Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

OMAZE house

519 replies

walkinthewoodstoday · 02/01/2023 20:42

So, I'm thinking of entering this competion. Clearly as much chance of winning as me getting an Olympic gold medal, but I keep reading that these 'amazing' houses have issues. Eg one has been massively flooded and another is so close to the cliff edge that it might be uninsurable and when it falls the owners will have a massive clear up bill. The current one is in Finsbury Park and I've even been sad enough to streetview it. Can't see any obvious issues, so why is it an OMAZE house? Please enlighten me!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
prh47bridge · 19/01/2024 13:27

TheBeef · 18/12/2023 22:40

That will make for interesting reading.

Show quote history

Not sure what you think will be interesting. Their accounts are now available. As they are a small company, they don't tell us very much. They made a loss of nearly £3.1M in 2022, had £13.5M in the bank and owed £20.1M, of which £8.6M was owed to other Omaze companies. The houses were purchased by their American parent company, Omaze Inc.,

Mirabai · 19/01/2024 13:46

Yeah, they do seem to pay top dollar for the prize properties, according to sold price records, contrary to the assumption that they bought cheap and exaggerated the value. (Not commenting on the true value particularly of the cliff-top houses, just what they paid for them.)

Maybe they need to focus on getting better deals on their properties and more mid-price (well I mean 2 million rather than 5) to ensure ticket sales are sufficient to make a profit.

BleakGarden · 19/01/2024 14:05

Genuine question- they can’t actually be making a loss right? They’d be posting a loss for tax reasons, and the American parent company would be where the profit is recorded?

prh47bridge · 19/01/2024 14:19

BleakGarden · 19/01/2024 14:05

Genuine question- they can’t actually be making a loss right? They’d be posting a loss for tax reasons, and the American parent company would be where the profit is recorded?

The amount they've paid the parent company exceeds the loss, so that is possible. However, it may also be because it is a relatively new company and has needed financial support from its parent. The accounts for the 18 months to 31st December 2022 cover the entire time they have been trading. The notes to the accounts suggest they are now at least breaking even.

Flavabobble · 19/01/2024 23:28

They usually make a few changes to the houses from what I've seen - estate agents etc.
All they've done is change a couple of lampshades and sofas on the Cotswolds one that's just gone up.

Al1972 · 01/02/2024 20:13

I know for a fact that the houses are won.
I did a photo shoot in the a ascot house and met Rebecca and her baby girl.
She told me exactly as it is.

Phone Call to say you have won something and then they turn up on your doorstep.
The house was incredible and theyvhabe decided to stay there!

custardcreme77 · 02/02/2024 06:11

Al1972 · 01/02/2024 20:13

I know for a fact that the houses are won.
I did a photo shoot in the a ascot house and met Rebecca and her baby girl.
She told me exactly as it is.

Phone Call to say you have won something and then they turn up on your doorstep.
The house was incredible and theyvhabe decided to stay there!

I always feel excited for the winners of the houses, that their dream / one of their dreams, is coming true…
…and a teensy bit jealous, too, if I’m totally honest. 😁

NextPrimeMinister · 03/02/2024 14:13

Would anyone know if this is legit?

Email received today, and I did buy tickets for the Mallorca house.....

OMAZE house
cupcakesarelife · 03/02/2024 14:19

my other half is very skeptical of Omaze and he thinks winners are not selected at random because they all seem to be the same type of person winning.

martinisforeveryone · 03/02/2024 15:00

NextPrimeMinister · 03/02/2024 14:13

Would anyone know if this is legit?

Email received today, and I did buy tickets for the Mallorca house.....

Don't click or follow any link in the email, go directly to Omaze via your browser and log in to your account. That should tell you.

Absolutely only navigate via your own steam, do not click links provided.

Mirabai · 03/02/2024 15:44

cupcakesarelife · 03/02/2024 14:19

my other half is very skeptical of Omaze and he thinks winners are not selected at random because they all seem to be the same type of person winning.

And what’s that type?

NextPrimeMinister · 03/02/2024 16:12

martinisforeveryone · 03/02/2024 15:00

Don't click or follow any link in the email, go directly to Omaze via your browser and log in to your account. That should tell you.

Absolutely only navigate via your own steam, do not click links provided.

Show quote history

Thank you.

I should know that doh! The excitement of winning a tenner.....

tanstaafl · 03/02/2024 16:24

NextPrimeMinister · 03/02/2024 16:12

Thank you.

I should know that doh! The excitement of winning a tenner.....

Show quote history

ive won £10 and £20 Amazon vouchers with Omaze so I’d say it’s genuine but as pp said log in to your account directly and check.

NextPrimeMinister · 03/02/2024 16:48

It was valid, but did go via my account to check.

Thanks all.

EachandEveryone · 04/02/2024 12:02

what do you think to the latest house? I dont drive so it would be no good to me 😃

Chersfrozenface · 04/02/2024 12:17

If I eon it I'd sell it

I wouldn't get 3 million fir it, though. Check out Rightmove sold prices for that road and those nearby.

ShyMaryEllen · 04/02/2024 20:38

EachandEveryone · 04/02/2024 12:02

what do you think to the latest house? I dont drive so it would be no good to me 😃

Do you know where it is? I don't drive either, but I like the look of it. Is it remote?

Chersfrozenface · 05/02/2024 07:41

ShyMaryEllen · 04/02/2024 20:38

Do you know where it is? I don't drive either, but I like the look of it. Is it remote?

Show quote history

High Street, Ramsden, near Chipping Norton and Charlbury in Oxfordshire, postcode OX7 3AZ.

EachandEveryone · 06/02/2024 12:29

You need a car. It wouldnt be for me. Im too much of a towny.

Mirandaprospero · 14/02/2024 13:59

What they probably refer as a background check is to check for bankrupcy or IVA's as you wouldn't be able to win either the money or the house without declaring it to your bankrupcy/insolvency manager, this would lengthen the process and mean missing the claims deadline and in most cases exclude you from owning another property. Also they will be looking for money laundering and fraud convictions as these would exclude you from home ownership anyway. Essentially, think of what you would need to fulfil to buy a house, but without actually having to take out a loan/mortgage. General credit card, finance, loans and mortgages if up to date are not considered negative debt.

Mirandaprospero · 14/02/2024 14:09

ShyMaryEllen · 19/01/2024 10:36

I don't understand this either. I mean, how would they know if you are a criminal? They can check for past offences, but AFAIK gambling is not illegal if you have a criminal record, and surely taking your money is agreeing that if you win you get the prize? Maybe if they could prove that the ticket was bought with laundered money, or other proceeds of crime there could be a case for withholding the prize, but otherwise I can't see how it would stand up.

I do think that their PR department needs to get onto this though - it is a widespread belief that the results are skewed, which is not good for their reputation, and should b cleared up one way or the other.

Edited

if its in the T&C's that they credit check (I don't remember seeing it, but may have missed it, they are long and a bit boring) then you agree to the T&C's when you enter.. so they have permission. What they probably refer as a background and credit check is to check for bankrupcy, insolvency or IVA's as you wouldn't be able to win either the money or the house without declaring it to your bankrupcy/insolvency manager, this would lengthen the process and mean missing the claims deadline and in most cases exclude you from owning another property. Also they will be looking for money laundering and fraud convictions as these would exclude you from home ownership anyway. Essentially, think of what you would need to fulfil to buy a house, but without actually having to take out a loan/mortgage. General credit card, finance, loans and mortgages if all up to date with payments and not over the persons threshold for managing their finances are not considered negative debt so unlikely to exclude anyone.

tanstaafl · 21/03/2024 11:11

Good find!

I’ve been in nearly all the draws, missed the first, got £30 in Amazon vouchers to show for it.

Fallen out of love with it now.

It’s one saving grace is it’s a raffle, so someone will win.

EachandEveryone · 21/03/2024 12:20

That’s one house that I would actually move into due to location. I’d have to bring about ten people with me though as I wouldn’t want to go to work!

Mirabai · 21/03/2024 13:38

That’s one house I wouldn’t definitely not move to I think it’s ghastly. However I still want to win it!