Turn your property into a holiday home

Homeowners are increasingly looking at the option of turning their second property into a holiday home. Those with more larger homes have also looked at offering out a part of the house, like a cottage or a few rooms as holiday accommodation. Successful holiday homes can bring in more income than having the space rented out on a contractual basis. Need the extra cash? Here's how you can turn your property into a holiday home.

Design and decor
Take a critical look at your potential holiday home. Does it make you feel like you are on holiday? The design of the home should make visitors feel like they are on the best holiday ever. Be creative - if your holiday home is near the beach, opt for a seaside theme. A safari design will do wonders if your home is in an estate with lovely gardens and friendly animals roaming freely. When choosing the furniture and utilities, go for the ones that are durable, attractive, comfortable and are able to withstand wear and tear as many people will be using them over a long period of time. Also, ensure that the features in the home are easy to maintain both inside and outside.

Lighting makes a difference
Lighting can transform just about any room. Replacing your thick curtains with lightweight blinds will allow the natural light to make the room look brighter and appear bigger. If your home has amazing views do not block them off. Instead, if finances allow for it, install more windows and glass doors so that your visitors can capture the beautiful scenery. In most cases, holidaymakers go for the pretty views, therefore this will be a great selling point to appeal to them. Furthermore, downlights are not only a modern way of lighting up your home, they also serve as a great method to save electricity and reduce your bills.

Touch of luxury
Holidaymakers will choose the holiday home that gives them great value for their money. They generally look for the spot that has elegant bathrooms, bedrooms with fancy décor and lots of space, a braai area if they are going away with friends or family, and sometimes a pool for the kids. Once they have chosen your holiday home, little luxuries like mini soaps and shampoos which they can take away will leave a lasting impression. They will return for more great experiences at your spot as well as refer others - in return reducing your advertising costs.

Nitty Gritty
Many homeowners make the mistake of overpricing their holiday homes. It is wise to conduct research within the markets and the area to establish a favourable rental price. Once you have styled your holiday home, visit at least every six months to ensure that all is in place. Utilities like the air conditioners will also need to be serviced on a regular basis, so keep aside cash for these and other repairs.

When advertising on different platforms make sure that you 'sell' the holiday home by including a detailed list of all the features it has. Eg, smart TV for streaming, swimming pool, braai area, etc. Also, include the nearby places that would appeal to tourists. Lastly, top quality photos are a must.

If you are searching for a new holiday home or you have already turned your property into one, contact Knight Frank Properties now. Our dedicated holiday letting division will assist you with getting your property on the market and attract a number of holidaymakers.