They say a picture is worth a thousand words— but 200 words is worth a lake-front cabin in the Catskills.

Yup, one lucky essayist will win a cozy cabin in Bethel, New York for writing the most persuasive, 200-word essay.

Cabin-owners Andrew Bares and Kelly Lavorgna haven't been having much luck selling their cabin through more traditional channels, so they thought they'd take the next logical step: hosting an essay-writing contest.

For just $149 (the entry fee) and 200 very persuasive words, the cabin could be yours!

The only catch (obviously there is a catch):  if the contest doesn't receive 5,500 entries, it's cancelled.

Hmmm, maybe that's because the house is currently listed at $825,000, and 5,500 $149 entries would rake in the couple enough dough to hit just below their asking price. If that was the case, everyone would be refunded $100, with the rest chalked up for administrative fees.

Also, if you're broke like us, don't be thinkin' you're just gonna get a free house. Expect about $11,000 a year in property taxes, plus income taxes (since the prize would be treated as income). Remember, there's no such thing as a free meal.

[anad]

Plus, a local saleswoman from Chapin Sotheby’s told The New York Times, "[The cabin] is basically a three-car garage with a finished apartment above it." Ouch.

Sounds like Bares and Lavorgna are going to have to write a 200-word persuasive essay to persuade us to participate.

lo_renkelly

Sigh. If only you could get a cabin as easily as in the Game of Life.