Buying property is never as easy as you hope it’s going to be. Finding the right fit for your budget can be tricky when you are new to the market, new to the area, or even new to the country.

Small differences can have lasting impacts. A quaint old house of character in an alleyway might tick all the right aesthetic boxes for a young couple, but will they regret foregoing a garage when the family grows?

The assistance provided by a real estate agent is crucial to making the right decision for what will often be the single largest expense of a person’s life.

That’s why Arcus Estates works with clients to think about the lifestyle they lead and the life they want, and make achieving it its top priority.

Headquartered in Malta, the boutique real estate company also has offices in Limassol, Athens and Lisbon, and is involved in rental, buying and selling, and property management services, and works with residential as well as commercial properties.

The property management department is there to assist clients after the purchase or rental of their property, and includes coordination with architects, designers, and contractors for a full turnkey service.

Clients abroad can rest assured that their property is being regularly inspected and kept in tiptop shape. If the property is a buy-to-let, Arcus Estates assists by finding tenants, collecting rent, and handling anything else that needs seeing to.

“We really offer a full spectrum solution to anything real-estate related a client could need,” says Mr Gauci, who has been a Director at the company since its founding in 2014.

Arcus Estates Director Giovanni Gauci

“We started by assisting locals find homes for themselves,” he recounts. “We quickly established ourselves through word of mouth – thanks to our wonderful clients – as our tailored and personal approach was appreciated, particularly by clients from abroad who might not know so much about the Maltese Islands’ regional differences and market peculiarities.”

In fact, the company now boasts particular expertise in relocating: “We’re very good at mobilising – we assist clients with everything, from A to Z.”

What really sets Arcus Estates apart, however, is the company’s philosophy when it comes to cultivating partnerships.

“Our motto is simple: ‘Always put yourself in the client’s shoes.’ And we make sure that each member of our team, across jurisdictions, adopts that ethos,” says Mr Camilleri, who joined the company in 2018 after working in shipping for a number of years.

“We have purchased properties ourselves, at a time when we didn’t work in the sector, so we know how difficult it can be to find the right fit. That is why we make it a point to be fully transparent, even at the cost of not closing a deal.”

Arcus Estates Director Andrew Camilleri

He recounts an example: “We once had a client who was going to purchase a villa in a very prominent area here in Malta. We hopped back in the car after the viewing, and they felt very good about it. It fit their profile, their budget. Their words were: ‘It’s perfect.’ We could have put in the offer right then and there and signed a promise of sale."

“What they didn’t realise, and what we made sure to inform them of, was that a wedding venue was located just in front. Seeing the place on a Monday morning, you couldn’t tell, but come the summer, the place would have been blaring loud music every weekend, with nowhere to park. That’s the sort of additional context we are proud to provide, because closing a deal is useless if the client is not fully satisfied when it comes to actually living there or renting it.”

Mr Gauci chimes in: “Our philosophy comes down to two things. First, it’s not ethical to withhold relevant information, and second, we want the client to remain with us and refer us. The best marketing is through word of mouth, and that is why we put a lot of effort into listing the pros and cons of each property.”

“We’ve been there,” continues Mr Camilleri. “You look at a property and you fall in love with it, and you want to rush ahead and make an offer, with agents pressuring you to close the deal. We’re not like that.”

Arcus Estates are about the “we”, concludes Mr Gauci. “We say this because we’re part of the deal. We’re in this together. It’s about building that relationship so they continue to use our services. We don’t afford to lose our credibility. Every one of our clients knows that we are there to assess their needs and wants to look our for their best interests.”

“And months later,” Mr Camilleri says with a cheeky smile, “we may be invited for a bottle of wine at their new home. Closing a deal cannot compare to the satisfaction of knowing that a client has become a friend.”