Markéta Kotvová, a successful businesswoman from the Engel & Völkers Residential Rental team, has been renting houses and apartments in a popular Prague diplomatic district, in Bubeneč, since July 2020. What brought the architect to the real estate business? What is it like to rent properties during a pandemic?
I have always liked architecture and I’ve already had some experience with business. In adiditon to that, I like connecting with people. Even as a little girl, I admired architecture and have looked curiously into people’s windows to see how the apartments inside look like. During my second year in high school, I have been awarded a scholarship in the USA. This wonderful scholarship allowed me to extend my studies and get a ihgher degree in Art History & Architecture. I have also gained interesting experience while working for a hurricane protection consulting company.
I was a sales consultant for a company providing international education travel. This experience was the real window to business negotiation and customer care. I have also leared how important is my personal mindset when it comes to business.
The clients searching for housing in Bubeneč are often expats since Bubeneč is not only close to various embassies but also to the airport and international schools. Just about everyone loves the local Stromovka park. Bubeneč is such a wonderful part of town that offers really everything that one may need for comfortable living. Many of the clients I work with are actually coming from Bubeneč and don’t want to move anywhere else. I have, in fact, always wanted to live in Bubeneč myself.
I started working for Engel & Völkers in summer 2020. The situation with the pandemic was getting better and many of the restrictions were lifted. The second wave came in the fall and many of the newly-imposed restrictions were even stricter. The relationships between landlords and tenants got worse and the prices of rent overall decreased. Everyone has to have a roof above their heads and in the times of crisis, we have helped a lot of people to find a new home. I do have to admit this has been a difficult time for me as well and a huge change from my previous job. I did believe, however, that all these changes will be beneficial.
It seems to me that everything in the US is more dynamic. People move more often, the real estate is more varied and definitely more competitive. I think that wokring as a real estate agent in the US would me much more difficult. Starting such busines, however, would be an amaying life lesson.
I started competitive ballroom dancing when I was six. At seventeen, I was deciding between pursuing my studies in the US or continuing with my dance career. I love dance and it taught me so much – from teamwork to making compromises. The relationship with a dance partner sometimes works as a little marriage. Overall, dance helped me to be more elegant and feel more confident. It may sound funny but I am also thankful that I learned how to dance and walk in heels.
My team has changed a lot since I started working at Engel & Völkers. A few of my colleagues, including my teamleader, left shortly after I joined the team. I appreciate that these changes made me more independent. I really like my team and the rest of the colleagues at Engel & Völkers. Our current teamleader, Ondřej, is a great professional as well as a friend. I enjoy being in an environment where people want to improve and work on themselves.
Whenever I have a new listing, I am excited to see what clients end up renting the apartment. Some of the clients I work with are absolutely stellar. Meeting new interesting people is, in fact, one of my favorite aspects about this job.
The ideal candidate should be driven, ambitious and honest – not only with clients but also with oneself. Honesty ain this job allows one to improve and move forward. I also think the candidate should have a good sense of humor. I think that when you take yourself too seriously, it usually backfires.
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