WOULD YOU RAFFLE OFF YOUR HOME?

Money Mail, January 3

I AM not accusing these people of anything, but I wouldn’t trust a raffle where I couldn’t turn up to watch the winning ticket being drawn. It would be too easy to fudge. If the draw was public, I’d feel better about it.

W. S., Chatham, Kent.

YOU have to ask why these people can’t sell their homes on the open market. There must be a reason people aren’t interested. That’s what would put me off.

S. T., Leeds.

I’ VE seen a mansion being raffled in Scotland. The closing date was December 1. Then it was pushed back to December 20, and now March 31 — probably because it costs £5,000 a year to maintain.

T. S., London.

THE only reason you would raffle your home is to try to make much more than you would by selling it the traditional route.

But what happens if you buy one of these homes and find a massive problem? Buyers are taking more of a gamble than they think.

T. L., London.

THE Government should make it easier for people to sell their homes via raffle if that’s what people want. Of course, there have to be checks, but it seems to be too difficult at the moment.

P. D., Grimsby, Lincs.

I DON’T see anything wrong with this — it’s a chance to win a home that most would be unable to afford otherwise. People don’t complain about the lottery.

S. T., Newcastle.

BE CAREFUL. We got stung by a house raffle years ago. The house never got sold — instead, a small cash prize was given away. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

J. K., Birmingham.

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