Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Where is the Penthouse?  Can I go see it?

A. Yes.  We invite you to view the Penthouse at City Heights Tower 175 West James Street, San Jose,  CA  95110. For additional information on the penthouse and City Heights, call (408) 286-2489

Q. What other prizes besides the house are you giving away?

A. There are lots of prizes, including special prizes in three Early Bird drawings. They include up to $20,000 cash; a Luxury Hawaiian Vacation and dozens of other cash and merchandise prizes.  For a complete list of prizes, visit the Raffle website, www.siliconvalleyhomeraffle.com

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Q. Can I buy my Raffle ticket with a credit card?

A. Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

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Q.  Can I buy my Raffle ticket with a debit card or an ATM card?

A. Yes

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Q. Can I buy more than one ticket?

A. Yes, you may buy as many tickets as you like.

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Q. Can I go in with friends or family to buy a ticket?

A. Yes, up to three people may buy a ticket together and have their names on the ticket.

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Q. Can I buy my Raffle ticket online?

A. The law does not allow raffle ticket sales on the internet.  You may download the order form from our website and fax or mail it in with payment, or call and we will take your order by phone.

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Q. Can my company or business buy tickets?

A. Yes, your company or business may purchase tickets, but each ticket must be in the name of an individual. They cannot be bought in the name of the company.

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Q. Can I give the ticket to a friend?  Can it be a gift?

A. Yes, you may buy the ticket as a gift, but if you want to do so, make sure that person’s name and contact information is on the ticket when you purchase it. 

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Q. When is the deadline for buying a ticket?

A. THERE IS A NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR PURCHASING TICKETS FOR THE GRAND PRIZE DRAWING. The last day you can purchase a ticket by phone or fax is 5 p.m. Thursday, October 2.  Mailed orders must be postmarked by September 29 in order to be guaranteed entry into the drawing. ,Back To Top^

Q. If my name is drawn and I win a prize in the Early Bird drawing, do I have to buy another ticket to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing?

A. A single ticket can win multiple prizes. If your name is chosen and you win one of the Early Bird prizes, your name goes back into the Raffle and you are still eligible to win the Grand Prize.  And the earlier you buy a ticket, the more chances you have to win.

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Q. What are my chances of winning the house? What are my chances of winning any prize? 

A. Your chances of winning a prize depend on how many tickets are sold. We are awarding more than 100 prizes in all.  If you buy one ticket and we sell all 18,000 tickets, then your chances of winning a prize of at least $300 in value will be 1 in 180, and your chances of winning the house will be 1 in 18,000.  The more tickets you purchase, the greater your chances of winning.

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Q. If I win, can I take $1 million cash instead of the Penthouse?

A. Yes, the rules state that if 15,000 or more tickets are sold, INNVISION awards the Penthouse or $1 million cash to the Grand Prize winner.  The winner gets to choose.

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Q. What happens if you don’t sell 15,000 tickets?

A. The rules state that if we sell fewer than 15,000 tickets, the Grand Prize winner receives one half the proceeds of the Raffle after expenses have been paid. For example, if the net proceeds after the expense of conducting the Raffle are $800,000, the Grand Prize winner would receive $400,000.

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Q. If I win the house, does it cost me anything to get it?  What about taxes or insurance?

A. Yes, if you win the Grand Prize and decide to take the house, you are required to pay income taxes and closing costs including property taxes and insurance, title insurance, etc.

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Q. If I win the house, is it reported to the state and the IRS? Do I have to claim it on my income taxes?

A. It is required by law for all prizes valued $600 or more to be reported to the IRS.

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Q. If I win the grand prize and decide to take the money instead, do you report it to the state and to the IRS?  Do I have to report it on my taxes?

A. Yes, the law requires INNVISION to withhold taxes on the cash prize.  We must withhold approximately 25% of any cash award of $5,000 or more, and report that to the state and to the IRS.  Please consult with your tax advisor.

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Q. If I win other cash prizes, do you withhold taxes and report my winning to the state and IRS?

A. Yes, the law requires INNVISION to withhold taxes on all prizes of $5,000 and above.

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Q.  Is this Raffle legal?

A. Yes, the Raffle is entirely legal. California law permits charities such as INNVISION to conduct raffles within specific rules and guidelines. 

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Q. Where can I see all the rules of the Raffle?

A. The rules are at the Raffle website, Click here

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Q.   Is my Raffle ticket purchase tax-deductible?

A.    Even though the Raffle benefits INNVISION, which is a non-profit organization, the cost of the Raffle ticket in not tax deductible.

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Q. When do you hold the drawings?  Where will it be?  Can I attend?

A. The Early Bird drawings are on June 28, July 31 and August 28. The Grand Prize Drawing will be held on Friday, October 3 at 9:30 p.m. at the INNVISION Gala. All ticket buyers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Complete drawing information is available on the website at www.siliconvalleyraffle.com

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Q. Do I have to be present to win?

A. Everyone is invited to attend the Early Bird and Grand Prize drawings, and you don’t need to be present to win.

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Q. If I win, how long will it be before I receive my prize?

A. INNVISION will award prizes as soon as possible following the Grand prize drawing.  To receive the Penthouse, the Grand Prize winner must elect to receive it, instead of the alternate cash prize, by delivering written notice to INNVISION within 16 days after the drawing date.  

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Q. Can I see the names of prize winners?

A. Yes, names of all prize winners will be posted on INNVISION’s Dream Home Raffle website, Click here

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Q. How much money does INNVISION raise by raffling the house?

A. That depends on how many tickets we sell, but our goal is to raise up to $1 million.

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Q. How is INNVISION going to use the money?

A. We will use the proceeds to help provide vital services to more than 16,000 homeless and at risk families and individuals at 20 locations in Silicon Valley.  Learn more about INNVISION at www.innvision.org.

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