FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A half-million dollar historic bed and breakfast is up for grabs. All you have to do is give the owners a check for $150 and write a 250 word essay.
The owners, Shellie and Tony Leete will hand it over to whoever they feel deserves it most. The Leetes said owning The Claiborne House bed and breakfast is a way of living.
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"Part of the hospitality of owning a bed and breakfast is making a person feel like their coming home," Shellie explained. "The owners will be blessed beyond belief. Owning a bed and breakfast completely enriches your life."
The 1895 Queen Anne Victorian Mansion gives visitors a romantic peak into the life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The bed and breakfast features a wrap around porch, serene gardens and eight luxury rooms. The owners hope to choose a new owner with as much passion for that life as they have.
"We are looking for an essay that has heart. Someone who wants to put their heart and soul into the business," Tony said. "It gives you a window into that persons life. Its kind of neat. Their passion is your passion."
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The Leetes said their time owning The Claiborne House has been one the best chapters of their lives. It's why they decided to hand over the keys with a contest based on merit, not money.
"There is just not financing available for business loans right now, so we figured this would be a great way to give an opportunity for someone who has always dreamed of having a bed and breakfast," Shellie said.
The Leetes said the applications have poured in. Shellie said essays have come from the Netherlands, Hawaii, Belgium, Germany, South Carolina and more.
If you're wondering how all this works, first - it's all legal. As long as they get 3,333 entries, a winner will be chosen. And if not, all the money will be returned.
"Owning a bed and breakfast is just such a dream for so many different people. For $150, this is a great opportunity" Shellie said.
Along with the fully-furnished home, the winner will also receive $5,000 to help with start-up costs, along with a booking website, which has rooms booked for the next year.
For more details about the essay contest, visit the website: