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Copyright 2009 Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC
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 October 30, 2009 Friday
FINAL Edition

SECTION: LOCAL; P-com Biggie News Update; Pg. 05

LENGTH: 326 words

BYLINE: By WILLIAM BENDER; benderw@phillynews.com 215-854-5255

BODY: 

In the market for a house, but can't qualify for a mortgage?

Keep reading. Then start writing.

Susan Dagnall is prepared to give you her three-bedroom rowhouse in Darby, Delaware County.

All you have to do is write an essay of 1,000 or fewer words describing why you want it. And it has to be good. Better than at least 800 other essays.

Dagnall, 57, a technical writer and editor who lives in Berks County, has had trouble finding a buyer for her old house at 314 Golf Road, so she decided to start an essay contest.

"Mortgage lending has really tightened up in the last year or so," Dagnall said. "If you thought it was hard before, it's much harder now.

"That makes it harder for me to sell the house if I can't find a buyer that qualifies."

Dagnall heard on the radio of a family in another state that ran an essay contest to sell their house.

"I wanted to get a reasonable return on my investment, and, at the same time, I wanted to give a person the opportunity to acquire the house," Dagnall said.

"This is a contest of skill, not a game of chance."

Contestants can print out the entry form and rules at Dagnall's Web site, and view a home inspection report and pictures. The entry fee is $100. It is open only to Pennsylvania residents 18 and older.

The two-story brick end-unit, which Dagnall bought in 1985 for about $40,000, is a fixer-upper that needs plumbing and wall repairs.

But, hey, it's a $100 house.

What do you expect?

"Even if they gutted the house and started from scratch, the land itself would be worth more than $100," Dagnall said.

At least 800 essays must be submitted for the winner to get the house.

If fewer essays are submitted, the winner will get the proceeds from the contest, minus expenses and outstanding taxes.

The essays must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2010 and received by Feb. 15, 2010. They will be reviewed by a panel of anonymous judges. An open house is scheduled for next month.

For more information, visit dagnalldarbyhouse.com.

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