José Luis Pinto Basto is CEO of The Edge Group, one of the most successful groups in the real estate area. In addition to investments in this sector, particularly in recovery and urban rehabilitation, there are several areas where the holding bets. Recently, the Group purchased the Majora and Labrador brands, relaunching them in the national economy.

More than a decade passed, 13 years to be exact, and The Edge Group has continued to grow and establish itself as a cohesive group. One of the main areas of business is real estate but the group, led by José Pinto Basto, manages other investment areas.

After a crisis that hit the sector from 2006 to 2013, do you consider that the year of 2014 was a turning point in the industry?

It was a turning point in the sector, not in general, but in some specific areas, to be precise, in the residential area. There is a growing demand from foreigners, especially in the metropolitan areas of the country - Porto and Lisbon. Foreign investors are seeking domestic market in the search for good investment opportunities, buildings that are leased and give them a good return on the capital invested.

2015 will be a better year in terms of real estate business?

This year we will continue to feel the pressure of the crisis, particularly in the areas of real estate, specifically in the financial performance buildings. We are feeling a liquidity boost, the European Central Bank itself will start in terms of 'injection' in the effort of trying to stimulate the economy, which will open the way for investors looking for lucrativeness investment opportunities, above fixed-term deposits and obligations. For the first time we are seeing negative interest rate situation. In some cases already happened to see the one-month EURIBOR be negative. Something that a few years ago would be unthinkable.

Information source: www.dinheirovivo.pt