by Stephen L. Fussell Information Officer
Q. As the listing agent for a residential property, I have tried to attract a buyer by utilizing every marketing tool available, including MLS entry, newspaper and magazine ads, open houses, circulation of flyers to all agents in the area, and an of lice tour. Nothing has worked. My client, the seller, has suggested that we have a raffle where his property would be appraised, raffle tickets would be sold, the winning ticket-holder would receive the property, and the seller would receive the proceeds equal to the appraised value. Is this legal? Would it make a difference if we were to give any excess proceeds to a local charity?
A. No. Under North Carolina Law [G.S. 14-309.15(d)l "No real property may be offered as a prize in a raffle." The raffle would still be unlawful even if you were to give some or all of the proceeds to charity.