Cyprus house with live in help, opinions please.

[Michellew83]

Hi All

I’m current living alone in Paphos in Cyprus, I have a modern 2 bedroom Townhouse in a quiet area about 10 minutes drive to the main town and 15 minutes from the beaches. There is a communal pool on site that is shared between 9 other houses.

A friend of a friend of mine who has a 7 year old and from the UK contacted me recently to say she and her husband have recently split up, she could really do with a holiday but was worried about coping alone for a whole week without support, she also really fancied some company and to actually have a break herself.

I have offered to host her at my place, I with accommodate her, pick her up from the airport and take her back when required, I said I can help with her childcare so she can actually enjoy a rest too, I have offered to take them to the waterpark, show them around, take them to the beach, take them out to some tried and tested restaurants etc. I will do the housework and some cooking and assist in anyway that I can including being another adult to talk to.

The reason I’m telling you all this, is that it got me thinking, how many other single parents are there out there that would appreciate and like a holiday with assistance? I’m 36, I was trained at college in childcare and work with babies up to toddlers for many years before moving career in to a primary school. I brought up my stepchildren from the ages of 4 and 7 to adulthood, and now live half the year in Cyprus alone. I am first aid trained and CRB checked.

Initially I’m looking for feedback about the concept and if anyone is interested please let me know. Any feedback positive, negative or constructive would be appreciated.

Thanks

Michelle

Are you charging enough to make it worth that personalised time and effort?

Cost ?

I'm not a single mother but I think it's a fab idea.

Sounds amazing, but yes make sure that it works out financially for you. Also how would you find clients? Word of mouth? Otherwise how do you get references for a stranger that you will be living with for two weeks?

Also issues of insurance, you might need to speak to a local lawyer to understand your liability.

For me its not really about the money, yes I need to get by, but my Husband works and all I'm looking to cover my own Cyprus Expenses, I've looked at how much rentals are alone are of a similar size, they go for £400-500 per week, I thought that I would include transfers (normally 45 euros each way in a taxi) to and from the airport, up to 200 miles per week of ferrying around in my car. and say up to 50 hours of help in the week. If a charge £1200 including the accommodation per week would that put people off?

I would be happy for couples who would like a holiday with help too!

So they'd be staying in your 2 bed house with you AND your husband? How many bathrooms?

@LizzieMacQueen My husband is in the UK, he wouldn't be there, he works long hours and is happy for me to spend my time in Cyprus (I have lots of good friends here), he visits me for long weekends etc, but wouldn't be there if I had people staying. It has one large bathroom with shower and a downstairs cloakroom.
I put it up for long term rent with an agent, but I love it here and if I could get 6 or 7 weeks of bookings I would take it off the market and try this instead. www.thepropertyshoppaphos.com/listing/longrent/tremithousa-2-bedroom-townhouse-rtl258/

I don't think your house is (a) large enough for another family and you living together who you don't know (b) safe enough - you have an unfenced pool, glass table and a low level cooker.

You'd be better off just offering your services as a holiday nanny to people staying in villas in the local area.

I think it’s a fab idea once all the red tape is sorted out .

I think it’s too much money for the average single parent looking for a break.

Also, If I were a single parent, even comfortably off, I would prefer to spend my holiday with my child, in a small apartment.

I think your idea works for your friend, because she is just that.

It would be a very niche market but I suspect there's one out there.

My concern is if you find a 1 parent and 1 child family who can afford what essentially will become 2-2.5k for a 1 bed holiday with shared facilities and shared pool they'll be doing it for the meals and childcare and therefore will be demanding.

I can pay 1.2k for a week HB inc flights, transfers and airport parking for ds and I. And that's without having to rely on someone else for lifts and having a free choice over food as it's a buffet.

Your house is beautiful btw.

But I wouldn't feel relaxed in such a beautiful home with a young child and wouldn't relax as a guest in someone else's home.

I'm not sure if your current property is quite large enough. But I think there is some merit in the idea. I wanted to take my kids abroad alone - I have 3 but when they were younger I worried about the airport, what would happen if something went wrong etc could you pair up with a local self catering apartment and offer a service which might include collecting from the airport, tour guide, helping to buy food, a few trips, maybe a load of laundry (or two), accompanying the family to dinner if they choose. I would think your business would come from word of mouth once you've done a few families.

I think users idea has merit!

A few years ago we met up with a family while on holiday (owned own villa and had own car etc). That certainly was great to do a few days here and there, advice and a friend for ds.
We are travelling back there this summer (not specifically to meet them) and our dates overlap a little so we are having a day all together at water park.

I'm in your target market and price range and would find the whole idea of "needing support" very patronising.

Also, the last thing I would want to do on holiday is make small talk with a stranger as they assumed as a single parent I don't have any adults to talk to!

I don't want to do cooking or cleaning, but enjoy spending time with my son on holiday, so we go to a hotel and eat out at restaurants.

I would put the house on air bnb for the option of room in your house and specifically sell it as an option for those wanting company/to be hosted .... or not.

I personally would prefer to use a hotel but others may appreciate the more personal touch.

Thanks all for your feedback, its all very useful.

Just put it on Air B&B and see how it goes. Put a zip n link bed in there so it can be a double or twin.

I know Cyprus well and personally think that is a lot of money when you look at the all inclusive hotels in Paphos with included child care and kids activities. You'd need to reduce your price to well below what the hotels charge.