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Shropshire benefitting from UK’s staycation boom

We may not have had overseas tourists this year – but more UK visitors have visited Shropshire since the pandemic struck.

Unable to travel abroad people in Britain have searched for holidays and adventures closer to home.

Many have arrived in Shropshire for the first time and will call into the county’s Tourist Information Centres for advice on how to make the most of their visit.

The Tourist Information Centre is Oswestry is run by Oswestry and Borderland Tourism.

Lastest figures for visits to the information centres go back to May, when 300 people called in during the month. And that was before the school summer holidays.

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There was also a huge increase on numbers going online to research – 100 per cent up on May 2019 and 25 per cent up on April of this year.

Karen Pringle, from the Oswestry TIC, said: “This year had been great for accommodation providers, from hotels and B&Bs to self catering units and campsites. They all say there have been really busy.

“People have told us they like Shropshire because it is rural and relatively unpopulated – they feel safe.”

Karen said that a majority of people were visiting the Oswestry and borders area for the great outdoors.

“Lots of people come here to walk and enjoy the countryside. And we have had so many this year asking where they can paddleboard,” she said.

“Of course we point people not only to the local area but to all of Shropshire because we have so much in the county to see, from the Ironbridge Gorge to the beautiful county town of Shrewsbury, from the South Shropshire hills to our canals. It really is a very special place. And of course we have Wales on our doorstep.”

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She said September and October were expected to be just as busy for tourism.

“Once the summer holidays have ended we always have an influx of people who haven’t got children and of course retired people. They go on holiday once the children have gone back to school.”

She said she hoped that those who had visited Shropshire for the first time this year would return and make it a regular holiday destination.

“Many have said they will come back. They love the scenery and also they say they love the friendly people.

“When we live here we take it for granted.”

To make visitors to the county feel safe, more than 300 tourism and hospitality businesses in Shropshire have been awarded the official ‘We’re Good to Go’ quality standard, demonstrating they have followed all the Government’s Covid-19 guidelines to make them as safe as possible for visitors.

By Sue Austin

Source: Shropshire Star

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These are the top staycation destinations for autumn

Summer holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean trips are now off the table.

And it seems people are looking to stay a little closer to home over the coming months, as new research from Tripadvisor shows 62% of Brits are planning to travel in the UK this autumn.

Staycations have been on the rise since the pandemic began – with more and more people falling love with the beauty of the UK countryside.

However, individuals are now turning their attention to the hustle and bustle of UK cities – as busy spots around England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland dominate Tripadvisor’s list of top autumn destinations.

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Younger generations are particularly eager to book a UK staycation, as the travel site’s latest Travel Index shows that Gen Z are keen to travel in the next few months – with 36% saying they are planning three or more trips.

They also aren’t afraid to splash out on these breaks. Research shows a third of millennials (33%) and just over a third of Gen Z (37%) said they intend to spend more on their autumn trips than they did before the pandemic, in 2019.

So if you fancy a break over the coming weeks, these are the top UK staycation destinations for the season:

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales

The Welsh capital city tops the list. The mix of old and new, from Cardiff Castle to the Wales Millennium Centre, makes for a lovely city skyline.

For those who love a hike, it’s also just an hour’s drive from the famous Four Waterfalls Valley

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

From the bustling nightlife to its rich history, there’s a lot Belfast has to offer. It’s also a top choice for Game of Thrones fans – as the spot (along with other rural places in Northern Ireland) is where the hit TV show was filmed.

London, England

From top-notch restaurants and lively bars to beautiful parks and famous landmarks, there’s plenty to soak up in the capital city.

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Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

This little resort town on the Antrim Coast boasts breathtaking views. While Portrus may be known for its surfing centres and prestigious golf clubs in summer, there’s still plenty to explore in autumn.

Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales

Another Welsh city places within the top 10. Swansea has everything from a historic market town to long stretches of sandy beach – both great for crisp autumnal strolls.

Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Glasgow’s fascinating history makes it a great choice for a staycation – not to mention it’s filled with art galleries, live music venues and great pubs.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England

Newcastle is known for its buzzing nightlife scene – but it also boasts a plethora of shopping and food options. So you won’t be short on things to do.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales

This harbour resort in south-west Wales is known for its 13th-century town walls and stretches of sandy shoreline – including Castle Beach.

Dundee, Angus, Scotland

Home to the only V&A museum outside London, Dundee is great for culture vultures. It also has incredible architecture and scenic views of the north-east coast.

Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland

Another Scottish location makes it into the top 10. Ayr is a seaside resort best-known as being the birthplace of Robert Burns. Learn more in the museum dedicated to the poet or dip into more history at Culzean Castle.

By Lizzie Thomson

Source: Metro

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UK economy returns to growth in August amid staycation boom

The UK economy returned to growth amid a boom in staycation spending and Brits making the most of an easing in self-isolation rules by rushing to pubs, bars and restaurants.

The economy expanded 0.4 per cent in August, a resumption of growth after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) marked down July’s figure to minus 0.1 per cent.

The rebound was largely driven by the services industry receiving a bump from households choosing to holiday in the UK amid ongoing Covid-related travel restrictions across the world. Output at travel agents and tour operators soard 47.9 per cent over the last month.

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Food and beverages services notched a 5.9 per cent jump in output, as consumers capitalised on the last of the summer weather. Reservations over being forced to self-isolate after contraction Covid-19 receded following the easing of isolation rules.

Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “The economy picked up in August as bars, restaurants and festivals benefited from the first full month without COVID-19 restrictions in England.”

However, the UK economy is still 0.8 per cent smaller than it was before the pandemic.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Our economic recovery is continuing with more employees on payrolls than ever before and the UK forecast to have the fastest growth in the G7 this year.”

James Smith, developed markets economist at ING, said: “Activity in hospitality and recreation/culture is essentially back to pre-virus levels, which suggests that the economy weathered the Delta Covid-19 wave better than we’d feared at the time.”

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Britain’s heavy industries were hit hard by severe supply-side constraints triggered by ongoing global supply chain snarling up.

Growth was weighed down by 0.1 per cent contraction in manufacturing output, mainly driven by a 7.8 per cent fall in motor vehicles output as a result of microchip shortages clamping down on production.

Meanwhile, construction output dipped 0.2 per cent, partly reflecting “recent challenges faced by the construction industry from rising input prices and in delays to the availability of construction products,” the ONS said.

Despite the return to growth, the economy will need to grow around 2.2 per cent in September for third quarter growth to reach the Bank of England’s forecasts.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday downgraded their estimates for UK growth this year to 6.8 per cent. The UK suffered one of the worst hits to output out of all developed nations from the pandemic.

By Jack Barnett

Source: City AM

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Holiday homes are a better investment than normal buy-to-lets, say experts

Agents set to benefit as staycation demand continues and tax breaks make holiday lets ‘a nice little earner’ as an alternative buy-to-let model.

With the staycation market likely to continue, holiday homes represent a good investment opportunity, according specialist marketers Fabrik Invest.

Pandemic-related travel restrictions have been driving a staycation boom in the UK, as families turn to lodges, holiday lets, caravans and campsites to enjoy their downtime this summer.

Researcher at Mintel estimates holidaymakers’ collective spend over the summer will total £7.1bn – 22% more than during the same period in 2019, before Covid.

But what will happen once international travel opens up again? Is the staycation market really here to stay? According to the team at Fabrik Invest, it most certainly is.

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STAYCATION BOOM

“The longer-term nature of travel restrictions means a staycation boom not just for this summer but in all likelihood for next year too, and potentially the year after,” said Dale Anderson, managing director of Fabrik Invest, which works with select holiday park developments.

“Even once restrictions are lifted, we anticipate that many families will still feel reluctant to fly and so will look to take breaks in the UK instead.

“Add to that those who choose not to fly for environmental reasons and those who can’t or won’t have the Covid-19 vaccine, and so probably won’t be able to fly, and the long-term prospects of the holiday let market here in the UK look very healthy indeed.”

ANOTHER INCOME STREAM

Holiday park homes offer another potential income stream for agents, particularly with residential property in short supply.

Anderson points out that holiday chalets offer much better tax breaks to owners than conventional buy-to-let properties, and don’t usually incur stamp duty.

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He also believes that with the new trend of working from home likely to stay, at least in part, there will be increasing corporate use of holiday parks for team-building exercises.

“There’s an exciting long-term future ahead for UK holiday lets,” he added.

“The current staycation boom has served to focus attention on this type of investment and its advantages. Over the longer-term, holiday lets provide one of the highest-yielding types of property investment.”

POTENTIAL YIELDS

For investors currently looking at the holiday lets market for the first time, the Fabrik Invest team advises opting for a property that uses pre-pandemic occupancy levels in its forecasting. This should provide a realistic long-term view of potential yields.

Finding an investment that has a reputable management company in place is also important for those looking for a well-managed, hands-off investment.

The latest development being marketed by Fabrik Invest, The Hideaway by Liv Lodges, is set in the Lincolnshire countryside, on the doorstep of the spa and golf facilities at Woodhall Spa.

The luxury lodges come complete with their own outdoor space with hot-tub, while The Hideaway is also home to an on-site gym, games room, children’s play area, Xbox and PlayStation room, farm shop, café, restaurant and bar.

By Richard Reed

Source: The Negotiator

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Getting a mortgage for a short-term rental or holiday let now even easier

Holiday let mortgages may once have been tricky to come by, but more lenders are getting into the fold. Investors on the fence about short-term let investment could now have more reason to take the plunge.

The number of buy-to-let mortgage products available to those looking at holiday lets has more than doubled since August 2020. If you’re looking into funding your short-term or holiday let investment, there are now 186 different products on the shelf, compared to only 74 this time last year.

And there are also more lenders than ever to choose from, with 25 mortgage companies now offering products. Last August, there were just 14 in the arena, showing how appetite is growing for this market niche.

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Research published by Moneyfacts shows that the average fixed rate holiday let mortgage last month was at 4.14%. This is up from 3.53% in August last year, but the sector is still attracting massive interest from investors.

Still relatively niche

According to Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, we could expect to see a bigger rise in this side of the mortgage market.

“It’s positive to see a rise in holiday let product choice for landlords over the past few months, but the market is still relatively niche as there are less than 200 deals available,” comments Springall. “As the demand for staycations remains evident, it would not be too surprising to see more growth in this market in the months to come.”

Hamptons International has also reported a major rise in the number of holiday let incorporations so far this year. They saw 1,404 between January and June, the highest number since records began and an increase of 119% since 2019.

Springall adds: “Whether the appetite for staycations falls into 2022 is unknown but for the moment it’s evident landlords are taking advantage of the opportunity to earn an income through holiday lets.”

“Those who may have saved some additional disposable income during the UK lockdown, or are looking for alternative investment opportunities, may then be keen to get involved.”

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Appetite for staycations: is it just the Covid effect?

A big driver behind the rise in interest in UK holiday lets is the surge in the ‘staycation’. This trend has been going strong since 2020 as a direct result of travel restrictions due to Covid.

However, staycations are much more than just a recent fad. As the world at large has become more environmentally aware in recent years, many are opting to fly less to reduce their carbon footprint. This, too, plays a major role in the shift away from holidays abroad. As the likes of Airbnb and other short-term let options outside the traditional hotel model have also become more popular, this has opened the area up as a major investment class.

It is therefore likely that even once travel abroad picks up, more people than ever will want to stay local.

From an investment perspective, there are many benefits to short-term and holiday lets. Annual returns can far surpass traditional buy-to-let income, and the investment falls under different tax rules.

By Eleanor Harvey

Source: Buy Association

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Second homes boom continues as pandemic reshapes residential market

While the end of the stamp duty holiday will cause seasonal patterns will re-establish themselves, “demand remains high and supply stubbornly tight” suggesting a gradual process of normalisation, according to new research from Knight Frank.

However, its data shows that the second homes boom that began after the first lockdown in 2020 isn’t over and more buyers than ever have opted for the attractions of a second home, motivated by a series of lockdowns.

Consistent with reports of a booming second homes market in South West England during the year of the staycation, the number of transactions liable for the second home 3% stamp duty surcharge hit a new high of 84,700 in the second quarter of this year.

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The number will also include buy to let investors taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday but it is nevertheless the single largest quarterly figure since the Higher Rates for Additional Dwellings (HRAD) surcharge was introduced in 2016.

The second homes surcharge contributed £485m of the £2.06bn of residential stamp duty collected in Q2 2021, which was the largest slice (24%) on record. It was also the largest contribution by value since Q4 2017.

Second home purchases outside of London increased by 83% in the first eight months of 2021 compared to the five-year average, according to Knight Frank data. The rise was in the Central region was 58% over the same period, bolstered by a recent focus on the Chipping Norton region of the Cotswolds in the TV show Clarkson’s Farm.

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Meanwhile, second home purchases in the South West, which is more of a traditional target, doubled in the same period.

It is not just a UK phenomenon. According to Knight Frank’s Global Buyers Survey 2021, 33% or international buyers are more likely to buy a second home as a result of Covid-19. However, consistent across borders is the current challenge of matching supply with demand – something that will support pricing but could limit volume.

Mark Proctor, head of the South West region at Knight Frank, said: “I’m not surprised people have been much more driven to purchase. They were unable to travel overseas last year, and the lack of freedom of movement left many wanting somewhere to retreat to outside of cities.

“Being told to work from home has enabled people to realise their lifestyle ambitions via a second home, and with the equity that’s built up in the London and the South East property markets over the longer term, that five-year plan to buy a second home has come forward considerably for many buyers.”

By ROZI JONES

Source: Financial Reporter

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Holiday lets blossoming as homeowners seek new avenues for investment

A lack of financial return on savings in the bank has seen an increase in homeowners turning their attention to investing in a holiday let, according to new research.

Almost three quarters of homeowners are eager to look at ways to invest savings and increase their financial portfolio, with nearly two thirds considering a holiday let a good investment.

The research was commissioned by Original Cottages, the national holiday cottage company with the local touch for guests and homeowners.

Original Cottages have seen this growing trend in action, with a 40% increase in homeowner enquiries about holiday lets, compared with last year.

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Given the surge in staycations, it’s unsurprising to see that almost three quarters (73%) of those surveyed were more likely to consider investing in a holiday let, compared with how they would have invested their savings five years ago.

Rachel Springall said, “In such a low interest rate environment it’s understandable for consumers to seek out alternative ways to invest, but not every consumer may feel comfortable to risk their cash by investing in the stock market.

“There are lots of different investment opportunities out there compared to a simple savings account and, in most cases, savers with a flexible savings pot could be earning very little each year on their cash.

“Alternative assets can appreciate over time in value, but it is important consumers get advice before investing. Property has been an enticing investment opportunity in recent years due to rental demand and homeowners can let out their home or buy a second home to meet the demand of UK holiday makers.

“The surge in staycations has made the prospect of holiday let even more appealing and if consumers are unsure where to start, seeking some guidance to make the process simple and stress-free is wise.”

Almost two thirds (63%) of those surveyed agree a holiday let is a good investment, with over half (58%) interested in letting existing properties they own, while over a quarter (29%) of people would consider purchasing a property to convert into a holiday let.

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Whilst almost half (46%) of homeowners surveyed said a holiday let would be their ideal investment, the research also highlighted homeowners have considered alternatives ways to make the most of savings including cryptocurrencies (21%), a business (18%) and precious metals (17%).

Hannah Cooper, Regional Head of Property Recruitment for Original Cottages said, “Staycations have driven demand for holiday lets as more people than ever are holidaying closer to home, presenting a great investment opportunity.

“Whilst our research revealed there is an appetite to invest in a holiday let, well over a third (39%) are worried about not having enough time to manage the property and over a fifth (29%) are concerned by the level of admin work required.

“Whether you have a second property or are considering purchasing a property to transform into a holiday let, we make holiday lettings stress free and profitable. We also provide advice and property management by a team of local experts, helping you make the most of your investment.”

Original Cottages’ team of local experts work directly with homeowners at every stage of the process to let their property. From advice on converting a property to a holiday let to marketing that drives year-round bookings and even hiring cleaning and maintenance staff once the property is listed, the combination of scale as a national brand, along with the local management teams, ensure homeowners maximise their investment’s profitability.

Source: Ealing Times

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How to Maximise Holiday Home Income 2022

Recent figures have shown that more than 11,000 second-home owners in England have opened their properties to become holiday lets.

Second-home owners have utilised their properties to take advantage of the staycation demand and to secure additional income during the pandemic.

Emily Turner, Sales and Marketing Director and Property Expert of Perfect Stays helpfully offers her four top tips on how you can maximise your investment going into the off-season.

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1. Intelligent pricing strategy

Having a detailed understanding of your customers’ booking habits is vital if you want to maximise rental rates. Your pricing needs to be tailored for each week throughout the year to suit visitor demand in your local area. Prices also need to remain competitive to your local market while adjusting to suit seasonal trends.

To start, look at visitor data for your region and when numbers peak. Depending on your location, this may correlate with national bank holidays, school holidays or popular local events. Once you’ve built up a picture of visitor behaviour and the local market, you’ll be in a position to create a pricing structure that maximises rental rates.

2. Unique features

Investing in unique features that will make your property stand out will help to maximise revenue. Features such as a hot tubs, wood burners and games rooms help your property book well in the colder off-season months and can help raise rental rates.

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Winter can traditionally be a quieter time for holiday homes but by creating a cosy feel you can increase the appeal of your property during this period, attract more visitors and boost your annual revenue.

The key is making your home a comfy and enticing retreat for the whole family to spend time together so offering guests activities or key features that keep them occupied indoors if the weather takes the turn for the worse, will entice potential holiday-goers to book with you.

Although items like hot tubs are not an insignificant initial investment, the increased number of bookings and associated rental rates you’ll achieve will have a significant benefit in the longer term, offering you a good return on investment and ensuring your property stands out to visitors all year round.

3. Location

Location is an important factor for guests when considering which holiday home to book and what they want to get out of their stay. Accommodation is only one part of the experience so share details on what guests can enjoy doing in the local area and highlight unique amenities like sea views, beaches, great restaurant and historical sights etc. Offering guests more than just the accommodation will entice them to pay more and stay longer.

4. Pet friendly

Making your holiday home dog friendly is a sure way to boost bookings from the pandemic puppy boom. According to the latest Google data, searches for ‘dog friendly holidays’ have seen a 179 per cent percent increase in the UK since the start of the pandemic.

Cater to the demand by ensuring your property is pet safe. If possible, make sure your garden is fully enclosed and designate a suitable place the dog can sleep unsupervised overnight, such as a utility room.

With a very high percentage of UK holiday makers wanting to get away with their dog, accepting pets will expand your property’s appeal to a wider market and enable you to increase booking levels all year round. Although many owners worry about the potential damage dogs may cause to a property, issues are extremely rare and charging a small fee for each dog will cover any additional cleaning required.

Source: Property Wire

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Dorset experiencing ‘high demand’ for holidays in 2022

HIGH levels of demand for UK staycations are set to continue next year – with one delighted Dorset holiday provider experiencing a 70 per cent increase in bookings compared to pre-pandemic levels.

As a result of travel restrictions many people opted to ditch their trip abroad this summer for a holiday closer to home.

Now it seems some people who discovered a UK break for the first time, or perhaps missed out this year, are choosing to stick with one for 2022.

“This year has been one of our busiest to date and this high level of demand is being seen ahead of the 2022 season, with a 70 per cent increase in the amount of people who have already booked a staycation in 2022 against the same time in 2019,” a spokesperson for Haven Holidays said.

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“We have always had holidaymakers who return to Haven year after year and in fact 50 percent of our guests do holiday with us again, but we have also noticed that we have had a 41% increase in new guests who have replaced their holiday abroad with a UK staycation at Haven.”

The holiday provider operates three Weymouth sites – Littlesea, Weymouth Bay and Seaview – which are experiencing strong demand for next year already.

Fellow holiday park operator ParkDean, which runs the Sandford, Warmwell and West Bay sites, are also experiencing strong interest, but that is no different than usual for them.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our three holiday parks in Dorset are among our best-loved resorts in the country, and families have enjoyed a well-deserved staycation in the area this year, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.

“We’re always fully booked for the holiday season, and this year has been no different.

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“Despite the increased demand, we can only ever be at 100% capacity, so anybody wanting to stay at Sandford, Warmwell or West Bay should book early to avoid disappointment as we don’t see appetite for the staycation waning at all.”

Haven confirmed they have ‘continued to see a huge rise in people wanting to holiday in the UK,’ with that trend carrying over from the 2021 season to the following summer.

Both holiday providers said anyone who is interested in booking a holiday in Dorset next year should book early to avoid any potential disappointment.

By Sam Greasley-Machin

Source: Dorset Echo

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Homeowners keen to explore Holiday let as an alternative investment

Interest rates on cash savings accounts fell to record lows on average during 2021 and whilst some are starting to recover, it would be understandable for savers to be considering alternative ways to invest. The latest research from Original Cottages revealed that almost three quarters (71%) of homeowners were keen to explore other ways of investing away from a traditional bank savings account and two thirds (63%) considered holiday let as a good investment opportunity.

Property has been an enticing investment opportunity in recent years due to rental demand and not only has the buy-to-let arena overall bloomed, but there has also been a rise in mortgage options for those exploring holiday let. According to Moneyfacts.co.uk data, there were just 74 deals from 14 lenders available to investors in August 2020, but this has more than doubled to 186 deals from 25 lenders this month. The expansion in choice within this niche market comes at a time when demand for staycations is surging.

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UK staycations have thrived during 2021 at a time where the uncertainties surrounding international travel have been prevalent and the recent study from Original Cottages revealed 73% of respondents were more likely to consider investing their savings into a holiday let now compared to five years ago. There has been considerable growth in the holiday let market during 2021, according to Hamptons International . They recorded more holiday let incorporations in England, Scotland and Wales between January and June 2021 than the whole of 2020 and is the highest number (1,404) since records began in 2007.

Investors exploring the prospect of having a holiday let of their own may feel the prospect is daunting, so seeking the expertise of a company in tune with the ever-growing market for guidance is wise. Hannah Cooper, Regional Head of Property Recruitment for Original Cottages said, “Staycations have driven demand for holiday lets as more people than ever are holidaying closer to home, presenting a great investment opportunity. Whilst our research revealed there is an appetite to invest in a holiday let, well over a third (39%) are worried about not having enough time to manage the property and over a fifth (29%) are concerned by the level of admin work required. Whether you have a second property or are considering purchasing a property to transform into a holiday let, we help make holiday lettings stress free and profitable. We provide legal advice and property management by a team of local experts, helping you make the most of your investment.”

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Alternative investments

Consumers looking for alternative investments can find various options out there, which could appreciate more than a cash savings account. As the value for assets can go down as well as up, it is important consumers seek advice before they invest. The below list is a selection of alternative investment options we have drawn together that consumers may be keen to explore: 

  • Investing in real estate via Buy-to-let may be a good alternative for those either looking to start out with one property – or those looking to build a portfolio. Some borrowers may even wish to consider setting up a limited company and whilst rental income may seem enticing, seeking advice into the tax impact and how to arrange an overseer of the tenant is wise.
  • Holiday-let works similarly to a buy-to-let mortgage, except there are additional criteria for these loans which allow borrowers to let out the property to holiday makers. As there has been a rise in UK vacations due to the pandemic, it’s understandable to see the potential to invest in a holiday home. Undertaking thorough research into popular locations, weighing up tax benefits, reading up on rules regarding residency periods and other potential expenses outside of utility bills can feel daunting, so seeking advice before entering an arrangement is wise.
  • Commodities can be an attractive alternative investment as part of a balanced portfolio and consumers could invest in gold. It is possible to buy physical gold through the Royal Mint or invest in gold stocks through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Past performance value should not be presumed as an indication of the future but during times of stock market turmoil, gold can go down as well as up in value.
  • There are other ways to invest in a physical item away from real estate or gold bars, such as in antiques, art, wine, whisky, stamps, or coins which have been worthwhile considerations over the years, as alternatives to grow in value. However, seeking out an expert before purchasing would be wise, not just at the point of selling off these assets. Someone may have an interest in each area but it’s important they choose wisely if considering the item as an investment to appreciate over time.
  • Crowdfunding may be an interesting investment alternative to those looking to support start-up businesses. Some may be keen to invest considering how the pandemic impacted those looking to get their business off the ground and even those who struggled through lockdown. There are various websites listing opportunities, but its important consumers read up on the terms of their investment, the risks involved, and what they might receive for doing so.
  • During a low interest rate environment, savers may wish to consider stocks and shares as an alternative, but they must be mindful that fund values can fall as well as rise. Seeking independent advice could be a good move to ensure they pick the most appropriate funds for their attitude to risk and ideals. Climate change remains a key issue in the media and consumers may be considering sustainable investments. Ethical funds have surpassed non-ethical over the past couple of years and this may not just entice those keen to invest more responsibly but also those chasing good returns.
  • Cryptocurrency has been a notable investment trend in the media, but it can be volatile and is not regulated. Buying and selling at the right time is crucial, and if consumers are interested in investing, they would be wise to monitor the fluctuations online, as they would need to with any type of investment where the value can go up as well as down. 

By Rachel Springall

Source: Moneyfacts