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Picking a property that will let well An isolated property will seem romantic but will you need easy access to medical care? No neighbours seems heavenly but will you need a friendly neighbour to do key holding and cleaning when you come to let. All along the coast you should be able to guarantee 8-10 weeks, anything above that is a bonus. Waterfront or walking distance of waterfront are strong selling points and typically attractive are 2 bedroomed apartments with sea views. If a little inland consider building a swimming pool as the British market are particularly conditioned to seek villas with pools, and as they are in the minority it can add a premium to your price. British holidaymakers are becoming far choosier about the quality of accommodation. Top of the list is closeness to the sea or a swimming pool. Next is closeness to shops and a bar and restaurant. Third most requested feature is well-equipped kitchens. The key is to write a good description of the accommodation and tell the truth if the sea view requires a ladder and a mirror you will get negative feedback and no return bookings. The warmer climate south of Split keeps the bookings high and the climate is compensated for in the north by the accessibility to Trieste airport and cheap flights. Advantages of the north of the country Remember that your market is not just British; people come from as far afield as Scandinavia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Austria, as well as Italians, all of whom drive down. The European motorway system is accessible to Istria, whereas driving down to Split will be possible by 2005, with Dubrovnik some years after that. The proximity to Ryanair and Easyjet destinations like Trieste and Ljubljana is much cheaper for getting in to Istria. With regard to getting from UK to Istria, don't forget Venice Marco Polo as it is served by up to 20 flights a day from the UK and the high speed catamarans depart at 1700 (approx) for at least two destinations in Istria each day. Advantages of the south of the country In the summer season many cheap charters fly into Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, and year round B.A. fly into Dubrovnik and Split. The islands are very attractive in summer and will generate a lot of interest, but guests may experience accessibility problems in winter, when the ferry is reduced. According to the London Croatian Tourist office the majority of first enquiries are for Dubrovnik and Dalmatia. Anecdotally the theory goes that the Brits have always favoured the south with main land Europeans gravitating to the north. Winter Lets Close proximity to culture and happening cities such as Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb are crucial for a year round letting potential. See if your house is close to festivals and events out of season. Close proximity to marinas, (advertise in the yacht magazines) means you can pick up winter bookings when yachties come down to do winter maintenance on their boats and do not want to sleep on them in the cold. You should consider including heating, as that is the one investment that extends the window from 8-10 weeks letting to potentially year round. If purchasing air-conditioning, ensure it can heat as well as chill, saving buying additional heating appliances. Pricing You will need to price competitively mainly due to overseas owners not being able to compete with the local owners who have little or no repayments to worry about and have very low overheads. Just stay realistic about any potential income and make sure you have a sound business plan and cash flow forecast and understand the tax implications of letting. Ensure you insure your property Click here for more information Further information is available in "How to Buy Property in Croatia". Booking Conditions | What the Press say | Special Offers | Rentals of the Week
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