MIA nouvelles – MIA Property Boutique – Costa Blanca Estate Agents

How Home Staging Has Affected the Real Estate Market in the USA

Marketing — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 10:02:20 +0000

MIA welcomes as our guest blogger this week Emmanuel Lao, a successful Los Angeles (USA) based real estate agent, industry educator & blogger. For information on how MIA Property Boutique can help you home staging your property for sale, rent or holiday rentals.

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[caption id="attachment_16815" align="alignright" width="235"] Emmanuel Lao. Los Angeles (USA) based realtor.[/caption] We all know that it’s important to look your best for a job interview – a tailored suit makes a much better impression than faded jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt. More recently, the presentation principle has stretched into real estate, where buyers expect to see a home in model condition. Staging has become status quo for home sales, with professional stagers refurbishing and refurnishing homes so that they can be shown in their best light. In this post, we’ll look at how this new sales strategy has affected the real estate market. In a 2015 survey, the National Association of Realtors found that a majority of realtors believe that home staging is extremely effective in promoting sales. Most realtors also believe that staging a home raises the final price by up to ten percent, which makes staging a worthwhile investment at a cost of less than seven hundred dollars on average. Staging can certainly cost more – some staging companies charge as much as $100,000 – but most offer much more less expensive service menus. Another cost-cutting measure is to stage only one room, such as the living room, for maximum impact at minimal outlay. In addition to increased sales and higher asking prices, staging has also affected buyer assumptions. Now that staging is so common, and popularized by how-to and househunting shows on HGTV, buyers expect to see a staged home, repainted and redecorated. Many realtors who responded to the NAR survey reported that staging allowed clients to see each home as a “clean slate,” rather than a lived-in dwelling, and that it was much easier for them to envision themselves in the new place. The trend towards staging has created a thriving industry for decorators who have reinvented themselves as home stagers, specializing in upscale properties or a certain “look.” Since every house on the market competes with homes that have been staged for sale, homeowners and real estate agents are extremely motivated to hire professional help. [caption id="attachment_16811" align="alignnone" width="631"] Photo credit: HGTV.com[/caption] Home staging has also had a transformative effect on internet real estate sales. Now that most clients start their purchase journey online, staging has become a crucial tool for catching their interest. Prospective clients may look at photos of hundreds of properties before making contact with a realtor or agency, and they may look at a property listing for only a few seconds before clicking through or clicking away. Now that virtual tours and other multimedia displays are common features on real estate websites, staging has become crucial to displaying a home to best advantage. Professional staging incorporates extra cost and effort into the process of selling a home – but it also has a dynamic effect on home sales. Staging offers property owners a sure way to increase the value of their property, and it allows realtors to list and sell properties more quickly and with added flexibility. Like the classic blazer-and-tie combo, staging techniques add polish and excitement to a new prospect!

About the Author: Established in 1980, Real Estate Unlimited is a premier real estate agency servicing the city of Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including the historic neighborhood of Echo Park. We pride ourselves on the personalized service we offer all of our clients, guiding them to the perfect home in a process that is as streamlined and painless as possible. For information on how MIA Property Boutique can help you home staging your property for sale, rent or holiday rentals.

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All Dogs Go to Heaven, Alicante Memorial Park

Marketing — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:06:02 +0000

There is something about a Ficus, standing alone with long firmed brunches, green fairy leaves and the sparkling rays passing through him to the pond, there hanging from his arms, we appreciate shimmering colourful ribbons, dancing along the rumour of the wind in contrast with the blue sky; every ribbon represents a memoir for the lost of a hairy friend, named to take to heaven and the last love words from the wishful broken hearts, many times written by children learning to cope their grieve and celebrate and honour their dog life in a cheerful manner. Like magic the tree stands embracing colours and thoughts, because perhaps he has witness it all, like an ancient wise old book, this tree will enchant you all! Do dogs go to heaven? We like to think so, and we like to think that we will see them again one day, after all, weren't they our best friend?! What a gorgeous tree, in the dog park by Avenida de la Naciones Unidas Playa San Juan; with ponds, different type of trees, paths and green areas this place is divine for all your pets….even when you do not have a dog watching will be just fine!

Do you have a dog?

Like our Facebook page and MIA will raffle your name for a free dog photo session with our wonderful photographer Martin. The only condition to entering the competition is that you can come to Alicante for the session if you are the lucky winner. Competition expires 31 January 2016. [efb_likebox fanpage_url="https://www.facebook.com/miapropertyboutique" box_width="WIDTH_OF_BOX_IN_PIXELS" box_height=HEIGHT_OF_BOX_IN_PIXELS"" responsive="1" show_faces="SHOW_CONNECTIONS(1)" show_stream="SHOW_STREAM_POSTS(0)" hide_cover="HIDE_COVER_PHOTO(0)" small_header="USE_SMALL_HEADER(0)" hide_cta="OPTONAL_HIDE_CUSTOM_CTA_BUTTON(0)" locale="en_US"] A special thanks to Sandra and her family for allowing us to photograph their dogs. [rev_slider alias="dog-memorial-park"]

New Gourmet Tapas Bar, Alicante Centre

Marketing — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 14:57:08 +0000

On Thursday, MIA's photographer had the pleasure of attending the opening of a new and cosy place in the Centre of Alicante, where you can enjoy some wonderful gourmet tapas accompanied by a wide range of excellent wines and Vermouth cocktails. [rev_slider alias="concept_740"]

Chef Alexis del Val Pérez

Heading up the kitchen is 36 years old chef Alexis del Val Pérez, a professional with great creativity and experience ready to delight us with his best dishes. Alexis was born in San Sebastián, world cradle of the culinary arts. Over 14 years ago Alexis decided to devote himself to his passion, the kitchen. After good and bad experiences, working and learning with the best, chef Alex says that, despite the obstacles, he has never stopped striving to make an impact on the tough world of haute cuisine, and today he stands at the head of this unique project in Alicante offering signature cuisine from around the world, delicious tapas at more than affordable prices and an impressive tasting menu for dinner. In his dishes one can certainly appreciate the talent and passion with which chef Alex combines the highest quality fresh ingredients with visually stunning presentation. Alexis has participated in several international competitions of pintxos in San Sebastian and has worked in some of the the best kitchens soaking up knowledge and techniques, and it shows.

Concept 7/40 Gourmet Tapas Bar

We believe that 740 Concept Bar, due to its central location in the centre of Alicante, the quality of the products offered and the new concept of an open kitchen where the chef interacts directly with the customers, will give much to talk about in the coming months! Without a doubt 740 Concept Bar is going to be the restaurant of reference in the Centre of Alicante.

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Top tips on how to make your property more attractive to buyers

Marketing — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:15:09 +0000

Buying a home is as much an emotional investment as a financial investment. just imagine yourself buying your first home, it has to be perfect right? It has to feel just right, you don't know what exactly that is, but you will know it is the right house when you see it. Put yourself in the shoes of a first time buyer searching for properties on-line (which is how 90% of buyers start searching). They come across your listing, how does it make you feel? Does it look like your dream home? If you don't find your property listing attractive, neither will your buyers.

Top tips on how to make your property more attractive to buyers

MIA's professional photographer offers theses top tips on how to make your property more attractive to potential buyers. Applying these simple tips will go a long way to making your property more desirable.

Tip #1 The Kitchen

The kitchen is the most important room for many buyers, so it's wise to present it at its best. Of course it is completely normal to have everyday items dotted around the worktop for easy access when you are living in a property. However, when presenting your home for sale, cluttered work surfaces may indicate to some buyers that your property is on the market speculatively (after all, if you have not made an effort to tidy up, maybe you are not all that serious about selling). A well presented kitchen demonstrates that there is plenty of available storage space for non-essential items. [caption id="attachment_8832" align="alignnone" width="828"] The kitchen is the most important room for many buyers. Make sure to remove unnecessary items from the work surfaces.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8843" align="alignnone" width="828"] Staging this beautiful kitchen to be photographed was simply a matter of removing the majority of items from the worktop.[/caption]

Tip #2 The Bedrooms

Bedrooms are best presented bright and airy and at the same time warm and inviting. You want your buyers to imagine themselves kicking off their shoes after a hard days work and sinking their head into sumptuous pillows for a good nights sleep, then awakening to the early morning sun streaming through the windows. [caption id="attachment_8846" align="alignnone" width="828"] A lack of colour makes this otherwise lovely room look uninviting.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8856" align="alignnone" width="828"] Adding a patterned duvet cover and coloured pillow cases gives this bedroom a whole new fresh feel.[/caption]

Tip #3 Bathrooms

It goes without saying that bathrooms should be presented impeccably clean. Like every room, clutter (shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes etc) should be removed, and the remaining items organised. One important and often overlooked detail is the toilet seat. The toilet seat should be down! Not only is it bad feng shui (after all we don't want our energy and wealth leaking down the toilet), but simply put nobody wants to see inside your lavatory! [caption id="attachment_8859" align="alignnone" width="640"] Leaving the toilet seat up is not only bad feng shui, simply put, nobody really wants to see inside your lavatory![/caption] [caption id="attachment_8860" align="alignnone" width="828"] Bathrooms must look impeccably clean and free of clutter, with the toilet seat down.[/caption]

Tip #4 Corridors and open spaces

For properties with a large open space, giving the space a purpose can make it feel like having an extra room. In the example below, the open space has been converted into a reading area with stunning views over the rooftops to the sea. A professional real estate photographer will help show off these space to your potential buyers [caption id="attachment_8866" align="alignnone" width="828"] This mobile phone image fails to capture the usefulness of this open space[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8867" align="alignnone" width="828"] Our professional photographer has captured the true usefulness of this space[/caption]

Tip #5 The Pool Area

Pools are wonderful spaces where your buyer will imagine themselves relaxing on a hot summers day, with a few small considerations you can really help sell this space. Be sure to set up your garden furniture for everyday use; sunloungers set up by the pool, tables and chairs set up with a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses. Remove all pool cleaning equipment, your buyer does not need reminded that the pool needs to be maintained. Any other item that does not serve a purpose your buyer will identify with should also be removed. [caption id="attachment_8883" align="alignnone" width="831"] Hide pool cleaning equipment and other non-functional items. Garden furniture should be set up or put away[/caption]

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Get more for your money on foreign property

Marketing — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:07:59 +0000

The smarter smarter way to buy Euros

With Euro exchange rates at their highest levels since 2006 many foreigners are looking to buy property in the Eurozone, Spain of course being a favourite destination for us British. Read on to see how it is possible to make your money go even further...

Banks versus foreign exchange specialists

Despite the availability of top-end commercial exchange rates, most private individuals still use their bank to transfer money internationally, and in doing so may be missing out on savings up to 5%.

When buying a property abroad the sums of money involved are considerable and therefore the potential savings are considerable. Choosing an independent financial services company such as our trusted partners deVere Foreign Exchange can help make your money go further.

For more information on how to save money when buying foreign currency and Download this free guide.

Did you know it's possible to lock in today's exchange rates for upwards of a year?

It is prudent to take your time when buying property, especially when the property is in a foreign country, however the foreign exchange markets can move considerably over a given time period. Nevertheless you can secure today's exchange rate effectively allowing you to budget and eliminate foreign currency volatility. This can be achieved by means of a Forward Contract (a financial instrument which allows you to book today's rate and hold this rate for upwards of 12 months).

Talk to an independent financial consultant

MIA’s trusted partners deVere Group is the world’s largest independent financial consultancy group with in excess of US $8 billion of funds under administration and management, deVere has more than 60,000 clients in over 100 countries.

Best EURO exchange rate for nearly 10 years

Marketing — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 18:50:43 +0000

With the British Pound continuing to strengthen against the EURO, there has not been a better time to buy property in Spain in the last 10 years or so. In the last 2 years alone the pound has gained some 30% in value over the EURO, meaning that for the British investor looking to buy property overseas the time to buy is now. not only are we seeing significant rises in exchange rates but the housing market in Spain is showing signs of recover, especially on the Mediterranean coast (Costa Blanca).

[su_pullquote]Year on year house prices on the coast are up 1.4% compared to May 2014 but are still down 48.8% compared to the peak of the market. Tinsa [/su_pullquote]

For the smart investor, further savings can be made when buying european properties. Foreign exchange companies like DeVere can help substantially cut the cost of buying Euros, often giving rates of up to 5% less than the banks.

Need to buy Euros soon? How do you secure an advantageous position?

If you are looking at completing on a property purchase/sale, or even just looking to transfer money in the near future you can still take advantage of the current rates. This can be achieved by booking todays rate and holding this for upwards of 12 months (Forward Contract). Effectively allowing you to budget accordingly and eliminate market volatility. With GBP/EUR rates in such a strong position, it would be prudent to find out how you can benefit from the current highs in the currency market. Speak to your deVere Foreign Exchange trader to maximise your transfer value.

Three Gorgeous Spanish Properties For Sale – Costa Blanca Properties

Marketing — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:03:28 +0000

Dreaming of moving abroad and buying a beautiful Spanish Property?

MIA is offering these gorgeous modern properties for sale on the Costa Blanca. Click on the image to load the property details. [caption id="attachment_4635" align="alignleft" width="828"] Gorgeous Spanish Chalet In Campello, Alicante[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4637" align="alignleft" width="828"] Modern Mediterranean House In The Heart Of Campello[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4636" align="alignleft" width="828"] Dream Family Villa Tucked Away In Idyllic Costa Blanca Pueblo[/caption]

Double home victories for the senior feminine team – Club Athético San Vicente Hockey

Marketing — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 12:07:42 +0000

The women's senior team carried out a round day, ending before the Christmas break with two victories: CH Carpesa 3-2 and the CH Valencia 5-1. We sent our photographer to cover the match . At 13:00 the San Vicente faced a Carpesa with higher energies than the gathering of last week. The visitors didn't make it easy to the girls, who, despite having a greater mastery of the party, were to take the victory by 3-2 (goals from Kezia Taylor x 2 and Giuliana Marullo). However, the joint sanvicentero was not very pleased and happy with the result, and, after the team meeting with the trainer, and subsequently with the captain, the home team would face the next encounter with greater strength and motivation. Valencia CH was the second opponent. The Valencian (unbeaten so far this season) initially presented his team with goalkeeper-player and new technique of pressure. Despite the comeback attempts, errors in the visiting team did not reduce the deficit on the scoreboard, and addition to the good play and the hunger for goals, the Alicantinas were crowned with a big win, 5 (Ciara Brenner x 2, Kezia Taylor x 2 and María Berenguer) goals 1. Athletic alignment San Vicente: Ana Sanchez (P), Victoria Pujante, Patricia Martinez, Kezia Taylor, Giuliana Marullo, Carmen Mendias, Ciara Brenner, Maria Berenguer, Sandra Segura and Pilar García. Coach: Luke guitar. Team Director: Paco Mendías In addition, the youth team room he obtained another double win 6-1 before Giner de los Ríos and 7-5 against Valencia CH black, which leaves them in 2nd position of the group, and will face a ranked 1st of Group B in the Play off final. Original Article Doble victoria del Sénior Femenino en casa

The home of famous Spanish writer « Marcial de la Fuente »

Marketing — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 10:15:01 +0000

The home of the famous writer "Marcial de la Fuente" is coming to MIA. In addition to famous visitors in the artistic neighborhood of Alicante, this house is going to the market to bring more players! Its flamboyant owner, full of tips and advice, is delighted to give you a tour!... a real pleasure!