Kitchens and bathrooms are the best selling points of a second home, according to Spanish property expert Marc Pritchard.
The set-up and appearance of those two rooms are usually the reason for many people to invest in a second property, believes Pritchard, who is sales and marketing director of homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España.
“Sea views and terraces provide the initial wow factor, but it is the kitchen and bathroom that enable buyers to picture themselves actually spending time in the property – they give a home its soul. It’s why we place such emphasis on these rooms in every development that we design, ” he says.
Light and quality are the two features that contribute to the perfect kitchen, according to Marc.
High quality appliances and materials are also essential. Apartment layout is also important when it comes to kitchens. Open plan kitchens flowing into indoor and outdoor living areas are particularly popular.
For bathrooms, high-quality fixtures and fittings as well as lighting are among the top features. Materials have to be chosen based on how they will reflect or absorb light and contribute to the overall luminosity of the room. It is a delicate balance – a bathroom that is too bright can feel clinical and impersonal, yet one that is too dim offers a poor environment for completing tasks like shaving or putting on makeup, according to Pritchard.
“Little details can make a real difference. A modern mixer tap, an easy-to-clean shower screen, carefully positioned plug sockets… they’re not the most exciting details but every element contributes to making the perfect bathroom,” he says.
British buyers have been most active on the Spanish market this summer, according to Taylor Wimpey España’s data from July 2015. Properties purchased by Brits accounted for 20 per cent of all the sales, followed by German (15 per cent) and Scandinavian (14 per cent) buyers.
Taylor Wimpey offers properties on the island of Mallorca.