PROPERTY
Location, looks, pubs and parking… Our panel of North Norfolk holiday cottage experts share their top tips to help identify the perfect holiday cottage. By Amanda Loose
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hoosing the right property for you can be tricky, but it’s trickier still if you’ve also got to bear in mind what’s right for scores of people you’ve never met, and often not just right, but perfectly right. If you are thinking of buying a holiday home which you also plan to let out, then this is your predicament – what works for you and also for would-be tenants? What’s on the holiday wish lists of many visitors to our area? So what do the experts say? “If you want to buy a holiday home that generates you income as well as being used for your own family holidays, it needs careful thought,” says Hetti Simpson at Norfolk Hideaways: “Buying a home right on the coast will be a bigger financial investment but you will maximise your letting potential. Guests do like to be ‘right on the coast’ as their first choice. A sea view (a bit like hen’s teeth in Norfolk) can give you a fabulous advantage but it is not known as the million pound view for nothing. The villages slightly more inland, although much more peaceful in August, tend to let after the coastal properties. Having said that, once guests have experienced life away from the coast road, they usually love it.” Andrea Sowerby at Sowerbys Holiday Cottages says: “We find that the very best locations for holiday letting are in Burnham Market, Thornham, Brancaster, Brancaster Staithe, Overy Staithe and Wells. However all villages within 15 minutes’ drive of the coast are a good buy, particularly those with a good pub within walking distance.” Inland hotspots include Holt, the
Walsinghams and the Creakes says Simon Barclay at Kett Country Cottages: “For people who do not know the county the coast is the obvious place to head but there is real value to be had from being just inland.” So that’s location, what about the style of property? Andrea advises “It’s so important to have somewhere that looks attractive from the outside, ideally a quintessential Norfolk brick and flint cottage which may be new or old. The property doesn’t need a big garden, just somewhere private to sit and enjoy alfresco dining. You don’t have to have off-street parking but this will help in places like Wells.” Most people have an idea in mind of somewhere quaint, high spec, quiet and well equipped, says Simon: “I’d say the ‘must haves’ in no particular order are parking, near a pub and shop, having a shower room and bathroom if it sleeps more than four, open fire and broadband. It needs to have a bit of character and certainly some outside space.” Irene Alexander at Norfolk Country Cottages
says: “The right let could be self-funding. Lots of owners want to use the property themselves and see it as helping towards costs rather than as an investment. They may not make a huge profit annually but will (hopefully) see a return on their capital investment.” So does size matter? Irene says: “Larger, family sized properties are popular during school holidays and for special occasions, and those sleeping two or four do well on the shoulder weeks. The traditional holiday ‘season’ extends from Easter to the end of October half term but customers visit Norfolk all year round and we’ve noticed that the season is extending.” Kett Country Cottages 01328 856853 www.kettcountrycottages.co.uk Norfolk Country Cottages 01263 715779 www.norfolkcottages.co.uk Norfolk Hideaways 01485 211022 www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk Sowerbys Holiday Cottages 01328 730880 www.sowerbysholidaycottages.co.uk
The Holiday Godmother
Whether you’re visiting your second home, or renting a cottage, the final magical holiday ingredients for many of us would be someone to do some of the cooking and cleaning, mind the children, and arrange a few indulgences. Cue, The Holiday Godmother, set up by Sarah Butikofer, offers catering using local produce where possible, cleaning services and music to many parents’ ears, child care with CRB checked child minders and baby sitters.
They will also arrange special occasions, from fireworks or private boat excursions, to candle lit dinners and beach hut hire. Sarah says “Self catering holidays shouldn’t just be about a change of location, they should be about providing yourself with a private environment in which to enjoy all the benefits a hotel can offer you… at least for some of the time.” • The Holiday Godmother, 01263 838306/ 07884160853. www.holidaygodmother.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING SEPTEMBER 2012
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