No matter if you already live for years in or near Ubud, or if you just plan to one day become a local resident, now in the wet season or winter ’over there’ is a good time to think about the value of a harmonious atmosphere inside your home.

Should the bed sheets be replaced with new ones in a colourful pattern? Maybe some wooden garden furniture on the veranda could do with a fresh coat, rethink the lighting and so on.
Long ago, when still living in Europe, I enjoyed having a large aquarium, which gave on those dull autumn and winter days and long evenings romantic lighting and a colourful living focus next to the sitting area.
Adding here such fish tank for the kids (and for dad who has all the the work with it) is simply a matter of purchasing a complete setting maybe at ACE.  Put some rocks and plants in, buy pretty freshwater fish and enjoy the spectacle.
Unfortunately, in the tropics only the season from October to March is really suitable to enjoy the added indoor ambiance.  For the remainder of the year the responsibility to take care of Nemo and friends may possibly become an unwanted task. 

Well, you decide…  

Let’s also look at a few other ideas which may assist in converting ’just a house’ into a real home…

Again, no matter if you are living already longer in the house, or just bought or leased it, -  try to look at it as a blank page which is offered as canvas for your decorative ambitions.  Just because we are already used to what became ’our style’ over time, does not mean it is still in line with everyone’s present taste and mood.
You and your family are on a journey through life and as happens on all journeys, outlook and preferences change. Take an objective look around and see what could make you happier again.

And, aren’t we lucky?  In Bali there are more interesting pieces of furniture and décor cramped together on a few square kilometers, than in most other places around the world.  …  Let alone talking about the abundance of amazing artists!  A wall painting in the hallway or children’s room maybe?

Years ago, when decorating a hotel in Lombok, I sent a young local out to have some prints from an art calendar converted into original size reproductions. He took the small calendar, which also mentioned the original sizes of the Van Gogh’s and disappeared for about a week. Came back from Java with high quality original sized copy paintings, which from a few meter’s distance would truly go for the real one.  (Heaven only knows how he found those gifted painters) At the time each painting, some 1.2x1.6 m in size was about 90 Dollars each.  They are still hanging in matching frames, which as you know, also only just cost a fraction of London-, Cape town- and Chicago prices.

When you re-create your home, you also strengthen the family bond through the pride of calling a pretty and cosy home your own.  Maybe worth a thought?  The minimum benefit would be that there is something pleasant and challenging to do right now.  Ideally your home wins on character and let’s be clear, also wins on value, should it come to re-sale and the all important first impression.

Go for it!   Be in love with the home you are creating together. No better time! Make your home the manifestation of your family before the time for tours and outdoor activities comes back.

Did you ever forget something?
Well, I did. Again.  ... Last month we looked at how to prepare the re-sale of a house, should this become an issue.  We looked at how to prepare the villa for the buyer inspections and how to arrange for the best possible presentation.

What I did not do properly when rushing straight into a number of tips, -  I forgot to say: “ the preparation for re-sale starts already  b e f o r e  buying the new home”.

I am sure I do not have to remind anyone of the primary rule in property investing: ’location, location, location’.   However, this rule is closely followed by the advice: “Don’t buy or build the best house in your area”.

At least we are catching up on this today. Sorry I did not mention before.

A typical example would be when in 2015 on the top of the very active property market, enthusiastic buyers purchased a small so called ’Fixer-upper’. They renovated and very generously expanded it. Once completed, the owners tried to sell their mansion in the now waning real estate times which followed the price increases of the years before. Which problems did they face?  

After 18 months without a sale, they had to reduce their asking price several times and walked away with a significant loss.

The fact that they bought in a booming market and tried to sell during a decline in values was in itself sad enough. 

However, there were other factors. 

On one side nearby was a ruko (combination of business and accommodation) and on the other side an eyesore.  Upon shopping around this should have been a warning,

- Don’t super-size your house when it is not surrounded by houses/villas of at least equal value.

Step back before buying under time pressure and think about what would happen when it comes to sell.

In today’s market, potential buyers, -having weathered the real estate bust and the following almost-recession-  should take a look at the biggest, best house nearby and say to themselves: “No way.” From an investment point of view, owning the biggest house on the block has never been a good strategy.

For similar reasons, you should avoid buying a house on a block next to popular restaurants. They may change owners and maybe start offering life music without considering your own personal song preferences.                   

Same, if there are mainly rented-out homes or villas nearby. It is thought that renters don’t care as much for the properties where they live, especially with absentee property owners, as it happens in investment-only villas. Their indifference can only hurt the value of nearby homes. The continuously rising land prices make it increasingly possible, that existing old structures are being taken down and replaced by god-knows-what.  The thought: “great here we have this old only partly used building, which will be peaceful as a neighbor in all years to come” should be replaced by a big question mark on the shopping list.

A better strategy, if investment is your main focus and no matter in what kind of market, is to buy the worst house in the best neighborhood. You can always improve the property and therefore increase its value. And because it’s on a great block, improvements you make to the home will be practically guaranteed to give you a top return on your investment come time for re-sale.

They say: Exceptions confirm the rule. This would apply if you choose your home solely for personal enjoyment.  Then almost everything goes, as long as your heart is in it and you understand how to evaluate the structure. 

Life is short. If you do not care too much about making profit out of every single step in your life, then go to your local agent and tell him/her about your dream life style. They will try to slip into your shoes for the process and in addition you get valuable advice about building issues life expectancy and local particulars, based on the particular structure and experience ...                                                                                                    

Here, at Ubud Property, there are near 500 listings to chose from. Chances are good you find what you came for. If you are in it to make just money, it is also essential to interview the reputable local agent.  Often there is more to say about a property than meets the eye. 14 years in business in Ubud means there must be a bundle of accumulated knowledge to tap into, right?

Oh, this rain again and I forgot my umbrella somewhere. Probably will be soaked when reaching the car.

However, as long as the poring rain is the main disaster in present Ubud-days, I guess life is good.   

Wishing you the same.    R