We were thinking about calling this post "Why the seller DGAF about your plans" but decided it was a bit on the nose. Instead we decided to put together some thoughts about why there are certain things you shouldn't do on your Valencia Property visit because if you do you might not get the property for the price you want it. As a buyers' agent we try to get you the best deal possible after whittling down the options to the best places for you so you don't want any owner telling us "I'm not selling my property to them even if they offered me millions". Sounds far fetched but it has happened.
You want the owner to like you so they feel good doing business with you, so in order to get to that point here are the things you shouldn't do if you want to get the best deal.
Criticise The Property in Any Way
Yes we know! That paint job is horrendous. The kitchen looks like a death trap. It looks as if one of the owners is a hoarder of the worst types of bric a brac and weird statues of ballerinas missing an arm. We know that the picture over the bed is let's just say "interesting" shall we. We know all that.
Leave the discussion about it until we get outside and are between places because, let's face it, none of us are blind, we can see it too. Your job as a buyer is to think, "I can make this place so much better" not to tell the proud owner that. And here is the thing you need to know...
Spain is a country where pride is a big thing
Being house proud even if we disagree, is a huge thing here in general. We just wish this pride led people to tidy up a bit before a visit at times but over the years we have learnt that horrified faces, talking loudly about how ugly the place is and then making an offer anyway doesn't work. Quite a few owners understand English and know exactly what you are saying. But on the other hand...
Don't Look Too Keen
There's a balance to be found here. It's the same the World over and it's a dance as old as time. You also don't want to look too keen. A seller can smell a desperate buyer who needs to buy and quickly a mile off, just like as a buyer you can smell a desperate seller.
The more keen you look the less you'll get knocked off that asking price.
As agents we always let the sellers know that there is a second option if an offer is made and whoever agrees to a deal first will sell (They probably don't believe us but what the hey). Being too keen means you pay asking price because the owner knows how much you want the place and will happily play Poker with you at that point.
Discuss Your Plans For Knocking Everything Down
Of course you can ask us but don't discuss in too much detail where the new kitchen island will be going, which walls will be taken out, how you will get rid of the bidet in order to put a bigger shower or bathtub in. Leave all of this until we get outside. If you are discussing how you are going to change the property on the visit then the owner knows there is genuine interest and will immediately up their expectations of a price they may agree to.
Tell Them How Rich You Are
This is the number one way to get nothing off the asking price. When you tell the owner that you can not only buy this property but you might well buy a couple of investment properties too, that you will be changing everything, that you will be employing an interior designer to choose cushions with you, then what you are saying really is "I am loaded and trying to get an extra 5k off the price is just a game for me so I can brag about it at a dinner party once I've bought it" Don't be that person.
Talk About Price Directly on the Visit
Again a huge sign that you have decided to buy it so all we are doing now is discussing terms and conditions. We can do that once we get to the offer stage and we will guide you as to the offer price and conditions the owner might accept, after all we have a bit of experience in this. One client told the owner on a first visit within five minutes that his price was ridiculous and that he wouldn't be offering anything close. I was surprised that the owner didn't throw us out on the spot. I wasn't surprised that when the offer came in the buyer was told to go and fornicate with himself and no counteroffer was forthcoming from the owner, their comment was "My price is my price... for them"
Do The Cupboard Search As If You Are A CSI Agent
It really doesn't matter what's in the cupboards and how much you can fit in there, a quick look in one at the depth is enough as you will more than likely be replacing them anyway. Looking in every cupboard, every nook and cranny, isn't good form. After all you never know what skeletons may be hiding in certain cupboards. If in doubt, ask. "What's in there?" It is usually enough to get the owner showing you their pasta cupboard, magazine collection or, at times, their hidden door leading to their sex dungeon room! (I say at times I mean just once)
Second Visit? 15 Minutes
When you know you are interested in a place and you go back for a second visit keep it short. You are only making sure that your initial thought was right and that this could be the right place for you, or not. Shoot around, get everything in your head, and make sure that any doubts are banished but make it quick. And most importantly...
Bring an Interior Designer and Architect With You
Now we know that you have effectively decided to buy it and you do too but you don't want the owner knowing that too obviously so don't turn up to a second visit with an interior designer and an architect and spend hours discussing the plans to change everything. At worst bring a builder or project manager "Who is a family friend" for their opinion about whether a wall or two can be knocked out. Then after leaving discuss the changes you want to make, not on site.
Talk About Love in Any Way During the Visit
Never mention that you love the place even if you do and more importantly never say you love it when you really hate it. It raises the hopes of the seller and means the selling agent then spends the next week phoning us to ask when the offer is going to be made and we have to keep putting them off.
If they have a Miró print and Miró is your thing then you can say how much you love it as it's not a part of the house you are trying to buy. Photos of Venice and you have been there and love it? Equally, tell them you love it. The house or apartment itself? You don't love it. You nod appreciatively and smile at things but as above, you're not too keen, you haven't fallen in love, yet, even when you have.
Ask Before Using the Toilet
The owner won't appreciate a log left in their waterless bathroom. Sometimes in an empty house the water is turned off at the mains or not connected and using a toilet without asking first is a no. People sometimes do this because it's embarrassing to ask beforehand and they usually only do it when we are showing a house with keys and the owner isn't there but still ask first, we might be able to turn the water on. If not, cross your legs.
Don't Ask The Reason For Selling
We've written about this before. I'll never understand why everyone asks this question. The answer is never going to be "Because it's falling down and I want to sell it to another mug before it happens" which would be the only answer that is any of our business. We'll tell you why the owner is selling and their position regarding accepting offers etc if you have genuine interest in the property because these are the sort of things we often already know or can easily find out, but asking the owner directly might get an embarrassing answer like death, divorce or debt and we try to avoid awkward situations on a visit due to the Spanish pride thing mentioned above.
Send a Letter With The Reasons to Sell To You
This is specifically for our American cousins as apparently this is common there. The owner doesn't really care if you have a lovely family, DGAF about your holidays last year, doesn't care about your plans for living in their lovely country and most importantly doesn't understand why on Earth anyone would do something so weird as to send them a hand delivered letter in the 21st century. Just don't do it. And especially don't do it with photos of the family included.
Take Hundreds of Photos and a Ten Minute Video
Especially on the first visit, don't do it. We generally have photos that we can send you afterwards if you want to show your other half or family members. A quick walkthrough video to remember this particular place later and talk your better half through if they can't visit with you if you are visiting five or six places is warranted, but we will explain it to the owner that way. Don't bring a film crew.
Get Out Your Photos of Your Current House
The owner doesn't care what the house you just sold or where you still live is like. They may feign interest but they don't really care, they just want to show the house. So they don't need or want to see hundreds of photos of your house in the summer, in the winter, during Xmas, at Halloween etc... I believe it's called building rapport but you don't need to. We do that for you.
However You Can Do Most of This If...
The owner isn't there! Then you can fill your boots. Call the place a dump, go into ecstacy over how much you love it, take as long a video as you want, take pictures of any stupid ornaments that catch your attention, search through every cupboard, discuss plans for knocking through and knocking everything down and how you are going to destroy their ugly 1970s bar in the corner of the living room... go mad. We'll stand back and let you get on with it. Just one thing though. Make sure to ask about the water before... you know what.
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Villa Of The Week
Our M.O at Valencia Property is to work with local agents to find exactly what you need and today we bring you this great townhouse on the beach in Gandia, now instead of me trying to write something witty you can take a look at the listing agents rather spiffing description. Over to you NS.
Casa Judy is truly extraordinary – a townhouse within a minute’s walk of Gandia’s gorgeous beach! This makes it almost unique in an area where almost all the available accommodation comprises flats. It is therefore extremely difficult to find a townhouse on Gandia beach (particularly within 100 m or so of the beach!) and what few townhouses there are – very rarely come up for sale.
So, Casa Judy is an opportunity buy! A townhouse that is really unusual, with a location that will enchant you! Of critical importance is the fact that Casa Judy has parking (for two cars) and a rear garden – thus providing exactly the space you want, so that you can thrill to the spectacular al fresco life available here. Complementing the garden is a lovely conservatory. In addition, Casa Judy also has two terraces (one acccessed from the second bedroom – with sea views).
The house is in very good condition and benefits from three large bedrooms and a quality bathroom. On the ground floor the house has an exterior shower beside the front door (ideal for use when coming off the beach!) and a large reception room with a fire. The reception room is light and airy and accesses the conservatory and rear garden. The kitchen is a very good size, has lots of storage, is well distributed and is in great condition. On the ground floor there is also a cloakroom with a W.C. and a large understairs cupboard for storage.
The garden is a delight, low maintenance and has a storage shed. It is, of course, here that you will be able to fully enjoy the marvelous climate – whilst doing so in peace and quiet. It is also the perfect place for barbecues and entertaining.
Of course, Gandia Playa has all the facilities you need, day to day – with supermarkets, shops and banks nearby – with countless bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. The beach area has a lovely marina, a small port and a paseo that runs several kilometres along the beach front. Maintained to the highest standards, the beach is EU Blue Flagged and has miles of golden sand strecthing away into the distance.
Meanwhile vibrant Gandia town (population 80,000) with its gorgeous Blue Flagged beaches is only about 5 minutes drive away. In Gandia you have all the amenities you could possibly want – from great restaurants and bars, through to innumerable banks, shops, boutiques and supermarkets. There is a shopping mall, the Borgia Palace, an historic square, many pedestrianised streets and plenty of cultural events. Gandia provides easy access to Valencia City and its international airport by train (from Gandia) which takes only 55 minutes. The motorway has a junction only some 10 minutes drive from the house, so communications to the rest of Spain are excellent
A truly exceptional property – Casa Judy should be viewed as soon a spossible. It is a rarity and will provide you with a wonderful permanent home or a very special holiday home. Just imagine living right next to one of the best beaches in southern Europe…what could be better?
Bang on, now try reading that again in a Terry Thomas type voice, it will all make sense when you come and see the property and meet our colleague.
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