HOLIDAY BY THE SEA
You don’t have to permanently up
sticks and move to the water if you
just fancy a break. Unique Home Stays
offers a variety of self-catering properties
such as beach huts, cosy cottages, clifftop
hideaways and lake cabins. If you want to
incorporate plenty of walking, check out
Lakelovers for cottages in the Lake District.
English Heritage also has an unusual array
of cottages and holidays with history. It may
be that you are looking to sell up and move,
so this can be a great way of trying an area
to see if you like it. Check out the local
amenities and activities on offer to make
the most of your stay.2
DO UP A HOUSEBOAT
There are many different types of
boat that are suitable for living on,
from narrow boats and Dutch barges to
river cruisers and houseboats, which are
permanently moored on floating barges or
specially created platforms. Buying a second-
hand houseboat not only saves money but
also gives you the chance to design the
interior exactly how you want. Boats don’t
come with title deeds like houses so you’ll
need to verify who owns it. You can find
boats for sale in the classified ads of trade
magazines as well as boat brokers and boat
yards. A good broker will have all the info
you need on its previous use, maintenance
history and surveys but always have your own
independent survey and insist on seeing a
recent BSS (Boat Safety Scheme) certificate.3
INVEST IN A
PROPERTY ABROAD
If you want the sun as well as the sea,
consider buying a holiday home overseas.
The general advice from the government is
to start by researching and following local
laws on buying and renting out property. Use
an independent translator or interpreter and
always seek independent legal advice. Get
written confirmation of what has been agreed
in any negotiations and insist on paper receipts
for any money spent. Make sure the seller or
developer owns the title deeds and can transfer
them to you and that the deeds have not been
offered as collateral for any loans. Check if the
owner has any outstanding bills or local tax
demands that you could be liable for once you
own the property and make sure all utilities are
connected. It’s also a good idea to talk to other
homeowners in the area to learn of any issues.4
TURNOVER fOR mOREADVIcEA secluded self-catering
Cornish beach hut in
Millook, The Beach
Hut was originally
built in the 1920s
as a tearoom, http://www.
uniquehomestays.comPier at La Marina de
Sotogrande in Cadiz is a
development with stunning
views, shared pool and
garden. Prices from £477,600,
http://www.taylorwimpeyspain.comWilliam Garvey Furniture Makers are
experts in creating super yacht interiors,
http://www.williamgarvey.co.ukInfinity Riverside is a
development of two-,
three- and four-bed
homes by the River Tees
in Stockton-on-Tees,
http://www.infinityriverside.
co.ukIn association with Peter Mikic & Design UnlimitedsImage Mark Watts PhotographyPhotoDavid Lindsay