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Now here’s an interesting, creative marketing story from Colorado about giving away a house for an essay and a hundred bucks. For three years, J.J. Rodgers and Wes Ludlow have been trying to sell their four bedroom home in Red Feather Lakes, which is 45 miles west of Ft. Collins, Colorado. They are tired of waiting.

They decided to create an essay contest with a $100 entry fee. There have been 500 entrants thus far with the goal of attaining 2000 total. It appears that they are falling short. The deadline has been extended at least once from this month (March) to May. All entry fees are held in escrow until closing when a title company will wire funds to the couple’s mortgage company. If they don’t receive enough entries, they will send the money back to the entrants.

I was curious as to what the topic of the essay was to be. As it turns out, the topic is open and the essay is to be 500 words or less. The judging of the essays will be done by volunteers in the Red Feather Lakes community. What kind of topic and approach would capture their attention? It is an interesting question. In the teaching of writing, one is to consider the audience that one is trying to reach. I wonder what topic and point of view would stand out as a winning entry.

My prediction is there will not be enough entries and the money will be returned. But should you like to participate, you can send your entry here:

Colorado Home Essay Contest / JJ Rodgers
P.O. Box 436
Ft. Collins, CO. 80522