As the demand for short-term lets is rising significantly in the South Hams, there is an increasing demand for professional support and services to help manage short-let properties. Pass the Keys are proud to announce that we have teamed up with local business owner and entrepreneur, Ali Steere, to form a franchise designed to provide this support in the South Hams.
We interviewed Ali, Managing Director of Pass the Keys South Hams, to find out why she’s so passionate about the area and its growing short-let industry and to find out more about why she became a Pass the Keys Franchise Owner!
Hi Ali, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Although originally from Reading, I grew up in Kingsbridge, Devon, part of the beautiful South Hams. I went to school here but moved away for a few years only to return in my mid 20’s once I realised how much I missed home. My background is primarily in sales and marketing but I am also a landlord and run a successful Airbnb here in Kingsbridge. I also have two small but perfectly formed one-bedroom apartments on the beautiful island of Crete. In my very little spare time, I am a sculptress and create wall art out of clay.
What drew you to partnering with Pass the Keys?
I had the opportunity to withdraw my pension pot and wanted to invest it in something that I could run myself – and then I saw an advert for Pass the Keys! The more I researched, the more I wanted to be part of the Pass the Keys team and it just felt like the perfect match.
Why is South Hams ideally suited to the short letting industry?
The South Hams is a hugely popular holiday destination with breathtaking beaches, idyllic landscapes and a wealth of watersports. The West Country is one of the most important producers of food and drink in the UK, noted for its quality and traditional methods. Here you’ll be treated to some bespoke fine dining using locally made produce. For seafood, towns such as Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Salcombe boast award-winning restaurants, while inland gastro pubs serve excellent home-cooked fare. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love the South Hams!
It’s a wonderful outdoor environment, with rivers, moorland, coasts and the sea – offering visitors a range of activities including canoeing, walking and sailing to name but a few. Heritage fans will love local attractions such as the Agatha Christie Trail, Dartmouth Castle and a variety of National Trust Properties. A range of arts, music and food festivals have become increasingly popular over the years and for the nautically inclined Salcombe and Dartmouth have a big tradition of sailing regattas. Now, with the increase in staycations, the West Country is the perfect place to visit.
Why does South Hams need a short-let management company like Pass the Keys?
The older, well-established holiday lettings companies have a very specific target market which doesn’t allow for much flexibility. But in light of the pandemic, flexibility has become increasingly important to landlords. Short-let staycations are becoming increasingly popular and Pass the Keys offers property owners the opportunity to capitalise on this booming industry and increase their income through short letting.
If you have a passion for the short-letting industry and are looking to become your own boss, then why not consider becoming a Pass the Keys Franchise Partner? Operating and managing properties across their local area, our Franchise Partners are supported by the reputation and technology of a national brand, to grow a successful, cutting-edge local business.
To request more information, please visit us at https://franchise.passthekeys.com/ or give us a call on 020 8050 2818 today.