Drawing up a clear property brief; Defining property characteristics, location and use

by Mark Stücklin

Having thought hard about your requirements, done some research into the market, and worked out your budget range, you can now draw up a written brief that describes the characteristics of the property you want to buy. Obviously your brief has to be realistic in terms of your financial resources. It’s no good preparing a brief that describes a property you can’t afford to buy or maintain.

Drawing up a written brief has several advantages. The act of writing down a brief helps you clarify your thoughts and articulate your priorities. It also provides you with a useful document on which to base your search and communicate your requirements to estate agents and other professionals.

Many people complain of wasting time with agents who show them clearly inappropriate properties. Sometimes this is done intentionally by estate agents who use unattractive properties to make the properties they want to sell look more appealing (this is known in the trade as showing the client ‘put offs’). More common, though, are estate agents who simply ignore the client’s requirements and focus instead on what they want to sell.

A written brief makes this more difficult for agents to do. And of course, even good agents will find it a challenge to help you without a clear idea of what it is you are looking for. A written brief helps them to understand your requirements, assess how realistic they are and provide you with useful feedback from the start.

Despite the advantages of preparing a written brief, it seems that only a minority of people actually do so. Though it helps enormously to have a written brief before you start contacting estate agents one has to assume that this brief will not be set in stone. Searching for property in Mallorca is a learning process and you will probably find it necessary to update your brief in the light of experience. Your brief will evolve to adapt to the reality of the market and the process of updating your brief helps you to manage your search.

The following questions cover most issues you will need to describe in a written brief: Property Characteristics, Location and Use.

When giving a written brief to estate agents it helps to provide pictures of properties that appeal to you. Magazines are a good source of inspiration and ideas when looking for example pictures. Cut out pictures of the properties that serve as a guide to what you have in mind and attach them to your brief.

Property Characteristics

Budget range Your budget for the property alone, not including conveyancing costs and taxes.

Property type Apartment, Semi-detached, Townhouse, Villa, Estate. 

Architectural style preferences Modern, rustic, classical, traditional Spanish

Status & Condition Off-plan, Under construction, Just built, the extent of reforms that you will consider

Bedrooms Number & size

Bathrooms Number & size

Size of property Built area and plot in m2

Interiors, Kitchens, Bathrooms Open plan, modern, cosy, rustic, basic, elegant, preferred colours, no preference

Garden & PoolSize, Communal/private, importance

Parking Garage (number of cars), carport, on street

Views Rural, Golf, Sea, Mountains, Town

Other issues WiFi connection, security and fire alarms

Location

Ideal surroundings City, town, village, rural, quiet residential, urbanisation, middle of a lively area

Proximity to restaurants and shops Walking or driving distance 

Proximity to the beach Walking, driving

Access Drive time to an international airport

Community Spanish, international, mainly your nationality, secluded, open to interaction

Use

Required date of availability Immediate occupancy, longer. The main purpose of property Summer holidays, off-season holidays, short regular breaks, 6 months per annum, mainly to rent, primary home, etc.

Used by Just you and partner, kids, family & friends, rental guests 

Rental potential How much, if any, rental performance is required

The above template covers most of the issues you will need to describe in a written brief.

When giving a written brief to estate agents it helps to provide pictures of properties that appeal to you. Magazines are a good source of inspiration and ideas when looking for example pictures. Cut out pictures of the properties that serve as a guide to what you have in mind and attach them to your brief.

Morgan and Morgan has years of experience in offering a complete solution to your property search. This search begins with a an informal chat, either by phone or in-person to get to know your family needs. “What is the lifestyle you are looking to lead and how can I help you achieve it?”

This article is a part of The Comprehensive Guide in Buying in Mallorca that includes various articles that guide you through the buying process.