Man offering his NC home in essay contest

SHELBY, N.C. — A Shelby man who wants to sell his home has come up with a $1 million idea.

Rodney McGee says he’ll award his home to the person who writes the best essay. But only if 2,000 essay writers pay $500 each to enter the contest.

McGee told WSOC-TV in Charlotte that banks are failing and it’s harder to sell his nearly 3,000 square foot, four bedroom, three bathroom home.

He said he set up a Web site where anyone can submit an essay to win his house.

Some of McGee’s neighbors aren’t pleased with the concept and called his homemade sign tacky.

McGee said he talked to city officials who said the contest is legal.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)