HGTV Dream Home 2009: But would you really want it?

Before I launch into the text, let's take a tour of this year's unbelievable home that HGTV is giving away. The home, which is new, is located in Sonoma County, California and is over 3700 square feet. The whole package is worth over $2 million. There are loads more pictures and videos on the website linked above, so check them out, as well as tons of information about the products, if you can't get enough here.

Here's the exterior. Gorgeous, huh?

The foyer is not too shabby either.

Here is the living room. I love the color scheme, as well as the cabinets. Yay for storage!

This is the formal dining room:

The formal dining room also has a sitting area:

Are you ready for this kitchen? You should really go look at all the pictures because it's pretty ridiculous. You can't tell here, but there are TWO islands like the one you see here.

Built-in wine chillers, and there is also a double-warmer.

The eat-in that is part of the kitchen.

The family room is right off the kitchen.

Here is the study, which comes with a FULLY-STOCKED wine cellar.

The kids' bedroom...or for more wine if you have chosen wine over kids in your life.

The guest bedroom. I hate that carpet, but it can be changed.

The laundry room, which I'm pretty sure is bigger than my kitchen. It has HWF too!

More clever storage surprises in the laundry room:

Do you hear the angels singing? It's because you're in this glorious master bedroom suite that was practically touched by God. If I had a bedroom like this, I might never emerge.

Check out this closet! I guess you're only allowed to wear beige clothes if you live in Sonoma, so you'd better be prepared for that.

And the luxurious master bath.

Here is the back of the house. You have your own little vineyard too, by the way. There were lots of garden pictures, but I didn't even pull any of those off the website.

This is my favorite kind of outdoor furtniture. I love the white on dark:

You also have an outdoor kitchen:

Did I mention that the package includes a 2009 GMC Acadia?

What's this you ask? In-law quarters? Time-out house for naughty children? Nope. It's the 3k miniature version of the Dream House built for your lucky dog. Methinks the doghouse is larger than my condo.

So, I pose my original question: would you actually want it? Well, DUH, Mary! Of course you want it. But here are the reasons why I was hesitant to enter.

1) According to the official rules, "real estate transfer taxes, deed recording charges and closing costs, if not the obligation of the Developer pursuant to an agreement with HGTV (the "Home Contract") to acquire the home, shall be the sole responsibility of the Grand Prize Winner." You mean I have to pay closing costs? Ouch.

2) But wait, you'll be further hemorraging money when you pay for "all current and future real estate taxes and all other taxes, costs, fees, and expenses related to the maintenance of the house commencing as of the date the Grand Prize Winner accepts the Grand Prize."

3) Oh, and don't forget that "title insurance and homeowner's hazard and liability insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the Grand Prize Winner."

I realize that they can't pay the fees for this house for the winners forever, but I think the proportion of the population that can afford property taxes, insurance, and maintenance on a $2 million house in Sonoma is pretty limited. I had to seriously question Jason as to what we would do if we won. Sell organs? You only need one kidney, right?

The other part of the process that seriously frightens me is this:

"Main Sponsor anticipates that the potential Grand Prize Winner will be contacted in person on or about March 15, 2009 (subject to change) in the form of a "ambush style" visit by Main Sponsor representatives and such potential Grand Prize Winner may be filmed during such visit by Main Sponsor."

Ambush style! No way. Mostly because this is what I normally look like when I'm hanging around at home:

Worse still, "main Sponsor also reserves the right to randomly select an unspecified number of potential finalists for the Grand Prize and require them to travel at Main Sponsor's expense to a location in the United States where the Grand Prize Winner will be selected in a random drawing that may be televised."

Talk about my worst nightmare.

So, tell me what you would do? You'd be an idiot to not want the house, right? Or smart to not want it if you can't really afford it? What do you think?