OMG!!!!!! Tell me all you do daily!!!! You are building my dream home!!I'm a college student who is also the mother of two sons in college. My husband is in Iraq and we plan to bombard you with tries for this home. I wanted the Tyler Texas one but now I know why I didn't win... it was because I was suppose to wait for this home. I've got my fingers crossed! Keep me updated so I know when to bring you the champagne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care!
The Petersons

No! I got to have this dream home.I've always wanted to be a beach bum when I grow up, now at 60 yrs . old it's time I live my dream life. Not to say what the kids and grand kids will say. I can't wait until we can enter!

Hi! Just been perusing your latest info on 2008 HGTV Dream Home. A shower outside close the the door closest to the bathroom would be nice to get fishing dirt off & sand & chlorine from the pool.
It is the little things that make a house or condo soooo much more worthwhile. With the 3 floors so far from each other it might be safer to have a PA (intercom)system that lets people talk from floor to floor especially since there could be an emergency!!! Thanks anonymous

I'm so excited that you are building this new DREAM HOME(I love Florida). I'm about to retire and I would love to have this incredible home for my three daughters and my wife.Laast year we tried for the Calorado home but this year we are accualy hoping to win. Thanks!!!
The John Family

The biggest home obstacle that we encountered was making the home universal for my mother who uses a wheelchair. My husband made some of the entrances wider but we had to have contractors come in to properly make adjustments to the bathroom. We also had to have a ramp and some other items put in the home for a universal design. It does become expensive and inconvenient to make changes during a difficult time. It is best if most homes were built to accomodate these needs.

Welcome to all those who are working on the Dream Home! I can't imagine how your group of experts could possibly make the home better. After seeing the sketches of the build I can't imagine how it could possibly get any better....?

I'll be looking for more pictures since it sounds like the windows and roof installation is close to completion along with the stuco. It sounds like the team is working very quickly.

In a very small two bedroom house in Innerarity Point, FL. Just big enough for my wife, me and the dog.

If there were a way to access all three floors, besides the stairs, in the event someone was hurt and couldn't take the stairs for a while, that would be an idea. Or if they were to have someone stay with them, that can't do stairs very well, if there were a bedroom and the capability to live on one floor (even temporarily), that would be great.

Also, if there is a major storm and there is major flooding, what has been done to protect the home or keep it from getting ruined in such an event?

Is that just a cement plasterboard? I tho't the house has cement blocks throughout. Does that have anything to do with z block/bricks? If the bottom level were cement blocks and water proof material, that would be a great idea.

As far as wanting to live there. I am a single mother of 3, not able to build a home of my own and am living in a tiny apt. Am a pisces, so water is the only thing that has been my relaxing tool (I take looooooonnnnnnnnnng showers). Have been wanting to move anywhere near water, but since my parents are getting on with their age, things aren't working as well as they want, so I wanted to move down near them to be there for them. I am the only single child of 6 and can't expect the others to move to Florida to be there for our parents. So that makes me the logical person. This house would be so helpful. Even though they are on the West coast, of Florida, it would be much closer than it is now. If I would need to have them move in with me, in the future, it would be beneficial for them to be able to get to whatever floors without having to need the stairs. Or if they needed to have their own area, it would be nice if all had some seperation for privacy and that they would have whatever facilities necessary and useful in their little area, instead of having to travel throughout the house to get to what they need. I would love to retire, sometime soon, so that would be an vital factor for myself, too. Think that some intercom system would be helpful, in the event they need help asap.

As far as anything extra...a mud room would be great to keep the dirt/sand from the other houses, with a bathroom off that room to clean up/shower and change, if necessary. The laundry room would be great to have in that area, also. Along with that, do love the idea of the laundry shoots..having lived in a 3 leveled house at one time. When doing laundry, that is a life saver.

Love the idea of a stoned patio with a built-in-grill area. A little pool, would be nice, too. Sometimes, just a regular pool is more soothing and convenient.

Also, an gym room would be great, that opens to the outside, with a screen door. This way one can see outside and enjoy the outside air, while working out, or keeping an eye on whatever you have to outside and still be able to work out inside. Or, if the weather is gorgeous and one wants to move some of the excercising things outside, all one has to do is slide it thru the sliding door area onto the patio area, and enjoy the fresh air and the ambiance of the outdoors.

This house would be great for me, so my children could come visit me and there would be actual rooms for them to stay in. My son is in Iraq and hopes to be home for the holidays. I don't have an extra bedroom in my tiny apt. for him and his fiance', thus..they will be staying elsewhere, that is frustrating. Also, his twin sister wants to move south and until she would be able to find a place to stay, she would also be able to stay with me, if I won this house and still have some space of her own without stepping all over each other. My older daughter (now married), will be planning on having little ones, soon, so if all of them wanted to visit me, this house would make it possible to have everyone together, as it should be, making it possible to spend time with everyone.

Also, if one has a dog, it would be beneficial to have a fenced in area with a doggy door from the house, if possible.

Would you like more ideas?

Thanks, and hope that I am picked, although, there are many others that have great reasons, too, my reasons are: my parents needing me and possibly needing to move in with me...needing room for my children to stay...possibly one of my children staying with me needing space, needing to find a home to retire in (always wanted a big home of my own), needing to be near water for my peace of mind...my children worrying about me not being able to have a place of my own, so it would give my children peace of mind that their mom is happy and has a home of her own, in which they can come visit me at and would be near my parents for their peace of mind, or would be able to have them live with me for my whole family's peace of mind.

Is that reason enough?

I have been trying to win a HGTV home for five years now. The one I had my heart set on was the Lake Lure home. Just a few hours from where I live in the most beautiful part of Tennessee, the Appalachian Mountains. This home is most wanted for my loving husband. He works 14 to 17 hours a day to provide for his family. We have two children, 13 and 6. We are the average american family. I am a stay at home mom who pinches every penny out of every dollar. My husband grew up in Merritt Island, Fla. and his heart is still in Florida. He dreams of owning a deep sea fishing boat and fishing everyday. This home is where he most wants to be, back in Florida. We have family just a few hours from the location of this home. It would be a perfect
gift for him. I will enter just like millions of others for this home when it comes time. I am not concerned of how the home is designed or decorated, because HGTV has never built anything but the best on all the Dream Homes. I could go on as others have as to how perfect this home would be for any family. But for my husband it would be the second best gift I could give him, next to giving him two beautiful children.

Will you address the use of concrete block construction vs. wood framing

Hi Richard and Jack, I hope all is going well. Do you have an update on the 2008 Dream Home for all of us to see. I have tried everything I know to see if there are any new pictures of our new home. I must be doing it wrong. Well thanks any way. Keep up the good work. abumgarner

FLORIDA KEY'S ISLAND HOME - STUPENDOUS
Marvelous showers with Jungle Steam, music and lots of room hard to beat! Outside entertainment deck, grill & seating a must have!! Other than that, light and airy....VAVAVOOM

Open air decks off the top bedroom (as long as stats show not over water) would be perfect. Some fenced side yard for our other children. I can't wait to see it ready! Good Luck Builders & keep your heads cool.

Yes this is my dream home! I use to go to the Key's when I was younger. Now in my 50's this home is Beautifully, and what a lovely place to be. Check out the Island, and the Beautiful, Beaches and Dreams are Born-ed. How wonderful this home is and location, location, location, What else could a person asked for
Thanks HGTV and good luck to all of us whom dream's of this as being HOME!!!

I have want to vist the Keys, it would be so nice to live there all the time, to see and smell the ocean every day. TO WIN THE DREAM OF 08 COULD NOTHIG BE ANY BETTER.

Living in the Keys has been a lifelong dream. To see that you are constructing such a magnificient house in one of my favorite spots, Islamorada, is definitely a dream come true.
In previous years, I have entered the contest but, have not been too dismayed, because it has always been a place that I would like to visit on occasion not a house that I desired to call home. This year is spectacular and let the contest begin. Surely, I will enter every day. It will be a place to enjoy the rest of my life with all of the family and friends. With luck and the grace of God who made such a beautiful paradise in the Middle Keys, I will win and have the opportunity to share fantastic sunrises and sunsets, cool and warm breezes, excellent fishing, and total relaxation with all of my guests.

Whatever, you do with my dream home is greatly appreciated. Have fun in the Keys!!!

So far your new 2008 home looks great but difficult to evaluate until we can see the floor plan. We have two dogs and three cats - anything that could accomodate them and not get off "the compound" would be special. Accesss for handicapped is essential as you are building 3 floors. Perhaps a small elevator that could hold 1-2 people would be advisable. Is there some protection in case of severe weather?

In March 2007, my fiance' and I drove to the Keys for vacation...we loved it so much we stayed for a month in Islamorada at a quaint resort...we just fell in love w/everything about this town so much so..we plan to return and find a place for frequent uses. From the relaxed environment, warm winter temperatures, the breathtaking aquamarine water, friendly people and all the privacy one could want. Time was ours there..to lay endlessly on the beach or visit other parts of the keys including Key West. We even envisioned a small business.

When we heard Islamorada was the locale of choice for the 2008 Dream Home...it took our breath away, the anticipation of winning was overwhelming.

We are both young at heart grandparents "starting over" after meeting on the internet...he a widower, I from divorce...our hopes and dreams for a new beginning was realized more and more while visiting Islamorada...and so for us...life begins again...

Hello:
I have lived about half way between the HGTV home site and Key West for the past nine years. As a year round Keys resident I can tell you that we have a great climate, but that it is not for everyone. The living is laid back. The full time residents seldom evacuate for a hurricane, thus the newer homes are built of concrete filled block quite often to give wind resistance. The term used is CBS for Concrete Block Stucco. I drove by the homesite last week and can say that it is a nice place, but looks very tight for eight high end homes. I look forward to being able to see the photos of areas that are not visible from the gate. I will tell you that the flooding of the lower level is a real factor. I lost a car and most of the stuff stored in the lower level during Hurricane Wilma. I hope that you put an elevator in. Lots of homes down here have a lift, and it would probably add less than a half a percent to the cost of this structure. I will still enter the contest when it starts just on the chance that I can move up a notch or two. This place looks great.

keep us posted

Anyone would love to own one of these homes. I loved the one in Ashville,N.C. but like most people its a dream that will never be realized. Even if you win one of these house's you would have to be a millionaire in order to keep it. The taxes would eat you up, which is why most of these houses are quickly sold because the winners know they can't keep them.(all the homes were sold I believe except one if not mistaken) The houses are just gorgeuos, but very unrealistic to the common man. I have been to the keys many times and it is beautiful, but not cheap at all. I would feel better with a toned down ranch house that I could acually keep then the headache of these multi-million dollar homes that would slip between my fingers as soon as the tax bill comes in an armored truck.

I am soooooooooooo excited about the beautiful
Dream Home in Florida. My sister and cousins
live in Miami and Key Largo and I would LOVE
to live in Florida too.

We are about to retire and am going to do all
possible to win this blessing.

1) an elevator car to reach all 3 floors.
2) a solar roof system with batteries attached to supply the homes major energy needs.
3) a seperate catch water system to reuse the water from the sinks and dish washer to flush the toilet and/or be used for plant irrigation.
4) a beach house such as this calls for a show case marine aquarium that could draw its water from the key in an open system.
5) really save on elec. rather us the new LED baulbs. They use a 1/10 the elec of any other, produce almost no heat, and last almost forever.

Here's an idea. Instead of building a two million dollar home, why not build twenty smaller homes in various locations and have twenty winners who might be able to afford to keep the home they won. Put me down for a two bedroom log home in the mountains.

When my son saw the location of the next dream home his first comment was, are they going to keep hurricanes in mind while they are building.

The house is taking shape and even though is just the framing it looks great. Very thoughtful of them in taking care of the reefs, no too many people would care or even thought about them, big thumbs up for all of them. My family and I spent three wonderful days at Islamorada and they are all for conserving the marine life. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THE JOHNSON FAMILY

I have been watching the site daily because my husband and I are SO excited about this home. We both dive and fish since we live just north in Cape Coral, Florida. We have spent much time in Islamorada and considered it our second home. We were so sad when the hurricanes went through a couple years ago, and wiped out a couple hangouts we frequented. But we love Morada Bay next to Bass Pro Shop. Everyone check it out. Really is cool at night. Please make sure they put the best hurricance shutters in and a whole home LP generator since if you stay there, they may not let you on the island after the storm. I think it is called Generlink sold at Home Depot. Worth every cent.
During hurricanes, most people do not leave but all pull together as a close knit community, so being prepared is a necessity. We had no electricity for 9 days after Hurricane Charley. Just a word of warning also, property taxes and insurance is awful in Florida, so many people losing their own homes because they can't afford it. Anyway, how about throwing in a flats boat for my favorite, bonefishing??

Please dear God, let it be us!!!! Love the Keys!!!

All of the ideas mentioned sound great. A great barbecue area and pool would be nice. An outdoor shower to rinse the sand off your feet. I hope their is a nice screened in porch exiting the master suite. The laundry shoot sounds great if the washer and dryer are on the ground floor. I can't wait to see the floor plans. I hope you put them on the site soon. The progress looks wonderful. I hope I win this year. I am sure everyone is deserving, and I will enter everyday again. Maybe I will finally get lucky.

As far as the people talking about the cost of keeping up with the taxes, the taxes are no more than your original house payment was, so that shouldn't be a problem. Plus, they also award money as well as winning the home, so the person can pay the initial taxes and insurance. I am sure it all works out. I can't wait to enter and hopefully win. It looks beautiful.

Thank you to HGTV, the architect, the builders, and the designers. The house will be as beautiful as ever.

I am so excited. I have been in this sweepstakes for as long as I can remember. I am a sun and water sign. I went to Florida when I was 13 with a relative and have been looking for that sunset since. I have gone to Cancun and Acapulco and still haven't seen that sunset. I can't afford to visit Florida again but I am so ready. If I couldn't afford the taxes to keep the house I would still move to Florida. I would be very picky on who I sold the house to . It would be like a sweepstakes. 100 words or less why you should be the owner. It better have something to do with longing to be near you one true love the ocean and the second love the sunset. Great job finally a house on the ocean. You guys deserve a raise. To all working on this house. Thanks for all you do.
chillinforthethrillin

Install in all bedrooms and living room and also kitchen, weather ban radios, hard wired with battery back up system. Also install generator to run house during storms that do not require an evacuation. Great idea to also build on the property hurricane shelter (small detached building)8x10
You are following some very strict building codes in the Keys. Outdoor livingroom a must, centered with that breath taking view of the water with a fireplace and waterfall ofcourse, barbarque grill and outdoor kitchen. Outdoor shower for your use after the long day of boating. Bathroom close by.
Water hook up near waters edge for cleaning fish and boat. Balconies off of each room facing water. Kitchen tile (glass in shades of blue)
Colors to use in house the KEYS colors. Light and bright and some bold, lots of blues, greens, and also sand colors, pop in some orange. Bring the outdoors in and indoors out. Swing chairs as many as possible hanging from beams on all balconies. My dream has always been to retire in the Keys. I am a Connecticut Yankee transplant going on my 25th year here in sunny Florida. I would not live anywhere else. I love my HGTV. I watch it every moment I can. It is a show that relaxes me and my dreams just flow with the show. I watch your show every evening as I lay to sleep I pray for your HGTV house to keep. Thanks, Kathy Callahan

This home sounds beautiful,it sounds like the perfect dream home ?

The Dream Homes have been great. Since security is a big issue these days, how about pre-wiring and installing a video surveillance system that can be accessed via the internet.

Prewire for security, intercom, cable, stereo & home theatre, closed circuit tv, lighting.

Thank you for building MY retirement home. I am
very close to retiring and as most people, the
worry sets in as to where you will settle. But
you have solved my dilemma - I am going to live
in the Keys. (From my mouth to God's ears!!!!)

I must certainly will win this one. I've tried for the 05 06 07 homes and didn't have any luck,but this time I know "I'm the winner! Please make sure there's a big bedroom downstairs for my son in his wheel chair, make double doors to one of the bedrooms. Thank you!

AWESOME.....! HGTV HAS DONE IT AGAIN...VIEWERS WILL BE WATCHING....OOO...AND AHHHING ANOTHER SEASON. I CONCUR WITH A VIEWER WHO SUGGESTED THAT THE "AVERAGE" PERSON, EVEN IF THEY WON THE DREAM HOME, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY THE TAXES. WHAT PERCENT OF YOUR VIEWERS DO YOU SUPPOSE ARE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS INCOME BRACKET?
PERHAPS, A DREAM HOME WILL BE BUILT IN THE FUTURE WITH THE "AVERAGE"- HARD WORKING - MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE IN MIND...YOUR HOME IS TRULY A "DREAM" HOME.

I am concerned about building such a large ,3 story home , in what might be serious termite territory, like Hawaii. Would not aluminium or steel framing have been better and less maintenance, especially in hurricane and summer sweltering heat area?? I vote for a green build on Whidbey Island near Seattle, or as close as possible to Vancouver, BC, with a west sunset view.

I think it would be a great idea for my family. Do to my wife and my Daughter has a skin & blood disorder. They require to have warm climante and salt water. The heat of 102 degr. does not seam to have promblem for them. I do like to have chace to win this home for my family. Please E-mail the way or how to take chance to win this home for my family. We most likely to move they and strat a new life. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

When my husband retired three years ago we had planned to sell our house and travel. The first thing we wanted to do was to take our fifth wheel down to the keys and camp on the ocean for a month. We realize this was just not going to be possible for us.
I love watching Decorating Cents and that is where I found out about the Dream home Sweepstakes. I have been entering from day one. So needless to say I will be entering this year. It would be a dream come true to win this year (especially for my husband).
My husband is a retired Vietnam Veteram. He is also a retired policeman (twenty-five years). He said when he retired his dream was to go down to the keys and sat under a umbrella with a glass of ice tea and watch the waves for at least a month.
It would mean the world to me to feel I had a very small part in making his dream come dream.
I'm sorry but I don't know what URL means.

Hey,HGTV,
You've done it again! The house looks marvelous! I LOVE the bright blue siding. My black lab mix,Buddy, wants to know if you will build a doggy dream house for him,too.I really need to win this home for my hubby who takes great care of me! I had a stroke 6 years ago that left my left arm and hand paralysed. I need help bathing and dressing. He LOVES boating, so the Dream House is perfect! I like the idea of an outdoor shower near the patio entrance,too! Thanks for your hard work on my future home!Keep dreamin, fellow bloggers!

i need that house...i am a mother of two young kids who does not have a place to stay...I am currently living with my alcoholic spouse and today I was charged with disorderly house for calling 911 too many times in the last few months...part of my probation is to not call 911 during my six months probation...if I could go somewhere, I would, but I can't, so I don't

The 2008 Dream Home will be lovely as they have been in the past. From reading all the comments withing this blog, there are certainly some well-deserving people. I enter every year, and when I don't win the Dream Home, I always think that someone else needs it much more than myself. So, I pray for them. My situation is this....I'm a disabled 59-year-old woman of a great 26 year old daughter. She is very concerned that I can't make it with my fixed income from Social Security Disability. I have a very elderly aunt who sends me money to help with my expenses which are very low. When I was dianosed with what I have, I returned to school to get a degree in interior design. My very small family thought it would be a great fit as I was very good at design before school and that I would be able to work my health problem around my work. I was ready to begin my new career with my illness in remission in the fall of 2002. Unfortunatly, I was struck down by a car at a gas station the Friday before the Monday I was suppose to go to work with a well-known builder here in CA. As I was finally almost recovered from that accident, I was hit by another car from the rear. My disease is back and worse; I also now have arthritis in every joint possible except for eight toes!!! I'm keeping the faith. I still have my sense of humor and believe that God will meet my needs. I'm praying that the next Dream House will come my way if it is His will. But, like I mentioned above, the house will go to the most deserving. I believe God has His hands on all of us. Meanwhile, I'll be watching the new home go up and then the interior design. Thanks for giving me this space to write my very long letter. Blessings to you and yours.

How exciting, I can't wait for the sweepstakes. I was so happy to see the winner on TV.
I do hope the color's in the kitchen will be a neutral color....just so you could change the theme of the house as the years go by.
You all do great work, keep it up!

I can't wait to win this house...My 82 year old aunt is living with me now and soon I need to take my 92 year old mother to live with me. I'm sure we will need wide doors and a ramp also bathroom access for wheelchair in their life time or in mine. We would love this house I work full time but it's time for me to relax and enjoy my future with my family and friends.

A lot of people out there you can just not please! You're building a beautiful home in what I consider one of the most sought after locations, GIVING it away to some lucky winner and all a lot of these comments are about is what they would do differently. These are the people who should never be considered as winners of this lovely home. I have written one comment before that the home would be the ideal location for myself, my MS daughter and her family and there is nothing more I would like than to be given the keys to this home. Complaining about what isn't included is very insensitive. I still hope I am the lucky one; no complaints from me!!

My husband and I were thinking about moving to Florida because I have family that lives there and we don't get to see them often. I also have auditions and other business that come up in Florida and find it pretty hard to make it there without spending a lot of money. THIS IS OUR DREAM HOME!!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS MY FAMILY'S DREAM HOME and we we all be there to unlock the door and move in.
The Russells (Renee Russell)