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In the midst of an unpredictable housing market, where many are unsure whether to jump in or hold back, thousands took a chance on an unconventional path to homeownership. And for one woman, that gamble paid off.
Imelda Collins launched the “Win a House Near Sligo” raffle to give one lucky winner the keys to her “fairytale Irish country home” in County Leitrim, Ireland. Over 150,000 tickets were sold, and in the end, Kathleen Spangler emerged as the winner.
Spangler now owns the property mortgage- and rent-free, all thanks to that £5 ticket.
“The current housing crisis in Ireland makes it extremely difficult to buy or rent, so this is an incredible opportunity to own your own home,” Collins explained on UK-based raffle site Raffall. “If you win my home, you will be MORTGAGE AND RENT FREE!, and I will pay your legal fees and stamp duty!”
Following her May 22 win, Spangler responded on Raffall, “If this is indeed real, I absolutely accept.”
Inman has reached out to Spangler for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Collins noted that she plans to donate a portion of the raffle’s proceeds to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), a charity that she says is close to her heart. As for the rest, Raffall will take 10 percent — Collins will receive the remainder, minus affiliate commissions and taxes — after covering advertising and marketing expenses related to the raffle.
The prize home is a newly renovated and redecorated 1.75-acre property just 15 minutes away from Sligo. According to Collins, “a wonderful feature of the property is that it benefits from a south-facing position, ensuring sunshine from sunrise to sunset.”
Collins originally purchased the home in 2022 for €133,000 and estimates that it is now worth around €300,000, thanks to significant upgrades.
The home was renovated in 2022, with new insulation, rewiring, replumbing, new carpentry, modern appliances and high-quality furnishings, which will all belong to Spangler with the exception of one “sentimental furniture piece” and some personal wall art.
The interior of the house includes a spacious living and dining area, kitchen, bathroom and two double bedrooms. The exterior features front and back gardens, a garden shed, a large patio with countryside views, and gated access to an open meadow.
While Collins has not yet commented further on the raffle’s outcome, she simply told Inman, “For the moment, we are letting it all sink in.”
