Jan
28
Design Ideas from HGTV Dream Home
Happy Friday!
Today, Super Fan shares some decorating ideas from HGTV Dream Home 2011. Replicating these looks at home would be a cinch.
Before we get to the video, I thought I’d address some blog questions.
What is the speed limit on the road near HGTV Dream Home 2011?
Speed limits are five miles per hour on Lift Line Drive and 50 miles per hour on Mountain Road.
Can the winner rent out HGTV Dream Home 2011 to vacationers?
Yes. Home owners in Spruce Peak occasionally rent out their homes.
Will there be powder for winter activities when the home is given away in March?
Most likely. Visit UVM.edu to check snow depths at the top of Mt. Mansfield
When I saw this house I was blown away. The possibilities are endless! I am a mother of a 6 year old boy with Autism and a 18 month old little girl. The sight of the ski dorm gave me a great idea. If I were to win this house I would start a foundation that would give an opportunity to other families with children on the spectrum to go on a family retreat to Stowe Vermont at the Dream Home!! What a great time the children would have! I'd talk to some of the resorts about setting up a program for children with autism to enjoy the winter activities with their families. Since I've thought about all I can do for these families it's all I can think of!! And of course what fun my son would have with his cousin who is the same age and also on the spectrum
It would be amazing to share this fantastic space! I'll keep entering every day and praying that I get to make my wish come true. Thank you HGTV!
I found this nice poem that I thought y'all might enjoy…..
Never Let Go Of Hope
One day you will see that it all has finally come together.
What you have always wished for has finally come to be.
You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself,
"How did I get through all of that?"
Just never let go of hope.
Just never quit dreaming.
And never let love depart from your life.
~ Jancarl Campi ~
Thanks, funfordot–I love the poem's perspective.
So beutiful and so true funfordot. Thank you for sharing this poem.
This is my first time in my life writing a blog. And i really really want to win this house.
. May god bless you all with all the happiness
I am 27 year old and mother of 3 beautiful kids. Recently got divorced and i pray to god to help me win this house amd make my dreams and my kids dreams come true. This house is much more then just a dream house to me. This is one place which will give me and my beautiful kids a reason to live and become a happy family that my kids deserve. I know alot of people out there have big dreams and hopes about winning this house but for me this seems to be my life. I look at this house every change i get and i can just imagine my kids in the living room. in the kitchen having breakfast. Past few years i have spent in tears but this is something i just can't wait for. I know i am going to win this house all i need is everyone's support. Thanks you so much for reading
I do have one question. I live in california and when it coomes to entering something i do it in the morning and some times i don't get the chance to i have to wait untill evening. Someone explain me about the entering times please. I don't want to enter 2 times in a day on each website.
Also i am so grateful to all the people who made this dream house a true dream home.
Ruby, the contest is run on Eastern Time Zone. So any entry after 9:00P.M. Pacific time is an entry for the next day. An entry before 9:00P.M. is an entry for today. I usually enter after 9 before I go to bed. Then if I forget I enter in the morning.
Wow the Dream Home for 2011 is beautiful but would not expect anything less. I haven't seen snow since 1975 where I live what a great oportunity! I will be dreaming of being theat lucky person until the winner is drawn just as every year past.
So glad you're on the blog, Louisefaith. You fit in well here.
Is there a main floor guest bathroom?
yess
Look at the photos sections of the online tour for more details like the powder room is in the entry way photo section photos #11 – #14.
Well, I found answers to my questions about taxes and operating costs, no thanks to this blog. From what I've read, this dream house becomes a financial nightmare for the winners.
According to other websites, the federal and state tax liability due upon winning this $2,000,000 sweepstakes will be in the area of $700,000, so you can immediately kiss that half million bucks goodbye, and dig into your life savings (assuming you have any) for the rest.
(cont)
Are you sure about that?????
That information has been on this blog MANY times, so if you didn't find it here ("no thanks to this blog"), you weren't looking. Read what others have to say and you'll learn about the taxes and many other things about the DH.
Some winners have taken out a mortgage on the house to pay the taxes and then found they couldn't afford the payments plus the maintenance costs on the property, and the dream house has gone into foreclosure. This has happened on something like 7 of the last 9 dream homes.
(cont)
Unless you are a millionaire, the only practical thing to do if you win is to opt for a cash buyout of $1,000,000, pay the taxes on that, and go to a movie with what's left over.
So, all you dreamers out there (like me), get out the smelling salts and take a good long whiff of reality.
For the skeptics, I suggest you Google "GHTV Dream House" and see if what I've posted here is right or wrong.
If the winner accepts the cash prize option, their income taxes on the prize winnings are based on that total amount $500,000 + cash option + car, not the value of the dream home they didn't receive, and they'll still end up with hundreds of thousands of dollars after all income taxes are paid. A private sale of the home before April 15th 2012 might produce more. Milton who won the beautiful Maryland HGTV dream home was contacted by a local real estate agent before he ever saw his prize for himself with a legitimate offer. Most of the "nightmare" stories were exaggerated by folks who thought it would make them more interesting to readers then in reporting factually and following up when things changed. The Cruz family eventually sold their Tyler, TX dream home prizes for enough money to cover their loans, had some large family medical expenses paid along the way, made many new friends, and are more than happy to enter HGTV dream home giveaways again.
There have been numerous posts throughout this blog about the taxes and financial responsibilities connected to this, so most of us are well aware of the "reality" that comes with winning. Furthermore, as fans of HGTV, we know the history of the past Dream Homes and their outcomes. (By the way, the majority of previous winners either sold or opted for a financial settlement–not foreclosure).
There is also a cash option with this Dream Home. I did all the math and after paying the taxes on the money and the car (and then say selling the car immediately), one could potentially walk away with around $700,000–more than enough "to go to a movie".
As I have posted before, HGTV released an article years ago that stated that people shouldn't enter their contests with the expressed intention of keeping the Dream Home, but rather use it as an inspiration to follow their dream and buying or perhaps even building a home that reflects the quality and aesthetic of the HGTV Dream Home. They are well aware of the financial burden that a win like this imposes.
But, more importantly, why not just let people dream? And dream BIG!
Remember: Thought precedes action. Without dreaming, not much would get accomplished in this world.
Well said, muchomacho. After all, I'd guess that the majority of those who dream, who enter the HGTV home giveaways, are, as you say, well aware of the financial responsibilities that come with such a handsome prize.
So will all the tax talk ever burst my bubble? Au contraire, mes amis. For you see, reality and dreams are NOT mutually exclusive. Indeed, together they work magic.
Carry on, dreamers, wherever you are!
"Reality and dreams are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, together they work magic."
Now there's a mantra to live by!
It doesn't make any difference whether you're right or wrong, Girardta. If you're not the winner, it doesn't matter. If you are the winner, I'm sure you won't mind the increase in your bank account….by whatever remains after taxes.
I agree with you that the practical thing to do is to take the cash option, but I am going to call BS on your statement that the dream home has gone into foreclosure "on something like 7 of the last 9 dream homes." I don't believe that many winners have taken out mortgages and they have lost the houses to foreclosures. They usually sell right away. Please cite your sources if you have any CREDIBLE proof of this.
Hi Gail,
With all your interesting information about this years home. what is your most liked area?Each room has something to offer. I love the kitchen, I love to cook, that view in the dinning area.OMG!!!
I feel the same way about the house to.
Hey all. I'm in serious need of a Dream Home dreaming session. I only have an hour before I head to bed, and then my dreams are completely out of my control. It'd be nice if my sleeping dreams would revolve around the Dream Home. Preferably as the Dream Home winner.
Is it me or will it be YOU singing this little ditty…? Go for it, feel the rhythm, LOL!
Blue, blew, ah choo
I’m here…just like you
La, la, la ti duh
Can’t wait for this waiting to end
So boring with nothing more around the bend
Plugging in my data and pushing the buttons to send
Just knowing there’s a big fat win
Scoping out my perfect lot
That this money will have bought
Can’t wait for the more as it’s truly sought
Enjoying the marvel & magic I’ve caught
La, la, la ti duh
Lucky me won the money
So happy, crazed in tasting all this honey
It’s so big and bright, but more than just sunny
A crazy laugh, too surreal and just to funny
In making my perfect nest
Drawing, planning and putting it to the test
Doing what architect’s do with giving it their best
Making it mine and better than all the rest
Ha, ha, la ti duh
LOL!
I can just see you fancy free, kicking up your heels
Picking up a fishing reel,
The real deal.
How does it feel?
A Blue shirt for luck it's teal.
First night in the gourmet DH
The best meal.
10 days and counting! I think we've watched the video of this awesome house so many times…just dreaming away about it as we send off our entries that even the cats know every square inch of the place now too. We love every single bit of this years Dream House and need it so bad! Come on Stowe – we're ready to go! Come on Dream House…Come on Dream House…. Come on Dream House……:)
Home computer died last night!!!!!!!! UGH!!! Fortunately, we have my husband's laptop….unfortunately, the only reason it's home this week instead of at work is the fact that he is recovering from sinus surgery.
Still able to enter this morning…phew!
I know right!!!!!!!Every year this time, I make sure all computers are running smoothly…..and to have a back up wireless device just incase the power goes out…..All bases are covered…;)
continues dreaming the dream…pick me! pick me!!
This blogging thing (on HGTV anyway) is so much more fun than Facebook! I feel that at least we are having real discussions and not posting about how much laundry we need to do today! LOL I love talking and reading about this home!!!
Vermontlover, laundry? We have talked about clothes on this blog: mixed socks you can
purchase in Stowe, what kind of clothes to wear to a blog party, and outfits on Vermont teddy
bears. There also has been discussions on DH laundry rooms, but I don't think I recall
anybody talking about how much laundry we need to do today! LOL!
Vermontlover, we do talk alot about closets, though!
I know…it's great! Each time I log in to FB to catch updates from family and friends, I always seem to read at least 10 posts about cleaning or laundry or other daily tasks. I would rather see more interesting posts, like the ones on this site. Hope I didn't offend anyone out there!!
Okay, now off to do some laundry….JK!! hehehehe
lol….yes but if you win this home,,,,then you would be breaking your neck, toe,arm, or leg to post on facebook how many loads you did do in those double washer and dryers….I know I will be…lol….good luck to us all..B)
After following Dream Home for years, I've been only disappointed this year with the floor plan's lack of bedroom closet space. Is there any real closet for instance, in the dorm, for up to 8 people staying there? And the master bedroom closets are typically over the top…this one…I haven't even seen yet.
I THINK that may be a big "winners" surprise this year…….lol….ironic…lol….my space is my closet….It makes for a great computer room and its a place one can go in and just close the door…..so I'm hoping they are saving this "big" surprise special for me….one can dream,,,,yes?;)
Couldn't see the Jack Jumping link — there was some kind of error. I was a little worried that it would be skiers jumping over our beloved Jack Thomasson, so I am hoping that isn't the case. Don't hurt Jack!
There ya go again, Deerspring! You always know a LOT about John Gidding. He's not going to need a restraining order is he? lol
Gee, I have to admit John Gidding can make a gal feel a little giddy! I loved the moody and dreamy photo of him relaxing on the bench in San Francisco … sigh!
FAVORITES "GAME"
So, we have all read and viewed everything there is about this fantastic home and have expressed our desire and love for it in so many ways. I thought it would be fun to start a thread with only two questions that can each only have one specific answer: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROOM? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE?
Remember, you can only respond with one room/feature! I'll start!!
FAVORITE ROOM: That's an easy one… the Annex room
FAVORITE FEATURE: All of those windows (especially the views!)
Favorite Room is the Kitchen
Favorite Feature is the Hot Tub
Favorite Room is the kitchen. It flows well into the dining area and outside.
Favorite Feature is the master bath shower
Been gone for a week. Lot's to catch up on. Love the ideals for the pictures. I can't wait to pull my wheelchair up to one of those counters and cook till my hearts content. Loveeeeeeee! that refrigator. Let's be serious I love it all.
'
Now this is running through my head…there's no help out there for my addiction now!
Oh, the home this year is fantastic,
And, my friends, we're all ecstatic,
With only ten days to go,
We dream of Stowe, dream of Stowe, dream of Stowe!
This is the perfect house, I've been dreaming about it since I saw it. I am financially secure and ready to move in, cook in that beautiful kitchen and enjoy a fresh start.
My 2 year old Chichuahua can't wait to move into her new home either. My children say yeah Mom, ok, you'll win then roll their eye's. They are adults so I might charge them to stay with me! Daisy will wear the crown that is in the dog house, my oldest grand daughter dresses her up whenever she gets a chance.
lol…My bailey'joe (maltese) is also excited…..I can relate to the kids and their rolling their eyes…I have been entering for the past "13" years and every year we go through the same routine…..Its actually turned into a "family tradition" in my family and community as I live in a very small town where everyone knows everyone…So it is really no secret that I wait and wait for the Dream Team to ambush me…..I believe its actually turned into the town " Christmas story"…But its really big this year because everyone in town knows I love snow because I wish for it every year….They were all ready to drive me outta town last week with all the snow…I actually think they are praying I win this year so I will quit it with my snow dances……….One can only hope for a community like mine…lol…lol…I'm hoping I will be able to say "Stowe,here I come"
LOL – you'll be making a nice earning by charging the kids to stay! They'll want to be there so often!
i can't believe there's only 10 days left!!! has it been mentioned on this blog about whether the DH property is also owned, or whether it is leased? i remember reading something about that with a prior DH. this is soooo exciting!
The property will be given to you. It is not a land-lease.
Louisefaith, if you want to know what happened on DCoopernova's first visit to Alice's Restaurant, go to the last comment on page 1. Will continue the story when I return from running errands and visiting friends.
Lessie,
Okay, DCoopernova helped Alice get her resturant. How many visit's will DCoopernova have?
You are a fantastic writer. This story is fantastic. Keep writing.
Dream Big!!!
You are too gracious Louisefaith! As long as Alice has her restaurant, Coop will drop by.
FYI: Coop is the best writer on this blog. That's why it's so easy to lie, oops I meant, tell stories about him.
Did you know that Ed in Oregon is a distant super legent to Paul Bunyun? Babe grazes in his back yard.
Lessie,
You are too funny!!!
Dream Big!!!
I live in the US Virgin Islands and it will certainly be wonderful to own this dream house, so I can make it my home.
Do you think they'll keep the blogs open after the 18th? I'm a rookie at the DH and blogging thing.
The blogs are always open!
For my kids' sake, I began to research the school system and found:
1. Only 2 or 3 sections per grade level (elementary)
2. Friday Program (skiing and snowboarding at Stowe Mtn Resort with bus transp….how cool!)
3. They offer not only the basic special area classes, but also have Spanish, band, and enrichment classes.
4. The principal's name is Richard Smiles! How fitting!!
The only thing I couldn't find was a link for job openings!
haven't had a chance to look up this info, so thanks for posting! love the friday program.
Can’t wait till giveaway day. I’m so tired of hearing my 10 year old say, “You know you’re not going to win Mom.” I would sooooo love to prove him wrong. It’s nice to dream about anyway. Great home HGTV.!!
I dream of sitting on the deck of this home in fall when all the trees change to the most wonderful colors! Even if I were to go with the cash option, I could then afford a trip to go see the trees change this year. Either way I could say Vermont here come!!
Vermont in March is amazing! WHat a beautiful home to begin a family in. My wife and I would enjoy all of the surrounding wilderness that VT has to offer. Covered Bridges, Skiing, Kayaking, and visiting my friends all over the state. This place would be an amazing spot to invite our families and friends to. I love this house and can imagine living there with my family.
I get soooo excited when thinking about cooking in that kitchen and waking up in that bedroom. Amazing. Pick me! Please!
I know Ed and Alice are hotties and can melt snow and ice. One echo from Ed or Ali customers come a running to Alice's restaurant to see the Janzee and MeKhazSimi comedy routine. The skit is based on the Lucy Ball Niagra Falls routine that Stone sent, I know I will get one of those pies in my face specially if it's a cream pie , and seltzer to follow.
Tell me more about this comedy routine Janzee. It has to become part of the legend! You add it in and I'll give Nevada's reaction. She'll be our no nonsense person. Both_sides_now, SandyLA, Wyo_Girl, and GoldieLocksBear must also have a part.
Now sit around the campfire and we'll tell our story. The show will be wheeled from Southern Cali, then on to Vegas, and then across country to Stowe Vermont. By the time the winner of the DH is announced, the performance will have become one motherload, stage, light, sound, music special effects, story telling, music, dance, artistic showcasing show, starring non other than the HGTV Players- that is, all the peeps you mentioned, and anyone who wants to shout out., add to the performances, incorporate some unusual staging or lighting, add to the comedy. This show, may I say, (title to be determined), is for all of us, to be recognized and applauded. All you mentioned Miss Hostess with the mostest, are included, and may be part of the story telling, scriptwriting, techie group, sound and stage etc. etc. At any time these same star performers, choose to go on a coffee or Ben and Jerry Break please let me know as Lessie and I are very easy producers to work with. Check us out on IMDB, which currently and for purposes of this show, stand for Imagine, masterful, daring and darling bloggamadillas. P.S. anyone who is a newbie, or does not participate will be given credits, and will be considered a star performer. Just smile for the camera.
I'm there Janzee.
Me again, been awhile planning my military PCS and looking up RN jobs for my fiance just in case we’re lucky enough to win lol …just dreaming. With hope. Btw winner, we moved our wedding back to April keep it open for us
Very nice ice ring Deerspring! You do have a knack for finding the coolest links … keep em coming!
Wonderful house and location for winter. I am questioning storage arrangement for so many visitors in the ski dorm room. Where do the normal ammenities travelers bring be readily stored?
This sweepstakes offering the beautiful well designed home is just perfect for my husband who does not like stairs amd me with knee replacements. Why is it perfect I will tell you with nine children and 11 grown up grandchildren and just as many great grandchildren I can be comfortable having our Christmas celebration in a home for family as well as friends and with the extra money put asside to be able to pay for the high property taxes. What a blessing for two retired people that worked their butts off to support their families and to volunteer doing service for our town of Orford, NH. 03777 Amen.
If I win the dream home I will rent it out weekly to vacationing guests. Dream home bloggers will get half price one time and a free four day weekend within the next three years after their first stay. I am a businesman in Texas. I would get a 400,000 dollar mortgage on the house, set up a payment plan with the IRS after the initial $500,000 tax payment, rent it out weekly for a couple of years and pay off the taxes by April 15th of 2012. The mortgage would pay the taxes, the interest on the borrowed money after the first year would pay the first years property taxes, and the weekly vacationers would pay my mortgage payment each month with plenty of money left over. Eventually it would be a great money maker and my wife and I could live in the dream home a couple of months every year as a snowbird retreat home.
yes,,,,my thoughts exactley….EVERY YEAR someone has to blog to try and burst ANYONE's bubble,,,,for that simple reason…Just the pure pleasure of bursting it……yes, I'm guilty of trying to "preserve" that bubble and I think one could enjoy the luxury lifestyle 2 weeks or even a month out of the year if you just rent it out the remaining 11 months of the year…I would have to be the prune thought and take up my favorite month of December….but, your layout of the dealings I will have with my Uncle Sam seem to be logical,,,,don't mind if I write that down do ya for future reference?:D
Comments are free! Enjoy!
If I should win you can enjoy a free week on us at the dream home in your favorite month! My life is all about giving to others. It's the only way to live!
thanks..right back at ya……I think paying it forward comes back to you 3 times fold B)
This is also what I would like to do. I wonder how much it would rent for (probably close to $1500 or more per night in ski season???) and how much of the time it would be occupied.. Rental/managing agencies would probably take 1/4 of rent then there is maintenance so it all depend if it could be rented enough of the time to break even with mortgage, taxes, utilities, maintenance, HOA (it would rent more with full access to Stowe resort amenities; 4 season pool, golf, skating…). I would keep august and 10 days in ski season for my family and friends to enjoy.. Then in 10 years retire there and rent the lower level ; you could install double french doors to close it off at the bottom of the stairs ,possibly install a bar sink in the kitchenette and move one of the washer dryer upstairs in the mud room where the dresser is located (it might protrude a little in the garage where the access stairs to the loft would be located..
I find this years Dream home to be perfect for someone who deserves it, if I where to be blessed with such a gift, Id give it to my parents. My Dad and Mom deserve a nice place to retire, especially my.Mom who is taking care of my Dad. She needs a brake. And Id put the money away for school and for a secured future for my Daughter Leah.
Loved the picture grouping idea. Already copied it here in Wisconsin.. Found adorable mailboxes on a country road. Each one was a tractor shape with little people inside. They were all weathered and rusty and in different colors. They look great in a grouping. Thanks for the tip!
Imagine a grouping of fall leaves in Stowe!
I know all of us would love to enjoy this home including our family. We've been watching these giveaways for years and enjoy reading the comments and dreaming of what life could be like.
To us this home equals rest and re-cooperation. I've been out of work for the last two months and have been trying to recover from a severe back injury. Its also fun having 3 kiddos under 5 who want daddy to play horsey.
My favorites:
This home is exquisite the way the windows look lit at night.
Lodge look, contemporary yet keeping within the old New England farmhouse style.
The barn door that slides on rail in downstairs gatheringroom to deck.
The perfect kitchen layout and appliances.
The double set of washer/dryer ensembles downstairs.
The way the home hugs the topography utilizing both levels to get views and access.
The creative placement of lighting fixtures and choices. (the VT iron chandelier in master bath!)
A floor plan that captures private times and social times (up & down).
Maximization of sleep space with ski dorm!
The alcove off the upper gathering room for quiet reading or gathering for four!
Location: home of Ben and Jerry's!
The views, the views, the views!
I posted my (hope to be) new home on Facebook and the city of Stowe. About 10 years ago I had a foreign exchange student live with us. She shared the room with the oldest of my four children. She is just like my 5th child! Anyway, she and her husband both put the link, "like" on Stowe! They would love to come from Hamburg Germany to Stowe Vermont!
How does won win? Do they pull a number out of a hat? Do they say: hmmm who is the most deserving? Do they look at posts? Do they check out the home you currently live in to see if your really going to take care of it?
Well I have had time to think and I am going for this one: I am sound asleep in bed, my hair is to the roof with snarls. I am wearing my favorite 28 year old pair of pajamas and my makeup is still on from the night before. Then my husband says, "Honey…can you come down for a second?" I roll out of bed at 4:00 am. I go down the stairs with one eye open and the other closed. Then….BLAST!!!! Lights come on from TV cameras. (It had to be that early so I could be on TV of course). Then I hear, "Congratulations! YOU JUST WON THE HGTV DREAM HOME!!!!". My eyes are suddenly wide open. I say to myself, "I am dreaming–no I am not–I am dreaming–nope–I am not!" There is no time to bathe, do my hair or makeup and put on my best outfit. No time to look glamorous–just me and my ratted hair. But you know what? I would do it if it meant I won! I think they are going to do the Clearinghouse thing…just because I am old enough to remember it!
Soooo…. what day do they surprise the winner?
Guess we should clean up a bit then. Hugh?
It's a random drawing, with NO consideration for who is deserving or where you live. They have explained the process in detail before, but generally, they draw a "bin" number from ping pong balls, and then hit the space bar if it's an online bin, then it stops at a name.
Yes RMG Stone your right! I am going to look so awesome the day they come to my home
Although, I think it's not fair that you are a guy and can simply get up and look pretty good! LOL
Interesting idea of the group of 8 pictures. I have to think that there is some sort of accent lighting above these that make them look "gallery like". Great idea! I am also interested in the accoustics of the house as it seems so large and open. When I have my 4 kids running through the house and my husband and I chasing after them, how loud is this going to be? I can imagine our extended families coming to visit and I dream of this "alive and loud house" with memories being made. Pick me, pick me!!!!!
This is such a great idea…I'm a photographer and I have done something similar to this idea. I live in a very historical town and I simply took interesting pictures of the historical landmarks throughout town & framed them on one wall in a collage type layout. I even added the town's name in bold black letters with in the collage. But it is no comparison to this unique & inspiring home's art.
I am 41 years old a single mother of 4 1-boy, 3-girls, my son passed away at the age of 14 in 2001 and 3 girls one has 2 of my grandaughters, and one has my grandson, and the youngest who has a daughter. beautiful children, I have a fiancee, and I am going to college to get a degree. we live in an apartment have always lived in apartments. So this is something I could only dream of to have, so that me and my children can be together. but I still continue to keep filling this out. and being one in a thousand is slim for me. but I guess I can say I tried. I do think this is a beautiful home and whoever gets this I hope they enjoy and know how lucky they are. that God blessed them and has given them something that most can only dream of. Good luck to all.
I can't believe Friday is the end…. I have been entering daily and reading blog each and every day since January 1st. There is one lucky winner…. like so many, I wonder if it will be me?!?!? How exactly do they award it to the winner? Do they come to your front door with balloons and a big key (like Publisher's Clearing House), is it televised, or do they send the winner to the house? I just want to prepare myself… hee hee!!!!
I picture a group of HGTV camera people walking into my classroom and my fifth graders going nuts… They continue to ask me everyday when the winner will be announced. 
Good luck to everyone!!! This week is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haven't you seen previous reveals of the big winner on HGTV? I'll bet you can see those on the main page of this site. Also, in the rules, it says the dates that the winner will be notified.
All I have to say is WOW!!!! There is positively nothing you can add to the 2011 Dream Home. You have thought of everything. This would make the perfect weekend get-a-way and summer vacation home . I read you are announcing the winner on March 12 and my birthday is the 11th. I would have no problem having a belated gift. LOL Hope to see you walking towards my home on March 12th.
I do hope you have a nice birthday. But I'm sorry to say – I'm hoping this present gets delivered to me! But I promise, you can come for a birthday party if I win!
<3They could add $300,000 to the cash part and then you could just pay the taxes and keep the house without dreaming of a way to pay them.