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Hi, as you can see from my profile, I am trying to sell my flat in Walkerburn, 2 miles from Innerleithen, 6 miles from Glentress.
The selling market as I know is very slow at the moment. So I thought instead of a long-term tenant, that I would let out for short breaks etc. That way we can keep a more regular eye on it, as it has been recently decorated.
What would you look for, in deciding what accomodation you chose? Thanks.
Cleanliness above all first. Then equipment eg; washing machine/tumble dryer, TV etc. Number of persons it comfortably accommodates, pet free, local amenities. Also i always try to read reviews of holiday properties before booking to get a general idea of the place.
There is a bloke in Innerleithen with 2 flats who does exactly what you are considering.
Google accom in that area, you should find him and see what he offers. We've stayed once in one of his flats. It was great and we'd stay up there that way.
The more places to sty the better IMO
Btw, I would look for a complicated equation based upon price, availability, facilities, proximity, security.
Having stayed in numerous self catering places the ones that provide a crate of beer, bottle or two of wine and a fridge with a few essentials in always go down well.
Can stw folk get a discount?
Short term tenants / holiday makers will cause quit a bit of ware. The cleaning every week is not insignificant either so factor that cost if you're hiring or you time if you're doing it yourself.
Location and then dog friendly. I'd expect it to have a tv, a washer and dryer is nice but not essential for a weeks holiday. Dish washers seem to be getting a lot more common too.
I've stayed here, http://glenamoy.co.uk/index.html, in the past and it was very nice.
if it's aimed at the outdoors market - walking, biking - then I'd say a washing m/c with quite possibly a dryer as well would be much appreciated..
I've stayed in places that were aimed at the outdoor leisure market that didn't have a washing machine or a decent drying area or place to leave wet / muddy stuff - and it was a royal pain..
again, for bikes, security of location - if not in the flat (and that wouldn't keep it clean long) then a secure shed nearby.
Decent outlook, not on a main road. Not too close to neighbours. Walking distance from a decent pub, somewhere to go for a meal.
Somewhere to sit outside.
Bike storage area. Plenty of parking. If advertised as accommodation for large groups, more than one bathroom !
P.S and sorry to say it but some truth. Walkerburn is not GT/Inners.
Hels, i've showed the mileage to those places.
Next to GT? Secure bike storage. Anything else is a bonus, but that's the deal breaker.
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, especially as it is focused on Walkerburn.
My brother is thinking of buying this place in Walkerburn with a view to doing some sort of B&B.
http://www.warnersllp.com/view_property.php?id=2097
Would people be that resistant to driving an extra couple of miles out from Innerleithen to find good accomodation?
Why don't you rent it out? Less hassle/assured income?
Walkerburn is in a lovely part of the world. Near some proper and natural "off piste" stuff and close (easily rideable) to Inners. Strangely though - not having ever stayed there just passed through a ton of times - it seems a bit of a strange place.
Despite only living an hour away - I've stayed in Cardrona and Eddleston (I'm weird - or probably missus tags along with various biking stuff if she gets somewhere nice to stay).
So if it was me advertising this - assure and reinforce you are an outdoorsy type. MTB / walker etc. Advice available on routes, etc etc. Muddy boots / drying / etc.
V important - whats good to eat / drink in within walking distance / locally or taxi rideable.
I guess - just imagine what you and your lady - or you and your mates - would click with if you were off to Aviemore for the weekend.
#Edit - I've just found your flat and I dont think I'm your target market really. So disregard all I've said. It looks like a young fella's (or possibly a couples) first 1 bed home - nothing wrong with that and I'm sure there's a market.
I always feel a bit sorry for Walkerburn. It suffers by comparison to Innerleithen which is quite nice, which suffers by comparison to Peebles, which is very nice. There used to be a lot of employment in the town, some kind of chemical factory, so as a result of that there are a lot of small houses, and now no jobs. And the council in Gala dumps a lot of bad cases there, so the rumour goes.
I can't imagine why anybody would want to spend their holidays in Walkerburn. There are no decent pubs, I don't think the George Hotel even does food, but happy to be corrected on that. On the plus side though I bought a whole round of drinks in the Ballantyne Club once and got change from a fiver. Downside of that evening though was trying to convince a taxi driver to come down and pick us up !
There are some lovely people living there, the Rugby club make quite an effort I believe, and I am sure there is a plus side. But not what anybody would call a holiday resort.