Richard Speedy
Senior Director
With the opening of a new Waterside Living Department at Strutt & Parker we talk with its new head Richard Speedy about what you can expect and where the hotspots across the UK are.
With the opening of a new Waterside Living Department at Strutt & Parker we talk with its new head Richard Speedy about what you can expect and where the hotspots across the UK are.
What is waterside living?
Waterside homes can be anywhere from a large river or estuary to coastal towns, lakes or lochs. Essentially, it’s any property with a premium attached to the view – whether it’s direct access to the water or great views from the hillside over the lake.
While it can be any type of home, from bungalow to penthouse flat, light bright spaces that make the most of the view with expanses of glass have been popular for a few years and this is unlikely to change in the near future.
Who buys them?
We are seeing an increased amount of interest for waterside holiday homes, especially in the South West. People are happy to drive the family down in the car and not worry about airport hassles, flight delays or cancellations.
Most of our buyers come from London and the South East, along with a few expats who come from our affiliate Christie’s International Real Estate. Waterside homes tend to be for people who either come down from London for a few weeks a year or who rent them out to other holiday makers or locals. There are also now London City to Exeter flights, so you can be in the South West in an hour from London.
What is your role?
I will cover mainly the South West in my sales role but will also be liaising with around 12 to 14 regional offices that have waterside properties and bringing everyone together. The offices range from the New Forest to Chester and Scotland.
For the buyers, I will be able to inform them about where they might want to look depending on what they are after. If they want to be near a surfing beach I could recommend the north coast of Cornwall or if they wanted stunning views they might want to consider a lochside home in Scotland. If they want somewhere more lively, I’d recommend maybe Salcombe or Rock.
For sellers, I’ll work with them on how best to market and sell their home, what the waterside setting does to its value and the best time to put their property on the market.
Where are the hotspots?
It really depends what people are looking for, but my little tip is Mawgan Porth near Newquay. It doesn’t have the same cachet as Newquay with all the revellers but has an excellent surfing beach just far enough from Newquay to avoid the crowds and the prices. I am seeing lots of people buying old bungalows here in picturesque spots, knocking them down and building their own larger homes.
The South West in general is a treasure trove of coastal towns and waterside locations. Shaldon in South Devon is a real up-and-coming seaside haven that seems to be making price gains. Complete with port, estuary and beaches, this versatile place can be many things to many people, whether it’s sailing, taking the kids to the beach or shopping in nearby Exeter.
Brixham, which is the UK’s oldest fishing port, has plenty to see and do. It’s very much up and coming with Rockfish, the fish restaurant by Mitch Tonks, having just opened. Padstow has the Rick Stein factor and is still the place to be – with Rock right next door which has Nathan Outlaw’s famous fish restaurant.
Salcombe, Dartmouth and Newton Ferrers are the hotspots on theSouth Devon coast for the yacht scene with perfect sailing waters. Dartmouth has a few famous names moving in, which always bolsters the reputation of a town.
The North Coast is a bit more rugged and exposed, but as a result you get waves that are ideal for surfers and create stunning beaches. The North coast of Cornwall has seen increased activity in the second homes market over the past 12 months – attracting more buyers from London and the South East than ever before.
Search for Waterside property.