Top Tips to Consider Before You Buy a Holiday Home

With the December holidays just around the corner, many people are starting to consider investing in a holiday home, and with a country as beautiful as South Africa, the options are endless.
Will it be a chic chalet in Langebaan? A beach bungalow in Wilderness? A countryside cabin in Greyton? A luxury lodge in Knysna? Or a cosy cottage in Paternoster?
As whimsical as these options sound, a holiday home is a big commitment and investment. It requires careful thought, research and planning. So, before you make that big purchase, here are a few things to consider when holiday home hunting.

Firstly, when selecting your holiday home area, consider these logistics:

This is such an important question as you need to pick an area that is going to offer you fun and relaxation for years and years to come. Check out the area and chat to the locals to find out about all the hotspots the area has to offer. Make sure there are activities the whole family can enjoy. Keep a look out for restaurants, animal parks, shopping malls, beaches, hiking routes, fishing spots, adventure sports, parks and other fun holiday activities.

Before purchasing a holiday home, you need to consider how you plan to use it. Will this be a home for long summer vacations? Or would you like to use it more regularly for sneaky weekend getaways? If your answer is the latter, then you need to consider how far you are willing to drive to reach your destination and then pick an area within that distance.

Another great tip is to check the popularity and growth price of the area. Not all areas are on the up and up, so make sure you do your homework. You don’t want to fork out a whole lot of cash for an area that is actually dropping in value. Also, look into the developmental future of the area. Are there plans to improve infrastructure and transport routes? Factors like these could either add some much needed hustle and bustle to the area, or flood it with unnecessary traffic, spoiling the tranquillity you seek.

Now that you’ve picked your ideal area, keep these aspects in mind when choosing a house:

When looking for the ideal holiday home, a big plus is a lock-up-and-go type of home. You don’t want to be worrying about maintenance and housekeeping and security and whatnot. You’re on holiday! Before buying your holiday house, be sure to pick a home that does not require a huge amount of upkeep, especially as the house may stand empty for a large portion of the year. You don’t want to spend your well-earned rest fixing the pool, tidying up the now Amazonian gardens or cleaning the clogged gutters.

When you purchase your holiday home, you need to look further than the cost of the house itself. Don’t forget to consider costs like furniture, electricity, water, rates, taxes and levies, if the property is part of an estate or apartment block. You should also consider security and the levels of crime in the particular area as you may need to take out insurance if the area is unsafe.

To answer this, you must not only consider your current needs, but also what your future needs will be. Do you need space for grandchildren? Will grandma be able to manage the stairs? Is the home dog/cat/hamster friendly? Your holiday house needs to allow for growth and fit into both your current and future lifestyles.

As with any property purchase, this question is an absolute must. Check the building and the roof to ensure its structural integrity. Also keep an eye out for any damp or potentially weak areas of the house, and any badly done finishes that need replacing. These kinds of minor damages can end up costing you an arm and a leg if you’re not vigilant.

People tend to get creative when it comes to holiday home architecture, which in all honesty, often tends to turn out a bit of a flop. So, as tempting as that origami bird shaped house is, it is no good if you’re ever planning on selling or renting out your holiday home. Think long-term.
If this list is a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. What it all ultimately comes down to is thorough area and property research (don’t make assumptions!) and careful thought into what you want to get out of your holiday home. Then all that’s left to do is have fun and make happy memories in your home away from home. Here’s wishing you the most amazing summer!