HGTV Dream Home!

[supernova]

OMG! OMG!

I admit it. I lust after this year's HGTV Dream Home in Islamorada, FL. It brings out every dog eat dog capitalist thought I've ever had.

I want! I want! I want! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Oh, did I mention it comes w/ a GMC Yukon Hybrid?

:woohoo: :woohoo:

Tour here: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dream_home/



http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dream_home_2008/text/0,,HGTV_30596_65579,00.html

[AllegroRondo]

1. Id love to see a "where are they now" for past winners

I've heard that many of the past winners had to sell the house because they couldnt afford the property taxes. The winner from 2 years ago (the one in Georgia with the separate beach house) tried to rent out the beach house to afford the taxes, but the local HOA wouldnt allow it.

Still, I wouldnt mind winning either.

[supernova]

3. I figure it's OK

Even if you have to sell it, you're still better off than not winning. You can sell it; take the cash and go anywhere. For instance, I've long wanted a flat in London too. Yeah, sure like that will ever happen! One of the best investments is property.

Then there's the whole hurricane issue. I don't see anywhere where they talk about what building materials they used that would help in that situation.

To be fair to me, the Dream Home doesn't usually interest me. They're nice, but I don't go ga ga. I think it's that this one is a beach house is what does it for me.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. One story re: past winners

http://www.isucceed.com/Overwhelming-Hidden-Costs-Live-in-HGTVs-Dream-Home/real-estate-news/52532/

I know I would sell it if I won. The taxes not only on the property, but to the IRS for winning, would be huge.

[supernova]

10. That's an issue

I would definitely explore the feasability of making it a rental home. It's a designer house on the beach in FL, how hard could it be? But you have to find the right agent to let it though. I don't know what the HOA is on this house. Last night on the special, they mentioned that it's part of a 7 house development w/ a common pool. So you've got 7 (eventual) neighbors who may or may not be part time.

There are too many unknowns at this point.

[Debbi801]

2. Shhh, don't tell people, it lessens the chance of winning.....

:rofl: I've been entering to win the dream house since its inception. Sadly, I'm still waiting for the knock on my door letting me know I've won. :)

[supernova]

4. I hear ya!

:rofl:

But this house really has me in it's grip! It's so cute, all blue and yellow.

edit: Good luck! And if either of us wins, I think we should invite the other down for a vacation. B-) :D

[Debbi801]

5. It's a deal!

Personally, I'm just drooling over the fact that the master bedroom has its own bathroom, and that there is a bath tub in there, not just a shower stall. LOL

Not to mention the close proximity to Key West. :)

Good luck!

[momophile]

7. I'm not a big fan of the interior layout - doesn't seem that

functional. kids on the first floor, parents on the third, guest room inbetween? how do you hear the kids sneaking out?

and the guest room is larger than the kitchen...

however, having said that, I'd still like to try it out for a while!! it is eye candy!!

[supernova]

11. teens

Well, at the moment, doesn't look like there is much around there to get into trouble with, even if they did sneek out. Looks like you have to drive anywhere to eat or see a movie, or whatever. So, I'm thinking you could at least hear the car start up. ;-)

But I think pre teens and tweens would really enjoy having their own space.

[Fleshdancer]

27. I agree. I don't like the kitchen on the second floor either

hauling groceries up a flight of stairs and hauling the trash down would get old after a while.

I love the patios though.

[RubyDuby in GA]

28. I agree. There's not even a bathroom on the first floor.

It's not laid out very well.

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Ew. Could the entertainment room be any more full of shit and clutter?

I'd have to gut the place and throw out just about every piece of furniture and knick knack and piece of artwork.

:puke:

Kind of a neat design on the house, though.

[supernova]

9. Yeah, it's a little knick-knacky

for my tastes, but I figure, if I win, I can do what i want with the interior.

[Wcross]

12. Craptacular location this year.

With the real estate problems in Florida right now, that is a really poor location. I wonder what the homeowners insurance would be on that?
I don't like it but I entered anyways. I figure if I could clear 100k off the sale it is 100k I don't have now!

[supernova]

16. That's my thinking

Even if I have to sell it, even paying taxes, it's $$ I wouldn't have had before.

[Tektonik]

13. Thanks for letting me know

I'm now going to win the house :D

[supernova]

17. Ha, you have to be in the vacation club then

:D

If any of us DUers wins, we have to invite the others for a visit. B-)

[momophile]

14. I'll be keeping an eye out for when their Green Home goes

to contest. I'd probably be more interested in that. Other than the fact that it's supposed to be at Hilton Head and global warming should wipe that out.

[supernova]

18. But Will Ed Begley design it?

:D

[flvegan]

15. Google Earth (or maps) 139 Gimpy Gulch Rd, Plantation Key

Then zoom out. The property being developed is at the very end of the road. Incredible location.

Taxes will be insane.

[supernova]

19. Oh you know it

Right now it looks like the Dream Home is the first property up and finished. It's supposed to be a 7-house development sharing a pool. I like that it's at the end of the road though.

[flvegan]

20. The Notice filed in Monroe County says 8 "units" so maybe there

is a pool cabana or something to go with the 7 houses?

The road is private, too. It's also tough to get developments approved in that area. They've been working on this for 3 years now.

[supernova]

23. Maybe?

Dunno. Or a freestanding shed for the garder?

[Midlodemocrat]

24. Maybe they're counting the Canine Cabana.

:rofl:

I would still LOVE to win that house. Right on the ocean. What a dream.

[Midlodemocrat]

21. I would LOVE to win that house.

I would love to be on the ocean in the Keys, but obviously not going to happen without a big win of some kind.

I wonder if part of the win is 'tax money'? :shrug: It was on the last two or three shows, I think. IIRC, that is.

[flvegan]

22. $17464.48 per year

If it is indeed assessed at $2.2 million, that's the result with the given millage.

HGTV I would think would assist with the huge IRS bill on this, though.

Insurance would be a killer. Way out of reach.

[kwassa]

25. Imagine flood insurance

Hurricane alley, here. The keys are a about a foot above sea level.

[jdg]

26. Insurance?

Any idea what Liability + Flood + Wind insurance policies might cost for $2M DH?.
And what do weekly beach front house rentals go for in Islamorada?
Thanks