A cofee with... Joan Maria Feliu

Although each client is different, what is your method when it comes to advising him/her?

I have always understood that in Real Estate the key factors are: to ask and listen in order to identify the needs, concerns and client expectations. Then in Feliu we discuss the different options from a holistic point of view. This implies not only pick the best Real Estate option but also taking into account other specific factors that can be vital such as: taxation, short, medium or long term performance, family or emotional ties, etc.  In short, we are committed to our customers.

2. How has your profession changed over the years?

As in whole society, the changes have been significant. I would stand out three:

 1. Administrative and basic management tasks today have less value than ever, therefore, their automation allows us to be competitive.

 2. Today clients are more and better informed: This reality implies even more knowledge, to be on the Internet and the implementation of new comubnication channels.

 
 3. It is necessary to provide efficient service and in real time.

In an the current environment at Finques Feliu we are prepared to face those that we believe bring greater value to our clients. In this sense, in April 2019 we launched the initiative "Lead your project" is a tool that want to make easier internal innovation from which emerge interesting initiatives that are implemented and of course, its development and implementation is monitored. On the other hand, our participation in two start-ups: 'HOLAHOME and SMARTFINCAS' allows us to know first hand the latest sector trends  .

3. What is your greatest professional satisfaction?

On the one hand, to lead Finques Feliu project that I love to:  plan, motivate, pursue a sane growing, accompanying the whole team and seeing the results is very gratifying.
On the other, I am already a Real Estate Agent so when I can, I advise some clients with whom, after so many years of relationship, I have a good friendship: to be able to facilitate the solution for complex problems is a great personal satisfaction.
Finally, look after about 'firm culture' inherited from my aunt and grandfather and improved with partners, managers and different partners who have participated in our history, is one of my most exciting challenges. This year we have defined our three values: Trust, future and positivity.

4.    December is the time to evaluate the year. How was 2019 for Finques Feliu?

We plan to close 2019 with a 10% increase, which is divided equally between our three services: Communities, Heritage and Real Estate.   This is how we like to grow: slow, sustained and diversified. However, above all, we are very satisfied with the cultural changes we have implemented: we are convinced that they secure the future of Finques Feliu.

5. Let's look towards the future now! What are Feliu's priorities for 2020?

Our strategy is based on five axes:

1) Competitiveness: efficiency, especially in the most routine and repetitive tasks.

 
2) Loyalty: customers are our 'heritage'. We seek to surprise them by improving their expectations. They are the main source of entry of new customers for their recommendations and we want it to remain so.

3) Differentiation: our service of 'l'UIl del Amo', the ISO quality certification, our 24-hour service, the APP and online administration, the commitment to people management, etc. differentiate us from other firms.  Internal and external innovation assures us that we will increase our differential values and services.  

4) Growth: this reality gives us the possibility to continue innovating what is essential to give a better service to our customers.

5) Our people: for us our team is the most important thing  Our goal is to become one of the best Real Estate service companies where the best professionals can work. Our human resources Management department, which incorporates a professional coach, leads this ambitious challenge.

6. What is your vision of the rental housing market in Barcelona?

It is a market with strong demand and a limited supply which implies a pressure that cause a rise in prices. I think that demand will continue to increase and supply will not increase significantly. 
The latest regulatory changes and the uncertainty of those to come have the sector anticipating how housing leases will be regulated and, for investors, with decisions to purchase buildings for lease frozen.  
On the other hand, we understand that a price increase will not be accepted by the market because it will exceed the purchasing power of the tenants.
Our forecast is that there will be a slight upward price adjustment (between 2 and 8%).

7. What are the duties of the property management sector?

 
1. Digitization: redefinition of our services to answer the newest needs and demands of society.

2. The 'Col·legi d'Administradors de Finques de Barcelona-Lleida' is our main provider of training content for our team and we are sure that they will adapt their current offer to the future needs.

Thank you very much, for our readers surely it has been a hooking interview.