HGTV Opening Entry for $2.4M Dream Home Giveaway on Lake Wylie in Charlotte

HGTV will start accepting entries for its 2026 Dream Home sweepstakes on Dec. 16. The prize? A waterfront house on Lake Wylie in Charlotte, North Carolina, bundled with $100,000 cash. Total worth exceeds $2.4 million.

Entrants can submit once per day starting at 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 16 and continuing through 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 13, 2026. Visit HGTV.com or FoodNetwork.com to participate.

This three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence sprawls across more than 3,000 square feet. Knotts Builders constructed it on a secluded peninsula just 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte.

Brian Patrick Flynn handled the interior work. He chose earth tones, reclaimed wood, hand-laid stone, and custom millwork throughout.

"This home has the perfect balance of lakeside serenity and refined design," Flynn said in a statement. "I wanted every detail to mirror the natural beauty of Lake Wylie while creating a space that feels warm, inviting, and effortlessly livable."

A two-story dock with seating on both tiers comes with the property. Multiple decks branch out from the main building, complete with a fire pit, outdoor dining table, and seating zones.

Inside, the great room boasts a fireplace crowned by a reclaimed-wood mantle. The kitchen centers around an island with bar seating and flows into a morning room framing lake vistas. Skylights flood the primary suite, which also contains a walk-in shower and a freestanding bathtub.

The garage got converted into a recreation hub stocked with games and a pet wash station. Upstairs, a laundry lounge provides a work station, craft table, and balcony overlooking the water.

Lake Wylie spans the North Carolina and South Carolina border. More than 300 miles of shoreline wrap around it. The location sits near Belmont and Fort Mill.

"This year's HGTV Dream Home showcases the beauty of Lake Wylie and the unmatched lifestyle of this lakeside destination," said Howard Lee, chief creative officer and president of US Networks. "We're thrilled to invite viewers to explore this stunning retreat and enter for a chance to make it their own."

A one-hour special airs on Jan. 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on HGTV. It'll stream on HBO Max and Discovery+ that same day.

North Carolina has hosted previous HGTV homes. Dream Home 2006 landed in Lake Lure. Smart Home 2022 went to Wilmington.