Is this essay contest for real?
Is it legal?
Essay
contests are legal because they require skill – not luck or chance as with
raffles and lotteries, and they are not pyramid schemes. The entry fee of $200 is stated clearly.
How did the owners decide to sponsor an essay contest?
More than 20
years ago one of the owners heard news coverage about the essay contest Bil and
Susie Mosca were holding to find a new owner for their beloved Center Lovell
Inn in Maine. She loved the idea! Recently, she learned through the media that
Janice Sage, the winner of that 1993 contest, is retiring and “selling” the Inn
again via an essay contest. The second winner will be announced May 21. She and
her husband discussed the idea and decided to sponsor a similar contest.
Why didn’t they list their property with a real estate agent?
Simply put,
they want to fulfill someone’s dream. They love their farm and want to pass it along
to someone who has a passion for country living, hobby farms and animals – horses,
alpacas, sheep, etc. – as much as they do. This contest will enable someone, who
otherwise might not be able to afford to do so, to own an incredible piece of
property.
How do I know this isn’t a scam?
The owners
are aware that people often receive offers for deals that seem too good to be true;
many times those deals are too good to be true. As with the Maine essay
contests, the Rock Spring Farm Essay Contest is not a scam. The owners
discussed the contest with state and local government officials, and the
contest rules includes the tax map location of the property, which can be
verified by the Essex County, Virginia, Commissioner of Revenue.
How is this contest different from
the ones in Maine?
The biggest
difference is this contest is for a hobby farm, not a bed-and-breakfast.
Therefore, the participants will not need those entrepreneurial skills.
Instead, they will need to love their animals and possess the knowledge to care
for the animals and the land. They will need to love country living since this
will be their new home. They also will need to know how to manage the cottage
as rental property, if they decide to lease it.
Other
differences: The entry fee for the 1993 contest was $100 and the Moscas limited
their contest to 5,000 entries. Ms. Sage
raised the entry fee to $125, set a goal of 7,500 entries, and decided not to limit
the number of entries. Both contests set a word limit to 200. The owners of Rock Spring Farm raised the entry fee to $200, set a goal of 5,000 entries, and increased the word count to
no more than 1,000. As did Ms. Sage,
they decided not to limit the number of entries. (FYI—This FAQ is about 1,000 words.)
What happens if they don’t reach their goal?
Contest Rule 8 states “…. All entry fees shall be
returned, if at least 5,000 entries are not received; however, the sponsors
reserve the right to accept fewer than 5,000 entries.” (Bold, italicized type added here for emphasis.)
Why can’t people put their names on the essays?
All the
entries will be mailed to a trustee who will deposit the checks and code the
essays. The owners will not know the identities of the essayists. Many people
have said on the essay contest’s Facebook page they plan to enter; the owners
want to be fair to everyone and remain impartial. They will judge the contest
on the merits of the essays and the passion and enthusiasm the writing conveys.
They ask that essayists not include specific identifying
information, to write in general terms, and use pseudonyms, if necessary.
How do we know they will remain impartial?
They
will not select the winner; a panel of judges will select the winner. The
owners will read each of the essays and select 25 finalists. Once they agree
upon the 25, they will give the essays to the panel of judges to select the
winning essay. Mr. and Mrs. Mosca recently published a book, Passing
along a Dream: The Story Behind the Center Lovell Inn Essay Contest, about their experience with the 1993 contest. The owners enjoyed the
Mosca’s story about how difficult it was for the two of them to agree on the 25
essays they both liked. The owners of Rock Spring Farm expect not to find that
an easy task either!
How much are the annual property
taxes?
The annual
real estate taxes are approximately $3,800.
Is the property eligible for land use? Yes.
Is there a current tenant? What are the lease
terms?
Yes, a tenant lives in the cottage. Out
of respect for the tenant’s privacy, the rental agreement details will remain
private. The owners will disclose the details to the winner of the essay
contest.
Are there any easements on the property?
Yes. There is a cemetery easement.
What will the legal sale amount be for purposes
of transfer?
The tax value of the land and
improvements is approximately $600,000. If they had listed the property with a
real estate firm, they would have asked for more than the tax value.
How much
will the real estate transfer taxes and fees cost?
The owners suggest you consult with a
knowledgeable real estate attorney.
Where can I see pictures of the property?
rockspringfarm.org
https://www.facebook.com/virginiahorsefarm
How do I enter the contest?
Here is the direct link: http://bit.ly/1ERoUJj
