Even though this past year has been different there was something which didnt change in REMAX, and that was the International and National recognitions we achieved. Forbes, REAL Trends, Entrepreneur Magazine, HousingWire, and Consumers Choice  are some of the awards we were chosen for in our network.

Looking back 2020 started very strong, it was a year with high expectances and then in March everything went wrong, not only in our sector, but in everyones lifes.  Despite the pitfalls and the uncertancy, RE/MAX agents were capable  to overcome themselves and for many this has been the best year of their careers. In the same way that the REMAX brand has received many achievement awards in 2020, bringing home many diplomas and prizes.

Because of this unusual year these prizes are even more significant  as they demonstrate the strength of the brand and proove that we are prepared to cope with difficult situations like a crisis or uncertainties.

Now we are going to go through some of the main achievements from 2020, Would you like to join us?

Excellent numbers globally also

REMAX agents worldwide did not stop working throughout 2020 no matter how complex the year was. We closed 1.78 million transactions worldwide which works out at an average of 14 transactions per agent In the middle of the pandemic!!

                                                             

For the twelth consecutive year, REMAX is the number one brand of Real Estate franchaises in the Franchise Times 200 ranking

At number 16 of  the general rankings for franchaises, REMAX joins well known brands like McDonald’, 7-Eleven  and  Taco Bell who are also on the list.

REMAX International was named as one of the fast growth franchaises for seventh year running by the  Entrepreneur magazine

 REMAX likes to grow quick and the whole world knows this! This is the 19th time REMAX is on this list. So quick that we already have done our numbers and know that we have done it again for the 8th year running. The interest people have at becoming a REMAX franchais owner is still very high!

A great year for REMAX Spain aswell! 

Even though 2020 was an uncertain year for the market, the numbers we closed the year with leave us a positive outlook as we took over the 2019 numbers.

Agent associates of REMAX Spain took part in a total of  11.753 real estate transactions last year, over taking the  8.600 of the year before. The value of the properties, sold and rented, reached   919.369.754,86 € against the 2019 total of 909.858.841,91 €.

Without doubt one of the best numbers we have seen especially given the hard times we are in. This just goes to show that buyers and sellers feel the need to have a professional real estate agent by their side.

REMAX Spain has been choosen for 4th consecutive year as the “consumers choice award” as the most valued real estate company.

And this without doubt is one of the best aspects we value, the opinion of our clients. The positive experience of our clients is our principal objective. Thsi means that we offer a good service in the whole buyer and selling process of a property, satisfying our clients needs with our services. Job well done!

 

Tips on how to organize the entrance of the property making possible buyers want to see more

They say you only have one chance to cause a good impression, same goes with your house. When a potential buyer opens the door of property they create an opinion about it in seconds based on what they first see. Creating a scene in the entrance hall can influence the client’s perspective of the property beforehand.

In order to prevent a negative first impression, making the potential buyers want to run out of the door, consider these tips so you have an organized entrance which will welcome the client to carry on through.

1. Mess

When a potential buyer enters a messy property they cannot visualize the potential of their new home. After all they would like to imagine their slippers next to the door without falling over yours. Start by de-cluttering the surfaces including the floor, shoe cupboard, table tops and wall units. Make sure things like bills or dog leads are out of the way in a drawer rather than left lying on a surface. If you have a wall unit or any shelves try and re locate 50% of what is on display when you have a visit lined up, same as any coats or jackets try keeping them in wardrobes rather than on the back of a chair or a coat hook. The trick is minimizing what is on show as it makes things seem bigger.

2. Maximize your storage

There are many pieces of furniture available, which apart from looking nice also have plenty of storage space out of sight. If you have some spare square meters maybe consider a bench with storage inside; apart from been able to store things inside out of sight it can also be looked upon as a place to sit. Another good piece of furniture to acquire is a shoe cupboard which hides any shoes or slippers you may have lying around plus the top can be used to put some flowers or ornaments on making the entrance to the property look pretty.

3. Decoration

The entrance to your property needs to look like an independent space from the property itself. Something simple like adding a rug can define the entrance space. The transition from outside to inside can be made gradual by adding some interior plants, not only giving a relaxing atmosphere, plants also fill a blank wall.

The entrance to a property should have minimal decoration, things like family photos should not be on display. Remember your potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves living there with their own personal photos. Having a wall full of photos doesn’t help same as having too many plants or ornaments on show. Things need to be minimal and just enough to not make the property look empty, a cactus or small plant on a side board or table gives it a touch without being over done.  If you are not good with plants, an artificial one does the job too.

4. Keep the place clean

The main entrance has to be clean, this includes windows and doors, you do not want people distracted looking at dust on the door frame or a mark on the floor. Keeping the floors clean and the surfaces dust free are essential. If your property is in a rainy area consider buying an entrance mat to avoid dirty shoe marks on the floor.

If you need any further tips your RE/MAX agent can help you dress up your property ready for viewings to potential buyers making your sale transaction run smoothly.

 

By Stuart Roberts, Associate Agent RE/MAX Beach Homes.

Sure, if you want to spend your time drinking Sangria there are lots of bars and restaurants in the Costa Blanca where you can spend your time drinking, but there’s so much more to the area that it’s easy to fill your days with activities.

If you like outdoor sports there are riding stables that you can book lessons to learn how to ride a horse, or if you fancy it you can go on a hack trekking through beautiful un-spoilt countryside, if horseback riding isn’t your thing but quad biking is, there are a number of locations where you can exchange one type of horse power for another.

Talking of horse power, if you like the thrills of go-karts there are 4 well maintained tracks in the area and an evening of racing can be combined with a meal in a local restaurant.

If you like to take your horsepower to the beach, then why not hire a jet ski and explore the coastline at high speed. If you like a slower approach to sea travel you can rent a boat and explore the areas many beaches. The coastal paths are also popular with walkers and cyclists alike.

 

Speaking of beaches, did you know that the Orihuela Costa area of Costa Blanca has kilometer after kilometer of Blue Flag beaches, from“ Playa La Caleta” in Cabo Roig to “Playa de la Glea” In Campoamor, awarded for the cleanliness of the water and the beaches themselves.

If you want to move inland there’s a host of villages, towns and cities to explore. Orihuela is one of the oldest cities in Spain and its architecture shows the influence of its rich history, whether occupied by the invading Moors or hard fought over by the Christians. A day exploring the sights of downtown Orihuela must include a visit to the Cathedral, Santo Domingo old University or to one of its many museums regarding “Miguel Hernandez” the famous writer who was born in the town.

If you are one who prefers nature, then Orihuela mountain “ Sierra de Orihuela” also has to offer you a hiking path of approx 10Km leading up to the famous “Cruz de la Muela” a large 15 meter high metal Cross on the Hill, which is lit up certain times a year.

The Costa Blanca has many activities on offer to suit everyone and their lifestyles, whether you are just coming on holiday or you have a permanent residence here.

Don’t be swayed by the smell of fresh paint or the sparkle of something brand new – buying a new home is as challenging and complex as any real estate transaction. You’ll need to translate the builders contract with all the specific points or make sure the translation they give you is correct, avoid (possibly) unnecessary home improvements that the builder will try to offer you, and ultimately have faith that the construction site shown early in the process will one day be a warm and comfortable home. Hiring an unbiased real estate agent can take the stress and hassle out of each of these considerations.

The value of hiring a REMAX agent:

1. Helping  you understand the paperwork of a new build;

The contracts of a new build property differ from developer to developer and are often very favorable to developers. Although in most cases it is not possible to change the contract details, a REMAX agent can put you in touch with a local legal expert to guide you .

A REMAX agent can work together with your legal expert to go through the contract and point out any potential issues to the sales rep. A good agent will also know the right time to involve a lawyer, as well as when to let things go. This will not only save money on legal representation, but will also keep the relationship with the promoter right for as long as possible.

Without the help of a real estate agent or lawyer, you can agree to some undesirable terms such as:

-Using poor quality building materials without your knowledge

-Construction delays with no end date in sight

-An unreasonable payment schedule

-Changes in scope of work

-Give up your right to legal resources in the event of a disagreement

2. Agents separate your needs from your wants

Selecting so many different aspects for your home can seem like a pretty exciting project, and it is actually one of the main reasons people choose to buy a brand new home, but remember this is where builders / developers can get the most of their benefit from. There are many upgrades that the builder / developer will offer you that can be easily done for a lower cost.

Here are some examples of upgrades that will not add a great value to your home, but will allow the builder to add extra costs on top of the property price:

·        Light fixtures

·         Mouldings

·         Door knobs

·         Countertops

·         Mirrors

 

3. Maintain good communication with the builder / developer

Staying in regular contact with the builder can be a time-consuming task. Having a REMAX agent will give you peace of mind. A good agent will go the extra mile to give you updates themselves of  photos taken from the progress of the building in case your builder is silent for a while.

A REMAX agent will also provide you with valuable information about the construction process. Maybe you’ve worked with builders before, maybe they can tell you about other similar builds and ease any potential tension before it arises. But a REMAX agent can give you useful information due to the knowledge of the area, not only about the new build itself, but also about the facilities surrounding you,  ready for your new life in the neighborhood after the move.

4. The agent is an expert in the area

When it comes to a new build, real estate agents will be able to provide you with knowledge of all the builders / developers in the area, as well as the history behind each of them. An agent can tell you how much a house costs in that area and the prices of the new builds . A REMAX agent, as a defender of your interests, will tell you if the price is too high, not only for the purchase but also regarding any extras that the promotor lets you choose.

5. A professional agent who has your interests as a priority

It may be that everything goes according to plan, in which case great! However, it is good to know that you have an experienced real estate professional on your side. If you want to make sure your home purchase goes smoothly, consider hiring a REMAX Agent. You will be happy for the services we can provide you even when unexpected problems arise!

 

 

If you’re wondering whether you have to wait, it’s still possible to sell your home – here’s how!

If you were ready to sell your home, you might be wondering – like a lot of people right now – if it’s even still possible to sell your home during the current situation. While it’s true that the way real estate is being bought and sold right now has changed due to COVID-19, the reality is that people are still buying and selling real estate. So if you’d like to sell your home, you can! There are just a few changes – some big, some better – to how things will be done.

Fewer buyers, more serious offers

There are not as many buyers in the current market, as some people are choosing to wait and see and some are facing financial insecurity. But the buyers that are in the market for a new home right now are serious. They aren’t looking at homes “just for fun” and they aren’t just curious about what’s available. They aren’t out to waste anyone’s time, and they’re ready to buy. To make sure, agents are pre-qualifying buyers to leave only the serious prospects. And if buyers are out looking now, they don’t want to wait until the Covid-19 shutdowns are over, so they’re probably wanting to close in the next month or two. Good news for sellers!

Plus, since many sellers have chosen to take their properties off the market during this time, you may even find less competition for your home. There is less choice out there for buyers, so if your home is already on the market, there is no reason to withdraw it.

Agents are still here for you

They may be working remotely, but real estate agents are still open for business. They are still able to talk with you on a video call to advise you on how much your property is worth or give you an idea of the market in your area.

If physical showings are still allowed in your areas, your agent will prioritize the safety of your family and your property above all else. Only the buyer will be allowed to see the home, no large families or friends, and no children. Your agent and the buyer will use gloves, masks, sanitizers and wipes, and your agent will be the only one touching doors or light switches, and they will sanitize any areas they’ve touched before locking up.

However, if showings aren’t allowed – or you aren’t comfortable showing your property in person – your RE/MAX agent already has experience with the latest digital technologies so they can start selling your home online.

Virtual tours, real sales

Engaging photos and videos have been powerful marketing tools in the past few years, but they are more important than ever now. Good photos not only drive interest and offer more convenience to buyers, but they give them the in-depth look at your property they need to start making serious decisions. By hosting a video call view, your agent can take prospective buyers on a guided tour of the space, showing every detail and answering questions as they come up. And since online tours are easier for buyers, this means more exposure for you.

Time is valuable, especially stuck at home

Even if you decide not to list your home right now, there is still plenty you can do now to help your sale when you’re finally ready. One of the most important steps to prepare your home for sale is to reorganize and tidy up. Buyers can be put off by clutter, which can make rooms look smaller and darker than ones with clear and orderly surfaces. So this lockdown is the perfect time to go through each room, clearing out any clutter, re-evaluating décor and packing away some of the personal items you have on display.

If you have access to home repair stores, this is also a great time to tackle small upgrade or repair projects you may have been putting off, like touching up paint or retiling a bathroom. Your agent can take a virtual tour of your home with you and make suggestions for the kind of changes that can pay off with a higher price for your property.

Whatever you decide to do, your agent is here to help you understand your options and make the best decisions for your home and your family. So get in touch and let’s discuss the next step for your home!