Blessing and curse at the same time – thoughts from my everyday life in the off-market real estate business

I am allowed to accompany some of the most beautiful properties and hotels in Europe exclusively, find new owners for my long-standing and valued clients, expand existing portfolios or actively participate in shaping them. A task that fills me with pride and gratitude.

But the addition "please not official" runs like a red thread through many of these mandates.

The desire for discretion makes this work special – but also particularly demanding. Because where public marketing is not possible, it takes creativity, perseverance and a reliable network.

Often a single buyer or partner is enough - but until this is found, it is a hard job. A job that is often misjudged. Because what from the outside sometimes looks like "just earned money" is in truth the result of years of experience, trust, negotiating skills and a lot of patience. We accompany some transactions over many months – sometimes even up to 2.5 years. Others go fruitless, although countless hours and resources have been invested that are not compensated. In Switzerland, we cannot even obtain an official document without having to pay a fee for it.

What always moves me is the handling of loyalty. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for empty promises to try to seize mandates - without expertise, without substance. I don't want to name names - they usually sort themselves out over time.

Personally, I now work exclusively with loyal partners and clients. I don't want the others anymore, they should get your service wherever....

People who reward my work and my commitment not only at the end of a successful conclusion, but already in advance - with fairly agreed fees / retainers, which are credited to the conclusion.

Because, like any serious service, our work also needs a basis on which it can be provided and compensated in a sustainable and valuable way.

I address these lines to all those who work in a commission-driven environment and have to deal with clients who feel that the requested service is self-evident and free of charge.

It is important to value real work, real expertise and real commitment even if the journey takes longer. And only those who understand this will be able to work successfully and with joy in this special segment in the long term.

With this in mind, I am very pleased, together with my team, to be able to offer a fine selection of discreet off-market opportunities in the residential and hospitality sector - especially in the DACH region, in Spain and Portugal. We are also constantly looking for interesting existing properties - both for further development in hotels and for long-term investments.

Manuela@manuelaolmesdahl.com