Temperatures are heating up, and so is Kiwis’ demand for beachfront properties in New Zealand’s prime holiday spots.
With no international travels planned for the next little while, more and more New Zealanders are dreaming of owning a slice of paradise along the coast. In the past few months, “beach”, “waterfront” and “beachfront” were amongst the top 20 most-searched terms on Trade Me Property, and many real estate agents have reported rising median prices and high inquiry levels.
Are your vendors looking at putting their bach up for sale? Here are some tips for boosting a coastal property’s appeal in a competitive market, according to experts*.
Know your buyers
A good first step is to identify the target audience. Some buyers are looking for a place to escape to from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Others view holiday homes as investments. It’s important to know what kind of buyers your vendors’ property is most likely to attract.
Focus on curb appeal
As you’ll know, water properties are subject to strong winds and saltwater, which can cause the exterior paint job to chip, peel or fade over time. Moisture build-up can also cause mould and mildew on the sides and roof.
From repainting the exterior walls and front door through to power-washing the driveway, there’s a lot that your vendors can do to bring their property to its full potential value.
Consider professional home staging
Investing in a professional home stager is often the way to go.
The goal is to make a property feel both warm (like a home) and accessible (like a brand-new space). By showcasing its best features and using the right furniture and decoration, a properly staged home can create an emotional connection with buyers, while also giving them a measurement of scale to compare their items to.
Like to ensure your vendors maximise their property opportunities? Our ‘Advertise Now, Pay Later’ finance tool is designed to help Kiwis fund their real estate marketing cost, with no repayments for 90 days. Visit https://www.lifestylefinance.co.nz/advertise-now-pay-later to learn more.
Choose the right materials
If small touches aren’t enough and the property needs a more comprehensive renovation, choosing the right materials is key.
Coastal properties are vulnerable to water damage of all types, so experts recommend selecting cladding materials that are designed to withstand wind, rain and sand. As for the flooring options, some suggest replacing sand-trapping carpet with hard-surface flooring that’s easier to clean and doesn’t attracted mould and mustiness.
Along with our real-estate marketing finance package, at Lifestyle Finance we also specialise in helping Kiwis fund their pre-sale renovations with our ‘Renovate Now, Pay Later’ tool. Best of all, for 90 days your vendors won’t have to repay any of the principle. Visit lifestylefinance.co.nz/renovation-finance to learn more.
What are your buyers looking for?
Select a colour scheme
When it comes to repainting indoors and choosing a colour scheme, there are obviously countless options to choose from. For example, blues and greens are common in coastal properties, because they help blur the line between inside and out. Tangy yellows and ‘burnt’ oranges can also help create a sunny, summery feel.
Once again, with so many different possibilities, the key thing is to avoid personalising the space too much, so that buyers can easily picture themselves in the space.
Make it look bigger
If the bach is small, there are ways to make it look bigger, by picking light and bright colours, and removing all the unnecessary furniture and other items. Mirrors can also create the illusion of a larger space – by placing them facing each other in hallways or tiny rooms, your vendors can give their space a sense of ‘wideness’.
Importantly, a professional home stager will carefully select the furniture and decorations based on the size of the room, to avoid it becomes too stuffed or too empty.
Final touch: The vacation mindset
Lastly, let’s not forget about the outdoor living area, a key feature in any beachfront house. When it comes to holiday homes, most buyers are looking for a place that is comfy, relaxing and welcoming, and they expect the deck or backyard to be an extension of that ‘vacation mindset’.
Every detail counts. To create that ‘home away from home’ feeling, vendors can use coastal patio chairs, a decorative firepit, some bean bags or colourful cushions.
Get in touch with the Lifestyle Finance team
From real estate marketing to renovations, we specialise in helping Kiwi vendors showcase their properties in the best possible light. Call Lifestyle Finance on 0800 100 265 to get the conversation started.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.