Mar
3
We Picked the Winner
This morning, in a drawing held at a local fullfillment house, HGTV president Jim Samples randomly selected — from almost 80 million entries — the winner of the HGTV Dream Home 2011 Giveaway. His response when he saw the location? “Wow, I’ve never been there.”
For a refresher on how we choose the winner, please watch our Super Fan’s informative video.
Excited? Think it might be you? Only time will tell!
Personally I think the place Jim Samples "hasn't been to" is somewhat of a popular or wellknow place, and realizing this, it maybe shocked himself to realize he's never been there but has heard of it! Yep, the more I think about it, the more I believe this theory is true!!
I am sorry. But I hope your wrong mtaid. I live in a small town and most people have not heard of it. But you have a good theory. Good Luck.
My question is…Has Gail ever been to this location? We know she has actually been inside a mail bin before….That would answer numerous questions.
Not sure what you mean. I think the person who hasn't been there is Jim Samples.
When Mary changed the word State to Location….that tells us it is NOT the State or she would NOT have changed it at all. Location means a " SITE" a small portion of something bigger. She was telling us that she made a mistake. So something smaller in a STATE is a TOWN or CITY. Right?
Good analogy there debbielee 27 !
Or, she was trying to keep more people excited. Mary likes to string us along.
Debbielee27, you are on the ball! I never noticed the change. Good thing you did. However, I'm not getting too optimistic until I discover all Jim's whereabouts. No tellng where he's been. Maybe it's time I called his wife. Will probably tell her my name is LLColeman and I represent a blogger magazine whose members are interested in the history of Jim Samples' life. Do you think she'll answer the phone?
I hope he has never been to Flower Mound, TX, BUT if he gets here, I won't be here so I hope he has never been to St Thomas, VI, Sapphire Beach, where I'll be at 374 St Vincent in Sapphire Hill Village, visiting my friend. PLEASE let it be me, and PLEASE find me!
OH! DrMaura, If you won't be home when they ambush, I doubt they will go to another state to find you. You MUST be home at the address on your entries…:(
Oh, they MIGHT make an exception if they got to go to the Virgin Islands, don't you think? However, I don't think they're reading the blog that closely, so I hope DrMaura's phone forwards the calls if she wins!
DrMaura, thanks for the tip. I'll make sure to leave a message on your door directing the Ambush team to my address if they want to find the winner.
Just stopping by to say good morning fellow blogies ! " BIN" having fun ??? hahahaha I'll be running errands this morning,, and YESSSS have the cell phone fully charged and right with me, just in case ! ha ha . I hope someone here at the blog wins this beautiful home, I really really do !!! Theres been so much passion, and good hearted fun.
Again, best of luck to all, and best wishes to the winning family.
I'll be running errands this morning, then working from home. I made signs last week to post on my door when I'm gone…HGTV, running errands. Will be home shortly. HGTV, I'm working at…with the address….Please come surprise me!….HGTV, at my son's competition….etc….I have excellent neighbors who are rarely gone that will keep an eye on the house too when I'm gone
….LOL…I had a false call yesterday…It was a strange number I didn't recognize….when I looked up the area code it was from Tennessee…..Unfortunately it was NOT HGTV when I called back!
Haha good plan areeve04 ! Keep the hope … and good luck to you ! it could be any of us who has won the dream home at the stage we are at right now . They may take a couple of days as some have said to do some inquiring.
So a contact can be anytime now, and a few days out from now . GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !
Also, I am trying to find last yrs. video of the winner being picked from the BINS .. would anyone know where I could find it ? Thanks I thought I did view something yesterday, but cannot find it now.
It's not available anymore. I went to it and it had some message that it wouldn't run for some reason. Something to do with "subscribing", but I couldn't tell you more than that.
Want to say THANK YOU to everyone blogging! It is awesome to read comments and interact with others who are as excited as me! Lovin' it!
I can't wait to find out who wins!!
Good morning Everybloggie !
I love reading your blog comments, some of them are hysterical ! A daily chuckle is very therapeutic, thank you all :O) This has been huge fun !
Okay, so DB Coop's offering exciting poolside beverages.YUM.
Now, what can I provide as a lure to the roving camera crew and the lovely Monica Pedersen?
Hmmm…
Aha ! How about : FREE " Snowmen Kits " in my front yard ? ( assemble them yourselves ) Plenty for everyone ~ Everybloggie you are also invited to take as many as you can carry home with you :O)
Okay, back to my kitchen …time to clean up the breakfast table…Hope I don't get a sudden chronic case of
" Dish washing-itis " ~ imagine opening the door to the surprise ambush while having an attack of
" Wrinkly Fingers Syndrome" ! lol.
I must say I wouldn't mind rinsing those superb Stowe coffee mugs that are on the tray in the Dream Home :O)
Best of Bloggers' Luck to all !
GoldieLocksbear
XO
LOL! TOO FUNNY! I'll take a Margarita double YUM!
Oh! and I am worried about having a Bad Hair Day!
Should be grading papers….but can't stay focused! Coop, others have said you might be able to distinguish the number on the ball. Can you? Can you see if there are one, two, or three numbers? Thanks in advance!
I do hope Mr. Samples has not been to Tomball, TX. I am ready to relocate to Stowe, Vermont now. I love this home, the location and I can just see myself writing books and plays from the annex room!!! I will make certain to be home on March 11th and 12th. Love that kitchen and the whole fliw of that level, love the mud room, dining room and sliding open doors. The ski dorm is just a brilliant addition!!!
I think they are coming to Flagstaff, AZ!!! It's a fairly small community up in the mountains & a few hours from Grand Canyon. I'm so hoping the dude has never been here before!
Do they actually call the person first? does anyone have verification of that? I never answer my phone and always screen the calls via my machine before picking up. We have way too many telemarketers to answer every time (basically we get upwards of 20+ calls a day from them). Id hate to think I could miss a HGTV call because they didnt start talking into my machine to let me know I should pick up the phone.
Ha! Put yourself on the opt-out list and, poof, no more calls. As for answering on the 12th?? LOL! You better answer every single call! LOL!
If it were me, I'd answer every call from now until the 13th, just in case. Just politely tell the others, "no thank you", but DON'T say that if HGTV calls you!!
Some past giveaway winners said they were called, others said it was a complete surprise when the film crew showed up. It varied from year to year how they handled things.
Thanks everyone. Im going to play it safe and just jump on all calls. A small bit of hassle is worth it for peace of mind here. (Ok yah, Im feeling a bit on the paranoid side now. Very excited though and hopeful).
Hi DHWinner! So hot here my son had a snow day due to the ice storm…It's melting now, so the HGTV crew should be able to catch a flight into town sometime tonight or tomorrow…LOL
Reading all of these posts speculating about states reminds me of this blog a few months back. We were all trying to guess the DH 2011 location, based on obtuse clues by our blog host Mary. So, I am guessing Jacques Cartier. Wait, I may have read the question wrong…;)
Jacques Cartier? Wyo_Girl, are you saying you think the next Dream Home will be in Calais, France? Or maybe La Rochelle? Cherbourg? Le Harve? Brest? Bordeaux? How about Biarritz?
In that case, I'm hoping for Biarritz!
Oh wait, Cartier, that was one of MARY's clues to Dream Home 2011 in Stowe, Vermont wasn't it!
Which makes me think, with all of these giveaways coming up left, right and center, I wonder if MARY will have enough time to throw some great clues together for us to DH 2012? I'm willing to offer my help with a suggestion for Location Clue Number One: Aloha!
Perhaps we should start practicing our clue solving abilities before Mary presents the first test, I mean clue.
Diamond State?? Quick, first correct answer wins.
Ok, which States sell the most Cartier watches? I'm sure that's the right State. State for what I don't know.
Only eight days to wait for the ambush team. Good luck everybody, and keep your excitement tempered with the knowledge that you would have to beat incredible odds to win.
Its gotta be… Harrison, Arkansas… Pretty sure he hasn't been here.. haha! I will be waiting March 12th…. I might do some gardening work outside… with Cell phone beside me…. and I will be up all night probably waiting as well
I have been entering since I have turned 21 so… hopefully this is the YEAR! Good Luck to everybody… especially in Arkansas 
Yes! I agree it has to be Harrison, AR!! That's where I live!! LOL!!! Good luck neighbor and let's cross our fingers they head our way!!!
Feeling a bit "mushy" today. This whole experience has me on an emotional roller coaster ride. It's nice not to be on this roller coaster by myself. Thanks to everyone here who has shared their excitement with me. It's so much fun reading the posts written by all of you. (It's time consuming too!) I sense that there are a few of us who need a 'chin up." Here's one that I find inspiring and hope you will too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjBwAYIxUso
I have to add a short story. Years ago when I lived in my "dream house," we were in the process of building a dream in the back yard. One of the pool builders was always saying, "Hey now!" I guess you have to click on the link above to understand what I'm saying. There's a personal connection here for me. Sometimes things come "full circle," if you know what I mean!
Hey now!……Now that was a pleasant break..and yes, I know what you mean…been there.
love that song…….love it
if i win or should i say when i win i will ask them to play this song for you!!!!!
DHWinner this has been crazy for us too. You are definelty not alone. I just put it in common sense that this whole thing is what it is – a contest. Its not God's will or a magic spell thing. Just a silly contest.
However I will say that Im going to do this again, and again, and again! My wife always says to me to never stop dreaming. Even though as I type this Im seeing the bills pile up, our house literally falling apart at the foundation with no money to fix, my kids without a savings plan; Im still going to listen to her and not stop dreaming.
By your You Tube link, I know you are serious about how you felt that day. But just remember to focus on whats important. Be a good person, be happy for others and treat yourself as if you did win.
-Good Luck!
Now I'm setting the timer on my computer's self-detonator to 5PM! If I touch it, it will blow up. I have to go! I have to leave! There's a house to clean, animals to feed, and a body much in need of a shower! Have a great afternoon everyone!
I hate that they ruined the fun by posting what he said. That really sucks.
Many have mentioned he has stated peculiar statements in the past….The quote may not be what anyone is thinking
He could have said anything, and we would be able to hazard numerous guesses 
Don't give up!
I don't quite see how it is ruining the fun. There has been more speculation from Jim Sample's words than we have seen in ages. People are excited and going into different interpretations from his words. I think it makes it more fun myself.
MARY AND GAIL….PLEASE…..MAY WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CLUE SOON?
It could be mars.
I really can't take it anymore!!! I'm am dying to know the winner and I hope and am dreaming it's ME, ME, ME. I live in a small town..so hopefully he hasn't been here yet
Come to PA, it's a beautiful place 
Please let it be me….please, please, please. Keeping my fingers crossed.:)
TICK TACK TICK TACK …. clock is ticking,……. the fun continues, …… hope is at hand, TICK TACK TICK TACK ,…..
I cant wait to find out who wins this house. One of my 500 entries have to make me the winner. That house is so close to where i was born. GET ME OUT OF MIAMI PLEASE.
AS ALWAYS THE THE SUSPENCE IS WONDERFUL….JUST CURIOUS…DO YOU EVER TELL IF A ONLINE OR A MAILED ENTRY IS THE WINNER? HAS A MAILED ENTRY EVER WON THE BIG ONE? I DO NOT THINK HE HAS EVER BEEN TO SHASTA LAKE CA. THANKS AGAIN… HGTV… ALL YOUR PROGRAMS ARE OVER THE TOP ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi All, Im new on bidding and to this site…I had a question maybe someone could please answer. I read somewhere that when they suprise you (the winner) that they tour your current house and video tape, is this correct? Also around when does the winner know they have won…does that happen on the air date? What happens if your not at home and out of town (with springbreak coming)…? Thanks everyone and I loved reading everyones blogs…Good Luck! And thanks HGTV for this amazing experience!!
No they don't tour and film the winner's current house. The filming is just to reveal the winner and get some information to put up for public consumption, anything extra just happened to get picked up at the same time. They'd probably agree to go to another locaiton to film if the winner's more comfortable with that. The winner knows they've won when Monica and the film crew shows up with balloons, new car, and a big posterboard check. The rules say that happens on or around March 12th this year, but it could be sooner if HGTV wants.
dreamn_again, I'm glad you pointed out the fact that they bring the car to the winner's house. I've seen them do this in the past but it never crossed my mind as a tip. For those of us that live in a small town, that shouldn't be to hard of a clue to find while doing errands around the community. Especially next week! Every GMC Acadia that drives by, just look for temporary plates on it. Usually in the rear of the vehicle!!
This is making me a wreck. Everytime my cell phone rings and it's a number I don't know….my heart jumps out of my chest. Now I have to freak out about Acadia's in my town or strange vans in my neighborhood. This is paranoia gone wild. I really need to chill out! LOL!!!
Hi, Just wanted to say thanks for answering my question. Good Luck!
Too early for a possible BOLO? I have NEVER seen a taxi cab in my small town…I've lived here for 81/2 years…..until today! Do you think they would rent a car or drive the Denali though?
Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone knows if any of the past DH winners participated here on the HGTV and Front door blogs and interacted as we all are ?
I've been blogging here since the 2009 Dream Home, and I can say for certain that the prior 2 winners have not been bloggers.
The Cruz won the DH in Tyler, Texas and spoke quite a lot on the message board and still do. I don't know if they ever blogged.
Very interesting ! Thanks for getting back to me on that dooby78 .
It’s the “wow” that has me baffled!
Lol….ANd….the fact that they “edited” the comment From “state” yo location! Lol
I don’t want to think it.
…
but Puerto Rico keeps popping in my head……damn! Lol
But I’m not giving up just yet! Keeping my lipgloss and cute outfit at hand! Lol
Wrote on Gail's Facebook page and asked her if she has ever been to the location in which Jim Sampling was referring….Her response was a wink;)….Any idea what that means?…Yes, No, or Maybe?
That was a great idea!! I never thought of approaching it that way! Now I'm wondering the same thing you are!
I saw your question on facebook, Andrea! Glad you're writing on the blogs. I think her wink means "I can't tell you because I really love my job at HGTV!"
Good thinking, Wyo Girl!
Good Morning Areeve04! Could you please tell us what is Gail and Mary's facebook page is? I know the HGTV and Froontdoor.com profile buy not Mary or Gail's page, another place I could check for updates!
Hope you all are having a great morning! Good luck to everyone! ^_^
Thanks,
Dora Woodrum
Hi, Dora Woodrum! I just typed in Gail Fenton Super Fan HGTV in the search function of Facebook. Her link popped up, and I clicked. I pressed Like…(I truly really like and appreciate her)! Then I was able to access her page. Hope this helps!
omg…I just did a search for Jim Samples (yeah, I was hoping to see where he has been!) and found out that he and I went to the same tiny college in South Carolina! Go Presbyterian College
Good Luck everyone!
I Bet he's never been to Fairfield,CA.
I have!
Does anyone know how this whole process actually works? I'm guessing that they contact the winner by phone about 5 days before the "ambush". Then they tell the potential winner that they are a "finalist" and have them submit legal documents. Then they "ambush" the winner on March 12th and film it…..then actually broadcast the special on March 19th? I only have one question about this…..how in the world do you keep it a secret and not spill the beans if they show up at your house and announce you the winner and go through all that???? Do they really expect you to keep quiet for a whole week until it is broadcast???? That would be torture!!!! Somebody please tell me they don't do that. LOL!!!!
I really don't know since I've never won yet. However, I believe there is a non-disclosure form you must fill out….I would guess that would bind you to not disclosing certain details, including the week or so between knowing and the HGTV Broadcast.
I really think you know areeve04, lol!! :p
If it meant I was disqualified if I opened my mouth- it would stay shut- even to you dear bloggers!
Good point Nebraska…..I'd keep my mouth shut then…..but oh the torture! That would be so hard….can you imagine? I would have to take a week off and go to a deserted island…..LOL!!
Hi Candlelight087-Im new to this drawing and noticed you wrote that HGTV has a winner and potential winner…? So do they draw two names? If so why? Thanks and sorry for all the questions
We don't really know how many names they may draw, or if they only draw one to start and go back if there's an issue.
No…but I would imagine they do it all at once to save time and money. Seems the most logical thing to do anyway.
There is a distinct possibility that he has never been to Omaha Nebraska! Unless its for family, the CWS or a Bershire Hathaway Stockholders meeting then lots of people haven't been here.
I wish I knew their CONTACT system . It is possible they still have not notified the winner, and will do so in the next day or so ? They dont have to be at the persons home until the 12th after all.
Do I sense we are having less blogging going on here ??
i think the winner will be notified by either email or phone sometime in the upcoming week
so excited fingers crossed!!!!
Really? You don't think they will surprise you at your house or work..? Guess I better start checking my email…lol…good luck!
I think it will all be done IN PERSON..Over a 2 MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE? That is way to big of a prize to find out by phone or email. Think About It….. KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN FOR THAT KNOCK AROUND THE 12TH. Just my opinion.
well i think that theyr going to call or email the winner just sying "make sure your home at this date and time" and then wen they come to the door you'll find out that u are the winner. but thats only my opinion
Ohio – The Heart Of It All
LOL! Where have I been? Thanks for the update, Deerspring!
Hello Everyone!Good luck to eveyone .I think the winner is from NY .Two things makes me to conclude as Ny.He said I have not been there which was described as a location ( Not as a state).In 2010 Green home winner selection ,he comments " Thats interesting" which finally turns to be Scotia ,Ny.In December 2010 he gave the urban Oasis key in ny to the winner.Now in 2011 dream home winner selection,I think this is Ny again but some city which he might have heard of but never visited.But he must have been suprised about being NY again.Thats why probably made the comment "wow,I ve never been there".This is my guessafter a long research i did myself.Anyhow i wish really good luck to all.
omgg i la la la loooooooooove that you said that!!!!!! omg ujust made my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me too! since I live in NYC and I'm hopin I won!!
Hey u never know! Good luck .Tx for the response from u and gymnasticsluvrr.Iam from less than 50 miles of NYC.Bye
I am guessing that I didn't win seeing I live in Colorado and that is where the GH is. I am sure he has checked out the location…. oh well. I am happy for whom ever has won. Congrats!
Lisadreamininco, We really won't know until they contact the winner and broadcast the special….Keep dreaming…no one is out until it is final:)
i hope he's never been to chandler, az
I HOPE HE'S NEVER TO CONNECTICUT BE FOR. PLEASE BE CONNECTICUT!
…and (from a neighbor) "My God yes please be picking from CT!!!!!" – Good Luck.
Just got up checking for new updates, sense my home phone line has been out for 2 days. This is just my kind of luck as soon as the lucky # gets putted telephone lines in Rocky Mount NC get strewed up and still down I just hope if I got a call they will call back or email me.
Good Morning fellow dreamers!!!! Hope everyone had a great night and slept well….because you will need to be well rested when you get that ring at your doorbell!
I woke up early this morning and have my makeup on and am wearing a cute outfit, just incase! lol 
But at some point today I will have to change into my painting clothes because I have to work sometime …I am an artist and wear old raggedy clothes to paint…so….I am keeping a cute outfit at hand while i'm working…you never know! Hope you all have an Awesome day my friends!
Dora Woodrum
Your funny DoraWoodrumArt-and you sound just like me…I keep looking out our front windows at all the cars to see if there's anything out of the norm…Good luck!
haha thats cute.. and I did the SAME THING ! Thinking it was Saturday, a good day to call the winner. so I actually found myself dressing , doing hair and makeup a little bit earlier today ! hahahaha hey ya never know,, we can still be notified that we won . good luck .
I thought the same thing with it being Saturday…well no luck here…no one surprising me
wonder if they told the winner today?
We are all looking forward to "Victory Day." All of us are in anticipation. What a gorgeous home and view. It would be like a taste of Heaven. One of my favorite aspects of the home are the windows. You can see the mountains from every room in the house! Great design. What hard work they all put into designing, building and decorating this home!
LET IT BE LET IT BE LET IT BE LET IT BE
WHISPER WORDS OF WISDOM LET IT BE
AND WHEN THE BROKEN HEARTED PEOPLE
LIVING IN THE WORLD AGREE
THERE WILL BE AN ANSWER LET IT BE,
LET IT BE IN SYLMAR, CA