A retiree has won the prize of a lifetime after doggedly submitting entries for HGTV’s Urban Oasis 2017 sweepstakes with the prize being a beautifully renovated Texas home- against 65million other applicants.
HGTV announced Magne Jensen, from Beaverton, Oregon, won a remodeled one-story Craftsman bungalow in North Knoxville. Jensen told KGW since he is retired, he just kept entering to win.
‘For a month you can go online, and enter twice a day, so I did, almost every day, because I got nothing to do,’ he said. ‘And I figured ‘what the heck’ you know?’
After: The outside of the beautifully remodeled home in Knoxville, Texas, where renovations began in March
Before: The home was a decent looking property before the renovations began but HGTV completely transformed the Craftsman bungalow
After: Once you step inside the home, you’re greeted by this geourgeous sitting area with modern furnishings
Before: The dark wood dimmed the light in this room, and the dated paneling had to be removed
After: An airy kitchen with an island counter in the middle- perfect for casual breakfasts
Before: HGTV had their work cut out for them in this dated and drab looking kitchen area
After: This hallway is magnificent and the white paint and light wood keeps the light reflecting
Before: The dark wood floors had to go in order for HGTV to punch the space up and make it brighter
‘I figured, what have I got to lose? I’ve never won anything before, but you never know,’ remarked Jensen. ‘Eventually you’ve got to win something.’
He said he didn’t believe the call saying he had won, and originally thought it was a scam.
‘She goes ‘no, this is legit.’ I said ‘whatever!’ But he now has the paperwork to prove it.
Jensen says that although the home is beautiful, they wont be relocating to Texas. They’ve lived in North Portland for 40 years and their family and grandchildren are close by.
Instead, Jensen and his wife Irene have taken the cash payout instead.
The home is valued at more that $600,000 and includes the furnished residence and $50,000, although it’s unclear what Jensen’s cash payout will be.
Renovations on the three bedroom two bathroom house in the Fourth and Gill neighborhood began in March 2017.
A freestanding garage that was made into a living space was added onto the property.
After: The screened in patio is made picture perfect with a fireplace to warm guests enjoying a visit
Before: The screened in patio area looked dangerous after what appears t o be years of neglect
Magne Jensen with wife Irene (pictured) won’t be relocating to Texas, and will use the prize money to buy a home in Oregon
He says he and his wife will be moving out of their small apartment in Oregon and will be buying a home there instead.
‘I’ll be 60,’ he said. ‘So this is a blessing, and with my wife’s disability, it’s going to help pay some medical bills. It’s going to hit me when the money comes in, and I can pay off every single bill we got, and not have to worry about things!’
‘We can live happily ever after.’