'I thought Omaze was a wind up - now I own our dream £500,000 country home'

A mum who thought that a call from Omaze was a 'wind up' now owns her dream £500k property. Sarah Perry, 49, has won a stunning £500k home in rural Wales - not far from where her family live.

After entering the Omaze Great Escape House Draw without her husband knowing, she received a call which she said made her 'dubious at first', until Omaze turned up on her driveway.

She was then told that she had landed a contemporary three-bed, two-bath house in Powys, Wales after only spending £30 on entering the draw. On top of the property win, she also bagged £50k in cash.

READ MORE: 'We started out in a tiny two-bed bungalow - now we own our dream million-pound house'

Overjoyed, Sarah admitted "Christmas had come early" for the family this year. Her husband Richard, 54, was completely taken aback as he was entirely unaware that Sarah had even entered the draw.

Richard said: "I was more than a little surprised when Omaze turned up on the doorstep telling us we’d won something but it's without doubt the best surprise we’ve ever had."

His wife Sarah recalled: "I got the call from Omaze and was a little dubious at first, you just never think you’ll be the one that wins something like this so my first instinct was it must be a windup."

She added: "I just couldn't believe it when Omaze arrived on the driveway and told me I’d won the house - I was shocked - but my husband was utterly flabbergasted as he had no idea I’d even entered! He said it was the best surprise we’ve ever had.

"We’ve had a nice bottle of Welsh whisky in the cupboard for years, which would’ve been very appropriate to celebrate with but we didn’t have a chance to crack into it as due to all the excitement we’d forgotten to feed the kids. So, we ended up celebrating by going out for a lovely steak dinner instead."

Reflecting on winning a property near to her family, she said: "I’m from Wales and my family still live in Powys, I was actually on my way there to stay with my sister when Omaze came knocking. Now I've got this place, she can come and stay at our place for a change.

"Since I moved away, I try to get back as often as I can, and always dreamed of having a place here one day - this win means I can now return to my roots, it really is a dream come true."

Talking about the benefits of her new abode, she said: "I work in London a lot - so to have such an amazing place in the countryside to escape to with my family, where I grew up, is fantastic - our sons are going to love all this space - who knows, they might even pick up the accent.

"All my family are over the moon about the fact I have a house here now, my farmer brother-in-law already has his eyes on the back meadow for his sheep."

Speaking of the house, Sarah said: "The house is absolutely amazing, even nicer in real life. The main bedroom is huge, I’ve lived in flats that are smaller than that room. The views are just spectacular - this is what Wales is all about.

"With all the snow today, the house looked like a Christmas card. When we walked up the drive and saw it, I had to check the date as I thought it was December 25th already. Christmas has certainly come early for us this year. We’re still pinching ourselves - the whole thing is just so surreal.

"This win has changed our retirement plans, and definitely moved things forward a bit. The win and the fifty thousand pounds just takes the pressure off - and all for just £30."

On Omaze’s partnership with Scouts she said: "I’ve been volunteering for the Scouts for 7 years, and our sons have both been through Beavers and Cubs, with the oldest now in Scouts. The movement has had a really positive impact on them, so I’m thrilled Omaze is raising money for Scouts - they are a huge part of our lives."

Sarah and Richard have two sons aged 13 and 9 and have lived in their current house in Reading for 12 years. Sarah, who moved to England in her twenties, has worked as an accountant for 30 years. Richard, originally from Dorset, is a Project Manager and has worked in IT for the past 35 years.

Sarah’s 1,300 square foot property comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Inside Sarah’s new house, windows provide framed views of the glorious Welsh countryside, which she can enjoy from the spacious living area, complete with oak floorboards and a cream corner sofa for friends and family to sit on in front of the cosy log-burning stove.

Natural light floods the bespoke, freestanding kitchen with its solid wood countertop, thanks to a bright skylight. The spacious main bedroom boasts vaulted ceiling windows and features a traditional wood burner with an eye-catching stainless steel flue. Additionally, there are two guest bedrooms and a mezzanine study area.

The modern property is designed with the future in mind, incorporating environmental efficiency into every aspect of its tin-clad structure. It comes equipped with an air source heat pump that supplies hot water and zoned underfloor heating.

Mike Longden from Omaze commented: "Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Sarah has won our first home in Wales, and can enjoy returning to her roots. By offering this stunning rural retreat, along with £50,000 in cash, Omaze gives people the chance to win a life-changing prize, whilst also raising money for charities, such as Scouts."