A barman who won a £3.5million clifftop mansion in Cornwall through an Omaze prize draw has put the property on the market just weeks after moving in. Darren Summers, 50, from South Wales, listed the four-bedroom home online on Wednesday (August 26) with a guide price of £3.5million.
The listing comes two months after Summers was announced as the winner of the modern coastal property, which includes a heated outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub. He had initially shared plans to enjoy a 'summer of barbecues' at the house.
Why the Winner Is Selling
Summers explained his decision to sell, citing the financial freedom the sale would bring. "We've spent the most incredible summer of our lives living at the house, we've made amazing memories with friends and family that we'll treasure forever," he said.
"Because Omaze gives you the house mortgage-free and £250,000 in cash, we knew we could have stayed for as long as we wanted without ever worrying about costs. But we've decided to sell up and bank the cash as the money from the sale is truly life-changing for us," he added. "We're both going to retire early, which is the best feeling in the world - having the time and the money to enjoy it is the greatest gift imaginable."
Summers, who manages a pub in the Rhondda Fawr valley, and his wife Rebecca, 36, an NHS Healthcare Support Assistant, plan to buy a smaller coastal home in the UK and a beach holiday home in Europe. He also hopes to invest in a bar or restaurant, possibly naming it "Bar Omaze."
Property Details and Initial Reaction
The property, located above Downderry Beach, is described in its listing as "fully-furnished" with no onward chain, featuring "bold architecture, breathtaking sea views, garden room and summerhouse and landscaped terraced gardens with sculptures." It spans 3,425 square feet over two floors, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a coastal dining terrace, and just over an acre of grounds including a sculpture garden with ten original artworks.
Summers won the house for just £20 through his Omaze subscription. Recalling the moment, he said: "I was in the middle of pouring pints during a busy shift behind the bar when Omaze rang. I eventually picked up but when they said I'd won a prize I thought, yeah right, hung up and just carried on working." He added that his reaction was unprintable, and his wife initially didn't believe him.
The house came mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered, plus £250,000 in cash. News of the swift resale sparked reactions on Reddit, with one user commenting: "The new owner must have only got the keys yesterday and listed straight away! I'd probably do the same although you could easily earn £200,000 a year from it as a high-end holiday let."
