House Lust: Inside HGTV’s Dream Home Giveaway in Portsmouth, RI
Would you keep the dream home or sell it for the proceeds?

A fully furnished home worth $2.8 million, $250,000 cash and a new RV — all without having to leave the area code: It sounds like a Rhode Island dream come true. But there’s a hitch. (Isn’t there always a hitch?)
Marking twenty-five years of Dream Homes, HGTV is giving away a 3,300 square-foot, multi-level house near McCorrie Beach in Portsmouth — the first-ever Dream Home in Rhode Island. The house, which affords views of the Sakonnet River, was designed by Brian Patrick Flynn and built by JPS Construction in Middletown.
Beginning Monday, December 28, you — and millions of others, to be sure — can enter to win the property and its accoutrements twice a day until February 17. Here’s the “but,” and it’s a big one: The winner will have to pay federal income taxes on their earnings, as well as state income taxes and property taxes.
Such expenditures — could be upwards of a cool million, in this case — have dissuaded many previous winners from keeping their dream homes altogether. According to a report by Country Living, a large majority of previous winners chose lump cash prizes in lieu of the home or sold their houses back to the developers within a year. Only six out of twenty-one previous winners chose to keep their Dream Homes in the long-term, per Country Living’s count.
Would you take it or leave it? Here’s your House Lust:
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
HGTV's 2021 Dream Home sweepstakes runs December 28 to February 17. (Photos courtesy of HGTV)
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A view inside the entryway, which features nautical touches that point to the home's setting in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
A view inside the entryway, which features nautical touches that point to the home's setting in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The home features an open floor plan on the main level.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The dining area off the foyer.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A view of the sitting area with fireplace.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The living space opens up to a deck overlooking the Sakonnet River.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The main living space is two stories tall with lots of natural lighting.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A view of the kitchen. No shortage of storage here.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A library space affords views of the landscape.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A view of the upper level laundry room.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The master bath with soaking tub.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The master suite features a walk-in closet.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A spiral staircase leads to the rooftop deck.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A wet bar for the rooftop deck.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
Views of the Sakonnet River from the rooftop.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A sitting area on the walk-out lower level.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
Another view of the walk-out lower level.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
A view of the patio with an outdoor kitchen.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The garage is staged as another entertaining space with a nautical mural.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
The winner will also receive an RV from Camping World.
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HGTV Dream Home 2021 in Newport, RI
Visit hgtv.com to enter to win this year’s Dream House beginning December 28.