The timing of your holiday home sale can be influenced by two factors:

• Bookings
• Demand

Considering bookings and guests due to arrive in the property, there are a few options when planning a sale:

• Stop taking bookings altogether when the property is put on the market. This will provide uninterrupted access to the property for viewings as there are no guest stays, and no issues around honouring future bookings which can be made over a year in advance. The downside of this option is that if the property remains unsold for a longer than average period, potential rental income will be lost.
• Sell the property as an ongoing concern. Selling the property with future bookings may be an attractive option as a prospective buyer will see guaranteed future income on their investment.
• Make the property available for lets up to three months in the future, on a rolling basis, will provide an ongoing income for you, whilst avoiding the potential problems of cancelling future bookings upon a sale. As soon as a buyer is found, the 3 months required for the sale to go through, can be used to generate income for yourself, up until exchange and completion.

Considering demand, there are two key periods in the year which you want to consider. Spring is a popular time to buy, as investors are keen to have a property ready and fully let for the summer when the majority of rental income can be achieved.

The other time of year is Summer and early Autumn, with the summer income already achieved, benefitting from the effect of  visitors to the area (if it is a popular tourist destination). Holidaymakers may well be attracted to the area having holidayed there in the Summer and be considering a second home which would be let out.