Do you want to own two houses on a pond with out-buildings on 41 acres?
But, don’t have the $400,000 it would take to purchase this piece of heaven?
Well, you’re in luck. For only $1,600 per word you can win this piece of property in an essay contest. The American Dream Farm Essay Contest is being held through December 18 for 11105 Hill Road in Howard, Ohio. Write the winning 250 word essay, out of 4,000 entries, and submit the $100 entry fee for your chance to own this property.
The property is owned by Michael Compton, of Howard, and Kimberly George Compton, of Grandview Heights, and they have put a lot of money into the property – $130,000 in their words – worth of updates. However a divorce has led to this being sold.
Kimberly George Compton has a note on the front-page of the Web site:
Real estate essay contests of this type have been organized in this country for quite some time; however, my interest in the idea was inspired by the movie “The Spitfire Grill”. I fell in love with the happier of the messages passed on in the story — that dreams really can come true. It is the American Dream — to own your own home. This is my way, our way, of helping this dream to come true for one person, one couple, or one family.
We love our farm, and divorce is the only reason that we seek new ownership for it. The menu along the left side of the page links to photographs of the property, contest rules and stipulations, and property disclosures.
There are many who will be skeptical and who will consider this contest to be a scam. If you are one of those people, then I am sure that you will not wish to participate. To the rest of you who believe that good things really can happen, that the American Dream can come true for someone like you, I urge you to submit your essay explaining why you should be the recipient of our farm, and I wish you all the best of luck.
All precautions have been taken to assure that his contest is strictly above-board, devoid of possible discrimination, and within the confines of the law by conforming to the rules and regulations of previous real estate essay contests. By this Christmas, one of you will be the owner of our beautiful and unique horse farm. Good luck.”
The first thing I thought when I saw this on Craig’s List was “this is a scam.” But after reading more about it, and getting a feel for it, I think this is an ingenious way to sell a house quickly in an area where receiving the appraised value would be very difficult.
This property is located in southeast Knox County – mid-way between Howard and Millwood. This is a beautful area, but not an area where a $400,000 house is going to sell quickly – if at all.
Be sure to read the rules and regulations to get all the details.
So put pen to paper and come up with your best entry and who knows, by Christmas you could be living in a beautiful new home for $100.
Top photograph by Trish Parisy (c) and used via license of Stock.xchng; bottom photography used courtesy of AmericanDreamFarmEssayContest.com.
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Folks, lighten up, okay?
I think that maybe some folks were becoming frustrated; perhaps too many hopes pinned on this chance, and sure, perhaps some folks trying to sway the folks running the contest.
I’m wondering if it’s possible that, in talking about the contest, this became almost a little too personal for some? I mean, when you play the lottery, “real” people aren’t involved, it’s just a state bureaucracy. But this is different, because there are real people behind it, and something that we all value more than cash: Land, and lots of it.
So why don’t we just let it go? We all tried, the owners tried, it just didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.
But it did work out as God chose it to work. He’s always in charge, right? So there has to be a higher purpose to all this — God’s purpose.
Blessings on each and every one of you. Remember, land and money and all the “things” in the world are just temporary.
God’s love goes on forever. Let’s share that, and let it cover all the offense and ruffled feathers in this thread.
{{{HUGS}}}} all around!
Tabitha, you asked (“Would you want a bunch of angry/hasty people knowing you won the money they wanted?â€)
Before I respond to the question, I want to point out where all the anger started in the first place. If you will take the time to read over ALL the posts, made here, you will find only nice, polite and supportive comments made until Mar 20, 2008 at 7:44 am and Mar 20, 2008 at 7:53 am. Those were the two comments left that upset a few people posting in this thread. I did get ugly by agreeing with Lance in his comments of those two comments and the two that posted them. I am still very sorry for agreeing with him when I should have been quite instead. Just seeing that the posts referred to people, in this thread, as PATHETIC made me angry. I am still ashamed, it was very ugly to agree.
Oh, well, my response to your question would have to be that I do not believe that anyone posting here on this thread would be upset if they did not win. Everyone has been supporting everyone else that entered the contest (posting here or otherwise) and praying that a well deserving person would win. I will have to agree with Marc on not posting the winners name though. Not because people would be angry, but because there are some very greedy people in this world that may want to try to befriend the winner just because they have just under $9000. In their pockets. I would just announce that a winner has been chosen. I would keep the easy, judges responses to the winning essay and winners acceptance response for my own personal records. I did a contest before and didn’t publicly announce the winner but was asked for the acceptance letter and copy of the award check, later, for tax reasons.
I just pray that the people that have offered all of us this wonderful opportunity will be able to get a fair price for their farm in a traditional sale now. I am so sorry that they did not get the number of entries they needed to give it away in the contest. I read on the contest site that it was Kim’s dream to do so.
Maybe everyone that entered could help her out, the way she tried to help us out, by writing to them and asking that the contest start over and continue until 5000 entries are received. NO DEAD LINE. Raise the number of entries needed so that a minor discount, in the entry fee, can be offered to all entrants that enter twice (in one mailing) or send proof of local advertisement in their area (newspaper clipping telling of the essay contest, clipping of classified ad run in local paper or having another person enter as well (in same mailing, sending both entrants envelopes in one large in one envelope).
Then place the farm on the traditional market and include the sale info. on the contest page and state that if the farm sells, before the 5000 entries are received, that the contest will continue until all entries are received and then 75% of the entry money will be awarded to a winner. That way, the word of the contest may go further, someone will get the farm or one heck of a check to buy a farm with and Kim will get her dream of giving away a farm (hers or the money to buy another) and she will get a fair price on her property either way. If the farm sells on the market, she will still get a extra dollars for her time and efforts by keeping 25% of the entry monies received for keeping the contest going. If the farm is awarded to an entrant, she will make a few extra dollars on the farm by raising the number of entrants. She would deserve it for running the contest twice.
I will reenter! I have plenty of friends and family that wanted to enter but missed the deadline. I called them and they said they would enter. We have all agreed that if they tried it again we would all e-mail the link to their contest page to everyone in our address book and we all will call every paper in our local area’s. And also, We would start a Stickam account (live web chat site) that is dedicated to sharing the contest details, any updates and photo’s and descriptions of the property, 24/7. We will all link the contest web address on our My Space accounts too. I can send my first entry on April 23, 2008 and one every month thereafter until the 5000 entries are received and the contest closes.
I am going to write them today. If they did not want to do it again, I’d understand! It has been a lot of work and worry for them. But if they did, I’d enter again. I will commit to entering once a month (no discount if offered). That’s twelve guaranteed entries right there. My younger brother says he will commit to one entry every two months ( no discount if offered). There’s another six entries. That’s only eighteen but a start. Run it by them and we will watch the essay contest site to see if they start it over or not.
I hope that either way they go, they get what they truly deserve for their farm, time and worries. This contest has surley taken a lot out of them. I thank them both for allowing me an opportunity to enter and dream.
By the way, I only suggest they redo the contest as Kim seems to be a little disappointed that the contest do not go as planned and she could not achieve her dream of awarding it to someone. Not that I am just so greedy that I want them to do it again so that I can win a farm.
I just want to see the owners be able to live their dreams also. If it’s to give the farm away, sell it or stay there. This essay contest was their dream long before it became any of our dreams. They should come out as winners in the long run of things. One way or the other!
Amen, Tabitha……..Love ya Girl………….
Yeah, I’d enter again. Don’t know that I could do it once a month, but it’s an idea to do it every other month or (if the owners chose to run it for a year) once every quarter.
It’s just REALLY hard to put all my thoughts, hopes, and longings for the Dream Farm into only 250 words!! I struggled with the first essay; don’t know what I’d do if I had to write 12 of them!
marc, I think you are purposely trying to get people riled up by being negative. I did not get the idea that all of the writers on here were trying to be greedy and give out sob stories to win favor in the contest. ALL of us entrants were aware that unbiased judges would read the essays and chose the winner. I personally have been praying that God decides the winner. I have read stories on here that make me glad to have been able to help the winner by my “measly “$100. contribution. We entrants share the desire to see the winner be worthy. I feel that by hearing these stories that I am not the most worthy of this dream home. Also, I did not get on here with my story. I didn’t mention that I am a disabled single mother. My two sons fathers, my ex-husbands, both died 3 months apart from cancer. One was 47, and the other was only 37. I have my two grandsons living with me ages 4 and 6. Their mother is wonderful but unable to support them now and my son the father is in prison. I have a grandson that I never knew existed until after children’s services took him from his drug addicted mother. He is a baby I will never know. Its up to those new parents if they will ever allow me to meet him. Its been 6 months without any contact. I did not mention that the $100 I sent in could have paid for much needed food for my family. I drempt that my grandsons would have a safe home with their mother, and I would have a home for me and my minor son. I also drempt of getting horses for poor children and handicapped people to enjoy that don’t have the option of affording their own. My dream farm would also have a large garden I could grow vegtables in for the poor who can’t afford the precious price of fresh produce. I for one understand this. I also would not be angry not to be chosen as the winner, as I trully feel that the winner will be chosen by a higher kinder power blessing the worthy winner. In fact, I am sure that I will not be the winner, as after having the pleasure of reading these postings from others I am very sure I am not the most worthy. To everyone else out there I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting you on here and hearing your stories. Your stories have given me the happy feeling that the winner will be blessed. May God bless you ALL even the ones who feel we are pathetic. Edna
HUH? I couldn’t even read the whole story you read. But I saw that you said you DIDN’T write your story and then you proceeded to do so! HUH? Why would you write all that personal stuff here? What is “drempt” ??? Never heard of that word. I didn’t say you people are pathetic I said it was pathetic to write all your personal details HERE for a contest that was to be anonymous. If I were a person throwing a contest like this, I would NOT say that if the property is not given away then I would split the money collected. I WOULD split the money collected but as a surprise to the winner, not as part of the announcement of the contest. Otherwise you see what you get. A bunch of people with no patience praying for a winner to be selected. HUH? A winner will be selected. GIVE THE OWNERS A CHANCE TO DECIDE. STOP DEMANDING TO KNOW RIGHT NOW. What is wrong with you? I am done with this lame website. I am so bored and tired of reading about everyone 8th marriage and 10 kids and drug addictions and prison time and messed up kids WHO HAVE KIDS or whatever else you have chosen to do with the one life God gave you. Go ahead and use me as the target of your shame and guilt. I won’t be reading it! I guess you have to find someone to blame for your life! No sense in taking responsibility for where you are on YOURSELF. yikes! Read a book. Maybe start with the Bible and then go to the dictionary.
Marc,
I love you! Doesn’t it feel just so warm and wonderful to hear? I love you! Sounds so good! Well I mean that Marc, I do love you as my neighbor! I hope that you have someone in your life that says that to you everyday! I pray for you everyday now. I ask God to bless you with all that your life has been missing and then some. I pray that he allows you to be the winner of this essay contest. I pray that you are a winner at all that you do in life.
Marc,
I was so angry with you when I first read those comments you left here. I even stooped low enough to agree with other’s comments of you. I was so wrong for both. Please forgive! I feel so bad. When you came to this thread and began leaving those comments, I became angry when I should have offered you my love and some good healthy prayer.
Well, I am so sorry to have taken so long to understand the message hidden in your comments. I ignored your pleas for love and acceptance and attention. When you needed us and reached out to all of us, I just turned my back to you in anger. I will never forgive myself for being so blind and for being so short with my temper. I can only pray that some day you and our father will forgive me.
I LOVE YOU MARC!!!!!YOU ARE MY BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!! If you need me, just let me know. I am here for you. ALWAYS. Even when the contest is over and all others have moved on, I will be here just in case you call on me. ALWAYS!!!!!!
May God bless you in many ways,
Tammy
Oh, Edna, I forgot to say something to you. You stated, a while back, that I seemed more worthy than you as a winner of the farm. I think that was so wonderful of you to say but now say that, after reading your story, I think you are more worthy than I. God bless you, you are such a big hearted woman just so full of love and kindness. I am so glad to know you (kinda-sorta)! I swear on my life when I say that I want to be more like you someday! You are so blessed too. I don not know if you know that but you are. Thank you for all the love you have shared in this thread! I will hate to see all of this end and every one go their own ways. I will miss you and everyone else.
Thanks for being you!
Marc, I believe you stated everyone had written their stories, so I did not want to be excluded from the fray. Check out a dictionary yourself and make sure it is an unabridged Webster’s with over 2000 pages. I am sure that you are back here reading, as I sure don’t see you as the type to write tripe and not get back on to see if you have struck a chord of discord. I think that you should follow your own advice and seek out a Bible to read. Maybe you would read the part that says ( love thy neighbor.). If you are trully done with this (lame website) then I thank you for leaving us reality based dreamers alone to wallow in our sad pathetic lives. My life at least is enriched with God’s love and blessings. I always have that comfort to give me solace. By the way, did you even send in an essay or are you just enjoying putting people down for wanting to have a chance to see a dream come true? I too will pray for you. Hope to hear from you again, as it would be a shame to lose your opinion. Your negativity gives me inspiration to try to be more considerate of others and a perfect chance to remember to thank God for blessing me with Grace, Humility, Love, and Understanding and ask that he bestow you with these blessings also. Thank you Marc for sharing. Thank you everyone else for being so positive and remembering God loves us all. Edna
Tammy, thank you. Your words are very kind. I am sure that God blesses you with love. I try hard to find the good in everything. Even my trials in life enrich me as blessings. There are so many people in this world who are suffering without faith that I am grateful to God for carrying me on his back over the rocks in my road of life. God bless you! Edna
Hi There–Not sure how many of you are still checking this site out……….
But does anyone know who won the contest? I thought it would be posted on their website, but there isn’t anything new since March 20th.
Thanks
I haven’t talked to the owners lately, but the contest page says that they will contact the WINNER within 30 days. So if you didn’t get a call, you probably didn’t win. I assume that they will consider the winner’s privacy in determining how much information they post about the person that was awarded the cash prize.
I’m starting to believe the entire thing was a scam of epic proportions. protecting the winners privacy? how about protecting the rights of the people who all paid 100.00 to ensure they weren’t scammed?
you live and learn I suppose, and I think there was a lot to be learned from this.
As for me, the farm was a great dream, but if it was not to be for me, I will still live.
I’m not quite sure what to think. Yes, I entered the contest and am satisfied if someone else won — but did they? The winner (if there is one and I want to believe that there is) could still remain anonymous even if their essay is posted for everyone to read. By reading a winning essay, everyone would be assured that all was legitimate. I’ll continue to check the website with the hope that someone with a “winner” of an essay by anyone’s standards took the prize. I look forward to a positive outcome…
Amen, Dan, I am on your side.
I’ve enjoyed the banter on this post. However, I’m sensing a change in tone that I don’t like.
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