Some time ago, two sisters—Laura and Clara*—contacted me on the recommendation of a friend of theirs, Montserrat, a former satisfied client. The situation they explained to me was complicated: they had been trying unsuccessfully to sell a family property in Begur, located just a few meters from Sa Tuna beach, for over two years. Despite having listed it with multiple local and international agencies such as Sotheby's, Engel & Völkers, Costa Brava House, Lucasfox, Casa Begur, Summer Houses, and other firms, the property remained on the market without finding a buyer. The problem wasn't just that the house wasn't selling. The real blockage was structural: there was no exclusivity or real commitment between the property and the agencies. Therefore, there was no action or follow-up. The price was off-market, and no professional led the process with clarity or responsibility. Added to all this was the family complexity: a third sister, Anna*, had previously conducted transactions with some of the agencies involved, generating tension and making decision-making difficult among them. Change of Course: Trust and Leadership After an initial meeting where I explained the reality of the market and the reasons for the stagnation, I maintained constant follow-up. A few months later, we resumed discussions in an online meeting with the three sisters. It was a key moment: I asked them to trust me and step aside from the process. And I explained why my fees were higher than usual: because I deliver results, a proven methodology, and real commitment, within a solid structure like Keller Williams. They understood and accepted. We got to work. A fair price: key to success One of the most significant changes we made was adjusting the starting price. When Michel and I went to Barcelona to sign the deposit contract, the selling parents told us that at the beginning of the process with other real estate agencies, they considered the initial price of €1,650,000 to be high. This fact had already raised concerns from the start. Later, and on their own, they lowered the price to €1,100,000, but the agencies didn't follow up, didn't even communicate or take advantage of this adjustment to activate sales actions. Probably because they didn't even know how to act in these situations. When we took over, we set a realistic price aligned with the market, which helped to reactivate demand and achieve ultimate success. Execution with professionals: a real strategy I delegated direct management to my colleague Michel Paschoud, an expert in the area and a KW collaborator through his firm Easy Brava. Michel took care of everything: home staging, visual preparation of the property, professional photo shoots, sales activities such as open houses and real estate safaris, collaboration with other agents, efficient on-site visits... everything that other agencies had ignored due to a lack of mandate or internal limitations. Furthermore, all these actions were notified almost immediately to the sellers, who were informed and involved at all times. Michel himself identified and recruited the buyer—a European family—and an agreement was reached that satisfied both parties. Smooth and Tailor-Made Closing The documentary and notarial phase was carried out jointly by the Easy Brava team and my team at Peralada.com. The closing took place at the Diagonal 490 notary office in Barcelona, ​​one of the most prominent in the city, specifically chosen for its accessibility and prestige, taking into account the personal situation of the seller's father—a former senior manager at a Catalan financial institution, now 94 years old. The result? A clean, streamlined, and satisfactory process for everyone, in a timely manner. The Sisters' Call After the sale, one of the sisters called some of these agencies—including one that presents itself as a high-level international firm—to inform them of the success achieved. One of them acknowledged that they couldn't carry out certain actions because "their brand's commercial strategy didn't allow it." A response that, ultimately, explains why it didn't sell sooner. Thanks to Montse As a token of appreciation for her initial recommendation, I sent Montse a small gift by messenger. A simple but sincere gesture, symbolizing the value we place on relationships of trust. Final Reflection This case demonstrates that it's not enough to simply "put a house up for sale." You need to know how to sell it. And to do so, you need leadership, strategy, commitment, and professionalism. When a property remains stuck for years, it's often not the market that fails, but the approach. When there's a clear project and mutual trust, results come. That's why, in the real estate world, trust isn't a risk. It's the only path to success. And as that famous '90s commercial said: "Search, compare, and if you find something better... hire it." But I warn you: it won't be easy. * The names of the sellers and buyers have been changed to protect their privacy. These agencies are real for the sake of transparency. Jordi Bonal CEO of Peralada.com

🌟 Well-being at the center At Peralada.com, we place people at the heart of everything we do. In 2025, we take another step forward with a schedule that better fits the needs of our clients and team, along with advanced technological tools to ensure you can always reach us with ease. 📅 A more European schedule Starting this year, our working hours will be Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This decision allows us to offer: 🕒 Better work-life balance for our team members. 🌈 More personalized and human service, prioritizing quality over quantity. 💼 More effective client care, focused on key moments of the day. 📲 Always accessible We know communication is key. That’s why, with the latest technological tools, you can contact us whenever you need: 📞 Phone: Call us at our usual number. ✉️ Email: We’ll respond to your inquiries promptly. 💬 WhatsApp: Connect with us directly and conveniently. 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Happy clients, motivated team A happy team provides the best service. That’s why we prioritize personal balance, knowing it translates into dedicated and energetic attention. Every client is unique, and we aim to offer professional yet approachable service when it matters most. 💡 Tailored service We remain flexible to ensure all needs are met: Weekends and holidays: service by appointment only, ensuring the best outcome. Emergencies: always available for special inquiries. 💚 Our values, our commitment This change reflects our essence: transparency, excellence, and a passion for making real estate experiences memorable. ✨ 2025 will be a year to be closer to you and care for what truly matters!

⚡️ Introduction In the complex world of property transactions, owners often find themselves in a vulnerable position due to certain practices by some real estate agencies that, whether out of ignorance or bad faith, can compromise their rights and interests. Such situations highlight a real issue: the lack of protection for consumers in their role as sellers. 💼 The Sales Mandate: A Misinterpreted Tool The sales mandate is the instrument that legitimizes a real estate agency to act on behalf of the owner. While this document should serve as a cornerstone for establishing a clear and ethical relationship between the parties, its poor management can lead to significant conflicts. When an owner decides to terminate the sales mandate with an agency, their decision must be immediately respected. This includes the cessation of all commercial and advertising activities related to the property. However, it is not uncommon to encounter situations where some agencies ignore these directives and continue to act as if they have authorization to manage the property, jeopardizing both the seller's reputation and financial interests. 🔒 The Impact on the Consumer-Seller Such practices create a sense of powerlessness for the seller, who often has to dedicate time and resources to address situations they did not provoke. The most common consequences of these irregularities include: 🔄 Confusion among potential buyers: Interested parties may receive conflicting information, diminishing their trust in both the property and the seller. 💸 Financial harm: Unauthorized commercialization may negatively affect the market price or hinder the success of a formal sale. ⚔️ Stress and emotional fatigue: The situation can lead to interpersonal conflicts and a sense of recurring abuse. 📖 Professional Ethics: The Deontological Code as a Guide The role of the real estate agent should be guided by strong ethical principles and a clear understanding of their legal obligations. According to the ethical and deontological code of the profession, agents must always act with loyalty to their clients and respect for other professionals in the sector. This involves: ✅ Respecting the client's will: Any change in the contractual relationship with the seller must be implemented immediately and without unjustified delays. 🔗 Avoiding unfair competition: Acting without authorization or disregarding a contract termination constitutes a flagrant violation of principles of collaboration and mutual respect. 🕵️‍♂️ Ensuring transparency and accuracy: Information provided to both the seller and potential buyers must be clear, precise, and based on the reality of the current mandate. When an agency acts without respecting these principles, it not only infringes on the owner's rights but also jeopardizes its credibility and the sector's reputation. 🚨 The Need for Protective Mechanisms Property owners must be aware of the mechanisms available to protect themselves in such situations. In Catalonia, the Register of Real Estate Agents and the Catalan Consumer Agency are key resources for reporting improper practices. These, combined with the possibility of filing complaints with professional associations, enable sellers to assert their rights. However, these solutions are reactive and often come too late, after the damage is already done. For this reason, it is essential to promote a culture of prevention and ethical compliance within the real estate sector. 🏢 The Responsibility of the Real Estate Sector The real estate sector has the responsibility to ensure that relationships between agents and consumers develop within a framework of mutual respect, transparency, and legality. Promoting good practices is not just a legal obligation but also a way to build trust and credibility. To achieve this, it is crucial to: 🔧 Encourage continuous training: Professionals must stay up-to-date on current regulations and ethical principles. 🔒 Establish monitoring mechanisms: Competent authorities and associations must have effective tools to sanction behaviors that infringe on consumer rights. ✌️ Promote mediation: Disputes between professionals should be resolved quickly and respectfully, always prioritizing the client's interests. 💡 Conclusions Property sellers, as consumers, should be able to trust that the professionals they work with will always act with integrity and in defense of their interests. When this does not happen, vulnerability becomes a reality that affects not only the owner's rights but also the sector's reputation. The ethical and deontological code of the profession should be the unavoidable guide for all real estate agents, ensuring that every action is taken with respect, transparency, and responsibility. Above all, it is essential for both sellers and buyers to know their rights and demand ethical behavior at every stage of the process. When the sector unites to guarantee these good practices, it contributes to building a safer, fairer, and more dignified real estate market for everyone.

🔒 The safety of working with a registered real estate agent: key to avoiding risks When it comes to transferring a property, whether for rent or sale, safety must be a priority to ensure that the interests of consumers, users, and clients are properly protected. In Catalonia, it is mandatory for real estate agents to be registered and comply with the legal and professional requirements established to protect the parties involved. It is also important that those coming from outside Catalonia know that other autonomous communities may have similar regulations for real estate agents. You can check these requirements on the Generalitat de Catalunya website to understand what obligations and responsibilities they must meet. ✅ What should you check before trusting a real estate agent? 🔍 Verify the agent's registration: Every real estate agent operating legally must be registered in the official real estate agent registry of Catalonia. This registry ensures that the agent meets the necessary ethical and professional standards to offer their services transparently. You can access the registry through this official link to confirm the agent’s registration. 🛡️ Ensure surety and liability insurance coverage: A registered agent is required to have surety and liability insurance, protecting you in case of unforeseen events or malpractice. This gives you additional security and reduces financial risks, both in purchase-sale transactions and rental contracts. 📞 Contact the relevant association or board: Real estate agents are often affiliated with professional associations. This offers an additional layer of security, as these organizations ensure their members keep their knowledge updated and follow the best practices in the industry. A simple inquiry with the association can provide more peace of mind. 💳 Verify the agent's bank account: Before making any payment, make sure the agent's or their representing company’s bank account corresponds to the registered person or entity. This is a fundamental measure to avoid fraud and ensure that your payments go directly to the correct recipient. 🔎 Conduct thorough research: Before giving any funds or signing any documents, ensure the agent has been fully verified. Take the time necessary to validate their experience and reputation in the sector. ⚠️ Protecting yourself from fraud is a shared responsibility While most agents work with the utmost professionalism, the reality is that there are cases of fraud, both in rental and purchase-sale operations. Working with a registered real estate agent protects you, but it is essential that you also take an active role in ensuring that the agent handling your property transfer does so with due diligence. At the end of the day, your financial and legal safety is in your hands. Don’t hesitate to perform all necessary checks, because a safe investment begins with an informed choice.