Buy a holiday home for happiness!

In research reviewed by two holiday parks in Cornwall, it seems that buying a managed holiday home, in an appropriate and sustainable environment could be the key to long lasting happiness.

Such holiday home ownership, it turns out, meets many of the top criteria for happiness. For example:


Money money money…

Owning a holiday home does not require vast sums of money. Surveys show that money doesn’t buy happiness, because once a certain amount of money is reached (enough to keep a person comfortable, in the style they are used to, and bills paid) then more money is not going to increase happiness. The exceptions to this is giving money away (and letting friends and family use your holiday home for free, is sure to give them – and you – a nice warm feeling.)

Amazingly, big windfalls and lottery wins DON’T bring you long-term happiness. However, the steady trickle of an income from a holiday home can certainly put a smile on your face. And having a managed holiday home, can achieve that smile without the stress.


Yes, you CAN bring Rover

Pets are a great source of happiness. Not only do they give you unconditional love, they are therapeutic to cuddle and healthy to walk. Even more reason to take them on holiday with you. And therein can lie the problem – to you he’s a cuddly pooch, but to many accommodation providers he’s just a hairy hound that’s going to mean more cleaning work. Fortunately in a holiday home of your own, YOU make the rules, so don’t stress about him pining in kennels…. Just bring him along for a holiday too.


Improve relationships

As well as bonding with your pet, your holiday home can actually improve your relationships with your friends and family too, thereby increasing one of the most important features of long-lasting happiness – supporting social relationships. The key here is in the word “supporting”. We all know that some relationships can be downright draining. So choose your friends wisely and bring the best ones with you – perhaps they could buy or rent the holiday home next door?


More weekends to your week

It’s not rocket science to know that the weekend is good for us…. Free time, time to be with friends and family, less stress, more sleep, etc: according to research these all put us in a better mood. So enjoy a long weekend (or even get away for a few days mid-week) because with a holiday home you aren’t restricted to times of arrival and departure, so you can get away for longer and more often.


Take control

And on that point – feeling in control makes you happier AND healthier! So what can be more “in control” than having your own key to your own door to your personal retreat or bolt-hole? Arrive when you like, wear what you want, get up, eat, walk and go out, as YOU want to. And when you relax, you’ll be in your own chosen surroundings, enjoying YOUR choice of décor, accessories and appliances.


It’s about what you do not what you own

According to research, a major part of happiness comes from focusing on experiences, not stuff. So what can be better than creating shared experiences with loved ones, on holidays and weekends to remember. Inviting people to share your holiday home with you can be memorable, bonding and experience-sharing, as you all get involved in cooking breakfast, firing up the BBQ or deciding whether it’s a pool or beach day – or both!


… but on the flip side

Unfortunately, despite this glowing research, there are downsides to holiday home ownership. One such issue is the sustainability of our towns and villages. In some picturesque regions, whole villages are being turned into miniature “ghost-towns” out of season. According to an article in the Telegraph in 2008, “The City of London tops the list of second home centres, with more than a quarter of all residences not permanently occupied but second on the list are the Isles of Scilly, where just over 18 per cent of houses are second homes.

It continues: “The South West is the holiday home capital of England. Five locations in the top ten are in the South West.”
Another report points to Constantine Bay in Cornwall where average prices are 131% higher than the local average. The same report, found on Holiday Community.com, states that “In three other locations, Rock and Trebetherick, both in Cornwall, and Bamburgh in Northumberland, all have second home price uplifts of between 90% and 100%, the research shows.”
Josh Donald, Director of Seaview International, near Mevagissy in Cornwall said: “The impact of buying a traditional dwelling as a second home, can inflate prices for local residents, and has a damaging effect on the community with shops and businesses closing down.

“This is why at Juliots Well and at Seaview International we have worked closely with local planners to ensure our parks are sustainable, and actively reverse current trends by only selling in the second-home market, and encouraging year-round visitors”.

“Although we offer 52-weeks-a-year holiday accommodation, nobody is allowed to live here permanently, so our market is very clear. We offer an excellent option for buying a second home, so we can take the strain off the marketplace, which should help make home ownership for local people affordable again.”

And there are even more benefits to the local community from holiday home ownership: Josh continues: “As well as helping local communities stick together, we, and holiday parks like us, can bring real benefits to the local economy with increased employment and year-round tourist spending in local facilities, pubs and shops.

“By encouraging and managing lettings for our owners, it provides them with an income, and adds greatly to the economy of the region all year round”

Completing the research with real-life case-studies, it is even easier to see how “happiness really is a holiday home”…


... Case Studies

Mr & Mrs Brookes purchased two holiday lodges at Juliots Well Holiday Park in 2011. They were originally going to buy a traditional house to let out as a business. However when they looked into the obligations, work and sustainability, they decided to buy purpose-built lodges in a managed holiday park.

Mrs Brookes said: “We are so happy we chose this route. Buying on a holiday park is a stress-free way of running our own business, and we love to see other people enjoying their holidays in our lodges.

“The way we’ve bought these lodges means we can fulfil our dream of owning holiday properties, at the same time we have peace of mind knowing the lodges are being looked after properly. Of course it makes us happy to receive the rental income, but we are even happier that we can enjoy holidays here ourselves too”.

Mrs Robbins purchased a caravan at Seaview International. “I love the freedom of being able to escape here whenever I want to. I feel totally pampered and relaxed here, as the park management are so attentive and really look after everyone."
Mrs Robbins’ main reason for purchasing the caravan was to have the flexibility to 'get away' to a beautiful location whenever she wants to, knowing that Seaview International are looking after the caravan while she is not there. “It’s worked out so well. I can arrive whenever I want to, and just kick back and look at the sea. It’s great stress-relief, and even thinking about it when I’m at home brings a smile to my face… so it makes me happy even when I’m not physically there”.

Mr & Mrs Finney, Mr & Mrs Finney, said that they bought their lodge at Seaview as a an escape - a bolt-hole to get away from the rat-race… “We live in Birmingham, but we adore this area of Cornwall”, said Mrs Finney. “My husband holidayed here as a boy, and it takes him back to all his childhood memories.

“For me, it’s the peace and quiet, reconnecting with ourselves and simply enjoying our time off”.

Like most holiday home owners, the Finneys didn’t set out to make an income. “For us it’s a means to enjoy this beautiful place with no worries because the park is fully managed and all our costs are covered from rental earlier in the year.

“We just love being here, and we love to hear from friends and family who come and enjoy the place too”.

Mr & Mrs Chapman of Bristol, had always wanted to live next to the sea, and their luxurious lodge at Seaview, offers jaw-dropping views across the sea to the Roseland Peninsula.

“We love being spontaneous and driving down here at a moment’s notice”, said Mrs Chapman. “We also own a house in Spain, but it’s simply too far to go without weeks of planning. So this is perfect for us. No waiting for planes or ferries, just pack and go”.

When it comes to more practical matters, Mrs Chapman said she loves the super-kingsize bed in her lodge (the Chapmans bought their lodge fully-furnished) and she was “so delighted to find that the bi-fold doors to the decking open up completely – it opens up one entire wall of the house, onto simply stunning views”.

Mr Chapman who is an accountant, said he is certainly happy that he will be making money from the rental income, but even more happy to enjoy the property for themselves and their friends and family “It’s surprised me, because I thought I’d be doing it more for the money… but actually it’s proving to be a great lifestyle choice, and I wish I’d done it before.”


Editors’ notes

Written and issued by Sue Haswell, Big Results, www.bigresults.co.uk
Direct line: 01626 864458
Mobile: 07772 333001
Email: sue.h@bigresults.co.uk

For more information: Seaview International and Juliots Well.
www.seaviewinternational.com
www.juliotswell.com


About Seaview International:

Mevagissey, South Cornwall. (Near St Austell)

Seaview International is an award-winning, 5-star holiday park, offering exceptional quality facilities for camping, touring and lodges.

Set in over 30 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, offering an excellent choice of amenities including outdoor pool and sun-terrace, children’s play areas, café with free wifi, free tennis, badminton, volleyball and football, free pitch n putt golf, dog exercise area, convenience shop and off-licence. All framed by a panoramic view of the sea, and just a few minutes walk down a country lane, to two of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Cornwall.

More information: www.seaviewinternational.com


About Juliots Well

Camelford, North Cornwall (Near Tintagel)

Close to Tintagel, Boscastle and Port Isaac, Juliots Well is both immersed and surrounded by history and legends. The holiday park itself is home to a historic well that is still famed for its holy water and medieval pilgrimages.

This unique setting, combining beautiful woodlands, with rolling moors and just minutes away from the spectacular coastline of North Cornwall, makes a perfect get-away, with a selection of accommodation from deluxe lodges and stone-built cottages to static caravans. For touring, exceptionally high standard services are available including luxury bath and shower block.

The site also boasts a well-stocked fly and float fishing lake, outdoor heated swimming pool, bar with large-screen TV, restaurant with heated patio, games room, launderette and a varied entertainments programme.

More information: www.juliotswell.com


Sustainability and Holiday Parks

With the current economy, it has never been more important to protect the tiny villages and economically-vulnerable communities in Cornwall. These villages and hamlets survive on local customers when it is out of season, and the high season “tourist pound” is a real boost to their business.

However, things can go terribly wrong, when properties are bought as second homes. The year-round custom that small businesses rely on, can disappear as many holiday properties are only occupied in high season. (Because it can be difficult to arrange property management for single properties, often 2nd homes are only let out in summer where the rental rates are high enough to cover costs).

As well as decimating local business, the 2nd home market can mean property prices are inflated so much that local people can no longer afford to buy in their family’s village. Meaning they have to move out of the area, or not move at all.

And as villages and towns start to lose their already fragile businesses and shops, they become less attractive to tourists and unsustainable for older people who rely on local amenities. Completing the cycle of decline.

This is why buying a home in a properly managed, sustainable holiday park is a highly attractive alternative to buying a 2nd home in a vulnerable area. With 52-week managed lettings, the local economy is supported with a vibrant year-round trade that leaves only a positive impact.


Buying in a holiday park

Juliots Well and Seaview International Lodges are available to purchase from £49,995 offering 52 week a year holiday occupancy, and a range of packages for holiday lettings, bookings and management are available. Caravan Holiday Homes start from just £9,995 and offer the same sub-letting benefits as Holiday Lodges.


Research sources:

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/04/10/5-reliable-findings-from-happiness-research/

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/02/08/money-happiness-but-theres-a-catch/

http://stress.about.com/b/2011/03/01/positive-emotions-can-lead-to-a-better-and-more-satisfying-life.htm

http://stress.about.com/b/2008/05/01/the-link-between-gratitude-and-happiness.htm

http://stress.about.com/od/relationships/a/friendskills.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/3373223/Second-home-owners-drive-locals-from-seaside-towns.html

http://www.propertycommunity.com/property-in-the-uk/549-second-home-ownership-pushes-prices-uk.html