Castellano
Català
EnglishAt Atipika we continue celebrating. On this occasion, we had the opportunity to meet with Isabel Osorio, founder of Atipika and expert in the real estate market, to learn about her personal vision regarding the company she has created, as well as to understand some novelties in the sector. Isabel Osorio, with a degree in P.R. and Business Management and two postgraduate scholarships, represents the experienced perspective in terms of national and international corporativism. All of this is due to a long experience that has led her to participate in projects for Coca-Cola, Imax Corporation, and Key Advertising. Her global business vision, adaptability, and communication-based system have always been applied in each of the departments she has led, and are the cornerstone of Atipika's operation.
Isabel, how did the idea of founding Atipika come about?
The truth is that the financial and real estate world has always been an attractive sector for me, and living outside of Spain, in the USA and the UK, I realized that the level of services for foreigners was quite poor. There were no multilingual professionals and people who came to Barcelona to invest and reside had no way of getting advice. There we had our market niche.
What are the foundations of Atipika?
We offer high-quality properties, both residential and commercial assets, and this corporation has an extensive catalog of properties for rent and sale. All our employees have lived and/or worked outside of this country, but they are from this city and know the needs of our clients. Our team is constantly training and we maintain a fluid internal communication and daily teamwork. Additionally, we know that our clients are our most valuable asset, so we take care of them and try to build their loyalty.
What does your slogan 'Being different makes us unique' mean to you?
With Atipika, we wanted to express that we are different, not only in the service we offer, but also in the values and philosophies of our company. We anticipate situations and clients trust us, thanks to our intensive work and personalized attention. We are different from other real estate corporations because the qualification of our employees is focused on individualized treatment, making it possible for us to adapt to the different needs of each client and provide a unique value to each experience. Thanks to the relationships we establish, both with clients and our team, in a horizontal and fair structure, we have been 'atypical' for 20 years.
Atipika was founded in 1999, what was the sector like back then?
Actually, in those years Barcelona was very different from how we know it today. It was quite provincial. Incredibly, rental prices were higher than they are now and there were even auctions for the most desired properties in the most popular areas. There were few buyers from outside and those who wanted to buy were viewed with suspicion by the owners. The market was not competitive and, although foreigners began to arrive, there was no multilingual service for international clients. A clear example we experienced firsthand was a foreign client who came to Barcelona to live temporarily and the city council had to turn to us because they didn't know how to provide accommodation... So, we can proudly say that we are pioneers in dealing with foreigners in Barcelona.
How did you manage to stay afloat during the crisis? Did you make any significant changes?
We survived the crisis by ensuring to maintain our values and loyalty to our clients. We were austere and put our staff first. We changed our approach and this new approach even helped us grow during the crisis, as impossible as it may seem. Truth and transparency are the most important things for us. Sacrifices were necessary and we knew how to manage them, so thanks to it we became stronger and more competitive.
What are the most sought-after places to live in Barcelona?
I learned something very important during my time in the United States: the three L's (3L), location, location, location. It is the most important thing. Properties in the center of Barcelona, those near the sea, and those surrounding the city up to 40km are always great investments. Additionally, all areas of Barcelona offer a wide range of housing options: new constructions, properties for renovation, or furnished apartments, there is something for every taste.
Any advice for someone looking for a house in Barcelona?
First of all, seek advice. Look for an agency with an international vision, but with local knowledge. Professionals who know the city and can filter the objectives and needs; it is very important to understand the motivations and reasons of a client. It is essential for a buyer to receive a realistic and transparent treatment.
How was the transition from the paper era to the digital era?
We started with the first website in the year 2000. It was very early and fun, but perhaps we were ahead of our time. However, this gave us a push and has given us the experience of all these years. We have learned over many years how to implement a new website, discover the best tools to position ourselves in the market, and also how to give more visibility to our product. We were also pioneers in the use of social networks and have been using them for ten years now. In the end, experience is the key to any profession and service.
How do you see the market in the coming years? Are you optimistic?
I have always been pragmatic. After experiencing the crisis of 2007, coming out stronger and improving our position in the market, I am not afraid of anything that may happen. Although we are in a process of global change, I believe that traditional real estate will not cease to exist as long as it remains alert and updated. There are always new ideas, specializations, and systems that ultimately contribute to renewing a company. The key lies in honesty, good service, constant attention, and, above all, a good team.
Describe Atipika in three words.
Professionalism, adaptability, and perseverance.
Atipika serves national and international clients, seeking the property they need with transparency and efficiency. Our company's successful trajectory in the real estate market allows us to offer a wide and attractive portfolio of real estate products. Do not hesitate to visit our website: http://atipika.com. You can contact us through our chat, send us an email to info@atipika.com, or call our phone 93-4815032.