Dream Home 2003 chat—01/05/03
HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Today, we're joined by Jack Thomasson, project manager for Dream Home 2003. Hello, Jack!
Jack Thomasson: Hello everybody!
Question: I have two questions. The Camp and its diagram do not indicate a laundry facility. Is there one, and if so, where? What plot size are the lots on the water and is there a website we can go to see them as well as a price listing. Thank you in advance.
Jack: There is a utility room, including laundry facilities with a Whirlpool washer and dryer, located directly across from the garden prep room. Regarding lot sizes, they will vary. Our lot size is approximately two acres. I would recommend going to the website: www.rivercamps.com.
Q: Can you tell me about haw many people have entered the Dream House contest?
HGTV: Sorry, but I don't have a current tally. You've still got PLENTY of time to enter! Good luck!
Q: What will be included in RiverCamps at BackBay? What community facilities? Will it be a closed community? Will the roads be paved (or crush and run, crushed shell, gravel, dirt)? What is the projected schedule for this part of the St. Joe RiverCamps concept?
Jack: Once again, I would recommend going to www.rivercamps.com. It's a very thorough site, and all present information available for RiverCamps will be featured on this site. And there are many photographs, which help exemplify the community.
Q: Hi, people are wondering if the house has well water or city water, also another concern is there telephone service.
Jack: The house has its own well with a water-purification system. And presently there is satellite telephone service at the house. This is not like cell phone service—it's literally a satellite. Eventually, of course, there will be standard utility services throughout the RiverCamp community.
Q: Does the office have HVAC?
Jack: Yes, the office has its own Trane HVAC unit.
Q: Does the boat come with a trailer?
Jack: The boat does come with a trailer, which has been manufactured for the Hell's Bay boat.
Q: What kind of TV and internet connections are available to this house?
Jack: Presently, you would have to connect through a satellite cable television system.
Q: What community services are located in Mexico Beach—shopping, churches, library, gas station, movies, schools, fast food, regular restaurants, etc?
Jack: Mexico Beach is a real town, complete with shopping, etc. There are several good places to eat, but for further recommendations I would suggest visiting www.mexicobeach.com. It covers many of the subject areas you listed.
Q: Does the green house have plastic or glass windows?
Jack: It is an impact-resistant polyurethane.
Q: How deep is the dock where the boathouse is?
Jack: East Bay is a very shallow bay. But, it is well known for its shallow-water fishing. The water at the end of the dock is only about two feet deep. Which is why it was so important to get a boat that was made specifically for shallow water. East Bay is an amazing body of water, where frequently you'll see wild dolphin swimming, and the occasional presence of shrimp boats in the distance. The boat, the Marquesa Hell's Bay, will take you virtually anywhere you would want to go with ease and style.
Q: Do all windows/doors have hurricane shutters, and if so, where are they stored?
Jack: The shutters on the house are both functional and decorative, but they are not technically hurricane shutters. Actual hurricane shutters were not necessary because of the strength of the Pella windows we selected, which are made for high-impact resistance.
Q: Jack, We did try going to the website you indicated however, we have not heard from them at all and no prices had been indicated or a plot of the area. Again thank you in advance.
Jack: Be patient. Because of the Dream Home there has been a great deal of interest in the RiverCamps community, and I am sure that someone will get back to you with more of the information that you are looking for.
Q: How far is the nearest town, grocery store, gas station?
Jack: The heart of Mexico Beach (and the nearest gas station) is only four miles away.
Q: I would like to know if the main room has a TV, and if so, is it viewable from the seating area? What is inside the large cabinets in the great room?
Jack: Yes, the main room has the television, which is perfect for viewing HGTV. But the television is enclosed in a built-in entertainment unit on the wall opposite the kitchen. The television can be easily viewed from the main seating area in the great room, or from the kitchen.
Q: Is there a structure for a car?
Jack: The house has both a single-car garage and a single-car carport. Which will easily accommodate the GMC Envoy XL.
Q: Is the property fronted to the north or to the south of east bay?
Jack: The waterfront is on the west side of East Bay, which provides amazing sunrise views in the early morning across the bay.
Q: What is included in the entertainment center?
Jack: There is a television, stereo and DVD player.
Q: Could you take the boat out to the gulf and anchor off one of the beautiful beaches?
Jack: The boat is designed for shallow water fishing, but it is very capable of high speeds. The boat can easily navigate the waterways near and around the Dream Home, but you would always want to check with the manufacturer on how the boat would handle in all conditions. Here is the website about boat: www.hellsbayboatworks.com and look under Skiffs for the Marquesa18.
Q: Is this house built on a protected bay and is the bay salt water or fresh water?
Jack: East Bay is a salt and brackish water bay that is somewhat protected from the open Gulf of Mexico. Even though there is easy access to the Gulf through the Intracoastal Waterway, which is only 300 yards out into the bay from the Dream Home site.
Q: What is the value of the house?
Jack: According to the official rules on HGTV.com the home is valued at approximately 900,000 dollars, including structure, lot and landscaping (as of October 8, 2002).
Q: Does the Dream Home have a home theater? How about lighting control? Central audio system? Is the home wired for the future? Security system?
Jack: The Dream Home has a security system and is wired for today's electronics needs. Most present connections, however, will need to come from a satellite system while the area is still under development. There is no question that eventually all convenient connections will be available.
Q: Does the greenhouse have electricity, lights, water?
Jack: The greenhouse has a water-misting system that's perfect for orchids and most other traditional houseplants.
Q: Can you give us the exact size of the property? How many acres?
Jack: Our lot size is approximately two acres.
Q: Will the camp allow individuals to have in ground pools?
Jack: This is a question for RiverCamps; if you forward this question to them, they could give you specifics as to future community amenities.
Q: Will the native grasses planted around the house spread to create a lawn?
Jack: The native grasses will not spread to create a lawn, but they will spread to create ornamental grasses. There was never an intent to have a traditional lawn at the site that would require traditional lawn maintenance. The beauty of the home's landscaping is in its ability to blend with the original natural landscape.
Q: How much is this tidal influence? What is the level above normal high tide for the bottom of the dock?
Jack: There is very little tidal fluctuation in the bay, however there are water-depth differences seasonally.
Q: May I ask is there a bathroom in the office area?
Jack: There is a half bath in the office area with a very unique pedestal sink from VitraMax. Check out the full line of products at www.vitramax.com.
Q: As there is hot water outside, how are the pipes insulated? Are all exterior pipes insulated?
Jack: There is outside hot and cold water both at the summer kitchen and from faucets located near the master bedroom. The hot and cold water faucets were placed for easy warm water access to the outdoor clawfoot tub. The boathouse has cold water leading to an outdoor shower and a fish-prep area.
Q: Does the weather allow for the home to be lived in year round?
Jack: Absolutely. Mexico Beach is a wonderful year-round destination.
Q: Is there a TV in the kids space?
Jack: There isn't one provided, but there is room for one.
Q: I just got in. I'm surprised to see no upper cabinets in the kitchen for glassware, etc.
Jack: There are cabinets above the oven and fridge, and there is a pantry, as well as the island.
Q: How easy would it be to screen in the summer kitchen and the spa? Why were no screened in areas included for outdoor use?
Jack: There are screen doors on all exterior doors of the main house and office, but no screens on the summer kitchen or spa area. The summer kitchen, in particular, should be quite easy to add screens if desired.
Q: How extensive is the landscape irrigation system?
Jack: It is fairly extensive around the house to adequately cultivate those plants that need water while they get started. But eventually the irrigation system will not be needed at all. We planted only native species that should thrive in the Dream Home environment.
Q: What other chats are planned , when, & who will host them?
HGTV: There is one more chat about the Dream Home. It's going to be with interior designer Linda Woodrum, and will be held on Jan. 27th at 9 p.m ET.
Q: Does the home have a septic system and water well or is it connected to city water and sewer?
Jack: The house has a septic system and well with a water-purification system. And please remember, the Dream Home is the first structure on an amazing 10,000 acres. Eventually, as the community develops, so too will the additional services and amenities. Until then, you'll have to suffer through the privacy and exclusivity of a wonderfully serene environment. It's a wonderful place.
HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. We thank you for all of your questions. If some were not answered, we apologize. A few were out of our "expertise" for this chat. Many of the question about the community can be answered at www.rivercamps.com and www.mexicobeach.com. And Jack, thanks for joining us today!
Jack Thomasson: You're welcome! Best of luck to everyone who enters to win this incredible home!
