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There’s no prize for the 2010 Ugliest House of the Year contest other than shame, so while you might assume a cartel of Jewish mothers or yard-stick wielding nuns just wants you to feel bad about your home, it’s actually intend to spotlight the potential of unsightly homes to renovate for investment properties (and maybe generate a little publicity for the sponsor, HomeVestors of America).

This year, the contest will name the most hideous house in 19 different markets across the US, and from the looks of last year’s winners, it seems that “ugly” really comes down to dilapidated, filthy, and junk-filled—which is something I have a hard time arguing with. Lucky for us hecklers and rubberneckers, we can check out the sad stories and pictures of the 2009 winners to see exactly how bad your home needs to be to win this coveted award.

2009 Atlanta Winner: The Country Cabin

This home comes ready for a romantic dinner (well, with take-out containers to catch the rain), the potential for a cozy fire (from the working electrical exposed to this same rain), a sexy sunken living room (from a five-foot sinkhole), and a bedroom with a view of the stars (through the rotting roof). Cozy. And apparently I’m not the only who thought so given the fact that a couple was actually living there.

2009 Richmond Winner: The Family Home

Not only do stuffed animals, a car seat, and a children’s bucket to build sandcastles with and/or catch rain from the hole above come with this family home, your children will never miss Saturday morning cartoons here, since it comes with a dish. Though who knows what that dish is mounted to given that this house has a blue tarp for a roof.

Think your terrible, shabby, unlivable investment property can compete with these past winners? You can submit your property for consideration until March 26. Rules dictate that properties must be investor-owned and that original occupants must have vacated. Properties that have been rehabbed in the last year are also eligible.  I can’t wait to see this year’s winners, but for now, last year’s will have to tide me over.