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Original poster

Affordable home marketed as "holiday home"

36 replies

pricedout · 25/07/2021 07:38

I live by the coast, deprived area in terms of jobs and opportunities. Average wages are lower than national average. I need to leave my husband, I can't afford this house on my own (without changing back to FT) and I feel no love for it anyway. I need something slightly cheaper, the only affordable house in the area is marketed by the EA as a holiday home, it really grinds my gears.

I'm thinking of putting a note through the door (I assume it's not rented) saying I'll pay the price it's on the market at but I can't use the estate agent as the marketing description has really pissed me off. Is that bonkers? There's probably clauses that they can't sell now without paying a penalty anyway isn't there?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 25/07/2021 07:41

Yes that’s bonkers.

EverythingDelegated · 25/07/2021 07:47

You can't do that, no. They will have a contract with the estate agent who will get their percentage even if they sell it directly, also why would the vendor agree to dispense with the services they've paid for? Presumably you wouldn't have known it was for sale without the work of the EA. I know it's frustrating but there isn't really a way round this.

inappropriateraspberry · 25/07/2021 08:07

There may be a clause that it can only be lived in for x weeks a year - so is a holiday home. Have you checked the full listing for details? That may be why it's cheaper. It could still be workable though, if you can live elsewhere/stay with friends/go on holiday (😆) for that time.

DDIJ · 25/07/2021 08:32

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EdithWeston · 25/07/2021 08:38

If a house is much cheaper than all others in the area of a similar size/type, you really do need to find out why.

beautifullymad · 25/07/2021 08:46

If it is truly a holiday home it has to be left vacant for so many weeks a year. Council permissions are easier to get on holiday homes as they are not classed as permanent residences.

Usually they have to be vacated January-February.

It also might be EA speak for affordable second home, but it might be a proper holiday home.

Original poster
pricedout · 25/07/2021 09:00

I will ask the EA if it has any restrictions on it, I actually hadn't thought of that as it's just an old stone terrace, looks lived in all year, full kitchen, clearly a mums bedroom and kids bedroom, it's not loads cheaper than the area it's tiny compared to what I'm in now (4 bed detached, 20 years old), and about £15k cheaper.

Without increasing back to full time or buying a flat in a rough part of town it's all I can afford. Just really annoyed that the marketing description is "calling all holiday home buyers" what about the newly single mums trying to afford a home 😭

OP posts:
Flowers500 · 25/07/2021 10:35

I think if you tried to do that (a) logistically doesn’t work and (b) they would think you’re a total nutjob nightmare buyer!! Generally not a good thing to make yourself look difficult!!

BlueSurfer · 25/07/2021 10:40

If it’s marketed as a holiday home then there will be a reason for it. The current occupier might live there all year round but shouldn’t. You need to find out why it is a holiday home and what restrictions are in place. Do you need a mortgage? That could also be an issue if it is a holiday home and can only be lived in for a certain period of time as you will need to prove you have the funds or facility to live elsewhere during that time.

You can try an informal sale but the seller is unlikely to agree as they will have to remove it from the market and wait a certain amount of time (several months) before being able to sell without incurring a penalty charge. I can’t see why they would agree to it.

ChristmasShearwater · 25/07/2021 10:41

I do understand your frustration. Lots of ridiculously expensive tiny houses are being built in our village and the estate agent's blurb says "ATTENTION INVESTORS!!!"

No, you nob ends - we don't need anymore buy-to-let owners, we need affordable housing.

Verite1 · 25/07/2021 10:46

My friend bought a holiday home and there were restrictions - couldn’t live there all year round. It was nightmare to sell because of that - she made a big loss on it.

Livingintheclouds · 25/07/2021 11:00

First @ChristmasShearwater, people always need to rent, so those investors can be providing a much needed service too. It’s not the actual investors you need to target, but the councils that give planning permission for builds outside the affordability range.
But I’m not entirely sure, without seeing a link, whether the house is just marketed as a holiday home as it is in a holiday destination (The coast), or whether it is restricted to that use. Ask the agent as pp suggests.

ChristmasShearwater · 25/07/2021 11:05

so those investors can be providing a much needed service too.

Oh please don't make out buy to letters are providing a public service. There are many people in our village paying more in rent than they would on a mortgage but they can't get on the housing ladder because Mr and Mrs Jones are looking for an investment property to fund their retirement.

ILoveShula · 25/07/2021 14:52

It's probably marketed as a holiday home to encourage people who want to let out a holiday home.

Could you name and shame the EA?

Relatives live in a non-touristy village and 25% of the housing stock is now holiday homes.

The village school is likely to be shut. There is no shop or anything there, just a pub.

The holiday makers contribute very little (other than paying to rent the homes) to the area.

BlueSurfer · 25/07/2021 14:54

I disagree that it is marketed as a holiday home to encourage buy to let. Usually it would be marketed as a normal purpose but described as “also suitable for rental, holiday homes etc”. Yo specifically say it is a holiday home means there will almost certainly be restrictions included in the purchase.

4PawsGood · 25/07/2021 14:58

You can’t try and do a private sale and dodge the EA commission for the seller as the reason you know it’s for sale is through the EA.

WoodPell · 25/07/2021 18:02

That is bonkers. Does it really matter? If someone is looking for a BTL in the area it will show up on their online searches.

ILoveShula · 25/07/2021 18:23

@Woodpell, It does matter because it may be a house that you can't occupy 365 days a year, and a buy to let is not the same as a holiday home.

You can buy a house and let it as a family home, and the occupants will do things like work locally, spend locally, send their kids to the local school , join in the community.

A holiday home is usually used by someone who drives down in a car filled with shopping, and the occupants contribute very little to the community or local economy.

WoodPell · 25/07/2021 18:26

Yes, I do know that, and someone else has already said it. OP says it looks like a standard terrace occupied year round. The OP is just having a mardy about the marketing.

Orf1abc · 25/07/2021 18:30

people always need to rent, so those investors can be providing a much needed service too.

Bless 'em, those kind investors letting houses to people out of the goodness of their hearts!

ILoveShula · 25/07/2021 18:46

Holiday homes don't provide people with a home, they either provide a second home or holiday accommodation.

Treacletoots · 25/07/2021 18:54

You've said yourself it's tiny. Thats probably the very simple reason it's been marketed as a holiday home.

If you want something bigger, go back full time
If you don't want to do that then I suggest you take a deep breath and stop getting stressed by utterly ridiculous things. God knows how you cope with something that's actually an issue.

Original poster
pricedout · 26/07/2021 11:05

Oh my god it's been changed! I sent an email asking if there were restrictions on it and that it was a shame the marketing excludes locals as it's an affordable first home in the village and the description has been changed this morning! They haven't replied to my email so I can't say if it was me that prompted it but I'm so pleased.

Old description:
"Looking for a holiday home??!! Take a look at this gorgeous character cottage ..."

This mornings description:
"Perfect first home or if you're looking for a holiday home take a look at this gorgeous character cottage..."

OP posts:
EverythingDelegated · 26/07/2021 11:10

Well done! It probably was down to your email.

Original poster
pricedout · 26/07/2021 11:11

@Treacletoots

You've said yourself it's tiny. Thats probably the very simple reason it's been marketed as a holiday home.

If you want something bigger, go back full time
If you don't want to do that then I suggest you take a deep breath and stop getting stressed by utterly ridiculous things. God knows how you cope with something that's actually an issue.

I'm not stressed thanks.

Holidays homes are a real problem for communities where they price locals out of buying homes meaning they can't live in the place they grew up. Educate yourself babe.

OP posts:
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