| For those who think buying a holiday home, to rent, is | | | | hard work. Managing a holiday home involves home |
| an easy way to make a profit on your investment you | | | | repairs, passing keys to holidaymakers, changing linen |
| should be aware that it isnt as easy as it sounds. To | | | | when the holidaymaker departs, garden up-keep, plus |
| start with, there are over 500,000 holiday home | | | | dealing with emergencies such as visitors locked out. |
| owners in the UK - and most of them rent out their | | | | Bear in mind that most property management |
| property. You can expect high out goings, | | | | companies charge commission for getting |
| management commission and fees, insurance bills, and | | | | holidaymakers to book your home, instead take the |
| the usual household bills. | | | | responsibility of promoting your holiday home on |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | yourself. |
| Since 1995 SEO/SEM tools, training, and professional | | | | Property features |
| "full service" Search Engine Marketing help at very | | | | Keep the property up to date. DVDs and CD players |
| affordable rates. | | | | are no longer luxuries. Competitiveness is a big issue |
| For anyone considering buying a holiday home, to rent, | | | | for owners nowadays.. no matter where your holiday |
| these six pieces of advice will be invaluable. | | | | home is located, be it Portugal or Cyprus, you have to |
| Location | | | | offer something a little unique from other owners, |
| Choosing a good location is vital,not only because you | | | | perhaps discounted tours, free car hire. These extras |
| want a location which is popular with holidaymakers, | | | | may cost you in the short term, but over the year it |
| but also one which is not overly competitive. | | | | may raise the percentage of bookings that your bring |
| Destinations like Florida and Spain have, over the | | | | in. |
| years, become highly competitive with thousands of | | | | Insurance & Fire certificates |
| holiday villas available for rent. It is important that you | | | | More importantly, fire regulations mean that |
| look for facilities close to the home - restaurants, bars | | | | extinguishers and flame-resistant furniture are a must. |
| or shops, particularly since holidaymakers will be | | | | Contact local town halls to research if you need any |
| catering for themselves. | | | | fire certification or complete any legal procedures, |
| Type of accommodation | | | | before renting out your holiday home. You must get |
| Think about your target customers. If you are targeting | | | | the right insurance cover and property management |
| families, then buy a two or three bedroom holiday villa, | | | | companies often insist on public liability insurance of 1m |
| near popular family attractions. If it is couples or small | | | | plus, costing between 200 and 500 a year. |
| groups you are hoping to attract then look at buying a | | | | Finances |
| two bedroom apartment near shops, bars and | | | | Dont listen to anyone who says they can guarantee |
| restaurants, beaches, and golf courses. For smaller | | | | you 52 weeks of bookings for your holiday home. |
| groups, or groups of adults space will be less of an | | | | Before you buy a holiday home you must look at how |
| issue. | | | | many weeks bookings you require to make ends |
| Buying a one bedroom apartment will restrict you to | | | | meet. This is especially important if you want to make |
| couples, or two adults only. Huge five bedroom houses | | | | a profit from your initial investment. Keep your |
| may sound good, but for short haul destinations like | | | | accounts and finances in order. Much of your costs will |
| Spain, a three bedroom holiday home will suit most | | | | be spent on management fees, holiday home |
| holidaymakers, and large houses may put people off | | | | insurance, property repairs, decoration and essential |
| renting your home. | | | | travel to and from the house - some of these can be |
| Property Management | | | | set against tax and offset against non-property tax |
| Employ a management company or be prepared for | | | | bills. |