What’s it like to put your house into a prize draw? The Salford family selling £2 tickets for their property
The Reid family have put their Salford home and car in a prize draw ahead of a life-changing trip to Australia - hoping for a quicker sell before they head down under.
Selling a property in the middle of the pandemic comes with inevitable complications.
Unpredictable markets. Guaranteed delays. Head-scratching legislation. Plus the fact that potential buyers might not even be able to step inside for viewings.
Anthony and Gemma Reid know all about it.
After putting their Salford house up for sale and watching two potential buyers walk away, the pair came to the conclusion it probably wasn’t going to happen.
In September, they took down their property listing and put it in a prize draw instead – hoping for a quicker sell ahead of their life-changing move to Australia.
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A property prize draw is exactly what it sounds like. The house is placed online – and tickets are sold to members of the general public for £2 a pop. The holder of the winning ticket wins the house.
The whole competition is hosted online on a website called Raffall.
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The first and most obvious question here: Is ‘Raffalling’ off your home as risky as it sounds?
Many families would be terrified to swap the tried-and-trusted property market for the kind of raffle-style competition you’d find at pubs, school discos and fairs.
But Anthony and Gemma are living proof that property prize draws can work – calling the experience “amazing”.
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“It’s a full-time job and we have to keep on top of things, but now we have some media coverage the tickets are flying out and we hope to hit our sales target,” Gemma told The Manc.
“We would like to thank everyone who has taken part and ask them to keep sharing so we can get someone in their new home!”
The family have thrown in a few incentives along the way to help boost sales – including Anthony getting his chest waxed when tickets purchased tipped over 50,000.
The Reids have even offered some words of advice for the lucky winner.
“Make sure you have some good friends lined up for your celebration party!” Gemma says.
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“The kitchen is great for entertaining and barbecues in summer will be amazing, Sadly, COVID stopped us enjoying the garden this year so someone will have to christen the garden with a party.”
The Reids have so many fond memories of their three-bed home. Relaxing together watching TV in the spacious front room. Drinking morning coffee in the shiny kitchen. Eating tea whilst asking their son Max what he did at school. Stretching out on the sofa during dark winter nights and drawing the curtains to watch a movie. Getting into bed for a peaceful night on a quiet road.
They admit they’re going to miss it. But big things are waiting for them on the other side of the world.
“If we could pick the house up and take it with us, it would be great,” Gemma says.
“But sadly we can’t – and it is time to pass it on to another family to enjoy.”
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The family will be staying with Gemma’s brother for a few weeks in Victoria when they reach Oz; spending some time with them before heading over to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney to do the tourist sights.
Anthony already has a few irons in the fire in terms of work, whereas Gemma is hoping to open her own shop selling artificial floral displays (she is currently fully-booked here in Blighty for her Christmas decorating services).
The Reids will board their flight in February – and until then, they want to spread the word about their prize draw as far and wide as possible.
“We have had lots of well-wishers and people interested in following our journey and have a few hardcore followers that are always helping and commenting on threads to get people involved,” Gemma says.
“It is really exciting.
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“We intend to fully enjoy the experience and take in new ideas and things along the way and we invite everyone to join the trip and follow our story.”
Fancy being in with a shot of winning a Salford house and car for two quid?
Head over to the Raffall Page for more info. You can take a tour here.
Manchester based quick house buyer Ask Susan says selling your house in this way certainly is a novel idea if you’re looking for a quick sale in an uncertain market place.
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Lantern Pike – the countryside walk with amazing views, an old railway line, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, with an optional stop at Marmalade Coffee Shop for a bacon sandwich and some caffeine.
Then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
Lantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc GroupLantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Instead, turn off to the right to cross the River Sett and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and back down the other side, passing the Lantern Pike pub (we won’t judge if you pause for a pint here), cross the road, and join Snake Path.
This will take you past Twenty Trees, which is literally a group of trees standing on its own, and back into Hayfield.
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in the last year.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
You can see a map of the circular walking route at alltrails.com.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Hairspray lands at the Palace Theatre, proving to audience members that you really can’t stop the beat
Oli Lowe
Energetic ensemble numbers, lavish costumes and stand-out performances: Hairspray welcomes everyone to the 60s in its latest tour production.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hold very fond memories of the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, a cinematic masterpiece that breathed new life into the already iconic musical. I bring this version of the show up because until last night it was my only experience of the story.
Yes, much to my shame, I had never seen a live production of the show but after coming out of the Palace Theatre last night, I can now say that Hairspray‘s latest tour production is just as fun-loving – and as free wheeling.
From start to finish, Hairspray is a vibrant, colourful, high-energy show which takes you on the journey of teenage misfit Tracey Turnblad as she deals with the struggles of pursuing her dreams, in the face of adversity and a 1960s America that seems determined to halt progression.
The entire cast gave stellar performances from leading lady Alexander Emmerson-Kirby in the role of Tracy, all the way through to the ensemble who constantly wooed me with brilliantly executed dance routines, filled to the brim with swinging-sixties dance moves.
I’d like to take a second to highlight some standout performances, which in my opinion elevated the show to new heights. Starting with Neil Hurst in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s ‘larger-than-life’ mum.
Neil was a constant comic relief throughout a show that whilst generally lighthearted does tackle some serious issues such as unrealistic female beauty standards and racial segregation.
Neil, alongside his comedic partner Dermot Canavan, gave a standout, belly-laugh performance of their duet ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. It truly had the audience in fits of laughter and lauded huge applause from the entire theatre.
On to Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle and Michelle Ndegwa as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle. Both gave superb renditions of their solo numbers and showcased their experience in every scene they were in.
Murray’s rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs (still always caught off-guard by that name) was impressive, to say the least, with the performer delivering big and bold vocals, all whilst being held upside down by a group of the male cast.
Meanwhile, Michelle Ndegwa’s version of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ was spellbindingly beautiful. It carried with it the weight and severity of the number, all whilst delivering knock-out vocals that were filled to the brim with pain and suffering.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16th July 2024 in ManchesterStunning vocals all around.
Finally, a small shoutout to Reece Richards as Seaweed. Growing up (and occasionally to this day) I tried many times to stumble my way through Seaweed’s big number, ‘Run And Tell That’, and let me tell you from experience, that’s one damn hard song to sing…
Reece delivered the number expertly, all whilst dancing in a routine that even just watching, made me feel slightly exhausted. Props to Reece… One day I will nail that opening high note (I won’t).
All in all, Hairspray delights, delivering laughter, splendor, and high fuelled entertainment from start to finish – we’d consider a must-see if you’re a fan of the film, especially.
The show runs through till 27th July and with limited tickets still available, there’s no reason to not get yourself down and enjoy an evening of mesmerising, musical fun. You can grab yours HERE.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16 July 2024 at the Palace Theatre in ManchesterSeriously, give it a go.