The Winner Is …
Alright, already. Cool your jets and listen up: We do indeed have a winner.
HGTV’s Monica Pedersen paid a visit to Hinsdale, Illinois, resident Eric Makstenieks just yesterday to share the news that he had won the HGTV Dream Home 2011 grand prize package. He won the modern mountain lodge, the SUV and the $500,000 cash!
Eric says he entered almost daily – even in the hospital on the day his daughter was born (talk about loyalty!). He, his wife Catherine and their two children look forward to making their first-ever trip to the vacation wonderland of Spruce Peak at Stowe Mountain Resort very soon. “This is surreal,” says Eric. “This is too good to be true!”
Since we spilled the beans a bit early, please promise me one thing: That you will tune into the national broadcast of the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2011 special on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Just because you know who the winner is doesn’t mean you know exactly how it all went down. Or who won our housewarming gifts sweepstakes. Pop quiz immediately following the special.
Hi everyone. I was here the day john smith came on and let out who won. What I do not understand, and the answer to my question may very well be posted here already, but what I dont understand is HOW this neighbor or what ever he is, found out this family was up to win the home in the first place ? Im sure it was not let out by the winning family, and there were papers , forms set in place stating not to say anything, disclosing the fact etc . Im sure they did not leak a word, but how did it get out in the first place , for this john smith to hear ?? I dont understand it. Also has the news of a winning family ever gotten out "EARLY" before this time? I feel very very happy for this beautiful young family, Now I have a name to go with Blessings to the winners… I can now say "blessings" to the Makstenieks family. I feel so happy for them.
If I saw Monica Pederson with a bunch of balloons at my neighbor's house I would have known they won the Dream House. The ambush team came in the morning, in broad daylight. And after the neighbor posted it on the blog, HGTV didn't remove the post.
Why am I getting red thumbs down all of the sudden on my post ? hmmmmmmmm
it's a conspiracy.
or you just posted something that others don't agree with.
but I gave you a thumbs up because thumbs down sucks.
Well maybe I am the only one seeing them ?? lol Maybe they show up green and red only to us when we post ?? hahahah Just wondering
That is what happens, Shelby. You see the red and green on your own posts (because when you post, you are given one thumbs up) and on anybody else's post where you voted thumbs up or down for them. It tells you in a glance if you already did the thumbs on that post because you can't do it more than once.
Thanks Wyo Girl, thats what I was starting to figure out. That we could only see the green and red on our own post. Thanks again for getting back to me on it.
Well Im thinking now that we only see the green and red thumbs up or down on our own posting place… because I do not see them anywhere else.. just on where I do my postings. So perhaps that is why? Anyway, this is a fun place, and I do like the people here. They are all so informative on the Dream Home subject.
In addition to your own posts, if you click on a thumbs up for somebody else, you'll see the colors there, too.
Thanks !!
WAAAAA!!!
i think i cried for about an hour when i saw this… my mom entered every day on both sites and we still didnt win. we have wanted to win an hgtv dream home for years now but not as much as this one… me my brother and sister are all die hard skiers. we only have been doing it for like 3 years but we love it so much and living in this lodge right next to the mountains was our dream. we also noticed that there were a lot of things in threes in the house…three kids. there were other signs making us think this was our lucky year. i am going away to college soon and so wanted to spend t my last years with my family doing fun things. i also lost my only grandfather recently and i thought god was taking him and giving us this home. but i guess not…. 
i guess congratulations to this family….
Wow, that was really childish. Especially the fake "congratulations" to the winner with the frowny face next to it. Sorry the self serving attitude didn't win this home for you.
A lot of people went through loss this year. I am very sorry for your family losing your grandfather, but I doubt seriously that he would have been proud of your reaction. I lost my mother to lung cancer and my father to an aneurysm but in no way did I expect to win this because of that. I entered the sweepstakes FAIRLY, just like everyone else. Take your disappointment and deal with it, but coming here and trying to get pity from a group of people that have heard EVERY sob story over the past week won't get you anywhere.
I hope the Mastenieks have smaller pets than this. It would be a shame to chop up that pretty new Acadia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5UwpCzM1v0
LOL! too cute! thanks for sharing!
My son's a CU buffalo. Thanks for posting this. Love it!
Cool that your son goes to CU, dooby78. I lived in Colorado all my life until 3 years ago. I'm pretty sad that the Buffs didn't get into the NCAA basketball tourney — they deserved to go! Have a good day!
Especially over UAB!! Colorado had bigger wins. That decision blew me away. Oh well, maybe they can win the NIT. Not as much glory, but maybe set the standard for next year!!
Bravo ! I totally agree with you on this itsokay. There is no way on earth that any of this dream Home give away sweepstakes or this blog should go on a downward sloap ( NO pun intented lol ) Im just happy to be able to be involved in such a nice offer from the HGTV folks . Somebody had to win. You said it all very well. And could not be any happier for the young family who won. They look like very nice people.
Yes they do look like very nice people. I have a strange compulsion to want to hold the baby… I'm jealous now. My baby is nine years old.
Meant SLOPE
I'm very disappointed. I wanted to win so bad.
Being a winner of something feels good no matter how big or small the prize. I feel your pain. I won a TV once, and it still makes me happy. Accomplishments make people feel good too.
Better days are coming. The HGTV Green Home giveaway is starting in mid April. After that the DIY Blog Cabin giveaway starts in July or August. They may have the Urban Oasis giveaway again, and that will start in early fall.
MARY!! Wait minute!!! It's not fair. You can't post the POP QUIZ until everyone watches the special, and I won't see the special until you're already asleep (11pm ET). You just as well wait and give us the quiz Monday morning the 21st. You know I wouldn't ever want to miss one of your quizzes, Blog Master Mary.
Im new to this whole thing…Pop Quiz for what..? I want to start playing all this fun stuff about the new houses…thanks
It was at the end of Mary's post up above. She may have been joking about a pop quiz. If not she may ask the bloggers questions about the Dream Home reveal special after it is aired. If you are up for a game of hunting the clues. Mary usually gives us clues as to where the next Dream Home will be located. Last year the clues started in Mid April. It's always possible they'll stop giving clues to the next giveaway home locations.
I'll probably Tivo the late night special and watch it Sunday morning, so everyone will be shouting out the answers before I get the chance to take the quiz. I may just have to copy from my neighbor's paper, but don't tell Teacher Mary!
here how i look at it here today gone tommorrow life goes on and far as who is deserving to win or not is not for us to say,they thing now is most of theese homes cant never really stay living in them because of all of the taxes they tax you to death on everything and then it puts you into a higher tax bracket on income to,i would love to win a more affordable home that you keep and live in mind you theese are beautiful home
oops sorry left words out this is great sweepstakes but i figure from the first one built it was never really a surprised ambush they call the winners ahead of time its just to get the ratings up on thier show we really got to know this in our heart
Congrats Eric!! I can't wait to watch how it all went down on TV this coming Saturday…Im so excited about the next dream home…wonder where it will be in 2012..?
Maybe 2012 will be my lucky year…I would love to win the dream…I would love to live the dream…
What a chance of a lifetime…I can only imagine and hope that someday I can live this amazing dream with my family…God Bless!
i am happy for them an sorry for those who feel let down but life does go on this i have been finding out myself of lates,my mother has alzheimer in the last stages in the nursing home my hubby has had severe high blood pressure for 35 years now my daughter has 2 children with heart problems so i am just thankful to wake up in the morning
You sound like an amazing women…Im so sorry about your mother and grandchildren…I will keep you in my prays…God Bless Your Family!
You have a wonderful attitude, greatgrannymama! How awesome to be a great granny!! It's easier for me to feel happy for the winners than it is to feel sorry for those who feel let down, but I'm working on being more magnanimous. Thanks for pointing me in that direction, and I wish you and your family good health and happiness.
i know in my heart family is most important thing to me right now there is my faith family health there is always another sweepstakes another tommorow so please remember its just a sweepstake an the odds of winning is great just be happy because life is short
Thank you! That's EXACTLY what I'm hoping for on this board. That everyone will accept the outcome, and move on to the Green Home or the Dream Home 2012! Good luck to ALL in you future endeavors! <3
Congratulations to the winner! I am so excited for you and your family. I must admit that I am a little sad that the dreaming is over =_( This has been my first year entering the HGTV Dream Home Contest. It gave me something to get out of bed for, happy tears. Thank you HGTV for giving us something to dream about! What fun these past few weeks have been.
One last thing I was wondering about…Do we find out who, besides the home winner, won the Gifts that we voted on? Still a little hope?.? If I won I would ask all the HGTV people, staff and stars to sign that beautiful quilt. I'm not familiar with show business and how shows are filmed but to have such people like Mike Holmes, Linda W, David, John, Genevieve, Emily, etc. even our beloved superfan Mary, autographs would be a lovely dream-come-true in itself.
I think they will announce the housewarming gifts winner on the reveal show, sherrinut. Good luck!
Thank you Wyo_Girl
Good Luck to you! So where do we go now? I see a few have gone over to the DIY Blog Cabin. As you can tell this is all new to me but I'm thrilled to be a part of the "dreaming team of bloggers!" I love, LOVE the way HGTV and DIY give us something to dream about! Have fun!
Some go to the Blog Cabin, many go to Green Home. I am excited for the Green Home blog, because I love that house and location this year. Also, this Dream Home blog stays active, although the topics are spread out a little more often. In a few months, Mary will start posting clues to guess where next year's Dream Home will be, and that's really fun! Glad you're sticking around!
Having spent most of my working years in public school classrooms, i get a bit concerned to read posts from parents who get caught up in this contest as a solution to financial problems they may have. If parents can enter the contest in a spirit of fun, yet be realistic about the odds of winning— @ 76 million to one– kids can learn about probability, chance, and also the power of dreams.
I just hope it does not become a crushing disappointment for the kids when the contest ends–please parents, keep it light….( My sons have been rolling their eyes at me for the 15 yrs. I entered for the DH)
This is not in response to any one blogger in particular, just a trend I have noticed lately… and Lord knows the country's financial picture has been gloomy for so many folks.
I agree. It should be just fun for us to come to these blogs, and have some fun with it all, and not make it so serious that even their kids are affected by the hopes and dreams.. and cannot handle the fact that they have not won the house. I would have loved to win the Dream home to gather at with my own family , husband and son, for great vacations through out the year, along with inviting my brother his wife and their children,, . I invisioned baking and cooking in that beautiful kitchen, and sitting by the fire , with my family , just having a fun time, talking and lauging. etc . But, its still ok that I didn't win, since I feel very blessed for my famliy, and the life and home we have. And we will still have wonderful gatherings at my brothers home when we all visit together. I still feel its fate in the end to win the home. If its meant to be , its meant to be .
You said this so well, LLColeman. This is exactly how I feel. I worked in public schools for 30 years myself, so maybe that's why I feel the same way. It breaks my heart to hear about kids getting so involved in this contest and not understanding the tremendous odds against winning.
Wyo_Girl: 30 years ?? that is double the time I worked in schools (but then it seems like 30.. I worked with adolescents labeled emotionally disturbed, and also lots of students from the community famous for the movie "Dangerous Minds", gang members, etc.)
Anyway, I blog very late at night usually & can't quite remember what I wrote the previous night, so I am glad if it comes out coherently, LOL.
Wow, tough job, LL. It wasn't nearly as tough for me. I was a middle school teacher and then a middle school principal. I didn't work directly with too many emotionally disturbed kids, but I'm not sure I can say the same about some of the parents.
Have a good day!
Wyo, some of the parents can be a huge challenge! I would work with HS students any day, but for me, the middle school age is the real challenge– I take my hat off to you for working with that age…(at lot of kids can really start falling into trouble before they hit HS, and it is such a crucial time developmentally.)
LL, I too worked with Emotionally Disturbed in elementary and middle schools. I absolutely
loved it. I had a "day class" and had to teach all the subjects and PE. I had a lot of fun with
them. I would have liked if there had been blogs then and used it for Language Arts! They
would have had a blast, however they wouldn't have believed anything!!! I miss those kids.xD
I miss the kids I worked with, too. I always wonder how things have turned out for them. It was amazing to see some of the kids for 4 years and up to graduation; the changes in them were awesome. A lot of students were first generation to have any education at all, and they were my heroes; other kids had to struggle with emotional issues and were so brave.
You did say it so well. However, I noticed that none of the long time bloggers were the ANGRY
ones but people posting for the first time! They jumped on spread their "mulch" and left so I am
sure none of them are here now or reading this. Anyway if they do come back it would be on the
next thread.
I didn't recognize most of the names. Some accidently stumbled because they had prepared themselves for a 19th reveal and we had the surprise given to us instead.l Oh well, maybe I won the
house warming gifts!!!!
SandyLA, I agree–maybe we can post a cautionary notice at the start of the entry period next time…..yes, most seem to drop posts without reading much of the blog, but who has time to do that, anyway ? I don't 'have a life' these days so the time is all I have.
Being a professional blogger is a life. It is a life of fantasy and dreams – very nice. Sorry your
other life is at a crossroad. Find something to do like vounteer at a hospital, school, or even a
library, or even a church. These are places that need help and have people there for you to
meet!;)
I have health issues right now that make it hard to commit to volunteering, but friends still teach in schools where I would help out if I could. I very much believe in voluntary service as you do.
I love your phrase that they spread their mulch, Sandy! They're not always on the newest thread. Sometimes they are a thread or two back. I got jumped on by a couple of new blogging bullies, so I think I'll get back to the latest thread and stay there. See you over there!!
Well said LLColeman. I too work in a public high school and my own sons roll their eyes when I say it's Dream Home season. People can have hope but have to be realistic. It's fun, not supposed to make people cry. I'm so glad HGTV continues to do a DH each year.
Ha Ha, at least the regular bloggers understand the lure of the DH contest, since my family does NOT!
So, now I do not have to worry about sitting at home hoping there is a knock on my door. I know the chances were slim, but I still had hope-this is a little disappointing-I can understand neighbors and/or the winner blabbing early, but I thought that was why we were all waiting for Saturday night. O well, congrats to the winners, and good luck to everyone next year!
How about a new 'main page'??? No one's voting on what they would do if they won !!! Something new please !
NEW PAGE: March 14th..Exploring the Laundry Room..Time to end this one and onto the next one.. "Have a GREAT Day everyone" and keep smiling!:)<3
I was just thinking (sometimes a dangerous thing) that we could write a real tear jerker of a Country Western song with some of the losing statements posted here.
It could contain bitterness, poor sportsmanship, lots of whining, and crying, with a line or two of self-pity. I'd add a line or two about how disappointed my dog was that 1. she could not fit into the DH doghouse, and 2. she has to sleep on the floor because she lost.
Maybe we should contact PETA because big dogs were discriminated by HGTV.
Did I miss anything? If I could sing, as good as we can whine, I just might have a hit!
"Let's get this party started" on a positive note: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sLR0vgpeWI&fe…
Thanks, you gave me a smile that will last all day! Loved it. BTW, your Lucy is quite a cutie.
Thanks AnneEliseSouth!! Hope you have a great day!!
AnneEliseSouth, you are too much !! Leave it to you to get creative using some of the annoying elements of blogging !! I am sure that your big, beautiful dog is devastated that she did not win, "OWWOOOO, "
I have missed all your musical references, by the way… I think Woodstock really had you inspired last year !
I can hear Randy Travis sing it now, " Mah 18 chirrun wanted to have that dorm room, mah wife up & left me cause I did not win the Dream Home, and now mah houn' dog's startin' to look good to me……."
With ideas like this, if we could market them, we could make enough money to build our own dream house!
I wonder if we could get Ray Stevens to sing it for us? I love his stuff, he's been around forever, and he's still funny, and on top of all the latest topics. My dawg Maggie is so funny looking, we could get her to be in it, and do her "wiggle, bum, jump dance".
Does Maggie enjoy wearing costumes? Yes I think having a dancing dog would be a great addition to the video. My Boston Terrier could be in it, too–but I am afraid if he saw Maggie, he'd try to engage her in a Very Different sort of dance, LOL !! We'd have to' pixel out ' some of it…..
i think it would be effortless for someone like Coop to gather up the whiny sounding posts and string together some heart rending lyrics.
(I myself have difficult circumstances healthwise AND financially, and do not mean to poke fun at people who need to share some of the challenges they have in life; but there are other posts that are about pure entitlement and poor sportsmanship, to say the least.)
I think your marketing ideas are brilliant and may help subsequent winners earn some cash to offset taxes, also.
I'm so happy for the winners. it's good to know that they have selected a winner.
Happy for the winners too! Has anyone mentioned here–I haven't been able to read all the posts–that a neighbor saw Monica, the balloons, etc., and made the announcement?
Perhaps it should be done in an almost invisible way?
Mary has broken her tradition of not posting on Monday mornings and has a new blog for us! I hope the upset conspiracy theorists don't follow us over there!
But what would a new blog post be without drama, silly girl!
You all ARE kidding, right? With all that is going on in the world you're upset that someone let the cat out of the bag about a house giveaway. Get real people. HGTV is great (and a great escape) but there are so many other, more important things in the world. Get over it and get out and make a difference in the world. Geez.
While I realize that HGTV's previous method of a surprise/ambush would someday back fire, with the winner simply not being home, I don't like this years surprise/ambush of _us_ by announcing the winner over a week earlier than anyone here anticipated.
Yea, many HGTV viewers and fans, would sit in their homes, and hope that they would see a glimpse of their own town, as HGTV was making their way, possibly, to their home. Without that hope of possibly being the winner, the HGTV Dreamhome show, is, well, down right BORING.
I am even one of those who would even turn my front porch light 'on', just in case. No need this year. No need to even be home.
BAD, BAD, BAD, Mary! BAD!
best wishes to the 2011 winners, E.H.
Congratulations on your win!
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your new home! God Bless
Congratulations to the 2011 HGTV winners!
Go, Realtors !
Congrats to the winner!!!!! Yay….so happy for them… There is always next year for me to enter to be the next winner <SPAN class=idc-smiley><SPAN style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0pt 0pt"><SPAN>:)</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>
Dear Eric & Family,
Congratulations on your winnings. The stars fell on your shoulders. Be wise and give thanks to "God" from which all bessings flow. You really seem like a good hubsand and father. Now you can relax a little and do something fun with your guy friends!!!!!
Good Luck!
Yeah, maybe they can donate the big house they already own since they took the chance away from someone with no house to now have 2.
I am SOOOOOOO disappointed in HGTV! So,the family lives in Hinsdalle (let me remaind you,that hardly ANYONE can afford a house in Hinsdalle,because the prices are so high) and are not planing to move out,but use that house as a vacation house? how convenient is for some of us.I would've moved over there in a heartbeat.So,rich people became more richer.Bravo HGTV,you've outdone yourself again.
See Anne Elise South's post above.
Exactly. The nerve of these people to take the chance of winning a home away from others when they already have a home.
Congrats to Eric and Catherine and the new joy of your life. Have a great time in your new piece of heaven. If you need me to go up and check on the house next winter for a week or so…. just let me know : )))))
Enjoy it !!!
Okay…really with the niceness…come on people! To everyone who entered not only twice a day but also four times a day, for their spouse too!! I mean it a competition people we all wanted to win. I have no idea who these people are who won, but I would LOVE to see someone who is completely broke, with everything to loose win this competition! were are the winner who really need it?!!!
I mean I am completely in school debt, I don't have a car (desperately need one too!) and engaged! where are the people who really needed this, even the people with the 40,000$ credit card debt, they deserved to win this too!! These people just seem to have it together, with a house of their own and two kids. I would have loved to see the HGTV people roll up to a trailer in the back woods and tell those people that they have won!
I think this whole thing is a set up for TV and I want to see real people win and for future states to have LOCALS win the house, people who know the area and love the state where the house is built!
hea Im that trailer in the backwoods, so right on!!! lol. but its home. better then no place at all. readneck all the way!! this redneck, boonie, coonaxx, country girl is ready to win!! want to trade my 2000 wornout windstar for that gmc. want to trade toting 10 loads of landry a week to the laundry mat for that double working wash room!!! yea, let us po folk win!!!!
How is it you know so much about this family and their debt and financial situation, medical issues, etc etc etc? You can't judge a book by it's cover. The grass isn't always greener, even though it may appear that way. Instead of comparing yourself to others, you might try concentrating your energy on changing your own life. If you see yourself as a victim, a victim you will remain.
Look them up and you will see who these people are, and the huge house they already had.
" Oh, I already have a huge house…let me enter every day so someone with no house won't win because of me being greedy. Perfect."
Average income for Hinsdale IL = 175,000
Average home value in Hinsdale IL = 625,000
WOOO Grats HGTV on giving away more stuff to people who really don't need it.
see AnneEliseSouth's post above
What is it about RANDOM DRAWING – that you don't understand?
The problem is the people that enter when they know they already have a huge home. Self seeking, self centered, selfish people…that take away from others when they already have a home. Terrible.
They should know better than to enter…so that just maybe someone less fortunate might win a home….but now they get to have 2 homes…perfect.
This house is for wealthy people, the HOA fee alone is more than most peoples rent or mortage a month, so they won the house but they won't be able to keep it, there is a differents between having money and being rich. It seems most of the houses they build lately are for the rich, such a shame.
I own an extremely "average" house, and although it is beautiful to me, no one other than me would be entertained, or impressed with a show about it's creation, decoration, etc. You might even have to pay someone to accept it as a prize if you were to give it away!
HGTV, I love your homes/sweepstakes just the way they are, don't change a thing for me.
Look at the urban oasis, how much stuff did they cram into that tiny million dollar place? Is the student going to be able to live there, what were the HOA a month, something like $1,300.00 a month if not more.
Not our problem, although it's a problem I wouldn't mind having. I'd take the money, gratefully, and create my own dream. Meanwhile, I found the OA project fascinating, and highly entertaining, and look forward to enjoying the next one.
But then it wouldn't be a "dream" home, it would be "average" home.
Although you may have a very sensible approach to all this, I think most of us are looking for the "wow" factor of a "dream" home. Since average is the norm for most of us, we find more entertainment, and fascination with the "dream".
In reality, the odds of winning are 80,000,000 to one, or less, so it's all about the dreaming, and watching the process.
The average home is most peoples "dream home", just owning a home is the "wow" factor. The "dream"is owning your own home, its such a shame that most homes that are given away are not lived in by the winner, who wanted it so bad and entered everyday to win and then turn around and sell it.
Did anybody reicived a call saying that you were the posible winer like I did, and then, this???Aparently I was too far away to film the program or what?. Is incredible that I was called by HGTV in 80M people and they gave away the price to someone else. This puzzle will hunt me for the rest of my life. Why the call if the price was going to be given to someone in their backyard? What about I never been there? I can even sleep about this. Not fair at all…
First I heard of this .If I had gotten a call I would be mad too if they announced another winner. That was Cruel….
Are you sure it was HGTV and not just someone trying to play a mean joke on you?
Why do they alway's pick someone with a nice home already??? Huh?
What about the Homeless & the hard working people without a home?
All I can say is: GOD sit's high & he looks low!!!
HGTV is not being fair to the poor & meek!!!
Making the rich, richer!
No More HGTV 4 Me!!!!!!! I'm Done!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a RANDOM DRAWING – not an essay contest where you convince HGTV of your "worthiness" or your "need".
Yeah,yeah,yeah I know!!! Sure it was a RANDOM DRAWING But, was it really a Drawing???
You don't really know that 4 sure now do u??? KEEP IT REAL!!!
The problem is these self seeking people already had a home, a big home, in a very nice suburb….but no, that wasn't enough….needed to enter daily to lessen the chances for someone who had no home to win.
Congratulations to the Makstenieks Family anyway!!!!!!!
Alright, too many negative nellys and sour grapes popping up around here.
People, it's a contest…with A TON of entries.
HGTV is choosing a winner RANDOMLY.
You don't DESERVE anything for entering.
We know NOTHING about this family and their financial situation (stop assuming).
As long as you persist in COMPARING yourself to others, you will never be happy or feel content or satisfied.
That's my rant. I'm checking out. It's been fun.
~Peace
Well, I'm mad the winner was a single mother from the southside of chicago who won. Because she lost her job they gave it to the hinsdale couple. It's not fair. Even if that young mother could not keep the house she had an option to take the $650,000 and car and not the house. How could could Jim Sample do this. The real reason it got out so quickly, was because someone in the company felt that is was not fair so the told us the so called winner in advance. That how !!!!!!!. This has never happened before people. Jim samples said " I never been there before." He's not telling the truth. What he meant was he's never been to the ghetto. !!!!!!!! This couple will not move to Vermont, his wife has a good job. It's is a shame that HGtv offers a home to people to enter and then win they don't feel they are suitable they give it someone else.
What a blessing it would have been for this single woman with kids to enjoy. The lord does not approve of wrong doing and the parties that were involved, I hope they come clean with the truth. It's a shame.
what proof do you have of this? Just curious.
You would be surprised at what I know. Wait and see. It may take awhile but the truth will come out.
Are you nuts? Why are you making this up? Where's the proof for these accusations?
You would be surprised at what I know. Wait and see. It may take a while but the truth will come out. First question. Why did this get out? 15 years of ambushes. John Smith was not a person who live next door. He told the truth and said that it should have went to a single mother with kids. HGTv does a background check. on the potential winners. Why? so if i was a rapist I don't deserve the home. Come on if I was to tell you how I know, would it matter. The damage is done. Where you there when the pulled the number? NO, but I know someone who was. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that there might be one flaw in your story. John Smith didn't say that it should have gone to a single mother with kids? Also I believe John Smith was a teenager in the neighborhood of the winner. Amazing what people really know.
I told you someone I know was there, so for you to tell me that theres a flaw in the story. WoW
People are so clueless !!!!!!!!
itsokay–John Smith did type that the Dream Home should have gone to a single Mother with kids–I saw what he had typed-whether it is true or not I don't know–frankly the whole thing was odd that day!
Thanks Cindy your a Rock Star !!!!!!!!!!!!!. It's a amazing that it went down that way. That surely tells you something is not right and HGTV really don't have to delete it. Why ?. As I said before the damage is done. It's still not fair and when you do wrong is it worth paying for a sin you really didn't have to commit. God speaks against mistreating the fatherless. And that's what he or they did. Sorry
I stand corrected. John Smith lied and was not the neighbor of the winners and did not see the whole thing go down but he or she did know that another winner was selected and disqualified first. He or she then went onto this blog and posted who the winner was because he or she was so upset about what happened? So tinktink when will this all be revealed to the general public?
U right!!! It's a SHAME! But I have a GOD that Sit's High & Look Low @ all the wrong doing!!!
Why do people that already have, take away from those that don't? They already own a huge home.
This is ridiculous…they want more and more, when they already had a home. Greedy people.
It takes some nerve to already own a huge home and enter daily to deny someone without a home the chance to win a home.
So I was actually drowning in my sorrows because I truly wanted to win this. I live in a trailor with my husband and 2 kids, it’s a nice trailor, we’ve fixed it up and it’s home. As I have seen so many wanted this and dreamed about this. It’s kinda saddening that people can’t be happy for the winners. I actually will admit that I consumed myself in this contest and that was ridiculous as we all know it was 80 million to 1 chances. So all I will say is congrats to the family who won and hope they enjoy the whole experience that comes with it!
Some people on here are so angry and mad. Everyone here at least has access to a computer and internet so I am sure there are a thousand more things to be happy and grateful for than there are to be angry and bitter about. I REALLY wanted that house just like everybody else on here, but I didn't get it. I was disappointed, but I woke up the next morning and I had breath in my body, which meant that there are still good things in store for me. So now, I look forward to those. All of us should just be grateful that we woke up this morning because someone, somewhere in the world didn't. Stop picking on HGTV for giving away something that was theirs to give…whenever they wanted to give it and to whoever they wanted to give it to.
Now go…and HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
Michelle
I Agree!!! I'm just saying be fair!
I think it is great that this family won such a terrific house but find it very sad and disturbing that a person could not go one day (when baby born for heavens sake!) without using a computer. I would not want to be a parent relaying the day they were born and as a footnote- oh yep was on the computer entering that house sweepstakes, sad.
You just never no the babys birthday could be when he won…your at the hospital for hours and hours and many of those hours your doing nothing but counting down the time…maybe his wife was sleeping during this time or maybe she was at the beginning stages of labor. I personally see nothing wrong with being on the computer for a little bit at this very important time of birth.
Congrats to the winner!
truth is they are very aware who they pick they do a credit check income verification and all. This is the truth this IS NOT a random pick at all!!!!
I have a question…there was also a contest on the site for a chance to win an acadia denali. Does anyone know when we will find out who won that?
That was a separate sweepstakes from the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. You probably won't find out who won that unless it is you or you followed the official rules regarding the steps necessary to receive a mail notification.
To me it would have fill my heart with joy to see a person that had nothing win. After all it is about giving. Why not give to someone who really needs it. A family living out a shelter, a single mother in a low income apartment, a family that really was in need. That’s the dream I would have loved to watch given. They had a home and was given a second one Congrats. Help those who really need in life! don’t sell dreams to them that they can’t afford! $$$
I can officially say that I am done with this crazy blog experience. I admit it was fun to paricipate when the leak was going on but it is a mess and what is the point? I don't get it blog leaks, people that know the real story, time will tellers, intense debate monitors removing some posts but not others, and for what? I own a home already I personally think that this is unhealthy. Wait too there will be a post from someone saying "Don't leave it always gets tough after the winner is announced" think about that kinda like a cult leader making sure you feel safe in their environment and will stay. WEIRD, WEIRD, WEIRD I am so embarrassed that I fell into it. Even more embarrassed when I tell people that I actually posted.
Hooray to the Makstenieks! I'm a Vermonter so WELCOME! to the one of the most beautiful states and I am so excited that this amazing opportunity is going to a young family!!!!