This month I met a lovely couple Geert and Patricia who have lived here in Spain since 2004 and who are originally from Belgium.
My family and I moved to Spain around the same time as them and their experiences and challenges in setting up a business, finding a home and having children in a foreign country with little family support all sounded very similar to what we had gone through. Immediately I felt a connection with them, they are extremely like able and as they told their story they were refreshingly honest, they came across extremely trust worthy and I found myself telling them all about my life and family too!
Patricia graduated in Belgium with Architectural studies but was quick to explain in 1996 the fashion was grey, grey tiles, grey bricks, grey buildings. She herself loved colours so Belgium wasn’t a great fit for her at this time. Despite this she built up an exceptional reputation with both Promoter’s and Constructors and was nicknamed the “all round women” as she project managed, designed, calculated and surveyed buildings all by herself.
When Patricia met Geert, now her husband, in Gent in Belgium she asked him almost immediately to go travelling to Spain, ideally Barcelona to see colour! Geert had graduated with social studies and had moved into the creative side of Construction. He designed bathrooms and kitchens with beautiful mosaics and loved the Gaudi style and colours too, so thought this was a fantastic idea! Both Patricia and Geert were well respected in their professions so friends thought they were mad giving up successful careers to go travelling.
In 2004 they packed their car up with what they could fit in and left to travel to Spain first exploring the Costa Blanca then to Granada where they stayed 9 months. Geert had found some work and Patricia learnt Spanish and to Flamenco dance! After 9 months they pulled on their original qualifications and applied for Architectural and Project Management work along the coast. It wasn’t long before they were both offered jobs at the same office in Torre del Mar. This suited them for a while but Patricia had an accident that left her unable to work for 3 months and this allowed them some time to reflect. Once Patricia was well enough they decided now was the time to set up a business of their own drawing on their qualifications and more recent experiences in Spain.
In 2005 they launched Hogar Creativo from their own office in Torre del Mar. It was, in essence, a project management and problem- solving company. Many friends and previous clients had had many problems with constructors and building projects and they helped these clients and learnt the rules and regulations and made themselves as informed as possible. They told their clients the truth even if it wasn’t what they wanted to hear. Friends often asked Geert to build them a house on rustic land but due to the regulations at the time they weren’t keen on doing this. Instead they offered to find clients their perfect location and make it their dream home by renovation.
Whilst finding their feet in business they were still finding a place to buy themselves. After renting in a few locations they found a place in Frigiliana which they bought and completely renovated and it is here I met the couple for the interview. Their house is absolutely fantastic and now bears no resemblance to its original state. Geert has built and project managed the change to its current state and even the state of the art tree house for their children is impressive too! It was in 2007 they moved to Frigliana and with now two young children it made sense to ensure the new house had a large office so work life and children could fit together. Due to the increased interest in the couple finding people their dream home they built up a portfolio of houses. This side of the business is Andalucía Real Estates and this fits perfectly alongside Hogar Creativo the business they first created.
Patricia and Geert welcome people to their office in their beautiful home along with Victoria who joined them half a year ago: She speaks fluently Dutch-Spanish- English en even Russian! She ‘s responsible for planning and the guiding of the viewing tours.They get to know their clients requirements, structure viewings from their own property portfolio and other partners they regularly work with. Also, as they are so experienced in reform they can provide quotes and ideas on the spot which is a fabulous advantage. They provide accurate and technical answers rather than commercial.
Geert and Patricia are a professional couple who listen to their customers they are Independent Home finders. In order to give their clients the best possible service they are always looking for more listings so if you are selling a home please do get in contact with them.
