Man Wins Free Dream Home, Can't Afford Sales Tax
Winner Hopes To At Least Spend A Week In Home

POSTED: 11:22 a.m. EDT July 5, 2002

SHERWOOD, Md. -- There's no such thing as a free lunch or a free house.

That's what Milton O'Bryant is learning. He's won $1 million designer beach house on the Maryland shore, in a promotion for the House and Garden TV cable channel. But while the house hasn't cost him a cent, O'Bryant owes taxes on his lucky break.

He said he would have to take out a $500,000 mortgage just to pay the state and federal tax bills. Instead, the Texas police supervisor will put the dream home up for sale.



O'Bryant hopes his family will at least spend a vacation week in the house before the new owner takes over.