"If you're with them, you're in the best hands"
Avi Doron has been investing in real estate outside of Israel since 2014. When he began exploring his next investment opportunity, he didn’t enter the investment world as a novice, but as an investor who already understood what it meant to purchase property in another country.
A personal recommendation from a friend whose judgment he trusted led him to Palmo. The recommendation opened the door, but the decision to move forward was made after my father got to know the team, had his questions answered, and was impressed by the founders’ direct availability.
For my father, choosing the partner to accompany the deal was a key part of selecting the investment itself. He was looking for a thriving tourist destination alongside people he could trust, and in Athens and Palermo, he found the combination that suited him.
Avi Doron's Story in a Nutshell
- Previous Experience: Overseas real estate investments since 2014
- Starting Point: The Search for Another Investment Opportunity
- Selected destination: Athens
- How I came to know Palmo: A personal recommendation from a friend
- What was important in making the decision: Trust in the people involved in the transaction
- What reinforced the decision: the direct availability of Palmo's founders
- Service Experience: Professional Answers to Every Question
- How my father describes Palmo: A partner for worry-free investing
Approaching a New Investment with Prior Experience
An investor who has already purchased real estate abroad typically approaches the next transaction with a more well-defined set of expectations. He recognizes the importance of choosing the right area, understands that management doesn’t end with the purchase, and knows that identifying the right people on the ground has a direct impact on the process.
Avi came to the Athens assessment with more than a decade of experience in overseas investments. This background allowed him to evaluate not only the property being offered to him, but also the quality of communication with the accompanying company and the ability to receive clear answers.
For him, another investment wasn't just an opportunity to add another apartment. It was a decision about his next goal and the partners who would help him execute the move in an orderly manner.
Why did Athens catch his attention?
Avi was looking for a vibrant tourist city that, in his view, didn't rely solely on a short vacation season. Athens appealed to him because of its combination of being a capital city, a tourist destination, and an urban center with year-round activity.
Unlike vacation destinations that rely primarily on the summer season, Athens functions as a city for living, working, studying, culture, and tourism. This combination makes it possible to explore various types of properties and investment models, depending on the apartment’s location and the investor’s objectives.
On the Real Estate Investments in Athens page, you can learn about the city’s characteristics, its various neighborhoods, and the key considerations when choosing a property in the Greek capital.
A personal recommendation that opened the door
My father’s connection with Palmo began with a recommendation from a friend. According to him, the message he received was clear: “If you’re with them, you’re in the best hands.” For someone who has already gone through the process of investing abroad, a recommendation from a source he respects can be a significant starting point.
However, a recommendation alone does not seal the deal. After the initial contact, Avi assessed the people involved, the way they communicated, and the quality of the responses he received. That’s how the initial recommendation turned into a direct interaction, based on which he was able to make a decision.
His story illustrates the exact role of a good recommendation: it builds initial trust and draws attention to a particular company, but it is the relationship that develops afterward that makes it possible to move forward.
Availability of Palmo's Founders
One of the things that pleasantly surprised my father was the direct connection with Palmo’s founders. He describes their complete availability and professional responses to the questions he raised throughout the process.
For an experienced investor, responsiveness isn't just a nice perk. It allows for a professional conversation, the opportunity to raise points that need clarification, and a clearer picture before moving on to the next step.
The ability to speak with people who are familiar with the market and the project streamlines the process. Instead of going back and forth between unrelated parties, the investor has a single point of contact that centralizes the information and helps them understand how the various parts of the deal fit together.
What does an experienced investor look for in a lending company?
Previous experience does not eliminate the need for local guidance. On the contrary: the more familiar an investor is with the complexities of a purchase in a foreign country, the more importance they are likely to place on people who know the terrain and manage the process.
A real estate agency should provide clear information about the property, the area, and the steps involved in the purchase. It should be able to explain how decisions are made, who is responsible for each step, and what the relationship with the property owner will look like even after the contract is signed.
For my father, the experience was both personal and professional. The personal recommendation established the initial connection, and the responsiveness and support he received reinforced his trust in Palmo.
Add a new target to an existing investment portfolio
When an investor who is already active overseas considers another country, they can view the property as part of a broader picture. The question is not just whether that particular apartment is of interest, but what the new destination adds to their existing portfolio.
Factors to consider include the type of demand in the area, the profile of tenants, management costs, the property’s accessibility, and the ability to reach it when necessary. The nature of the working relationship with the local company and the frequency of reporting also influence the suitability of the partnership.
My father’s choice of Athens stemmed from the connection he felt between the city and the team that would be supporting him. For him, both factors were part of the same decision: a destination that interested him and people he believed would be able to guide him through the process.
Why doesn't prior experience replace local knowledge?
Every country operates according to a different set of procedures, professionals, and working practices. Even an investor who has already purchased properties abroad needs to understand how a transaction is conducted in Greece and the parties involved.
This guide to buying a home in Greece outlines the key steps in the purchase process, from selecting a property to transferring ownership. In addition, it is recommended to conduct a thorough analysis of the real estate transaction and understand how it fits into your broader investment goals.
Experience allows you to ask more precise questions. Local knowledge enables you to get answers that are relevant to the market in which the transaction is taking place.
Since when has Avi Doron been investing in real estate abroad?
Avi says he has been investing in real estate outside of Israel since 2014. By the time he arrived in Palma, he was already familiar with the world of overseas investments and was looking for his next destination.
How did my father meet Palmo?
The initial contact came about through a personal recommendation from a friend whose judgment my father trusted. He then met with the team and was impressed by their responsiveness and the professional service he received.
What was important to my father when choosing a financial advisor?
Knowing that there were people he could rely on was a key factor for him. He particularly emphasizes the direct accessibility of the company’s founders and the responses he received to his questions.
Why did my father choose Athens?
Avi was looking for his next investment opportunity and was impressed by Athens as a vibrant tourist and urban destination. The combination of the destination and his confidence in the Palmo team led him to move forward.
Looking for your next real estate investment opportunity?
Avi Doron came to Palmo with years of experience in overseas investments. A personal recommendation led him to the meeting, but it was the team’s availability, direct communication, and professional response that solidified his decision to choose Athens and the team that would support him.
At a meeting with the Palmo team, you can learn about the projects available in Greece, discuss your experience and goals, and explore how an investment in real estate can fit into your existing plans.
