Cottages.com’s Liz Minshull offers her advice on how holiday homeowners and buyers can maximise their returns

Type of property: Cottages are always a popular choice for holidaymakers but quirkier properties also attract good interest, including converted chapels, stables or barns, and other dwellings such as pods and tree houses.

Flexibility: If you’re happy to accept short breaks and offer flexible start days, this will help attract more customers and set you apart from owners who only accept longer stays. In fact, you could see up to 30% more bookings than owners with properties that don’t accept short breaks.

Essentials: Wi-Fi is expected as standard these days, as are high levels of cleanliness. We recommend that our accommodation providers supply cleaning and sanitisation to very high standards.

Luxury sells: The more luxurious you can make your property, the better. Top-notch properties are more likely to sell out and will encourage year-round bookings. Think quality furnishings, coffee makers, hot tubs and wood burners – special touches people may not have at home. This can earn you 10% more bookings and 70% more revenue compared to non-luxury properties.

Hot tubs: It’s an investment worth making because properties with hot tubs on average achieve 40% more bookings and 85% more revenue than properties without.

Make it pet friendly: We’re a nation of animal lovers, so if you’re interested in maximising bookings consider attracting those who want to go away with their dogs. Pet-friendly properties generate 18% more revenue on average than non-pet-friendly ones.

Word travels fast: Good reviews are really important. Cottages.com uses Feefo, an in-built independent reviewing platform, which allows customers to review a property they’ve stayed in. As you’d expect, properties with good reviews get more repeat bookings. Things such as a nice welcome pack with local produce, and other thoughtful or little touches make a difference here.

Land a bargain: Don’t rule out purchasing land without a property. You might encounter a stunning plot located in a beautiful location, and this could be your golden ticket. There’s increasing demand for holidays in shepherd’s huts and pods as people look to get back to nature and explore the great outdoors.

Help the local economy: Tourism can be an important industry for the local community in the area of your property. When visitors stay in your holiday let, they’ll usually spend money visiting local shops, pubs and restaurants. Hiring local people such as cleaners to help maintain your property will also contribute towards the local economy. Not only that, but it also gives you peace of mind knowing that someone is keeping an eye on your property when you are not there.

Pick a reputable partner: Teaming up with a reputable letting agency will minimise the pressure on you to find bookings and save you time. Cottages.com can help you manage your bookings and marketing, and advise on the best pricing strategy, while also dealing with customer queries.

If you’ve got a holiday home in Cheshire or the surrounding area and would like to discover what you could earn from it with cottages.com, I’d be happy to visit at a convenient time and discuss it with you over a coffee. To get in touch, call or send me a message on 07703 607687. Alternatively, you can email me at liz.minshull@awaze.com

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