dingostew.com

An American company is offering to pay a homeowner's mortgage and provide a new paintjob - all for free.

It's an incredible offer, but there's just one catch.

They'll turn your house into a giant billboard for the company - painting it with a brightly coloured ad.

California-based advertising agency Adzookie are offering the unusual deal, with chief executive Romeo Mendoza telling CNN Money they've had 5,000 inquires in two days since posting the offer on their web site earlier this week.

"Ninety percent are people who are in financial difficulty and need some help, which is understandable," Mendoza said. "The other ten percent are guys who just want to have some fun."

Mendoza got the idea when driving his daughter home from school. "I saw signs outside homes saying 'bank-owned' and suddenly I felt for the families I imagined lived there," he said.

"I was trying really hard to think of ways to help - then it hit me. Our company buys advertising all the time. We could buy ad space on their house and pay them for it."

Homeowners who sign up for the deal must agree to have their house painted for three months. Adzookie will then cover the mortgage for as long as the ad stays up. They'll even paint the house back to its original colours afterwards.

So far the company only has the budget to transform around 100 properties, with each house costing $8,000 (£4,900) to paint. Mendoza said he'll listen to people's stories before deciding who to help.

Leases, rentals and houses in areas with restrictions on bright paint jobs are not eligible

Good idea actually. I'd hate to be stuck with an ad for viagra or something though.

"Get a piece of the rock."

I'd settle for an ad for Tayto, to be honest!

but that would make you constantly crave crisps!!!

No, it'd make ppl outside crave crisps! Then I'd set up a crisp selling stand outside and charge people a few cent more per pack! I'd make a fortune!