en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/719768 Comments by shoejunkie62 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52057169 the total prize is actially $2,038,375 approx. because the home alone is 2 mill and the suv is extra. The federal taxes are just over $509,594. Then, you have to calculate how much you owe to the state where you reside. In my state, it would cost an additional 101,555. So, I would owe $110,000 after I handed over the cash prize. Some states consider it income. Some states consider it gambling winnings. It just depends on where you live. Luckily, I have that much equity in my current home. But, not everybody in this economy has a hundred grand just laying around. Yes, sometimes, you can arrange to make monthly payments, but with the utilties, a $300 a month HOA fee, a $900 a month property tax bill, and a $200 a month Homeowners insurance bill, who can afford to make a monthly payment to their state for the initital tax bill? Some people, but not most people. That's just reality. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:29:43 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52057169 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52048677 But, isn't the idea of winning a dream home to not have to pay a mortgage anymore? What's the point of moving into a dream home and it costing your just as much or more than your old one did? You're just paying it to the government and the HOA instead of the mortgage company. Sure, you've got a beautiful home, but you're not getting ahead financially speaking. And, the 13000 doesn't include utilities or home owners insurance, which will be substantial on a 2 milion dollar home. And, don't think those HOA fees and taxes aren't going to go up every year. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:57:12 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52048677 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52046522 Yes, Lessie, I've given it a lot of thought the last few days and conlcuded that HGTV is trying to do a good thing, but our government's and states' tax laws are making it impossible for lower or middle income people to keep the prize. I do think HGTV could have tried to build the home in an area with lower propety taxes, though. There are areas in New Mexico that have lower tax rates than Sandia Park. Maybe I'm being naive about the taxes because I'm from Alabama and used to paying only $250 a year. Even here, if my house and lot were worth 1.7 milion, my taxes would probably be $2,500 a year. But, that's a lot more manageable than ten grand. Even so, we can't blame HGTV for the tax laws. I'm disillusioned with the taxes, not the contest. I still hope I win even though, I'll have to sell it becaue i'ts going to cost $25 grand a year to maintain and we won't be able to afford that in our retirement years. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:45:22 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/08/for-the-newbies/#IDComment52046522 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50732769 It will take almost $510,000 just to pay the feds. Then, depending on what state you reside in, you may have to pay income taxes to that state as well. You can go to your state's revenue dept. web site for more information. Thu, 7 Jan 2010 01:53:09 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50732769 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50730800 I had actually done all of the tax calculating and researched what our current home is worth and how much we still owe on it, and come to the realization that we could live in the Dream Home if we won it. Then, yesterday, I found out that the annual property taxes on the Dream Home are $10,000 and the HOA fees are $3,000 and that nixed it. That is as much as we are paying for our entire mortgage, taxes, and insurance now. Why do that when we can sell it and buy or build a home with much lower property taxes and zero HOA fees? It just doesn't make sense. The property taxes are outrageous and the HOA fees unnecessary. It's almost as if HGTV doesn't want the winner to live in the dream home or they would build it in a more affordable place. Thu, 7 Jan 2010 01:30:19 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50730800 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50729828 Yes, there is a community well that is maintained by the HOA and is covered by the fees. Thu, 7 Jan 2010 01:16:41 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50729828 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50729504 It was already posted at approximately $10,000 per year in property taxes plus $3,000 per year in HOA fees. Thu, 7 Jan 2010 01:12:20 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50729504 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50590967 I suspect that you are tyring to say something negative about HGTV, but I'm not sure because what you write is rather difficult to decipher. This is all in good fun. Relax and enjoy. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 04:01:26 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50590967 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50586856 Wow, that is utterly shocking. I guess I'm spoiled living in Alabama. My property taxes are $250 per year and, no, I don't live in a van down by the river. I live in a nice average sized house on an above average sized lot. The ONLY upside is that you get to deduct that ridiculous amount from your federal income tax----THANK GOD!!! Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:46:08 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50586856 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50584671 One of the bloggers checked with the community and posted that they were $2400 per year, but someone else posted $300 per month. So, I don't know for sure. I know this for sure. Neither I nor my husband plays golf and we aren't interested in paying $300 a month for a pool when all you have to do is join the Y. And, as far as the gate goes, my watch dog has worked just fine for me so far. I'm not a big fan of the whole gated community thing. I think it's highly over-rated. It's just an excuse for developers to keep milking people long after the lots are sold. That's the one thing about this house that I DO NOT love and I wish HGTV would stop building the Dream Homes in those communities. Okay, end of sermon. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:30:46 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50584671 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50582905 I've been on this blog since the online tour began and that has been the most mentioned complaint on this blog by far. Maybe, it's a European thing. But, clearly, it doesn't fly here. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:18:43 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50582905 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580984 That works for me. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:05:07 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580984 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580836 That office bathroom seems very accessible to me. From the floor plan, it can be accessed by exiting the dining room to the outside and then going into the office--that way. Or, it can be accessed through the hall in the house. I guess if you were really into entertaining and had many guests, it might not be ideal. But, I could certainly make it work. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:04:13 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580836 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580326 I lived in Phoenix as a kid and we used to encounter them occasionally there too. That's just part of living in the desert. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 03:00:40 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50580326 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/05/a-little-spice-is-nice/#IDComment50577770 The margarita looks de-Lish! Today is my 48th birthday and when I entered my husband and myself, for the very first time, the system recognized both of our email addresses. Yeah! Maybe that's good luck. And, on top of that, it might snow in Alabama tomorrow or the next day. That's a very big deal around here. For 2 years, I've been researching to find the ideal place to move. We had just decided on New Mexico when I heard the dream home was in New Mexico. Our plan was to build a solar house and you announced the Dream Home has solar panels. It's fate. Wed, 6 Jan 2010 02:35:28 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/05/a-little-spice-is-nice/#IDComment50577770 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50414452 That's what I was doing. I think I"m just going to have to enter myself and forget about my husband. bummer Tue, 5 Jan 2010 03:11:28 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50414452 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50414239 I have been having to do that too. I've been entering me and my husband (2 different emails) everyday. First, I tried entering on the same computer. And the next day, I had to enter all the info again. So that day, I tried entering his on a different computer. Then, the third day, I had to enter the info yet again. So, I tried using his work email address instead of a separate charter address on the same computer. And, today, I had to enter the info yet again. So, today, I used his work email on a different computer. Hopefully, that will do the trick. If not, I don't know what to do. Are you trying to enter for two addresses as well? Tue, 5 Jan 2010 03:07:33 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50414239 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50394122 Thanks Gail, but I am still having problems with the online entry process. It says that once you have entered the first time, all you have to do is re-enter your email address each day and you are set. But, that isn't working for me. I am still having to re-enter all of my information every day. This leads me to believe that the system is not accepting the entries even though they are different email addresses for some reason. Is the system supposed to work this way? Is anyone else having the same experience? I just want to make sure I'm entered twice, once for my husband and once for me. But, I don't think that's happening. The fact that I had to re-enter my information today leads me to believe that my previous entries were kicked out of the system. If other's of you are experiencing the same thing, then I'll know it's normal and not to worry about it. Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:45:32 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50394122 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50392715 Thanks for the information. Did you notice any restrictions about dogs or privacy fencing? Good luck everyone. Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:28:27 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/04/fired-up-ready-to-win/#IDComment50392715 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/01/hgtv-dream-home-custom-cocktail/#IDComment50241769 You are absolutely right. For all I know, you might already have money to pay Uncle Sam and you might live in one of those states that don't have an income or gift tax. I'm actually daydreaming about winning it too. I just don't think a lot of people realize what a big chunk of money the government takes from the winners. That's all. And, that's the reason the winners so far have sold the houses rather than living in them. But, this year is different because the cash award is really HUGE!!!! I think there's a real possibility that the winner might be able to live in it if they are able to find a job there. I wish you luck and me too!!! Sun, 3 Jan 2010 19:03:56 +0000 http://blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome/2010/01/01/hgtv-dream-home-custom-cocktail/#IDComment50241769