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Buying real estate in Portugal with 2021 update on the Golden Visa
HalloCasa: “This time, we talked to Antonio Barbosa, from Portugal. Tony is originally from the US and has lived in Portugal for 20 years and has executed his profession of real estate for over 20 years. He helps both domestic and foreign investors to buy real estate in Portugal. Antonio, why don’t you introduce yourself to our audience?”
Antonio Barbosa: “Michael, thank you. Thank you for having me here. I was born in Angola and moved to the United States early on, where I got my degree in Business Administration and then lived there for almost 30 years. During the last 20 years, I’ve been living in Portugal and I have dedicated the last 20 years to my passion of real estate.”
HalloCasa: “From Angola via the US to Portugal, great! What is the real estate market in Portugal right now? What is going on also with respect to COVID? And obviously, also, with respect to the Golden Visa?”
Antonio Barbosa: “Sure, last year, the market has been very different from previous years. Myself and most colleagues of mine have been doing very well with the domestic market during the past year. This is important to mention because Portugal is a service oriented industry which means we are very dependent on tourism and external investment. However, this year was mainly driven by first-time domestic homebuyers, wanting to have their own home. Apart from low interest rates, there are many factors that contributed to that growth market domestically. Foreign investment purchases, on the other hand, have dropped by around 40%, especially in Lisbon, since this is mainly a premium area and there’s nobody coming in to visit those properties currently.”
An introduction to the Peruvian real estate market
This time, we did the interview with Rafael Fernández Crossety, Sales Coordinator at RE / MAX Excellence, who will speak to us, based on his extensive career and experience, about the current situation in the real estate market in Peru.
HalloCasa: “It is a pleasure for us at HalloCasa to have you here with us, Mr. Rafael, that is why we want to thank you for your time, kindness and willingness. It will be very pleasant for us and our audience to know relevant data on the real estate market in Peru.
Rafael Fernandez Crossetty: “Thank you very much it is a pleasure for me to be able to converse with you.”
HalloCasa: “As a first instance, we want to know you, to hear from you both personally and professionally, about what you want to tell us.”
Rafael Fernandez Crossetty: “I am a Graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Planning of the National Agrarian University La Molina in the career of Statistical and Computer Sciences, Registered Real Estate Agent in the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation of Peru, since September 2010 with the Registration No. PN-0975, Currently associated with RE / MAX Excellence”
HalloCasa: “Currently you are a Sales Coordinator at RE / MAX Excellence as well as an Associate Real Estate Agent. Would you like to tell us more about what your business is about and what is your specialty in the real estate market? ”
The real estate market in Mexico seen through the eyes of a Real Estate Coach
This time, we did the interview with César Veytia, General Director in Real Estate Training and Coaching Mexico. Who will speak to us based on their extensive experience, how the real estate coach helps in the real estate transaction, how it works and for what reasons it can be a satisfactory tool when buying real estate. In addition to this, it will tell us relevant data on the housing sector in Mexico City.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr. Veytia. First of all let us thank you for your kindness and time to participate in this interview. ”
César Veytia: “The pleasure is mine and a privilege to be able to share with all of you.”
HalloCasa: “Please tell our audience what does being a real estate coach consist of?”
Mexico: a creative real estate market that doesn’t stop
Our guest today representing Mexico is Miss Adriana López Martínez. Professor at the University of Valle de Orizaba and Real Estate Advisor, with whom we will talk about the current situation of the Mexican real estate market, the real estate trends and what is expected for next year 2018 in a matter of demand for real estate.
HalloCasa: “First of all we greet you especially Miss López and welcome you to HalloCasa, from today your home. Thank you for giving us your time and experience by allowing us to know a little more about your beautiful country and the real estate of it.”
Adriana López Martínez: “Good afternoon everyone and thank you for the opportunity. Mexico is certainly a growing country in the real estate sector. Investment opportunities are variants based on the region in which you want to invest. Therefore, the capital gains of real estate are guaranteed by the environment where people, their traditions and roads as well as the architectural or natural appeal they bring.”
HalloCasa:. “Please tell us about yourself so that our audience will know about you. Then tells us how you came into the world of real estate business, which Mexico City it’s performs in and what is the area you handle.”
The day for investing just arrived and is today! Chilean Investment is in the best moment
This time, we did the interview with Julio Eduardo Riveros Aranguez, real estate consultant at Royal Real Estate, who will talk to us according to his extensive background and experience, about real estate investment. Why today is the best time to do so, and what benefits you can have when you do it.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon Mr. Riveros. First of all, let us thank you for your kindness and time to participate in this interview.”
Julio Eduardo Riveros Aranguez: “Thank you so much for choosing me for this interview. I hope to be able to answer all the questions accurately.”
HalloCasa: “ Please, introduce yourself and your business and describe How have you been your path in the Real estate business in Chile.”
Barcelona: the leading real estate city in Spain
Today we would like to introduce you to our new guest, Mr. Arturo Lueches, independent advisor for real estate investments and CEO of lueches.com, a portal dedicated to the whole real estate business in Spain. It is a pleasure to bring you firsthand information about the Spanish real estate market.
HalloCasa: “Mr. Lueches, before starting our conversation, let us welcome you to HalloCasa and wish you the best successes in your profession.”
Arturo Lueches: “Thank you very much for the opportunity to share with you my experience in the investment sector and to open opportunities for collaboration.”
About the successful real estate investment in Panama
This time, we interviewed Raul Leis Arce, real estate broker and immigration lawyer, who will tell us about his wide trajectory and experience, about some important data about Panamanian real estate investment, why Panama is the best election when foreign investment is involved and how the Panamanian real estate market is projected for the year 2019.
Panama plays a very important role in the global economy, not only because it facilitates the inter-oceanic passage but also because it interconnects South America and Central America
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr. Leis. Thank you very much for presenting yourself, your country and your real estate business by giving us this interview.”
Raul Leis Arce: “Thank you. I’m very honored by the interview of such a prestigious institution.”
HalloCasa: “Please introduce yourself to our readers of HalloCasa.”
Reinventing yourself is the key to success with real estate in Heredia in Costa Rica
This time, we spoke with Manuel Calvo, Founder and Real Estate Adviser of Nuevos Horizontes Propiedades SA about real estate in Heredia in Costa Rica.
Manuel Calvo is going to talk about the market in Costa Rica and how it has changed during the last 10 years, specifically in the city of Heredia, a Costa Rican city located about 10 km northwest of the capital.
Additionally, he will explain how a market change represents an opportunity for investors.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr Calvo. First of all, let us welcome you and express our thanks for your participation.”
Manuel Calvo: “Good afternoon, it’s a pleasure.”
HalloCasa: “Please introduce yourself to our audience, tell us a little about yourself, how you got into the world of real estate business and how your business in Heredia started and what it is that you are offering and which areas of the country it covers.”
Tulum, one of the most important destinations in the world. The time to invest is now
This time, we are pleased to introduce Mr. Alejandro Lopez, Real Estate Consultant for the last 7 years in the Riviera Maya, with experience in International Sales and Property Management.
In this interview we will talk with Mr. Lopez about the importance of Tulum (Mexico) around the world, why the time to invest in this beautiful place is today and about the most important projects currently.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon Mr. López, let us first of all welcome you to HalloCasa. We are sure that this will be a very pleasant and, above all, very valuable interview for investors and the general audience of our portal.”
Alejandro López: “Good afternoon, it is a pleasure and I am happy to accept the invitation for this interview and to talk about the international tourist destination in which I reside: Riviera Maya.”
HalloCasa: “To begin our interview, would you please be so kind and tell our audience how you started your real estate career and tell us the most representative aspects of the profession as a real estate consultant.”
The state of luxury properties in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
On this occasion, we have the pleasure of interviewing Carlos Castro, real estate agent at Gama Master Broker, leading company in Real Estate Development commercialization in the Riviera Maya, with more than a decade of experience in the world of Mexican real estate. Carlos Castro will talk about his work as a real estate consultant and the professional and personal perception he has about the Mexican real estate market thanks to the experience he has acquired in these 6 years of work, advising local and foreign real estate investors.
HalloCasa: “Welcome Mr. Castro. First of all, we want to thank you for accepting our invitation. We are confident that the information you will share with us will be of great value to our audience at HalloCasa.”
Carlos Castro: “Thank you very much for the invitation. It is a pleasure for me to share my experience with your readers.”
Mexico City: the area with the highest growth in real estate in the Mexico
This time, we interviewed Ana Laura Monsivais, founder and real estate broker in Home del Valle, who will tell us about some outstanding aspects of the Mexican real estate market in the capital.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon Ana Laura. Thank you very much for this interview! Based on your experience, we are looking forward to get some information about Mexico City and the real estate market in the capital.”
Ana Laura Monsivais: “Good afternoon, thanks to you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you about this subject and with great pleasure to send a greeting to the audience all over the world!”
HalloCasa: “Please introduce yourself to our audience, who is Ana Laura Monsivais?”
The Peruvian real estate market seen through the eyes of a real estate agent
This time, we interviewed Carla Toledo Lafosse, an independent real estate agent who will tell us about the Peruvian real estate market, the types of projects with high demand, and the proximity to the big cities as a fundamental aspect with regards to real estate investments.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Miss Toledo. Thank you very much for letting us meet you and hear about the benefits of investing in the real estate market in Peru.”
Carla Toledo Lafosse: “Good afternoon, it’s a pleasure to talk with you, especially about a topic of such importance for the country.”
Carla Toledo Lafosse: “I am a registered real estate agent, with a specialization in negotiation. I have been in sales for more than 20 years and in the real estate business since 2007. I have had the opportunity to work with important construction companies of the Peruvian market before starting as a real estate broker, which constituted an important part of my professional training because one learns to manage, not only the sale of the property and the process, but also a lot of human relations. Apart from that I was able to learn technical things like to read plans, to work with certain software tools, the interpretation of construction systems and finishing. In fact, I can now see that those are very important points to differentiate yourself in the modern market.”
HalloCasa: “Please, tell our audience who Carla Toledo is, how she got started with real estate and what her current business is about.”
Santo Domingo: the ideal moment to invest in real estate in Ecuador
This time, we interviewed Azucena Guartan Vintimilla, Manager of Real Estate Guartan, who will talk about the investment opportunities in forestry projects, taking advantage of the incentives offered by the government. She also talks about the investment in Quito in urbanized land for shopping centers and supermarkets, due to the high population growth.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mrs. Guartan. Welcome to HalloCasa. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview.”
Azucena Guartan Vintimilla: “Good afternoon, thank you for giving me this opportunity to promote my hometown, Santo Domingo, and communicate the investment possibilities in my country to your audience.”
HalloCasa: “Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in Santo Domingo, Ecuador?”
Guayaquil, real estate magnet and commercial engine in Ecuador
This time, we interviewed Jorge Xavier Marquez, real estate Director of the Difare Group, who will talk about the strategic development of real estate projects in Ecuador.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr. Marquez.Thank you very much for your time!”
Jorge Xavier Marquez: “Thank you very much for the invitation.”
HalloCasa: “Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in Ecuador?”
Jorge Xavier Marquez: “I did a 30-year career in Advertising & Marketing between 1977 and 2007. I ran advertising agencies and I was in charge in marketing departments with very varied product categories: mass consumption, cars, banking and finance, a long list. In 2007 I had the opportunity to do real estate marketing and to reinvent myself. I benefited a lot from the career in marketing and advertising which I had been active in before being involved in the real estate area. It certainly gives you another point of view. You do not look solely on the consumer to fulfill the dream to own a house. Such a view allows you to create consumers for your real estate brands, which is is much more efficient than creating products for customers.
Real estate trends in Queretaro, Bajío, Mexico
This time, we interviewed Cesar Torres Garcia, Real Estate Sales Manager in Queretaro, El Bajio, Mexico, who will tell us about his experience and several important aspects related to the real estate market in Mexico.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr. Torres. First of all, thanks a lot for your time to participate in this interview. Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in El Bajio, Mexico?”
Cesar Torres Garcia: “Good afternoon and thanks to you for this great initiative of Latin American real estate information, where all opinions and experiences undoubtedly enrich the sector.
As you mention, we have been a little more than 18 years in the business of marketing housing in Mexico with a participation in all market segments, analyzing, planning and executing adequate commercial strategies for each product, setting up successful processes and commercial teams in constant implementation of market-oriented actions.”
HalloCasa: “Regarding the acquisition of housing, what is the trend when buying housing? Preferably new (previously built), on plans, purchasing lots or built by the same owner?”
Real estate and fear: Why investors are hesitant in Chile
This time, we interviewed Roberto Oyarce, real estate broker and real estate investor in Santiago, Chile, who will tell us about his wide trajectory and experience, about the fear of investing in real estate and how to overcome it and take the best decision as far as investments are concerned.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon Mr. Oyarce. First of all, let us thank you for your kindness and time to participate in this interview. Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in Chile?”
Roberto Oyarce: “Good afternoon, thank you very much for the invitation. My sector is quite broad, I am a real estate broker and I also work simultaneously as a real estate investor. Basically, I give all the clients the opportunities which investors have so that each one can start a career as an investor while increasing their assets and losing a little bit their fear towards investing, in general.”
Commercial and industrial real estate as a serious investment alternative in Chile
This time, we interviewed Daniela Seco, real estate and financial consultant and costume designer in Chile, who will tell us about her wide trajectory and experience in real estate investment in the country and in general.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Ms. Seco. First of all, thank you for your kindness and time to participate in this interview. Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in Chile?”
Daniela Seco: “Good afternoon, my real estate business started in May 2014, after having worked for almost a decade in the financial sector and stock market, in particular. So it gave me a taste for investment and that’s what I like today. Chile is currently experiencing an economic crisis or rather we were close to a recession. So I have been able to carry out the experience in the area of investment and bring it to real estate, as investors are investing heavily and I have been able to do what I like, real estate investment. The advice service started when I began to consult people on what would be best for them to invest with the capital they would like to allocate. Then I see the best opportunities at financial levels, bank rates, banks, deadlines, etc.”countryside or somewhere to have a get-away.
About the emotional factor when investing in Argentina
This time, we interviewed Pablo Marcelo Ortiz, Senior Real Estate Agent at RemaxUno, who will tell us about the incidence of the emotional factor in real estate transactions.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr. Ortiz. First of all let us thank you for your kindness and time to participate in this interview.”
Pablo Marcelo Ortiz: “Good afternoon, thank you very much.”
HalloCasa: “Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and briefly describe your real estate business in Argentina?”
Pablo Marcelo Ortiz: “Of course. I am a real estate agent associated with one of the best offices in the network and leaders in the market. We serve private and corporate clients. Through the launch of mortgage credit lines of private or state banks, we accompany the clients in the purchase of the first home with a very positive result. In addition, we commercialize urban buildings and properties in closed neighborhoods. Actually, we are also supporting the development of industries through the commercialization of fractions in industrial parks.”
Real estate in Medellin – a vast evolution
Today, we are pleased to present Brad Hinkelman, leading real estate broker in Medellin, who will talk a little bit about his journey to Colombia and his business.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr Hinkelman. Thank you for taking the time and to talk with HalloCasa. Why don´t you introduce yourself quickly to our audience and describe quickly your business?”
Brad Hinkelman: “Casacol SAS is a company that I founded in 2013 to help foreigners invest in Medellin real estate assets. I started as an investor myself in Medellin in 2008 and realized over the years that there was a lack of high quality investment and legal advice for foreigners looking to invest here so I decided to create that myself.
Three years later and we are 15 staff and manage over 150 apartments rentals in Medellin with 2 buildings and another 150 units under construction.”
Real Estate in Cartagena, Colombia
This time, we interviewed Cindy Buelvas from CartagenaConcierge. We spoke with Cindy about real estate investment opportunities in Cartagena and starting a new business in Colombia. 
Cindy, thank you very much for being with us. Why don´t you quickly introduce yourself?
Cindy Buelvas: “Good afternoon, thank you very much for opening this opportunity and allow me to share with you the beauty of Colombia and especially Cartagena. My name is Cindy Buelvas. I
am originally from Montería, a city on the Caribbean Coast. I have been living in Cartagena for about 15 years now. I have been working in the tourism and real estate market since then.”
HalloCasa: “So, you are originally from Montería. What´s the difference between Montería and Cartagena?”
How to obtain high ROI on real estate in Bogotá, Colombia
Today, we are pleased to present Sam Miller, leading real estate broker in Bogotá, who will talk a little bit about his journey to Colombia and his business.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr Miller. Thank you for taking the time and to talk with HalloCasa. Why don´t you introduce yourself quickly to our audience and describe quickly your business?”
Sam Miller “Thanks for the invite. I am an Australian-born & raised, mixed breed American-Canadian. In 2009 I left Canada on motorbike to explore the Americas.
After a year traveling from British Columbia to Buenos Aires, Bogotá and its eclectic lifestyle of opportunities drew me in. Very early on here, I became involved in real estate.
I founded Colombia International Real Estate with a local partner, Sebastian Romero, creating an agency catering to foreigners investing in Colombia.
Mompox, far from Everything or at the Center of Nothing
HalloCasa is proud to host Richard McColl, professional journalist and hotel owner in Colombia.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon Richard, thanks a lot for being our guest today. For the ones who might not know you, can you introduce yourself quickly?”
Richard McColl: “Yes, sure! I am Richard McColl a journalist and conflict resolution specialist here in Colombia who has fallen into additional trades such as those of travel guide and hotelier.”
HalloCasa: “Ok, interesting, what brought you to Colombia?”
Richard McColl: “Colombia has always been of interest to me even from before I moved here full time in 2007 I had been sent here by the environmental NGO WWF.
My father had worked here in the 1970s and had warned me away and so being the black sheep of the family, I suppose, it was even more enticing!”
Agriculture and real estate in Cali, Colombia
HalloCasa invited Stefan Burkart who gave some interesting insights about the agricultural sector in Colombia.
HalloCasa: “Good morning Mr. Burkart. Thank you very much for taking the time and to talk with us about your experience in Colombia. To initiate, why don´t you introduce yourself quickly?”
Stefan Burkart: “Good morning. Thank you very much for the invitation. Originally, I am from Germany where I completed my bachelor and my master’s degree in “Agricultural Economy” at the University of Stuttgart.
The connection to Cali arose a few years ago. That was between 2009 and 2012 when I wrote my dissertation in the field of development of agricultural value chains and business models. I had drawn this up in cooperation with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia, and in Managua, Nicaragua. After that I really wanted to work directly with the CIAT, but I got an offer of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart.
How Bogotá´s real estate skyline will transform in the coming years
This time we are happy to introduce Jonathan Castro, a Colombian-American real estate agent based in Bogotá. Jonathan will give us his view about the real estate market in Bogotá and will talk about trends in Colombia.
HalloCasa: “Good evening Jonathan. Thank you very much for taking your time and talk with HalloCasa about the Colombian real estate market. Before digging into the topic itself, could you quickly introduce yourself and give us an overview of your background?”
Jonathan Castro: “Thank you very much for the invitation. I am happy to give potential investors an overview about the real estate market in Bogotá.
Introducing myself, I was born in Florida, USA, where I studied Psychology at the Miami Dade College.
In fact, I lived in Miami for about 15 years.
During the last years I was very active in marketing, high end retail, and real estate investments and could gain a broad experience in those fields. The fact that I was in Miami when the real estate boom occurred and when the bubble burst gave me first-hand experience. This was an impressive situation which I will never forget, especially since Florida was hit tremendously.”
Pereira – Why buy real estate in Colombia´s coffee region now
HalloCasa conducted the third interview with Benita Glück, the founder and managing 
partner of CafeteraTours, a travel agency based in Pereira, Colombia. CafeteraTours offers both individual trips and group travels. Benita will also talk about real estate investments in Pereira, Colombia.
HalloCasa: “Good morning, Ms Glück. We are happy to host you to talk with us about your story and how you ended up creating your own business in Colombia. Could you tell us how everything started?”
Benita Glück: “Thank you very much for having me. I am happy to give you an interview and to tell you about my story with all my impressions and experiences in Colombia. Introducing myself, I am originally from East Germany in Thuringia and moved to West Germany in 1989. I settled in the Hohenloh region around Crailsheim where I stayed for around a decade. Conducting my formation to become a formal healing practitioner I moved to Ulm in Germany. Then, I went directly to Colombia.”
20 insights about launching a company in Medellin, Colombia
HalloCasa conducted its second interview with David Feldsott, the Founder / CEO of PanTrek Inc. based in Medellin. 
PanTrek is a free online search engine for booking inter-city bus and ferry tickets in Latin America. The platform provides in-depth company profiles, user reviews, ratings, amenity listings, photos, and other qualitative information to help backpackers, tourists, and locals book the best route for them. The startup comprises a team of 5 employees and is currently building out its beta with the a
spiration to launch in October, 2015. David will also talk about International Real Estate Investment in Medellin, Colombia.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr Feldsott. Thank you for taking the time and to talk with HalloCasa. First of all, in order to introduce your startup properly, could you give a short description of how you came up with the idea of PanTrek?”
David Feldsott: “Thank you very much for having me! I am happy to give you an interview about opportunities in Colombia and insights about Medellin.
How Colombia has changed to a stable investment opportunity
HalloCasa conducted an interview with the Director for Colombia and Venezuela at Germany Trade & Invest. Germany Trade & Invest is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization promotes Germany as a business and technology location and supports companies based in Germany with global market information.
HalloCasa: “Good afternoon, Mr Schuh. Thank you for taking the time and to talk with HalloCasa. First of all, in order to introduce you properly, could you give a short description of how you came to be working for Germany Trade & Invest in Bogotá.”
Edwin Schuh: “Thank you very much. I am pleased to be able to give you an interview about this exciting market. Originally I’m from Munich and did both my Bachelor and my Master in Economics at the University of St. Gallen. Now, I am working for the German Foreign Trade promotion organization, Germany Trade and Invest in Bogotá.
