Yorkshire mum wins £2m Harrogate farmhouse in Omaze draw

Eliza Yahioglu, 56, entered the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw for only £25, but has come out with a beautifully revocated 17th-century farmhouse, located on a Harrogate hillside so impressive it is part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire, 

The charity prize draw raised £1,950,000 for Blood Cancer UK as well as changing Eliza and Gokhan's lives with a prize worth over £2 million. 

The house comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Eliza is free to either live in the house, rent it out or sell it. 

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If Eliza decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve an annual rental value of almost £50,000.

Eliza will celebrate 30 years of marriage to her husband Gokhan this November. The couple have lived in London for nearly 40 years since meeting at Brunel University in the mid-80s.

They’ve lived in their current home in North London for ten years and have a son Carl (24) who manages a bar and a daughter Leyla (21) who is studying biomedical science at the University of Sussex in Brighton. 

Eliza - whose winning entry came from her £25 a month Omaze subscription - is originally from Yorkshire and has been working in the financial sector for over 30 years – her husband Gokhan is the co-founder of a biotech company that specialises in cancer research.

When Omaze knocked at her door to tell her she’d scooped a prize - the team discovered she was on holiday in Luxembourg celebrating her birthday, which was that very day.

Thankfully her son Carl was at home, so Omaze video called her to share the good news. After finding out she’d won her mega prize, Eliza joked that her husband was “going to struggle to top this for my birthday next year”. 

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An elated Eliza said: “We were out having drinks with friends when the doorbell app on my husband’s phone buzzed - I actually moaned at him for picking up the phone and being anti-social!

"I'm glad he did as we all immediately recognised the face smiling back at us as Jo the Omaze presenter from the TV ads - that’s when we thought we might have won something - either that or someone is pulling a very elaborate hoax! 

“I’ve lived in London for almost 40 years but I'm a proud Yorkshire lass at heart. My parents and sister still live there, so we come up as often as we can.

"We’d always dreamed of having a place in Yorkshire one day, close to what I still call home - now that dream has come true! Mum and dad can come and stay with us when we’re up here now - rather than the other way around. 

“We’re going to enjoy it as a family for now - this house was made for Christmas so we’ll be hosting all the family here this year for sure - but who knows what the future holds in the long-term, whatever we decide, my children’s future is more secure than ever.”

Eliza will enjoy the tranquil countryside setting the property provides - with breathtaking views across the neighbouring valley, as well as the surrounding five acres of manicured grounds and gardens.

The main house has been renovated and finished in a tasteful, contemporary style, whilst still maintaining its historical character. The result is a "harmonious" blend of original period features, combined with modern luxuries and conveniences. The charming period stone farmhouse also comes with a guest cottage, meaning the property has four bedrooms in total.

See photos of Eliza's new house below: