Putting you in direct contact with owners of private yachts and accommodation to let

Make sure the property is easily accessible from an international airport with regular scheduled flights by major airlines (preferably including British Airways) or from major Channel ports.

Rely on regional airport access supplied by a single flight operator, no matter how cheap the flights are. Budget airlines are prone to change their routes suddenly and their flights are less reliable and often have inconvenient schedules - not ideal if you are restricted by available holiday time.

Make sure the property is close to the region's main tourist attractions, whether it be beaches, mountains, golf courses or a major city destination etc.

Look for a property with the maximum number of bedrooms for its size. Villa holidays have particular appeal for families and groups.

Make sure there are sufficient bathrooms, preferably en-suite.

Be tempted by cheaper properties which are inconveniently situated. This is particularly important in cases when the holiday is likely to be linked to a specific activity such as skiing or golf. For example, the best ski properties are located alongside the piste in well known, international resorts at high altitude (thus with a good snow record and longer season) and rapid access to major lifts.

Rely on your own view of how attractive the region is - read up on which areas are popular or up-and-coming.

Invest in a swimming pool if your property is situated in a warm climate, including some form of heating in all but the very hottest areas. A pool heater can extend your rental season by several months in the South of France for example.

Keep an eye open for property with unique appeal; farmhouse, boathouse, converted mill etc. This gives you the marketing edge for rentals plus better prospects for capital growth. However, be careful not to get saddled with heavy maintenance on an older property.

Your sums. Make sure you know the local rental rates and average occupancy and compare these to the purchase and maintenance costs of your preferred property.