Connecticut man wins Merritt Island HGTV Dream Home

His dream for a dream home came true.

According to HGTV's blog, David Rennie of Shelton, Connecticut, won the HGTV Dream Home 2016 sweepstakes and gets to call the Merritt Island manse "home sweet home." HGTV received more than 127 million entries for the giveaway, and, because he won, Rennie also gets a 2016 GMC Acadia Denali, $250,000 and a new boat with the grand prize value of $1.5 million, the blog states.

HGTV personality Tiffany Brooks surprised Rennie and his family this week. Photos of the "ambush" at Rennie's church are on the home and garden network's website. Stay tuned for video.

Look inside Brevard's HGTV Dream Home

Designed by Brian Patrick Flynn, the Merritt Island home features water views, a can't-miss stunning black-and-white wall-sized photograph in the living room, grand staircase in the entry, bright colors throughout and a bold color scheme. RE/MAX 2000 Realtor Rhonda Pavone helped find the HGTV Dream Home 2016 — a 3,150-square-foot riverfront home off of South Tropical Trail on Merritt Island.

In October, FLORIDA TODAY reported the home is the same one where 37-year-old James Sands was electrocuted while working on a dock during the renovation phase of the HGTV project. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office later said the electrocution was accidental in nature. Investigators said Sands, an electrical worker, fell off the dock in the back of the home and into the Indian River Lagoon after the incident. He was rushed to Cape Canaveral Hospital but was pronounced dead.

The HGTV Dream Home was chosen as part of the network's 20th anniversary.

Brevard man electrocuted at HGTV Dream Home identified

Reporter Jeff Gallop contributed to this report.

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