In this blog post, I interviewed Brendan Torazzi, the host of a very popular property located in the south coast of New South Wales. Brendan shares with us the inspiration behind his decision to start hosting guests and facilitating his property as a wedding venue, as well as some of the challenges and unique features of his property.
How It All Started
Brendan and his wife bought the property as a holiday home in 2015. They have three boys and the vision was to give them space to run around as they live on a small block in the city. They also had a lot of experience doing furnished rentals since 1999 (before Airbnb was born) so they figured they would rent it out to others to enjoy when they weren't down there.
the turning point
About 6 months in, someone asked if they could have a wedding there. Brendan's property manager advised him that a development application (DA) would be required. When they enquired with Council, they discovered it already had a DA for 52 weddings events each year (the selling agent had overlooked this fact). This was the turning point for Brendan and his wife. They started an Instagram account and a couple of seasons in, Seacliff House was heavily booked.
The Challenges of Hosting Guests in a Rural/Coastal Setting
One of the biggest challenges of hosting guests in a rural/coastal setting is keeping the property looking beautiful. Seacliff House is located on over 500 acres of land, and Brendan and his wife have to do a lot of work to maintain the property. They have a team of good suppliers who help them with cleaning, groundskeeping, and handyman work, but it still takes a lot of time and effort.
Another challenge of hosting guests in a rural/coastal setting is the lack of readily available workforces. If something breaks down, it can be difficult to find someone to fix it right away. Brendan and his wife have learned to be self-sufficient and to build relationships with local businesses and tradespeople.
The Unique Features of Seacliff House
Seacliff House is a beautiful property with a lot of unique features. The most striking feature is the sense of space and privacy. The property has over 500 acres of dairy country views and endless views of the Pacific Ocean. This makes the space feel special and creates treasured memories for guests.
The farmhouse was finished in November 2020. Architecturally designed, every room has amazing views with their own ensuites. Three meters high ceilings downstairs with a huge 8.5m atrium in the central living area. You are not going to want to leave.
Oversupply or Undersupply of Holiday Homes in the South Coast Market?
Brendan says that it depends on what you are looking for and what your budget is. For example, there may only be a small handful of upper end properties and plenty of lower end ones. However, he does say that the South Coast is growing in popularity because it feels cleaner, fresher, and less crowded than the north of Sydney.
“Consider making your place pet friendly - lots of families want to holiday with their pets”
Two Big Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Host Their Holiday Home
Brendan's two big tips for homeowners who are intending to host their holiday home are:
1. Create a space that you would want to stay in and gives people a reason to talk about and want to return to.
2. If you decide to rent your holiday home remember your guests probably want to holiday in peak times when you might like to use the property, so you do need to be flexible.
A bonus tip that Brendan would give is to consider making your place pet friendly - lots of families want to holiday with their pets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hosting guests and facilitating Seacliff House as a wedding venue has been a rewarding experience for the family. It has allowed them to share the beauty of our property with others and create treasured memories for their guests. While there are challenges to hosting guests in rural/coastal settings, the unique features of the property make it stand out from other high-end homes. For homeowners looking to host their holiday home, creating a space that guests will love and being flexible with bookings are key.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about my interview with Brendan Torazzi, the host of Seacliff House. If you are thinking about hosting your own holiday home, I encourage you to take Brendan's tips into consideration.
Seacliff House is located at 139 Princes Hwy, Gerringong NSW 2534. For bookings, you may contact 1800 442 388 or check their website here. Connect on their socials here:
Facebook: SeacliffHouseGerringong
Instagram: @seacliffhouse