HGTV Smart Home 2026

[BostonEd]

It is in Apopka. Anyone entering to win? Are short-term rentals allowed in Apopka?

My beef with HGTV is that they keep building these "smart" homes, and tout all the electronically-driven features, without incorporating solar panels into the design. Doesn't make sense.

 

[_19disnA]

Nope, no plan to enter. Haven't seen this latest contest on HGTV to see what this house looks like. Many of the ones in the past seem too focused on what some designer thinks people want. Lots of electronic gadgets doesn't make a home hi-tech. If I was going to build a home that large, I would want to be part of the design process so the style matches our tastes and ideas about decor & design. Florida wouldn't be my top choice of a location with all of the issues lately getting home owner's insurance and the rising costs. I wonder if HGTV has any restrictions on how long you have to keep it before being able to sell? Don't recall them ever mentioning that. Do they ever show the winners after they have moved in? Can't recall seeing that in the past.

If I did enter and win, I would be more inclined to sell instead of the hassle of trying to be a long distance rental landlord. Relatives own a condo near the ocean (not in Florida) and rent it out when not around. My impression is they have never made money doing that and the hassle of trying to maintain it from a distance takes up a lot of their time.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I used to always enter, then I stopped. I didnt realize this one was in Florida. Im going to enter this time.

 

[bluecruiser]

I always enter, but my plan would be to take the cash option or sell immediately if I ever won. The taxes and up keep would be too much for me.

HGTV added a cash option for winners for just this reason. For details on the 2024 winner see https://www.jacksonville.com/story/...er-marie-fratta-florida-new-york/74634457007/ .

 

[marthachick]

I enter but would definitely take the cash. I won $1,000 from Lifetime TV about 15 years ago.

 

[soccerdad72]

I didn't realize they're still doing the contest. I seem to recall that of all the winners, maybe one or two actually kept the house and lived in it. The taxes for the prize was just too unbearable for most to handle. People having to take out large mortgages for a "free" house.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree, most people can't afford to maintain a $2+M dollar home with things like the cost of taxes/insurance and upkeep. Most have probably sold it or if there was some sort of 'cash' option probably chose that instead. Clearly was an advertising gimmick for HGTV, but not sure what it accomplished for them.

 

[Jerryster]

I agree, it’s weird they talk about smart homes but skip solar panels. Feels like they’re missing a big opportunity for sustainability. As for Apopka, I’m not sure about short-term rentals, but it’s worth looking into!

 

[BostonEd]

I seem to recall that of all the winners, maybe one or two actually kept the house and lived in it.

I remember people who won the Stowe house (I can't remember if that was a "dream home" or "smart home") kept and used it for a couple years as a vacation property and then sold it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thats beautiful, we would totally live in it.