'Limburg teems with special locations and buildings'
We found Hasselt. As of today, Found & Baker has four offices. We were already established in Bruges, Sint-Martens-Latem and Elsene but from now on also in Hasselt, the beating heart of the province of Limburg. A new local anchoring that will take our on-site service to a higher level.
A next step in the steady growth Found & Baker has experienced since its establishment in 2017. 'With the office in Hasselt, we want to support customers in Limburg in a more direct and targeted way,' stresses managers David Fonteyne and Philippe De Backer. 'Our company has undergone a gigantic evolution in recent years. We started with one office in Bruges. Now there are four and we are active in almost the whole country. Also increasingly in Limburg, where you still find many castles and country estates. By having an effective local presence, we can further exploit the local market and guide people even better in their search for special property.'
Personal touch
Found & Baker is a firm that sees and approaches things slightly differently. We focus exclusively on the luxury segment. Our portfolio includes villas, country houses and castles. Not necessarily the expensive properties, but buildings that stand out because of their unique location, appearance and atmosphere. 'What drives us is a great love of architecture, design and art,' says David. 'That love flows into the way we approach real estate. For us, a house means much more than a roof over one's head. Living is a kind of art de vivre. It is not purely functional, but also has great emotional value. A home should be a place that embraces and calms you. Which conveys a kind of well-being. We guide clients from that angle. Every story is different and requires great commitment to translate all wishes and needs effectively.'
It is the personal touch that is the foundation of Found & Baker. That our firm is growing and expanding geographically is the credit of a strong team. Sophie Gheeraert, for example, is responsible for the office in Sint-Martens-Latem. Jérôme De Nil is in charge of the Ixelles office. Yentl Van Hullebus will be our first man in Hasselt. 'Yentl is the perfect person: a people person with her heart in the right place,' says Philippe. 'Not the big talker, but someone who takes people by the hand and advises correctly. He represents perfectly what we at Found & Baker stand for. The new office in Hasselt will be a place where local residents feel welcome and at home. A welcoming, homely environment that exudes trust and tranquillity, just like our other offices.'
Guiding people
Last summer, Yentl was asked to manage the Hasselt office. An opportunity he seized with both hands for a job that was right up his street. He didn't have to think long about the offer. 'Hasselt is a great city with a friendly and warm atmosphere,' he says. 'I immediately feel at home here. It is a place that lives, with beautiful boutiques, delicious restaurants and a rich cultural offer. There is a lot of attention to the environment and quality of life for residents. People don't call it the 'city of taste' for nothing. I can't wait to get started. There is a lot of exclusive real estate in Limburg, but many properties remain under the radar for interested parties. We are going to make work of that. This will be the added value of our office: lowering the threshold to special buildings, so that people find their way to them more easily and in a supported way.
Who is Yentl Van Hullebus?
Yentl is 33 years old. He lives with his partner Baptiste, provisionally in Bruges, soon in Hasselt. An epicurean, he loves a good meal out, a brisk walk in nature with his dog and a nice holiday. He has been active as a real estate agent since 2013, the last two years of which at Found & Baker. With us, he is known as an open, sincere and good-humoured person with his heart in the right place.
Why did you start at Found & Baker?
It's very simple, as a young driven estate agent you often face strong competition.
In my previous job at another agency, I often heard the name Found & Baker mentioned by clients. The next step was obvious. If you can't beat them, join them. A choice I still stand behind 100% to this day!
What makes you so strong in your job?
I am what people call "a people person" and clients usually sense that pretty quickly. I also always start by listening. In my opinion, listening is one of the most important parts of our job. Only in this way can we as estate agents understand how to help the customer in the best possible way.
What do you like most about Found & Baker?
The team! The Found & Baker team is a real family. A family of different personalities and qualities. In this, everyone has their own way of working and their own experiences which allows you to enrich yourself with the knowledge of your colleagues. Of course, it makes it even easier to work because they are all top-notch people and we all also get along very well.
What does Found & Baker mean to you in 3 words?
"Impossible is nothing"
