ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996 TAG: 9606100002
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF
A pre-Civil War house about 90 miles from Roanoke is to change hands this summer for the price of a 250-word essay.
The prize in the essay contest also includes 11 rooms of antique and modern furnishings and 20 acres of land near Peterstown, W.Va. The house has five bedrooms, two baths and a modern kitchen.
Owners Sue and Darrell Mann reared six children in the home, where they've lived for 30 years, but now say the house is too big for them. They made several attempts to sell the property, listing it for $270,000, before hitting on the idea of the essay contest.
The essay must begin with the words: "Owning a pre-Civil War home in the country would." They are looking for a family that will treasure and preserve the home as they have.
But it's not quite a free deal. Entrants must send a $100 entry fee, which is not refundable. The deadline for the contest is July 4 or when 3,000 entries are received.
Timothy Garrison of Boone & Co., a Roanoke realty brokerage, said he had heard of similar ways of selling houses, usually to benefit a charity.
He questioned whether the property would be awarded if there were too few entries, but the rules say the winner gets the house.
"It would be another first," Garrison said. "It's a unique idea."
Information on the contest can be obtained by calling the Manns at (304)753-9252. Interested persons can obtain entry forms by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Darrell and Sue Mann, Route 1 Box 128, Peterstown, W.Va. 24963. Their Internet address is http://www.ibt.net/solitude/
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB