The 2025 HGTV Dream Home, an "enchanting" Lowcountry retreat in Bluffton, South Carolina, got some home and garden work done. Now it needs an owner.
The sweepstakes contest for the 2025 HGTV Dream Home in Bluffton is from 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, to 5 p.m. ET Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, or Valentine's Day at hgtv.com, diynetwork.com or foodnetwork.com. Winning an HGTV Dream Home is like winning the lottery. Maria Fratta of New York knows the feeling: She won the keys to the 2024 HGTV Dream Home on Anastasia Island, Florida and was surprised in a friendly ambush by the network. Though Fratta ultimately sold the home shortly after winning, she and her family enjoyed the amenities there.
Since 1997, the HGTV Network has built a following and audience for its HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes contest. The process starts with choosing a site for the home, renovating one or building it from the ground up, marketing the contest, planning an "ambush-style" notification for the winner for HGTV, its site and social media, and letting the world know who won the literal dream home.
Some quick hits:
Like the 2024 HGTV Dream Home on Anastasia Island (near St. Augustine, Florida), the 2025 lowcountry retreat in Bluffton was designed by Brian Patrick Flynn, built by Shoreline Construction with architecture by Court Atkins Group, according to HGTV's site. Here's what we know.
HGTV, the home and garden television network, has hosted its popular HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes contest with respective TV specials, since 1997. The 2024 HGTV Dream Home is in Bluffton, South Carolina.
According to HGTV sweepstakes contest FAQ section posted Dec. 17, 2024, "Individuals may enter online by visiting the HGTV website and completing and submitting the online entry form (limit one online entry on the HGTV website, per valid email address, per eligible person per day); and by visiting the DIY Network website and completing and submitting the online entry form (limit one entry on the DIY Network website, per valid email address, per eligible person per day)."
Submit an entry once daily via hgtv.com, diynetwork.com or foodnetwork.com.
The 2024 HGTV Dream Home is on Anastasia Island in Northeast Florida and described as "a grand coastal escape." The sweepstakes officially ended in February for the beautiful home that was designed by architect Michael Stauffer and built by local builder Glenn Layton Homes. The home's interior design was by Brian Patrick Flynn. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home is about 3,300 square feet with views of the Matanzas River and the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
The prospective grand prize winner is typically contacted by phone, email, in writing or via an "ambush style" visit by the sponsor's representatives at the grand prize winner's home or other location in the spring. The prospective grand prize winner will likely be filmed or recorded during the friendly ambush visit.
In addition to the "lowcountry retreat" 2025 HGTV Dream Home in Bluffton, South Carolina, whomever wins the sweepstakes contest will receive:
The value of the total Anastasia Island 2024 HGTV Dream Home package was estimated at just over $2.2 million. In total, Marie Fratta of New York, the winner of the sweepstakes, received:
For 2024, the contest rules state: "In lieu of taking title to the HGTV Dream Home 2024 (and the contents of the HGTV Dream Home 2024), the grand prize winner will have the option of receiving $650,000 in cash (the "cash option"). If the grand prize winner cannot take possession of the HGTV Dream Home 2024 ... the grand prize winner shall receive the cash option. Total value of the grand prize is $820,000" if the cash option is selected vs. the HGTV Dream Home 2024.
According to HGTV's site, here's a list of HGTV Dream Home locations from the start of the contest to present.
As of Dec. 17, 2024, there have been five HGTV Dream Homes in Florida:
Here's a look back at who won the HGTV Dream Home sweepstakes contests over the years.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.