Winning a multi-million pound mansion sounds like the ultimate fairy tale, right? For 24-year-old Lauren Keene, that dream came true last December when she scooped up a stunning six-bedroom Hollywood-style home worth £3 million through an Omaze prize draw.
But now, just six months later, she’s decided to sell it — for half a million less than its valuation.
A Life-Changing Win in Merseyside
Lauren, from Gloucester, won the house and a £250,000 cash prize after buying a £20 ticket.
Initially, she talked about moving in with her boyfriend Ryan Mitchell, a software engineer from Liverpool, and joked about how happy her dad was that she might finally move out of his two-bedroom flat.
Though it’s not entirely clear if Lauren actually moved in, the beautiful property on the Wirral Peninsula is now up for sale with an asking price of £2.5 million.
The house boasts breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and the nearby estuary, with modern architecture that blurs the line between indoors and the surrounding countryside.
The listing on Rightmove calls it “striking” and “truly special,” but interestingly, it doesn’t mention the Omaze win at all.
What Winning Meant for Lauren and Ryan
At the time of her win, Lauren expressed sheer disbelief.
“One minute, we were checking out homes we thought we could never afford, and next thing we knew, our first property was a £3 million mansion.
It’s crazy!” she said.
“Thanks to the £250,000, we could comfortably stay here for years if we wanted.”
She also revealed the house was a birthday and Christmas present combined for Ryan.
“Winning this house changed our lives forever. Whatever happens long term, we’re set for life.”
The Freedom to Choose What to Do With the Prize
One great thing about Omaze prizes is winners don’t have to live in their new homes.
They can rent them out, sell, or simply move in.
Lauren’s story isn’t unique — only a few winners actually keep the houses.
For instance, Becca Pott, a finance analyst from east London, won a £3.5 million home near Ascot in 2022 while on maternity leave.
She and her family chose to stay, loving the extra space for their toddler and even renting the house to film crews.
Other winners, like carpenter Kevin Johnson from Islington and widow June Smith from Cornwall, have chosen different paths—either moving in or selling to support their families.
Why Some Winners Sell Their Prizes
Many past winners have found these grand mansions challenging to maintain or simply too far from their support networks, jobs, or friends.
Some felt out of place in celebrity hotspots, while others preferred to cash in the prize money to improve their lives in different ways.
For example, Marilyn Pratt sold her £3 million Fulham home to give her daughters a leg up on property ownership and fund family holidays.
Ian Garrick sold his prize home to move closer to family.
NHS worker Catherine Carwardine kept her stunning Lake Windermere house and helped raise £1 million for charity through Omaze.
The Bigger Picture Behind Omaze Wins
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, highlighted how the company doesn’t just give away dream homes.
“We’re proud that Lauren’s win contributed to £3.5 million raised for Scouts and that the Omaze community has raised over £67 million for UK charities,” he said.
For many, Omaze is a win-win: the chance to change their lives dramatically while supporting good causes.
What’s Next for Lauren?
For Lauren, the next step is clear — selling the mansion and moving on to whatever adventure lies ahead.
Whether she buys a smaller home, invests the money, or simply enjoys the financial freedom, her life has undoubtedly been transformed by that unexpected phone call after work that snowy December day.