'Tons' of offers pour in for free house in Kaysville

Jacquie Jones didn't know last week if she would have "hordes" of people interested in her free house or perhaps only two. Now, it's clear.

After lots of media attention, Jones said Tuesday she has received "hundreds and hundreds" of e-mails and "tons" of phone calls about the 1910-era, 3,600-square-foot Kaysville home that she's willing to give away to anyone who will haul it off.

"Who knew what to expect, right? I never thought it would get this big. I didn't anticipate what we received. I had one person literally wanting us to move it to Nicaragua," she said. "I'm, like: Really?"

Another person offered two weeks in Morocco in exchange for the home, which is at 1809 S. Sunset Drive. Responses have poured in from across the country, including Florida and Georgia. "It's been unreal. Some of them said, 'I'll take it now. I've got the equipment. Give me a call.' I kept thinking, they're 2,000 miles away!" Jones said.

"For the most part, it's been just a lot of people in need. I've not come across anything that's been negative."

She's been the subject of whirlwind local and national news media attention, with her story picked up by news wire services and CBS Radio. She's been featured on "Inside Edition" and a live piece for the Fox News Network.

Despite all that, plus shepherding about 60 families through the home during an open house and the kick of seeing people pose for photos with the "free house" sign in the yard, Jones said she's been touched by all the people in need — people who consider her an answer to their prayers. "It's just made me keenly aware of all the need out there," she said. "Some of their stories just break my heart."

Despite those few crazy offers, most of the inquires have been legit, she said, and her original Nov. 1 deadline for getting a new home for the home is now a "soft" deadline. A second open house event took place Tuesday evening.

"I want it to be fair," she said. "I want people to have time to get their homework ready, then my husband and I will sit down with the family and see what's the best idea.

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E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com