Here's What Happens When You Win the Lottery … Twice!
One very lucky couple turns to "My Lottery Dream Home" host David Bromstad to help them make the most of their double lottery winnings.
Host David Bromstad is excited to help lucky couple Desiree and Jason start their real estate empire after winning the lottery twice on Season 18 of My Lottery Dream Home.
There’s a saying that “lightning never strikes twice,” but lucky couple Desiree and Jason are living proof that it can! After winning a whopping $1 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket, Desiree and Jason could hardly believe their luck. Yet, astonishingly, Desiree won again … only this time, her winnings were much, much bigger. This second scratch-off ticket earned Desiree a mind-blowing $25 million, turning their newfound wealth into an absolutely life-changing situation for their family for years to come. “That’s generational wealth for us,” Jason told David.
David has met some seriously lucky lottery winners in his 18 seasons of hosting My Lottery Dream Home, but he has yet to meet anyone who has won the jackpot twice!
While some people might choose to purchase gold-plated Lamborghinis and private islands in Fiji with that kind of money, Jason and Desiree have different plans. “We have three daughters and we're gonna work on getting each one of our daughters somewhere to be,” they told David. This is what brings them to Atlanta for this episode. Their daughter, Tajee, currently lives and works in Atlanta, so they want to set her up with a smart real estate investment that will allow her to build equity and also provide them with a comfortable place to stay when they visit.
Jason and Desiree hope David can help them purchase the first of several properties for their portfolio, telling him, “We’re going to Denver, Rhode Island and hopefully somewhere warm … and you can come along for the whole ride!”
David literally dances in his seat with excitement. “You heard it,” he tells the camera, and then the three of them immediately get to work discussing what kind of home would be the right fit for Desiree and Jason’s daughter, who is traveling for work and won’t be able to come along on the house hunt. Once David has confirmed that the couple is looking for a turnkey, “no projects” property for around $450,000, he heads out to meet with a local real estate agent to research perfect options for this family.
Jason and Desiree’s Must-Haves
- minimum 2 or 3 bedrooms
- must have 2 bathrooms
- open to a condo or townhome
- fully renovated/turnkey
Atlanta is known for being a booming city with acres of beautiful park spaces and surprisingly affordable housing compared to other metropolitan cities of similar size. “I was expecting Atlanta to be so overpriced, but it’s really not,” David tells real estate agent Rone Paulding. Rone agrees and hands over the specs for three different properties that she thinks David will like, telling him, “I have … a townhouse, I have a single-family and I have a condo.” David is very optimistic about these options and the price point he is working with, saying, “Their budget is more than enough to find a property for their youngest daughter, Tajee.”
House #1: Yates Landing
- roomy condo
- walkable and near nature trails
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- 1,384 square feet
- high ceilings
- bonus loft space
Price: under budget at $370,000
The first property features a roomy open-concept space with views of the trees and no nearby neighbors, which is a big plus for Desiree.
“Oh wow, this is nice,” Desiree says as she walks into the condo. The high ceilings and renovated kitchen immediately impress both her and Jason. Other features, not always available in a condo, are also appreciated. “I love that we’re seeing nature … I’m not seeing a neighbor,” Desiree tells David. As the tour continues, Desiree and Jason continue to be wowed by more of the condo’s features, like the nine-foot ceilings, the renovated primary bathroom with a separate tub and shower, and a generous bonus space. “This will be a good flex space for us as a family,” Desiree says.
Desiree and Jason are hard-pressed to find anything they don’t like about the first property David shows them.
The condo checks nearly every one of the couple’s boxes, but Desiree would like to see something with “a little bit more green space … but no maintenance.”
“The more green space, the more maintenance,” David warns, but Desiree is confident that David can find her a happy medium.
“You can do it, you’re fab,” she tells him with finality.
House #2: Paper Plane Place
- single-family home
- cute curb appeal
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- 1,150 square feet
Price: $369,000, also under budget
Located just south of the city center, David has found a fully renovated single-family home to show his clients.
Undeterred by Desiree’s tricky ask of finding a home with more green space and minimal upkeep, David is excited to show the couple another option. This adorable 1930s-era bungalow is a great example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. While it may look cozy and sweet on the outside, inside the house is a modern marvel. “It’s built in the 1930s and it does not feel like it, does it?” David asks.
“Gorgeous,” Desiree agrees. From the open-concept living room with custom built-ins and a floating mantel to a contemporary kitchen with sleek, black cabinets, the house is a showstopper.
Desiree asked and David delivered a home with more green space and easy, minimal upkeep.
After touring the rest of the perfectly renovated home, David is excited to show Desiree the incredible outdoor space. “Wow, this is a really big yard,” she tells him as she steps outside to check out the fully fenced private space. “Knew you could do it!”
With pep in his platform sneakered step knowing he knocked this one out of the park, David asks, “How about a townhouse next? We’ll see the gamut of all of it; condo, home, townhome.” So, off they go to check out David’s final option.
House #3: Dunwood Drive
- townhouse
- 2 bedrooms
- 2.5 bathroom
- almost 1,400 square feet
- quiet and beautifully landscaped grounds
Price: $355,000, almost $100,000 under budget
A townhouse provides the perfect balance between a single-family home and a low-maintenance condo, and may be exactly what the couple is in search of.
David is excited to show Desiree and Jason the last option, which he describes as “having the feel of a house but without the maintenance.”
“This is cute!” they both croon in unison as they step inside the townhome’s front room. While the kitchen is cozy — “It’s our smallest kitchen,” David concedes — Jason doesn’t seem to mind at all, appreciating the upgraded finishes like the granite countertops and new appliances.
Upstairs, they tour the bedrooms and especially love the primary suite. “Oh, this is beautiful,” Desiree says as David tells her that this is the largest bedroom that they have toured so far. “Double closets,” he points out.
“Girl can’t have too much space!” Desiree laughs.
The upstairs main bedroom is spacious and features double closets and an en-suite bathroom.
A private patio is also just the right size for their daughter. “This is just enough,” she says approvingly.
With all three options being well under their budget and desirable in different ways, Desiree and Jason have a difficult decision to make. “You have definitely given us some great choices, and so inexpensive,” Desiree tells David.
The Big Decision
David is excited to hear what home Desiree and Jason have chosen for their daughter.
Even though Jason and Desiree have more than enough money to spend — and then some — David notices that they are taking this decision very seriously. “You’re being quietly kind and cautious,” he compliments them, but then also jokingly reminds them, “How many properties do you have to buy to understand you’re rich!”
“It still really hasn’t sunk in,” before telling him that they chose Yates Landing, the very first condo that he showed them.
“I love it,” David agrees, “adorable condo right on the edge of Midtown [Atlanta].”
“It’s perfect for everybody, and after speaking to Tajee … she loves it,” Desiree tells David. With that, they clink coffee cups and the couple promises to bring David along for their next real estate adventure!
Six weeks after closing on the condo, Desiree and Jason are excited to move their daughter into her very own home.