Austin News
Leander house up for grabs for $150, photo contest 
06:33 PM CDT on Monday, August 11, 2008
When it comes to houses, it's currently a buyers' market in Central Texas, with a growing number of homes up for sale.
Now one local woman has come up with a creative way to sell a 3-bedroom home in Leander, and it will only cost potential buyers $150.
With her real estate background, Kkri Anthony has come up with a unique way to sell the house. Her idea is to hold a photo contest with a $150 entry fee. On her newly launched website, Contest Street.com, photo entries are being posted, and beginning Friday, the public can vote for their favorite snapshot. The winner gets the house.
As the Austin Board of Realtor Chairman Socar Catmon-Thomas says there are questions to ask before entering the contest.
"Has the house been appraised? Are they going to to have an option period to have the property looked at? Are they going to own it free and clear, or are they assuming a mortgage?" Catmon-Thomas said.
Anthony says all legal questions have been answered.
"I've spoken with the Attorney General's Office, I've had a lawyer draw up all the paper work and do the research. I've spoken with the Texas Association of Realtors," said Anthony.
The contest doesn't disclose the house's exact location, but Anthony says it's valued at $170,000. To raise a minimum of $255,000, at least 1,700 entries must be received. If the goal isn't met, all contest entry fees will be returned.
Anthony says so far only one entry has been turned in because people are cautious about the contest.
"They want to be reassured that it's not a scam," she said.
She's hopeful word of mouth will convince potential buyers to submit a great photo and $150 in exchange for the Leander house.
"I would just say buyer beware and good luck. I mean $150, I might try it," said Catmon-Thomas.
Interested parties have until Friday to enter the contest. Then until the end of August, the public will vote for their favorite photo.
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