Why to rent apartment in Belgrade?

Renting apartments, flats and other real estate property in Belgrade has always been relatively lucrative job and a source of additional income. Belgrade is one of the top 10 European destinations; business, economic and academic center of Serbia and region, lot of tourist, students, young people looking for work, tourists, business people and other visitors are arriving every day, so there is huge demand for accommodation capacities.  There are several hotels, a lot is being built or plan to built, but new category of accommodation capacity is emerging - private apartments for short stay.

Owners of empty flats instead of holding them empty and make unnecessary costs, decide to rent them. They are investing money to equip and to enable them for offering quality accommodation.

The risks and costs of the owners

The real estate market in Belgrade in recent times experience declining prices, both in sales and in renting. On the other side utility prices and cost for maintenance have rising. Owners cannot keep their flats empty because the cost are more and more expensive, they have difficulty to sell - prices are too low, it is hard to find good tenant on long run who won’t destroy apartment and be on time with the rent. The most expensive apartment is the empty apartment.

Therefore, in recent years many people decide to change model of renting. The owners do not look for tenants in the long term, rather than a flat rented as an apartment for short stay - a day, a week or a month. This form of accommodation is becoming increasingly popular, especially between domestic and foreign tourist and business people. They come in Belgrade for short stay to accomplish some business or visit relatives or business partners, visit faculty, school, to accomplish some duty in the ministry, have medical examination, visit some cultural or sport manifestation, etc. This sort of visitors is willing to pay for good, peaceful and comfort accommodation in the center of Belgrade.

Convert ordinary flats in an apartment for renting

A.    First step for owners is to make renovation and decoration and adopted their flat to apartment for renting.

To begin with, it should be invest in equipment:

–       fitted kitchen with oven, refrigerator, small electrical appliances, dishes and cutlery, to be able to prepare food their self

–       fitted toilets with modern and new bathtubs and showers, washing machine and clothes drier

–       buy good furniture, beds, sofas, cabinets, etc

–       buy linens and towels,

–       new flat TV with cable or satellite channels

–       computer with fast broadband internet and Wi-Fi connection

–       air conditioning for summer

–       heating for the winter

–       parking place can be a big plus

–       provide guests with hair dryer and iron, toaster or microwave oven

B.    Second step - advertise and promotions of property in order to attract clients. Internet, Google +, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networks can help. In the beginning, it may be best to contact companies that are experienced in internet marketing.

C.     Third step After each group of guests, owners should take care of the apartment and prepare for the next group. The apartments must be cleaned, linen be changed, the trash throw out, broken things replaced, etc. The guest gives their grades and reviews so reputation is very important

Prices of renting

If apartment is on a good location, the price is unlikely to be less than 40 Euros per day. If the flat is full with guests an average of 20 days per month, it is easy to calculate - two average Serbian salaries. Keep in mind that Belgrade is a city that abounds in events (concerts, spot matches, fairs), as well as in growing number of tourists who come here during the New Year, Easter, and other  holidays. Then rates are going up, so calculation is even more favorable.

Our advice for real estate owners

Take advantage of your property in the best way. Activate it, let it work for you, be with entrepreneurial spirit - may it turn into a great business idea.

What is Airbnb?

INTRODUCTION

Airbnb (Air, Bed & Breakfast) is a portal or online platform,  which connects owners of some property which they want to rent, and people who are looking place for stay. In other words, Airbnb connects people who are searching for accommodation and people who want to rent to these strangers  their spare living spaces for some amount of money.

Airbnb is not for hotels, hostels or other commercial companies, but for private apartments for short or longer stay or single rooms, houses, boats, yachts, the offer is so wide that goes from castle to the ordinary couch. This is a very efficient way to rent the apartments for a longer or shorter period, both in major cities and in smaller popular seasonal destinations. Rental period goes from one, two evenings, weekends or for several days, to a whole year.

Usually owners rent their flat when goes to trip, or if there is a surplus of rooms but lack of money, some even bought the apartment for renting on this service.

BEGINNINGS

The idea comes from Brian Chesky and his two friends Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk from San Fnraciska, who sought a way to rent their apartments when they are absent. They came to idea to create, then a small website, - Airbnb. The beginnings were very modest, but the idea was brilliant. Today Airbnb exists in 35,000 cities in 192 countries and has 350,000 renters and they are now billionaires.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Registration on Airbnb-in is completely free and everybody can do that. Potential client should make profile that with personal information, as well as the photo, very similar to profile on Facebook.

Owners make their own profil that contains a textual description and image of apartment. in the ad is integrated location on Google Map and Google Street View. In addition there are added ratings and reviews of those who had previously stayed on that place. This is very important because the comment and rate are the best and most relevant information. There are pictures of the owner, his contact details and all information related to this flat.

The apartments can be searched by several parameters:

• type of property - apartments, rooms, houses and so on.
• housekeeper info
• location
• capacity of apartments, ie how many guests can be stayed
• by date of check in and check out,
• at the range of prices,
• by equipment of object (furniture, internet, TV, etc.).

After these steps, client sends the request and when the owner confirms the reservation, desired space is booked after potential guest pay to Airbnb via the Internet, payment card or through PayPal. Airbnb keeps the money until the moment when the guest appears. In this way, owner is safe if the client cancels reservation, and customer is assured in case accommodation is not as described. If the customer does not appear, the money will still be removed from his account (or some percent), and the right of return is possible only if cancellation is made on time. Service of Airbnb is 10 percent of each transaction. You can book you apartment by yourself in direct contact with owner, but then you are at risk to lose security that Airbnb.

BENEFITS

For owners:

• Economic gains. This is good opportunity to earn some money. Instead you whirring empty apartment or house so you can publish them and add to your budget.
• Chance to introduce other people and cultures. This is a good chance to meet people from all over the world, which you will never meet in everyday’s life. Some people like to socialize and offer their hospitality to people from distant and unknown countries just to introduce new experiences

For guests

• Lower prices in most cases cheaper than in classic hotels and other facilities
• Better location hotels are located in tourist areas, which are more distant from the places worth for visiting. To introduce some place sometimes is better to be placed somewhere closed to the locals, not tourists,
• Friendships’ with the owners - this is priceless. The hosts are "ordinary people", they usually do not approach to visitors cold and professional, but are willing to share with their guests local places and experiences.
• flexibility of booking - sometimes hotels are too bulky, with all these reservations, "bookings", and all hierarchy. If you make reservation via Airbnb's you will be spare of abusing and complications because everything can be done over internet.

DISADVANTAGES

• Safety and Security. Inconveniences are certainly possible. Each owner and guest must have their own profile on Airbnb just for security reasons. Care is necessary on both sides, it is recommended to read comments and ratings. Some of the guests steala or damage belongings in apartment. Airbnb can not completely guarantee that this cannot happen.
• Untrue description of property As with any ad, it does not take for granted.  
• Competition. Hotels and other establishments are sensitive to Airbnb, and are actively lobbying to limit its operations.
• Country - direct transactions between private individuals involves bypassing tourist taxes and the state does not like to be excluded from the market and to remain free of its cakes, so that in some states passed laws to restrict  Airbnb business.

AIRBNB IN SERBIA

In Serbia, there are plenty of individuals who have empty houses, flats and apartments that can be rented and brings some profit to owners. Most of them are in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kopaonik, Zlatibor and other places. Airbnb is present but not on at such a level as in others countries. There are local portals that have been working for a long time, they have enviable reputation and they are very strong competition which can not be easily denied. 

Why to Stay in an Apartment?

Visiting Serbia is always a good idea. Natural beauty, clean air, tasty food... Either you decide to see country side, or it's capitol - Belgrade - you can count on a holiday to remember.

Belgrade offers many things to see, a lot of places for picnic, sightseeing, restaurants with Serbian specialties... But, first of all, you have to find a place to stay.

Accommodation in Belgrade

In Belgrade, you can choose between:

1. hotels
2. hostels
3. apartments

It depends on your travel budget, but also on your way of life, and a purpose of your trip.

Hotels offer comfort, neat, air-conditioned rooms. Cleaning is on a daily basis, and you can count on TV, WiFi and minibar. Also, friendly stuff with a knowledge of English and probably another foreign language.

In the other hand, you are limited on a small room, and you have to eat in a hotel or some other restaurant.

 

Hostels are known as a kind of accommodation that suits best to the young people. You can never know who will be your roommates. If you are looking for adventure, new friendship, or traveling with a lot of friends, you could consider hostel. But, if you are looking for a peaceful holiday to enjoy, it would be vise to skip it.

Belgrade apartments

Apartments offer you the opportunity to plan a perfect holiday. You will get comfort, safety and intimacy, just like in your own home. This is a big plus if you are on a family trip.

Private apartments in Belgrade have an equipped kitchen and all necessary appliances, so you can prepare your meals, coffee, and other refreshments.

Also, you can count on

• equipped kitchen, with basic devices
• free WiFi or high speed cable net
• cable TV
• air conditioner

If you are traveling by car, or planning to rent a car in Belgrade, be sure to find apartment with parking lot.

Depending on purpose of your trip, there is a large offer of apartments in every part of the city - center, New Belgrade, Kalemegdan, Dorcol...

You can find an apartment that perfectly fits you. They can be single room, or with one, two or even three bedrooms. Single room apartment is suitable for two persons, and one-bedroom apartment for four or five people. If you share the renting costs, and with some internet research, renting can cost you less then 15 eur per person.

Of course, there are also some disadvantages - you have to clean apartment and to make a bed. But, also, you can enjoy your coffee on a balcony, prepare healthy meal from vegetables that you bought on a local green market... 

You can live just like a Belgradian for a few days, and it could be a great experience and wonderful memory!

How much cost life in Belgrade

Belgrade and Serbia are one of the cheapest places in the Europe to travel and stay a while and experienced those special and unique spirit of them.

Serbia is the small Balkan country you’ve probably never heard of, but who has lot to offer to visitors. This is a country with beautiful mountains, spas, rivers and creeks, monasteries, cute towns you will love to visit once you see them in pictures. Special story is its jewel in the crown - the capital of the state -Belgrade

 

Beautiful Serbia

There are two main reasons for European tourist to visit Belgrade and Serbia:

1. it’s unbelievably beautiful and charming

2. it’s ridiculously affordable.

We will mention something about second reason

Accommodation

The average wage in Serbia is around 300 Euros a month. It is obvious that the accommodation costs can’t exceed that amount. For a decent one-bedroom apartment in center of Belgrade you should pay as much as 220 Euros a month. Outside of the center the prices of accommodation is even cheaper. The average monthly utilities would not exceed 80 Euros which includes electric, heating and water. The visitors can rent a private apartment for shorter or longer stay for  just of 20 euros per person per day. except that they are cheap these apartments are very comfortable, cozy and quiet

Belgrade at Night

Eating Out

In Serbia you will get for very cheap prices a lot of good food. Eating out is very affordable. Serbians love having “burek” and other products from bakery with yogurt for breakfast, which costs no more than 2 euro for both. Restaurants, taverns and bars are not only a local’s favorite place for socializing but are also very easy on the pocket. 

Grill in Serbia

A nice three course meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you 10-15 euro. For that price you will get salad, soup, bread, main meal with lot of meat and desert. A glass of wine is up to 2 euros, bottle of beer is 0,6 to 1,5 euro depending of place where you buy it.  Of course there are very expensive fancy restaurants but they are not for this text.

 

Full experience - try Serbian food

Transportation

Belgrade has several options of transportation means to choose from. One-way tickets in public transport usually cost around 0,8 euro. If you’re staying for a while a monthly pass costs around 25€.

Taxis in Serbia are also very affordable, for a 15-minute drive they will charge you no more than 8-10 Euros.  To rent a car you will pay from 20 to 30 euros depending of class of the car and length of lease.

You can even buy vehicle – used vehicle, depending how old is, can be 1200 to 1500 euros. The cost of running a car by European standards is fairly cheap, liter of gasoline is around 1 €.

 

Night Life in Belgrade

Social Life

People in Belgrade love to have long coffee breaks with friends. Price of coffee is 1 euro. They also love things like visit the cinema, which costs around 3 to 5 euros, or visit one of many theatres in Belgrade for little higher prices of 5 to 10 euros. Belgrade’s residents  know how to parting. The clubs and bars (splavovi)  are full every night and on Fridays and Saturdays it’s almost impossible to find a seat. If you want to experience the Belgrade’s nightlife you should budget around 10-20 euros per night. It worth  every penny, believe me.

Attraction and sights in Belgrade which have to be visited

Belgrade has many attractions and site sights which are not typically grouped in the center of the city. In this text we can mention some of them worth of visiting.

Belgrade Fortress - Kalemegdan is one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe. Fortress was built by the Romans, and its present appearance is characterized by excellent appearance and preservation and fantastic views over the Sava and the Danube. In this complex are placed several museums and restaurants, fortress is surrounded by Kalemegdan Park, on of the largest parks in Belgrade

 

Kalemegdan

Apartments near Apartman Moskva

Pedestrian zone in the center of the city. Near the old fortress and park Kalemegdan is the pedestrian zone with very vivid and famous streets: Knez Mihajlova, King Milan Street, Terazije, Scadarlija with its famous tavernas, Cika Ljubina, Dorcol district, Republic Square,  with many old and famous buildings, numerous shops, cinemas, clubs, bars, bookstores, theatres (as National Theatre) and other interesting places.

Knez Mihajlova street

Apartments near Apartman Mond, Apartman Skver, Apartman Alas, Singidinum Studio, Singidinum Parlament

Promenades along the rivers 

Promenades are along Sava and Danube rivers, and are connected over bridges. The entire right bank of the Sava River from Ada to the confluence of the Sava and Danube continues along the Danube with a total length of over ten kilometers. A large number of bars and nightclubs are located on this route. At the left side of river Sava is Sava Quay, Novi Beograd. In contrast to the right bank of the Sava River (next to the old part of the city) where there is no interruption in pedestrian track in New Belgrade there are two separate quay - smaller, across from Ada, and far greater, which passes under the bridges on the Sava and is connected with the Danube quay in Zemun. The other half is perhaps the most beautiful part of Belgrade, with a handful of clubs and restaurants, and all along the road stretches bike path. People walk, ride bicycles, skates etc

Apartments near Apartman Beleville

St Marko Church

 Park Tasmajdan is beautifully arranged garden with lots of flowers, trees and greenery. This place is the perfect place to relax in the very urban center and is the meeting place for young people because several universities are at the neighborhood. Near the park is situated St. Marko's Church, the swimming pool and plenty of bars and shops. From Tasmajdan park starts one of the most famous streets in Belgrade Bulevar of King Aleksandar, extra-long boulevard with alleys of plane trees, and small and not so small shops of all types, great pastry shops and restaurants

Taasmajdan park

Apartments near Apartman Marina, Apartman Slavija Zen, Apartman Tesla , Apartman Tesla 3, Apartman Metropol

Gardosh Zemun

Zemun. Although now an inseparable part of Belgrade, Zemun was a special place with its own history and development. While Belgrade was under Turkish rule from the 15th century to the early 19th century Zemun was under the Habsburgs, and have quite central European look and architecture. Zemun is particularly known for Gardos hill - interesting historical attraction, Lido beach, and its excellent fish restaurants at the Danube bank.

Ada Ciganlija. Ada is the biggest river island on Sava with artificial lake. It is popular place especially during the hot summers when more then 100 000 residents and tourists visits its several kilometers long beach. Also there are dozens of cafes, bars, restaurants and sports facilities. This place is live at the night same as at daylight.

Ada Ciganljija during summer

Belgrade markets (or pijace on Serbian). Belgrade markets (just to name few: Kalenic pijaca, Bajlonijeva pijaca, Palilusla pijaca  Zeleni venac, Vidikovacka pijaca etc) are  vibrant places with special spirit.   Some of them are dating back more than a century, where producers of the organic vegetables and fruits but also other products, from cakes to meat products, from wider and closer area of Belgrade, sell to the residents. Who wants to experience the true spirit and everyday life of Belgrade residents, must visit one of Belgrade s markets on Saturdays or Sundays.

Apartments near Apartman Kalis, Apartman Centar

Kosutnjak. Kosutnjak is a large forest park in the southern part of the citywith elevation of 250 meters and covers 330 hectares of evergreen and deciduous forests, meadows and recreation sites. Kosutnjak is a ”lungs” of the city”, with many uphill and downhill’s, lot of tracks and jogging trails, sports playgrounds, restaurants nested in the forests.  People who needs peace and serenity goes to Kosutnjak.

Kosutnjak

If you know other place in Belgrade that deserve to be on this list,  place be free to name it in coments