Karen Lucas

WELCOME | BEM VINDO | BIENVENUE | WELKOM

Are you struggling to find your ideal property in Lisbon, Portugal? 

Are you concerned about the purchase or rental process or nervous about buying or renting property in a place you don't know well? 

Are you looking for an Expat Buyer’s Agent who understands your needs, provides a first-class service, and has your best interests at heart, every step of the way? 

You’ve come to the right place. Hi, I’m Karen Lucas, an Expat Realtor living in Lisbon, specializing in helping expats like you navigate the Greater Lisbon real estate market with ease and confidence. Whether you're searching for your first rental, a forever home, a buy-to-let property, a vacation retreat, or your first step on the property ladder, I’m here to make your dream a reality.

The best part? You don't have to pay a Buyer's Agent! In Portugal, it's the seller who covers the commission, usually 5% plus tax, which is shared equally between the Seller's Agent and Buyer's Agent. This means you get expert help finding your dream property at no extra cost to you.

Ready to start the property hunt for your future home or investment?

Step 1: Book your free, no obligation Lisbon Property Buyer’s Consultation

Let’s talk about your ideal property and how I can help you achieve your real estate goals. I work in Greater Lisbon, which includes several areas that are popular among expats, including Central Lisbon, Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras, Sintra, and the luxury golf estates of Belas Clube de Campo (Belas Country Club), Quinta da Beloura, Quinta da Marinha and Penha Longa. 

Step 2: Sit back and relax while I do the legwork

Once I have a clear understanding of your preferences and budget, I’ll research the market using a 3-pronged approach:

1) Off-market and bank properties

2) Real Estate Portals & Agencies specializing in your preferred area and property type

3) The powerful RE/MAX network of 10,000 estate agents

Within 7-10 days, I’ll present you with a selection of up to 10 well-matched properties for you to consider.

Step 3: Enjoy virtual viewings and honest, professional property evaluations

I’ll schedule the property viewings, which you can watch virtually from abroad (live or recorded) if you're not able to attend in person. I’ll provide valuable insights on each property, including potential benefits and drawbacks, market value comparisons, and any legal considerations. This helps you make informed decisions and avoid properties with potential issues. 

Step 4: Get expert guidance on Negotiating and Closing the Deal

After finding your ideal property, I'll guide you through the negotiation process to secure the best possible price and terms. I'll handle all the paperwork, coordinate with legal and financial professionals, and ensure that all contractual obligations are met, making the closing process smooth and successful.

Step 5: Get help setting up your new home after signing the deed

After you sign the deed (in person or proxy), I’ll conduct a property inspection and handover and compile a Property Status Report detailing the state of the property, how everything works, and my recommendations for updating/repairs. I’ll also guide you through the process of setting up utilities and insurance, register with the necessary authorities, make any necessary repairs, and find a tenant if it’s a buy-to-let property. If you’re planning a full or partial renovation, I can connect you with recommended industry experts (architect, project manager, builder, etc.)

ABOUT ME

Why should you choose me as your Buyer’s Agent in Portugal when there are literally thousands of other agents to choose from?...

Because I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve experienced the challenges you face and overcame them. I did it and want to help you do it too.

MY MISSION

As your trusted expat realtor in Lisbon, my goal is to offer exceptional customer experiences that lead to repeat business and enthusiastic referrals. I aim to make your property journey smooth and to build lasting relationships with every client.

HOW YOUR PROPERTY INVESTMENT
CHANGES LIVES

When you choose to work with me, you’re not just finding your dream home - you’re also making a meaningful difference in local communities. Did you know that nearly 1.8 million people in Portugal living in monetary poverty and lack essential living conditions like heating, insulation, and running water?

I believe that the success we achieve together should benefit those in need. That’s why I'm committed to donating 10% of my personal real estate commissions to a charity of your choice. 

One organization I highly recommend is Just a Change. Since 2011, they’ve been transforming the homes of families living in poverty, providing vital repairs and improvements to create safe and healthy living environments.

By working with me, you’re directly contributing to improving lives and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.

MY WORK ETHIC

My clients come first. They entrust me with an enormous responsibility, and I take it very seriously. Here’s what you can expect when you work with me:

- Professional, punctual, with clear and direct communication

- Prompt responses to calls and emails

- Regular updates and timelines

- Collaboration with other industry professionals, both within the RE/MAX network and with external agencies, always in the client's best interest

- Proactive problem-solving, demonstrating agility and tenacity

- Meticulous attention to detail, from property appraisal to contract negotation

- Up-to-date advice based on the latest real estate market news and trends

MY CORE VALUES

- Honesty

- Integrity

- Loyalty

- Respect

- Resilience

- Teamwork

- Philanthropy

My Story

Several years ago, we were expats in Asia, with a dream to move to Portugal one day, and a plan to buy an investment property and get a foothold in the ever-increasing property market. Our fear was that if we didn't buy now, the prices might increase so much that we might not be able to afford to buy later.

I didn’t know any Buyer’s Agents in Portugal or where to find one that I could trust. So, I became my own Buyer's Agent. I spent a year studying and researching the Lisbon Property Market until I finally found my investment property.

And then, I almost didn’t buy it! Why? A lack of trust and confidence...

I was spooked by several factors:

1) At the time, I was living in Japan during Covid-19 and couldn't travel to visit the areas and properties in person. It's pretty scarey (and risky) investing in a place you don't know well and haven't seen yourself.

2) When I investigated the Estate Agency that was listing the property, it didn't inspire trust. There was very little information, and no customer reviews, which made me question their legitamacy and professionalism.

3) The listing mentioned a Mulitple Proposal system which at the time I didn't understand and could not get sufficient information about. I felt powerless to approach the negotiations. I desperately needed a trusted local advisor.  

Fate (or God) stepped in.

A chance conversation with a business associate connected me with Elena Stolets, a Real Estate Agent in Lisbon, who I'm now proud to call my colleague. She provided the boots-on-the ground support I needed. She visited the property and gave me unbiased feedback, guided me through the negotations and buying process, and also provided invaluable post-purchase support that I’d not anticipated.

This positive experience gave me the confidence and knowledge to make further real estate investments, which started us thinking...

“We want to move to Portugal. We've got property there. Why wait for retirement? We could go... now!”

So, we did.

And, after experiencing first-hand the challenges, complications and stresses of buying property in Lisbon while living abroad, and learning a tremendous amount along the way, I was very excited and honoured to accept Elena's invitation to join the amazing real estate team at REMAX Vantagem in Central Lisbon, where I now dedicate myself to helping other international buyers on their property investment journeys.

I found my perfect place in the sun, and I would love to help you find yours too.  

FAQs

How do I find a trustworthy Real Estate agent in Portugal?

Word of mouth referrals

Most property buyers and sellers in Portugal know someone who knows someone in the real estate industry. Reach out to your personal and professional networks, or social media groups to see if you can find a recommended expat realtor who will understand your requirements and offer the additional support that foreign buyers need. 

What is the difference between a Buyer's Agent and Seller's Agent in Portugal

There is no difference

Unlike in many other countries, in Portugal all Estate Agents can (and usually do) act as both Buyer's Agents and Seller's Agents. And this includes rentals too. Most agents work as both, with some agents like myself choosing to specialise in niche areas or markets.  

Do I need to pay a commission to a Buyer's Agent in Portugal?

No, in most cases you don't need to pay a Buyer's Agent to help you buy your dream property in Portugal. The real estate commission is paid by the Seller or Landlord and that commission gets split between the Buyer's Agent and Seller's Agent.  

The exception to this is if there is no Seller's Agent. The Owner is selling or renting the property without an agent. In this case, the Buyer's Agent has 2 options:  

OPTION A) Convince the seller/landlord to pay a Seller's commission.  

This strategy has some challenges:

A.1) The Seller may have a bias against working with Estate Agents and may be unwilling to engage or to pay the commission

A.2) The Seller will have no incentive to reduce price and may even insist on increasing the price to recuperate the commission fee

OPTION B) Approach the seller/landlord with the assurance that the Buyer will pay the commission

As you can probably guess, Option B - the Buyer-paid Commission strategy - has much greater appeal to Sellers/Landlords and immediately opens the way for property viewings and price negotiations, delivering a Win-Win for both Buyer and Seller.   

Should my Estate Agent be licenced?

Yes, Estate Agencies and independent Estate Agents in Portugal should always have an AMI licence, which should be clearly displayed on their web page and marketing materials. I work for the Vantagem Group, the number 1 RE/MAX franchise (in both number and value of transactions) outside the US and Canada. Our AMI licence number is 7772. 

You can verify the legitimacy of a real estate agency’s licence by visiting the Institute of Public Markets, Real Estate and Construction (IMPIC) at https://www.impic.pt/impic/pt-pt/consultar/empresas-titulares-de-licenca-de-mediacao-imobiliaria You can search by company name or AMI number.