My Lottery Dream Home - General Discussion

[javajeanelaine]

Is it so hard to find a lottery winner?

[Soapy Goddess]

I think at first there were enough lottery winners for a couple of seasons. But as time goes on and people aren't willing to come forward, actual lottery winners were hard to come by. So, the show veered off course to include people who came into a windfall/inheritance.

I agree they should probably change the title of the show, but after so many seasons, they've created a "brand" with the current title, and probably don't want to change it or confuse their audience.

As for these folks simply going on House Hunters, the premise of the current show is David helping people who've all of a sudden came into money. IOW, had they not gotten their windfall or inheritance, they most likely would not have been "house hunting".

[Vermicious Knid]

Police misconduct settlement? Wrongful job termination?

Big giveaway was he wanted to have a kitchen garden and oh look house 3 has a garden. And a little vineyard, and some cute goats. They didn't say what was under the tarp off to the side in the backyard. Liked the gazebo. I wonder if he's going to rent out the guest house or tun it into an AirBnB.

[Soapy Goddess]

4 hours ago, javajeanelaine said:

Is it so hard to find a lottery winner?

I don't believe it's a matter of finding a lottery winner as it is for the lottery winner to come forward (applying to the show and wanting to be on TV).

[CrazyInAlabama]

On 9/11/2022 at 2:46 AM, Soapy Goddess said:

I don't believe it's a matter of finding a lottery winner as it is for the lottery winner to come forward (applying to the show and wanting to be on TV).

On the 100th episode the episode was an hour, and they gave a lot of behind the scenes information.    I think it was the New Jersey episode, with the retired police officers.   They were filming on the front lawn, and people kept honking and waving, and David says that happens a lot. 

Also, they have a staff that have lists of lottery winners (some states let you stay anonymous) and contact information, so most people are contacted by the show.   The daughter of the Cape Cod woman, with two daughters, where they all worked at gas stations, and the mother later sold the house, and bought another on another episode, is one of the staff members.  At that time I think they contacted winners of various jackpots.   I imagine the other people who have settlements or windfalls apply.  

Tonight's new one (16 Sept.), "Bangor Bucks"  Jessica, in Maine wins the lottery for $500k, but she already lives in her dream home.   She buys a ticket from the machine at the grocery store.  So, she decides to find a home for her daughter, Josie, and grandkids in Bangor, Maine.    Bangor has a casino also, and Stephen King's house is there, and David drives by. 

Wish list is $250k, 3 bed,1-2 bath, prefers move in ready, and a nice deck.   Josie's fine with a project.  House is for her, husband, and three kids. 

 (Anyone who follows the Bangor Maine PD FB page will be hoping they visit the Duck of Justice, in the police station museum, and hoping David doesn't end up in the "Got Warrants" visiting TV star edition for stalking Stephen King).

House 1-Hermon Meadow in Bangor , 4 bed,1  bath, $219k , 1088 sq ft, Cape Cod, story and a half, lovely first floor. nice kitchen for someone who doesn't cook much.   needs work in kitchen, 2 bedrooms on first floor, with a bathroom, upstairs 2 bedrooms and one is big for a main bedroom. great deck, very private backyard,.

(Then David drives by Stephen King's house, and meets a tour group) 

House 2-Peabody Pond in downtown Bangor, no front yard, 3,  bed, 1.5bath, $220k , 1500 sq ft first floor is nice, with hardwoods, kitchen needs better countertops, with the half bath off the kitchen. and a playroom.    All bedrooms are upstairs, bath is nice size, 2 nice bedrooms, huge and nice back yard, great deck, lots of room to do an addition is they want to.   

House 3-Granger Ridge , 3 bed, 1.5 bath, $259k , 1344 sq ft, 2 story, Oldest at 1900, first floor is spectacular, and the kitchen is newly redone, nice and open, 1/2 bath on 1st floor, and laundry, Bedrooms are upstairs, main is huge, upstairs bath is fantastic,   great back deck and yard. propane heat with two big tanks, 

She picks #2 .   I would have picked #3.

Edited September 17, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Grrarrggh]

That third Bangor place was builder grade boring. Were the two older boys at the end in the yard Jessica's other children? Possibly Josie's 1/2 sibs?

[Yeah No]

"Builder grade boring" or not it was still the best house of the 3 in my opinion.  And that kitchen had elements of design not usually found in "builder grade boring".  I thought it was staged a little boring, though.  Typical "designer boring".  Still nice, though!

Her mother loved the 3rd house, and I got the feeling the daughter liked it too but of course we know she had already picked the 2nd house.  That makes me wonder how many people that go on this show find themselves wishing they could have picked a different house.  I wouldn't want to set myself up for that kind of potential house envy.

[chessiegal]

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

That makes me wonder how many people that go on this show find themselves wishing they could have picked a different house.  I wouldn't want to set myself up for that kind of potential house envy.

There's no guarantee that the decoy houses were actually on the market. Could be they are places that they got permission to film.

[Yeah No]

5 minutes ago, chessiegal said:

There's no guarantee that the decoy houses were actually on the market. Could be they are places that they got permission to film.

Oh I know that, even being off the market is no obstacle to someone wishing they could have found a certain house when it was available.  House envy doesn't depend on availability.

[CrazyInAlabama]

4 hours ago, chessiegal said:

There's no guarantee that the decoy houses were actually on the market. Could be they are places that they got permission to film.

My understanding is the decoy houses are usually short term rentals,     That way they can use the furnished ones as decoys, and the house that's already owned, and has some furnishings isn't so obvious.  

However, that's only if #3 was a quality remodel, and the electric and plumbing was done up to code.  

Edited September 18, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[javajeanelaine]

I think the number two was really the best for that family particularly since they’re not into cooking they don’t need a kitchen like number three.

[Grrarrggh]

8 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My understanding is the decoy houses are usually short term rentals,     That way they can use the furnished ones as decoys, and the house that's already owned, and has some furnishings isn't so obvious.  

I always wonder if anyone, including in the HH programmes, has ever gone through a decoy house and regretted the house they do own lol. 

[Yeah No]

4 hours ago, Grrarrggh said:

I always wonder if anyone, including in the HH programmes, has ever gone through a decoy house and regretted the house they do own lol. 

That was pretty much my whole point above.

12 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My understanding is the decoy houses are usually short term rentals,     That way they can use the furnished ones as decoys, and the house that's already owned, and has some furnishings isn't so obvious.  

I've gotten the impression on a few occasions when the house was described as "new construction" that we were looking at a model home in a new development.

[Grrarrggh]

59 minutes ago, Yeah No said:

That was pretty much my whole point above.

Doh! Totally missed that somehow. Great minds think alike and all that lol ;)

[Yeah No]

49 minutes ago, Grrarrggh said:

Doh! Totally missed that somehow. Great minds think alike and all that lol ;)

LOL, sounds like something I would say!  😉

[CrazyInAlabama]

New "South Beach Birth Rite", after an inheritance from her parents, Miami native Julie wants a vacation condo in South Beach.   They live in Flagler Beach now.  Condo is for Julie and Jim. She's shopping with her best friend., Bobbi. 

Condo 1- Ribbonttail Road, in South Beach, Art Deco, 675  sq ft $295K, 1 Bed 1 bath, condo is cute.  It comes with the furniture.  Condo. Parking behind the building.

Condo 2-Sailbay Central, HOA $700+, resort style living, 1 bed 1 bath 850 sq ft, $439k, the building lobby is gorgeous, with a fantastic pool, and view of the water. View from the condo is water/bayside.   Small balcony, but great view, the living room has a Murphy Bed. plus the main bedroom is big, with a great view too. bathroom has a glassed-in tiled tub shower combo.  Lots of amenities. 

Condo 3-Amberjack Abode, two story townhouse 4 blocks from the beach, 2 bedrooms 1.5 baths,  802 sq ft,  $445k.   I love this one, open floor plan, hardwood floors, laundry room/half bath, full bath upstairs with huge shower.  2 bedrooms upstairs and kind of small, both bedrooms the same size.  

She chooses #2.   They faked me out with the remark about #1 coming with the furniture, but all three were furnished.     

Edited September 24, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Vermicious Knid]

Quote

That makes me wonder how many people that go on this show find themselves wishing they could have picked a different house. 

There was I think an HHI in the Dominican Republic where the reveal at the end was they had bought two properties. They must have loved one of the decoys so much they got it too. IIRC it was something super cheap, like $25K.

New owners in Florida will get hit with the hurricane wherever they are.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I wonder how all of the home buyers David showed in Cape Coral and close by fared?  Also, this was supposed to be a Florida episode, but changed to Maine.     I hope all of the Florida home owners David featured are safe.   I know some were in Cape Coral. 

“Wonderland in Maine”.  Bath, Maine is where the Jeff and Gretchen are looking with an inheritance from the husband’s mom.  Jeff is able to retire, and she wants to write

wish list-They want to live on the coast.  2 baths , 2 bedrooms, 1 car garage, big kitchen, fireplace, heated driveway (if possible).    They currently live south of Boston.   

House 1-Garvey’s Gulch, not directly on the water, $719k, 4 bed,4 bath, 2 car garage, on 4 acres, almost 5500 sq ft.   What an amazing house!    I love how this one is decorated.   Kitchen is beautiful, fully remodeled and lots of granite, pool, main bedroom and ensuite on first floor, and second floor has 2 guest rooms, and second main suite with a huge ensuite.   Huge pool that’s fenced, huge deck.

House 2-Blueberry Cove is on the Kennebec River, Historic home.   1 car garage, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1650 sq ft, $799k, David warns it will have a bidding war, it has so much character. Marble living room fireplace.  Kitchen /dining is open, and beautiful, on the Kennebec River.   Another fireplace in the sitting room with

its own bathroom, so it could be a bedroom.   No space for visitors.   The deck over the water is spectacular.   

House 3-Maritime Mansion, it’s spectacular!   $890k, was the Maritime Museum (they built a new museum, and put this one on the market), 8 bedrooms 5 bedrooms 14 fireplaces, 8500 sq ft.   Parlor and other first floor rooms are amazing, original hardwoods, David says 5 staircases, 2 kitchens (1 prep kitchen, the millwork and the moldings are lovely, the main kitchen is spectacular.    The bedrooms are gorgeous, the giant deck is lovely, house is on a ½ acre, with a water view.  

They bought #2, I would have bought #3 but only with unlimited funds to maintain it.  However, I would have bought #1, because of fewer issues with the historic house. 

I loved all three houses this time.    I usually like only one, or sometimes two, but I loved all three this week. 

Edited October 1, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Irlandesa]

My DVR said there was going to be another FL episode tonight and I almost deleted it but then it turns out it was the Maine episode.  They probably didn't want to highlight FL today.

I loved the location and all the houses but I would've selected the Blueberry Cove one as well.  The other houses were too much house and it's such a unique water location that makes it seem like they're right on the river. I knew it was their choice once I saw the typewriter.

I knew #3 wasn't going to be their choice.  It's clearly meant to be a B&B. 

[kirklandia]

I would love to know the whole story about the mansion/former museum in Bath, Maine.  It didn't look quite so gorgeous in this article I found.

https://www.mainepreservation.org/most-endangered-2014-1/2019/1/7/sewall-mansion-bath

[Vermicious Knid]

All three homes were amazing. It's not often they show an actual mansion on this show. Gorgeous hardwood floors in house three. They almost didn't need an inheritance because houses in the Boston metro area easily go for $800K, unless they were planning to keep it. Had to snort when the crew went to show a closeup of the water and almost shoved the camera through the window screen.

They will have to worry about flooding from Nor'easters at that location though.

[Yeah No]

I also thought they replaced the Florida episode because of the hurricane.  I hope whoever was featured on that episode didn't lose their home.  

I loved another New England episode as that's where I live.  This couple SCREAMED either prep school or college administrators.  I used to be one so I can usually spot them.  Or they could have been museum people.  It didn't surprise me that they picked the middle house because the others were way too much house for them.  And David gave away that he only showed them the third house "for fun" so it wasn't hard to figure out that that wasn't the one.  The second house was just the amount of New England history and quirkiness that fit with their personalities, plus being on the water.  

Most river flooding in Maine occurs in the Spring when the ice melts and there is a lot of rain.  I'm hoping the house is high enough over the water for that not to be an issue.  It kind of looked like it was to me.

[Irlandesa]

11 hours ago, kirklandia said:

I would love to know the whole story about the mansion/former museum in Bath, Maine.  It didn't look quite so gorgeous in this article I found.

https://www.mainepreservation.org/most-endangered-2014-1/2019/1/7/sewall-mansion-bath

That was from a few years ago so I'm guessing someone renovated it and then sold it.

2 hours ago, Yeah No said:

This couple SCREAMED either prep school or college administrators. 

She said she's a project manager.  That doesn't mean she doesn't work in education but her job isn't exclusive to education.  But I could see him as a former English teacher.  Now, he seemed to be trying to write a screenplay based on what was on his computer at the end.

[kirklandia]

55 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

That was from a few years ago so I'm guessing someone renovated it and then sold

I decided to keep looking.  Couldn't find any listings on real estate sites for a property for sale or recently sold matching the size and number of bedrooms of the  Bath "Maritime Mansion".  But when I searched the  National Register of Historic Places, I found the street address. Then I was able to find a listing. The price and sales history section is blank.   The house is still on the market and the photos are lovely.
I don't know if I am allowed to share the address or the listing here. I have had my hand slapped before for doing something similar. If you're interested, have fun searching. If I can find it, anyone can.

I did fill in some details that David/HGTV skipped with this little snippet from the Portland library.  

Edited October 1, 2022 by kirklandia

[Yeah No]

19 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

She said she's a project manager.  That doesn't mean she doesn't work in education but her job isn't exclusive to education.  But I could see him as a former English teacher.  Now, he seemed to be trying to write a screenplay based on what was on his computer at the end.

All that means is that she doesn't want to reveal what kind of project manager she is.  Prep schools, colleges and universities employ people to do all sorts of things that can fall under that general category, such as fund raisers, IT people, dormitory management, library management, you name it.  They're originally from Massachusetts, which is full of institutions of higher education.  I could see him as former teacher too.

[buttersister]

Is it just me or do some of these homes make me think of House Hunters or LIoLI or any HGTV remodel show in which people complain about rooms that are too small, bad wallpaper, tubs from the 90s or not enough "flow?" LOL! David keeps saying how nice they are! I keep hearing the whiners!

[Grrarrggh]

16 hours ago, buttersister said:

Is it just me or do some of these homes make me think of House Hunters or LIoLI or any HGTV remodel show in which people complain about rooms that are too small, bad wallpaper, tubs from the 90s or not enough "flow?" LOL! David keeps saying how nice they are! I keep hearing the whiners!

David agrees with anything the buyers say they like. If they like "brown" kitchens (aka wood) he does as well. If they want a white kitchen he says that's the only way to go. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

The Akron Bunch, new 7 Oct 22

A blended family of 9, Marva and Nathan will use $150k of winnings on a scratch off to buy a home in Akron, Ohio for their family including seven kids, she has 4, he has 3.  She’s the gambler.  Kids have scholarships, so parents are staying in Akron.

Wish list-4 or more bed, 2+ bath, nice kitchen, big backyard, Budget-$300k 

Real estate agent has a cool Victorian style for her office.

House 1-Prestwick Place, Townhome new build, a model, $275k ,4 bed, 2.5 bath, 1900 sq ft, you can customize features too.    All bedrooms are upstairs.   Bedrooms are big, main suite with en suite is nice, lots of amenities.  No private backyard though.

House 2-Tara’s Tree, single family, two story, $309,900 , 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2500 sq ft,  Older but very nice.  Main bedroom upstairs is big, nice ensuite.   Three more bedroom on second floor with another bath, another bedroom in the converted attic. Finished basement. Nice size yard, with a garage and long driveway.  

House 3-Ivy Lane,  $264k ,5 bed, 1.5 bath, 2261 sq ft, built in 1924 with original woodwork. Big dining room, kitchen is totally remodeled and lovely, with the half bath off the kitchen hallway.   Bedrooms on the second floor, 1 bathroom, main bedroom is gigantic.    I think the main bedroom is big enough to put an ensuite in, basement has laundry, is easy to finish.   Attic is so cute. Back yard is huge.

They buy #2.    I think three would have worked for them, but they would have to add a shower bath in the attic, and an en suite for the parents bedroom, but it was big enough to do that if you didn't go crazy with the size, or take over the bedroom next to the main, and turn that into an en suite, and huge closet. 

For Florida houses, I looked at the Wikipedia and there are a lot of Florida homes.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lottery_Dream_Home

Sarasota, one of the brothers of the Buffalo couple that the parents won, and bought each brother a house.

A mother won, and bought another townhouse for herself, and gave her son her previous place, Ponte Verde Beach (have no idea where that is).

North Port Fl, Lake City, FL., the horse property in Loxahatchee, FL, Vero Beach, Punta Gorda (this one is a mobile, or modular home),

Cape Coral in 2019,  Spring Hill in 2019  , Jupiter in 2020, David's home around Orlando in 2020, another Orlando in 2021, another Orlando mansion (I think it was Orlando) in 2021, the man who moved from Portland to Florida with help from his mother's inheritance, but I'm not sure what part of Florida he moved to, the two EMTs from NY who moved to Cape Coral (the other Cape Coral winner said hello when they were all at his restaurant), 

Edited October 8, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Kiddvideo]

3 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

The Akron Bunch, new 7 Oct 

  Hide contents

They buy #2.    

Thanks! My modem rebooted the second before they announced their choice. Glad they went with the second one. The living space on the multiple levels, outdoor space…plenty of areas to spread out and not be on top of each other.

[Chippings]

All through reports of the damage the Hurricane did, I kept thinking of all the houses in Florida that David has directed people to -- and indeed David himself, who says he lives in Florida also.  Were any of them effected?  I wonder if anybody is checking on them.

[chessiegal]

8 minutes ago, Chippings said:

All through reports of the damage the Hurricane did, I kept thinking of all the houses in Florida that David has directed people to -- and indeed David himself, who says he lives in Florida also.  Were any of them effected?  I wonder if anybody is checking on them.

Depends on where in Florida they were. We have family in St. Petersburg. A tree blew over in their yard and they lost electricity for 2 days. Driving around their neighborhood they saw 1 house with roof damage. We had lunch with friends yesterday. Her father lives in Naples in a condo (4th floor) a few miles from the beach. He lost electricity for 4 days, but otherwise is fine.

[Vermicious Knid]

Punta Gorda got a direct hit from Ian. There was a couple who bought in Puerto Rico before Maria, and a guy in the Chico area before the devastating  fires.

[Chit Chat]

On 10/8/2022 at 1:43 PM, Chippings said:

All through reports of the damage the Hurricane did, I kept thinking of all the houses in Florida that David has directed people to -- and indeed David himself, who says he lives in Florida also.

I was on the east coast when it got to our side of the state (about an hour south of Daytona), and we had tropical storm force winds.  This storm dumped a lot of rain.  My mom's yard was saturated.  Something I quickly figured out as I sunk to my ankles while picking up limbs!  I read that the Daytona area had some flooding.  There was also some flooding in the Orlando area due to the amount of rain that fell over 2 days.   Aside from that, we didn't have any damage or power outages. 

The pictures coming out of Ft. Myers reminds me of how Mississippi looked after Hurricane Camille in the 60's.  We drove through there months afterwards and I still remember seeing the yachts sitting up on land.  So sad. 

On 10/5/2022 at 11:00 PM, buttersister said:

Is it just me or do some of these homes make me think of House Hunters or LIoLI or any HGTV remodel show in which people complain about rooms that are too small, bad wallpaper, tubs from the 90s or not enough "flow?" LOL! David keeps saying how nice they are! I keep hearing the whiners!

People can be too picky when looking at older homes.  If they want custom, then they need to have a home built to their specifications!  Also, some people's idea of what a small room is differs greatly from mine!  Where I see a normal-sized or large room, they act like it's a closet.  Whiners, indeed!

[CrazyInAlabama]

Million Dollar Mom. Lottery winner won $1 million on a scratcher.   Angelina wants to reunite the family by moving her daughter Kristal's family close to her.  (This was postponed from the Friday after Hurricane Ian. Lake Wales, Winter Haven FL area)  Kristal is moving California, near her mom Angelina is in Florida.     Kristal is 8 to 10 weeks from having another baby.

Wishlist-Single family, good water pressure, 1800 sq ft, 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, backyard for kids.  $200k to $300k, Lake Wales area.    Single Family.

Spoiler

House 1-Eaglebrook, Lake Wales,3 bed, 2 bath, 1300 sq ft, $225k, 1 car garage.  It’s brick exterior.   Main bedroom with ensuite is nice. Ensuite is kind of small.  Small screened back lanai, nice size yard, needs some landscaping.  No central air conditioning. Furthest from town.

House 2- Wedgewood, Winter Haven, 3 bed, 2bath, 1100 sq ft, $240k and has central air. LVP floors. Smallish kitchen, but big dining area, main bedroom is big with en suite with only a shower, guest bath has a tub/shower combo.   2 guest bedrooms are nice sizes.   Backyard is big, fully fenced.   I love the mango tree.  I like the extended front and back porch /patio covers.  

House 3-Crepe Myrtle Court in Lake Wales, 4 bed, 2bath, 1542 sq ft, $299,900.  Mid Century modern, I love this house, kitchen is huge, entry/dining/living room are lovely.   Three guest bedrooms are nice, guest bath is big, main bedroom is nice, ensuite has a huge shower, double sinks, and there’s a door from the bedroom to the screened pool.    It’s on a lake or pond, and I don’t like that.  Carport on the back too.

They pick #1 for the yard space for the kids, yard is fully fenced.  I would have picked #3.

5 weeks later, update is nice, but how about a post Hurricane Ian update?

[Grizzly]

Mother/daughter in Florida. I lost interest. They and houses weren't doing it for me. Wish realtor Michael was the one looking for a house. He looked great and had a fun personality.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Million Dollar Mom. Lottery winner won $1 million on a scratcher in Florida.   She wants to reunite the family by moving her daughter’s family close to her.  (This was postponed from the Friday after Hurricane Ian. Lake Wales, Winter Haven Fl.)  Kristal from California and her mom Angelina is in Florida.    Angelina won, and Kristal is moving to Florida.   Kristal is 8 to 10 weeks from having another baby).

Wishlist-Single family, good water pressure, 1800 sq ft, 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, backyard for kids.  $200k to $300k, Lake Wales area.    Single Family.

House 1-Eaglebrook, Lake Wales,3 bed, 2 bath, 1300 sq ft, $225k, 1 car garage.  It’s brick exterior.   Main bedroom with ensuite is nice. Ensuite is kind of small.  Small screened back lanai, nice size yard, needs some landscaping.  No central air conditioning. Furthest from town.

House 2- Wedgewood, Winter Haven, 3 bed, 2bath, 1100 sq ft, $240k and has central air. LVP floors. Smallish kitchen, but big dining area, main bedroom is big with en suite with only a shower, guest bath has a tub/shower combo.   2 guest bedrooms are nice sizes.   Backyard is big, fully fenced.   I love the mango tree.  I like the extended front and back porch /patio covers.  

House 3-Crepe Myrtle Court in Lake Wales, 4 bed, 2bath, 1542 sq ft, $299,900.  Mid Century modern, I love this house, kitchen is huge, entry/dining/living room are lovely.   Three guest bedrooms are nice, guest bath is big, main bedroom is nice, ensuite has a huge shower, double sinks, and there’s a door from the bedroom to the screened pool.    It’s on a lake or pond, and I don’t like that.  Carport on the back too.

They pick #1 for the yard space for the kids, yard is fully fenced.  I would have picked #3 for the size and how updated it is, but I liked #2 also. .

5 weeks later, update is nice, but how about a post Hurricane Ian update?

Edited October 15, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Kenzie]

6 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

Million Dollar Mom. Lottery winner won $1 million on a scratcher in Florida.

I'm always surprised that there are apparently so many people willing to plunk down $20 or $30 dollars on a single scratcher when the odds are high you just tossed money down the drain for pretty low odds of winning. A $2.00 Powerball or Mega ticket has low odds too but higher payout.

Edited October 15, 2022 by Kenzie

[DanaMB]

I was waiting for this episode because David was spotted in downtown WH a few weeks ago and one of the city fb pages posted a pic. When he went to Ovation and Harborside, I was surprised he didn’t go to restaurants downtown. But Ovation is closer to Lake Wales. (Excuse the local here geeking out.) 
 

I was underwhelmed by the houses. We have beautiful homes  and from the outside, these looked dated to me. 

[Irlandesa]

8 hours ago, Kenzie said:

I'm always surprised that there are apparently so many people willing to plunk down $20 or $30 dollars on a single scratcher when the odds are high you just tossed money down the drain for pretty low odds of winning. A $2.00 Powerball or Mega ticket has low odds too but higher payout.

But then people throw does 50 to 100 on the Powerball and Mega Millions tickets.  But I agree, spending 20 dollars to earn 100,000?  Likely more if you add up all of the tickets purchased.

My DVR didn't record this latest episode. I don't know if it thought it had already recorded it or what.  I do not feel inclined to track it down, though.  FL homes rarely interest me in the same way the Caribbean homes don't interest me on House Hunting International.  I am not  a tropical beachy person unless they're spending massive amounts of money.  Luxury always does it for me.

[Vermicious Knid]

Daughter said at the beginning she wanted 1800 SF but the house she chose wasn't even 1300. She will also have to sink thousands into landscaping if she wants a decent backyard. All those bare patches will skin her kids alive.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I think the rise in house prices probably was why she ended up with 1300 sq ft.  It's a huge retirement area, and many thousands of people move there for a variety of reasons, so I'm sure the inventory is low.     I can only imagine how the prices went up in Florida after the hurricane. 

I think this was the season finale, the rest of the new ones are the ones that have extra facts.   Tonight's 'new' episode is the couple moving to Fayetteville area, enhanced.  Which is a rerun. 

Edited October 22, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[DanaMB]

Home prices in FL have been insane the past few years.

[Vermicious Knid]

This Friday seems to be an actual new episode and not a 'new' scratch off version.

[Chit Chat]

On 10/18/2022 at 8:36 PM, DanaMB said:

Home prices in FL have been insane the past few years.

Homeowners insurance is even crazier!  

[Grizzly]

Has the show been to NYC before? So fun to see what 2 mil gets you in the city. Those were 3 great places, dont think there's a bad choice. But goodness, that terrace at #3. I bet it's gorgeous at night. Interesting choice.

[CrazyInAlabama]

New “New Money, New York City“  

Season 13, Episode 14

This is Stephen, the man who bought a huge house for his family in Houston two years ago, to visit (his mother still lives there), and he lives in NYC.  Now he’s looking for an apartment to buy in NYC.   He won $1,000 a day for life.  Wishlist is 2 bed, 2 bath, 1200 sq. ft., outdoor space, upper East side/upper West side, $2 million.  He’s looking in Manhattan, walking distance to Central Park.   The huge price differences are maintenance monthly charges, taxes, HOA costs are staggering.

Condo 1- West End -newest near Central Park and the Hudson River, condo building, with outdoor spaces, Hell’s Kitchen, 2 bed 2 bath, 1300 sq ft., $1.995 million.    Lovely outdoor space, condo is nice, everything totally turn key. Kitchen has lots of storage, in unit washer and dryer, big dining space, and living room, guest bath is spectacular, guest bedroom is nice, main bedroom and en suite and closet are wonderful, and huge.  Terrace is big, but shared. Best amenities of the three possible condos.

Condo 2-Penmar Place, on the Upper East side - $2.2 million, 2 bed, 2.5bath, 1426 sq. ft., valet, and all kinds of amenities, entry, half bath, kitchen dining and living room is really nice, great storage, main bathroom and bedroom is huge, and nice, guest bedroom is big, with a guest bath that’s nice, terrace is nice, and private.  Bedrooms have no view.

Condo 3-The Morningside, on the West Side - $2.095 million, 1224 sq ft,2 bed,2 bath, 2 outdoor balconies, and lovely terrace, built-ins are nice, dining needs work, bedrooms are nice, main bedroom and ensuite are nice, and with a tiny balcony, plus another balcony, nice main bath. Views from every direction.  The terrace is gigantic and it’s all Stephen’s, no sharing. 1200 sq ft terrace. 

He bought #2.      I would have liked #3 for the terrace, but the inside of the condo needed work.  So, for the least work, and the best location, #2 was a great choice.

Stephen says in a couple of years he’s calling David to find a vacation place in Florida.

Edited November 26, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[Vermicious Knid]

He was probably kicking himself when he saw #3 since he would already be closed on #2. 1200 SF of outside private space is insane. He's not kidding about the closet space, people from outside the area don't realize many pre-war buildings don't have them at all. My friend had a one bed on the Upper West Side and she was happy to inherit the two freestanding wardrobes the previous owner left, instead of going to the hassle of moving them, because there was no closet.

The apartment he got probably has a great view of Manhattenhenge. These were all very modern with huge kitchens and bathrooms. I remember what my grandmother's kitchen in the Bronx looked like. One small table wedged in against the wall you could almost fit 4 people in with around a foot of space between the stove and the countertop and cabinets across from it. I once went to visit friends of this same friend above who had a classic railroad flat in the Village and that most New York of all accoutrements, a bathtub in the kitchen.

How nice to see someone who understands the market and knows he has to pay to get what he wants, instead of winners who have a budget of $300,000.

[Chit Chat]

23 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

He bought #2.      I would have liked #3 for the terrace, but the inside of the condo needed work.  So, for the least work, and the best location, #2 was a great choice.

Having a corner unit with those views was a great selling point.  Although the terrace space of the 3rd apartment was fantastic, that would probably end up being a lot of work keeping all of those plants watered and keeping all of that outdoor furniture clean!  I think about that whenever I see any of those NYC terraces.   I wonder how they store all of those seat cushions once winter sets in (if they do.)  They say it gets pretty windy on those higher floors. Even outdoor furniture can only withstand so much rain and wind on them!  At least the smaller balcony he ended up with is more manageable. 

I wonder if the buyer got this place before the prices went nuts in NYC.  The rental units have skyrocketed.   I watch videos on YouTube by Realtor Cash Jordan who tours apartments and their surrounding areas for rent.  He's quite entertaining!  According to him, those prices are insane these days.  

[CrazyInAlabama]

On the Million Dollar Listing NY show, they said during the pandemic that condos in the $1 to $3 million range weren't moving at all.   Another issue with rentals is that people refused to move out, and some took forever to get rid of non-paying tenants, even when the person still had the same salary.    So, my guess is some landlords are selling, instead of rerenting.     The canyon effect for winds to be higher with each floor higher, and between the buildings is a big issue.   Maybe the building has storage available for residents?   

I really enjoyed the Houston house that Stephen bought a couple of years ago, and this one.   It's nice to see a big budget, and a buyer who probably paid cash.    I hope he does go house shopping in Florida with David in a couple of years.   

[Chit Chat]

1 minute ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

I hope he does go house shopping in Florida with David in a couple of years.   

He had a great energy about him.  Of course, if I won $1,000/day for life, I'd be pretty darn happy too!!  The one thing I'd like about a bigger terrace is the feeling of almost having a yard!  I'm glad that Stephen was happy with his purchase.   All three places seemed very nice.