Five things luxury property buyers look for in a dream home

date
26/03/2024
author
Unique Estates

If you're planning on selling a luxury apartment or other type of property, read what buyers of high-end properties are looking for. Find out more here!

What do luxury home buyers want?

Today's buyers have wide access to information, are knowledgeable and search thoroughly before making a decision to purchase a new luxury home. They are aware of their requirements and preferences and choose a property that best suits their style and lifestyle.

Luxury property buyers are increasingly looking for larger homes, with three-bedroom apartments (71% of all completed transactions) being the best-selling mid- and high-end properties on the market, followed by two-bedroom apartments and townhouses.

Homes in advanced stage of construction or with act 16

Many buyers make the decision to purchase a home under construction because the terms of the deal can be significantly better when buying directly from a builder. As our experience shows, most units are sold almost 80% before the building is commissioned, i.e., under advanced construction or already received the coveted Act 16.

With this deed in place, construction and installation work is complete and individual lots have been opened-everything needed for the new property owners to occupy the building permanently and seamlessly.

As mentioned, very often in buildings already constructed with Act 16, the choice is limited, as the best apartments are already sold before construction starts, and the price of the rest is increased upon receipt of Act 15. There remains a strong demand for unfurnished apartments, which the owners can furnish to their taste, as there is an obligatory condition that they are finished "turnkey", i.e. have flooring, plastering, putty, paint, etc.

Luxury apartments with several bedrooms

The functionality that the home offers is becoming an increasingly sought-after feature - wider hallways, the presence of laundry rooms, closets, storage, and more. Buyers of luxury properties want to improve their living standards and find a home that better suits their needs. This is why they look for more spacious properties that have room for every member of the family. For a three-bedroom apartment, prices range from 240 thousand euros to 300 thousand euros.

Houses and villas near the capital

As the standard of living of the people increases, of course, the dynamics in the daily life of all of us who live in the big city also increases. The days are getting more hectic, noise and stress accompany us everywhere and therefore it is quite natural, even subconscious need, for everyone to orient themselves and look for how to escape from their busy everyday life, finding peace, security and comfort when they come home.

The trend that has been observed over the last six months is that people living in the capital have an interest in migrating to the peripheral areas of the city. Reasons for this are usually found in several leading factors - tranquillity, a more favourable environment and proximity to nature, as well as modernity in the construction of new building projects characterised by low-rise construction, such as gated communities. Gated communities are mostly built in quiet and remote areas where residents find escape from the dirty air and the busy pace of the big city. Proximity to parks and green areas, reliability and relaxing environment motivate more and more people to buy a house in this type of complexes.

Apart from Sofia, the clients are also oriented towards the villages located close to the capital, which allow quick and easy access to the city, mainly looking for houses.

The buyers of terraced houses, where several identical houses are built in one gated complex, give from 320 thousand euro to 450 thousand euro. The average prices of detached houses are over 486 thousand euro.

The purchase of a house gives the opportunity to have a large courtyard on which to spend favorite sports activities or barbecue evenings, gathering in the sun by the outdoor pool.

Yard spaces

The growing demand for houses with large yards in the vicinity of Sofia is directing attention to new locations that have been out of the sight of buyers - Bankya, Gorna Banya and Lozen. With the emergence of larger residential projects and high-end detached properties, these areas are increasingly attracting customers interested in suburban properties with more space and privacy. In some cases, buyers are also turning to more remote locations but with good access to the capital, such as the golf course in Pravets for example.

Detached garages

Nowadays, many people living in the big city, and more specifically in Sofia, are faced with the challenge of finding a free parking space for their personal car. Thus, owning a parking space or a garage has become an advantage and a mandatory element of the offer for sale of both luxury property and those of the lower price class. In gated complexes there are often internal parking garages in each block and they are sold with them. In some cases, the complexes also have the option of access to more than one parking space per household, which perfectly satisfies young families with more than one car.

Partner with an experienced broker

Selling an apartment can happen with or without a real estate agent, but consulting with a real estate professional will give you peace of mind that you'll go through all the steps of selling your apartment without a hitch. By choosing to trust the services of a professional consultant, you'll save yourself a serious chunk of both the obligations and responsibilities, as well as the worries that every seller faces.

Good real estate agents are the people who know how to take advantage of any situation to be the most beneficial for you, so their advice is invaluable. It is because of this comprehensive and professional knowledge, as well as the extensive database and network of valuable contacts that real estate consultants have at their disposal, that working with a real estate agent is more than justifiable and fruitful in closing a property deal. So don't hesitate to choose this type of service to make the process of buying your dream home easier.

Unique Estates will always be your trusted partner. If you are looking for your dream new home, want to invest or want to realise a property, contact us. Our team is available to assist you with all your luxury real estate questions and to advise you in the best way, protecting your best interest.

Do we need a broker when buying and selling a property?

Many of you probably ask this question when it comes time to change homes or purchase a new property. Why do I need an agency when there are websites show direct information from an owner?

Generally speaking, a real estate agent will save you time and effort, protect you from incorrect owners, and guide you seamlessly through the process.

How is a property sold?

When selling a property, it is important to consult a professional who can provide you with a housing market research and help you determine the market price of the property. It is also recommended to have a realistic description of the property to attract the attention of buyers, helping them to get oriented in its advantages.

 

How is a property tax assessment made?

The issuance of a tax assessment requires the submission of several types of documents, which you can request through a specialized portal for the provision of electronic services, with an application at the counter in an administrative service center, by e-mail or by post, electronically through the secure electronic delivery system.

 

How is the market price of a property determined?

The market price is determined by real estate professionals using the comparative market analysis method. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the correct price range in which to position a property when it is advertised for sale. 

 

How is profit tax calculated when selling a property?

The profit from the sale of a property is not taxed when the home has been your property for 3 years. In all other cases, the difference between the sale price and the purchase price is taken into account when calculating taxes on the sale of a property. The income is formed on a tax base and this tax base is reduced by 10% of the legally determined costs.

 

How much is my property worth?

The surest way to find out how much your property is worth is to consult with a professional in this field. We at Unique Estates can help you by providing you with a reliable valuation that is based on in-depth market research by professionals as well as our own data acquired over the years.

 

How are the undivided shares of a property calculated?

For each independent property, the undivided shares are calculated using the following formula:

Undivided Shares (%) = (Built-Up Area/Gross Floor Area) *100

Where:

Undivided Shares (%) is the size of the common areas adjacent to the property.

Built-Up Area (BA) is the built-up area of a property.

Gross Floor Area (GFA) is the total floor area contained within the entire building.

 

How is a property boundary determined?

A property boundary is determined by filing a petition to fix the boundary between properties. In order to determine the exact boundaries of a landed property, it is necessary to carry out the so-called tracing. This means to mark various points, lines, planes or surfaces on the terrain.

 

How is rental income declared?

There are two options for declaring rental income. In the first case, if the tenant is an uninsured natural person, it is the responsibility of the landlord to declare and pay the applicable rental income taxes. In the second case, if the tenant is a self-insured person (or enterprise), the tax amount is determined and the tax is withheld from him/ her at the time of its payment.

 

How is a rental agreement prepared?

If you are considering renting out a property, your cooperation with a professional lawyer is very important. He will help you to draft all mandatory clauses of the agreement in accordance with the Obligations and Contracts Act (OCA, Articles 228-239) and the Landlord and Tenant Relationship Act.

 

How is a rental agreement concluded?

According to the Bulgarian legislation, a rental agreement can be concluded both in written and oral form. In both cases, the agreement is considered valid and has legal force. However, the choice of an oral agreement hides significant risks, mainly due to the difficulties in proving the agreed terms and conditions.

 

How to terminate a tenancy agreement?

When you wish to terminate your tenancy agreement, you must comply with the period specified in the agreement and give prior written notice. If you wish to leave earlier than this period, you must pay a penalty to the landlord.

 

What is a property management service?

The property management service releases the landlords from their responsibilities throughout the rental process and from the subsequent tasks of collecting the rent and monitoring the property.

 

How to sell a luxury property with Unique Estates?

Contact us and our team of experts will prepare a special Comparative Market Analysis to determine the correct market price and potential customers for your property. Trust our professional real estate consultants who will give you the right guidance on how to successfully sell your property.

 

How to make an expert appraisal of a property?

The first step in making an expert appraisal of a property is to contact a certified appraiser registered in the Chamber of Independent Appraisers in Bulgaria. For the process, you will need an ownership document, an up-to-date sketch or cadastral map of the property and other documents depending on the type of the property.

 

When market analyses and research are conducted?

Market analyses and research are conducted before making important business decisions, launching new products on the market, making investments, or expanding the business into new markets.

 

What does a market analysis involve?

The market analysis includes a complex analysis at several levels: general market analysis, industry market analysis, market analysis of an individual product. These assessments provide valuable data for informed decision making and strategic planning.

 

For whom can the real estate market analysis be useful?

The real estate market analysis can be useful for investors, home buyers, agents, financial institutions, property managers, end users, etc. It helps in making informed decisions and understanding market trends and property prices.

 

Where to post an ad for the sale of a luxury property?

Before selling your property, it is important to choose a consultant who will give you the right guidance on how to most successfully and smoothly carry out the transaction. Trust our professionals at Unique Estates, who offer complex services in the field of real estate in two directions - Premium and Standard.

 

Where to obtain a property sketch?

The first step in obtaining a property sketch is to check with the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency (GCCA) whether the property falls within the territory with an active cadastral map. A check of the sketch can be carried out in any regional city in Bulgaria at the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Office (GCCO).

 

How to rent out an apartment?

Renting out an apartment can be made both with the help of a real estate agency and independently.  Choosing to work with an agency provides a number of advantages that can significantly accelerate the conclusion of a rental agreement.

 

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Five things luxury property buyers look for in a dream home