding "reserves the right to conduct a background check". The ambush doesn't have to take place at the winner's residence, in the past they've done it at the winner's workplace or out at a public restaurant, which the winner was lured to…

      dreamn_again on March 16, 2010 at 7:08 pm
    • HGTV reserves the right to change the winner for pretty much any reason it wants. You have to read all the rules to find that bit of info. Someone else could have won but they'd never know it.

      Observer on March 17, 2010 at 5:07 am
    • Why introduce such negativity? And your inference seems to be that's there something underward in the "rest of the story."

      nth on March 22, 2010 at 4:54 am
  41. Congratulations to Dr. Myra. I have to move by next year. I'm wondering if Dr. Myra wants to pass her home down to a needy person such as myself. I'm low-income disabled and am n the process of trying to buy a home through HomeSight's and HUD. It's a program where you use your section 8 voucher and a small down payment to buy a hopefully cheap house.
    I'm looking for a house that I can afford around $80-90 thousand dollars. Sounds impossible. But maybe someone out there has a house they are willing to sell or giveaway for cheap?
    I can hope can't I? My dream is to own a stick built house aka a real house.
    Thanks HGTV for the chance to win. I'm disappointed I didn't win but feel very happy for the winner!
    Regards,
    Kathy Teehan-Scott

    Kathryn Teehan-Scott on March 16, 2010 at 1:40 am
  42. My 12 year old was the one who suggested we enter this sweepstakes, everyday she would come home from school asking me if I had entered. This would be such a blessing for her and I after losing our home in a foreclosure in 2007.

    Chelisa Cunningham on March 15, 2010 at 8:47 pm
  43. are you kiddihg me.New orlens,black,everything has to be politically correct in the age of Obama !

    fred on March 16, 2010 at 3:03 am
  44. When is the winner for the 2010 Dream Home in New Mexico going to be picked??

    Josephina Sanchez Walker

    Josie Sanchez Walker on March 16, 2010 at 3:14 am
  45. just watched the videos.YOU said her card was drawn from a bin she said she entered everyday on the computor WAS THIS RIGGED ?????

    fred on March 16, 2010 at 3:30 am
  46. Just watched the videos. You said the winner was picked out of the bin.The winner said she entered everyday on the computer. Whats going on here.

    fred on March 16, 2010 at 3:40 am
    • virtual bin. They put the mailed in entries into real bins, and the online entries into virtual bins, all with the exact same number of entries. Using a mechanical hopper with ping pong balls numbered for each bin, real and virtual, they randomly select a bin number. Once the randomly selected bin is known, they randomly select the winner from that bin. This way every entry has the same random chance of winning, whether it was online or mailed in.

      dreamn_again on March 17, 2010 at 3:59 pm
  47. It is rigged. Plain and simple.

    skooterdog1 on March 16, 2010 at 4:39 am
    • As badly as I don't want to admit it, I believe you are right on this. There has to be research into finalists, perhaps, and they choose the person that fits certain criteria. Someone that "sells" the whole thing. They obviously know, in advance, that the person isn't a crackhead or a toothless slob or anything that won't be attractive to the tv audience. It's nuts for people to not see that it's a controlled outcome.

      southernbelle65 on March 16, 2010 at 2:13 pm
    • I cannot believe that someone who entered everyday was not watching the giveaway. If I saw them pull up to my house, I would be out the door dancing in the streets. Who do they talk to for information on winner before the show. Hmmmmm

      Diane Glidden on March 17, 2010 at 4:04 pm
    • I'm with you, its rigged notice that a person won from New Orleans not from NYC.I guess all
      the rich live in NY!!!!!!

      dandydonc on March 18, 2010 at 5:04 am
  48. Really dissapointed in the out come and sorry for every minute spent entering the darn info every night those minutes could have been well spent with my 3 beautiful boys one wich has cystic fibrosis age 3 he is wonderful and strong, i prayed we could move away from this freeway into gorgeous mountains and fresh air for his lungs where i could spend more time with all three. I should know as any tv program promos its all about publicity RIGGED!

    Deedles on March 16, 2010 at 12:03 am
  49. I have to say that the winners never look impressed or exited when they hear the news, i would be jumping and and kissing . . . i don't know something to express my happiness.
    Coengratulations anyway!
    Mee

    Mee on March 16, 2010 at 5:49 am
  50. meant to say yet by chance this is a miracle for myra and her family, congrats on such a wondeful gift i hope you will enjoy an appreciate your beautiful home and pray still for those that have less than yourself. Congrats!!

    Deedles on March 16, 2010 at 12:59 am

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