In this article we want to introduce you to the consultant Ana Matos and his career as a real estate consultant.
How did you get started at Engel & Völkers?
I was in a phase of professional reflection. I woke up with the aim of finding a new professional challenge with which I could make a career, strengthen intrinsic skills and have a healthy working environment. I strengthened my networking and after a short time I received an invitation to an interview on LinkedIn.
What motivated you to look for a change?
I consider myself to be a person of challenges, which guide me, and of people who revitalize me. When the interview invitation came along, I realised that this would be the opportunity I had been waiting for. I could have a long professional career here and develop the characteristics that I believe are best in me: resilience and empathy.
What do you value most about working with Engel Völkers?
I really value the team I work with. We have a culture of excellence and dedication to our clients that coincides with my values. It's a close-knit, empathetic and hard-working team that helps each other, which results in day-to-day improvements.
What is your analysis of the sales market in the area where you are working?
It's an area with a great future for the property business. The tranquillity of the Alentejo, its magnificent beaches and its proximity to the capital make it a true paradise with a very special energy. It's the perfect balance between countryside and beach. It's almost inevitable that someone won't fall in love with the expectation of being able to feel this cosiness and peace more and more on a daily basis. All the developments that have already been created and are being created and the increase in demand year on year are living proof that we have many good years of development in this region.
What advice would you give to people who are looking for a professional change but are afraid?
Taking risks. This has undoubtedly been the factor that has strengthened me the most, not only professionally but also as a human being. Fear is not related to change, but to failure or some factor that worsens the quality of life. When analysed rationally, in most worst-case scenarios we would be totally back on our feet after just a few months. A few months is an irrelevant period, especially in a lifetime. The important thing is to calm the more primitive survival side that every human being possesses and bet on happiness and personal fulfillment. For this happiness to exist, change is undoubtedly necessary - why not professional change?
What are the secrets to success as a property consultant?
I believe that being resilient people with a focus on our goals and a love of helping people is half the battle for results. It's a demanding profession and you have to enjoy the challenge of winning and be adaptable to dealing with difficulties and unforeseen events. Not forgetting the reason for all our work: helping people with their property transactions. Helping people is the fundamental reason for this work and having the tact and empathy to do so in such a way that all clients feel listened to and represented will be one of the main success factors.
What are you most passionate about as a property consultant?
I like the adrenaline rush of making things happen, fighting for clients' wants and needs and helping to sell a property that has been, and will be, the centre stage of people's lives. I also enjoy the contact with people from different cultures and ages. I can be talking to an 80-year-old man who grew up in the village and knows everything there is to know about the countryside, and after 5 minutes I can be communicating with a gentleman who grew up and lived in New York. Listening to their stories and their perspective on life undoubtedly makes me a more sensitive and complete human being.
Comporta is in fashion. Do you think it's an interesting place to develop a career as a property career as a property consultant? Why?
It's certainly an interesting place to be a property consultant. You end up interacting with Portuguese and international clients who fall in love with such a great little piece of Portugal. In terms of human relations, we improve our skills by communicating with different people from different cultures, which makes us better prepared as property consultants to help our clients, whether they are buyers or owners.