Whether you are moving on to pastures new, upsizing or downsizing, or looking to release capital for a business investment, why you want to sell a luxury villa is not the issue. The common denominator is not ‘why’, but ‘how’.
When it comes to selling a multi-million dollar property, a simple listing on an agent’s books may not be enough and a successful villa sales strategy is vital. Luxury villa sales are more specialized and therefore potentially more complex, requiring a logical, driven approach. Follow our step-by-step guide on How to Sell Your Luxury Villa.
1. The price has to be right
The real estate mantra is, ‘Location, location, location!’. Exquisite villas on a sought after plot really add to the price tag. There are a myriad of different value considerations too, such as size of property, facilities and amenities, as well as design and fixtures and fittings. Get several valuations and make sure your sales price is right on the money.
2. Consider any pre-sale renovation and repair
You may not want to inject money on a property you are going to sell. However, it is worth weighing up what an investment into repairs or refurbishments could do to the sales value. If by spending x you are going to increase the value by five times x, as well as appeal to more potential buyers, then this could prove to be a smart move.
3. Prepare a factsheet
Buyers like facts and the less they have to research the basic information the more easily they can determine if your villa is what they are looking for. Create a factsheet and include the number of bedrooms, list indoor and outdoor spaces, the number of bathrooms, and any balconies and terraces. Put yourself in the shoes of a buyer who does not know your property. What would you want to know?
4. Write a summary
Beyond the basic facts, how would you summarize what makes your luxury villa unique? Are there any particularly interesting features, such as an amazing view from an infinity pool, or a hilltop setting overlooking a stunning beach? What are the USPs of your villa? List brand names, style details and quality aspects.
5. You need photos and maybe a video and virtual tour
Holiday-style snaps are not going to cut it. Just like supermodels, luxury villa properties need a professional photo-shoot to really show off their beauty. Videos and virtual tours interact with prospective buyers and draw them into your villa’s world. After all, you want to attract serious potential buyers.
6. Reach your market
Contact sales agents, or if you want to really target a specific market then consider a luxury real estate specialist such as The Luxury Address to oversee, monitor, and manage the sales and marketing process on your behalf.
7. Make sure your villa is ready and available to view
If you are not staying at your villa, or if you have been renting it out as a luxury holiday stay, make sure that it is in absolutely mint condition if any interested parties want a personal tour. Luxury or not, the same rules apply and a clean, tidy, and homely property attracts positive attention.
8. Decide if you want to hold open days
If you do, then decide if you will be present and/or your luxury real estate representative. Depending on whether a buyer is looking for a home, holiday villa or luxury villa rental opportunity, it may be best to let the villa sales rep. do the talking and stand back from injecting your persona into the mix. An open day needs to be properly advertized and held in a professional way, with plenty of notice to work properly. An open day is an event so provide drinks and maybe even canapés.
9. Sell more than the property
Your luxury villa is not simply a property. It can be a dream, an aspiration, and a golden business opportunity. It can represent an exclusive retreat, a holiday hideaway or freedom for family vacation experiences. Your villa is the view, the landscape around it, and the outdoor space. You are selling an ambience and a lifestyle and these factors need to direct every more you make in your villa sales approach.
