David Bromstad—the winner of the first season of “Design Star” and host of “My Lottery Dream Home”—has helped countless homebuyers find (or create) the perfect house. So what happens when this seasoned designer starts hunting for a dream home of his own?
Bromstad would probably be the first to admit that picking the right place for himself is harder than he’d thought it would be. In fact, it took him four years!
In an effort to shed some light on his epic homebuying journey, Bromstad starred in a one-time special, “My Lottery Dream Home: David’s Dream Home,” where he tours homes in Orlando, FL, with his friend Greg Stotthunt serving as a sage sounding board and moral support.
In the end, Bromstad chooses a beautiful five-bedroom, four-bathroom Tudor listed at $950,000. Although that’s a little out of his desired max $900,000 budget, the backyard won him over.
“I didn’t understand the price tag until I walked through the outdoor kitchen and that extra space out there, then I was like, ‘I get it,’” Bromstad explains in the show. “It felt like home.”
Curious to hear more about how he found the perfect property and his future plans for it, we chatted with Bromstad to learn what it takes to buy a house today, and the lessons he learned along the way.
Congratulations on finding your own dream home! Do you have any plans for it?
You have no idea! When I was doing “Design Star” and “Color Splash,” there’s always a limit for a client. This is the first time in my entire life that I’ll be able to flex my own creative muscles.
This is the first house I’ve owned on my own. With all my other houses I had a partner, so there was always a second opinion. Now, I have no second opinion. It’s going to be delicious, tasteful, bold, but yet really comforting. Oh, I can’t wait.
While house hunting, were you looking for a fixer or something more turnkey?
I was looking for either, I was super open. Even if I walk into a house and it’s all perfectly done, there’s still going to be lots of David Bromstad touches that are going to happen.
After four years of house hunting, how did you finally find the right place?
Well, I gave the reins over to my wonderful friend and real estate agent, Edward. I told him, “Show me some houses. I know you’re going to take me out of my comfort zone. I’m not going to like you for it, but just do it.” So he took me out of my comfort zone.
Why did you choose Orlando for your new home?
All my friends were in Orlando. My parents were an hour north, in The Villages, so I needed to be back here, and it was a perfect fit. The real estate prices are not atrocious like in Miami.
In this special, you’re touring homes with your friend Greg. Do you think taking friends or family on a house hunt helps homebuyers make better decisions?
He was incredibly helpful. We’ve known each other for over 20 years. And he helped me immensely because I would do most of the house hunting by myself and he just kept refocusing me. He was like, “But you really want this” or “You need this.” So he just kind of was my friendly reminder of what I needed.
I [prefer] shopping with a friend, not so much a family member. The family members are a little too invested. Friends’ll give it to you straight.
Do you have any tips for people who are house shopping today?
Make sure you’re pre-approved [for a mortgage] before you look. Because if you’re not, and you find your dream house, most likely that house is going to be in a bidding war and the pre-approval takes time. So you will lose that house, and then you’ll feel like you’ve lost your soul.
And just make sure you’re ready. Houses are not for the weary. You know, people are like, “Oh, I’m paying this much in rent,” but with a house, you need insurance. And if something breaks, you fix it. And yes, it’s hard work. And the electric bill is a lot more. Just make sure you’re ready.
But when you’re ready, you’ll know it, and when you find that house and you walk into it, don’t second-guess it. If you have that feeling of, like, “I must have this house,” then make it happen!
What are your favorite parts of being a reality TV star?
The best part for me is being around my crew. You know, these are people I see more than my friends and my family, and we’ve developed such great relationships. Like my two camera guys, they’re actually from “Color Splash” in San Francisco, so our history is long and deep. And we just giggle. I don’t know how we get any work done, because it’s a whole lot of crazy.
You’ve been known for your crazy tattoos. Do you have a new favorite tattoo, or is there anything you’re looking at getting soon?
I just got a big back piece during COVID. That was like the only thing you could do at the time in Florida. But I haven’t revealed the entire thing. I still have one more session that I have to do. But as soon as I get my body in shape, I’ll reveal it. But I think my favorite tattoo is my Mickey Mouse tattoo on my shoulder. Kids love it. Adults love it. Like, I love that tattoo! It brings a smile to everybody’s face.
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