Advice for Buying a Holiday Park Property: Insights from Tony Preston at Mercia Marina

Thinking of buying a holiday park property? Whether you’re looking for a private retreat or an investment to earn income through rentals, Tony Preston, Sales and Marketing Manager at Mercia Marina Village and Park , offers valuable advice when it comes to choosing a site and property.

Mercia Marina, Derbyshire’s largest waterside marine and conservation park, is set in 77 acres of stunning countryside in Willington. It attracts 800,000 visitors a year and offers luxury holiday homes, activities, restaurants, cafes, boutique retailers, and shops on site.

Pinelog has been supplying luxury timber lodges to the park since it opened in 2008. Currently there are 52 privately owned timber lodges at Mercia Marina, 22 of which are rented during the park’s 11-month season.

Tony explained: “The lodges are used in a variety of ways. Some are purchased as an investment and rented out throughout the year. Others are used as a UK base for people that live abroad and make use of their lodge when they’re in the country.

“The lodges at Mercia Marina are designed to offer luxury second home living or holidaying in a rural Derbyshire location.”

Key Considerations for Prospective Buyers

1. Investment Potential
   If earning an income from your holiday park property is important, then a reputable park will be able to give you income projections ahead of you making a decision to purchase. Tony Preston explains, “We can give prospective buyers projections supplied by agents such as Cottages.com and tell them; ‘This is your estimated gross annual income.”

   Ensure that the park you choose is happy for you to hire out your property. Mercia Marina uses the model agreement from the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, which provides for the voluntary letting out of lodges, allowing owners to manage rentals themselves. “This agreement allows flexibility for owners to manage their properties,” explains Tony.

   You should also look for a park that allows for the advertising of your property on multiple platforms. “We’re very happy for owners to advertise their lodges on platforms like cottages.com and Airbnb. We want to help them achieve a high occupancy,” says Tony.

2. Location, Location, Location
   When considering an investment, it’s essential to do thorough research. Visit different parks, compare facilities, and think about what you want from your holiday home. Location is key. Do you want a rural hideaway or something that is centrally located and attractive to the rental market?
3. Onsite Maintenance
   Choose a park that provides onsite maintenance services and offers a winterisation service for your property. “The lodges are closed for one month and before the closed period starts, we can, as part of our maintenance service ensure lodges are secure and things like taps, and heating are properly turned off to comply with the owner’s insurance policy. Our staff are on site daily to address any issues, providing peace of mind for lodge owners,” Tony explains.
4. Holiday Park Support
   For owners who prefer not to manage lettings themselves, Mercia Marina offers a concierge service. Tony explains, “We act as a Tourism Office, checking guests in, providing keys, welcome information, and a guide about everything the marina has to offer. We are here seven days a week for any queries and to ensure guests have the best experience and provide owners with peace of mind.”
5. Quality properties
   Pinelog’s timber lodges are built using premium sustainable materials and continue to perform and look good year-on-year, minimising maintenance costs. This also enables them to retain their value when it comes to resale.
6. Interior Design
   Keep an open mind with interior design. Avoid overly personalised decor, as it could be a barrier to bookings if you decide to rent the lodge in the future. “Think of the future when it comes to interior design,” says Tony.
7. Manufacturer Support
   If you’re buying brand new, speak directly to the manufacturer about how you can ensure the property works for you. If you need more living space, maybe decrease the bedroom space? If you have dogs, what about a doggy wet room? Want to bring your own furniture? Can the manufacturer ensure that its fits in your new rooms and that power points are accessible? “The fact our customers are able to work directly with the Pinelog team to fine tune their lodge and make it completely bespoke to them is a big plus point,” added Tony.
8. Running costs
   Pinelog’s lodges come with high quality insulation and energy efficient heating as standard. This ensures they are warm and cosy throughout the year and are cost effective to run. “Pinelog’s lodges are so well insulated that they can be booked throughout the year, and we know that guests are warm and comfortable, and that our owners won’t have astronomical heating bills,” says Tony.
9. Standardsare everything
   Ensuring a good, consistent guest experience across a park means standards are key. A poor TripAdvisor review for one lodge could reflect badly on all of them. Mercia Marina advise all rental lodges follow the Visit England Accommodation Quality Schemes. Tony Preston says, “We achieve the Five Star Gold standard across the park.”
10. Embrace the holiday park lifestyle
    Many holiday parks offer a range of social events, activities, and clubs for owners, providing opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and have a break from day-to-day life. “Investing in a holiday park property is an amazing opportunity to enjoy time in a beautiful setting and make the most of your investment,” Tony encourages.

Whether nestled in the countryside, by a stunning lake, or in a quiet woodland retreat, owning a Pinelog timber lodge can transform your lifestyle.

If you’re looking to invest in quality timber lodge accommodation, speak to Pinelog’s expert design team to find out how we can help. Call us on 01246 942842 or get in touch here