A&D Consulting is a Lisbon-based agency working primarily with real estate developers. Their portfolio boasts a lineup of interesting and innovative residential projects, such as Alfama Club by Ando Living and Grand Loft Avenida in Lisbon and Ocean Hills in the Setúbal District.
We asked the company’s CEO and Founder Diogo Lopes da Costa about the unique developments and how to create efficient marketing strategies in a competitive market.
Diogo Lopes da CostaCEO and Founder at A&D ConsultingA&D Consulting entered the market with a pioneering offering, providing developers with continuous attention and consultancy from the inception of a project to the final unit. This is fundamental to our solid position in the industry.
Could you tell us about your background and the trajectory that led you to the real estate business?
I came to the realm of real estate consultancy armed with a Postgraduate Degree in Engineering. After learning the fundamentals of real estate sales and market dynamics, I received an invitation to spearhead an investment department at a prominent development company.
Over the years, that experience led me to identify an untapped opportunity in the market – an understanding that developers need comprehensive support and commercial assistance throughout the entire development process.
A&D Consulting entered the market with a pioneering offering, providing developers with continuous attention and consultancy from the inception of a project to the final unit. This is fundamental to our solid position in the industry.
Company profileFounded by Diogo Lopes da Costa in 2020
On JamesEdition since: 2022
Number of active listings: 150 exclusives and 2300 general
Listing locations: Portugal (Lisbon, Cascais, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Algarve)
Type of upload: Manual CRM
Average sale: €1.2M
Number of transactions in last 12 months / this year: 35
Your company works with real estate developers on mostly new-build projects. How do you tailor your approach and differentiate yourself from competitors?
Working with developers, it’s especially important to tailor the marketing strategy for every project, align it with product design, and understand the nuanced commercial aspects.
We delve deep into every facet of the project, studying its intricacies, potentialities, and challenges. This analysis empowers us to present a comprehensive picture to prospective clients, and in turn, match each asset with the right customer.
By understanding the nuanced commercial aspects, we facilitate successful transactions and cultivate enduring partnerships that resonate with the unique vision of each developer we serve.
Our dedicated team assumes the mantle of commercial management with precision and insight.
Having been involved with numerous developments from their inception, we’ve curated exclusive products distinguished by their unique design and taste. This approach is key to offering one-of-a-kind and exclusive offerings.
What portals and channels do you use for your digital marketing, and how do they contribute to the overall effectiveness of your marketing efforts?
Our company prioritizes partnerships and online portals as focal points of our strategy. We leverage key local platforms with substantial viewer bases, such as Idealista.pt and Imovirtual.pt, among others.
Additionally, we strategically utilize luxury real estate portals from international markets.
The leads generated from these investments contribute to approximately 10% of our overall sales (the remaining 90% are not direct sales but are coming from our partners).
What specific approaches have you found successful in closing high-value transactions?
The biggest challenge we face is attracting HNW clients to use our services. To overcome this, we are working on increasing the exposure of our listings to the most relevant audience.
Once this hurdle is overcome, our expert team excels at delivering exceptional service. Our goal is to stand out in curating selections of properties that align precisely with our clients’ preferences, leveraging local partnerships and relationships with developers.
With an extensive portfolio in Lisbon and partnerships with numerous mediators, we’re able to tailor our service.
Our approach involves a dedicated focus on our clients’ needs. We make it a priority to thoroughly understand their requirements, effectively matching them with the offerings available in the market.
Another component is understanding local markets and efficiently navigating the unique nuances of the Portuguese real estate landscape, which is distinct from the more regulated US and UK.
In a competitive environment, what strategies do you recommend for setting a luxury property apart?
In a competitive environment, distinguishing a luxury property requires a multifaceted approach. I recommend focusing on unique selling points, such as exceptional architecture, exclusive amenities, or a prime location.
Tailored marketing campaigns, storytelling, and emphasizing the lifestyle associated with the property can also attract discerning buyers.
How does working with JamesEdition help you leverage your strategy?
We’ve chosen your Elite Subscription, giving us more opportunities for storytelling and higher exposure through additional articles and newsletters. We’re also highlighted on the homepage (Hero position) and in your New and trending section.
Also, JamesEdition is a portal that caters specifically to high-end clientele, allowing us to showcase our listings to the right audience. Despite its extensive global reach, the leads we obtained were of notably high quality.
What’s your advice for agents new to the JamesEdition platform?
The key to fostering a successful relationship lies in the presence of exceptional products, or better yet, exclusive offerings. Additionally, it serves as an excellent platform for agents, providing a valuable avenue to connect with potential real estate mediator partners. Furthermore, new agents with clients targeting the Portuguese market are encouraged to contact us, because we welcome collaborative opportunities.
