Q&A with Moyra Gahan: White Design Concept
Sponsored by White Design Concept.
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White Design Concept was founded by Moyra Gahan because she identified a demand and a gap in the market for foreign investors and buyers who want to buy property in Barcelona.
What Prompted You to Start White Design Concept in Barcelona?
I moved to Barcelona ten years ago. I didn’t speak the language. It took me a while to learn it. I bought a very old, rundown property and renovated it from scratch. It was quite challenging, considering my Spanish skills. I did the whole renovation in three months: new kitchen, bathroom, electrical, the whole process. It came out well.
Once I had finished the process and dealt with all the challenges that it entailed, I had the property valued by some well-known agents and I had doubled my money. I was delighted. I thought, why don’t I do this again? This could be a great opportunity.
When Did You Start Renovating for Others?
It was a process—people were impressed with the transformation I had made. I renovated other properties after I started, including one for myself. Then, friends of friends, colleagues and others came to me for assistance after moving here or wanting to purchase a second home. They would ask me to come and view the property with them, or they would ask for advice on remodelling or design reconfiguration.
I built up this great team of people. I learned from my own mistakes. I've renovated various properties in London and Marrakesh. I was quite experienced in those markets but not in a new country like Spain. I was able to help people out and then it evolved from there—the key is to build a local network.
Who Can You Help?
I can help two types of people. White Design Concept helps private individuals who are looking for a main or second home in Barcelona, assisting them through the whole process from A to Z. Also, I can help investors who want to flip or buy a property.
I just completed a property recently for an investor. He was looking for a property to flip. It took about four months start to finish, with almost 25% return. He was delighted. The rental market from an investor’s perspective is doing amazingly well. The demand is crazy.
These two types of buyer have very specific needs and they each require professional renovation for the process to go smoothly.
Can You Give an Example of a Property That You Renovated Recently?
I purchased a rundown property for an investor near the San Antoni market, which is a really sought after place. I sourced it for him and got it for a very good price—it was cheap. It was a good buy, but it was in appalling condition and had no character. He invested the money and was very happy. White Design Concept gave the property some character and did the whole process from sourcing and negotiating the sale to renovation. He’s delighted and got a great return on his money.
What Areas Can You Advise On?
I can advise on every aspect of buying a property, including where to buy and where to avoid, which is quite important if you’re not familiar with the city. If you buy an old property that needs renovation, you can increase its value a lot. If you want to rent it as an investor, properties here are very rentable.
I can advise on the whole process, including where to buy the furniture, where to source materials, how to reconfigure property and design aspects. I’ve got a team of professionals I can tap into. You can profit from the mistakes I made early on and the ten years of experience I have in the market. I can guide you in the right direction so that you can avoid making those same mistakes.
What Mistakes Do Newbies Often Make That You Can Help Them Avoid?
It is challenging to come to a new country where you don’t speak the language. You don’t understand the process and are constantly worried that you are being ripped off. A mistake newbies make is they try for too long to do things by themselves without getting the proper advice.
In the long term, it is important to get professional people on board who will advise you correctly and find the right type of property. You should research the area that you like and question yourself about what the pitfalls are.
Every country has a different procedure. In Spain, it is advised to communicate face-to-face with contractors. And you should be proactive.
What Scares People the Most When Buying a Property That Needs Renovation?
Buying a property that needs extensive renovation is challenging. It's essential to keep in mind that if you get a good price point because it's is in bad shape, you have the opportunity to build a new bathroom, a new kitchen, change the flooring, etc.
You can add enormous value. In my experience, buying rundown properties can get you a much better deal. I have the ability through my experience over the years to go to a very dilapidated property and see the potential that maybe you can’t see.
If you’re a foreign investor, especially if you’re not in the country, you need someone on the ground who can be your eyes and ears, and who’s got your best interests at heart. I am on the property at least once a day, if not multiple times. I make sure if a problem arises, it is resolved and the job doesn’t stop.
What Other Advantages Do You Bring to the Table That People May Not Fully Appreciate?
The properties I renovated in London and Marrakesh had their challenges. When you come to a new country and culture, things are done differently. You need to be able to understand this.
I have a lot of experience I can share, with trusted contacts and a professional team who I know will show up and do a great job. Developing properties can be a stressful process. It is invaluable to have someone who knows the sector and can navigate the bureaucracy and challenges that inevitably pop up—especially if you don’t speak the language. Having someone local on the ground who is going to make sure that the job is getting done is fundamental.
Can You Give Tips on Buying Property in Barcelona or Spain?
There are a number of things that you should look out for when you’re buying property. Firstly, location. In Barcelona, certain areas are very sought after, so try and find the neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Another tip is, older properties have a lot of value when they’re renovated; they’re a great investment. You should look for a place with lots of natural light, and a property with a view is even better. Also, having outdoor space, such as a balcony or terrace, is a huge plus.
Good transport links are a big advantage, and having an elevator on the property is also important, as the value will probably decrease if you want to resell it in the future. For investors, this is a common problem.
Also, make sure that the paperwork is done correctly. Be aware of all the financial implications that you may come across. Having a good notary in place to do that for you is very important and critical that you use someone with local knowledge.
You can learn more about how White Design Concept can help you on the website at whitedesignconcept.com and you can follow on social media for the latest updates on Instagram @whitedesignconcept.
Sponsored by White Design Concept.
