Client Stories
A Journey of Patience: Helping Francois & Maria Find Their Perfect Benalmádena Home
The Challenge: A Wide Net and a Remote Search
When I first connected with Francois and Maria, they had a wonderful dream: to own a new, modern property on the Costa del Sol. Their challenge, however, was a common one. Their search area was a 100km stretch from the cliffs of Nerja to the beaches of Fuengirola.
For clients searching from abroad, this vast area can be overwhelming. My first priority wasn’t to just send listings, but to start a conversation.
The Process: Acting as Their Eyes on the Ground
Before they ever booked a flight, our work began. Through detailed consultations, emails, and messages, we drilled down into what “perfect” really meant to them—not just the property, but the lifestyle, the community, and the non-negotiables.
I became their eyes on the ground, personally visiting properties I felt were a strong match and conducting live video calls with them. This allowed Francois and Maria to get a true feel for the space, the light, and the neighbourhood from the comfort of their home, building a crucial foundation of trust.
The First Visit: The “Almost” Property
Several weeks later, they flew to Málaga for their first visit. We met with a highly curated list of viewings, focusing on new developments and modern resale properties in Rincón de la Victoria, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola.
After several days, they found a property they truly liked. It was a new build in Benalmádena with beautiful views and a great location. It felt… almost perfect. As their trip ended, they flew home to make a final decision.
A few days later, they called. They had thought it over and just weren’t 100% convinced.
For me, this is a critical moment. My philosophy is simple: if it is not an enthusiastic “YES!”, it is a “no.” There was absolutely no pressure. We immediately went back to the search, now with an even clearer vision.
The Second Visit: The “Aha!” Moment
Our patience paid off. Several months later, Francois and Maria returned. We had a day and a half of focused viewings, and then, it happened.
We found it. A new development right in the heart of Benalmádena. The location was amazing, the quality was superb, and it was secured at a great price. This time, it was an immediate and enthusiastic “YES!” from both of them.
The Full-Service Experience: From Sale to Setteled
Finding the property is just the first step. From that moment, I handled everything:
Legal & Paperwork: I coordinated with their legal team and the developer to ensure all contracts were reviewed and that the entire purchase process was flawless and secure.
Administration: I assisted them in navigating the Spanish system, from setting up their NIE (tax identification numbers) and opening a bank account to ensuring all paperwork was in order for the notary.
After-Sales Concierge: Our relationship didn’t end when they got the keys. I provided them with my trusted contacts for sourcing the perfect furniture package, set up their internet and utilities, and was their first point of call for every “what do we do now?” question.
After a six-month journey, Francois and Maria were able to move into their dream home on the Costa del Sol. It was a process built on trust, patience, and a shared goal: to not just find a house, but to find their home.
From 6 Months Unsold to a 3-Week Turnaround: How a Fresh Strategy Sold Daniel's Home
The Challenge: A Stale Listing and No Viewings
When Daniel first contacted me, his frustration was understandable. He had been recommended to me by a mutual acquaintance because his property had been listed for six long months with another agency, and the silence was deafening. He wasn’t getting viewings, let alone offers.
He knew his property was a great product, but it simply wasn’t connecting with the right buyers. He needed a new approach, and he trusted me to take over.
The Process: A Strategic Relaunch
I began with a complete, top-to-bottom reassessment. It was clear this wasn’t a problem with the property; it was a problem with the positioning.
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Home Staging: First, I advised Daniel on a few minor decorative changes. These small, high-impact adjustments were designed to neutralise the space and help potential buyers emotionally connect with the home.
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Professional Marketing: We discarded the old, uninspiring photos. I brought in my professional photographer to create a new portfolio that truly captured the property’s light, flow, and unique features.
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A Compelling Narrative: I rewrote the property description from scratch. Instead of just listing facts, we told a story—painting a picture of the lifestyle the new owner would enjoy.With a new look and a new story, we relaunched the property.
The Result: Immediate Interest and a Top-Tier Offer
The change was immediate. In the very first week, the property started getting the interest it deserved, and we had a full schedule of viewings. The next week, even more. After just three weeks on the market, I received an extremely good offer. I presented it to Daniel, and he was thrilled to accept.
From “Sold” to “Signed”: A Seamless Closing
My work didn’t stop at the offer. I took charge of the entire closing process to ensure it was as smooth as the sale itself. This included:
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Handling the initial contrato de arras (reservation contract) and deposit.
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Coordinating with the legal teams for both Daniel and the buyer.
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Gathering and verifying all necessary paperwork, including community certificates, energy certificates, and proof of IBI (council tax) payments.
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Scheduling the final appointment at the notary.
I was by Daniel’s side for the final signing, and everything went perfectly. In less than a month of working together, we turned six months of frustration into a successful sale at a price he was delighted with.
Seeing the Potential: How We Transformed a Dated Apartment into Alex's Dream Home
The Challenge: A Defined Budget vs. a “New Build” Vision
When Alex contacted me, he was in a classic “stuck” position. He had spent weeks browsing online, and his dream of a new, modern property in his preferred Malaga neighbourhoods felt impossible on his budget. The market for new, move-in-ready properties in his price range just didn’t exist.
We sat down for a candid conversation. It was clear that to get what he wanted, we had to be more creative. I proposed a different strategy: instead of focusing on the “finished article,” let’s look for a property that offered more value for money—something with a great location, a spacious layout, and “good bones” that we could modernise.
The Process: Finding the “Unchangeables”
I found a 1970s apartment that I knew had fantastic potential. While it was in its original condition—with dated terrazzo-style floors, a closed-off kitchen, and some poorly-placed partitions—I asked Alex to look past the finishes and focus on the “unchangeables.” It had a prime location, a very generous square footage, and wonderful sea views.
This was our canvas.
The Solution: A Plan to De-Risk the Renovation
The word “renovation” can be daunting, so my priority was to remove all the stress and uncertainty before he committed.
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The Negotiation: First, I handled the negotiation. By presenting a clear case based on the property’s condition, we successfully secured a reduction in the price, which in turn created the capital for the renovation.
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The Team: I immediately brought in a professional, reliable contractor I have worked with for years. Before the sale was even final, we had a full plan, a fixed 6-week timeline, and a detailed quote.
The final budget was incredible. For less than 30,000€, the plan covered the entire transformation—including a brand new kitchen, all new appliances, new windows, new floors, air conditioning, and even the furniture.
The Result: A 6-Week, “Like-New” Transformation
The day Alex signed at the notary, the team was ready. Work began immediately. In just six weeks, the property was unrecognisable.
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A New Foundation: This was a deep, “back-to-the-bricks” renovation. All the old, outdated electrics were completely ripped out and replaced with a new, safe, and modern system. The old copper plumbing was fully replaced with new, durable PVC pipes. The old terrazzo was removed, the floors were professionally levelled, and beautiful, modern porcelain tiles were laid throughout.
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Creating Light & Space: The first priority was light. We removed the unnecessary drywall partitions at the entrance. The biggest change was in the living room, where the old, narrow metal door was removed, and the wall was opened up to install a new 2.5-meter PVC sliding glass door. This single change was transformative, flooding the entire apartment with light and making the sea view the star of the home.
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The “Fit-Out”: All the old, hollow doors were replaced with high-quality, solid-core doors with a modern white finish. The bedrooms received new, efficient air conditioning units, and the entire apartment was fitted with new double-glazed windows.
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The Kitchen: The old kitchen was completely removed. We designed and installed a new one with sleek countertops, new cupboards, and all-new integrated appliances: an oven, microwave, induction hob, and extraction fan.
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Smart Savings: The only area we didn’t fully gut was the bathroom. It was the most modern part of the original property, so with a few smart, minor cosmetic changes, we saved a significant part of the budget to be used elsewhere.
In the end, Alex got something his original budget could never have bought: a large, fully-renovated, “like-new” apartment with sea views, all for a total investment that was significantly less than a comparable “move-in-ready