Island of dreams is a hit for Colin's clients

Living on an island – it’s the dream of many that’s maybe helped BBC’s Desert Island Discs remain so popular over the years.

But desert island life is hardly practical unless you are also wealthy enough to afford your own regular access links and supplies of essentials.

Far better to opt for an island with the vital life support of shops and transport links as well as a selection of luxury homes that save you trying to fashion some sort of shelter out of palm leaves.

An expert on the topic is Colin Shairp, of Fine and Country Southern Hampshire, whose agency has sold half of the homes priced above £700,000 that have sold on Hayling Island this year.

Colin said: “Hayling has long been regarded as a perfect escape – linked to the mainland but possessing every facility necessary for an easy life.

“Land Registry figures show that in 2017, up to the week before Christmas, there were eight residential property sales above the £700,000 mark and of those half found their new owners through my Fine and Country office in Emsworth, managed by Anne-Marie Green who has vast experience in the luxury residential property market.

“These homes had a total value of £5.741million, with the most expensive selling in North Shore for £2million while a property called Pine Lodge achieved £725,000.

"In between were The Willows at £1.2million and The Manor House at £1.34million and we also sold a property called Westbourne House at £476,000.

"Add that to the Fine and Country total and our sales totalled almost £6.2million on Hayling.

“Fine and Country is about houses in the top 25 per cent for either price or appeal so we don’t claim to be big sellers of ordinary houses on the Island. The properties we have handled are precisely the ones that deliver on the dream idea because they combine character, luxury, space, and location in the perfect proportions.

“Living on Hayling doesn’t mean entering some sort of retirement haven. True, many buyers want to go there to enjoy a more relaxed life surrounded by the smell of the sea and with wildlife havens abounding.

"But at the same time, Havant is a short hop from the island, with its mainline links to London and along the south coast, while the A27, M27, and A3M provide good road access north, east, and west.

"Sailing or windsurfing, first dreamed up on Hayling, are for those heading south!”

For more information on Hayling Island homes, contact Fine and Country Southern Hampshire on 01243 487969 or email: [email protected]