The £3 million pound property in Wirral (Image: PA)
Lauren Keene grabbed the nation’s attention last December when she scooped the youngest ever multi-million-pound Omaze prize, bagging a jaw-dropping £3million mansion on the Wirral Peninsula and an additional £250,000 in cash.
However, merely six months on, the Gloucester-based full-time nanny has opted to sell the opulent abode, listing it for a cool £2.5million – a hefty half a million less than its valued worth.
Perched in a breathtaking elevated spot on the brink of a rocky sandstone cliff, the contemporary six-bedroom residence boasts sweeping views of the Irish Sea, complete with a wraparound terrace and a luxurious outdoor heated swimming pool.
Touted as “striking” and “something truly special” on Rightmove, the property marries modern design with the splendour of nature and is conveniently located just a stone’s throw from Caldy Beach. Yet, the dream house turned out to be less than ideal for practical living.
24 year old Lauren, who snagged the winning ticket at a mere £20, had initially contemplated moving into the grand estate with her partner, software engineer Ryan Mitchell, reports the Mirror.
Winner Lauren Keene. Lauren is the youngest ever Omaze Grand Prize winner (Image: PA)
Previously residing with her father, Daniel Keene, in a simple two-bedroom flat near Gloucester, the Omaze victory, which she toasted with a McDonald’s feast, appeared to herald a total life overhaul.
Reflecting on her stroke of luck, she exclaimed, “Only last week we were looking at houses we thought we could never afford,” adding, “Now our first property is a £3million mansion. It’s crazy to think we’ll never have a mortgage. It’s life-changing.”
The couple soon came to terms with the reality that the nearly 200 miles from Gloucester and the expenses tied to a large manor were unfeasible, only staying a few nights before putting it on the market.
Lauren’s father, Daniel, 46, who specialises in fitting kitchens and bathrooms, elaborated on his daughter’s rationale. “It is a lovely house, but the associated costs are significant,” he elaborated to the Mail Online.
Omaze winners Lauren Keene & Ryan Mitchell (Image: Mark Field Photography / Omaze / SWNS)
“For example, although the pool is heated, it’s outdoors and not thermally protected, so the heat escapes very quickly. Keeping it warm in the winter would cost a fortune. They’ve turned it off for now, but we braved it during our visit-and I can tell you that water is very cold.”
Daniel shared that Lauren and Ryan have set their sights on purchasing a cosy semi-detached home in Gloucester, using savings paired with a portion of the Omaze windfall to establish roots near loved ones and work. He alluded to an upcoming move, although Lauren remains at home for the time being.
“Every week she tells me she’s moving out, and every week she’s still here,” he chuckled. “But what’s important is that she’s happy and doing what’s right for her. And in both cases, she is.”
He concluded with a light-hearted note: “I’m sure when they do move in, I’ll be asked to fit the new bathroom and kitchen. And it’ll be a pleasure.”
Lauren, who is in the process of selling her house won through Omaze, looks set to enjoy financial stability and a solid foundation for future homeownership alongside her partner, thanks to the £250,000 cash prize and the expected proceeds from the sale.
Reflecting on the impact of her win, Lauren stated: “Winning this house has transformed our lives forever. Whatever we decide to do long-term, we’re made for life now.”
Omaze rules grant winners complete freedom regarding their prized homes, allowing them the choice to sell, rent or reside within them. The option to sell is frequently chosen by winners, given the size and upkeep costs of the properties.
Among the prior 14 Omaze UK house draw victors, just three have remained in their winning abodes. Others have faced similar issues, such as high upkeep expenses and living far from family.
She was the proud owner of the contemporary, five-bedroom house (Image: PA)
June Smith, a widow who secured a stunning £4.5 million home in Cornwall, listed her property for sale with aims to financially assist her progeny. Similarly, Lauren intends to harness the windfall for a comfortable life nearer to her roots.
Conversely, Becca Pott, a 32 year old finance analyst, emerged as one of the select few to keep her extravagant Omaze windfall – a palatial five-bedroom dwelling close to Ascot valued at £3.5 million. Initially considering it a temporary arrangement, Becca and her husband Ben found the appeal of raising their daughter Ava in luxury too attractive to leave behind, opting to make it their enduring residence.
She revealed to The Sunday Times: “We always knew we were going to move in and enjoy it for at least that first summer, just to experience living in a place like this as a family, but after a few weeks we realised we didn’t want to leave so decided we should keep it.”
