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!
All of these entries are just a blast to read. Congrats to the winner! What a lovely opportunity in a gorgeous location. I hope it's a blogger who wins! That would be just wonderful. Good luck, everybody!
It's the "Wow" that has me baffled!!!!!!!! o.0 ….:D
Me too
That "wow" makes me think that it's either Alaska or Hawaii. I'd say "wow" too, if I saw one of those states on the winner's entry!
How do I get to see the video of them choosing the winner and him saying .. wow I have never been here before ? I know I watched it the other day ,, and now I cant find it.
And the fact that the word "state" was edited and changed to "location"….hmmmm…lol! Do you think it was a correction of an error that someone "assumed state" or that….they thought they had given up too much info. and we would figure it out? ….hmmmm
HGTV, you sure are keeping us on our toes! lol! So much fun though, trying to analyze and interpret every single word! 
I feel like clue given, then taken away…..lol, could this just be a curve ball from HGTV???
It's hard to say. They get really tricky to keep us on our toes!
Feeling a bit like Sherlock Holmes at the moment! lol ……anyone else feeling the same way???
I bet Jim has never been to Richfield Minnesota,
just a wishful thinking???????? who knows. I wish everyone including I goodluck can't wait
1st: Drinking Coffee.
Then cleaning my apartment, daughter, husband, porch and car. Making sure I have specific ring tones for everyone in my cell so when a different one comes up I know it's HGTV.
All these post and to think one of these bloggers will actually win!!!
I don't think he's been to Carson City! Hope they'll come to Hawaii because that's were I'll be when they announce the winner! Why not? Right?
Mr. Samples, have you been to Mississippi?? If not, COME ON DOWN!!! Just think, soon a lucky person's life will change!!! Goodluck to all of us Bloggers!!!!!! hehe Beverly
I'm from Mississippi too…It could seriously be one of us, haha!
I am new to this blog and am a little confused about the points. Someones point icon is RED with a ! -37p. What does that mean? Just curious.
I think maybe it has to do with other blogs that person has been on and their ratings. We don't see it very often, and usually the poster is really negative, but that's not the case this time. It's bizarre. Usually, the points are positive, and the higher the number, the more posts they have made on any blog that Intense Debate hosts. I think they can also get points when people give them a "thumbs up", too, so I like to do that for the interesting/funny comments.
Thanks Wyo_Girl… Good Morning…Yes it is bizarre. I checked out the RED POINT ICON and really couldn't find what they had said to Warrant the big red icon. There is another one on here this morning that I CAN UNDERSTAND. I hope Matthew's doesn't turn RED. LOL. He is not very popular with his LIST. I'm on the list, but I don't care. Thumbs UP to him…:)
I hope is me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If not, congratulations to the winner!
Don't forget – 80 million entries doesn't mean that many people entered. Roughly 50 days of twice a day entering by the same people – could be like only a million… And oh – I hope it was from the mail-in bins since I entered 1,600 times by mail! All of you, now – get out my house! : )
wooowww wen i sent in 167 i said to myself "now who els would really spend 50 dollars on stamps" but i gess i was wrong! and thanks, wen u think about the numbr of entries by the same ppl its a completely different situation
WOW !!!!! 1,600 MAIL INS ! Good luck to you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you sent in 1,600 entries??? x44 cents=$70.40 WOW! And my 100 entries=00.00 PRICELESS
I think you have won hands down csilva11..Where are you from??
I Live in NYC – when you add up all the envelopes and index cards too it came to over $800! talk about faith and intention right? : )
WOW! Good luck, csilva11! I didn't send in any via mail. If I had to hazard a true guess, I would say the location is either a mail bin or Alaska. With that being said, I'm from Michigan and still dreaming:)
No, Cindy, you misplaced a decimal point. That would be $704. I'm sorry, but I can think of many other things I would do with $700 before I took such a slim chance on this sweepstakes. It's like the lottery — I can see spend $5 on tickets every once in a while, but I'd never spend $500 on tickets. The odds are just too great against it.
Wow …1,600 sent-in that's great! Well of coarse I hope my family wins BUT if we don't then you deserve to win…Good Luck csilva11
Good morning csilva
I really wish you the best of luck! I can only imagine how much time and work you have invested in this, not to even mention the money…If for some reason, you don't win…I wish you the best of luck in the next sweepstakes, and know that you put 100% in…and did everything you possibly could to increase your chance to win….. you will get far in life with drive like that! 
best of luck to you! Just curious …how long did it take you to fill in that many entries???? I am blown away! lol ^_^
Hi Dora, thanks for your kind words : ) It's funny cuz when I first heard of the contest I thought – wow – this is new, no-one knows about this! – boy was I wrong. But I had already set my goal and worked to achieve it. It took about 2 hours per night for 48 nights : ) I had done something similar many moons ago with a credit card sweepstakes and ended up winning 25K. It was such a great feeling I want that again!!!! Nice art work by the way : ) Chris
Wow!!!!! That is awesome!
I never won anything before…it must be an amazing feeling! 
I can only imagine! Thank you for complimenting my art, maybe if you win you can hang one of my pieces on your wall to promote me! Since all eyes will be on YOU if you win! 
I would send you a large piece of your choice and just ask that you mention my name! 
Good luck! If you win…don't forget our little convo! 
lol
Dora
1600? Whoa I would never do that many.
WOW, LooK what I found….DELAWARE STATE SLOGAN……….WOW……YOU'RE IN DELAWARE. See it for yourself http://monster-island.org/tinashumor/humor/states… I hope this is not what Jim meant.
And I dont think it is on Matthew's list.
i dont think he would know the deleware state slogan. lol
No, LOL, It's a joke. Open the link and you will see funny state slogans.
Nobody knows the answer to that. They reserve the right to pick an alternate if the first one doesn't qualify for some reason, but I don't know if they go back there to do it or they pick alternates at the start. I'd sure hate to know if I were the runner up and didn't get anything, wouldn't you?
definetly!! thanks for your help
I would want to know as long as they gave me a specific time frame that I would have a definite answer!
Although I'm sure he's not been to Bowie County, Texas….I haven't had a call from Oprah so I may be out!
Oh boy! Someone needs to throw this little dog a bone…all this doggy talk has me so confused. Guess I’m just not a native to the language. Oh little bird, come and whisper in my ear. I won’t tell
Thats a nice thought !
Thanks, and lots of luck to you as well.
I love this part of the contest!!! THE WINNER IS CHOSEN and we just sit and wait..sorry I didn't follow it as closely as I have done in the past..just too tired at the end of the day from work to comment.. I am beginning to think it should have stayed 'STATE" instead of "LOCATION" after reading others comments because a "STATE" Jim Samples has not gone to would have really narrowed the numbers down..
"I HOPE IT IS A BLOGGER THIS TIME!!!"~that would be the best!! Good Luck to all..so very anxious on hearing who the winner is..
I think it he was talking STATE more then a town or location. lol GOOD luck to everyone
Agree!! This is the fun part….getting down to the wire. It's fun to dream….
Hi everyone, would somone know how I would get to the video of them choosing the winner ( ball) and him saying .. wow I have never been here before ? I know I watched it the other day ,, and now I cant find it
Since you have watched the video Shelby54 what emphasis did Jim put on "wow I have never been here before?" Did it seem like he had been there before or not?
That would be fabulous information to have!
Cindy, my on take was that he really has not been to what ever state he was looking where the winner lives. I do believe it was the state where the winner lives that he has not been to before. Just my opinon. ( Someone on the blogs here listed the states where he has been , meaning prior winners location of residence ) Anyway, I'll be darned if I can find that short video again. I guess it was on this blog page, ?? I cant remember, since I had been looking at alot of other videos the past couple of days. Good luck.
I posted a Video of the 2009 Drawing. It is on here somewhere. I think I put it on yesterday morning or late Friday. I do not think there is a video of This Drawing YET.
There wasn't a video of that, Shelby. Just a picture and the words that Mary later changed. There is a video of previous drawings.
Ok thanks Wyo Girl. I just viewed the 2009 green home ( florida woman) winner , by ambush. I do believe there is some sort of PRE contact to them by the Dream Home team members, prior to them being taped.
This is good news.. since it tells me that we do get some sort of contact prior to them coming to your home ambush style. This is very exciting for all. I really do hope with all my heart that the winner is here on the blogs. Blessings to the winning family .
Fran Elmer
Some really sharp-eyed bloggers (definitely not me!) noticed that when the 2009 Dream Home winner answered the door, Dancing with the Stars was on TV at her house. That show aired on Monday, so we think that they filmed it early and then made it look like it was live that night (the following Sunday). Now that the dates are in the rules, they don't even seem to be pretending anymore that it is live. A next door neighbor also noticed the filming on that Monday. Bloggers have access to so many inside stories!
I agree. The rules never mention "live"….so honestly they can film one weekend and then broadcast the next. I would think they would contact the winner stating they are one of the "finalist" sometime this next week….give them 5 days to return the signed paperwork and then ambush the 12th. Then actually broadcast the segment on the 17th. I don't know…just my guess.
Exciting no matter what. I do think they have to ensure the winner is home and contacting them would be the only way to do that. No station in their right mind is going to fly a camera team to the winner's location (expense and time here) to show up and no one home. They just aren't going to do that.
Excellent analogy !!
Oh yes !!
I STILL HAVE HOPE
NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TO WHERE I LIVE!!!! MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED!!!!
That's right….NEVER give up.
woww that was impressive
omg i really hope jim has never been to manhattan though thats really impossible. I HOPE HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO MANHATTAN I HOPE HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO MANHATTANI HOPE HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO MANHATTAN THOUGH HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SARCASTIC:D
Maybe he meant a specific zip code in Manhattan:) If you live in FiDi – afraid you're going to be getting that losing it feeling again.
I sure hope its just the city that he hasn't been too. We are having wonderful weather here in sunny FL, oh BTW the local swimming pool/park opens next weekend on the 12th so bring ur swimsuits & trunks Dream Team !!
)
Thanks for the quick response…I guess they want to make sure that whoever wins can afford to keep the house in good standing and isn't in trouble with the law. That makes alot of sense for them to do. I know my chances of winning are super slim but for some reason I keep looking over my shoulder hoping someone is there fixin to surprise me. Good luck to the both of us!
For sure! Good luck to you!
I think its mars.
It's totally Mississippi…we've got that "wow, I've never been there before" factor, for sure!
I'm from ALABAMA and we get that a lot too!!!
I hope its a town in Alabama rather then the state itself, especially with the (WOW ) factor, because as we all knjow, they are based in Tn . Sooo Im thinking he HAS been to Alabama even Mississippi and actually all thru the southern states in general, ( do believe he is from the south ) BUT simply MEANT he had NOT known of the winners TOWN in those states . Its as if he HAD been to the state.. ( since he travels all over to different STATES all the time.) BUT Im thinking it was the state he HAS been to, BUT NOT THE TOWN in the winners State.. which in that case… I FEEL LUCKY ! haha
I truly wish everyone good luck, but I wish it could be me, I need this home for my special someone:). I will be waiting for that call, if not, I’ll try next year, hope he hasn’t
Been at WOODBRIDGE VA….. Good luck everyone deserve to win
This is insane !!!! hahahahahaha Now Im thinking when he used the word WOW … ( never been there before) that its a town , rather then a state. Im soooo confused …rofl . because up till now I was thinking it was a state. But Im thinking that someone like Jim, in his FIELD of work has been to MANY MANY different states in his travels over the years. So I am now thinking he meant WOW never been to that "TOWN" before . Just me, thinking out loud here. Best of luck and blessings to the winning family . I cant even imagine the feeling when someone sees THE TEAM coming up their driveway ,, or looking out their door and seeing THE BALLONS before anything else.
( even IF they did recieve a phone CALL prior ) I sooo hope its a blogger who wins this beautiful home.
God I pray in Monroeville, Ohio and I'm the winner!! This is my destiny!!
Hello neighbor! I live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Sooo funny the name of this town sounds like Native American Indian chanting….Cuyahoga, Cuyahoga, Cuyahoga Falls! lol
…. 
I usualy tell people i'm from Clevaland, it's close by and everyone knows where that is! I have never been to Monroeville before….Oh wait, let me rephase that! lol…. "Wow" I have never been there!
couldn't miss out on an opportunity to say that phrase!
Hi Mary,
We were all wondering if you can just clarify one thing, The big question we all have…..
Ok, we noticed that the word "state" was changed to "location" ….was this due to an error and and he was not "just" reffering to a state inclusively, was it location…or has he never been there to that "state" ?
A clarification would be greatly appreciated. Have an awesome day!
Knd Regards,
Dora Woodrum
Dora, I have been thinking and re thinking the whole thing haha… And at first I thought Jim was refering to a state that he has never been to, when he said WOW never been there before.. but now , Im thinking its a town hes refering too. Because he never did say WOW I have never been to that state before. Unless Im wrong here, I do believe he did not mention the world state. I think hes traveld to many many many states in his line of work, ya know ? Good luck !
Thank you Shelby!!!!
I really like your positive attitude! we are all hoping for this…it gives many of us hope! 
It's just nice hearing these reassuring words….because I notice some have been getting discouraged, but it's not over 'til "IT IS OVER" 
…So we have all been waiting this long….Don't give up now! 
Nothing is set in stone!
Sooo true .. ITS NOT over till its over.. BUT it wont be over for the winner… just the begining for them.
GOOD luck to you .
Im thinking its going to be FATE for the winner to be chosen.
Exactly!!!!
One lucky individual's life will be changed forever by this! 
How amazing! what a true, true blessing this will be for some lucky family! I would just be floored if they rang my doorbell! I don't even know what I would say!…lol But i would be estatic! I keep thinking about what I would do with the money!!!! 
Soooo fun to think about the possibilities! I would take my whole family on vacation, right away….somewhere warm away from the snow!!!! I live in Ohio….so warm is nice! It would be nice to hear some cool things everyone would do with the money 
just on a positive note! Tropical drinks and sand….room with ocean view! lota and lots of sun!
Its almost spring break… go to the gulf shores
Its beautiful .
Maldives!!!!! Ohhh yeah! I would so go there!!!!!
LOL…Magazines would say: HGTV Dream home winner spotted in Maldives on beach with Tropical Drink in hand!
…Just dreamin' ….since you all are dreamers like me i'm sure you have your dreams and thought that make you smile too! tell us….we would love to hear them!
lol….HGTV Dream home winner spotted shopping, carying MANY, MANY bags!!!! lol
this whole week is going to be very suspenceful. evytime the phone rings im going to be jumping out of my seat to get it. it is kind of hard though for any one who doesnt get a phone call, email, or knock on the door sometime this week and next weeekend cus the… wel… youll know…. but still, for now im gonna stay optomistic!! its not ovr yet!! good luck to everyone
Good point about Jim Samples never going the the mail-in bin, Gymnasticsluvrr. If you're right, many peoople will be disappointed. Let's pretend, until we hear otherwise, that it's a location which can or cannot be the mail-in bin.
Haven't seen you in a while. Glad you're back.
Hmmm…I'm very nervous. Do you all think it would be ok to go take a shower? I could bring the phone in to the bathroom with me I suppose…
I so don't want to miss that call or knock!
LOL!
Ohhhhh NOW THATS FUNNY ! Verrrrry cute , YES YES please do shower ! haha But just to be on the safe side,,,, bring the phone with you .
Well…ok…but it will have to be a quick one! LOL!
I am still saying its going to be Harrison, AR! You can't tell me he's ever been to Harrison, AR. LOL!!! I do have to tell you a funny story. It was storming the other night and apparently the lightning messed with my doorbell because all day yesterday it would go off for no reason and I kept running to the door! I bet I went to the door 6-7 times until I finally figured out it was the doorbell going haywire! I don't care who you are, that is just NOT RIGHT!! LOL!! The lightning messed with the doorbell and the doorbell messed with my mind….domino effect….just isn't right. LOL!!! I do have to say it brought excitement to my household anyways! Come on HGTV….I need a phone call so I can quit freaking out! BTW….come to the front door when you come….the back door leads to the junk room because of our remodeling and too embarrasing to get THAT on camera!! Maybe I'll leave a note. LOL!! Good luck everyone!!
I've been to Harrison, AR. I have relatives in Leslie and Oxley.
Has any one been able to figure out if the winner was chosen from a virtual or mail bin? It would most definetly be greAtly appreciated!
I dont think anyone knows that info yet ? Just a matter of time though
Good luck to you.
THAT'S IT! He's never been in a real mail bin before!:)
I say mail because on the video "how we pick the winner." She said last year the president got to click the space bar to choose the virtual winner. So I am guessing this year it was pulled from a bin.
You know everyone hopes they are the one.I hope and pray everyday that its me.This past year has been a struggle.My wife has become very ill and to close down her business.My business has fallen off its mark , and isnt looking any better so far this year.This home would be a great new begin and our 4 kids would love the move, as well as my wife and I.But good luck to all and bless the one that wins.So for the sob story. Sierra vista, AZ
I am so sorry. I wish you and your family the Best. Never give up Hope!
I wish your wife good health, and a quick recovery, for things to turn around for your business , and for your struggles end. .
Well, I hope He has never been to Fort Wayne, IN. And I hope it was an online winner since I did not enter through the mail this year. So then, Of course, I hope and pray that I am the winner. I will look forward to my ambush this week even though I will not go all out like I did last year when I made up goodie tin buckets with homemade cheese balls and crackers and turtle candies for each one who came in the ambush. But, if I am the winner I could whip them up a goodie basket to give them to take home with them the next day, which I think they would still be here. So……. come on here to Hoosier Land, HGTV crew!
i too hope he hasn't been to this area…but just a bit farther north in Auburn, IN
ahhh i wanna win!!!! cant we just fast fwd this whole week till the ambush!!!!!! i need the suspence to end!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree totally.
OK MARY AND GAIL…. please give a hint!!! PRETTY PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE!!!!
Just wanted to let everyone that has written back to know that I thank you.I wish the best for all of you and your families too.
My phone had been out for 2 day, repairman came out today hope I havent missed that call. If I have (PLEASE CALL BACK!………
Only 12 more days….and it will be all over. This is the fun part…..
IS PEARL CITY HAWAII a place Mr. samples never been???
AHOHA! Keep hoping!
WOW!!!! Could it be TRAPPER CREEK,ALASKA,now I’m getting real excited I hope its me,I can’t wait!!!!!
Has he been to South Carolina….lol….Now that I know the winner has been picked I will get super anxious and sad if I don't get contacted somehow in the next few days….Don't they have to contact you in order to plan the "ambush" ?
I think they do notify you prior to the ambush. Not by much, but they do make you aware that some how we are IN IT !! And to stand by and make ourselves available. Just my thoughts.
I also believe they do check up on the potential winners before they are called. 
when i saw this blog post, i had butterflies in my tummy! this whole process is so fun and exciting!! can't wait to hear who the lucky winner is…we are waiting for the call or the knock on the door!!
I can not wait to find out who won this amazing house.
I hope its MI, no one comes to michigan!! lol
Well I know he must have been to Chicago. Every business person has been in Chicago so there goes my hope. The winner is definitely out in the woods somewhere. LOL. Well good luck folks and if you live out in some distant lonely place you have great chances of being the winner!
Puerto Rico!!!! It should be Puerto Ricooooo!!! YESSSSS!!!
Im guessing he's been to chicago.
here's to next year!
That's exactly what I just said….I'm in Chicago and you can't say "I've never been there" about Chicago….sad.