08/27/2025
Imagine winning a stunning, 5,800-square-foot historic home in downtown Fredericksburg for just $200.
Paula and Robert Welsh are offering exactly that through the creative “Write Your Way Home” essay contest. Here’s how it works:
How to Enter: Submit an original, 250–500-word essay explaining why you want to live in historic downtown Fredericksburg, along with a $200 entry fee. You can submit up to five entries with separate fees and essays.
Deadline: Entries are accepted through September 30, 2025, at 8 p.m. EDT.
Why This Is Genius: Raffles are illegal in Virginia, so the Welshes turned to a skill-based essay contest, ensuring legality while inviting heartfelt storytelling.
About the Home: Located at 1200 Prince Edward Street in Fredericksburg’s historic district, the home features six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, and a finished basement. It’s steeped in history, once a men’s college and medical clinic, rebuilt after a fire and fully remodeled about 13 years ago.
Community Impact: If at least 15,000 entries are sold, the Fredericksburg SPCA and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank each receive six-figure donations. The entry fees also help cover the house’s price, contest expenses, and prize taxes.
Prize Taxes: The Welshes are even backing the winner with up to $900,000 in cash to help offset the IRS “gross-up” taxes—though winners should still plan realistically for any additional tax costs.
If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a beautiful, walkable historic community and believe your story could win over the judges, take a shot at crafting your essay by September 30. You might just be moving into your dream home and helping two wonderful local charities in the process!
https://northernvirginiamag.com/home/2025/08/26/you-can-win-a-1-8-million-historic-fredericksburg-home-for-200/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "You Can Win a $1.8 Million Historic Fredericksburg Home for $200"
Paula and Robert Welsh are selling their home — located at 1200 Prince Edward St. in downtown Fredericksburg — through an essay contest.