What types of properties does Harmony prefer?
Investor relations
In our previous article, How Harmony Selects Its Properties, we explored how Harmony uses big data to analyze vacation rentals (Airbnb, Abritel, Vrbo) and evaluate markets based on criteria such as demand, income growth, seasonality, and regulations. Harmony also considers yields, quality of life, transportation, and local governance to identify promising areas in France. But what about the property itself? Property type, size, number of rooms, land, and amenities: discover what types of properties Harmony selects.
Identifying Properties in the Market
Once the markets are chosen, the focus shifts to acquiring appealing and high-performing real estate. These are properties that Harmony believes will appeal to its member base, likely generate stable long-term cash flows, and offer significant long-term real estate appreciation opportunities. The properties should be located in pleasant neighborhoods with strong growth potential and available from sellers willing to lower prices in favor of the buyer. Harmony has chosen to focus on houses (rather than apartments) with a strong capacity to meet strict specifications.
Choosing the House
Purchasing shares in a house for short-term rentals offers several advantages:
Privacy and Space: A standalone house typically offers more privacy and space than apartments or condominium units, which can be a major asset for travelers seeking a vacation experience that prioritizes privacy.
More Flexibility: It's important to renovate and furnish the house to meet the needs and tastes of Harmony's members and travelers. Investing in a house allows for the inclusion of amenities such as a private pool, a jacuzzi, a barbecue area, etc., which can attract more customers (see below).
Fewer Regulations and Fees: Condominiums often come with strict rules and management fees that can reduce the profitability of an investment. A house is less subject to such restrictions.
Better Control and Management: In a standalone house, you have more direct control over property maintenance. Repairs and improvements can be made on your own schedule, contributing to maintaining or enhancing rental quality.
Appreciation Potential: Standalone houses often have higher appreciation potential than condominium units because they are typically associated with land. This can be a long-term advantage for an investment.
These factors are amplified when the house has a strong capacity, which is why Harmony selects properties with a minimum size.
Quality Over Quantity
Harmony chooses properties with a minimum of 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. High capacity, especially outside major urban areas, increases income potential. Larger groups of travelers, such as families or groups of friends, often look for spacious accommodations that can comfortably accommodate everyone.
Higher Occupancy Rates: Larger houses often have higher occupancy rates as they attract a wide range of travelers, helping maximize income.
Higher Nightly Rates: In general, larger properties allow for higher nightly rates, which can increase profitability compared to the price per square meter, especially since fixed costs and maintenance fees are more effectively diluted.
Competitiveness: In some tourist destinations, larger houses are more competitive in the short-term rental market. Travelers seek accommodations that offer more space and amenities for a full vacation experience.
Due diligence
Harmony evaluates each potential purchase with strict specifications to identify properties offering the greatest opportunities for member satisfaction and rental profitability. These criteria include the construction date, necessary renovations, capacity, dimensions of common spaces, environment and location, heating system, energy efficiency assessment, historical prices compared to the region, etc. This is why we consider the property's improvement potential before renting it.
Property Improvements
Before even considering the transaction, Harmony collaborates with architects and contractors to consider pleasant and market-efficient renovation and furnishing choices in the chosen market. Harmony ensures that the property is up-to-date and enhanced to surpass competition.
Renovation
For any project, Harmony ensures that the budget allocated for renovation works does not exceed 20% of the property's price. The goal is to bring the property quickly to the rental market and ensure that the work is minimal to avoid major setbacks.
That being said, some renovations and improvements can be useful in attracting tenants, maximizing return, and providing an exceptional stay experience. Here are some common renovations and improvements to consider:
Minor Renovations: Replacing or renovating worn-out floor coverings and updating paint accounts for the majority of work to be done for a property that meets the specifications. Special attention should be paid to the kitchen and bathrooms' coverings to ensure they are stylish, functional, and durable.
Equipment Selection: Harmony relies on AirDNA statistics to analyze the best-performing amenities in each market. Each property is equipped with sought-after amenities that are easy to implement, such as Wi-Fi, television and streaming services, a workspace for remote work, free parking, self-check-in (keybox and welcome booklet), baby-friendly amenities (high chair, crib, safety gates), and pet-friendly policies. The team decides on amenities that require financial investment or more space based on the market, such as a pool, jacuzzi, barbecue, washer, dryer, and air conditioning.
Decor: Harmony also plans for durable furnishings and upscale, neutral, and attractive decor to appeal to a broad audience. The interior designer emphasizes a quality-to-price ratio with a focus on durability for major pieces and furniture. The final decorative touches can be done with a smaller budget and changed as needed.
Conclusion
Harmony is committed to selecting the most promising real estate properties for its investors and members. This rigorous selection process begins with identifying promising markets and focuses on acquiring houses rather than apartments. The chosen properties have a minimum of 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which helps attract a wide range of travelers, optimize occupancy rates, and charge higher rates.
The property assessment includes numerous criteria aligned with strict specifications. Selected properties should not require a renovation budget exceeding 20% of the property's price. Work primarily focuses on elements like flooring, paint, kitchen, and bathrooms. Amenities are chosen based on market performance to meet travelers' needs, and decoration is carefully planned to offer a high-end experience with durable furniture and attractive, neutral decor. All these steps aim to maximize income, member satisfaction, and the long-term value of investments made with Harmony.
Feel free to explore the opportunities offered by Harmony and make well-informed decisions to invest in real estate. We look forward to welcoming you as a Harmony member who benefits from the property, its returns, and its long-term value.