Comments on: Green Home Alone

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:39:28 +0000

That’s pretty cool, Livy – and also encouraging. HGTV just announced a new giveaway of a condo in New York City and it had us thinking about how cool / nightmarish it could be so it’s always nice to hear the good side of the story!

-John

By: Livy

Livy — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:19:19 +0000

My mom’s friend entered a “dream home” contest a few years ago (one where you actually design the house yourself) and although he didn’t win (he was runner up) he did get acquainted with the winner. Fast forward some years, we were invited into the very house of said winner. I do not know how much the total of the house was, how financially stable that family was when they won the contest but they did get to keep/live in it. Now looking back, I’m pretty darn amazed. From the comments above, it indeed sounds like a financial nightmare.

By: Jack Brennan

Jack Brennan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:59:33 +0000

I was at this home on FEB 28,2010.There is no one on the premise.No one in the sales office.I understand that the other houses (about 8)are rented.Someone was taking the appliances out of the HGTV GREEN house.The place is desolate.Too bad.

By: Jordyn

Jordyn — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:22:52 +0000

I can’t believe this, I entered everyday as well, but now it seems to be more of a headache than a dream. I’m surprised anyone enters it anymore(especially with the economy the way it is). That seems kind of mean to tempt people like that! It’s a shame that HGTV is able to do that.

By: megan

megan — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:24:14 +0000

It is such a cute home to be so alone. Bummer.

By: Amelia

Amelia — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:55:20 +0000

I can see how winning the dream home might be more bad than good, but I simply can’t feel sorry for the family in that article. Did you guys read it? They had SEVEN cars, a boat, three dogs, were living off disability, and decided to take scuba lessons and entertain every weekend. Of course they’re going to get into trouble!!! I say they weren’t doing so well even BEFORE the dream home debacle. Ridiculous.

By: foobella

foobella — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:26:23 +0000

I think it’s interesting that so many people don’t think about what happens after you win the prize. I remember learning about the “joys” of prize winning while watching The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune in the 70′s and 80′s (I was just a wee child, mind you). I would always wonder how people would get their shiny new car back to {insert your home state here}. I was told that many winners would opt to take the cash value of the car instead of the actual car. That way, there were no property taxes to worry about. Couldn’t the winner of the houses do the same? Wonder if that is in the fine print.

This situation also got me to thinking about the future of prizes such as these. With the internet, we, as potential winners, have access to the real scoop on what happens once a prize winner is announced. I mean, just look at all the folks responding to this post whose eyes are newly opened to the pitfalls of being a bit ticket winner. Seems to me, the more the word gets out, the less and less people will be entering these contests. Wonder what will happen then? Will they, as someone mentioned above, put the focus on greening-up an existing house instead?

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:21:08 +0000

Hey Jessy,

Stay tuned for all the fun Savannah vacay details within the next few days. We had a blast and can’t wait to spill the beans about where we went, and more importantly, where we ate!

xo,
Sherry

By: LINDZ

LINDZ — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:03:55 +0000

I’m just gonna go ahead and take the high road on this one. I’m going to hide in my closet until I have enough dimes saved to buy my own house! Too bad there’s always a catch. :)

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:03:10 +0000

Thanks Emily! We just updated it about an hour ago. You’re the first to notice!

xo,
Sherry (& John, who did the updating)