When Sabine Sorgalla first moved to the United States from Germany in 1984, she says she only had the money in her pocket and the prospect of a new job.
"I know there are a lot of people out there that are in the same position as I was," she said.
That's why when her mother died and left a 1.1 acre property to her, she decided rather than selling it outright to one person, she wanted to do it in a way that would help someone else.
"It's just a way of paying back," said Sorgalla.
She is holding an essay contest for the property, located northwest of Tucson near Sandario and Picture Rocks Road. She is looking for 250-word entries about the American Dream.
The land currently has a few trailers on it, along with some overgrown vegetation. Sorgalla says all of the taxes are paid on the property, and it's already got all of the utility hook-ups, including gas, electric, water and sewer.
The trailers she says are aging and likely vandalized by people who broke into the property. She said they will likely have to be torn down, but the property would work well for someone who has a trailer or looking to build.
Sorgalla lives in Texas and says she didn't have the time or money to properly take care of the property. At first, she had a few interested buyers but then decided to hold the essay contest instead.
The property is appraised at $55,000 according to Sorgalla. The contest does include a $100 entry fee that Sorgalla says will be used partly to pay attorney and court fees. The contest rules state that if fewer than 560 entries are received, the contest will be called off and the the entry fees will be refunded to those who entered.
The contest runs until August 13 and she says they will choose a winner by August 27.
"I'm not here to make a profit," she said. "I just see it as an opportunity for somebody to get a new start or have something they would like to have but can't because they don't have the down payment or they don't have the right credit history. To me, it doesn't matter."
Once a winner is chosen, she says everyone will meet at her attorney's office in Phoenix to sign over the title. 9OYS reached out to her attorney who confirmed that the contest is legal and registered with the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
"It's just something on my heart," said Sorgalla. "When God tells you something to do, I believe it's the right thing to do."
For more information including the contest entry form, click here.
