Properties with add-on factors that enhance your lifestyle are high on the priority list for many second home buyers, and one of the current trends that’s growing in popularity is to buy property in or near marinas.

Previously it’s been golfing or skiing properties that have topped the charts for many property buyers and, although still very popular, marinas have now sailed into the picture too.

For existing yacht owners, there’s an obvious attraction of being able to buy a property with a berth thrown in as part of the package. It can make enjoying sailing holidays all the more appealing when there’s somewhere to moor the boat at the beginning or end of a break, and offers the chance of going out on day trips while making the most of a holiday home.

But marina properties also appeal to lots of other buyers, and you needn’t necessarily even own a yacht. Many people merely love living by the waterside, and properties in or close to a marina often have fantastic views, plus lots of other facilities on hand too. Some buyers aren’t yet into sailing, but feel inspired to take it up and want to have the option of a berth, should they end up buying a yacht in the future. Plus, there’s the fact that owning some marina properties is hugely desirable and, as properties with berths are snapped up quickly, it’s a nice extra asset to own.

There are several categories of marina properties – those that are part of the marina development and have a berth included in the price, those where you get the option of a berth and discounted rates when buying your property, and properties that are located nearby and gain the benefit of looking out over the marina.

The good news is that there are a wide range of marina properties available on the market, from well-established marinas to newly built developments, and they’re located in many countries around the world. Prices vary, but if you’re buying a marina property in a well-known resort, expect to pay a premium price for a property with a berth included.

It’s often said that Port Grimaud, in the south of France, is where the idea and popularity of marina developments originated, back in the mid-1980s. Properties in the exclusive private marina, overlooking St Tropez, do come on the market from time to time, like this renovated waterfront property, and boast private boat moorings and other appealing features.

Elsewhere, at the Marina de Sotogrande in Spain, two-bedroom apartments such as this are built to make the most of uninterrupted views of the marina and Mediterranean Sea, plus come with the option of purchasing a 15m berth along with the property.

Whether you’re a yachting fan, or just want to get close to the action and hang out with the sailing crowd, then marina properties may be the option to go for.

luxury, waterfront living

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.