Episode 5
After many years renovating her beautiful stone farmhouse in county Wexford, Annelies decided to sell up and move on. With unfortunate timing, the recession kicked in and the house didn’t sell. It has remained on the market with a price tag of €600,000 for 10 years. This year she decided enough was enough, so she slashed the price in half to €300,000, putting it back on the market without an estate agent. Within 24 hours of the price cut, the house received over 800 views on the property websites and the offers poured in.
It’s so exciting to see people’s reactions as they look around the house. It’s very flattering when people love it but I’m certainly not accepting any cheeky bids.
Annelies Heemskerk
Annelies has become a dab hand at managing the viewings herself without an estate agent. Her vintage taste in décor may not be to everyone’s taste but there’s one unique feature of the property that captures everyone’s imagination – a beautiful stone chapel in the garden.
I know whoever buys it will change the house and add their own style, but I hope they will make good use of my chapel.
Annelies Heemskerk
In the Docklands district in Dublin, Patrick isn’t taking any risks with the potential sales value of his property. He hires interior designer Natasha Rocca Divine to stage his 3-bed apartment for viewings. He’s hoping that investment in a makeover now will pay off by enticing more buyers with deeper pockets.
My design has to show off the best features of the property. We want people to fall in love with it and want to pay more for it. That’s my job – to increase the price.
Natasha Rocca Devine
The owner Patrick is an investor who’s selling off his rental portfolio in Ireland.
There’s too many restriction on landlords now. ‘Landlord’ has become a dirty word in Ireland. That’s why I’m getting out.
Patrick Cunningham
Natasha’s design works a treat. The apartment sells for €720,000 – €70K more than the asking price.