Buying and renovating a home in Luxembourg with Jeanelle Gresham

Does living your best life in the Grand Duchy include buying a house here? Do you think you’ll be here awhile and don’t want to get stuck in the rent cycle? Is the only thing you can afford a major fixer upper?

On the latest episode of Mom Life in Luxembourg, I sat down with Jeannelle Gresham, a Danish resident who has navigated the complexities of home buying in Luxembourg multiple times over her 17-year stay. Jeannelle shares a wealth of knowledge about everything from choosing the right neighborhood to managing renovation projects effectively. After she bought and transformed her first home in Neudorf, she realized the potential for building wealth in real estate. Since then she has bought and converted seven more properties, and now focuses on renting to young people.

Jeannelle Gresham's journey to Luxembourg began in the Cayman Islands, where she and her husband decided to move to Europe to offer their daughter the rich cultural and linguistic experiences the continent provides. Settling in Luxembourg was initially driven by her husband’s job in the financial sector, and Jeannelle's focus quickly shifted to integrating their family, starting with getting their daughter into the local school system.

Jeannelle emphasises the importance of thoroughly researching neighborhoods before making a purchase. During her time in Neudorf, a once less sought-after area that is now thriving, she learned that observing local development, such as architectural homes, can indicate up-and-coming neighborhoods.

When it comes to renovations, Jeannelle stresses selecting the right professionals and maintaining clear communication.

She recounts her own experiences working with architects who shared her vision, turning a fixer-upper into their dream home. Key advice includes soliciting multiple quotes from various vendors, securing reliable construction teams, and closely monitoring ongoing work to ensure adherence to plans and quality standards. Her tales underscore the added challenges women may face in the construction domain, advising confidence and thorough communication.

Luxembourg's property scene isn't just about location and renovations; it also involves significant financial elements. Jeannelle highlights the benefits of understanding subsidies available for sustainable energy solutions, like heating pumps and solar panels. These subsidies can significantly offset renovation costs, a crucial factor when green renovation practices align with state support.

This episode was inspired by a listener. She wrote in and asked if we could do an episode on buying and remodeling a house in Luxembourg. I was more than happy to deliver! In addition to all of Jeannelle’s insights, she also offers a list of recommended vendors so you don’t have to start from scratch. Those are available now in the show notes!

Even though Jeannelle has done an incredible job purchasing and renovating properties in Luxembourg, that isn’t actually her day job. Jeannelle is a Certified Relaxation Trainer and teaches meditation and breathwork. To learn more, please visit her website. And as always, if you want to reach me, please email me at momlife@rtltoday.lu or find me on Facebook and Instagram at Mom Life in Luxembourg.