Family raffle their £325,000-worth home with £5 tickets
Instead of selling their home the traditional way, a family in North Wales have opted for an unconventional method: they have offered their £325,000 home for an online raffle, with tickets priced as little as £5.
Jennie Bailey, 43, and husband John, 45, lived in what must have been their seaside holiday home at Rhoscolyn on Anglesey for two and a half years after escaping the noise of busy Manchester.
Although a “joy” to live in, the two-bedroom flat has now become a bit cramped for the couple and their two sons Henry, 11, and Sebastian, 9, and their puppy Dylan.
After keeping the property on the market for a year and knocking £40,000 off its original price of £365,000, the family decided to take the step so they could “move forward and make a fresh start together”.
The couple said: “Like much of the UK, the housing market in Wales has been tough. After struggling to sell property in the traditional way, we decided to try something different: a house raffle.”
“It may sound unusual, but for us it’s about turning a difficult situation into something positive – giving someone else the chance to own a home here, mortgage-free, with no fees, and create their own memories in this very special place.”
“This isn’t just an apartment; it’s years of laughter, summers by the sea and a warm, close-knit community. Whoever wins will not only get a home, but the opportunity to be part of something truly special.”
While running a raffle on a property is technically legal, it must comply with strict rules and regulations.
The raffle is organized by an online company called Raffal, and the winner will be able to get the waterfront home with all legal fees paid.
The target is to sell 150,000 £5 tickets in the six months before 4pm on January 1. The family have sold 69,556 tickets so far but have also spent £40,000 on marketing.
The couple described the process as “stressful” and “intense” during which they endured “many sleepless nights”. Even if they manage to raise £750,000, they will be given a ten percent concession on the Raffall platform, as well as legal fees, stamp duty and marketing.
“Our only goal was to pass our home on to one lucky person and move forward as a family. It’s been overwhelming to see the response so far and we can’t wait to see who eventually calls it home.”
If the goal is not met, the family will keep the property and the winner of the raffle will win half of the pot while the other half covers the family’s expenses.
Jennie had been going to the holiday home since she was two years old. The couple bought one of three flats inside the converted house eight years ago. Her brother also owns the ground floor apartment they frequented during Jennie’s childhood.
