‘My Lottery Dream Home’ Debunks the Myths and Reveals the Realities of What Lotto Winners Really Want in a House

If you won the lottery and decided to put some of the cash toward a house purchase, what type of place would it be?

That's the question behind HGTV's hit show " My Lottery Dream Home ." On each episode, host David Bromstad helps lotto winners buy the perfect new property.

And while many might assume these lucky homebuyers spare no expense when shopping around, this series reveals time and again that the reality is not always as lavish or luxurious as one might think.

To help set the record straight, here are some of the most rampant myths about lotto-winning homebuyers that "My Lottery Dream Home" debunks. We'll also unveil what these home shoppers actually do prioritize. It will cast a whole new light on house shopping with a surprising windfall.

Myth: Lottery winners always splurge on pricy properties

People might assume that lotto winners shop for the most expensive mansions on the market. But in reality, most winners on the show tour homes priced right around the national median of $406,700 . Sometimes, they shop even lower!

For instance, in the Season 14 episode " The Wizard of Cape Coral ," Bromstad helps Angie and  Tony find a new home in Cape Coral, FL . While the couple won an impressive $2 million with a Powerball ticket, they end up buying one of the cheaper houses Bromstad shows them—a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home listed at just $348,000.

Even more impressive, in the Season 12 episode "Quick Cash on Cedar Rapids," Kati and Chaunceybuy a house for just $165,000 in Cedar Rapids, IA .

Apparently, even lotto winners love a bargain.

Myth: They house hunt only in vacation-worthy locales

In addition to choosing surprisingly modest homes, the majority of Bromstad's clients aren't eager to shop for houses in vacation-style locales. In fact, these lotto winners often stay in the same area they lived in before claiming the cash. That's definitely the case for Cody, the winner from the Season 12 episode " Tri-State Scratch King ." He won $600,000 on two scratchers and lives with his son at the border of South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Bromstad helps Cody find a beautiful home not too far from his last place. And while his new neighborhood is lovely, it's not the tropical paradise people might expect a lottery winner to choose. It's a good reminder that sometimes "paradise" is actually a place that's close to family, neighbors, and community.

Myth: They want homes with every luxury

Of course, lotto winners do sometimes buy homes in conventionally beautiful places, but that doesn't mean they stretch their budgets toward the nicest possible home. Case in point: In the Season 14 episode " Big Kona Energy ," Bromstad helps Steve and  Susie,winners of $5 million, buy a home in  Kona, HI . While Bromstad gives this married couple the option to custom-order a brand new home with all of the bells and whistles, the couple opt for an existing house with dated decor. It just goes to show that for some lotto winners, cutting-edge style and amenities aren't top priorities.

Myth: They shy away from fixer-uppers

In the Season 12 episode " Blended Bliss in New Hampshire ," Bromstad meets with Beckyand Greg, who are looking for a home in Manchester, NH . The couple explain that since Greg is a mechanic and handyman, their future home doesn't need to be perfect when they buy it. They end up choosing a house that could use a few upgrades.

"These are good cabinets," Bromstad says when they tour the kitchen. "And if you wanted more room you could take this hutch out and do floor to ceiling, like a nice pantry here."

The couple like the idea of upgrading the kitchen, proving that even lotto winners don't necessarily mind rolling up their sleeves for home-improvement projects.

Myth: They're leery of family members mooching off of their winnings

While stories abound of lotto winners being accosted by family members who want to mooch off of the windfall, the reality is that most of Bromstad's buyers are more than happy to share their luck with the entire extended family.

In the Season 12 episode " Knock Knock, It's a Million ," Mikeand Barbara, who won a $1 million from the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, tell Bromstad they want a house with plenty of space for their kids and grandkids to sleep over.

They choose a house with a bedroom and an en suite over the garage. Mike is thrilled and points out that it "has so much space for our family when they come to visit!"

In fact, while it's easy to assume that lottery winners just buy homes for themselves, Bromstad has seen winners spend their cash on loved ones. In the Season 12 episode " Million Dollar Mom ," Angelinabuys a home for her daughter Kristal, a pregnant mother of two.

Also in Season 12, Bromstad goes to Bangor, ME, to meet lottery winner Jessicaand her daughter,  Josie, in the episode " Bangor Bucks ." Jessica uses a portion of her $500,000 winnings to help her daughter buy her first home.

Myth: They have no worries when it comes to money

So, are lotto winners excited to write a big, fat check for their dream home? Well, it can be complicated. In the Season 10 episode "Vacation Time at the Cape," Bromstad meets Joeand Carol, who won $1 million. Yet Joeis jittery about shopping at the top of their budget and wants to keep his expenses under $450,000. So, Bromstad finds perfect home, listed for $436,000, in Cape Cod, MA.

Unfortunately, the price goes up before this couple are able to buy it.

"We did end up getting into a bidding war and ended up paying much more than I originally wanted to," Joe admits nervously.

Still, they're happy they bought the home, despite the price. But now you know—even lotto winners get anxious about overspending.