Dream house for $150

Well, actually it's more accurate to say you could win your dream house for $150, but we wanted to get your attention, especially since it's for a good cause.

Tickets go on sale today for the 3rd annual Marin Dream House Raffle to benefit Community Action Marin (CAM).

If you like serene bay and mountain views, if you like top quality materials and if you like the option of taking an elevator to your third floor master bedroom, then this dream house is for you.  (click to enlarge photos)

We stopped by the dream house to take a look.  Russ Hamel, CAM's Director of Development gave us an enthusiastic tour. 

The first impression is one of serenity and openness.  The newly built home is located on a hillside development, but what makes this home special is the swath of open space on one side.

"This will never be developed," says Hamel his arm sweeping up towards the natural hillside. 

The feeling inside the home mirrors the outside.

Warm, natural materials were used extensively throughout the 3,200 square-foot residence including white oak flooring, walnut and mahogany cabinetry, natural granite in the baths and tile.  Nobody will feel claustrophobic with the ten foot high ceilings, either.

The three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home boasts three floors of living area.  The ground level has the foyer entry area, storage, garage and patio.  On the second floor, you'll find the huge open kitchen with Viking appliances and dark wood walnut cabinetry.  The separate dining room has a direct view of the bay and when you step into the living room, you'll see Mt. Tam from those windows.

Upstairs are three bedrooms, each with a private bath.  The master bedroom has a fireplace--gas powered with remote control, a view of the bay and a private balcony.  In fact, many of the rooms have balconies.  My personal favorite item was the spacious shower with a picture window view of the open space next door.

If you feel like a midnight snack and don't want to walk down all those stairs, you can simply step into the elevator which glides silently between all three floors.

We asked Hamel to tell us what was most special about the house in a sentence.

"I can't sum it up in a sentence but if I had to summarize, I'd say the views of the bay and Tam," he said, "And what really makes this house unique is the quality of construction-- they really spared no expense."

The dream home is valued at $2 million, with the winner having the option of taking $1.6 million in cash.  Hamel admits that so far in the two previous raffles, nobody has opted for the house.  However, one ticket buyer came forward last year and actually bought the home after the winner passed on it.

CAM has 15 programs in 24 sites in Marin County and having been formed in 1966, is the oldest private charity in Marin.  They offer educational, health, housing and employment programs for low-income Marin residents. 

The raffle appears to be a popular, and successful way to fund raise. Even with 2008's dismal economy, CAM was able to sell 29,000 tickets and do relatively well.  Although a step down from the first year's total of 34,000 ticket's sold, Hamel is positive about this year-

"We're optimistic we'll do really well this year," he says adding that they hope to sell 37,000 of the $150 raffle tickets.

In addition to the home, hundreds of cash prizes are also given away and early bird entries get extra drawings.

So let's go people, get a ticket or two--it's for a good cause and you might even get the house of your dreams.

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There are three main ways to enter the Community Action Marin Dream House Raffle-- by phone, fax or snail mail.  No internet or email entries will be accepted.

Monahan Pacific is the builder.

Comments

[Melody J]

Is there a backyard?

[Mom]

I will bid a dollar.