HGTV’s annual “Dream Home” giveaway is closing down the number of days left to enter to win the stunning estate built for this year’s sweepstakes. Rest assured, hopeful homeowners have until Feb. 13 to enter to win the show’s latest development in Lake Wylie, located near Charlotte, N.C.
While the finished project looks like a scene out of a classic rom-com, the construction of the home wouldn’t have been made possible without HGTV’s 2026 contracted builder, Michael Knotts of Knotts Builders.
While discussing the construction of the lakeside mansion, Knotts explained how hard it was to keep the project a secret — especially with how exciting it was to create.
NDA’s Were Needed for 2026 ‘Dream Home’
“I wanted to tell my kids,” Knotts shared in a report by the Post and Courier. “I would have liked to tell my mom, who lives around the corner. But I didn’t tell anyone. And we had to put the tradespeople on our non-disclosure agreement.”
Knotts, who was approached by Compass Realty in Charlotte to be part of “a very neat opportunity,” had to essentially compete against two other builders who were also asked to submit sites for the project. Fortunately, he said his company had the site in Lake Wylie, leading him to build on one of his favorite properties in his career.
“They wanted a spot on Lake Wylie, and I had this one available,” Knotts shared. “It’s one of the best sites we’ve ever had.”
Knotts, a second-generation home builder, was paired with HGTV veteran “Dream Home” designer Brian Patrick Flynn, who has worked on several homes for the annual contest. While Knotts’ vision for the final look was pivotal in how the construction turned out, he credited those he worked with, saying their influence on the site was pure “magic.”
‘What They Did Was Magic’
“It was a really great process to get to this great home,” Knotts expressed. “I know we built a great home, but the design and the creativity and the insight of [the HGTV] team was so cool to be a part of, to work alongside these professionals. I truly think what they did was magic.”
The 2026 “Dream Home” estate marks the show’s first lakeside home up for grabs. The lake encompassing the property spans three counties, including York County and Mecklenburg and Gaston counties.
While living on the serenity of the calm waters is enough reason to relish, the thoughtful designs of the home are worth mentioning. Incorporated in the mansion is a pantry door that connects to the kitchen from the garage, making grocery hauls much easier to navigate.
With classic French doors, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, sun tunnels designed to fill every room with natural light and a two-story dock fit for any lake activity — this timeless sensation is sure to make one lucky winner feel like a million bucks.
