Karsten Steenken

Realtor - Eastern Algarve

Background

Most welcome! I was born in the north of Germany in 1957 and I spent about half of my life in the Algarve.

After I finished school in Germany I studied to become a ‘Fachwirt i.d. Grundstücks- und Wohnungswortschaft’. (A diploma for Real Estate Professionals, issued by the german Chamber of Industry and Commerce, ‘IHK') I also hold a license for the professional training of property apprentices in Germany from ‘IHK’ (Ausbildereignungsprüfung). In the late 70ies I first worked in Bavaria for a producer of building materials in sales and marketing until 1980. My former wive and I visited the Algarve in 1979 and decided very soon thereafter to settle in Carvoeiro. Our three children are all born in the Algarve. I worked from 1981 to 1989 for Carvoeiro Club Group in Carvoeiro, followed by two more years working at the London office of the CC group. I learnt fluent Portuguese and English during these years.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the re-unification of Germany in 1990 we moved back to Germany, right into the heart of East Berlin, where I started a Real Estate company with two partners. I worked there for ten years until 2000. In 2001 I returned to Portugal and settled in the most beautiful historic city of Tavira to continue for anther 20 plus years in Portuguese Real Estate. I joined Berkshire Heathaway Home Services / PortugalProperty.com in 2024 to round up what have been over 40 most exiting years in the Portuguese and German property world.

What do you like most about Portugal?

Personally I adore:

- The best climate in Europe with more than 3.000 hours of sunshine p.a. and the beauty of the mostly unspoilt Algarvian countryside

- Being in one of the safest countries in the world

- To be near to the most beautiful beaches in the south of Europe

- Enjoying great Portuguese food and the excellent wines

- Living in the historic centre of Tavira, by the castle and near the ‘Praça da Republiva’ and Roman Bridge

- The friendly Portuguese people, always easy going and relaxed

- The almost complete absence of any kind of crime or even just jealousy

- The international community, which is always changing over the years

- The respect for and from the Portuguese people makes life so easy here in Portugal

- Last but not least, some of the best golf courses in the world