meet the motherland family
When it comes to such a big transition, never underestimate the importance of your guides.
penelope olij
connector | trusted partner | nurturer
Behind the scenes, Penelope makes the impossible possible. It’s no wonder our clients call her their ‘guardian angel’. She’ll move mountains to find you the perfect property and ensure your transition is handled securely. Her charm works like a door opener. For whatever you seek, she’ll connect you to the best in their fields: architects, interior designers, insurance agents, lawyers, doctors, tax advisors, and more — saving you hassle and precious time. Her signature warmth; sharp negotiation skills; and ability to listen, anticipate and swiftly attend to your needs set her apart from the rest of the flock.
The mama bird and nest-maker at Motherland, Penelope leads without taking over, and has an innate ability to create a homey, aesthetically pleasing environment. Her well-developed palette for color and design, and her taste for the finer things in life, are immaculate but never overdone. Her sharp eye enables her to find stand-out properties and transform any space through its hidden treasures. With Penelope, our clients feel seen, heard and understood. When she meets your children, her intuition shines — she’s dialed into all the schools and can quickly identify the right one for them.
In her free time, Penelope enjoys photography, Qi Gong, cooking, walking her dog Lily, and spending time in nature. She loves meeting people and learning their stories, and feels especially enamored by the elderly. Penelope is a proud mother of two, an active member in Expat communities, and devoted to keeping our land and beaches pristine.
Daniel perez
Deal-maker | Visionary leader | Adventurer
His professional background is in the service industry, and it shows. Having founded, managed, and invested in multiple ventures throughout Europe and South Africa, Daniel has amassed an extensive network of global business partners and investors, earning continuous access to exclusive off-market properties and high-quality clients. Guiding you through the do’s and don’ts of business in Portugal, he brings a deep understanding of current market trends paired with in-depth experience in real estate development, from residential housing to commercial office space or sustainable tourism.
If Penelope is the nest, Daniel is the swallow — high-flying, opportunity-seeking, relentlessly loyal and committed. You can trust him to advise you on the best investment decisions, and leverage his industry knowledge and connections to secure the best deal. His passion and enthusiasm are infectious, he leads with an edge but never loses his cool. Delivering the excellence that companies and high net worth individuals demand, he is committed to making every nuance of your move, property purchase, or sale a unique, fulfilling, and flawless experience.
Daniel is a family man, with refined taste and a deep devotion to fitness, health and wellbeing. In his free time, he’s likely chasing the next big wave; the sea is his true home. Windsurfing and kitesurfing for 4 decades (among the first in his native Holland), Daniel is also an avid reader and mountain biker. He’ll happily guide you out on the water or trails.
joshua beneventi
researcher | creative consultant | catalyst
American-born of Portuguese heritage, Joshua completes our dynamic trio. A deeply intuitive people-person, he aspires to help others realize their full potential and ideal lifestyle. With one foot in the Portuguese-speaking world and another in the English-, he serves as a “cultural bridge” for those looking to embrace news ways of living and being.
Joshua is our tree, grounded and reliable, balanced and uplifting. He exudes calm while maintaining the capacity to launch into conscious action. He is our resident storyteller, gathering information and capturing breathtaking scenes of Portuguese culture, history, local life, architecture, and natural environments. His skills lie in a unique capacity to connect with diverse demographics in order to quickly establish relationships built on trust, rooted in authenticity and sustained through clear communication.
Further enriching Joshua’s worldview is a personal passion for anthropology, philosophy, and linguistics: he speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Arabic. In his free time, you will likely find him attending a retreat or operating his drone as it flies over Portugal to carry stories home.
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
National Association of REALTORS® Issued Oct 2021
Our migration Story
As relocation specialists, we have long been fascinated by the true meaning of home.
To us, home is beautifully encapsulated by the symbolic bird of Portugal, the swallow or andorinha. Though small in size, they travel 1000s of kilometers to nest each year. For the locals, they are a prelude to spring and good weather. For Penelope, they are symbolic of her father. You will find replicas of swallows hanging on the walls of many houses as a sign of harmony, love, loyalty, family, and home.
Penelope and Daniel have migrated alone and with their children between The Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal, where Daniel has family ties. Joshua has long felt a pull to the lifestyle of his homeland. We all know what it is to leave your old life behind, and the challenges you face due to geographic, language, legal, and cultural barriers.
We’re here to guide you smoothly in your transition, hand in hand, from home to home.
How we work
Decades of real estate investing experience on the Iberian Peninsula means we know how to do business here, who to trust, and when to steer clear. Our team is fluent in seven languages, so you always have a voice. As veterans in the relocation industry, we’ve amassed valuable knowledge, experience, contacts, and a way of working that have consistently made our clients’ lives easier. Get to know our services.
What we believe in
Today, we are united in our quest for a better quality of life. We invite you to join us in this new land of opportunity, and the opportunity to slow down. Where artisans, businesses and service providers embrace our ethos and a simpler and more sustainable way of being in the world. Where we live connected to the Earth and our senses, to our breath, and to beauty in every moment. Discover a new way of life.
Welcome back to the Motherland.