Kernow calling

We speak to the team at Cornish Traditional Cottages to discover the top reasons to buy a holiday home in Cornwall.

You may have already made up your mind. You may not need us to reiterate why this glorious county of Kernow is a great investment option. But if you’re still pondering the benefits of property investment in Cornwall, we catch up with George Edward-Collins of Cornish Traditional Cottages to help answer your questions.

“… we bring out over 50 years of cottage holiday experience to the table.”

“Kernow’s climate, geography, coastline and rich panoply of attractions cumulate to make the Duchy Britain’s number one holiday destination,” explains George. “Once you’ve been, it’s likely you’ll return again and again. The idea of owning your very own home here tends to come from a longing to linger. Equally, the demand for staying in a Cornish holiday home continues to grow. As more visitors descend on the county, more accommodation is required.” As George tells us, whether you buy property to create a home away from home in Cornwall or to provide just that for paying guests, it’s typically a sound investment.

“There is certainly no lack of demand for holiday homes and the many attractions that Kernow has to offer. The Cornish economy thrives on tourism, and visitor attractions large and small continue to grow across the county. With that, access to all parts of our diverse region is being improved all the time, making it ever easier to reach the lesser known and often more sought-after spots.”

Location, location, location. That’s what they say. But in reality, location is just one of three main factors that must be scrutinised to ensure the financial success of a holiday home venture. “The honeypot locations like St Ives, Bude, Newquay or Padstow attract more visitors and command higher prices, but there are obvious pros and cons to buying there. Demand for housing and investment properties will likely reflect demand from holidaymakers therefore house prices will be higher in popular holiday spots.” Just because a location isn’t teeming with tourists today doesn’t make it an unviable investment opportunity, says George. “Consider its proximity to attractions – the quality of road and public transport access – as well as ease of access to amenities, beaches and the coastal path. Something as simple as being along the Camel Trail will increase the accessibility and appeal of a property to guests, because getting out and about will be easy.” While coastal towns attract more visitors in the height of summer than more rural localities, for shoulder and low seasons rentals, rural retreats carry huge appeal, especially with walkers, ramblers, cyclists and the second largest audience of guests: dog owners. Consider whether or not you want to offer dog-friendly accommodation. Pet owners are a good source of bookings, outside of prime season – when Cornwall beaches are more likely to be open to dogs. It’s also a bit of a no-brainer for rural properties or those close to the coast path.

“Cumulatively, these factors will contribute to helping you decide which property you buy, how you decorate and furnish it, what you create as your unique selling points for marketing purposes, what you’re able to charge for it throughout the year and what occupancy rate you can expect.” Cornish Traditional Cottages offers holiday homeowners support throughout the holiday letting process. The team often attend viewings to offer a perspective on the rental potential of a property and can hold the hand of holiday homeowners as much or as little as they need. “From simply marketing and managing bookings through to full service property management and maintenance,” says George, “we bring out over 50 years of cottage holiday experience to the table. For new clients, we offer a five-year investment plan that creates a low entry point for your marketing budget, which increases slowly as your business grows.”

If you are considering holiday home ownership in Cornwall now or in the future, why not get in touch? If you’d like advice or tips on any aspect of holiday letting, call Charmian, George or Alison at Cornish Traditional Cottages or pop in to the office in Wadebridge.