Sales Advice - Spanish Homeowners

Marketing Your Spanish Property for Sale

Marketing your Spanish property for sale is the key to whether you sell it or not.

Marketing is simply a method of letting everyone know you have decided to sell and the way you do this, i.e. the strategy you choose, determines how long it takes to sell or how much you get for your property.

One of the most popular methods of marketing nowadays is via the internet where you can list your property in Spain on websites such as Rentaccomspain.com on the property for sale pages.

Other, more traditional marketing methods include:

Word of mouth

An often overlooked marketing strategy is the 'word of mouth' technique. Just because you are selling a property in a foreign country, it doesn't mean that you should forget about telling your friends and family and anyone else you know about it. They may not want to buy a new holiday home in Spain, but they may know someone who does. Just remember, let them know you're selling - don't bore them with it by telling them every day and going on incessantly about how great your property is. You want them to work for you!

Private adverts

Spread the word as far as you can by placing private adverts in newspapers local to your property. This will attract people who are already living in the area and want to move home. Place more adverts in newspapers local to you in your home country. It's easier to meet potential buyers if they live near to you, and much easier to close the sale face-to-face rather than by email or telephone. Your adverts should always include the selling price as those which omit the price subconsciously suggest to the buyer that the property is too expensive for them (otherwise the price would be there!)

Don't forget your target market when advertising your property for sale. Is your property ideal for family holidays? If so, mention the proximity to beaches, etc. A worthy point to note; it's not the entire public you are selling to, just those who can either afford your property, or those who want one like yours, so you need to include descriptions and good, clear photos which will entice your target into contacting you.

Estate Agents

Agents can do a lot of the work for you but will expect a percentage of the sale price in return. In Spain this is normally added (as a percentage) to the price you are asking for your property making the advertised price seem higher. The higher their commission rate, the higher price your property will be advertised for so check that this would not make it seem expensive when compared to other similar properties in your area. Ensure they put up a big and bold 'For Sale' sign with their contact details and the price stated clearly.

Be wary of agents who tell you what you want to hear with regards to valuations of your Spanish property, as overvaluations have been common in the past as they attempt to get you to list with them. This leads to properties sitting empty for long periods of time and disappointed/desperate owners who reduce their price over time whilst the agent still takes their commission.

Think creatively

Thinking 'outside-the-box' in the current economic climate sometimes pays off when marketing your Spanish property.

Consider things like:

• holding open-house viewings to generate interest.

• print and distribute leaflets and flyers - but make sure these are attractive and stand out otherwise they will have the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve.

• list your property on auction website such as ebay with a realistic starting price and GOOD photos and descriptions.

• have your Spanish property advertised on large scale billboards in the local area to attract the attention of passers-by.

• post on internet forums - particularly the expat ones - as these are places people use and talk to each other and your property WILL get notice here.

• sell raffle tickets where the winner gets to own your property in Spain for the cost of their ticket in a similar way to the companies who raffle off cars in airports.

• create your own website where you can list ALL the details and as many photos as you want along with local area details and use it as part of your marketing campaign (note: this will need to be promoted in its own right as if it can't be found on search engines such as Google, it may as well not exist).

Preparation

The way you present your property is also a huge part of your marketing strategy. There is no point in spending time and money advertising you property for sale if the first thing potential buyers see when they come to view is an overgrown garden full of weeds or paint and plaster hanging off the wall. Would you buy it? Why should they? You need to impress buyers and make them imagine themselves in your property so clean, tidy up and de-clutter (put away all your personal items).