Imagine trading your bustling city life for a serene seaside retreat, only to find yourself in a cramped space with a growing family. That’s exactly what Jennie Bailey and her family faced when their cozy two-bedroom flat in Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, started feeling a bit too snug. But here’s where it gets controversial: instead of selling their £325,000 home the traditional way, Jennie decided to raffle it off for just £5 a ticket. Yes, you read that right—a family home up for grabs for the price of a coffee. But is this a stroke of genius or a risky gamble?
Jennie, her husband John, their sons Harry (11) and Sebastian (9), and their cocker spaniel Dylan had been living in what was once their holiday home for two-and-a-half years. After moving from Manchester to embrace the 'slower pace' of Anglesey, they quickly realized their space was shrinking. With the boys craving their own rooms and the property lingering on the market for 12 months—even after slashing the price from £365,000 to £325,000—Jennie knew she had to think outside the box. 'I was getting stressed,' she admitted. 'I thought, let’s try something different.'
The flat, one of three in a converted house, holds a special place in Jennie’s heart. Her family has been visiting since she was two, and her brother even owns the ground floor flat. 'I’ve practically grown up here,' Jennie shared, her voice tinged with emotion. But after her father’s passing last year, she knew it was time for a new chapter. And this is the part most people miss: the idea for the raffle came from a friend who sent her an article about a woman in Ireland who did the same thing. Initially skeptical, Jennie spent a month researching, consulting lawyers, and navigating the complexities of such an unconventional approach.
Setting up the raffle wasn’t easy. Jennie and John had to take the property off the market and launch the raffle on an online platform. Their goal? Sell 150,000 tickets at £5 each within six months, with a deadline of January 1st. But here’s the catch: even if they hit their target, they won’t pocket the full £750,000. After deducting 10% for the platform, legal fees, stamp duty, and marketing costs, the actual payout will be significantly less. As of Friday, they’ve sold 50,531 tickets—a promising start, but still a long way to go.
If they fall short, the family will keep the property, and the raffle winner will receive half the ticket sales, with the other half covering costs. Jennie remains optimistic, noting that ticket sales often surge in the final stages of such raffles. But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Jennie, who also runs a handmade home decor business, has been working tirelessly to promote the raffle, often late into the night. 'It’s a complete learning curve,' she said. 'I’m just trying anything and everything.'
But not everyone is cheering Jennie on. Some locals have criticized the raffle, questioning the cost of the flat and the fact that the Baileys aren’t originally from the area. Jennie brushes off the negativity: 'If you don’t like it, just don’t enter,' she says. 'We’re just a family trying to sell our home in an unusual way. It gives someone the chance to win a property they might never afford otherwise.'
Stelios Kounou, CEO of Raffall, the platform hosting the raffle, notes that while house raffles are rare, they’re not unheard of. Since 2020, his platform has hosted 54 attempts in the UK and Ireland, with 18 successfully resulting in a property exchange. 'It’s not a trend,' he said, 'but for those willing to put in the work, the reward can be life-changing.'
The Baileys plan to stay in Anglesey after the sale, though Jennie admits they’ll miss their stunning beach view. 'It would be amazing to see someone else enjoy this place as much as we have,' she said. But here’s the question: Would you take a £5 chance on winning a £325,000 home, or do you think this method is too risky? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
