With the objective of providing new products, in the real estate market a trend is observed in new apartment developments: inclusion of furniture and appliances. The equipped and ready-to-move-in units are designed and prepared so that their residents can settle in without complications and feel comfortable from the first moment.
The main benefit is that the person who needs move immediately, and who does not have the time to dedicate himself to furnishing and equipping the home, solves the problem. Furthermore, in general the buyers of these properties are those who are looking for the rental business.
“Furnishing and equipping an apartment takes approximately between 90 and 120 days, time in which the unit cannot be rented and expenses must also be maintained. On the other hand, a furnished and equipped unit is a turnkey rental businessis ready to be occupied and can be profitable from day one,” says Ignacio Mel.
The director of the real estate agency Mel Propiedades adds that “more and more developers are thinking about projects especially for the property market. temporary rentalsand the units are delivered furnished and equipped.”
Regarding the impact on the price, in a studio apartment you can spend between US$ 5,000 and US$ 7,000 for furniture and equipmentwhich represents between 8 to 10% of the value of the unit.
The cost of the equipment is included and not discriminated in the final price. In fact, this contributes to generating a additional margin useful for the developer or real estate company. In many cases, there are companies specialized in providing the service of design and equipment,” says Ariel Venneri.
The founding partner Grupo MAHE adds that “in our country this modality is increasingly observed, as an option offered by some developers who offer units for temporary rental. However, it is still not common to find this option intended for personal use as a permanent home.
However, architect Maximiliano Alvarez, director of the developer Malva Arquitectura, explains that “the trend is choose furnished to reside permanently and you can even customize it.”
Regarding billing, Venneri comments that “there are two modalities on the part of whoever provides the equipment service.”
“Opening cost and fee, that is, the cost of each item of equipment is quoted and a fee is charged for the service which is generally a percentage of the total cost of the items or closed price, a total cost that includes the detailed items and the fee for the service without discrimination,” he explains.
On the importance of acquiring a unit with home appliancesdeveloper Grupo Chomer lists five benefits: saving time and effort; convenience and comfort; ease of installation; Integrated style and design and enhanced living experience.
“In addition, as they are equipped during construction, these types of apartments have appliances that integrate perfectly with the interior design, adding a touch of style and sophistication”, the firm explains.
They also add that “the appliances used are usually of the latest generation, which guarantees not only functionality but a modern and elegant appearance.”
An important recommendation for those people looking to buy an apartment to rent is to pay close attention to the quality and finishes of the furniture. “An apartment with poor furniture can even be counterproductive, and it may be preferable for the seller to withdraw it rather than buy it furnished, demanding a reduction in price in exchange,” suggests Darío Rizzo.
The CEO of the real estate company Alternativa Propiedades explains that “this type of units aims at a demanding public Therefore, the furniture has to be new and of high quality, otherwise the new owner may resign up to 50% of the future rental price, or not be able to rent it.”