Essay Contest · Germantown, Philadelphia
Your 50 Word Essay Could Win You a 4-Unit Rental Property.
Fully rented. $4,900 a month in rent. Free and clear. All it takes is 50 words and a $100 entry fee.
4
units
$58,800/yr
gross rent
50
words
$100 entry · Skill-based contest · Winner picked by independent judges
Entries close · December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Real property
Real deed, transferred to the winner
Independent judges
Scored blind, by rubric
Fees held by
Dedicated contest account at Citizens Bank
Refund policy
If 20,000 isn't reached
Imagine this
What could this building mean for your family?
Collect rent from 4 tenants
All four units are rented today, bringing in $4,900 a month in gross rent.
Build wealth for your children and grandchildren
A building like this could become something you leave to your children and grandchildren.
Live in one, rent the others
Move into one unit and let rent from the other three help cover your costs.
These are possibilities, not promises. What you do with the building is up to you.
What $100 gets you
$100
One essay entry
vs.
$100,000+
Typical down payment on a building like this
The Prize
4-Unit Apartment Building
Germantown Section of Philadelphia
4 units, fully rented
Two 2-bedroom, two 1-bedroom
$4,900 gross / month
$58,800 per year
Separately metered
100% electric
Dishwashers
Washer / dryer
Hardwood floors
Throughout
Large yard
On-street parking
| Unit | Type | Rent / mo |
|---|---|---|
| 1F | 1 bedroom | $1,100 |
| 1R | 1 bedroom | $1,100 |
| 2 | 2 bedroom | $1,400 |
| 3 | 2 bedroom | $1,300 |
| Total | $4,900/month | |
Full address: [address]. Appraised value: [$ amount, appraiser, date].
After you win
My options when I win
When you win, you become the new owner of the property and can manage it as the new Landlord. If you don't want to be a Landlord, Kinsman Corporation can refer you to a local broker to market the property for sale. You can also offer the property as a prize on this website.
Keep it and be the Landlord
Sell it through a local broker (referral from Kinsman Corporation)
Offer it as a prize on this website
How it works
Three steps. Your words decide.
- 1
Write your essay
50 words or less, in English or Spanish.
- 2
Pay the $100 entry fee
One fee per essay. Multiple essays allowed.
- 3
Judged blind
Independent judges score every essay without names. Highest score wins.
The essay prompt
“Why would owning this building change your family's future, and what would you do with it?”
Scoring rubric · 100 pts
- Originality & personal voice30
- Clarity & structure25
- Answers the prompt25
- Grammar & spelling20
The winner is chosen only by skill. There is no random selection.
Help us reach 20,000 writers
0 / 20,000 entries
The contest needs 20,000 entries by the deadline. If it doesn't reach that number, the contest is cancelled and entry fees are refunded (see Official Rules).
Know someone who writes from the heart? Share the contest.
Questions
What people ask us
Is this real?+
Yes. The prize is a real 4-unit building in the West Germantown Section of Philadelphia. All entry fees are deposited into a dedicated contest account at Citizens Bank and the deed is transferred to the winner. Full details are in the Official Rules.
How is the winner chosen?+
Only by skill. Independent judges score every essay blind (without names) using the published rubric. The highest score wins. Ties are broken by the Originality score, then a second round of judging.
How long is the essay?+
Essays must be 50 words or less, written in English or Spanish, answer the essay prompt, and be your own original work. Each essay requires its own $100 entry fee. Essays over 50 words are not accepted.
What if you don't reach 20,000 entries?+
If there are fewer than 20,000 paid entries by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, the contest is cancelled and every entrant gets their entry fee back, less a small non-refundable processing fee of $25 per entry, within 30 days. If the 20,000 minimum entry goal is reached before this date, entries will close and the prize will be awarded immediately after judging. The sponsor may extend the deadline once, by up to 60 days, with notice to all entrants.
Can I enter more than once?+
Yes. Each essay is a separate entry with its own $100 entry fee.
Do I have to live in Philadelphia?+
No. Any legal U.S. resident who is 18 or older can enter. Sponsor employees, judges and their families can't.
What about taxes?+
The sponsor pays closing costs and the Philadelphia transfer tax. The winner owes income tax on the property's fair market value and will receive a Form 1099.
Official rules
The fine print, in plain words
Minimum entry requirement and refunds+
This contest requires a minimum of 20,000 paid entries by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If the 20,000 minimum entry goal is reached before this date, entries will close and the prize will be awarded immediately after judging. The sponsor may extend the deadline once, by up to 60 days, with notice to all entrants. If the minimum is not reached, the contest will be cancelled and each entrant will receive a refund of their entry fee, less a non-refundable processing fee of $25 per entry, within 30 days.
Essay requirements+
Essays must be 50 words or less, written in English or Spanish, answer the essay prompt, and be your own original work. Each essay requires its own $100 entry fee. Essays over 50 words are not accepted.
Who can enter+
Open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. Employees of the sponsor, the judges, and their immediate family and household members are not eligible.
Where entry fees are held+
All entry fees are deposited into a dedicated contest account at Citizens Bank, held in the name of Kinsman Corporation, the property owner, and are not used until the contest closes. Funds are released only to transfer the property or issue refunds.
Judging+
Essays are judged blind by independent judges ([names]) using the published rubric. Ties are broken by the Originality score, then by a second round of judging among tied essays. The winner will be announced within [30] days of the deadline.
Taxes and transfer+
The sponsor pays closing costs and the Philadelphia realty transfer tax. The winner is responsible for income tax on the property's fair market value and will receive an IRS Form 1099.
Sponsor+
Kinsman Corporation · kinsmancorp@icloud.com · +1 215-776-6277
Your entry