OMG!! Just came back on the blog-o-sphere to check out what's going on with finding the winner for the DreamHome and I happened to read into one of the threads here. What a lot of misinformation and confusion I ran into!!! Apparently there is some thought out there that if you can't pass a credit check you can't win this prize, and that if you can't pay the taxes on it the day you win it they will choose another winner!!!
I loved coming onto the blogs to check out the latest information and see all the great things superfan has to show us, but some of these threads are purely ridiculous!
Great post Renee!! I have one question though. How did you find out what the HOA fees were? I've looked on the SPO website and the real estate sites trying to find that out and would love to be pointed in a new direction if there is more info available somewhere out there.
I have to agree with Lessie's posting about people not reading the blogs or researching things BEFORE asking questions. Some just try to take the easy way out I guess.
Helen,
To reitterate what has already been said--the "non-overnight guest" bathroom would be the 3/4 bath acessed through the entry hall by the office.
As to critters, one local resident says "large dogs should have no real problem, but cats and small dogs should be indoor pets due to the local wildlife like snakes and large wildcats in the region". I haven't heard anything about any bears in the area but I know that SPO being a gated community will NOT be a source of discouragement to wildlife in the area---the gates are across the entry road, not surrounding the whole community. You should also keep in mind that the community is adjacent to, and actually part of, a wildlife preserve known as Campbell Ranch--so, of course, you will have all kinds of wildlife in the area.
what else--finances!!--lol
Thanks HS, at least now I don't feel so bad about putting off things.
OK, I know that there are those of you who KNOW I said I wasn't going to talk finances anymore, but here is a person who REALLY wants to know. So.....yes, the IRS will tax you upon the value of the entire prize package. You are correct in assuming that taxes will run approximately $700,000. HOWEVER; the develepor of San Pedro Overlook has already agreed to a buy back of the home if the winner desires it, so you don't even have to worry about selling it if you can't afford the income taxes, property taxes, HOA fees etc. Essentially, if you win, you have won $2M in cash AND a new car. After taxes you still have about $1.3M AND a new car---PLUS HGTV gives you the great experience of being a suprise winner, being on TV and taking a wonderful vacation to New Mexico to see the Dreamhome and the surrounding area!! Still a GREAT prize win in anybody's book!!!!
I highly doubt that the exclusive SPO gated community HOA would allow you to turn this home into any kind of business endeavor, though you might be able to lease the home to someone long term.
Thanks so much for the answer David!! I've tried to look at all of the photos and look for shadows while trying to gauge the time of day when the picture was taken, etc., but I just couldn't figure it out. Since I know absolutely nothing about solar panel placement (at least I didn't until reading your post), I guess I would never have figured it out! I love that you not only gave an answer but the reasoning behind it.
I have a question about which way the house faces. We know that there is a "Sunrise Room" so I assume that room has a wall of windows which faces east. But which wall? One wall faces the same way as the front of the house and the other is 90 degrees to the left of that. So does front of the house face east or is it actually facing south?
Thanks C&E, those pictures say it all!! Yummy is definitely right! Love that bathroom, masculine enough for hubby's office but feminine in all the right places for guests.
Whew!! I finally figured out the whole avatar/gravatar thing and have a picutre with my postings!! YEAH!! For those of you wondering (yeah like anyone cares) the picture is of my sweet little baby, Uno, when she was just 24 hours old. She had a rough start in life but is now living her dream of leaping through the fields behind her mother.
I see a new blog thread has started, but I want to take a moment to give one last thought about "what are your dreams". I have seen many many posts from people here who seem to truly be enduring very hard times, people who have suffered devastating financial losses or sickness etc. I certainly would not stoop to telling those people that there problems are minor. I would like to say though (as one who has been there) don't give up, don't stop dreaming. I don't know if your life will get any better financially or physically all I do know is that, as long as there is life in your eyes and breath in your body, there is always hope. Sometimes it just needs a little help. I wish us all (and pray for us all) a bounty of luck, life, love, knowledge and happiness. Live your dreams with your eyes wide open.
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Opus