Frustrated as her house languished on the market for three straight summers, J.J. Rodgers is trying a new sales tactic: giving the two-story home away in an essay contest.Already, she's received more than 500 entries - each essay requires a $100 entry fee - for her four-bedroom home in Red Feather Lakes, Colo. She's hoping for a minimum of 2,000 entries, or $200,000 in fees, by the May 25 deadline to pay off the mortgage, cover closing costs and have a little left over. Rodgers last listed the property at $169,000 after cutting the price three times.
"We don't have anything to lose," said Rodgers, 45. "If we're unsuccessful, at least we did something different from what we've already tried."
Rodgers isn't alone in turning to unconventional sales incentives to unload her house. Aside from cash, home sellers across the country are giving away luxury cars, homeowner warranty plans and furniture to entice buyers.