The media have widely reported a return to confidence in overseas properties in many parts of the world, especially with strong sterling rates during 2014. For those who have decided that 2015 will be the year they seriously think about buying abroad, there are many considerations before the search for a dream holiday home begins:

1. Location, location, location

For buyers keen to find a property in a resort they’ve visited for their summer holidays for years, it’s worth remembering that it may not be the same lively and exciting place out of season, as many beach oriented resorts shut up shop over the winter months. In addition, many holiday home owners feel obliged to make the most of their investment, visiting for every holiday, but this can curtail trips to other parts of the world. Holidays in the same location every year could become tedious and more travel variety may be desirable.

2. Access

It is useful to consider how many visits will be made each year to a holiday home and at which time of year? If low cost airlines are relied on to get to a favoured holiday home location, remember these routes may not be in operation during the low season.

3. Keeping Everything in Shipshape Condition

Just like a primary residence, a holiday home will need to be maintained regularly. Holiday homes with pools have a clear need for regular maintenance, but it is also important to consider how the property itself will be cleaned, who will carry out regular repairs, or look after the gardens and who will sort out any emergencies, especially if the holiday home is thousands of miles away. Many holiday home owners inevitably find they spend a portion of their holiday home visits in organising upgrades, repairs or deliveries, which can take the edge off relaxation.

4. Friends and Family

For sociable holidays accompanied by friends and family, it makes sense to look for a property large enough to accommodate everyone, although this will inevitably require a larger capital outlay.

However, there is another way. To invest in a second home without the hassle, but with the flexibility of travelling to different locations, it might be worth considering The Hideaways Club shared property ownership club. It allows members to invest in a portfolio of exquisite homes in fantastic locations across the globe and to join an exclusive lifestyle and destination club, enabling them to holiday in the properties owned by the club’s funds – and more.

Travel variety is guaranteed, as The Hideaways Club’s Classic Collection currently offers 42 properties around the world, typically sleeping 8-10 guests, ranging from Tuscan farmhouses to ski chalets and tropical villas, with access to a further portfolio of 200 luxury villas through reciprocal agreements with other destination clubs. The Club’s City Collection offers 20 luxury apartments in iconic cities, sleeping 4-6 guests. High standards of accommodation are assured, as all The Hideaways Club properties are worth more than £1.2 million. Membership is supported by an expert central and local concierge service to help organise transfers, holiday itineraries, dinner reservations and sightseeing.

The Hideaways Club entry level price starts with a Lifestyle Associate membership at £88,000 for the Classic Collection, or £69,500 for the City Collection, which is a lower capital investment than buying a comparable second home outright. More information can be found by visiting The Hideaways Club’s brand new website: www.thehideawaysclub.com.

Commenting on the benefits of The Hideaways Club, CEO Poonam Dhawan-Leach, says, ‘Our members are making a clear lifestyle choice when they join The Hideaways Club. They like the flexibility we offer, the wide choice of luxury homes to stay in, all beautifully furnished but with very different ambiences and characters, plus the attention to detail and convenience of our concierge service. This is underpinned with the knowledge that they are investing in properties spread across different countries and are therefore less exposed to the vagaries of any particular country’s property market. In addition, they will benefit from lifelong memories and great experiences along the way all with a lower capital investment required compared with buying a second home.’