Thinking of investing?

Janine Woods, Property Manager at leading holiday letting agency, Cornish Cottage Holidays, gives some advice for anyone considering starting their holiday letting journey. 

For many, holiday home ownership is a dream – owning your own slice of Cornish terra-firma, where you can base yourself for family holidays or romantic getaways and enjoy all Cornwall has to offer. But buying a holiday home in a beautiful position on Cornwall’s rugged coastline, or nestled in its rolling countryside, needn’t be merely a fantasy. It is, according to Janine, very achievable, especially if you’re willing to treat your property as an investment, rather than just your own bolthole. 

“Particularly in the current climate where demand for self-catering accommodation in the region is at a record high,” explains Janine, “you can rest assured that your property, when correctly marketed, will provide you with great returns. It can be self-funding too, whilst also providing you with your own sanctuary from which to explore and enjoy holidays.

“At Cornish Cottage Holidays, we have enjoyed record-breaking customer demand and unprecedented levels of bookings in recent years, and with promising advance bookings for the peak 2022 season, we are expecting this year to be just as successful. Indeed, the staycation trend looks set to last for the time being, so why not take advantage of this continued up-turn?”

Interested? If so, here are some of Janine’s key considerations when looking to invest in a holiday home.

Choose the right property

It may seem obvious but your holiday home has to be somewhere you love to holiday. If you love it, the chances are other people will too! Don’t feel confined to a specific shape or size of property – whether it be a large countryside farmhouse, or a luxury waterside apartment with river views, Cornwall sees demand for all types! However, says Janine: “Be mindful of the most popular features holiday makers look for, and try to choose a property with at least some of them. For instance, a garden, off-road parking, an open fire, good Wi-Fi capabilities, and properties with a view are all highly sought after.”

Think about the costs

“Letting costs can vary quite significantly, depending on the level of service you require, plus the property size,” explains Janine. “Things to consider include linen and laundering, cleaning and caretaking, maintenance, property running costs, business rates and council tax, plus agency fees and commission.”

How to ensure bookings

To maximise your income and allow your home to reach its full letting potential, Janine explains that there are a number of things you can do: “Accepting dogs opens your property up to a larger clientele. In one in three holidays in the UK, people bring a dog – meaning that if you can offer high standard pet friendly accommodation, you will reap the rewards.

Short breaks are increasingly popular too and can maximise your income, as selling two in a week will generate more than 100% of the weekly price.”

How hands on will you need to be?

“A good agency should help you at every stage of preparing and letting your holiday property, to make the process as hassle-free as possible,” says Janine. “Cornish Cottage Holidays can offer help with both the day-to-day running of your holiday home, and with maintaining or increasing your property standards.”

As part of the Sykes Cottages family, Cornish Cottage Holidays brings owners the resources of a national company, coupled with support from an
award-winning, experienced, locally based team. 

To find out more and to start your ownership journey, contact the New Property Team for no obligation advice, whatever stage you’re at.

Cornish Cottage Holidays

www.cornishcottageholidays.co.uk