Did You Read About the Blogger
and His Paper Clip?

Every so often a news story comes along that's just too interesting to pass up, even if it doesn't directly involve RE/MAX. This, a tale of a paper clip turned into a house, is one of those.

It was recently reported that Kyle MacDonald is now the proud owner of a three-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot house in Kipling, Saskatchewan.

MacDonald, 26, a blogger from Montreal, recently completed a year-long experiment to become a homeowner through online trades, starting with a single red paper clip. He began by advertising the paper clip in the barter section of Craigslist.com, eventually trading it for a fish-shaped pen. From there he exchanged the pen for a ceramic knob and, through a series of subsequent deals, kept moving up. The procession of possessions included a camping stove, a generator, a beer keg and Budweiser sign, a snowmobile and, eventually, a truck.

Along the way MacDonald became somewhat famous, appearing on Japanese television and "Good Morning America." He was also featured on dozens of radio programs, eventually drawing the attention of former "L.A. Law" actor Corbin Bernsen (who played Arnie).

Bernsen contacted MacDonald and offered a paid speaking role in his next movie. But, following the rules he'd set for his experiment (that all trades would be fair, not charitable) MacDonald waited until he had something Bernsen actually wanted before making the swap.

MacDonald found the perfect item in a snow globe depicting the band Kiss. Bernsen, an avid snow globe collector, agreed - and the deal was done.

That's when the town of Kipling got involved. Town fathers, hearing of the publicity generated by MacDonald, purchased a house on Main Street and contacted MacDonald with their offer: the house for the role.

MacDonald made the deal and is making plans to move in early September. The town will hold an American Idol-style competition for the movie role, with participants donating entry fees to the town's parks and recreation department.

To honor MacDonald and his trade-happy route to home-ownership, the town will hang a giant red paper clip at a nearby highway rest stop.

And that, at least for now, is the end of a tale worth knowing about.

Copyright © 2006 RE/MAX International Inc. 7/21/06