Real Estate Exhibition is Already the Best Since the Crisis

14 October 2017

The Real Estate Exhibition starts on Wednesday. More than 300 companies will be present, with houses for every budget

Auctions to buy or even rent houses, real estate for every budget – not just for foreigners – and dozens of initiatives to bring together investors and Portuguese developers, among other events. There will be a little bit of everything, from next Wednesday until Sunday, in the FIL pavilions, in the Parque das Nações, which is once again the stage for the most significant real estate showcase in Portugal.

The SIL – Real Estate Exhibition of Portugal, organised by the AIP Foundation (Portuguese Industrial Association), is already the best in the post-crisis era, at least considering the number of exhibitors, according to the organisation.

“Right now, we have virtually no more room. There are about 320 companies already confirmed, and the pavilion, with an area of 10.200 m2, is crowded. Growth has been sustained regarding the adhesion of companies, on the order of 15%,” Sandra Bértolo Fragoso, SIL’s exhibitions manager, stated.

The event’s success can be seen as a birthday present for SIL, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and whose trajectory gave far fewer reasons for commemorations until quite recently, as the Portuguese market languished for years.

The power of optimism

“The organisation, throughout a year of work since the previous edition, is feeling the optimism of the real estate market and membership has increased significantly since last year. SIL 2016 received 300 companies, 55,000 visitors and promoted, during the five days of realisation, deals on the order of €100 million,” Ms Fragoso said.

With the Portuguese returning to the real estate market, the number of visitors is also expected to exceed last year’s tally. In addition to the panoply of real estate offerings from covering the full extent of the country, as guaranteed by developers and agents, two state institutions will take part with asset auctions.

The Caixa Geral de Depósitos will hold its usual auction on Sunday, this time with 74 lots (some including more than one property). According to Diogo Livério, of EuroEstates, the company responsible for the auction, the bidding will be for properties located between Leiria and the Algarve, including Lisbon – “20% are non-residential, the rest is all housing.” Also, the Treasury and Finance General Directorate will hold a public auction for properties owned by the State and, as Sandra Fragoso points out, “this year there will also be an auction for rentals”, including real estate from Casa Pia.

At a more institutional level, targeting not only the end customers but developers, the SIL manager highlights “B2B initiatives – private meetings between foreign investors and Portuguese developers”. The AIP Foundation had encouraged this kind of interaction before, which brought in needed foreign investors during the previous downturn in the market.

“We have confirmed investors from Brazil, China, France, the United Kingdom and Spain. And there are all kinds of investors, from individuals to construction companies that want to start investing, buying and building in Portugal, funds that want to buy only one building or whole blocks, with interest in housing and commerce,” SIL’s manager emphasised.

Sandra Fragoso stressed that Portugal remains on the radar of foreign investors willing to invest in real estate assets, not least because the square meter in the centre of Lisbon continues far short of that practised in capitals like London or Paris. “And the truth is that real estate continues to be driven by tourism and the awards that the country has been receiving and now increasingly by the international celebrities who are seeking homes in Portugal. Market growth will continue. ”

“Four in one”

SIL will hold three more fairs: Intercasa, the LxD – Lisbon Design Show and the Vintage Festival, aimed at decoration and design, a kind of “four in one, taking place in several SIL pavilions”.

Intercasa wants to make a difference through interactivity and will encourage the participation and involvement of its visitors. In preparation, there are more than 50 activities related to decoration, gastronomy and well-being at home.

Among the expected features are the Environments & Trends spaces, cooking sessions, workshops, Do-it-yourself classes and advice through the Ask a Professional initiative. Twelve decorating professionals will present their proposals for interior environments for the various areas of a home, from master suites to children’s rooms, home offices, living rooms and balconies.

There are also several planned workshops, such as those organised by Melom / Querido Mudei de Casa, Restauros de Memórias and La Redoute, which aim to present solutions for construction, renovations and decoration, respectively.

Original Story: Expresso – Marisa Antunes

Translation: Richard Turner