Last month I was incredibly privileged to travel to Europe with the family. The last time I was there, twenty-eight years ago, I was eighteen years old and travelling with friends on a gap year. At that time, the only thing I proudly returned home with was a Heineken t shirt. This time was a very different experience. I was travelling as a Dad, husband and pack horse. The tourism had changed too. This month I’ll attempt to draw some real estate comparisons from our time away.
Get out of my way
At departure I picked up a copy of the Financial Times and felt instantly guilty reading an article with the headline: ‘The rise of ‘tourism-phobia’ in Europe’. Simply put, they are over the huge volume of tourists, and we weren’t going to be helping that cause. They also weren’t wrong! Back in early 2000’s Amanda spent a couple of years working as a tour guide throughout Europe and she was blown away by the numbers there now. The hotspots such as Florence, Rome and most obviously in Venice were overrun with hordes of tourists moving like a sea through the narrow streets. It was so busy that it was overwhelming at times. The popularity of these places got me thinking about the houses the buyers like, and the ones they don’t. Look at the statue of David. He was said to represent the perfect man, sculpted using the formula of divine proportion of 1.618 (bar maybe his hands) which is said to be most attractive to the human eye. Good looking properties get the traffic, and the others don’t, so instead of looking at Michelangelo, maybe employ Nash’s equilibrium theory, offer on the ones other buyers aren’t considering. In the absence of competition, you’ll likely be able to pick them up for a better price, make cosmetic improvements to increase the appeal whilst at the same time developing the home to your taste.
Window dressing
Europe is old and has beautiful architecture, sculptures and spaces of historical note at every turn. As an eighteen-year-old I couldn’t have cared less about the history, more concerned with ticking the boxes of the major hotspots and getting back to my campsite so I could drink beer with my friends. This time around, the history was the best part. Spurred on by Amanda’s passion, I became obsessed with history, winding my way through cities devouring fact filled walking tours and topical podcasts. The ebb and flow of power throughout the centuries in Europe, and the incredible cruelty inflicted on humans was mind blowing. It’s quite amazing that there are any of us left! And while in modern day society we blow even the most minuscule attack on our character out of proportion, perhaps we should be grateful we didn’t live in the time of the Roman Empire, forced to battle lions for the entertainment of the masses at the Colosseum.
Another thing which had changed significantly since I was last in Europe were the social media influencers dotted around every notable site ( we took the photo of these two above in the Cinque Terre) . In the quest for the perfect shot they carefully angled themselves to appear as if they were enjoying an otherworldly experience, and were not in fact surrounded by throngs of sweaty sightseers jostling for prime position. It made me think that in a strange parallel the same goes for property – the fancy staging, the fresh smell of paint, the on-trend kitchen. Does the property have substance, or is it simply window dressing?
5-star reviews
Trip advisor is an amazing resource although your experience can depend heavily on your guide. One of the all-trip highlights was a walking food tour we booked in Rome. The most incredible insight into local artisans and global superstars of the food world. This was all topped off by our spectacular guide Lucy (in the photo under the meat ceiling!). She was engaging, knowledgeable, funny and passionate and wanted nothing but for her customers to have the best time. We encouraged friends of ours to take the same tour a week later, and while they enjoyed it, without Lucy it was no party. Putting a Real Estate spin on the story, it’s the agent fronting the sale which has the influence over your experience and result, not the brand. I always tell owners that no buyer buys a house because of the brand, in fact often they have no idea what company they are buying from. When reviewing agent testimonials, the only one’s worth considering are from the people paying for the service, and that’s the owners. Buyers tend to deduct ratings based on their perception of paying more than they had wanted (amongst many other things). While I can understand that this may not sit well with a buyer, the whole reason an agent is employed is to generate an above market result for the vendor, and the two sides, and experiences, are invariably at odds.
Some water per favore
If I could hazard a guess on the proportion of our budget we spent on water, it must have been in the region of twenty five percent, if not more! With daily temperatures averaging around 38 degrees, and three red faced kids in tow, I’ll never again take for granted the free water offerings we are accustomed to in New Zealand, especially the ones who upgrade it to sparking! Not one time in twenty-three days, were we provided complimentary water. Even though water heavily featured at every meal, and throughout the day. A quick plea to guard our free water and fix those pipes WCC!
The Wellington Market
Considering I’m writing this as we fly over Iraq, I’m not able to comment on how the market has been performing over the past few weeks. In my January barometer I mentioned that rates would be cut this year, breathing life into the market and providing much needed relief to mortgage holders. It would appear we are edging ever closer to this day with rates off their recent highs. But in the absence of anything more insightful I’ll share the best deal on holiday. While lining up to tour the Roman Forum, Amanda negotiated a fantastic deal on five umbrellas to shade us from the burning sun. It became an all-out feeding frenzy, suddenly we were surrounded. Immediately post the transaction a huge fist fight broke which concluded with one guy on the ground as others stood over and beat him with the umbrellas! To which Amanda responded, ” I must have got a good deal”.
Wellington Market Quick Stats
What’s on in Welly?
Beervana, 23 Aug – 24 Aug 2024
New Zealand’s biggest toast to beer and beer enthusiasts is back in Wellington. The Sky Stadium will be getting hoppy this August. Beervana will roll out the barrels for a celebration of the craft. The festival is known for its eclectic mix of local and international beers, promising an experience beyond your ordinary pint.
Click here to book your tickets
Blossom Valley, 7 Sep – 3 Oct 2024
Celebrate the return of the warmer months at Blossom Valley. The picture-perfect pink and white garden is one to see this spring.
Aston Norwood is home to Aotearoa’s highest number of mature cherry blossom trees. Each year the garden hosts Blossom Valley, a celebration of spring coinciding with the blooming of the trees. With over 350 sakura trees, it’s a great family day — or night — out. Enjoy food, drinks, photo opportunities, and fan-favourite evening sessions.
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Rockaria – The ELO Experience, 25 Oct 2024
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) formed in Birmingham in 1970. Its fusion of progressive pop/rock and classical gained a huge following in the 70s and 80s. Now, Rockaria — The Electric Light Orchestra Experience gives you a tribute act to relive all the hits. You can experience the likes of ‘Evil Woman’, ‘Rock and Roll is King’, ‘Xanadu’, ‘Telephone Line’, and ‘Turn to Stone’.
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