“If I see a picture on the wall in the digital catalog, then that exact picture will be on the wall.”
Shlomi, a 42-year-old from Talmon who works as a plumber, was looking for an investment that would allow him to own a property abroad without turning its management into an extra job. He explored several options on the market, but it was clear to him that finding the apartment was only part of the equation. For him, the key questions were who would manage the property after the purchase, how he could monitor the process from Israel, and whether what was presented to him at the outset would actually be what he received in the end.
The meeting with the Palmo team gave Shlomi the feeling that he had found a single point of contact that could coordinate the entire process for him. Beyond the property itself, he was impressed by the management framework, the updates he received from the field, and the accuracy between the digital catalog and the amenities shown to him.
Shlomi's Story in a Nutshell
- Age at the time of investment: 42
- Place of residence: Talmon
- Occupation: Plumbing professional
- What he was looking for: a smart investment and a process he wouldn't have to manage on his own
- What was important to him: a single point of contact for purchasing, renting, and management
- What Boosted Confidence: Monthly Updates and Videos from the Field
- What stood out to him: how well the digital presentation matched the apartment and its furnishings
A professional looking for practical answers
Working in the plumbing industry gives Shlomi a practical perspective on real estate. He understands the importance of precision, proper maintenance, and professional accountability, which is why he wasn’t just looking for a slick presentation or a vague promise about investing abroad. It was important to him to understand who was behind the project and what would happen after the purchase was finalized.
Before coming to Palmo, Shlomi explored several options. This process allowed him to compare not only properties, but also the levels of service and accountability offered by the various companies. During his meeting with the Palmo team, he felt that they had addressed an issue that was essential to him: the ability to centralize the handling of the transaction and the property under one roof.
For Shlomi, the rapport he felt with the people sitting across from him was part of his decision. Along with the professional explanations, he was looking for honesty, fairness, and the sense that he could speak openly about the questions and concerns that come with investing in real estate in Greece.
Finding a property isn't enough—you need to know who will manage it
Buying an apartment in another country doesn’t end the moment the contract is signed. Afterward, you need to market the property, find tenants, handle cleaning and maintenance, and respond when problems arise. An investor based in Israel must decide whether to manage all these tasks on their own or enlist the help of a local agent.
Shlomi knew from the start that he didn’t want to manage his properties remotely. He was looking for a company that would not only guide him through the purchase process but could also handle the leasing and day-to-day management. The ability to centralize marketing on the relevant platforms, maintenance, cleaning, and tenant sourcing under one roof aligned with how he wanted to manage his investment.
This choice does not absolve the owner of responsibility for the property. Shlomi still needs to understand what is being done on his behalf and keep track of what is happening, but he is not required to find professionals on his own, coordinate every repair, or handle day-to-day communication with various parties in Greece.
How do you track an investment while you're in Israel?
One of the natural concerns when investing overseas is the gap between what is promised at the outset and what actually happens. When the investor is not physically present at the property, long periods without updates can create uncertainty, even if the work itself is progressing as planned.
Shlomi says he received regular monthly updates and videos from the field. Instead of relying solely on phone calls or a general message saying that the work was progressing, he was able to see the changes and understand what stage the process was at.
These updates were important to him because they made the remote investment feel tangible. The videos didn't replace a professional review or the documents related to the transaction, but they allowed him to stay connected to what was happening and feel that the process wasn't taking place behind the scenes.
For anyone considering a similar investment, it’s a good idea to find out in advance how often updates are sent, what information they include, and who to contact if a question arises. You can learn more about this topic in Palmo’s guide to managing overseas property remotely.
When the digital catalog becomes a clear expectation
Shlomi isn't content with general statements about the quality of the finish. As a professional who works with buildings and infrastructure, he pays attention to details and understands just how easy it is for a gap to emerge between a rendering or marketing spec and the final result.
The point he chose to emphasize is the degree of consistency between what is shown in the digital catalog and what is supposed to be in the apartment. According to him:
“If I see a picture on the wall in the digital catalog, then that exact picture will be on the wall.”
This statement may sound almost trivial, but it reflects an important expectation. When an investor makes a decision based on a digital presentation, every detail included in it becomes part of the picture through which they understand what they are purchasing. For Shlomi, the accuracy of the small details reinforced his trust in the larger aspects of the process as well.
Palmo’s apartments are marketed as properties that come fully furnished with furniture, appliances, kitchenware, and linens. For investors who do not wish to travel to Greece to create their own shopping lists, order equipment, and coordinate installations, this full furnishing is part of what enables them to transition the property to the rental phase more smoothly.
What was important to Shlomi beyond the property?
Numbers, specifications, and management services are a central part of reviewing a real estate transaction, but for Shlomi, the human element also stood out. He describes an immediate rapport with the team and a sense that he is dealing with honest and decent people.
This feeling didn’t arise solely from the first meeting. It grew stronger through the ongoing relationship, the updates he received, and the consistency between what was said and what was shown along the way. For him, it wasn’t just a real estate transaction, but an experience in which he felt he had a point of contact and people he could turn to.
Personal trust is no substitute for reviewing the transaction, the contract, the property, and the management model. However, when the process takes place in another country, the quality of communication with the person coordinating it is of great importance. Shlomi was looking for a combination of professional support and a personal touch, and that was one of the factors that helped him make his decision.
Who can relate to Shlomi's story?
Shlomi’s story is particularly relevant to professionals, self-employed individuals, and salaried employees who want to own property abroad but don’t want to manage tenants, cleaning, maintenance, and local vendors on their own. These are people who can evaluate a deal and make a decision, but whose time is limited and who aren’t looking for another task to take on.
Even investors concerned about the distance can appreciate the importance Shlomi places on updates. For them, the question isn’t just whether there’s a management company, but how it communicates with the property owner and whether the owner gets a clear picture of what’s going on.
Those who are just beginning the process can usethe guide to buying a home in Greece to familiarize themselves with the key steps, from selecting a property and location to the legal procedures and post-purchase management.
What should you consider before choosing a property management company?
Before purchasing a property with management services, it is important to understand exactly where the company’s responsibility ends and where the apartment owner’s responsibility begins. You should check which services are included in the agreement, how management fees are calculated, who pays for repairs, and which expenses require prior approval.
It’s also worth finding out how tenants are found, who signs the lease with them, how payments are made, and what happens during periods when the property is not rented out. If the apartment is furnished, it’s important to obtain a written inventory that clarifies which items are included, who is responsible for repairing or replacing them, and what remains the investor’s property.
Another issue is the reporting mechanism. A monthly update, a video from the field, or an income and expense report are only helpful when it’s clear what they include and who is available to answer questions. In Shlomi’s case, the stream of updates and the ability to see progress were a significant part of his sense that he was being monitored even from Israel.
More Stories About Remote Investment Management
Anyone interested in how other investors have dealt with the distance can also read Guy’s story and Benny Ben-Israel’s story. Each of them approached the process from a different starting point, but in both stories, the importance of managing and monitoring the investment from Israel stands out.
Looking for an investment in Greece that you won't have to manage on your own?
If you're considering buying a property in Greece but don't want to have to deal with tenants, problems, or maintenance tasks on your own, you should start by reviewing the range of services offered—not just the apartment itself.
During an introductory meeting with the Palmo team, you’ll learn what the purchase process entails, what management services are available afterward, and how we monitor and report to the property owner.
