After about five visits to Athens and another purchase: With Moti Eilon and Dr. Nava Maran, trust was built over time and based on what they saw on the ground.
Moti Eilon and Dr. Nava Maran traveled to Palmo to explorereal estate investment opportunitiesin Greece. Right from their first meeting, they sought to understand how the purchase process works and what to expect moving forward.
Later on, they were not satisfied with the information they had received in Israel. During about five visits to Athens, they examined the quality of construction, the workmanship, and the level of amenities in the apartments. These visits allowed them to compare what had been presented with what was actually delivered.
The experience with the first apartments led to another significant step: Moti decided to purchase another apartment through Palmo. In their case, the decision to do business with the company again came after getting to know it over time, visiting the properties, and gaining firsthand experience with the process.
The Story of Moti and Nava in a Nutshell
- Purpose of the inquiry: Evaluating an overseas real estate investment
- Starting Point: A meeting to receive an explanation of the purchase options
- What was important to them: reliability, openness, communication, and flexibility
- Method of evaluation: About five visits to Athens
- What We Examined On Site: Construction Quality, Work Methods, and Level of Finishes
- An example of the flexibility they were granted: approval to defer payment when they needed it
- A key sign of satisfaction: Moti's purchase of another apartment
Start by understanding the purchasing options
Moti and Nava’s first meeting with Palmo focused on explaining the purchase options. Aviv Cohen, one of the company’s owners and its vice president, presented the various options to them and explained how the process works.
This step was important because Moti and Nava weren’t just looking to view a property. They wanted to understand how the deal was structured, what options were available to them, and which approach might best suit their needs.
Peleg Yariv, one of the company’s owners and CEO of Palmo, made it clear to them that he would be available whenever they needed him. For them, the availability of key personnel and the ability to get a direct response were part of the foundation on which the relationship was built.
Reliability Tested Throughout the Process
Moti and Nava note that the company’s level of reliability was a decisive factor for them. Trust in overseas real estate investments isn’t built solely during a successful meeting; rather, it’s put to the test as the process moves forward and unforeseen needs arise.
For them, trust was built on ongoing communication, openness, and the staff’s willingness to accommodate them. They felt they had someone to talk to and that their requests were being addressed in a professional manner.
The cumulative experience was more important than any single gesture. As the relationship progressed, they had additional opportunities to verify whether the way they worked matched what had been presented to them at the outset.
Delayed Payment as a Test of Flexibility
One specific example that Moti and Nava mention is a request for a payment extension. When they needed to change the due date, their request was approved without any difficulty.
This flexibility was significant to them because it demonstrated how the team responds when the original plan needs to be changed. Instead of merely paying lip service to personalized service, they received a response that addressed the need that actually arose.
The payment deferral was a solution offered given their specific circumstances and is not necessarily a standard condition in every transaction. In Moti and Nava’s story, its significance lies in the fact that it showed them that the communication and openness they had discussed at the outset were also being upheld in real time.
About five visits to Athens
Moti and Nava visited Athens about five times. The number of visits indicates that they did not view the investment as a one-time transaction that ended with the signing of the contract, but rather remained involved and monitored the properties and the progress on the ground.
Each visit allowed them to take a fresh look at the construction, the work, and the quality of the finish. Instead of relying solely on photos or updates from afar, they were able to see for themselves and observe how the project was progressing.
Greece’s relative proximity to Israel makes such visits possible for interested investors. In the case of Moti and Nava, the ability to visit repeatedly became part of how they built their confidence in the project.
What did Moti and Nava examine in the field?
During their visits, they focused on three key factors: the quality of construction, the work methods, and the level of amenities in the apartments.
The quality of the construction allowed them to see how things would look in reality, beyond the renderings. The construction process gave them a sense of how the project is being managed, while the finishes demonstrated the quality of the finished product once the apartment is completed.
According to them, the level of finishes exceeded their expectations. This detail is important because, in a property intended for turnkey delivery, the fixtures and finishes are part of the product itself, not a minor addition. They affect the ability to use the property or prepare it for rental after delivery.
What do you see on a visit that you don't always see in a photo?
An in-person visit allows you to get a sense of the apartment’s size, the finishes, the building, and the immediate surroundings. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions based on what you see on-site, rather than just looking at a floor plan or rendering.
For Moti and Nava, the repeated visits created a sense of continuity. They didn’t just see a final result at a single point in time; rather, they followed the execution process and were impressed by the work throughout the entire process.
This is how they laid the groundwork for their subsequent decisions. Their experience was based not only on their relationship with the staff, but also on the properties they viewed and the extent to which their expectations matched reality in Athens.
Repeat purchase based on previous experience
The most notable part of the story is Moti’s decision to purchase another apartment. Contrary to the recommendation given at the outset, a repeat purchase takes place after the customer is already familiar with the people, the process, and the product.
This decision does not prove that every investment will yield the same result or that the project is suitable for every investor. It does, however, show that Moti felt his previous experience was positive enough to choose to work with Palmo once again.
From his perspective, the additional purchase was a practical way to express his satisfaction. He didn't just offer positive feedback on the service; instead, he chose to deepen the relationship and make another purchase.
The Relationship Between Service and the Product in the Field
In the story of Moti and Nava, two themes run parallel. The first is service: availability, communication, openness, and flexibility. The second is the product: build quality, construction methods, and the level of amenities.
If they had received good service but weren't impressed by the apartments, the experience would likely have been different. Similarly, even a high-quality product can become a frustrating experience when there is a lack of communication or when needs that arise along the way aren't addressed.
For them, the two aspects came together. Their relationship with the team allowed them to feel at ease throughout the process, and their visits to Athens gave them a chance to see the results for themselves.
What can we learn from the story of Moti and Nava?
Moti and Nava represent investors who aren't satisfied with mere promises and choose to stay involved. About five visits to Athens allowed them to get to know the projects, see the work being done, and assess the quality of execution over time.
Their story shows that trust can be built through a combination of personal attention and observable actions. The flexibility shown in deferring payment demonstrated their commitment to service, while the quality of construction and amenities were assessed during the visits.
Moti's subsequent purchase came after this experience. It was a continuation of a process in which expectations were tested against reality, rather than a decision based solely on the impression formed during the first meeting.
How many times did Moti and Nava visit Athens?
According to them, they visited Athens about five times. During those visits, they examined the quality of construction, the workmanship, and the level of amenities in the apartments.
What was important to them in their work with Palmo?
Moti and Nava emphasized trustworthiness, openness, ongoing communication, and flexibility. They wanted to know that there was someone who would listen to their needs and be available throughout the process.
How did Palmo accommodate them?
When they needed a payment extension, their request was granted. From their perspective, the incident demonstrated the team’s willingness to adapt its response to the situation at hand.
What was the main expression of Moti's satisfaction?
After his experience with his first apartments, Moti decided to purchase another apartment through Palmo. He made this decision after he was already familiar with the process and had reviewed the properties in Athens.
Would you like to explore the project beyond the presentation?
Moti and Nava combined information gathered from the staff with on-site inspections. Their visits to Athens allowed them to assess the quality of the construction and the amenities, and the experience they gained led Moti to choose another apartment.
During an introductory meeting, you’ll learn about the projects available in Greece, understand how the purchase process works, and explore which projects align with your goals. You can also refer to the guide on analyzing overseas real estate transactions to come to the meeting with a well-organized list of questions.
