Property & Gite Management

from The Local Buzz - May June

by Buzzing

Coping with & Recovering from Illness

It’s a question of management

Mark Jansen, owner of Jansen Property Services, shares his experiences and offers some tips for maximising those profits.

Looking after your assets is key, that includes property and furnishings.

Second homes

Mark comments, “A while ago, as part of a maintenance visit, we found that a calf had walked all over a floating pool cover. We knew because of the deposits it had left behind and the hoof prints! The cover had huge cracks so we took photos, obtained repair quotes, dealt with the insurance company and oversaw its replacement.

“Another time” he adds, “we were at a monthly visual check when we saw that an owl had flown down the chimney and made a huge mess inside. We called the owners and they asked us to sort it out. That regular check prevented worse damage and they were free to enjoy their stay when they arrived.”

A second home means a second set of costs and it can be tempting to let things go a little longer than usual. You might ask a company to chlor the pool once a month but if the water level goes too low in that time, you could be buying a new pump. That’s false economy.

“One thing we have noticed”, says Mark “is that burglaries have increased in properties where the the grass isn’t maintained. This is a clear invitation to unwanted visitors. At the very least, think about having the grass mown regularly.”

Gîtes

The aim, for any owner, should be to create happiness. A bottle of wine and snacks, with orange juice for children is a great welcome gift, and always have spare linens along with an accurate inventory. Mark adds “Whatever you do, hang onto the deposit for two weeks after their stay. The last thing you want is for the cleaners to notice something after they’ve left or, worse, for the next tenant to call you with “I thought you said there was a snooker table?” Seriously, it can take a few days before a new tenant misses something and you need to be able to compensate for that.

“Then there are the guests from hell. This is when the cleaning crew goes into overdrive and your expenses go over budget. Make sure your welcome information states that the cleaning cost is based on like for like, not for cleaning or repairs after they’ve trashed it, and that additional costs will be deducted from the deposit.

Marketing

“We know it is very difficult to book more than six to eight weeks via a private website. By using a holiday rental organisation you are more likely to achieve 12 to 14 weeks. Even if the agency takes an equivalent of two weeks income as their cost, that’s still an increase. It is more professional and will certainly pay for itself in the long term.” www.jansenproperty.com

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This unique place is for sale and waiting for a new ‘Châtelain de Clérans’. If you are interested, please ask for more information: joris.vangrinsven@orange.fr or telephone +33 553 573 376 / +33 615 512 071.

Driving down the D36 you suddenly see the enormous keep towering over the village. The Château de Cause de Clérans (11th – 13th century) is a unique and historical place forming the centre of the village of Cause de Clérans, not far from Bergerac. A peaceful location yet only 15 minutes drive to the airport and all other facilities. The restored ruin of the 30 meter high keep (the oldest medieval defensive tower in the Aquitaine), the walls of the original château, the reception hall and the chapel together enclose the garden and look out over the village. The chapel is renovated into a comfortable living accomodation with three compact bedrooms and two bathrooms.

In the past years all walls have been consolidated and restored with much dedication, as well as the reception hall and the chapel – these buildings are ready for the next hunderd years and don’t need much maintenance.

A magical and inspiring place to write, to compose, to meditate, to relax completely, to enjoy as a private home, but is also perfect to share with others to use for concerts, exhibitions, receptions, photo/film shoots, for exclusive parties, as a wedding location ...

This well-known historical monument has been featured in magazines around the world.

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Beautiful frameless glass fencing for pool safety & wind protection

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