Makeovers, key to sales or rental success
By Alison Farmer, 02 Jul 2008
Times are hard for private property sellers in Spain, but the market remains buoyant for owners thinking of renting out their property instead…
If you are selling your Spanish home or planning to let out your property, a makeover might just make all the difference. In the current property climate, homes with the wow factor are the ones that catch the buyer’s eye first. In Spain’s competitive rental market, an attractive living space means your property instantly appeals to tenants.
Home makeovers are an increasingly popular option for property owners. According to recent research carried out by Alliance & Leicester Personal Loans, Brits estimate that it costs around £12,000 to get their home to the standard or design they would be happy with. TV programmes like Selling your Property Abroad show practical examples costing a lot less - and they seem to bring success.
As Lesley Watt, Director of Obelisk Interiors, points out: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression and a home makeover gives your property the opportunity to shine as soon as buyers or tenants walk through the front door.”
That’s a big boost if you are in a Must Sell situation as every buyer prefers a great looking home at a bargain price to one where he has to spend time and money getting it up to scratch…
Top of the list of the most popular home improvements is redecorating, an easy and relatively low-cost makeover solution. New bathroom suites and kitchen re-fits follow closely behind on the list of makeover priorities and according to Alliance & Leicester, have the extra advantage of adding value to your property. A home increases by a staggering 25% if you put in a new kitchen and a new bathroom suite translates to a rise in your property’s value of 11%.
For a buy-to-let property, a furniture pack allows you to let your property straight away and for the owner trying to sell, new furniture and fittings often totally transform a house.
But home makeovers are not for the amateurs and if you want to guarantee a sale or increase the rental potential of your property, you need to employ professionals. Says Lesley Watt: “DIY solutions or choosing the wrong professionals can lead to costly mistakes and do little or nothing to enhance your home.”
Sourced from Obelisk Interiors
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