Inspections, Move-in day

We are nearing the big June-July shift where most people move in and out of our properties.  It is a big day for tenants and landlords and fairly exhausting for the realtors handling the move-ins/outs. Our recipe for succes is OUTSOURCE, DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, and BIG PICTURE THINKING.

Our job is to make sure that both landlords and tenants keep their eye on not only the details but also the big picture. The best thing to do, both for landlords turning over their homes as well as for tenants moving out, is to OUTSOURCE.  Do not attempt to clean yourself. Not only will you not be as thorough as a professional cleaning company but you will also regret it, bitterly when you are in panic mode at 3:00 am and the hand over is at 10:00 am.  Seriously,we bet your time is better spent on something else. There is nothing more frustrating than cleaning yourself and then not get the cleaning approved, that is 8-10 hours of your life that you will never get back. So, essentially, outsource from the get-go and save yourself the trouble.

BIG PICTURE and the DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS? How can we promote both?  Well, the devil is in the details when it comes to preparing instructional documents as a landlord for instance.  This document sets the tone that this is a professional turn over, that it is well prepared and giving the tenant the tools to live in and take care of the home. The relationship between tenant and landlord is important for both parties, don't lose sight of the big picture. We have witnessed both landlords and tenants act like children over silly details that in the big picture really are not important.  Like all relationships, tenant-landlord is a give and take relationship. Keep a respectful tone on the dialogue, show compassion and most importantly keep a good sense of humor.  That is good recipe for a good tenant-landlord relationship and move-in day usually sets the tone for the rest of the relationship.

Midsummer in Sweden

Midsummer day simply refers to the period of summer solstice. This is our longest day with sunlight and as Scandinavians that is something to celebrate!

Swedes are fairly well in tune to the rhythms of nature. At Midsummer, many begin their five-week annual holidays and everything must get done before they leave.  Midsummer Eve is celebrated in the countryside everywhere and on the day before, everyone leaves town, most things close around 2:00 PM and the streets are suddenly spookily deserted. If you want rockstar parking in Stockholm, this is the day to park your car unless you are going to Skansen where the city denizens celebrate.
The country’s highways, on the other hand, are packed. This is not the day to drive anywhere unless you have to.

We start the day by picking flowers and making wreaths to place on the maypole, which is a key component in the celebrations as well as head ornaments.

We raise the maypole in an open area and traditional ring-dances ensue, to the delight of the children and some of the adults. A typical Midsummer menu features different kinds of pickled herring, boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, sour cream and raw red onion. This is often followed by a grilled dish of some kind, such as spare rib or salmon, and for dessert the first strawberries of summer, with cream. The traditional drinks are cold beers and schnapps, preferably spiced. Every time the glasses are refilled, singing breaks out anew. Swedes like drinking songs and most of them don't make sense.

Unfortunately, Midsummer also brings country wide intoxication, traffic accidents and break-ins in houses.  The first two are hard to control but be savvy about your house.  Cut the grass before you leave so it seems as if someone is home. Leave toys (non-valuable) strewn in the yard.  If possible leave a car parked in the drive way.  Don't forget the alarm if you have one and don't forget to lock the shed.  Most importantly we hope you enjoy our Midsummer celebration!

Rental Prices-Swedish Market

Every market is different.  Some markets have rental prices that have taken into consideration haggling and negotiation.  In Sweden, the majority of the landlords actually set the price that they can accept and don't build in margins for haggling and negotiation.

We often see a disconnect between the expats that come to look at properties and the landlords.  It is important to only look at properties that actually fit your budget.  If your budget is 25.000 SEK per month, only look at properties up to 25.000 SEK per month.  If you see a property that is marketed at 27.000 SEK for instance, ask the owner prior to the showing of the property if it is acceptable for you to come and look with a budget at 25.000 SEK per month. As we have a limited rental market, it is crucial to get off on the right foot.

Swedish landlords generally do not appreciate potential tenants looking at properties that do not fit their budgets nor are they open to getting a bid 30% less than their asking price.  The market simply is not that elastic.  Some Swedish landlords may actually take offense and decide that they do not want to rent their property to that tenant all together, even after they return with a bid reflecting the asking price.  At that point, the damage is already done.

To those expats that have a relocation agent, we cannot stress the importance enough of heeding their advice when it comes to putting in a bid for a property.  They generally have a very good sense of what is possible and what is not. These are cultural differences that are hard to decipher as a newcomer to a country.  Swedes as a whole are not good negotiators and perhaps that is why we easily get offended when the shoe is on the other foot as well.  On the plus side what you see is what you get, price wise. On the selling market, it is a whole different ballgame all together and another equation is applied, there asking prices generally are 30% less than what the seller is willing to accept.

-Thank you FreeDigitalPhotos.net for the photo used in this post.

Residensportalen's exclusive deal with The Local

On June 8th, 2012 Residensportalen became the exclusive sponsor of The Local's Rentals section. The Local is for anyone who is interested in finding out what's going on in Sweden and who reads English. The readers in Sweden consist of foreigners from over a hundred nations, as well as Swedes looking for a different perspective on events and news.

Abroad, The Local has become required reading for people planning a move to Sweden, planning to visit or doing business with Sweden. It is also used as a resource by foreign journalists and researchers writing stories about Sweden, or looking for Sweden's perspective on the issues of the day.

We are thrilled to be a part of the site that facilitates in the preparation before moving and arrival in Sweden.  Happy reading.

Swedish Jealousy-The Law of Jante

The Law of Jante, or the Jantelag, is locally known as the 'famous Swedish Jealousy', describing the envy of anyone who breaks the Law of Jante, does well and pays no heed to the collective.  In http://residensportalen.blogspot.se/2012/05/lagom-swedish-mentality.html I touched on this phenomenon.

In America, for example, people truly applaud and enjoy other people's success.  In Sweden, you almost have to preface sharing your success with an apology. You may be perceived as arrogant if you toot your own horn, in other countries the same person will be perceived as a "go-getter".  On the flip side, it may be easier to be perceived as a super star, albeit arrogant, in Sweden because such a small percentage of the population is comfortable selling themselves.

If you send your child to private school or even worse, an expensive boarding school, you do not share that with everyone.  Private health care insurance is also frowned upon.  Why should anyone access better care or schools due to their financial standing?  The informal mantra of the opposing parties of the Socialist party was "the socialists wants everyone to have it equally bad".

However, the past five years has changed The Law of Jante.  The socialists have not been in power, media has much international influence and more Swedes are gaining an international perspective by  going abroad as expats. Swedes have become more comfortable with selling themselves.  More of us have started to view our person as a brand through Facebook, Twitter and blogging. Digital media may slowly erase the Swedish jealousy. What encounters have you had with the "Swedish jealousy"?

Get it in Writing--Contracts

It is so fundamental but how often one forgets.  One simply wants to think the best of people. BUT if it is of importance, get it in writing and formulate it well.  Many landlords and tenants are disappointed over things that did not quite go as they expected.  For instance how to care for the garden, an oak floor or a granite counter top.

Unfortunately, unless it is writing it can easily become "he said, she said".  Therefore, we advice our clients and give them templates for how to properly care for a home with specific instructions.  That way, things are clear and leaves little room for disagreements.  Naturally, there are always bad seeds that do not heed even written contracts and instructions.  However, if it is in writing you increase your chances of a smooth transaction and have a paper trail if a disagreement arises.  For more advice, click here: http://www.residensportalen.com/best-practices/

Corporate lease vs. Private Lease--Stockholm

We have touched on the fact that the rental market in Sweden is limited. When supply and demand are no aligned, a niche market can appear.  Since taxation laws in Sweden entail that being a landlord is not financially advantageous, the investment properties are few.  The typical rental property is owned by a family that is being moved abroad for an expat assignement.

Therefore, landlords can usually pick and choose to whom they rent to and large publicly noted companies are preferred.  So, what to do if your company will not sign the lease on your behalf? Ask them to sign a letter of guarantee of all rent and damages.  This will increase your chances of being chosen. Those with a company to sign the lease or ability to produce a letter of guarantee unfortunately will not be as popular of a tenant.

Fret not though, if you come prepared and make a good impression you should still find a suitable home.  You may not have as much to choose from as a corporate tenant per se but if you act quick and is amenable to the landlord you will find a home.

A mistake we have seen many times is when those coming from abroad have not received an explanation of our market.  When expectations are properly aligned, positive result usually ensue. Remember, your rental market or what you would get in your homeland is not relevant to the market you are entering. 

Swedish Welcome-How to be a good landlord

When turning over your home as a rental, it is important to remember that how you leave your home sets the tone.  Many landlords do not understand the importance of a well prepared hand over.  On Friday morning at 11:00 am Residensportalen received a call, an international client was in dire need of an exclusive property in Stockholm.

Our property owner was a tremendous sport and cleared out his home in two days of personal belongings and the home was cleaned.  In addition to this, he took the time to chill champagne, coordinate a fruit basket and put out a bowl of fresh strawberries. Well done to our attentive landlord!

We did an inspection of the property and handed over the home 48 hours after the first call came in.  Normally lead times are six weeks before a move-in but when push comes to shove, anything can be done.  To get more advice on how to be a good landlord, please check out our informational section here: http://www.residensportalen.com/best-practices/tips-when-subletting/

Stockholm Marathon

Today is Stockholm's Marathon.  A tradition started 1979. That first year 1.946 runners started and 1.799 finished that race.  This year 21.266 runners from 83 different countries have signed up to run.  Despite that Stockholmers at times find it annoying that the city shuts down and it is hard to get around once a year.  I think it is safe to say that we are proud that the Marathon has grown to such a big deal.  The route for the runners this year looks like this:

Channel 4 sends live coverage of from 11:45-15:25. Avoid driving in the city today, use public transportation or stay home as many roads will be closed and detour routes set up.