Ovídeo Rodrigues, CEO of OR Properties “[…] to build a successful life, building a career is not enough. […]”

Tell us a little about your educational background, your time in the Armed Forces and how you came to work in the real estate sector.
My academic background is in IT, which I took with me when I joined the Armed Forces. That experience played a key role in shaping me as a person: it taught me discipline, responsibility, resilience and, above all else, the importance of sticking to your goals even when conditions are less than ideal. When I entered the real estate sector, the situation was completely different. I had practically zero contacts. I literally started from scratch. In those early days, my main concern was about building a network. Those were very difficult years; for the first two years, I made practically no income. There were periods when the financial picture was pretty bleak, when we had to make do with simple meals. But what kept me going wasn’t the immediate prospect of making money; it was the passion I was developing for the real estate sector. I kept going. Later on, a change of estate agency proved to be a turning point. I began to build up a client portfolio and a network of contacts and, above all else, I began to realise that I had found my place professionally. It was then that I realised my path lay not in general real estate, but in high-value, luxury properties and, later on, in off-market transactions.

What have you brought from that period to the man and businessman you are today?
I’ve brought much more than discipline. I’ve brought the ability to start from scratch without fear of hardship. When you have no contacts or track record, you learn to value every opportunity and every person. I’ve also learnt that often, persistence is more important than talent. I come from a family with limited means and, when I entered the luxury sector, I had to learn about a world that was unfamiliar to me: language, behaviour, presentation, etiquette and business culture. I never felt I should stop being who I am, but I realised that every market has its own set of codes. Luxury isn’t simply about wearing a particular label: our image and communication are part of the experience we provide.

You’ve been in the real estate sector for about fifteen years, and in just a few years you went from being a consultant to building your own brand in the luxury segment. At what point did you realise that more than just selling properties, you wanted to create an identity?
It was a natural process. In the early years, I was focused on surviving, learning and building a career. As time went on, I realised where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to compete solely on the number of properties or advert placements, rather I wanted to build my own identity. I wanted a property owner to think not just of an estate agency, but rather a company capable of offering them something different. It was this mindset that gave rise to OR Properties: a brand with its own criteria, positioning and personality, linked to the high-value, luxury and off-market segments.

What is the business model behind the brand, and what sets OR Properties apart in the market in which it operates?
Our model is based on three key principles: confidentiality, discretion and relationships. Instead of dealing with every property or client, we focus on the right ones. Specialising in the high-value segment has naturally led us into the off-market sector, where trust and relationships take on even greater importance. An off-market property is more than just a property not advertised online. It entails controlled marketing, through a network of contacts, to reach the right buyer without unnecessary exposure. It is this combination of market knowledge, a network of contacts, confidentiality and the ability to forge relationships that defines our unique selling point.

Forbes called you ‘the man behind the brand’. Do you feel today that Ovídeo Rodrigues and OR Properties are two distinct entities, or is one inevitably an extension of the other?
They are two distinct entities, but inevitable there is a powerful connection between them. OR Properties needs to be greater than Ovídeo Rodrigues. A company cannot depend forever on the personality of its founder. But it would be impossible to say that the brand doesn’t contain a great deal of me. My values, high standards, approach to service and understanding of the off-market sector are all present in OR Properties. My aim is that, with time, the brand will develop its own identity, irrespective of the person at the helm.

«I literally started from scratch.»

What exactly is a client in the luxury segment really looking for?
They are looking for trust, accessibility, security and discretion, but also someone who understands what they want without them having to explain everything. They don’t need dozens of properties, rather a carefully curated selection of opportunities. Often, we are talking about wealth built up over a lifetime or across generations. This means the service must be on a par with the wealth we represent.

«My values, high standards, approach to service and understanding of the off-market sector are all present in OR Properties.»

OR Properties sees off-market transactions as one of its key areas of expertise and advocates discretion and confidentiality. In your view, why might true luxury lie precisely in what cannot be seen?
Because something that is truly exclusive does not need to be available to everyone. We live in a world dominated by exposure, but there are clients and properties for which this makes no sense. A property owner may wish to sell without the market knowing, just as a buyer may be looking for a property without wishing to make that intention public. Off-market transactions make it possible to create this space of privacy and, for us, represent one of the defining characteristics of true luxury: having access to something that is not available to everyone.

OR Properties has already exceeded €100 million in turnover, has handled hundreds of property transactions and has received dozens of accolades. When you look at these figures, what are you most proud of?
The figures are important: they reflect sustainability, market confidence and success. But there is something I am even prouder of: the relationships that last after each transaction. Clients who come back or recommend us, owners who entrust us with their assets once again, and professionals who become partners. A sale ends when the deed is signed. A professional relationship can last for decades. And, for me, that is the true legacy built by a company.

Portugal has undergone a major transformation as a place to invest and live for international clients. After several years’ experience in the real estate sector, what does Portugal look like today through the eyes of someone looking for a property of the highest standard?
I see a Portugal that is increasingly international, sophisticated and discerning. International clients are no longer looking simply for a good house and location: they place value on architecture, privacy, security, sustainability, amenities and quality of life. Portugal brings together a combination of factors that is difficult to replicate in other markets. The challenge will be to keep up with this evolution without losing what makes the country truly special.

«Specialising in the high-value segment has naturally led us into the off-market sector, where trust and relationships take on even greater importance.»

Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, where do you believe the true value of the real estate market will lie: in location, architecture, sustainability, privacy…?
Location will remain fundamental, but the true value will lie in the combination of location, architecture, sustainability, energy efficiency, privacy, security, technology and quality of life. And I would add one more word: scarcity. Truly exceptional properties are, by their very nature, in short supply.

How do you protect your personal space in a sector that demands constant availability and exposure? Do you follow any particular routine or discipline that you consider essential for your mental health and family life?
As a family man, I have learnt that not everything revolves around property. In this sector, you can easily fall into the trap of thinking you have to be constantly available and working. But, as time has gone by, I have realised that without a strong family framework, you can feel as though you have everything and, at the same time, nothing at all. My family is my rock. Work takes up a large part of my life, but I try to make space for things outside of it. In my spare time, I like going to the gym, reading and, strangely enough, building with Lego– activities that allow me to switch off from the demands of everyday life. Today, perhaps my greatest discipline is understanding that, to build a successful life, building a career is not enough. You also need to have people with whom to share what you’ve been able to build.

Text: Carla Martins
Photos: Nuno Antunes