Texan Anne Brightman is the founder & CEO of Brightman Group Real Estate and has called Lisbon home since 2017.
Tell us about your background?
I’m a native Texan and proud of my roots but as long as I can remember I’ve had an unquenchable curiosity for new cultures and uncharted territories. Having lived and travelled in more countries than I can recall, I consider myself to be a citizen of the world. I lived and worked many years in Brazil where I became fluent in Portuguese and my passion for all things Lusofonia led me to Portugal.
How did your path lead you to Portugal?
I came to Lisbon on vacation and wound up with the keys to a new home in my pocket after only ten days. I felt like I’d hit the jackpot when I compared the quality of life with the price per square metre in one of the oldest, most charming capitals of Europe. A stable economy with steady economic growth, a peaceful and secure environment, inexpensive cost of living and beautiful weather combined to make Portugal the country that checked almost every box on my wish list.
How has real estate in Portugal changed since you’ve arrived – has it? Have the expats changed the lay of the land?
When I arrived in Portugal eight years ago, stepping into the real estate market felt like walking straight into the Wild West – uncharted territory with a completely different playbook. U.S. real estate practices and those in Portugal couldn’t be more different; it was like comparing a dog to a giraffe. I had so many questions: How could a buyer’s agent also represent the seller? How could someone work with a client’s most significant asset without licences or proper training? And how could you sell a home without an inspection? The learning curve was steep, and it took years to navigate these challenges.
“They say experience is the best teacher, and I’ve certainly been a dedicated student.”
Timing, as they say, is everything. I arrived at the perfect moment – a golden window when opportunity met readiness. Had I come even a few years later, I doubt I could have climbed as quickly or as high as I did. The game has changed. People aren’t flocking to Portugal anymore just because it’s cheap and offers great investment potential.
The market has grown up, the cities have evolved, and the country has gone global – all at lightning speed. What was once a charming, sleepy child has woken up and transformed into a cosmopolitan force to be reckoned with. And just like that, Portugal has gone from “hidden gem” to “leading lady” on the world stage.
Today, with that experience under my belt, I’m well-positioned to lead a company that serves almost 70% foreign clients – many of them Americans. I help guide them through the same challenges and questions I faced.
Any advice to people looking to follow in your footsteps?
If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone planning to live and work in Portugal, it would be this: master patience and work with trusted professionals – ideally recommended by reliable sources. This is critical in a country where you may not know the culture, legal landscape, or business norms. Patience helps navigate slower processes and working with professionals who have expertise and integrity will lay the foundation for success.
Life motto?
“Sometimes we win – sometimes we learn”
Favourite emoji? 🫶
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