• Phoenix Woman Home Page
• Online Articles
• Home
• A Valley Woman Wins Her Dream House

A Valley Woman Wins Her Dream House

Taylor Morrison Dream Home Giveaway

By Brittany Warren

Some people seem to just be born lucky. They win raffles, special giveaways and lotteries almost without even trying. Kristen Pierce had never considered herself one of these people, so it was with uncertainty and a large amount of hope that she entered her name in the 2009 Taylor Morrison Dream Home Giveaway. Months later, long after she'd forgotten about her submission, Pierce found out that she was the winner of a $200,000 dream house.

The Taylor Morrison Dream Home Giveaway began in 2008 in conjunction with the opening of the Innoventions Dream Home at Disneyland, which Taylor Morrison built in a partnership with Disneyland, Microsoft, HP and Life|Ware. In addition to the home, winners choose a number of upgrades for their residence, and receive a trip to Disneyland.

The first year, the home went to single mother and California resident Jennifer Draa. More than 147,000 entries were received this second year.

Pierce entered the giveaway after seeing it online, and then visiting a Taylor Morrison community where she received a special code for 50 additional entries. She admits that before this, she wasn't one to enter contests on a whim. She recalls putting her name in a mall drawing for the chance to win a car. "It was just a huge window for solicitation," she says. "I was getting so much junk mail." But for some reason, after talking to the Taylor Morrison rep that day, she thought, why not take a chance and enter? Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd actually win.

"It wasn't on the forefront on my mind that I might win or that I even could," Pierce says, recalling the day she received the news. At the time, she had family visiting from out of town. So when the phone rang, she was more preoccupied with the noise than the woman on the line. "It was shocking," says Pierce. "When she told me, I was like, 'No way.' It took her a couple of minutes to convince me it wasn't a gimmick, or anything she was trying to sell me. I had actually won."

Before receiving the contest results, Pierce and her husband had been looking at foreclosure homes. "We were in the middle of purchasing a home a few blocks away from us," she says. "We had money down and the home inspection done. We found out about winning the dream home four days before the home was signed for."

Even more exciting is that the Pierces' dream home will also be their first home, having only rented in previous years. "I still can't believe how fabulous it's going to be," she says. "Foreclosure homes aren't in the greatest of condition; looking at them you want to change this and you want to change this. Getting a home where I get to pick what I want right off the top, I never thought that I would be able to do that."

They chose the Vintage model--a four bedroom, 2,240-square-foot single level--to be built in Stratland Estates in Gilbert. The neighborhood features include walking trails, ramadas and several BBQ grills located throughout the community. But Pierce is happiest about the park that is just across the street. "It will be nice to wake up in the morning and take my little boy across the street and let him go play in the park for a while. I'm looking forward to that," she says. She also cites good school districts as another reason for settling on Stratland Estates, along with its close proximity to SanTan Village and Costco.

On some mornings, Pierce admits that she wakes up and forgets that she's won. "I don't have TV cameras or people wanting to interview me anymore," she says. "The excitement of the Disneyland trip is over, and I just go on about my daily life." But sometimes her husband will drive by the construction site on his way home from work and take pictures. "It's shocking to see the progress," she says.

"It's been fun to watch." Also, as more of the floor plan has been assembled over these past few months, Pierce has been able to make the process more real for her son. "We've shown him where his room is going to be," she adds. "And now, he's started telling his grandma, 'My new house is getting bigger.'"

As the November move-in date draws closer, the thrill is starting to return. "Seeing boxes brings excitement back," Pierce says. In addition to the family's excitement over the house itself, they are looking forward to the amenities that will be included. "We would both like to have a big-screen TV," says Pierce, "because one of the upgrades we chose is to have the house wired for surround sound. It will be good for family movie night."

Pierce is also looking forward to playing hostess in her new home. "We've only had a few friends over [in the past], but [now] I'll be able to have friends over for dinner parties and family night," she says. "My friends can bring their kids and we can go over to the park across the street. It'll be nice." As for right after the family moves in, Pierce has already made plans for the holidays. "My whole family lives in Utah, but I have invited my sister and her family to spend Christmas with us." She admits that she can't wait to start decorating for the occasion and put lights up around the house.

As for further down the road, Pierce is pregnant with her second child and is expected to deliver in April. The family is also considering getting a puppy. Thinking back over the past few months, Pierce adds, "You know, there are certain drawings I'm not going to be afraid to enter anymore. You can't win if you don't enter. If you want to win something, you have to enter."

Brittany Warren is an Editorial Intern for Phoenix Woman magazine.