Park holiday homes open door to downsizing

Empty-nesters wanting to downsize and buy a dream holiday home, but who are grounded by the stagnant property market, are now being offered an instant get-out plan.

It comes from major leisure group Park Holidays UK which can help couples part-exchange their house for a holiday lodge or caravan - with a guaranteed sum left to fund a new smaller home.

The scheme, believes the group, will help spell an end to the frustration felt by many who have had to put their downsizing dreams on hold in the current slow-moving marketplace.

Now such property owners can choose a holiday home from one of Park Holiday UK's 23 parks in Southern England with the certainty that their existing house will find a buyer.

The purchaser will be one of the UK's largest house buying companies which will use valuations from local estate agents to establish a price which they will guarantee to pay.

The homeowners can then set about finding a new smaller permanent house in addition to their holiday home, sure in the knowledge that the sale is secure and will not fall through.

"Many couples tell us that they have found an ideal holiday home on one of our parks, but can't proceed until their property sells," said Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish.

"Often their stories involve long frustrating months of unsuccessful marketing, even after the house has been reduced in price at least once.

"This scheme entirely removes estate agents from the frame, and does away with the need to show people around your home as well as the hassle of negotiating on lower offers.

"Instead, a price is agreed and the completion date set for whatever suits the sellers best. They then take possession of two perfect properties in exchange for one major headache!" said Mr Clish.

The price achieved for the home, he said, was typically around 90% of estate agents' estimates.

However, added Mr Clish, such valuations are often considerably over-optimistic in order to win the instructions, and frequently bear little resemblance to the finally agreed selling price.

Neither will sellers have to factor in thousands of pounds' worth of estate agents' fees - and can also avoid conveyancing costs by using the legal services provided free by purchasing company.

The equity in many people's homes, says Mr Clish, allows amble latitude for buying a caravan holiday home or lodge as well as a more suitably sized bricks-and-mortar property.

At Park Holidays UK, brand new two and three bedroom holiday homes start at under £20,000. They are also fully equipped and furnished, removing another potential major expense.

"Swapping a family house for a smaller home and a luxurious holiday bolt-hole on the coast can usher in a lifestyle that many people would envy," said Mr Clish.

"With this scheme, it becomes an instant possibility - and means that couples will never again be rushing around with a vacuum and duster every time the estate agent calls!" he said.

More information about the guaranteed property sales programme is available on the company's website at ParkHolidaysUK.com.