This section seeks to identify some of the considerations when choosing what to buy. The choice may well be influenced by the supply in your preferred area, especially when searching for a holiday or second home in a remote area.

Having established your goals for how you will be using the property, these may influence the type of property you purchase:

• Cottage or house.
• Apartment.
• Lodge on a holiday park site.
• Something different, such as a windmill or house boat.

All have their merits and disadvantages, such as running costs and maintenance. Other factors to be considered are the number of bedrooms in the property and how many you need. Is there off-street parking and is there parking in the area? How important is a view and how that might affect the asking price? What condition is the property in? Modern versus old? And are there any covenants on the property restricting use? Who are the neighbours and what is in the neighbourhood?

In many cases, a degree of flexibility or compromise may be required between the property and the location to find the ideal holiday home. Either way the search should be an enjoyable journey and not the typically perceived stressful experience of a property purchase.

This section will delve into some of the factors listed above in more detail and provide some guidance (and inspiration) to finding your perfect holiday home.