A father living in council housing who won a luxurious Omaze mansion prize decided to sell the property after struggling with the maintenance, despite its original value of £2.5 million. Chris Milnes, 61, from a Leeds council estate, unexpectedly won the mansion near Poole, Dorset in June 2024 through the Million Pound Draw. The 4,650 square foot new-build home proved to be too challenging to keep clean for him.
Facing difficulties in cleaning and maintaining the large house, Mr. Milnes listed the property for sale. However, selling the mansion proved to be as challenging as cleaning it, leading him to reduce the asking price significantly. Initially priced at £2.3 million in January, the value dropped by £200,000 in June and further decreased to £1,350,000 by August. Eventually, the property was sold for £1.6 million.
Although the sale is pending finalization, the new owner will acquire not only the spacious property with features like an open-plan living area, designer kitchen, and cinema room but also the furnishings. Mr. Milnes expressed his intention to use the sale proceeds to provide his children with a better start in life than he had. He plans to purchase a home in West Yorkshire and visit his 30-year-old son and first grandchild in Australia.
The decision to sell comes after Mr. Milnes and his family enjoyed happy moments in the house, considering it a dream home in a beautiful location. While the winnings could have allowed them to stay there comfortably for years, they opted to sell and secure their future. Mr. Milnes looks forward to finding a forever home in their current area, ensuring a comfortable retirement and providing his children with financial support.
The newfound financial freedom will also allow Mr. Milnes to spend time with his soon-to-arrive grandchild in Australia, adding an extra layer of joy to his post-winning plans.
