Google property search: are holiday rentals next?

Recent reports speculate that Google will soon be rolling out its property search engine/portal in the UK, which could pose a serious threat to existing websites that advertise UK and overseas property. But will they add holiday homes to Google Maps?

How does Google property search work?

It is expected to be similar to the real estate service Google launched in Australia, which allows users to view real estate listings on Google Maps by selecting “Real Estate” from the “More” menu at the top right of a Google Map. Users can then refine their search using the options in the left hand panel and also view properties for rent.

Google Maps also recently added Place Pages for each listing. Clicking the “more info” link… read the rest of “Google property search: are holiday rentals next?” >>

Donate your spare weeks to charity

Christmas is time for reflecting on the past year and being thankful. Many of you are privileged to own a second home, so why not consider giving something back?

Jane Palliser runs Homes with Heart a unique organisation that helps families suffering from a life-limiting illness have a holiday.

From the website
Homes with Heart is a unique organization which lets holiday home owners donate spare weeks in their property to families who desperately need a break – young families where either a child or parent is terminally ill or has a life-limiting disease.

The onus is on healthcare professionals to refer a family whom they have known

Recap of holiday home news: 1 December 2009

It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening:

Spanish tax refund for Britons - dailymail.co.uk

If you sold a holiday home in Spain in the past 12 years (from 1997 onwards) then you could be owed on average £13,500 by the Spanish tax authority.

The European Court of Justice has opened the door to this huge tax rebate for non-residents of Spain, by ruling that the tax regime was ‘unlawful and discriminatory’. While locals paid just 15 per cent in capital gains tax (CGT) on their profits when they sold, Britons and other non-residents were charged a hefty 35 per cent… read the rest of “Recap of holiday home news: 1 December 2009” >>

How to check if a home is at risk of flooding

Following the recent floods where holiday cottages and second homes in Cumbria were flooded, we continue our flood advice posts.

According to the Environment Agency, one in six homes in England are at risk of flooding. And with climate change, the risk of homes flooding through rising sea levels, rainstorms and overflowing drains is expected to increase. Even if a property is situated away from a river or the sea, it could still be susceptible to surface water flooding.

Combined with the complexity of trying to get insurance for a holiday home in a flood risk area and the effect this will have on the property value, it is essential that you research if a… read the rest of “How to check if a home is at risk of flooding” >>

What to do if your holiday home is flooded

Following on from our last post on how to prepare for a flood and the subsequent floods in Cumbria, here is some advice on what to do during a flood and the steps to take if your holiday home is flooded. Always put your safety before property and be prepared to act quickly.

Unfortunately, floods are becoming more frequent and more severe, so be prepared.

What to do during a flood

• Listen to and act on the advice of the emergency services
• Use your flood kit and put your flood plan into practice (as discussed last week)
• Put flood protection equipment in place such as sandbags

Holiday Homes at Risk of Flooding

With the worst storms of the year currently hammering parts of the UK, forecasters are warning those with properties in the second home hot-spots of Cumbria, North Wales and Scotland to be prepared for flooding.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings – with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall on already saturated ground, there is a risk that holiday homes will be damaged by flooding.

Parts of the UK are also expected to be battered by gale force winds of up to 70mph, which is strong enough to cause damage to holiday homes by falling trees, branches and roof tiles being blown off.

Be vigilant to any signs of damage to your holiday home, alert your insurer should the worst happen and… read the rest of “Holiday Homes at Risk of Flooding” >>

Recap of holiday home news: 17 November 2009

It’s time once again for our holiday home news round up. Here’s what’s been happening:

Unoccupied holiday homes in Wales targeted by arsonists – dailypost.co.uk

Police in North Wales are investigating arson attacks on two unoccupied holiday homes which appear to be connected. Fire crews were sent to the houses in Ty Croes and a few miles away at Pencarnisiog.

Police said there was nothing to suggest that the fires were related to any Welsh extremism. Nearly 30 years ago there were a wave of arson attacks against English-owned holiday homes in North and mid Wales, in response to houses bought as second homes pushing up property prices beyond… read the rest of “Recap of holiday home news: 17 November 2009” >>