Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Concerts in Barcelona
World-famous Madonna will be in Barcelona tomorrow for the ‘Sticky & Sweet’ tour. The superstar will make her appearance at the Estadi Olimpic on Montjuic. It is considered the biggest concert of the summer in Barcelona, and there are still tickets available here: Madonna Tickets Barcelona. It could be good consolation for Cindy Lauper fans who cannot attend her concert since it has been cancelled, although a new date will be announced soon. Madonna will then continue her tour in Madrid on July, 23rd and in Zaragoza on July, 25th. She will then leave Spain for Norway.
Even if you miss this huge event, you may also enjoy seeing the very talented Moby on July, 23rd at the Palau de la Musica...The Offspring, one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time, on August, 10th at the Sala Razzmatazz...or the amazing Coldplay on September, 4th at the Estadi Olimpic.
If you want to come to any of these concerts, you might look to rent a holiday flat in Barcelona so check out our website! http://www.casamona-holidays.com
Even if you miss this huge event, you may also enjoy seeing the very talented Moby on July, 23rd at the Palau de la Musica...The Offspring, one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time, on August, 10th at the Sala Razzmatazz...or the amazing Coldplay on September, 4th at the Estadi Olimpic.
If you want to come to any of these concerts, you might look to rent a holiday flat in Barcelona so check out our website! http://www.casamona-holidays.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
Home Staging: How You Can Prepare Your Home to Sell
In a slow and crowded real estate market, home staging is becoming a popular tool to maximize the value of your property and minimize the selling time. Read this article from FORTUNE magazine to learn more!
Your Home: Maximize your sale price
As the housing market cools, it's more important than ever to pull out all the stops...six tricks of the pros for getting top dollar.
NEW YORK (FORTUNE) - There are several surefire ways to boost the value of your home (a Viking stove and an inground pool certainly never hurt).
But for sellers, there's only one way to maximize your investment that can A) be done in just a few days, B) can cost less than a plane ticket, and C) won't involve copious amounts of dust and contractor bills.
It's called staging -- that is, spiffing up your home in a number of small ways -- and it's getting more and more popular as the housing market cools and sellers try and set their homes apart.
"The way you live in your home and the way you market a house are two different things," says Barb Schwarz, the CEO and founder of StagedHomes.com, who has personally staged more than 5,000 homes over the past 33 years. "You have to think of your home as a product."
A home that Schwarz recently staged in Seattle had been on the market for nine months at an asking price of $1.4 million. Three weeks after investing $8,000 in staging services (the average cost of staging is $3,200), the sellers received an offer for $1.9 million -- $500,000 more than the asking price.
Staged homes also sell faster, according to Schwarz -- an average of seven days compared to 45 days for unstaged homes.
Here are six tricks from staging pros that will give you the home-court advantage:
Get On Your Hands and Knees
OK, so cleaning up sounds like a given, but this goes way beyond a vacuum cleaner and a dust rag. To get your home in shape for sale, you need to scrub around the faucets and the light switches. Banish the dustballs hanging around the baseboards and the cobwebs in the skylights. Powerwash the house and the driveway and keep the sidewalk swept clean.
OK, so cleaning up sounds like a given, but this goes way beyond a vacuum cleaner and a dust rag. To get your home in shape for sale, you need to scrub around the faucets and the light switches. Banish the dustballs hanging around the baseboards and the cobwebs in the skylights. Powerwash the house and the driveway and keep the sidewalk swept clean.
"You would detail your car if you were going to sell it," says Schwarz. "You should detail your house too."
Follow the Basketball Rule
It's no secret that America is a nation of consumers. And all of that stuff we buy is strewn about our homes.
It's no secret that America is a nation of consumers. And all of that stuff we buy is strewn about our homes.
In the living room of one luxurious home that Schwarz staged, she unearthed a grand piano beneath mounds of clutter -- something she did not notice when she first visited. So while you might like being surrounded by your collection of trophy fish or glass figurines, these items can be a real turnoff to a potential buyer.
Here's a rule of thumb: Remove all items that are smaller than the size of a basketball. Pack up at least half of your books. And stash the photographs of you and the kids on your Hawaiian vacation.
You want the buyer to be able to envision himself in your home -- not you.
Color Your Walls Martha
Yes, of course your bright red dining room and purple living room are exquisite and fit your style to a tee. But the truth is that a prospective buyer is unlikely to appreciate your extraordinary taste and doesn't want to have to paint everything down after closing on the house.
Yes, of course your bright red dining room and purple living room are exquisite and fit your style to a tee. But the truth is that a prospective buyer is unlikely to appreciate your extraordinary taste and doesn't want to have to paint everything down after closing on the house.
Cover your walls in neutral, complementary hues -- Schwarz says Martha Stewart's line is your best bet. They make rooms look expansive.
Cast a Cold Eye
Stand at the doorway of each room and take in the impression it gives. Are there too many accessories on the wall? Too many area rugs? Do the plants look overgrown? Is the furniture clustered on one side of the room?
Stand at the doorway of each room and take in the impression it gives. Are there too many accessories on the wall? Too many area rugs? Do the plants look overgrown? Is the furniture clustered on one side of the room?
"Most master bedrooms have too much," says Schwarz. "They tend to look like furniture stores."
In the dining room, remove extra leaves and chairs. In other rooms, take at least half of everything out and see how it looks. Then reintroduce items into the room sparingly. Be sure to visit your garage, basement, and attic for inspiration. Schwarz recently transformed a humdrum child's bedroom into a nautical paradise using items she found in the owners' garage. An old fishing pole found new life as a curtain rod, a net became a headboard, and a fishing boot served as the base for a lamp.
The buyers for this $1.5 million house were so taken with the handiwork that they stipulated in the contract that the contents of this child's room were to stay with the house. So go ahead and show some flair, but leave any dramatic artwork -- especially nudes -- out.
Set the Scene
If you're expecting an agent to stop by with a potential buyer, there are several last-minute touches you need to do before leaving the house. Empty the wastebaskets, put the toilet lids down ("I can't tell you how many people in million dollar homes leave their seats up," says Schwarz.), hide your laundry and grooming items, and place baskets of new, color coordinated hand towels in the bathroom. Always leave some lights on.
If you're expecting an agent to stop by with a potential buyer, there are several last-minute touches you need to do before leaving the house. Empty the wastebaskets, put the toilet lids down ("I can't tell you how many people in million dollar homes leave their seats up," says Schwarz.), hide your laundry and grooming items, and place baskets of new, color coordinated hand towels in the bathroom. Always leave some lights on.
And have soft jazz or easy listening music playing. It will put people in a buying mood.
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/02/real_estate/staging_fortune/index.htm
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What Makes a Flat "Casamona"?
We surveyed some of our employees and asked them… what do you think makes a flat "Casamona"? Here are their answers…
good light . rustic infrastructure with a modern twist . different, focused on details . unique and different . selective . original . great location and design . bohemian . inviting . striking . smart . up to date . tasteful . refined . sophisticated . elegant . stylish . chic . modern . impressive . cozy . authentic . charm . outstanding . central . full of character .
To see some flats for rent and sale that are “Casamona” quality, visit our website!
good light . rustic infrastructure with a modern twist . different, focused on details . unique and different . selective . original . great location and design . bohemian . inviting . striking . smart . up to date . tasteful . refined . sophisticated . elegant . stylish . chic . modern . impressive . cozy . authentic . charm . outstanding . central . full of character .
To see some flats for rent and sale that are “Casamona” quality, visit our website!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Staff Picks Mon. 6/7
Are you looking to buy in the Barcelona area? Check out this week's staff pick! It might just fit your needs...
Gesa
Sale: A611 Newly Renovated 130m2 Flat with High Ceilings, Balconies and a Small Terrace on a Pedestrian Street in El Born
Gesa
Sale: A611 Newly Renovated 130m2 Flat with High Ceilings, Balconies and a Small Terrace on a Pedestrian Street in El Born
Casamona Works Hard and Plays Hard!
Check out these fun pictures from a recent Business Lunch networking event held by Barcelona Business Networking! Casamona employees spent the afternoon of June 18th on the Catamaran Orsom enjoying each other's company and making new contacts.
It was a well attended event enjoyed by everyone on the boat...
Gesa and Maarten have a couple laughs while soaking up the beautiful Barcelona sun.Friday, July 3, 2009
Young Adults Favor “Aticos” to Other Flats
Here is an interesting article from another real estate blog, Deshazte de tu Casa, about how young adults tend to favor aticos over other types of flats.
This makes sense given that this age group tends to enjoy outdoor spaces where they can relax and entertain while taking in impressive views. However, there are some things to be cautious of when looking for an atico to rent or buy – here are some recommendations:
• Make sure there are good drains to prevent any problems with humidity and leaks.
• An orientation towards the south is preferable to avoid excessive heat from sunlight, especially if you are in a climate with hot summers.
• Examine the terrace’s separation from those of the neighbors: Do you have privacy? Are there any ventilation ducts or other utilities preventing you from enjoying views or maximizing the space?
• Find out whether the terrace is private or community space for your building!
To read more, click here to read the Spanish article.
This makes sense given that this age group tends to enjoy outdoor spaces where they can relax and entertain while taking in impressive views. However, there are some things to be cautious of when looking for an atico to rent or buy – here are some recommendations:
• Make sure there are good drains to prevent any problems with humidity and leaks.
• An orientation towards the south is preferable to avoid excessive heat from sunlight, especially if you are in a climate with hot summers.
• Examine the terrace’s separation from those of the neighbors: Do you have privacy? Are there any ventilation ducts or other utilities preventing you from enjoying views or maximizing the space?
• Find out whether the terrace is private or community space for your building!
To read more, click here to read the Spanish article.
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