Why Casas do Barlavento Won “Real Estate Agency Portugal”, at the International Property Awards
On the 25th October 2018 Casas do Barlavento was honoured at the European Property Awards, in London. Casas do Barlavento competed against the best property professionals across the European regions to be recognised in the Real Estate Agency category for Portugal.
The International Property Awards, founded in 1995 are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised programme with an independent panel of 80 expert industry judges, focused on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability.
Sales Director, Paul Cotterell, went to the gala event where real estate agencies and property consultants with the most outstanding portfolios, who offer comprehensive customer service and effective marketing strategies were honoured: “It was an honour to receive this award as the level of competition and other award winners at the event was humbling. I have been with the company for 15 years now, and all the hard work that the company has made seemed to come together and fantastic to be then rewarded for it.”
Among all the competitors, a local real estate agency from the Western Algarve was distinguished – Casas do Barlavento won “Real Estate Agency Portugal”. Why was this possible?
Casas do Barlavento Background
Casas do Barlavento has been operating in the Western Algarve for more than 15 years and has grown in innovation and market knowledge. These years were accomplished due to the partnerships created along the years and the client’s trust in the company’s commitment to providing the best possible service.
Changes in the real estate market, with the global economic crisis, made the company stronger in all aspects. This recession time allowed the sales team to be even more attentive to their clients. The company strategy followed suit and focused on tools and innovations to help the team with this demand.
Casas do Barlavento Strategy
1. Operational improvements with the “one-stop-shop” approach – the company can offer, in one place, all aspects of buying, selling and managing a property.
2. Casas do Barlavento works with a network of international real estate partners selected to facilitate and promote the business near the company’s key targets.
3. Investment in the current vital markets of Sweden and France, as well as other markets, to sell properties and promote the destination, by attending real estate exhibitions.
4. IT improvements and website renewal - renovations to the website navigation system and innovation of an owners’ portal (for rentals and potential buyers) allows the experience for buyers and sellers to be more straightforward and therefore more enjoyable.
5. To assist in the promotion of the agency and its services, Casas do Barlavento also has an in-house communication team that is focused on maintaining and improving its online and physical positioning through the most varied marketing strategies, such as, strong presence on social networks, development of graphic design for promotion, weekly articles of interest to the sector, as well as active presence in regional, national and international press.
The Sales team
All staff members are fully experienced in the real estate market. They are up-to-date with the latest national real estate laws and can advise any client of the best and easiest way to complete a property purchase, in Portugal. Their expertise and network partners (lawyers and bank institutions) smooth the processes of buying or selling a property. There is a multitude of different languages spoken, which include: Portuguese, Spanish, French, German and Dutch.
“Our experience with Casas do Barlavento has been exceptionally high. Our sales consultant [Dexter] has provided proof of 24/7 service, his multilingual skills, his quick e-mail or call responses and his outstanding knowledge of the Lagos region” – One of many testimonials of our clients, Eva-Marie and Björn Haglund from Sweden.
These are some of the reasons why Casas do Barlavento won the award! It represents the agency's commitment to the real estate market in the region: " To be nominated at this year's European Property Awards, in association with Salice, has already left us very happy and satisfied, but now with the confirmation of actually winning the award, it leaves us truly proud”, states Luís Ledo, Managing Director of Casas do Barlavento.
Check the International Property Awards Magazine personalised for Casas do Barlavento here.