You know that feeling when you walk into a house and it just smells like brand-new drywall and expensive ambition? That’s basically the vibe of the hba home for the holidays 2024 raffle. But here is the thing most people miss: it’s not just some fancy real estate tour or a way for builders to flex their custom cabinetry.
It’s actually a massive gamble for good.
Honestly, when you hear "Home Builders Association," you probably think of permits, zoning laws, and guys in high-vis vests. But for the 2024 season, the HBA of Greater Cleveland and other chapters across the country turned into a full-blown wish-granting machine. They aren't just building a luxury ranch in Highland Heights; they’re trying to fund life-changing experiences for kids who’ve had a really rough hand dealt to them.
The $850,000 House Nobody Expected
People talk about "dream homes" all the time, but the 2024 featured property was a serious piece of work. Built by Petros Homes, this wasn’t some cookie-cutter suburban box. We’re talking about a custom-built masterpiece in Richfield, Ohio.
Imagine a 2,500-square-foot luxury ranch.
Actually, don't just imagine it. Think about a walk-out basement that’s probably bigger than most people’s first apartments. It had three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a three-car garage that’s cleaner than most kitchens.
The hba home for the holidays 2024 house was valued at around $850,000. For most of us, that’s "lottery win" territory. And that’s exactly what it was. For a $100 ticket, someone actually walked away with the keys on Christmas Eve.
But here’s the reality check.
While everyone was staring at the quartz countertops and the open-concept layout during the tours (which ran Wednesday through Sunday from mid-November to December), the real story was the math behind the tickets. The goal was to sell 15,000 tickets. Do the math—that’s a $1.5 million pot.
Where the Money Actually Goes
It's easy to be cynical. You see a big organization and think the money disappears into "administrative costs."
Not this time.
The proceeds from the hba home for the holidays 2024 campaign were split between two major pillars:
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- Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana: These guys are the heavy hitters of joy. In 2024 alone, they granted over 1,061 wishes. We’re talking about kids like Raegan, who wanted a hot tub for therapy and fun, or Josh, who wanted to be a published author. Each wish costs about $10,000 on average.
- HBA Charitable and Education Foundation (Build Trades): This is the part people usually ignore, but it's actually pretty vital. There’s a massive labor shortage in construction. This foundation funds the PACT (Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training) program in high schools like Mayfield and Westlake. They’re literally training the next generation of people who will build our actual houses.
It’s a weirdly perfect cycle. You buy a ticket to win a house built by pros, and your money goes toward training new pros and helping sick kids.
Why 2024 Was Different
If you’ve followed HBA events in the past, you know they usually do a Parade of Homes. The hba home for the holidays 2024 felt different because of the stakes.
The economy in late 2024 was... let's call it "unpredictable." Interest rates were doing their weird dance, and the housing market was tight. Yet, people still showed up.
By early December, about 26% of the tickets were gone, and the momentum surged as the Christmas Eve deadline approached. There’s something about the holiday season that makes people more willing to part with $100 for a chance at a miracle.
What You Might Have Missed
The tours weren't just about looking at a house. They were about the details.
- The furniture wasn't just random staging; in many HBA events this year, like the one in Springfield, they partnered with Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
- The technology inside these homes is getting scary. Smart mirrors, integrated lighting that mimics your circadian rhythm—it’s a far cry from the "smart homes" of five years ago.
- The location matters. Placing a high-end raffle home in a subdivision like Pine Hill in North Royalton or the developments in Richfield drives up the local "cool factor" and property interest for the whole area.
The "Home for the Holidays" Misconception
Most people think this is a national event run by one office. It's not.
While the Cleveland/Northern Ohio raffle is the most famous for its "win the whole house" prize, HBA chapters in places like St. Louis and Greater Des Moines do their own versions. In St. Louis, the 2024 HBA holiday focus was more on their massive industry party and toy drives for the Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation.
In Des Moines, they were coming off a huge "HomeShowExpo" in September and pivoted to "Holiday Open Houses" in December.
Basically, hba home for the holidays 2024 is a catch-all term for the building industry trying to prove it has a heart.
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How to Actually Benefit from These Events
Look, the odds of winning an $850,000 house on a single $100 ticket are roughly 1 in 15,000. Better than the Powerball? Yes. Guaranteed? Absolutely not.
But there are real takeaways even if you didn't win.
1. Design Inspiration for Free (Mostly)
Touring the raffle house or the Parade of Homes is basically Pinterest in 3D. If you’re planning a remodel in 2026, these are the places to see what’s actually trending versus what’s just "internet famous."
2. Networking with the "Good" Builders
The builders who participate in these charity builds—like Petros Homes or Edgewood Homes—are usually the ones with the most stable reputations. They have the resources to donate time and materials. If you’re looking for a contractor, start with the HBA member list.
3. Tax Incentives
Since a portion of the ticket price often counts as a charitable contribution (check your local laws and the specific HBA fine print), it’s a rare moment where gambling on a house might actually help you at tax time.
What’s Next?
The 2024 cycle wrapped up with a winner being announced on Christmas Eve, but the impact is still rippling through the 2025 and 2026 construction seasons. The funds raised for the PACT program are currently being used to outfit high school shop classes with new tools right now.
If you missed out on the hba home for the holidays 2024 raffle, keep your eyes peeled for the 2025 and 2026 iterations. The tickets usually go on sale in the late fall, and the houses just keep getting more tech-heavy and luxurious.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your local HBA chapter: Not every HBA does a house raffle. Search for "HBA [Your City]" to find their specific holiday schedule for 2026.
- Follow the Build Trades foundation: If you have a teenager interested in a career that doesn't involve sitting at a desk for 40 years, look into the PACT programs funded by these raffles.
- Support Make-A-Wish directly: You don't have to wait for a house raffle to help out. Their OKI (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana) chapter is always looking for volunteers and donors regardless of whether a mansion is on the line.
The 2024 event proved that even in a weird economy, the building community can pivot from "selling houses" to "changing lives" pretty effectively. Whether you're there for the luxury flooring or the charitable cause, it's one of the few holiday traditions that leaves behind something permanent.