Updated: September 30, 2024
Heather, an expatriate from the United States, had long harbored dreams of living in Europe. After living in seven countries, including stints in Thailand and London and a Caribbean sailing adventure, she and her husband Phillip decided it was time to find a permanent home.
Portugal, with its rich culture, pleasant climate, and welcoming community, seemed like the perfect place.
However, finding the ideal property in a foreign country where Heather didn’t speak the language or know the market proved challenging. That’s when we, Lisbon’s best independent buyer’s agent, came into the picture.
From London’s Noise to Southern Europe’s Beating Capital
Heather and Phillip’s work took them all over the world, from lobbying against genocide in Rwanda to working with the United Nations in Southeast Asia. Eventually, they settled down in London, only to grow tired from the noise, pollution, and weather. A chance trip to Portugal in 2018 made them fall in love with Portugal slowly— and then all at once. From the slow living and friendly people to the Mediterranean climate, their travels to Portugal set a seed in motion. What if they made the move and uprooted their life?
While the thought of buying property in Portugal was thrilling, Heather and Philip were intimated by the process involved, especially considering their busy schedules and lack of familiarity with the local real estate market. They started searching for a reliable buyer’s agent to help them navigate the complexities of purchasing a home in Lisbon and handle all the logistics.
The Quest for the Right Partner
Heather’s quest for a real estate agent wasn’t without friction.
“I had gone on some of the Facebook groups and lists and looked for a good real estate agent and I was not even getting callbacks.”
By chance, she stumbled across us and decided to schedule a free consultation. From the very beginning, Heather was impressed by our professional yet personal approach. We specialize in helping international buyers find their dream homes or investment properties in Portugal, along with offering a comprehensive after-sale and property management service.
Our main goal is to remove the hassle and headache involved with finding, securing, and managing the ideal property investment, guiding buyers through all aspects of real estate investment.
During our initial consultation, Heather felt immediately at ease.
“I was like, Oh, these people get it like they understand that this is a lot of work and I just need a little bit of help”, she recalls.
Our team of real estate consultants began by understanding Heather’s lifestyle, budget, and vision for the ideal home. Due to our knowledge of the Lisbon property market, we were able to offer exclusive listings and personalize the property search according to what Heather was looking for.
“We were looking for atmosphere. Gonçalo knew the market. He advised when places were overpriced. Or there were times where we picked an apartment and Gonçalo would consult saying we are not going to like the neighborhood. They were super attentive to us, and our needs and they understood right away what it was we wanted.”
Discovering the Perfect Home
Heather was presented with a curated selection of properties that matched her criteria. Together, we visited multiple potential homes, each tour providing deeper insights into Lisbon’s diverse neighborhoods.
“I knew that I had someone on my side who saw their job as more than just a transaction, there was a longer-term focus”, Heather says.
Heather eventually fell in love with a charming, Parisian-style apartment in the heart of Lisbon. The property offered a blend of traditional Portuguese architecture and modern amenities, situated in a vibrant yet tranquil Baixa-Chiado neighborhood. The apartment had it all — sunlight, space, and unique characteristics such as tall ceilings that made it quintessentially charming.
Our team facilitated every aspect of the purchasing process, from negotiating the best price to ensuring all legal documents were in order. Heather was particularly impressed by the attention to detail and transparency. “They made what could have been a stressful experience incredibly smooth and simple, I didn’t have to think about it” she notes.
Property Snapped Up in a Matter of Weeks
The whole property hunt and purchase took a few weeks. After the purchase, we provided further after-sale support.
“My job is really heavy and I travel a lot for work. I couldn’t negotiate systems on my own. Having someone who could just get on the phone and solve problems, for me, was incredibly helpful. Goldcrest made me not have to think. I got a paper. I signed it. I sent it back and things just happened.”
Today, Heather and Philip get to experience the best of Southern Europe’s slow, relaxed pace of living. They are integrated into the community, have made new friends, and enjoy the city’s rich cultural offerings. Her apartment is not just a place to live but a sanctuary she and her partner call home. As for what comes next, Heather and Philip have set plans to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
“I love the culture, I love having access to art museums, and to music and events and restaurants and the vibrancy of the city”, she says. “The neighborhood is great, it’s so central. And it’s so easy to get to and from places. There’s such street life, during the day it’s vibrant, it feels like you are in a European city, but then everything just shuts down at 11 and it becomes siloed and peaceful.”
Interested in finding your dream home in Portugal?
From sourcing to making the ideal property transaction, we help clients identify outstanding investment opportunities and suitable properties in some of Portugal’s best-kept secret spots. Whether you’re looking to make the move, or simply want to invest in a property without uprooting your entire life, our team of experts are on-hand to assist.
