November Newsletter - Donating in the aftermath of the Gota Fria storms

In this month's edition, we start with news of donations and fundraising initiatives that have been launched in the aftermath of the severe Gota Fria storms that the area experienced recently.

We also take a look at how the Murcia region's market is currently performing and we offer our top tips on rejuvenating your kitchen alongside suggestions for selling your property as the days get shorter. Finally, we detail why setting an appropriate price for your property when selling is such a vital part of the process. 

Rejuvenate your kitchen with these five easy steps

 

We’ve all heard the saying “the kitchen is the heart of the home”, and this is never more pertinent when you’re thinking of selling. Presenting your kitchen in its best possible light may well secure you a sale, so with that in mind, we have put together some guidance on how to rejuvenate your kitchen without having to spend a fortune.

Cabinets
One of the easiest and most transformative ways to rejuvenate your kitchen is to change the cabinets. Don’t worry about replacing the cabinets themselves; instead, give them a new lease of life by painting them in a fresh, modern colour such as an olive green or pale grey. This will change the aesthetic of your kitchen entirely and certainly make it more photogenic. If you are going to paint your cabinets, then ensure that they are thoroughly sanded and primed before you apply the final colour – this will ensure the final coat adheres nicely to give you a more professional finish.

Surfaces
The surfaces in your kitchen need to be practical and attractive – changing the worktops in your kitchen will appeal to buyers and is a cost-effective way to amp-up the style factor. Laminate worksurfaces are the most cost-effective, but you can also find more luxe materials if you shop around. If you’re really looking to adhere to a budget, then try using a vinyl covering to update your surfaces.

Declutter
Even if you have a large space to work with in your kitchen, an easy way to transform the space without spending any money is to declutter. Remove the items which you haven’t utilised for a while, such as the bread maker or mixer, and try to keep surfaces clear – this will create the feel of more space and is certainly more modern in feel.

Walls
If you are looking to make a big change with a minimum of fuss, then updating your walls in the kitchen is a good place to start. Whether it is a single feature wall or the whole room, decide what you are prepared to take on in terms of a project. For feature walls, think of utilising a textured wallpaper as this can create a striking aesthetic in a room not normally associated with wallpapers (florals and leaves work well to create a natural-feeling space). If you are changing every wall, then choose a light and mellow colour to create a feeling of space and utility – avoid kitsch colours such as blue and green.

Donating in the aftermath of the Gota Fria storms

Fundraising initiatives have been launched in the aftermath of last week's severe storms in the area. More details can be found here. 

Click here to read Donating in the aftermath of the Gota Fria storms.

Murcia region offering prime market conditions for buying and selling

 

Whilst the latest statistics offered by Spain’s notaries suggest that the recovery experienced by the property market may have come to an end, the Murcia region is still seeing a rise in both the number of property sales and prices.

Regions in which the recovery first started, such as the Balearics and Madrid saw pronounced drops in the number of completed sales in the second quarter of this year, with the former seeing a decrease of 20.8% and the latter 9.4%. Overall, Spain’s sales figures fell by 7.9% with the same period last year, but Murcia once again bucked the national trend with yet more positive results and encouraging market conditions.

The region posted a 2% increase in the number of completed sales with a 3.4% on average property prices during the second three months of this year.

Analysis provided by Murcia Today takes a broader view, suggesting that after seven consecutive quarters of increased sales in double figures, the second quarter’s 2% rise points to an approaching plateau.

With this in mind, if you’re sitting on a home in the region that you’d like to sell or are looking to purchase a property, now’s the time to do so! Click here to find out how Marena Murray is the first choice agent when it comes to buying or selling in the area.

The importance of setting a realistic asking price

 

Recent analysis has shown the benefits that are reaped when a property is priced correctly rather than over-ambitiously, with overvalued properties taking up to two months longer to sell.

In addition to a longer sale period for properties which are overvalued, the research also found that by dropping the price in order to attract buyers, these properties frequently achieve a final sale price that can be far lower than their more accurately valued counterparts.

This research shows the important part which an estate agent plays in those initial meetings, with an over-valuation extremely attractive at first, but damaging in the long-run.

If you are thinking of selling your property in La Manga Club, then it’s especially important to talk to an agent with experience of the local market who can provide you with an open, honest and accurate valuation of your property’s price whilst also taking into account the current sales climate.

Marena Murray Property’s aim when it comes to selling your property is to find you the right buyer, at the best price, in the shortest possible time. Click here to find out how we can help you.

Tips on selling your property as the days get shorter

 

As the days get shorter, it is more important than ever to present your property in an appealing manner if you are going to attract potential buyers. With that in mind, we have put together some season-specific advice to help you find a buyer…

Let in the light
Never is it more important in the year to keep your rooms bright and airy than during the change between seasons. This is because of how quickly the levels of light fluctuate, turning your lovely property into a less-appealing version of itself, with dark rooms and corners. To avoid this, use uplighters to brighten up your rooms during viewings – this type of lighting can be easily placed into corners or areas which may appear darker. Furthermore, blinds and curtains should be drawn back to allow plenty of natural light and don’t forget to turn any lights on in cupboards etc. to create multiple sources of brightness.

Keep paths clear
During this time of year, leaves may start to fall from the trees leaving debris around your property. Ensure that your kerb appeal is kept to its maximum by clearing away any errand plants and debris from your property, especially on the path to your front door where potential buyers will most certainly be surveying. If you have the time, consider tidying up your flower beds and removing and shrubbery which may not be looking quite as lovely as during the summer months.

Clean, clean and clean again
Of course, presenting your property in a clean and tidy state is a given, but it’s also worth considering any other areas that you can spruce up in order to maximise the available light. Clean your windows regularly to ensure that they sparkle for prospective buyers and let in as much natural light as possible (this will also help with the aforementioned kerb appeal). Clean your front door so that it looks at its best – many of us will have white UPVC doors to match double glazed windows, and if this is the case then use some bleach to rejuvenate it.

Increase the pressure
You want your property to seem cosy and inviting, and the drop in temperature gives you the perfect chance to make your home comfortable and welcoming. Turn the thermostat up so that during viewings your property is warm and incentivises viewers to really take their time looking around before they brave the cold weather once more. If you have a fireplace, think about lighting it up or at the very least light some candles.