# Credit Crunch Housing Contests Vendor Sells House Via Sudoku Competition By Cecilia Biemann | Published 2009-01-29 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/credit-crunch-inspied-contests-vendor-sells-house-via-sudoku-competition References: [newslite](http://newslite.tv/2009/01/29/solve-a-sudoku-win-a-house-wor.html) & [win-free-home](http://www.win-free-home.com/) A British businessman is offering punters the opportunity to [win his house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/six-columns) worth £675k simply by correctly solving a [Sudoku competition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sudokucoach). Dave Mackie is selling 14,000 entries at £50 each in an effort to get rid of his house and beat the credit crunch. For the mere cost of the entry fee, the randomly selected winner will be the lucky new owner of the three-bedroom home complete with a sauna and steam room. If all 14,000 entries are not sold by February 2010, someone will instead win the [competition fund as a cash prize](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/golden-croissant). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Alternative Property Sales:** Opportunity for businesses to explore innovative methods to sell property other than traditional methods. - **Gamification Marketing:** Opportunity for businesses to engage customers through gamified marketing strategies to promote their products or services. - **Creative Financing Solutions:** Opportunity for businesses to create interesting financing solutions to assist individuals in acquiring homes like the vendor in the article. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Real Estate:** Industry can leverage gamification techniques and innovative financing to increase property sales and revenue. - **Gaming:** Gaming industry can partner with businesses to offer gamified solutions for marketing and promoting their products. - **Finance:** Industry can explore innovative financing solutions for individuals looking to acquire homes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Doodle-Emblazoned Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-cox.md) - [Quick Mini Math Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nikoli.md) - [Real Estate NFT Lotteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nft-lottery-system.md) - [Charitable Low-Cost Art Raffles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1-picasso-for-100-euros.md) - [Monthly Stipend Scratch Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/set-for-5-years-scratch-card.md) - [Spicy Eating Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-spicy-hustle.md) - [Scam-Based Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-mod-cons.md) - [AI Puzzle-Solving Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crossword-house.md) - [DIY Home Buying](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-offer-haus.md)